=Astrid's POV=

{Friday, March 11, 2022-9:30 pm}

(Berk; Haddock Manor)

I wasn't expecting anything to happen tonight, and I was ready just to lay down and get some sleep since I didn't have work. I only worked when Hiccup did, so if he was off, so was I. The only exception to this was if I was with someone else he trusted, like his friends or parents. I was shocked to learn that Hiccup planned a surprise birthday party for me; the breakfast with all my favorites had been more than enough on Wednesday, so this was…Simply incredible. Hiccup went out of his way to use the Ballroom, invite all our friends, involve his parents, use my choice colors of black, red, and blue. I couldn't believe Hiccup would do something like this for me, and with the reasoning given as well. My friends knew I'd been upset since last week when I tried to kill myself, and they'd been doing all they were able to keep me distracted and happy. I knew they were aware that sometimes it was hard to find a smile because of everything I'd been through, and the worst part is that only Hiccup knows everything. Maybe one day I'd tell the others about my miscarriage and being targeted by whoever, killed my parents, but for now; I just wanted to focus on passing Senior Year and healing the best I could.

The party was spectacular. Food, dancing, talking, cake, presents, jokes, etc. We played games too. Everyone got me a little something, and I'd cherish it forever. Heather got me a Deadly Nadder necklace painted like Stormfly. Ruffnut and Minden got me a makeup set. Fishlegs got me a charm bracelet that Snotlout and Tuffnut got charms to represent all my friends to put on it. Valka got me a charm with a double-headed axe and the Hofferson crest. I cried a bit after seeing it. Stoick got me a saddle pad for my dragon so that the leather wouldn't rub against her scales. Gobber, surprisingly, got me a proper saddle for Stormfly since. I was not expecting it at all; the saddle was simple with handles and had some storage bags on it too. It was beautiful, and I couldn't wait to try it out. The saddle I had been using was one of Toothless's old ones that Hiccup didn't need anymore because Hiccup remodified the tail rig with a newer saddle. The one Gobber got me was designed for a Deadly Nadder, so flying Stormfly now should be a lot easier.

Somehow; I found myself smiling the entire time. How could I be upset when everyone was rallying together to lift my spirits? Yeah, I missed my parents a lot, and I wanted to see justice served for their murders. I suspected that I might not be able to heal until I knew whoever committed the crime was put away and I am safe. I know Hiccup is seeing to most of my safety as my unofficial bodyguard, but it would be nice to walk freely, go anywhere without worry of being hunted down or kidnapped. Chief Jorgenson hasn't been able to give me much on that entire situation, and he told me not to get more involved than I already am. Spitelout said he would let me know if there was any break in the case leading to the finding or arresting of my parents' murder or murderers. I didn't know if it was one or several who took part. I hoped they found whoever did it soon, so maybe I can live with some peace of mind that I won't be killed if I'm left alone for five seconds.

At 7:30 pm, we began cleaning things up and headed downstairs to game more and keep the party going. As it's now going on 9:30 pm at night; I'm getting tired and ready to get some sleep. I know that it was supposed to be a sleepover in the basement, but I was honestly still a bit sore from the beating on Wednesday and wanted to be in my bed for the night.

"You good over there, Ast?" Heather asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yeah…A bit tired," I admitted.

"Well, let's call it a night early," Minden offered. "We always have tomorrow too," she added.

"Hic, we camping out in your room?" Tuffnut inquired.

"The girls can sleep in my room with me?" Astrid offered.

"Works," Fishlegs smiled.

"Alright, let's get going then," Hiccup chuckled as he shut everything down and we all began making our way to the elevator to get to the second floor.

. . .

{9:45 pm}

The boys were all grouped up in Hiccup's room, and the girls in mine. Hiccup had said goodnight to his parents and found me coming out of my room; we ended up walking into one another.

"Oh, sorry, Hiccup," I apologized quickly.

"It's okay. My fault should have been paying attention," Hiccup smiled. "I thought you were going to bed?"

"I am. I wanted to thank you for tonight," I smiled softly.

"You're welcome," Hiccup informed. "Oh, I do have a gift for you, though," he added quickly.

"Hiccup, you didn't have to get me anything, The party was…More than enough," I said softly. "I had the best night; it couldn't be any better,"

"Well, why don't you open this first and then decide if it can or can't? " Hiccup smiled as he pulled a box out from behind him, and held it out to me. I held the box as Hiccup stuck his hands in his pockets to watch me open the present. I tore the paper and flipped open the flaps, lifting the lid; I froze, staring in shock. Within the box was a new cell phone. My eyes widened, completely stunned at what I was looking at in my hands. A brand new iPhone X, silver, with a yellow and blue case that had the symbol for Deadly Nadder on the back.

