Chapter Two: A Deal Is A Deal

A/N:

Hello guys! ProcrastinatorSleepyhead here….. Sorry for the long wait—well you surely know the reason for the long update. So anyway thank you for all the views, followers, reviews! As I've said before, the rough draft from chapter 2 was already completed. But I did make some( a lot) last minute changes, that's why it took me so long to update the story… or probably the reason it took me this long is because I love laying in my bed and doing nothing, I'm guilty of it!

And to Ctd183, EldestCosmonaut, Grond99, 5889, kcurrence11, KarateKoala; thank you for following this story.

Lady Phoenix- thank you for the review, well I don't want to give away anything—so I'll just say you're on the right track!

To that other Guest- Thank you! For your support!

So I present to all of you Chapter 2…

I do not own "HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON" and it's characters, or any song lyrics,

So anyway R&R!


"I think he's gone now….." her voice was one with caution as she moves to the door and tried to peek into the hallway,

"Aye, I'm glad that you made it—and also I'm very sorry," he said it as he released an apologetic sigh

"She's worried you know….." she looks down and move's away from the door, arms crossed she added,

"So it's still like this?" walking towards him and decides to sit at his side,

After a long paused he nods at her and speak,

"Y-yes, I'm sorry…." Tears started to pool in her eyes but didn't dared to fall, as he puts his hand to her shoulder to bring comfort, the girl started to sob and put her hands to her face slumped in the chair.


It was all darkness, and then I saw that same scene where I was laughing with a group of people—they were practically strangers to me. I felt this sense of familiarity to them, to which I was surprised.

Then I heard a voice, a very familiar voice—but I can't remember where, then it dawned upon me that I was still sleeping and the voice was from that mysterious blonde girl.

"Hey—are you alright?" as I opened my eyes I saw her face, her cerulean blue eyes, that yellow blonde hair dangling at her face, and as she smiles to me, she ask something to me for the second time around,

"Hey! I'm talking to you don't leave me hanging" Her voice was a mixed of worry and a hint of frustration,

I felt blood rush up to my cheeks and probably just stared at her, I shook my head to remove the blush but to no avail,

After a couple of seconds I realized that I am still laying in the floor, also that smile in her face was slowly fading. This broke me into my trance and managed to say a weak but quite hearable response,

"Y-yeah…..ho—how long I was out?" Curiosity fills my voice.

As she smiled back to me, she suddenly disappeared from my point of view—but I did still hear her voice,

"Hmmmm well not that long— maybe a few minutes," as I heard her voice, there also came a sound of a wood—cracking to which I realize that there was also a fireplace in the room,

"Well…. I'm starting to wonder if you're really okay," The tone in her voice suddenly shifted from relief to anxious… then she added,

"If you keep laying there you'll catch cold," I obliged myself to stand at her statement, though I still feel a little bit of lightheaded I did managed to sit then after a couple of seconds stand,

As I stand up and tried to find where she is, all I heard was nothing. It was quiet until she spoke,

"Come! I'm at the fireplace!" as I walk towards the fireplace I decided to compose myself.

There she was, sitting by the fire, staring at it with sad eyes, in this I was puzzled. I tried sitting across her but my action startled her, and then she smiled at me. Gods that smile—too beautiful; rather what an exquisite beauty…wait that was an irrelevant thing to think, really inappropriate for the situation. I was cut-off from my thoughts when she waves a hand in front of me,

"Hey… ground control to Major Tom!" She crossed her arms, pouting at me, and she snickered on me,

"Did you hear what I'm saying?" she was now giggling,

"Y-yeah—sorry," I said it while rubbing the back of my head,

"Sorry about what?" confusion in her voice,

"Well, for not spacing out on you," what a sarcastic comment,

"Oh! Hush, it's okay really," there was a short pause then we burst out in laughter,

Then she stop's laughing and wipes a non-existent tear in her eye, she said,

"So books huh…. I also like to read books back then," after hearing what she said, I looked to her with smile plastered in my face. However as I noticed, she is not happy. Then I realized what she meant, my glee was replaced by disappointment. Yes I am happy that I met a beautiful girl whose also into reading, but at the same time there's a part in me that is wondering.

"Why?" I ask, as I look at her there was a look of sadness, frustration, guilt, apology on her face.

She decided to stand up and walk aimlessly from where she was sitting.

