WHO I REALLY AM

(A How To Train Your Dragon Fanfiction)

by:Astrid Camicazi N. Hofferson

Chapter edited by my friend, Jade (@Uriecstatic of Wattpad)

Summary:Astrid Hofferson, shieldmaiden of Berk and second-in-command of the dragon riders, swears to tell everything to her betrothed,Hiccup Haddock,even secrets. She tells him everything, except for one.Will Hiccup accept her after finding out the truth?(Story is set in the Race to the edge timeline)

DISCLAIMER:I DO NOT OWN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

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Last time on Who I Really Am...

"Ruffnut,Tuffnut,Snotlout and Fishlegs? What are you guys doing?!"

They looked at them and smiled innocently.

VIII

EXPLAINATIONS

Hiccup and Astrid are waiting for concrete answers from their friends. But seeing them in their current position, they have deduced that they needed to get up first, so they have helped them to stand up. When they did, the couple raised their eyebrows, continuing to question them. There is a short moment of silence, until the Twins decided to break it with their signature dopey grins and Ruffnut spoke up.

"What else?Don't you two pretend that you didn't noticed. Of course, we are eavesdropping. Isn't it obvious?"

"And why would you do that?"Hiccup asked.

"Listen here, my one-legged friend. We are very curious. Well it's not like we haven't figured out what's going with you two. We aren't dumbs. We just wanted to know what caused that. Whether it is third party, misunderstanding, or..." Tuffnut explained to them calmly with matching hand gestures but Astrid cuts him off.

"And that is your business because?"

Astrid asked the others. Get teeth a bit gritted, meaning she's annoyed already with their antics.

"Because we needed to know what's wrong with you two. We are your friends. We are a team, gang, family. If you have problems, we are definitely here to help. You just needed to tell us everything, truthfully."Fishlegs finally butted in. And the others nodded in agreement with him.

Trying to stop the argument, Hiccup told them reassuringly , "It doesn't matter anymore. We already fixed that issue on our relationship. You don't really have to worry about it."

"Yeah, doesn't matter."Ruffnut said sarcastically, rolling her eyes."But that's one thing that really does."

"And what do you think is it, Ruff?"Astrid asked non-chalantly.

"Since we are good at eavesdropping, we heard about your secret, everything about it m"Tuffnut spoke up for her sister.

Hearing this, Astrid gulped while Hiccup seems to be nervous. But they tried their best to hide that.

"What secret?We don't have a secret right, babe?" she said innocently with a light chuckle as she looked at her boyfriend.

"No, of course. Um...w-we h-have nothing to hide. You know us guys." he stuttered.

"Drop the act and stop playing innocent, you two. Especially you, Astrid or shall I say Camicazi."Snotlout sneered.

Astrid was loss for words, as well as Hiccup. They can't say anything in defense because what Snotlout is saying is true.

"Now you have nothing to say for yourself, huh?"

"How long would you plan to keep it from us, your friends?!"

"I thought we are family."

"If Hiccup doesn't followed you, he wouldn't know. If we didn't eavesdropped, we won't either."

"We trusted the both of you."

"We deserve an explaination."

With this simultaneous statements from their friends, Astrid, miraculously had felt tears started filling her eyes. Though she did her best to conceal it, it doesn't stop

it from flowing. Hiccup started comforting her by running her back and decided to stop their friends from hurting her much further.

"Enough, all of you!" he exclaimed. His voice was booming all over, almost as loud as his father's voice."Stop forcing her into telling you everything!"

"Look who spoke up." Ruffnut snorted, her hands crossed on her chest.

"Hiccup, stop. They're right." Astrid finally spoke up, wiping her flowing tears and a bit sniffing." I owe everyone of you an explaination."

"Glad you know." Tuffnut said.

"Now, Astrid,start explaining." Snotlout commanded.

"I will." she said nodding. But then-

"Not here, Astrid." Hiccup said.

"Umm...Guys? How about the Clubhouse? Sounds good,right?" Fishlegs suggested. And luckily, no one objected. So, they decided to go to clubhouse and start hearing Astrid's explaination.

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"So, start explaining Astrid or Camicazi, whatever YOU like to be called." Snotlout commanded pointing a finger to Astrid.

"Uhh... I know you guys are disappointed at me because of what happened." Astrid said as she look around them.

"Disappointed is definitely an understatement." Tuffnut stated raising his index finger to show that what he was saying is a matter-of-fact.

"I didn't actually plan to tell you guys this. Because it is a family secret and very personal.But-" Astrid continued but she Ruffnut interrupted, obviously with a hint of hurt and disappointed in her voice.

"But we are family. We all said that before. Though, you decided to keep the secret yourself."

"Would you please shut up and listen to her." Fishlegs said.

"Thanks, Fishlegs."Astrid thanked him."Anyway, you are right. We are family. I shouldn't have kept that from you. I am just scared that maybe you will treat me differently if you knew the truth."