I pressed the home button, and the screen came on revealing a picture of Hiccup and me from the day we met and became instant best friends. There was a small note on the inside of the lid to the box that read; 030904-Passcode. I tapped the screen as the phone unlocked and revealed a background of me on Stormfly in the air. All my apps were installed, so were my contacts and music.

"I couldn't salvage your old phone because of the damage, but I managed to put everything on that for you," Hiccup said gently. I tapped Text Messages and instantly saw the one from my dad; the night he and mom died. I saw the last things I sent to them when they hadn't answered. I felt tears forming in my eyes. "I know how much it meant to you to have those last messages with them. It has a military-grade case. That thing will protect against drops, water, dust, etc. Made sure to get you a charger, and headphones too," he said.

"Hiccup, I-I don't know what to say…I'm beyond grateful, b-but you didn't have to get me a new phone," I informed, still shocked at the gift. Hiccup shrugged a little.

"It was…going to be Olivia's phone," Hiccup said as I looked at him quickly. "Well, the one I was giving her for Christmas, but since she's passed on…I didn't want it to go to waste sitting in my desk drawer, as I couldn't return it. And I already have one, so makes no sense to have two. I figured I'd give it to someone who I care about, and needed it," he explained softly. "Also, I hoped to see that smile on your face again, so I think I did my job right," he laughed a bit.

"Thank you…" I choked up. "You don't know what this means to me to have those messages back…" a few tears slipped from my eyes. Hiccup used his thumb to wipe them away. "This does make it better than before," I admitted.

"You're welcome," Hiccup smiled. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I threw myself at him. My lips landed on his in a kiss. Hiccup didn't respond to it, and as soon as I realized what I was doing; I pulled back nervously to see him standing there, entirely shocked and blinking confused-like. I didn't know what to say for my actions, so I went with the first thing that came to mind.

"I-I'm sorry. Thank you for the party…A-And this. I, uh, goodnight, Hiccup," I rushed to my room afterward, shutting the door. Once inside, I leaned against the door. I couldn't believe what I just did! I kissed Hiccup on the lips! What was wrong with me!? Seriously? Why did I kiss him? Hiccup is still mourning the loss of his wife, and coping with her death, which only happened four months ago! I didn't understand why made me kiss Hiccup moments ago. Was I overly excited about the amazing night? That Hiccup went out of his way just to see me smile? I didn't know, and while I'm here inwardly panicking over what I did; Hiccup was probably still in the hallway, confused as fuck.

"Astrid, are you okay?" Ruffnut asked. I couldn't let them know what I did, not right now at least. I needed to have time to figure out why I kissed Hiccup.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Hiccup and I ran into one another in the hallway, and he gave me his gift…" I stated, revealing the phone in the box still. The girls squealed and hurried over to get a better look.

"Oh, it's so cute. That case is custom too!" Minden giggled. I smiled, admiring the work on the case and device. I couldn't believe this phone was supposed to be Olivia's, but Hiccup decided to give it to me since Olivia had passed away and he had the phone sitting in a drawer, not being used. I was more shocked Hiccup managed to get all my things back on it. At the same time, nothing Hiccup does should surprise me anymore.

"He got all my stuff back from the broken one…" I informed before going to sit on my bed and get the phone charging. I'd enjoy the time with friends tonight and through the weekend; then I'd focus on that kiss.

. . .

=Normal POV=

{11 pm}

(Hiccup's Room)

An hour and fifteen minutes from when it happened and Hiccup still had no clue how to take the kiss Astrid gave him. Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Dagur, and Snotlout were playing games in the sitting room while Hiccup was leaning on the slight balcony of his sitting room while looking outside and trying to figure things out. Why would Astrid kiss him?

"Hic?" Fishlegs asked. Hiccup didn't respond.

"Uh, hello? Earth to Hiccup?" Tuffnut tried. Still nothing.

"HICCUP!" the four males yelled together. Hiccup jumped a bit and quickly turned around to see them staring at him.

"Odin above!" Hiccup put a hand on his chest. "What? What is it?" he asked.

"Welcome back," Dagur chuckled.

"What's with you tonight?" Snotlout asked.

"What are you talking about?" Hiccup inquired.

"You've been zoned out for the last hour or so," Fishlegs pointed out.

"Guess I got a lot on my mind," Hiccup admitted.

"What do you mean?" Tuffnut wondered. Hiccup sighed as he leaned on the railing of the balcony again, folding his hands together, and closing his eyes.

"Come on; you can tell us, brother," Dagur urged.

Hiccup lowered his head a little. "Astrid kissed me tonight," he confessed. Silence.

