The day started like any other with my alarm waking me up at about 6:30 in the morning and I slowly rose out of bed. The sun wasn't up and stars still shined in the sky and I knew it would be a rather col day which would make dragon training all that worse. I trudged into the bathroom and took a nice soothing shower staying under that hot water for a few minutes just to clear my head. I eventually shut it off and picked something warm for the day and dragged myself downstairs for a short dinner and then a long walk to school through the cold morning air.

I would have only a few weeks of this manageable weather before the snow came in and would make walking virtually impossible and it would only sour my mood. I didn't hear my father so he must have already left for his great ending mission that would put him up as a hero of the town and then he would retire the hero. Then my dad would shove me out of the house and out of his life for good which didn't bother me in the slightest. I heard the bus drive by and I would never take that retched thing again, not after the embarrassment of years passed.

I finished and then left the house with a sigh and began the long walk to school. By this point the sun was just beginning to peak above the horizon and I knew that these beautiful mornings wouldn't last forever. I didn't know for how long but I turned slightly to my right and saws someone walking just behind me. I looked so quickly I couldn't tell who it was but I didn't dare look back again.

"Hiccup." the person said.

This time I turned and found myself face to face with Astrid of all people. She stood there in a winter coat with a blue Deadly Nadder following her and that made me wonder how on earth she managed to sneak up on me.

"Yes, Astrid." I squeaked.

"Why did you go easy on me?" she drilled.

That made me flinch as I had hoped to make it not so easily obvious that I made it easy. Now That she knew I was in deep danger because she hated people helping her or making things easier of ruer just because she was her.

"What do you mean?" I said weakly.

"Don't play dumb. I saw what you did to Snotlout and that was nowhere close to what you threw at me."

"Well Snotlout deserved what I gave him." I said quietly.

She heard me, "That still isn't an excuse. Next time don't be partial, I don't need a handicap."

"That's not why I did it." I whispered.

Luckily she didn't hear me that time and had mounted her dragon and flew off. I breathed a sigh of relief and started walking again only to be stopped again by someone falling in stride with me. It was Damian and for some reason he wanted to commit social suicide at a new school by being seen with me for some reason. But then I realized he knew my name without ever asking it and I wanted to know why.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Know what?"

"My name."

"It wasn't that hard, Gobber said it out loud yesterday in front of the whole class."

"Oh."

We walked in silence for a while and it was extremely uncomfortable for me and if it was for him he did let on. I wanted to talk to him an understand why he was staying near me but I was terrified of what he would say. I simply swallowed my fear.

"Why are you here, with me?" I asked.

"Uh, to go to school."

"Np why do insist on being near me and talk to me."

"Because your a normal human being and I see your a much better person than those other jerks. I don't hold my opinions based upon others, I make them myself." he stated.

That shocked me slightly that he would do such a thing but it somehow seemed alright. It made me feel slightly better that he may actually make a friend for once in his life instead of being seen as a freak. The school loomed ahead and we parted ways and luckily I managed to avoid Snotlout or any of his friends and get the first period without incident.

It was boring old physics which I had finished two years ago and had moved on to something far more interesting and worthy of his time. The teacher knew I was well ahead and never made me pay attention in class so I could day dream away and it was always the same. I was always a black dragon flying over a sunset sky in the far north but I could never figure out what it meant. The same body structure and everything always appeared and I attributed to what could have been if I had managed to actually pick a dragon.

The class passed by quickly and he was off again hoping to avoid all people in the hallway but he knew he wouldn't be that lucky as one of Snotlout friends cornered him. His name was Connor and he had to be twice the size of Snotlout and twice as stupid. He had me pinned against a wall and was shouting things that I didn't bother to listen to. He hit me once or twice, maybe five times I couldn't really tell as things began to fade in and out of focus.

He yelled again and then hit me once again and for a brief moment I saw nothing but black and then color came back but it was very fuzzy. I felt the group beneath me and Connor was somewhere in the blur of color swinging at someone else. I watch lazily while one of his friends drew something form his pocket and I tried to cry out but no sound was made. His form then disappeared and everything went to black.

I woke up on a bed and the first thing I noticed was my head hurt like no other. There were two people in the room and they slowly came into focus. One was the school nurse and the other was Astrid. Weird I didn't see her at all and suddenly she was here like she actually cared about me which was nothing more than a dream of mine.

"What…What happened?" I croaked.

"Connor and his lackies cornered you and began to wail on you. Damian was the one who pulled Connor off of you I only stopped his friends from teaming up on him."