"It's a long story—"she answered me while faking a smile, but the surprising part is when I interrupted her and said something embarrassing,

"Well I-I have all night!" Gods help me, as I embarrass myself with my own words I couldn't help but smile to ease the tension, and also because that frown in her face was replaced by a smile. Although she was surprised she did make a comeback,

"Shouldn't you be in your father's room right now? He's probably worried you know, "that all-too-knowing tone of her is cute plus her playful smirk.

At this I was surprised, I just stared at her. I opened my mouth to say something but decided to closed it, I rubbed the back of my neck and said,

"O-okay okay…. If you say so," disappointment in my tone,

"Hmm but if you insist you could head back here, after you've checked your father….. Deal?" she said it while tucking her hair at the back of her ears,

I was stunned at her statement; I gave her a nod and gather my things. I held out my hand to shake hers,

"Oh! Deal! I'm H-hicc—Henry! Henry by the way," to my confusion—she just stared at it,

As I started to walk towards the door, she murmured something; and I turn to look at her,

"I'm Astrid—and sorry for not shaking your hand," She was still sitting by the fireplace,

I said something before I walk towards the door and opened it,

"L-later?" I look at her with an expectant look,

She looks up to me and said, "Later," while smiling at me,

As I closed the door, I can't help myself to take one last glance at her before I leave but to my astonishment…. she was gone, I came back at the place where we were seated a while ago,

"Weird, how in the world can she do th- hmmm wait…" I tried to think things through, disappearances, why she didn't shake my hand or why she didn't help me to stand, keeping her distance from me, then and there I realize something,

"Oh no—"as the realization dawned upon me, a cold chill ran down my spine, "She's a ghost!"


Here I was; standing outside my father's room. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even remembered how I got here,

"Man….what an eventful day," I murmured to myself as I entered to the room,

By the time I came in, it was all quiet, I noticed that Dad was alone—staring into the unknown; also Heather was gone, so I tried to ask what they talked about earlier,

"D-dad, so— how was it?" I took the seat beside his bed and start to peel an apple, though I'm failing miserably,

Dad was taken aback at my question, as he turns to face me I can see his frightened expression,

"What do you mean—Son?" his voice was filled with worry,

I was baffled at his question, "Wha-what do I mean? Yo-you know dad what did Heather the "nurse" said? Ouch—" I cut myself with the knife while peeling the apple,

"O-oh you mean that?" I heard him sigh with relief, "Nothing serious son—careful with that," he took the knife and the apple from me and finished-off peeling it,

"Really Dad? Are you really sure that all of the scowling-at-me-about-the-thing is not serious?" Mockery in my voice,

"I didn't scowl! Ugh! Believe me son, everything's alright, now enough 'bout me! You took your time when you said you need some fresh air—I guess you were messing with the girls at the nurse station"He said it while eating the apple that I peeled off—well most of it,

"Wha—No! You know I'm not like that! Besides the only girl in this hospital aside from Heather was that Old lady… what was her name again? Hmmm—Gothi right, Heather called her Gothi," nodding at myself,

"Must be Graveyard shift…. Too bad for you then!" he then started laughing at me,

"Knock it off, Dad!" I crossed my arms while giving him an annoyed look,

We were interrupted by the sound of an opening door, the next scene was different from the current one, and it was lively, more vivid,

"Hey! Hiccup!" it was Finn together with Riley and Tyler–and my cousin Scott,

"Guys! What are you doing here?" I ask them , and Tyler steps forward and pats my shoulder, he said something to me,

"Hey, hey it's not every day for our beloved Mayor to be in the hospital you know—" then Riley hops beside Tyler her brother and finished what Tyler had to say,

"So we took the liberty of saying to Principal Alvin that Scott here was the nephew of the mayor, and we wish to visit him—"she was cut-off by Tyler,

"And being the great guy he is—"the twins spoke in unison,

"We were exempted for the rest of the class!" they beamed to each other and did a high-five,

Tyler then drags Finn and said, "Also thanks to this guy—the principal his dad, would've never allowed us to skip class if he was not with us….. So yeah! Awesome men!" he grinned at Finn did a fist bump,

"We did bring food!" Scott shouts to everyone, much to the twins joy.

