=Astrid's POV=

{May 2013}

I couldn't believe Hiccup and I have been dating for seven months! Ah, it was exciting to know we'd been together for more than half of a year, and we loved being in a relationship. Hiccup is a fantastic man; he's kind, caring, funny, sarcastic, understanding, and I was madly in love with him. Yep, I could say it now. Actually, Hiccup and I both said it to one another; it felt right too. I believe I said it to him first, the next morning after my twenty-first birthday. Hiccup ended up falling asleep in the chair when my Uncle Finn got home, and since it was about 2:30 am, he just let Hiccup and I stay in the living room. When Hiccup was sure I'd be taken care of by my uncle, he left because he had a few errands to run. I told Hiccup that day that I love him, and surprisingly, he said it back. Here we are now in May, and things were going splendidly. Hiccup and I talked all the time in text messages, or at night. Hiccup would come to my uncle's place for dinner, sometimes I would go to his apartment, which was beautiful. On the weekends, Hiccup and I would go on dates, spend time together, or sometimes we would do a dinner date during the week when he got out of work and it so happened that I didn't have to work that night.

Of course, it didn't matter right now because it was race season. What that means is that from the beginning of May to the end of September there are races, meet and greets, appearances, autographs, pictures, interviews, etc. From October to December is offseason where we don't do anything really. January to April is practice for the upcoming season. Interesting year, right? So from October to May, I worked my side job, the restaurant, for a little extra cash. I was hoping to get my own apartment, but perhaps I wouldn't. Things with Hiccup and I were going extraordinarily well, so maybe I would live with him. I wasn't sure, but had time to think about it. Hiccup had said he wouldn't mind, but I didn't know if I was ready to make that kind of commitment. I only say that because Hiccup and Camicazi were together four years, and they never lived together. I was aware, though, that Camicazi and Hiccup started dating when they were teenagers. Hiccup and I were twenty-one, and have only been dating seven months. I suppose I shouldn't be worried about it just yet. Hiccup said it was only a suggestion because his apartment happened to be right in between his military base and the race course and training center.

Did I mention that Throk and Ruffnut were married now? Yep, they got hitched last month, and it was lovely to attend. Hiccup and I went together of course, and we didn't see Camicazi this time. I assumed that after the altercation she and I had, my friends were able to see that she wasn't good company. Yet, I had another theory; that I had been friends with them longer, and they knew that with Camicazi, Hiccup, and I in the same room together might not be a swell idea. Either way, I didn't mind. I knew Cami's probation was over now, but we still had a no-contact order in effect. However, back to Ruff; she was now Mrs. Ruffnut Wington, and the two were living happily together in their apartment. Oh, Tuffnut and Stilsta are expecting a baby! Yep, Stilsta found out in April that she got pregnant in February when she and Tuff made love on their one year anniversary of dating. Stilsta is now about twelve weeks along; she and Tuffnut are very excited to welcome a child into the world, and I suspected there might be marriage in the future for them too. Dahlia and Eret were preparing for the birth of their daughter. Yes, the gender was revealed to be a girl, and now they were working on picking a name for her. Dahlia is now about six months along, and her pregnancy is going wonderfully.

Other than that, everyone's lives were where they wanted to be it seemed. For me mainly because I had a great family, out of this world friends, my dream career, and the best boyfriend in the known universe. I literally could not ask for more than I had right now. Of course, there were still things I wanted; marriage, a family of my own, but I knew that I didn't need it right now. Eventually, but not at the moment. Today, I was excited, it was the first race of the season! Unfortunately, Hiccup was working but promised he would catch it on TV at the base. I was nervous, but that was okay; I was ready for this.

=Normal POV=

{Berkville Military Base}

"Hiccup! Come on, man, we're going to lunch," Eret called.

"I'm coming, hang on. I gotta get my headphones, so I can watch Astrid's first race. I promised," Hiccup stated as he grabbed them from Toothless's saddle bag, then followed his friends to the mess hall for their midday meal, which would last two hours total before their next assignment. Reaching the mess hall, the boys got their grub, and took a seat. Hiccup pulled up the live broadcast for the race on his mobile, then plugged his headphones in, turning it up, and leaving one out so he could hear if orders were called. Hiccup watched as there was just talk for a bit; the race didn't start until 12:15 pm, and it was only 12 pm on the dot at the moment. The talk was centered around newly added riders, their dragons, how they are hoping the race to go and all that. The camera would show the racers getting ready and what not.

"Haddock!" called a commanding officer. "No electronics during meals,"

"Aw, come on! It's my girl's first race, and I'm not even touching the thing. Please?" Hiccup pleaded.

"Wait, dragon racing season starts today?" his CO questioned, and Hiccup nodded. "And your girlfriend is one of the racers?"

"Yeah, she…made the team in January. I swore I wouldn't miss her first race. Please, sir?" Hiccup asked. The man, Second Lieutenant Bodil Vinter, motioned for Hiccup to follow him. Hiccup got his phone and did as told. Bodil moved to a wall, and flipped a switch. Suddenly, a large white screen descended. Bodil opened a closet and pulled out a projector, old laptop, and some wires. The man set everything up, then plugged in the cord to connect the computer to the projector.

"Well, then I think we should all get to enjoy the race. Pull up the site," Bodil instructed. Hiccup moved in front of the computer, typed in the website, and once it loaded, he clicked on the live coverage. "Which one is yours?"

