=Hiccup's POV=

{May 2012}

I silently walked the pathways of Archian Park with Toothless while in thought about many things. It had been three months since the break up with Camicazi, and sadly, it still hurt as much as it did that day it happened. I had been told so many times that it wouldn't bother me forever, but how long did I have to suffer this pain before it stopped hurting? Maybe it only cut deep this much because last month in April, Thuggory informed me that Camicazi used Astrid, Heather, Throk, Ruffnut, Snotlout, Adelaide, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs to locate me? Or perhaps it had to do with the fact Camicazi and I were together for four years, and she threw it all away to have sex with something else because I was busy fighting in the war and couldn't give her all of my time. I didn't know anymore, but I felt like it was firmly related to those two things as to why it still pained me after so much time had passed. When Thuggory began to tell Astrid what happened; I walked away and went outside to get some fresh air. I assumed that Astrid knew now about Camicazi's unfaithfulness to me, and why I was purposely avoiding her at all costs. I had turned my Skype off, and barely checked my e-mail. I turned off notifications to my profile page, and I didn't go on anymore.

I didn't know if Astrid told anyone else about the situation, but I suppose it didn't matter if she did or didn't. The truth would come out sooner or later when Camicazi and I weren't seen together. I didn't intend on avoiding her forever, just until I got over her. Right now, I didn't know how long that would take. I think what hurts the most is knowing that Camicazi went as far as lying to her friends to find me when she understood why I wouldn't talk to her. Thuggory told me that Astrid said not to worry, and I didn't know what that meant, but I figured it had something to do with Astrid was going to give Camicazi a piece of her mind for lying and using them to find me. I still talked to Gobber and my dad, they came over at least once a week to see how I was doing. I saw Cody, Eret, and Thuggory every day at work. That was my day in a nutshell; go to work, take a flight with Toothless, eat my three meals a day, sometimes a snack, then get home and sit around trying to keep my mind off Cami. Today, I decided to go for a walk in the park with my dragon. I don't know why, but I think it had something to do with the fact my mom loved the outdoors, and being outside reminded me of her; made me feel closer to her. I sighed now; it felt like I'd never get over Camicazi.

"Hiccup?" I heard a familiar female voice say. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked behind me to see Astrid there with her dragon, Stormfly.

"Hey, Astrid," I replied softly.

"I wasn't sure if it was you or not," Astrid smiled a bit.

"You know someone else with a Night Fury?" I inquired.

Astrid laughed a little. "I suppose not. You looked deep in thought, I wasn't sure if I should bother you or not,"

"It's okay. I'm just wandering aimlessly trying not to think about her," I admitted.

"Rome wasn't built in a day, Hiccup. And getting over your ex doesn't happen that fast either," Astrid offered.

"Yeah, I guess. What brings you out to these parts?" I asked.

"Enjoying the day with Stormfly," Astrid responded.

"She's a beauty," I said with my hand out as Stormfly sniffed it a few times, then squawked and let Hiccup pet her, and scratch under her chin.

"I've never seen her take to anyone besides family so easy," Astrid informed.

"I have a thing with dragons," I shrugged. It was true, there hasn't been one dragon I've met that doesn't take a liking to me almost instantly.

"I can see that," Astrid giggled some. Toothless huffed at me as I looked over.

"What?" I asked him as he nudged against my arm. "Oh, don't be jealous. You know I love you, bud," I reminded as he licked the side of my face next. "Ugh, you know that doesn't wash out," I muttered trying to wipe it off. I heard Astrid trying not to laugh at me. "Is this amusing to you?"

"Yeah, a little," Astrid replied. "I've never seen a Night Fury besides yours, and all the times you used to come to the school; Toothless was in the stables. I suppose I just wanna know more about him. Would you…maybe want to join me for lunch? And you can tell me about Toothless?" Astrid inquired. She was asking me to lunch? Well, it's not like I was taken anymore, so why not?

"Sure, I was getting kind'a hungry anyway," I agreed as she smiled and motioned for me to follow after she got on her dragon. I got on Toothless, and we were off, heading towards wherever she was leading us.

=Normal POV=

Astrid led Hiccup to a place called The Dragoon's Cove. Upon landing, Hiccup and Astrid dismounted their dragons, then set them up in the stables with some fish and water. Afterward, Hiccup and Astrid made their way inside and got a table for two, which was a small booth along the far wall.

"So, why here?" Hiccup asked.

"There's my favorite niece," came a happy male voice.

"I'm your only niece, Uncle Finn," Astrid smiled as the male kissed her forehead.

"That's why you're the favorite. Who is your friend?" the man, Finn, asked.

"This is Hiccup Haddock; we ran into one another at the park, then decided we were hungry and to get some lunch," Astrid explained.

"Ah! Well, it's nice to meet you, Hiccup. I'm Finn Hofferson, Astrid's uncle," Finn introduced.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir," Hiccup replied shaking his hand. After that, Finn placed down to menus, chips with some dip, and poured water.

"I'll give you a few minutes to decide," Finn mentioned before walking off.

"I chose this place because my uncle works here. He's an assistant manager, and always happy to see me. I'm just glad he didn't give you the stare," Astrid laughed a bit.

"The stare?" Hiccup questioned arching a brow.

"When Thug and I were dating, I brought him here and introduced him as my boyfriend to my uncle, who stared him down and warned him not to hurt me because he could make his death look like an accident," Astrid explained as Hiccup fought laughing a bit. "I assume you didn't get the stared because my uncle knows I'm not seeing anyone right now, otherwise, he may have thought you were my boyfriend,"

"I guess it's a good thing that you and Thuggory broke up on good terms then," Hiccup stated.