While the twins and also Scott are enjoying themselves, Finn walks toward dad and gave him a basket full of fruits,

"Uh, hello Sir, my father ask of me to give these and he said to relay his message; "Get well, I still need a drinking buddy aside from Gobber," at this my father laughed, and nods at him as a response,

After Finn walks towards the feast, Tyler called for me,

"Hey Hiccup I saw your—"he was elbowed at the side by his twin,

"OH, I'M HURT! I AM VERY MUCH HURT!" he whined while rubbing the sore part of his ribs,

"Dumbass!" murmured by Riley, then Tyler shout's at her, "YOU—"Tyler beat Riley's head with his bag,

At this Riley's face was fuming with rage, she resorted into punching Tyler in the face,

"Harder! I want to see stars!" Tyler said to Riley,

"Hey quit it!" Scott interjected, "This is not the right place for that!" he then scoots over to Finn and whispered, "Wanna bet if Riley can knock out Tyler?" Finn face palmed,

"Guys, let's all just stop. My father will rest now, it's already late." I strode towards the door,

"Anyway thank you for coming, also for the fruits we really appreciate the gesture, come on guys." I walk outside the room and I said something to Dad before leaving,

"I'll be back in a jiffy," and closed the door,

While walking, Tyler turns to faced me and talks to me,

"But seriously Hiccup, I did saw—" before he finished his statement, Riley suddenly kicks his shin. Tyler screamed in pain, "YEOUCH! OW! AUGH!" then Riley screamed at him,

"Quit it! You Idiot!" she drags Tyler and whispered something to his ear,

"OOOOH—Okay!" Tyler then resumed walking, not looking at me anymore, I find this suspicious so I attempted to ask about the matter to which Scott intervened,

"Drop it Henry, once the twins have decided on something…. You can't do anything about it," Scott walks ahead of me and when I look at Finn, he immediately nods at me. So I decided to drop the subject.

We parted ways in front of the elevator, and we said our farewells. As I walk back to Dad's room I got this feeling that I was forgetting something. When I entered; my father must've noticed the troubled look on my face,

"Son what's wrong?" I look up to him and said,

"It's nothing Dad," I gave him a shrugged and took a seat near the door,

"Very well, "as my father starts to tuck himself in the covers,

I was so lost in my thoughts that I lost track of time. I tried to think of all the things that had transpired today, First my Dad was admitted into the Hospital, then I met this girl; a beautiful girl and as it turns out she was a ghost. "Oh the gods hate me," I muttered to myself, really what a dilemma.

"Son, it seems something is bothering you—what is it?" I was startled at the voice coming from my father because I thought he was asleep already,

"Well—"I speak with a sluggish voice,

"Well?" he said it with a hint of seriousness in his voice,

"Well it's just that—it's too complicated for me to tell….. Maybe some other time," my voice was hoarse weak, maybe because of dried throat or maybe I was just tired.

"Is it—a girl?" he said it with a teasing voice,

"Wha—N-no! What are you say—I mean talking about?!"Now I'm caught because of that damn stuttering,

Oh the gods really hate me; I guess Loki is watching me right now probably laughing at me. My father then snickered and snorted at me, he talked to me with such levity,

"So it is a girl," my father stated it with a victorious smile, to which I nodded in response,

My face was now all red from embarrassment; I look down to avoid the look that my father was giving to me,

"Hmmm, I can't think of someone—"he then gaped at me,

I was petrified at the sudden silence so I decided to look up; and from the frivolous expression on his face, it changed into sullen look,

"Dad are you—"he cut me off from what I was trying to say,

"Well son, I understand if you want to keep it secret, I respect that." He said it while, laying in the bed again, and resuming his rest.

Though I noticed the sudden change of his tone, I didn't tried to push my response, also because I heard the snoring. At this I marched to the door and decided to grab coffee. On my way to the vending machine at the cafeteria, I weighed between my rational thinking and to the fact that I keep my word. After minutes of reasoning with myself on whether to meet up with Astrid or not, I decided to man up and keep my word. Well although she's the one that offered the deal, I'm also the one at fault for agreeing at the deal. So if I bail out, that would taint my honor.

So after I got my coffee, drank most of it, I started my walk towards the library to which is not too far away from the cafeteria. By the time that I arrived at the library, I immediately headed for the fireplace and Astrid was nowhere to be found. Well I was upset to find that Astrid in all likelihood will never bother me again, in actuality it was a mix of emotions. Yes it made me happy that I met a girl whose also into reading like me; I'm comfortable around her in the small amount of time we spent together, although for a ghost, she's a beauty… that's a plus—I think?

