A little apprehensive about this one. This is a modern AU of HTTYD. My very first modern story. So, it might not be the same quality of my other stories. So, I ask for your help. Please help me make the best modern story I can, and in return, I will provide you with the best modern story I can type. Deal?

And for the record, I would like to blame this entire story on 24: Season 8. They are responsible for this idea.

Enjoy!

Hiccup Haddock smiled at his date. He had something wonderful planned for tonight, and he had almost no doubt that it would go off perfectly. "Astrid!"

Astrid Hofferson gave of the most beautiful smile ever. "Hi, Hiccup." She allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms. "What did you have planned for tonight?"

He grinned as he squeezed her. "Oh, you know."

Astrid pulled away. "I know?"

"Yeah. I was planning to do some of this, and some of that."

Astrid chuckled and took her boyfriend's hand. "You and your evasive answers. Did you have something planned for tonight?"

Hiccup laughed. "Of course. Astrid, have you ever gone on a single date with me that didn't have a plan?"

She looked away. "Only the ones I planned."

Hiccup gently touched her forehead with his. "And that's why I love you. You don't plan, you just do. It compliments my meticulous planning."

Astrid kissed him. "That's why you love me? Because I don't plan?"

Hiccup again started to walk. "No. I love you because you complete me." He looked at her. "And I do love you."

She smiled. "I love you too."

"Astrid, will you marry me?"

She looked across the table at Hiccup. Of all the questions he could of asked her, she wasn't expecting that one. the restaurant he had taken her to was a rather noisy one. In fact, now that she thought about it, it was owned by Gobber. It was hardly the place she would of expected him to pop the question. But that was Hiccup. Forever doing the unexpected and making it very romantic. "Excuse me?"

He smiled. "Will you marry me?"

Astrid was uncharacteristically quiet for about ten seconds. Then, "Why would you want to marry me?"

Hiccup's heart was in his throat. "What?"

She sighed. "Look at me. I'm just a girl. You're Hiccup Haddock. Son of the most influential man on Berk." She lowered her head. "Why would you want me?"

Hiccup tilted her head so she could face him. "Astrid, I love you. And right now, I don't care who my father is, or how much money I have. All I care about right now is you. Astrid, I would gladly spend the rest of my life beside you, if you would let me." He shuddered as the thought of being told 'no' crossed his mind. "Astrid, I might start begging in a minute. Will you marry me?"

Astrid broke out into a grin. "Yes."

That had been one year ago. Now, they were days away from the wedding, and it was Hiccup who was worried.

"What if I'm not good enough? What if she secretly despises me, or is just pretending to gain access to my money? What if-"

"HICCUP!" Snotlout Jorgenson sighed in exasperation. "STOP! Astrid loves you, we all can see it! She doesn't love you for who your father is, or what your bank balance is. She loves you for you."

He nodded. "Thanks, cuz."

Snotlout chuckled. "Does she know about your past?"

Hiccup smiled. "Of course. She and I have talked about it at length. She's seen me in action, too."

"When?"

"Two years ago. We were on vacation, and one of my father's former allies decided to attack his son. He failed."

Snotlout grinned. "That's my cousin."

The relationship between Snotlout and Hiccup had been a complicated one. Years earlier, Snotlout had been one of Hiccup's bullies, despite being his cousin. As they both matured, he had slowly come to respect who Hiccup was. Now, the two were close friends. In fact, Snotlout had been the first person Hiccup had told about his plan to marry Astrid.

"So, how do you think she'll react?"

"To finding out just how much money you've earned as an inventor?" Tuffnut Thorston laughed. "Dude, she'll be blown away!"

Hiccup smiled. "I hope so."

Fishlegs Ingerman chuckled. "Come on, Hiccup. You might not be the fastest, or the strongest, but you are the smartest, and Thor knows Astrid is only into the smart ones. And not the fat smart ones." He added self-consciously.

Fishlegs was by far the smartest in the room. He moonlighted as a hacker, rerouting satellites for the government. He also had a major, not so hidden crush of Heather.

Hiccup grinned. "What about Heather? She seems nice."

Fishlegs had started to blush madly. "I don't-don't see how this has anything to do with that."

On the opposite side of Berk, Astrid was dealing with very similar doubts.

"What if he does decide that I'm not enough? What if he decides that he doesn't need me?"

Ruffnut Thorston groaned. "Ast, keep going on like that, and he MIGHT decide to walk away after all!"

Astrid glared at her. "Not. Helping."

Heather chuckled. "Don't worry. One look at you, and Hiccup Haddock will be blown away. He won't be able to think of anything else besides you."

Astrid smiled thinly. "I hope so." She glanced at Heather with a mischievous look on her face. "I think Fishlegs will be there. Will you two be dancing together?"

Heather grinned. "That's none of your business. But yes."

Two days before the wedding, Hiccup called Astrid and asked her to meet him at his house to go over some final details.

"Astrid." Hiccup sat back. "You are absolutely sure you want to do this?"

She nodded resolutely. "Absolutely. I love you, Hiccup." She stood. "I will-"

The glass of the window behind her shattered, and Hiccup heard the distinctive thump of a bullet striking human flesh. In an instant, he was by her side, lifting her up.

"ASTRID!" Hiccup ducked down as more bullets were fired into the room. Quickly, he started crouch running towards the door. "Just hang on!"

Well, that may be a problem. But, it's me, which means absolutely no one dies and they all live, right?

Thanks for reading!