"Why would we be? You know we won't judge you." Tuffnut said.

"You? Scared? Pshaw! Don't expect us to believe that. Your are 'Fearless'Astrid Hofferson!" Snotlout seconded.

"No. I am just a normal person and that's just a persona. Though, my family is entitled fearless, I still have fear. But we should be able to control it and definitely, surpass it." Astrid answered.

"Okay, we understand. Care to fill us on how you are a Hooligan at the same time a Bog-heir?" Fishlegs asked.

"Guys. Please, don't force her to tell you." Hiccup pleaded while waving his hand dismissively.

"No, Hiccup. I guess, it is time. You heard them and you also said it that we are family. So we need to trust each other about things." says Astrid.

Hiccup nodded in agreement and Astrid started to explain, or more likely, answer Fishlegs' question.

"My real father, Harild Hofferson, a Hooligan warrior and one of Stoick's trusted men met my mother at the Thing."

"Thing*?" Tuffnut asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is the meeting of the different tribes. Before, the topics are mostly dragon raids and Berserker, Outcast attacks.The-" Fishlegs heartily answered but is cutted by Snotlout.

"Its fine. We already get the idea." Snotlout scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"As I am saying, he met my mother , Big-Boobied Bertha,at the Thing. They fall in-love, got married. You get the point." Astrid continued.

"How is it possible that a Bog-Burglar can marry a Hooligan? Bog-Burglars are an all-female tribe." Ruffnut asked.

"It is. And contrary to the popular belief, Bog-Burglars aren't all female. Splash's citizens are mostly female.We have a low male population.Others were married but mostly Bog women are maidens." Astrid answered.

"If your mother and father are married, how come you became the heir of Bog-Burglars?" Tuffnut curiously asked.

"Mother is the heir that time, but when he married father, they decided to live on Berk. That time raids by humans and dragons are getting worse. My father was killed in a raid. Making my mother a widow then she decided to go back to Splash with me and raised me in there. But unfortunately, things that we never expected are bound to happen."

Now, that they have heard her statement or explaination, they have already understand Astrid's situation and feel a bit of sympathy for her loss.

"We're sorry for your loss."

"No. It's fine. I'm the one who should make an apology. It is wrong to hide it my secret from you, guys. Fear just ate me up and I don't know what to do.I am sorry. I hope you forgive me." she said.

"Apology accepted, A. Hoff."says Tuffnut.

"You are already forgiven, Astrid Camicazi." Snotlout declared.

While Fishlegs just smiled, as well as, Hiccup. And finally, Ruffnut, who is a bit more expressive of her feelings than usual. Ruffnut stood up and walk to where Astrid was sitting. Then, she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and started to speak.

"Maybe in the near future, I will fully forgive you,Astrid. But, I consider you as my BFF. And with this, I felt betrayed."

"Hey! I thought I am your BFF." the male twin protested. Ruffnut just ignored him. Hiccup has his head face-palmed. While Snotlout started to whisper something to Fishlegs.

"Never expected Ruffnut to be a dramatic." said Snotlout in a whisper.

"Me either.Tuff, you know about this?" Fishlegs asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tuffnut deadpanned.

"But then, there are wounds. After a long time, it will heal and become scars. And those scars would be a reminder that no matter how long the time have passed, there was once an agony and pain that will be remembered from the said scar." Ruffnut continued.

Astrid just listened to Ruffnut's words. And she understiod what her friend is feeling at this moment.

"Also, you are like a sister to me, Ast. And I can't resist to forgive you like I said. Not whole, but partially.For now." Ruff finished and smiled at her.

"Thank you, everyone. And I promise, no more secrets." Astrid told them.

"So, GROUP HUG!"

They hugged each other and broke apart after a few moments.

"Enough with the drama. I'm hungry." said Snotlout with his stomach grumbling.

The others laughed at this statement. They prepared a special dinner for themselves to celebrate their friendship, renewed trust with each other and their stronger bonds. It is true that they have definitely enjoyed the moment while it lasts, despite everything that happened. For their bonds are stronger than the storms and misunderstandings that they have or will have faced.

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A/N: That's all for this chapter. And we are at the near end of this story. So, Astrid have explained everything to her friends and luckily, they are forgiving and true to her. But, Ruffnut is the most affected. Hiccup, on the other hand, is a bit silent on this chapter. For he already knew his betrothed's secret. I admit, the characters are a bit OOC in this chapter, but still, I like the way their OOC-ness fit in the plot. Anyway, thanks for supporting my work. Hope you will continue to support this story 'til the end. You guys are amazing! See you next time! (Or update, rather.)

Yours truly,

ACNH:-)

*Thing-meeting of the Tribes of the Barbaric Archipelago.

Source: How To Train Your Dragon Book Series(from what I have read it is in book #5 entitled How To Twist A Dragon's Tale) by Cressida Cowell