Author's Note

HEY LOOK WHO UPDATED... long time no see. I believe it's been a year, oh gosh. I really have been really busy. You guys deserve so much more from me, I'm so so sorry. Thank you for all the support that this story really doesn't deserve. Stay tuned for the end author's note for more excuses.

I really meant to post this towards the end of February, and that's where this takes place. Again, so so so sorry.

Snow. Little snowflakes landed all over her- her hair, her jacket, and her shoes. Astrid hated it. Walking home in a flurry was a struggle in itself. Besides the fact it got all over her, her fingers and every other part of her body were like ice when she got home. Sure, it was pretty to look at and whatever but once the snow trucks came by and pushed it all at the side, it just got in the way. The cars that drove by turned it dark and slushy. Snow just put her in a bad mood. She never liked it, never will.

It was just about the beginning of February, and the town of Berk was receiving its first snow of the winter season. Hiccup had told her that morning when they discussed it how much he liked snow, and it evolved into a heated debate over the said type of precipitation. They walked to and from school together almost every day now, except for the days he overslept and told her not to wait. They were comfortable around each other now, it was just so easy to be around him. Astrid scrunched up her nose as she tried to strategically get over the heaping pile of snow that was pushed on the side of the road. As much as she despised the snow, she didn't mind the cold much. It was oddly comforting in the way it bit at her bare skin.

Kept her alive.

x

Friday rolled around and that meant Astrid was stuck staring at a math problem. She sort of understood it- she knew the technical rules on how to solve it, but there were just so many areas where a little mistake could be made, that threw off the whole problem. She complained to Hiccup about this, to which he responded, "Astrid, math isn't black and white like every other subject. You can't just memorize facts, you have to understand what the problem asks, and respond appropriately," He sighed from beside her. "I know," She rolled her eyes, "That's why I'm here." They worked together for a while on multiple problems, because, as Hiccup said, "through repetition, she could limit the chances of making those little mistakes." Or whatever.

She was just finishing up the last question when he commented offhandedly, "My birthday is this month."

"Oh really," She responded absentmindedly, "What day?"

"Towards the end of February."

Astrid looked up at him with an amused look, "Yeah. What exact day?"

"Around the end."

"How close to the end?"

Hiccup just stared at her, and with a very long face, he sighed, "February 29th."

Astrid burst out laughing, "So you were born in a leap year!"

He grimaced, "Yes. Can we move on?"

"No!" She wiped away nonexistent tears, "That's hilarious. That means you're only technically... three years old?"

He glared at the blonde next to him. "Go ahead and tear down any self-confidence I had."

"Okay, okay. I'm stopping." He was smiling too, despite trying to sustain an angry face.

"You'll never let me live that down, will you?"

"Of course not, " Astrid smirked.

"All right, all right, get back to the problem. I want to get home before five if you hurry up."

She returned to the problem, finishing it up, but continued to pester Hiccup because that was what she was good at. "So tell me, what's it like having a birthday after so many years?"

He glared dryly at her. "I suppose you find this amusing. But it won't be after I make you complete another packet."

Astrid opened her mouth in mock horror. "Oh wow, you've let the power get to your head, haven't you? A bit of a tyrant."

The boy next to her crossed his arms. "So what if I have?"

She rolled her eyes and jabbed him with her elbow. "I know you won't because you want to get out of here as soon as possible, and if you made me do more work, I'll make sure we stay here a good two hours more." She smiled devilishly and passed her packet to him. "Check the last problem quick and let's get out of here."

"Aye aye, milady."

She collected her books, and after he confirmed she did the problem right, they made their way out of the school.

"Ugh, the snow hasn't melted yet since Tuesday. And it's disgusting." Astrid muttered as she stepped in a puddle of slush as the two of them crossed the street. The sky was gray and cloudy, obviously still recovering from their storm that Tuesday.

"Okay, I can see your point now. But you have to admit that generally snow is beautiful."

She wrinkled her nose. "No. The ugly of every day after the snow comes down overpowers the pretty sight of the first day."

Hiccup protested, "But we get a day off from school if there's a lot of snow! You have to give in to that."

She rolled her eyes at him.

x

The text arrived shortly after Hiccup swapped his alarm that told him he overslept and he's gonna pay for that when his tiny fishbone legs have to scurry him to school. He didn't even need to look at the contact name to know who it was.

happy 4th birthday hic ;)

He sighed. He wasn't sure what he was more annoyed about- the fact she once again reminded him he was technically four years old today or the fact she called him 'hic.'

um thanks I guess

He put his phone on his dresser and quickly pulled out his favorite t-shirt (of a dragon. Don't laugh, he's four, okay?) and the pants he wore yesterday. As he sighed at his rushed appearance, his eyes flickered over to his alarm clock. 7:21.