After minutes of reasoning, I decide to stay and wait for her at the fireplace. Though after minutes of sitting and waiting my efforts were wasted, and also I noticed that the temperature was gradually falling and the heat of the fire is not helping. I decided to leave,

"What a bummer—"when I turned… I see her face in front of me; her face was practically inches apart from mine, she's pouting at me—and then she's the first one to speak,

"Hey there….. what took you so long?" her voice was filled worry. I look at her softly and tried to speak but she cut me off,

"Aaaand why is your face red like a tomato?" Her face has this innocent look,

I leaned away from her as I tried to frantically remove the blush on my face; she's just a ghost for goddamn's sake! Get a hold of yourself!

"A-ah! W-well—my face? It must be the temperature—yes, yes it's too hot in here! Y-yeah that must be it!"

"Well you didn't answer my first question.." She turns away with a disheartened scowl,

"I-I was—well," I sighed in frustration, "Well of course, actually—well how would I explain it," I ruffled my hair and spoke,

"I-I was caught up in things, and also because I was also thinking a-about you…..that I—I lost track of time." I turned away and closed my eyes to prepare for the worst; but all I heard was a chuckle,

"Hmmm, so you're actually saying that…. it was my fault?" she walks away with a smirk on her face,

"Wha—no! it's—" she cut me off, "And if you're saying that you are thinking of me, then you already know my situation…. Right?" her voice was suddenly filled with sadness,

"Well— yes….. I'm sorry," I said it while avoiding her gaze,

"Don't be…..It's no one's fault though—"she stopped herself in saying something,

As she stared at me it was a deafening silence, besides the fact that were just staring at each other no one made the attempt at breaking the silence, then she suddenly claps her hands and hop-walks towards a door,

"Anyway, that's a story for another time." She stands at the door and literally walk right through it, then after a couple seconds; her heads reappear through a wall and gestured for me to follow her,

"Come on!" her voice was now filled with enthusiasm,

"Y-yeah sure—"I said it to her with a skeptical look, knowing that display of enthusiasm and happiness was probably just a display to hide her feelings,


After entering through the door, it led me to an outside garden; now I know why there's a fireplace in the library, I saw Astrid hovering in the middle of it, and when she saw me, she waves at me and screamed something at me,

"Hey! Isn't the weather great?" What a sarcastic comment to say,

It is snowing, not that bad; just the right amount of snow that will make you cold. The wind was a bit chilling but still bearable. As she "sits" in one of the benches, then she gestured for me to sit in the space next to her. As I awkwardly shuffled towards her; I tried to sit near her this time to which she didn't mind, for she is transfixed in looking up the night sky. We really didn't talk after the first minutes of sitting beside of each other or in her case hovering, she just stare solemnly at the stars, attempting to touch the snowflakes and failing graciously. And I was just there—staring at her with amusement, observing everything that she do, the way she smiles or the way her eyes shine brightly—that blue eyes like the ocean that you can get lost to, that mess of yellow blonde hair the way it sways in every movement she does. I'm just beside her sitting in the same bench but it feels like she has this—this world of her own, and then her lips….. her lips that is slowly forming a smile to which I smiled in response. O h gods what are the good things that I did to deserve this! I can't help myself not to be in love to this girl, if not for the idea she's a ghost. Also to my wonder; I have this strong sense of familiarity to her, which kept me thinking things.

"So…" she spoke first, as she tucks her hair behind her ear,

"I'll introduce myself again, I'm Astrid Hofferson; resident ghost of RavenPoint Hospital, nice to meet you Hi—Henry, Henry right?" she smiled at me,

"Y-yeah, I'm Henry Haddock…. But you can call me Hiccup if you want, that's what my friends call me," instead of holding out my hand I tuck it in my clothes, for the reason that it's getting cold by the minute.

"Yeah… Hiccup," she then pulls her knee up to cover her face, "Hiccup…..Hiccup," I answered her but it seems she is not listening to me, "Hiccup…Hiccup—I like it more than your real name!" then she gave me this smile, a smile that was filled with happiness but also with grief, hopelessness, guiltiness.

