A.N

Hi, this is the second part of my first Hiccstrid fanfiction. I will take suggestions for further r short stories, only Hiccstrid, K+ or T at worst, constructive criticism gratefully recieved!

-Astrid's POV-
/About 5 seconds before Hiccup's POV end/

Oh my Thor, oh my Thor, oh my Thor. Hiccup is DATING Ruffnut?! But he - I - that's -
Mind whirling, I turn from the Clubhouse and collapse on my bed, too numb for tears, too much pain for sleep. I don't even realise that Heather had come in until she crouches down next to my bed.

"Hey," she says quietly, "You ok?"
I can barely talk so just grunt in a monotone.

"Look. There's no way he's going out with her. You guys were made for each other."
I don't bother grunting to that one.
Heather sighs.

"I know this is hard but let's go to the party, ok? You can still have a nice time - everyone knows that it's just an excuse to eat cake!"
A knock on the door interrupts us.

"Hello?" calls a voice. It's Hiccup. I yelp and pull my pillow over my head. Heather pats me on the shoulder then goes to talk to him. I hear her open the door and say, "Hi, Hiccup! What is it?"

"I was hoping to talk to Astrid. Is she there?"
I shake my head furiously.

"Umm - she isn't feeling very well. I told her to rest up."
Hiccup's voice fills with concern.

"Will she be ok?"

"Yeah, it's just a nasty bug. See you later!"
Heather closes the door.

"You might want to start getting ready," she says.

I moan slightly then get up slowly, staggering over to my wardrobe. There's not much in there which is suitable for a romantic party - usually I just wear the same shirt, skirt and leggings.

But right at the back is a white dress given to me earlier this year on my coming of age ceremony. Perfect.

-Hiccup's POV-

What's up with Astrid?! She really freaked out back then and I'm pretty sure she isn't ill. I push these thoughts aside and go to find some formal clothes. For obvious reasons (read, dragons!) I have very few flammable clothes and my only suit is dragonskin. Half an hour later, I'm washed and dressed in it. Toothless growls as Ruff heads over. I choke and mask it with a hacking cough. She's clothed in a huge ballooning ballgown of eye scorching pink with more ruffles than fish have scales. Speaking of fish, she's also clutching a bundle of hydrangeas which smell rather like the aforementioned animal. I nod a curt greeting then climb onto Toothless. He looks up at me as if asking if she definitely has to come and as much as I would rather not, I give him a subtle nod.

Heather and Fishlegs come into the stable. Heather is stunning in a long, tight, purple dress and Fishlegs is in a dark red suit which looks really nice on him. I'm glad my friend is going to have a nice evening - he's been working really hard on a new Gronckle Iron formula lately.

Tuffnut is next to arrive in a green suit. Chicken is next to him with a little ribbon bow on her head.
A moment later, Snotlout swaggers in dressed fully in gold. Like, gold hair, face and suit.

The last to get here is Astrid. I have to cover up my gasp - she's stunning. She doesn't look like the Astrid I see everyday, she's even more breathtaking than normal. Wait, did I just think that?!
A lacy white dress with a slit back and long sleeves hugs her figure and a wreath of blue flowers matches her shining eyes perfectly. Around her neck is a simple seaglass necklace. It's the necklace I gave her, but anonymously.

Everyone's face shows a different story - Heather is relieved, Fishlegs pleased that Heather is happy, Ruffnut annoyed, Tuffnut not even looking and Snotlout drooling.
The golden idiot stumbles over.

"W - wouldyouliketogototheFeastwithme?" he blurts.
She gives him a scathing glance and mounts Stormfly.

Ruffnut gives the order from behind me and we take off. I'm aware of her dress blowing in my face and we nearly crash into the churning ocean multiple times. Each time, Ruffnut squarks behind me.
In fact, we all seem to be having a fun time getting to Berk - Meatlug is struggling to carry two passengers and is lagging behind while Tuffnut is attempting to fly a two person dragon on his own. Snotlout's problem is mostly avoiding spine shots from Astrid every time he tries to get her to be his date, while Astrid is spinning into the clouds to get away from him.

After a few hours of hard flying, we arrive at Berk. It's beginning to go dark and the statue lights guide us into harbour. Dismounting, I look around. People like a chance to set up a party and they definately have today. Lanterns hung over the buildings look like stars fallen to earth and streamers are hung everywhere. There's a real atmosphere of excitement, happiness, and maybe a hint of romance.

As I admire the handiwork, Ruffnut grabs my arm and drags me into the crowds of people towards the buffet tables. So much food! Since Heather arrived on the Edge, we haven't starved exactly but I'm still hungry enough to load my plate up high. When Ruffnut's back is turned, I slip off into the crowd and find a quiet (well, quieter) corner to eat in.

I watch the couples dance and can't help but feel a bit jealous - they all look so happy. Darkness is nearly upon us now and faces are lit by the flickering lanterns. The music starts to get louder and louder until I'm dizzy and stumble out of the light between two houses.

There! A flash of white catches my eye, a flicker of golden hair. Astrid. But where is she going?

A.N

There's one more part to this short Hiccstrid, I'll post it in a few days. Thanks for reading!