Damian stood brooding in the doorway with his back turned to me but I was thankful that he came when he did. It would have ended far worse if he hadn't shown up and believe me I speak from experience. I felt several bandages on my head and a few on my arms and I could only imagine what my father would've done if he was home but I didn't have to worry about that.

I nodded and the nursed left and Astrid stayed and helped me sit up and get some water.

"Why are you here? Don't get me wrong I thank you for help but why are you still here?" I asked.

"Gobber really gave it to us when he found out what happened and I wished for an exercise from you. When he has the controls I fear for my life."

"Thanks, that makes me feel that much better."

We both laughed but I was cut short by a huge pain in my side and winced. I lifted my shirt to see a huge black and blue bruise on my side running from my stomach half way up my ribs. I heard Astrid gasp and then I realized she was seeing me and I quickly dropped my shirt. While I never participated in sports or went after huge muscles didn't mean I couldn't keep in shape. My face grew warm and was probably bright red and I looked over at her and she was suppressing a smile with her hand and that made me laugh internally and grow even more embarrassed.

"Don't laugh." I pleaded.

"Sorry, it just didn't realize, you need to be more aware of your surroundings."

"Alright, now help me get to the door and back to my locker. I'm heading home."

She obliged and slowly but surely we made it to the door and I tapped on Damian's shoulder and he turned with a blank expression. Astrid nodded and he helped me so she could run and get home before her parents began to worry.

"Hiccup I know your dad is away so if you ever wanted a dinner your welcome at my house." she said.

She ran off before I could make a response and I was utterly confused by her sudden attitude towards me and where on earth it came from. Damian remained silent the whole walk from the nurse's office to his locker and by then he was in blinding pain and he needed a rest and luckily his locker was the break he needed. Damian didn't leave though and that bothered me slightly as he didn't say anything but stand there and stare at me which unnerved me to no end. Once I had my backpack I finally had had enough of his staring and silence.

"Ok what is your deal? Why do you keep staring at me?"

He seemed a little surprised at my forwardness but I didn't budge as he had been holding up this act for a while now and people in general make me uncomfortable he was just upping it the nth degree.

"Its better that you not know the whole truth but I can tell you this. Its all for your protection and well being."

He then turned and left and that left me even more confused than before. I looked up to try and run after him but he was gone as if he had vanished. This guy was creepy, I mean act all friendly, save me from getting pummeled, staying silent, and then giving a riddle as an explanation. I was bothered to say the least and maybe others would know more about him. It seemed as if Astrid knew more than she was letting on so I thought I might take her up on her dinner offer.

I shrugged and began the walk back home which was very painful having to walk. It took me almost three times longer than usual to reach home and I barely made it in the door before I dropped to my knees and hugged my bruised side. The house was quiet and was the same way as I had left it this morning which meant that dad was gone for a while and that certainly helped. I threw my backpack onto the table and limped over the couch where I collapsed and pulled out my phone. I pulled up Astrid's number which she had no idea I had and pressed call.

It rang for a while and I sat there letting my eyes roam in hopes that she would pick up. Finally she did but there was a pause for a few seconds before someone who was definitely not Astrid answered.

"Hello?"

"Um, is Astrid there?" I asked.

"Who might be calling?"

"Hiccup."

"Hiccup, its good to hear from you. Astrid told us what happened and I hope your feeling alright, I'm her mother by the way. I use to be very close friends with your mother before she left."

"Right, anyway I was wondering if I could take up Astrid's offer for dinner because I'm by myself and not in the best condition to be providing for myself tonight."

"Oh, of coarse dear. I completely understand we'll be right over."

"Wait what, I thought I would be going over there."

"Did your mother teach you nothing. After what you went through you are in no condition to be traveling anywhere and you need a mother's touch to fix you up. We'll be over in about an hour and don't worry I know where you are."

She hung up and I was a little overwhelmed to say the least. She was apparently a good friend of my mother's and when she talked about her it hurt a little but it was quickly taken away but I surprise and fear of what would transpire. They were coming here and with how I felt I was in no condition to really clean up or do anything. I simply put the phone down and moved to unlock the front door and turn on some lights so they knew I was at least alive.

I had only met the Hoffersons once when I was nine and I hardly remembered it as everyone was focused on Astrid and all the tricks she had learned while flying Stormfly and was showing off. I hope that this time things went differently. I limped back to the couch and decided to catch a little sleep as the pain had taken a number on me and I needed to recover. It seemed as if I had barely shut my eyes when the doorbell rang and scared the living daylights out of me.

I stumbled to the door and only found Astrid and her mother who looked astoundingly similar to one another. Astrid's mother was blond and had the blue eyes just like her but had the signs of age on her face. It was still good to have company because usually on nights like this I would simply eat alone and then go to sleep having done nothing the entire night. She had a few things that she brought with her and I let her in and she moved them to the table and I watched as they both went to work setting the table for an actual dinner.