"Well, obviously none of the males," Hiccup remarked as his friends laughed. Hiccup waited for the camera to hit Astrid's spot, and he pointed. "That's her; my divine beauty," he smiled. The reporter made his way towards Astrid with a smile.

"The Race Master said you're the newest addition to the team. Would you mind if we had a few moments of your time, Miss?" the reporter, Sigmund Hummel, inquired. Astrid turned from her preparations, then give the nod. "Can we have yours and your dragon's name, please?"

"Sure. I'm Astrid Hofferson, and this is my Deadly Nadder, Stormfly," Astrid introduced.

"Would you tell us a little about yourself?" Sigmund questioned.

"Um, well, there isn't much to tell. I bonded to Stormfly at fifteen, graduated from Berkian Dragon Academy in 2010. Uh, I live in the city with my uncle. I work part-time at a restaurant during the offseason. I have great friends, and an amazing boyfriend who I owe all of this too," Astrid said motioning to things around her.

Hiccup blinked a bit. Astrid was giving him credit for her being on the racing league team? "Is your boyfriend here in the stands to root you on today for your first race of the season and with the team?" Sigmund asked.

Astrid shook her head no with a smile. "I'm afraid not. My boyfriend has to work today, and he couldn't get the day off, but I know he's watching from where he is. Hi, babe!"Hiccup chuckled a bit when he saw her wave at the camera.

"He must have a busy job then," Sigmund laughed a bit.

"As a matter of fact, he does. My boyfriend is an Archian State Marine, currently stationed at Berkville Military Base," Astrid said.

"Now, you mentioned that you owe all this to him? Can you give us a little more on that statement?" Sigmund inquired.

"Well, I tried out last year and didn't make the team because my times were too slow. My boyfriend and I weren't dating at the time, but he offered to help me out. So we started meeting up at the Arc City Dragon Training Center to work on things. My biggest problem was speed, and he helped me get where I needed to be for tryouts. I made the team because he helped me conquer my fear of turns at high speed. I made the team because of him," Astrid admitted. Hunter was a bit shocked at her response; had he really done that much to help her?

"Does this boyfriend have a name?" Sigmund wondered.

"Certainly does. My Marine's name is Hiccup Haddock, and today, I'm racing for him," Astrid informed as she jumped on Stormfly's back. "See ya at the finish line!" she added before shooting off.

"Lass is quite fond of you, ain't she?" Bodil patted his back.

"And I feel the same about her," Hiccup replied with a smile as the racers took their mark at the starting line.

"Racers! Are you ready?!" called the announcers as each rider gave a thumbs up. The flaregun fired as they zipped off for the starting eight laps around the track. Hiccup watched intently as Astrid nailed each corner without slowing down just as he'd taught her. Other racers would tip slightly, and one even fell off. After all that, it was time to do the obstacle course.

"Come on, baby girl. You got this; just like we practiced…" Hiccup whispered to himself. Hiccup stared as Astrid was in third place, working her way to first while getting through everything. However, things got scary when the first place racer rammed into Astrid, causing her fall off of Stormfly. "Astrid!" he said in fear. Suddenly, Stormfly whipped around and Astrid caught her tail. After a moment, Stormfly flipped her tail upwards as Astrid landed right into the saddle. "Yes! That's my girl!" Hiccup cheered.

Astrid commanded Stormfly back into position as they shot towards the front using bursts of speed, twirls to squeak through until she got neck and neck with the first place rider. The two countered all the remaining obstacles, and now it was going to be a close call on who one the winner. The lead racer tried to kick Astrid off Stormfly again, only this time, Astrid was ready. Astrid lifted her legs, and crouched in the saddle, doing a handstand to avoid the kick as the man blinked in surprise. Astrid smirked as she laid flat on Stormfly who gave a final push of speed and crossed the finish line first.

Hiccup jumped into the air, thrilled for his girlfriend that she won the race; her first one ever. Astrid nailed the finish with her move, and it was definitely a sight to see. Hiccup was happy for her, and proud that something happened, and she recovered from it to get right back in the race and win it in glorious style! Hiccup would be seeing her tonight, and they would celebrate the win together. Gods, he wished he could be with her right now.

"Go on, lad," Bodil told him.

"What?" Hiccup asked in surprise.

"Givin' ya a half day. Go be with your girl, and tell her awesome job from all of us," Bodil ordered.

"Aye, sir! Thank you!" Hiccup smiled wide with a salute. "Toothless!" he called while rushing out the door, jumping on his Night Fury's back, and then they shot towards the race track in Arc City.

{Arc City Race Track}

Astrid was standing in the winner's circle with everyone around her. Cameras, microphones, everything in her face as people were trying to ask questions. However, the sound of a Night Fury caught their attention as Astrid looked up, then smiled wide. Toothless landed as Hiccup jumped off his back, then walked right up to Astrid.

"Hiccup? What are…you doing here?" Astrid asked in surprise.

"CO gave me half day because of your big victory. We all watched it in the mess hall, and I am wicked proud of you, Milady," Hiccup said as Astrid smiled while Hiccup pulled her into his arms with one arm behind her back, then the other land cupping her cheek. "I love you,"

"I love you too," Astrid replied as Hiccup leaned in and kissed her deeply. Hiccup held it a moment, then they pulled apart. "This is my boyfriend. Corporal Hiccup Haddock of the Archian State Marines, and the reason that I'm on this team, and won today," Astrid introduced, though, her eyes never left Hiccup's green ones. Today was perfect now that Hiccup was there with her to celebrate the winning of her very first race, and they both knew that it would not be her last.