The orphanage always smelled like firewood, which was very pleasant, and old people, which wasn't exactly pleasant, but wasn't terrible either. At the side of the entrance room sat a woman typing away at her computer. She looked up and saw Astrid, and a frown appeared on her lips. "Where were you yesterday? The kids missed you."

"I know, I'm sorry." She winced and walked up to the hooks on the wall, slinging her bag off and putting it on. It had her phone too, for Astrid did not like to be distracted when she was with the kids. Her full attention was with them, and she never made them feel inadequate. "Some idiot hit me with a basketball yesterday. I was out of it for a while."

"Kids these days." The woman shook her head and pursed her lips together tightly. "I get scared sometimes. Ah well, your group is waiting for you. I was thinking you could take them some places over the break, like the zoo. Oh, and Astrid?"

She was already walking towards the stairs when her name was called. She turned back. "Yes?"

"There's a new guy upstairs. He's doing community service."

Astrid groaned audibly, because for one thing, new recruits were always a pain in the neck unless their heart was actually into it. She pushed her bangs out of her face and sighed, making her way upstairs and immediately, was rammed into by a small figure. She looked down and smiled warmly.

"Hey, Stormfly!"

The girl showed her a wide gap-toothed grin before raising her arms, and Astrid complied, picking her up. "How's my favorite little dragon?"

"Good," the little girl chirped happily, "but we missed you yesterday! And Astrid…" She lowered her voice, as though sharing a secret. "Someone else is here, but he hasn't talked to us. He's just...sitting there. On his phone."

Of course. It was one of those kids. Well, this would be difficult. On one hand, she could just let the guy be, and take care of the kids herself. That was the preferable option, but...she would be lying if she said she couldn't use a little help. And she didn't want the kids to feel neglected, ever. So she went inside the wide room, Stormfly still in hand, to greet the newcomer and make him work.

And she nearly dropped the child in her arms.

While not having ever hung out with him, Astrid recognized the very distinctable mop of brown hair and her stomach churned at the sight. It was Hiccup Haddock, he was actually sitting there, on his phone, and Astrid gasped loudly (and slightly dramatically, she later thought) because this could not be real. No, she had to be hallucinating. How could Hiccup be here?

So far, so good. None of the kids had bothered talking to him, and the only one who he really noted was one who looked a bit more older than the others staring quietly at him, but he was swiftly ignored as the teen texted Camicazi and told her how horrible his predicament was. And then he heard a gasp and looked up. Astrid Hotshot Hofferson was gaping at him. Oh, was she the volunteer the lady downstairs told him about? This was going to be one hell of a fun week.

"Hofferson," he greeted mockingly, tipping his head. She put down the kid she was holding and walked right up to him, hissing.

"What are you doing here?"

He pretended to think for a while, intending on annoying her as much as possible. "I'm doing community service for hitting some know-it-all with a basketball. I'll be here all week, milady."

"Are you kidding me?" Her hands balled into fists. "This is your punishment? You're going to be here for a week? With me?"

"I know, it sucks." He reached out and lifted Astrid's chin up. "But hey, we can still make the best of this week. You and me could -"

Whoever said that a girl's grip was not tight was the biggest liar in the universe. Because when Astrid squeezed his wrist with a furious glare, it was tight. His arm was going to fall off if she didn't stop.

"Don't," she threatened, leaning in closer, "now, let's get a few things straight here." She twisted his arm and he hissed in pain. "I'm in charge here, not you. And you are not going to make these kids feel like you have something way better to do than look after them with all your attention." She twisted harder, and a cry of pain actually escaped his lips. "You are going to help me, you are going to watch over them for the week, and then I don't want them to see your face ever again. Got it?"

"I got it, I got it, would you let go?" He pulled and she released his wrist. He rubbed it, scowling at her. She looked down, unimpressed. Okay, so he wasn't the best at things involving physical strength. At least Hiccup had never been hit by a basketball, and he was still very proud that Astrid couldn't say the same.

"And don't touch me."

He stood up, leering over her. She was quite short compared to him, and he was thankful, because it was one advantage he had over her. Clearly, she was the stronger between the two.

Astrid clapped her hands. "Kids, come over and introduce yourselves!"

The little girl who had been in Astrid's arms ran up first; obviously a suckup. "My name is Stormfly, um…"

"Mr. Haddock," Astrid provided but he scowled and shook his head.

"Hiccup." Mr. Haddock was his dad and probably always would be. "Stormfly?"

Astrid sighed. "Your real name, kiddo."

The girl blushed. "Sylvie. But my nickname is Stormfly. I am five years old." She smiled brightly, and Hiccup smiled back in response; she was pretty adorable.

Next in line was a boy with flaming red hair. He walked right up to Hiccup and said loudly, "My name is Henry, but you can call me Hookfang. I'm five too." He made a fist at Hiccup. "And don't make Astrid upset!"

Oh, he saw the smirk on Astrid's face. Yeah, a kid was defending her, how scary. He. Was. Shaking.

Up stepped another girl, who offered him a shy smile. "My name is Maria, but my nickname is…" She sighed. "Meatlug."

Must. Not. Laugh.

Then there were two twin boys. Together, they exclaimed, "Barf and Belch!"

Hiccup, holding back laughter, asked, "What?"

"Real names, guys!"

"Nope," claimed one, and he ran off, his twin brother right beside him, "too bad, suckah!"

He actually laughed now, because Astrid looked so exasperated, it was funny. "Their names are Danny and Randy."

"That sounds nothing like Barf and Belch."

"I know."

He smirked at her as the last kid stepped up. He was the one who had been watching him earlier. He had shaggy black hair that fell into his eyes. He spoke quietly. "I'm Nigel, but these guys call me Toothless. Nice to meet you." And then he turned to Astrid. "Can I please sit out today?"

Her brows were furrowed concernedly. "Of course." She reached over and ruffled his hair, smiling lightly. "What do you want for lunch today?"

The boy shrugged, and Astrid sighed again. He went back to where he was, a corner, and sank down against the wall, watching quietly. Sylvie - Stormfly - went over to him and tugged on his arm, but he just grimaced and shook his head.

"Ah, he just doesn't like newcomers very much."

There was a bitter tone in her voice, and Hiccup knew what that meant. She didn't want him here either.

Hiccup honestly...did not give a damn about what either of them wanted.

Writing Hiccup like this is so fun. Next up, playtime! At first, I was going to make OCs, but then I realized that it would be so fun to make the dragons into little kids instead.

...I'm sorry.