"Right?" Astrid said. "Its good to see you again, Hiccup. I know we don't talk a lot because of life or whatever, but I still see you as a friend,"

"Well, I kind of ghosted on everyone after the breakup. I wanted to be alone, and now doing that makes me more miserable," Hiccup admitted. "I know Thug told you what happened last month,"

"Only because I called him to look for you at Camicazi's request; she insisted you just disappeared, and was worried you were suffering from PTSD. I hadn't known about the breakup before calling Thuggory. And the others know too now because I scolded Camicazi for lying to us," Astrid informed.

"It's okay. I know it would have come out eventually. What did you say to her? Thuggory noted that before you got off the phone you told him not to worry because you'd take care of it," Hiccup wondered curiously.

Astrid stiffened a bit, then sighed and began to tell him about the scolding. "Oh, and I, uh, slapped her across the face when she lied about how many times she cheated on you,"

Hiccup blinked a few times. Astrid had slapped Camicazi? "I appreciate what you did, Astrid. Maybe not the slapping, but for yelling at her about the lying. For me to know she pulled that, it only makes it hurt more to know that maybe I never really knew her at all," he looked down.

"Hiccup, don't beat yourself up over this. It's not your fault," Astrid tried.

"Why does it feel like it is? Cami did all those things because-," Hiccup started.

"Because she didn't like the fact you were deployed and she couldn't have you all the time, Hiccup. You graduated a year early, and joined the Marines. Camicazi always knew your plans to be a Marine, didn't she?" Astrid asked as Hiccup nodded. "Well, then she knew you could get deployed too. You gave her a two-month warning that you'd be leaving, and you did your best to stay in contact with her while you were overseas. You didn't tell her what you'd seen and experienced there because you didn't want her to have to imagine those horrible things, and instead of being grateful to you, she cheated. Hiccup, you didn't do anything wrong. Camicazi was unfaithful because she wanted to be, and that can be proven by the fact she slept with someone else, you came home, left again, then she continued to cheat," Astrid said.

"It just…hurts so much, Astrid. Everything I do reminds me of her, and nobody understands how this feels for me. I got home from war, said hi to Gobber and dad, then left to see her. I was…going to propose to her, something I planned since the three-month mark of being there. It bothers me to know that she said that if I hadn't shown up, she would have kept doing it; continued to cheat," Hiccup closed his eyes tightly.

"I know it hurts, Hiccup. I know how it feels to care about someone who doesn't feel the same. I've never been cheated on, or been in your situation, but I know it hurts you. You can't hold all this pain inside, you have to talk about it, to let it hurt. The only way to move on is to accept what happened, stop questioning, and after all that, you'll rise back up and continue your life while all that pain is left in the past as you move into the future," Astrid advised.

"That sounds easier than it actually is. My day is spent…working, flying Toothless, then sitting at home," Hiccup sighed.

"Find something else to distract yourself with. Fly Toothless, go running, draw, sing, hang out with friends. Hell, friggin' lock yourself in your bedroom, throw on some porn, and masturbate," Astrid said as Hiccup arched a brow at her. "Hey, don't look at me that way. Everyone is guilty of doing it at some point in their lives,"

"Including you?" Hiccup asked.

Astrid stopped a moment, then sighed. "Yes, even me on rare occasions where I'm bored as shit and know that I'm gonna be alone. Regardless, it passes the time, it can relax you too. Just…keep yourself busy, Hiccup. It won't hurt forever, and one day, you'll wake up as if it was all a nightmare and she will be nothing more than a bad memory. Camicazi might not be the one for you, but there is one out there somewhere and you never know when you could meet her, or him, if you swing that way. The point is, Hiccup, don't believe that just because she broke your heart, doesn't mean someone else won't come along to pick up the pieces, so you can give it to the girl, or guy who gives you their heart in return,"

Hiccup looked at Astrid, a little surprised by her words. However, she wasn't wrong. Hiccup knew that this break up with Camicazi just signified that they weren't meant to be, and one day, Hiccup could meet a girl who gives him as much as he gives her. Perhaps not right now, as Hiccup needed time to heal, but eventually Hiccup knew there could be a time when he falls in love again. "Thank you, Astrid. You're right, talking like this does help. And thank you for the words of encouragement and wisdom,"

"Hey, what are friends for? You can talk to me anytime you need or want too, and I'll be here to listen and offer what comfort I can, no matter what," Astrid smiled. For the first time in nearly a month, Hiccup smiled back as Finn returned to take their order. After that, the two continued to talk about updates in one another's lives. Hiccup offered to help Astrid with training for the racing league, and Astrid told him about how the others were doing while they were eating. When the meal was over, they both paid, then left the restaurant to get to their dragons. "Where are you headed from here?"

"I dunno. Maybe home to do some laundry. What about you?" Hiccup asked.

"Get ready for work at three," Astrid shrugged. "Oh. Before I forget; Heather and Fishlegs are getting married in July on the 28th. Would you…maybe like to come, a-as my guest?" she wondered.

"Sure. I'm sure I won't be doing nothing else. I'll come along as your guest/date," Hiccup said.

"Great. I'll…message you the details?" Astrid questioned.

"Yeah, here's my number," Hiccup stated as he grabbed a small piece of paper, then a pen, wrote down his number and handed it to her. "Thanks for today, Astrid. It helped a lot, and got my mind off things,"

"Anytime," Astrid replied as Hiccup ended up hugging her, then he got on Toothless, and took off. Astrid blushed a bit as she placed Hiccup's number in her pocket, then got on Stormfly and left. Honestly, she couldn't wait for July now because Hiccup and she were going together to Heather and Fishleg's big day. Astrid wasn't trying to move in on being with Hiccup, but perhaps she could help him get over Camicazi by keeping him distracted. There was nothing like a good old wedding to do just that.