The smell it was giving was amazing and I couldn't remember the last time I had and actual family dinner. I sat down and soon the food moved around quickly and I was quickly devouring the food and it was silent for a while and soon my plate was empty and my stomach was full.

"Now Hiccup I like your liking to my food. When was the last time you had a family dinner?" Astrid's mother asked.

"Not since my mother disappeared. Dad grew distant and I just accepted it. Now while the food was good I think its time I went to sleep tomorrows Friday and that means the first dragon race." I said.

"Yeah I'm really excited and totally ready to beat everyone down. Now don't go easy on me Hiccup or I swear I will bend your arm backwards." Astrid warned.

"Astrid! That is no way to talk to a host. Now Hiccup what dragon will you be racing with?"

"Actually I don't have one, and I never did."

"Oh."

I looked down and then proceeded to move my plate the kitchen and began to clear the table but Astrid's mother shooed me away and began to take over.

"Astrid start to work on Hiccup and get his cuts all cleaned up."

I ended up in my bathroom with my shirt off and Astrid painfully applying some sore of paste to the huge bruise on my side. Each touch came with a wince and a shooting pain up my side. She pressed on a part near the center of my chest and that made me hiss.

"Sorry." she said.

"Its alright. I knew it was going to hurt." I strained out.

She began again and while it hurt I felt extremely uncomfortable and awkward as my long time crush was currently helping my injuries while I was shirtless. I felt my face feel heated the whole time but luckily the pain hid the blush which I was very thankful for. She motioned that she was done and I grabbed the wrap for her and she began to wrap my side and then once she was done I let my shirt fall. She then checked each one of the scratches and she traced each one slowly and it sent chills down my spine.

"I wanted to thank you for earlier." I said.

"It was nothing." she said.

"Why did you all of a sudden start to help me?" I asked.

"Something my mom told me the other day. She was right, you are definitely worth it."

"Then tell me this. Why does Damian care so much, he just started yesterday."

She froze and stopped and then started working on my scratches again.

"I actually can't tell you because he told me not to."

"C'mon you owe me this."

"Fine. He knows you and has for years. He didn't get into it very much but he told me that he was going to be there and help you find the one thing you want."

"A dragon."

"What?"

"A dragon is what I always wanted. If he's going to help me that is all I could ask for."

"Well I'm glad that makes you happy."

She put the cleansing stuff away and then left the bathroom and I followed. Her mother had packed up the dishes and was putting on her clothes to o brave the col weather again.

"Now Astrid will be by to check on those bruises of yours."

"Thanks you really don't need to do all of this."

"Nonsense its what your mother would expect and you deserve someone to look after you. I'll be in the car Astrid, don't take long."

She left and shut the door behind her and Astrid got her coat and shoes on and before she was out the door she turned again and looked at me. She gave me a light hug so she didn't hurt me.

"Get better Hiccup." she said.

She then did something that nearly made me faint on the spot, she kissed my cheek. While I stood there dumbfounded she caught up to her mom and they both took off. I almost shut the door but a shadow caught my eye. A huge black shape was approaching the house and I stood there out of fear and my mind would not respond enough to do anything. Eyes soon appeared out of the darkness and I realized it was the same green eyes as yesterday.

"Hey what are you doing, do you want something?" I said.

The dragon approached slowly and I reached out my hand and he bounded towards it and purred into my hand. I smiled and moved back into the house and moved to shut the door but I heard the dragon whine and I turned back around. He looked at me with his eyes and I couldn't say no. I ran back in and moved the table and then let him in the house and he walked in slowly.

I now got a good look at why he was here, his back left wing was gone. It looked like it was just recently torn off. I moved to look at it and when I touched it he whined in pain and I retreacted my hand and looked back at him. I sighed and made a quick decision.

"Alright you can stay here but don't make a mess."

He curled up and layer down and watched me and I went up to my room and discovered him whining at the door and I laughed. I went up to him and rubbed his head.

"You stay I'll be just inside the door and don't break anything. My father would kill me if you did."

He seemed satisfied with that option and proceeded to fall asleep and I layer down myself and sleep quickly took me after the kind of day I had.

Ok so here is chapter two after some good reviews and if you keep those coming I may be inclined to write more. Now with the problems I discovered in last chapter I apologize because I thought I had caught them all but apparently I didn't. So I hope I can refrain in the future its just when I get writing I sometimes don't realize I wrote something wrong until someone catches it. So keep the reviews coming, constructive criticism is always a good thing. Enjoy and review. -starwarswiz