I was surprised at what she said, so surprised that my sight was getting blurry, wait—is that tears? I-I don't know, why my heart is beating faster and at the same time I can't explain this pain both in my chest and my head. I slumped in my seat; I look down and put my hands to my head. Astrid must've noticed my situation and kneel in front of me putting her hands in my shoulder, hands that I cannot feel. She must be trying to say something to me, though I fail to understand it because of the intense pain that I'm feeling right now. And then I was surprised at the sudden warmth that I felt, when I tried to look up, I saw her hugging me. I don't know why or how but at this moment all I can feel is relief and comfort as I feel asleep in her embrace.


~Meanwhile at the "The Edge"~

The gang enters the establishment and picks a table not too far from the counter,

"Hey! Gobber four large mead and 1 large pepperoni pizza also one for the angus beef pizza, and lastly two extra-large mojos— and put the tab on Hiccup's" Scott screamed,

At this Frank rolled his eyes while scribbling their orders, then he proceeds to hang it in the order list to be cooked by Erik, after that he pours another round for Alvin whose sitting by the counter,

"Hi Dad!" Finn greeted, at this Alvin turns his head to look at the gang,

"How's Stoick? ~hicc~ I mean Gerard?" he ask with a drunk and deep voice, Finn then walks towards his father and said,

"He's okay Dad, the nurse said that he will be there for another couple of days to rest, but nothing serious, also Heather is the one tending to him," wary in his voice,

"HMM?! Heather? Is he INSANE? He must be!" Alvin bantered with his son,

"Alvin, he must've good reason to do this ei? Let's just trust our friend 'ere," Frank countered while wiping a mug,

"But seriously guys! Hiccup's this close—" showing his fingers stick together and then uses a magnifying glass at it, "—this close to finding out the truth and yet…" he paused,

"You know for a brilliant guy like Hiccup, he can be really dumb sometimes." as he raises his hand in a mocking way,

"We can't blame him guys," Erik emerged from the kitchen wiping his hands, "OH and Gustav; Scott's order were already finish so go get it, quit slacking off!" Gustav stands from where he was seated and runs to the kitchen while screaming "ON IT!"

Then Riley stands beside Erik and whispers in his ear, "Hi Erik~ Lookin' good tonight!" in a seductive way, to which in Erik's dismay as he leans away from her, Riley was waving at him and biting her lips.

"Guys, I don't know about you but I'm hungry—very hungry," announced by Scott then he added, "Let's just hope that, whatever turns out—it will turn out good not bad," as he starts to devour the food in front of him,

Tyler ask something to him, "Wait—what are we talking about anyway?" Erik face palmed,

Scott choke's out on his food and glared at Tyler,

The gang then took their seats and started to eat, while Frank and Alvin were still talking about something.

Erik shout's at Gustav, "Hey Gustav come to the kitchen I need some help for cleaning-up!" much to Gustav's annoyance,

~To Be Continued~


A/N:

Hello guys! ProcrastinatorSleepyhead here again, I'm here to inform you that the rough draft for chapter 3 is already half-done. But I can't give any assurance that I can update right away maybe when I finished it I'll make some last minute changes just like in this chapter. Well my updating schedule will be ten days after the last chapter, though it depends on my mood or when life gets me, and I'm just giving you guys the estimated time on when will I update.

And can someone beat me up for slacking-off? Anyone? *sighs*

So anyway here are the list of things that I need to explain for those who want answers;

~First Alvin is Finn(Fishlegs) father in the books, so I decided to make him a Father in my story

~Alvin is the principal of Berk University,

~To Gobber or Frank, I used Frank when he is being referred to like; "Frank was my drinking buddy," and when he talks I used Gobber, but in Alvin's case he likes to call Frank in his alias "Gobber" just like Gerard in "Stoick",

~Also when they're at the bar Aliases were more used than real names

~Tyler is for Tuffnut and Riley for Ruffnut, I was struggling in finding the best matching names for the twins, though it was technically a time consuming work so I did settled for the current ones,

~Scott is for Snotlout of course!

~" The Edge" was an establishment that is a workshop/diner at the morning and at night it's a diner/bar, though it serves food until 10 at the evening.

~And Gustav was a part-timer at The Edge, and he's the one who came up with the slogan;

~Race To The Edge's slogan was "We Fix! You Dine!"

~Gerard "Stoick the Vast" is the Mayor of Berk,

And for the last remarks I hope that most of you well that's wishful thinking will give me a feedback whether it's positive or negative! And also I need reviews so that I can know your opinion about this story. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT! Till next time people :D