He ran to the bathroom and was out about four minutes later, shoving Toothless off his prosthetic after he jumped on it. With a quick goodbye from his father ("Happy birthday, son!" "Thanks, Dad. Now, I'm really late, gotta go-" "You're growing up so fast-" "Um sure, Dad, like I've grown an inch since I was thirteen." "Well, you are technically four-" "BYE, DAD!") he ran out and checked his phone. 7:32.

Hiccup sighed. It could've been worse.

He idly noticed he had a new notification from Astrid, and eventually gave in the temptation to check it. He's made a point to never, ever walk on the street while on his phone, because well, last time he tried that- He lost his left leg.

But it was Astrid, and well, he couldn't just leave her hanging. He was on a long sidewalk anyway, as long as no cars swerved off the road and into him, he should be fine and not be hit.

gosh hiccup, don't sound too grateful

He sent a quick reply back (and why would I be grateful) and tucked his phone in his pocket. The air was chilly and sharp, keeping him awake and his mind open. From this point on, he was closer to be twenty than ten, his mind reminded him, because this was a great time to be all emo about growing up. He figured turning fifteen was a big deal, but it felt like every other day he overslept. His father was going to buy him a cake that was too big for two people to eat, and he was going to spend yet another year blowing out candles, wishing for something they couldn't have- that his mother could be there. The day was a bit of a bittersweet reminder for the both of them of their incomplete family. There was someone missing to take the pictures, to join the single voice of his father in song.

They liked to keep it quiet, just the two of them. Contrary to his cousin Snotlout, who invited all his stupid friends and hung out in the basement, while the family whom his father forced him to have over as well lounged in their luxurious living room. And Hiccup always got priority seating next to his uncles who questioned him time and time again if he was involved in any sports, and aunts who fussed over his weight and told Stoick to make him eat more. Thus, why he preferred his birthday only involve his father and him. They didn't spend enough time alone anyway.

Once he arrived at school, Fishlegs found him and squished him in a hug that broke his bones. "Happy birthday, Hiccup!" He smiled at his much larger friend, trying to play off the fact he was just squished to death. "Yeah, thanks, Fishlegs." They talked until they made it to their lockers.

"I saw you got my text."

Hiccup looked up at the blonde girl resting against his lockers. "I did. And we've never established that you can call me hic."

Fishlegs interjected, "I called him that once when we were younger, and he gave me the official Haddock I-am-so-done-with-you face. Wouldn't recommend it." Hiccup promptly made this face at Astrid to make his point.

After they laughed it off, the bell rang, reminding them that they had to get to first period. Sleepy-faced teenagers trudged their way to their respective classrooms. Hiccup waved goodbye to Fishlegs and walked alongside Astrid to their history class on the third floor. "So what are you doing for your birthday?" She idly commented as they silently fought their way through the throng of students going up and down stairs. "Oh, nothing much. Just a little thing with my dad tonight. I don't do big parties." She paused, and raised an eyebrow at him. "Not even your friends come?"

Hiccup huffed, rolling his eyes at her. "I'm not popular like you, Astrid. I don't have a lot of friends." In fact, he had two. Well, he had acquaintances that he could briefly talk to if necessary, it's not like the whole school hated him. But in reality, the only people he could trust were Fishlegs and Astrid.

The school flew by so quickly, and before he knew it, the bell was ringing for the end of the day. Hiccup stood by his locker gathering his books when Astrid walked up to him and grabbed his arm.

"You're coming with me."

Author's Note

oKAY I'VE BEEN TAKING WAY TOO LONG TO FIND A WAY TO END THIS CHAPTER AND IT STILL SUCKS don't kill me please I know it's been ages since an update, but hear me out. Going to be honest, no bs.

This story pretty much sucks in my opinion, except for the occasional (bad) pun/joke. I honestly probably wouldn't read this myself, and to be honest I've outgrown this story. I can't even reread or rewrite anything because this plot is pretty much nonexistent and too cheesy. This is why I've found it so hard to write and I'm sorry. I'm going to try my best from now on to write better quality stuff. (I hope you see an improvement in my writing with this chapter?)

I do thank this story for giving me experience and helping me improve, so thank you, and I apologize for taking a long time to update. The end of this fic is probably drawing near. I pretty much can't feel anything else to write with what I've set up for myself. Not too soon, I still have to tie up loose ends, but soon.

Also, if you care, it would mean the world to me if you would check out this because shameless promo amirite lads channel/UCt8j3b1gvTHZnGsXhjp_19w link probably won't work so put "iridescent skies rip" in youtube search haha im trash im sorry

lol my author's notes are longer than the actual chapter hahahahaha pls end my suffering thx

Thank you for your support and understanding. I hope everyone is doing well! Much love :)