"What kind of kiss are we talking? On the cheek or…?" Snotlout questioned.

"On the lips, right in the hallway after I gave her my gift of a working phone with a military-grade, protective, custom-made case, and informed her that I got all her pictures, music, contacts, apps, and old texts back on it…" Hiccup stated while still looking outside into the night.

"What did you do?" Dagur wondered.

"Nothing. I didn't do anything because I didn't know what to do. I just stood there, never kissed her back; she pulled back, thanked me for the party and gift, then bolted into her room. I stood in the hallway for about five minutes, entirely confused," Hiccup said as he turned around and faced them now, leaning on the railing with his eyes still closed.

"I mean; I'll take the punch for asking this but…Did you like it?" Snotlout looked at him now. Hiccup raised his eyes, open now. Hiccup hadn't thought about liking it or not as he'd been stunned with it happened, and spent all this time trying to figure out why Astrid would do it.

"Hiccup?" Fishlegs got his attention after about a minute of silence and no answer.

"I-I don't know, alright? I don't know," Hiccup replied finally.

"Well, how did it make you feel? Besides confused," Dagur tried.

"I've been trying to work that out for the last hour or so…" Hiccup admitted. "I don't know. At first, it was confusion. After I recovered and came in here…I guess I can't seem to get it out of my head,"

"Hiccup, you're dodging the question, man. Did you like it?" Tuffnut rolled his eyes.

"It's hard to say, Tuff. Astrid and I are best friends, and she kissed me on the lips out of the blue. I don't even know where to start on trying to figure this out," Hiccup moved to the chair and plopped down in it with his head in his hands.

"Stop trying to figure it out, Hic. Don't think about anything else with wondering why she did it; just tell us how it made you feel," Snotlout offered.

"Confused, but then…I guess the best description, as female middle schooler-ish as it's gonna sound, is that I got butterflies," Hiccup explained.

"So you did like it," Fishlegs smiled. "Maybe you're developing a crush on Astrid?"

Hiccup eyed him. "Don't give us that look, Hiccup. We all know that you liked Astrid as more than a friend through middle school, and then she began drifting off to the others, and that hurt you," Tuffnut reminded.

"And when she got with Eret, you were heartbroken…And let it go, figuring you lost your chance and then hoped she was happy," Dagur added.

"Well, yeah. She's my best friend; I want her happiness," Hiccup stated.

"Hiccup, you're missing the point here," Snotlout informed. "You let go of your feelings for Astrid when she got with Eret, and then she turned into one of them, and you were hurt but continued to keep an eye on her regardless. We heard the conversation between you two the night of Uncle Stoick and Aunt Val's party,"

"Y-You did?" Hiccup asked, looking down a bit.

"Yes, and after letting go of your feelings for Astrid; you ended up meeting Olivia. We know how much you loved her, Hiccup, but she's no longer with us…And she told you to be happy. How long are you going to deny yourself that?" Dagur pushed.

"It feels wrong to move on…" Hiccup admitted.

"Because you two got married right before she passed, cuz. You promised to love her forever, and she did the same to you. Hiccup, you're still wearing the rings, and constantly watch those videos. It feels wrong to move on because you won't let yourself let Liv go. You're still holding onto her," Snotlout reminded.

"And I get that…I'm trying, okay; it just hurts after everything we went through. I knew about it all along, and I knew things wouldn't last long, but it still doesn't change the pain of it happening…" Hiccup closed his eyes. "Even will all that…Is one kiss from Astrid enough to say I like her?"

"It's possible that her kissing you woke up those feelings you buried a few years back," Fishlegs suggested. "Maybe, for now, let things play out. You're still mourning Olivia, and perhaps tonight's kiss was just an over-happy Astrid because of all the things you've done for her since she became a friend again,"

"You think?" Hiccup asked.

"Or, maybe she likes you," Tuffnut mentioned. Hiccup arched a brow. "What? It's possible. I mean, you've done some pretty nice things for her, man,"

"The phone, party, embarrassing the populars, defending her…You've gone out of your way to see Astrid happy," Dagur added.

"I was…Just being a good friend," Hiccup mumbled, then sighed. "For now, I'm gonna leave it be. Unless I get something from her to offer more proof she could like me, or my feelings change…I'm not doing anything. "I'm gonna get some sleep,"

"Night, Hiccup," the four males called as Hiccup went into his bedroom, and crawled into bed with the lights off. Hiccup stared at the ceiling, still thinking about the kiss. The one thing Hiccup didn't tell them is that when Astrid kissed Hiccup, an old flame began glowing, and there was a spark. Now, Hiccup needed to figure out how and where this would go.