A/N: So, this took most of the day but I'm happy with the turnout! It's not perfect and I haven't edited it at all yet, so please exuse any errors I have made. That, and enjoy.

I do not own HTTYD nor ROTG. Just the story I'm weaving.

Through the day Hiccup and Astrid chatted and caught up about life, class, and work. Hiccup's nerves grew throughout the day, not unnoticed by Astrid. By early afternoon the pair started looking up which clubs to go to and what to wear. Astrid, ever the prepared one, had brought along a tight fitting pair of capris and a tight black shirt. Simple, yet it fit her exceptionally well. Hiccup, on the other hand, didn't have much in the way of clubbing clothes. Astrid went through his closet with him and deemed him fully unprepared.

"I'm taking you shopping Hiccup. You're not going out in any of these."

"What? Why! There's nothing wrong with my clothes!"

"You're right. They're nice for day to day stuff like class and being with friends. But you need something more… risqué."

"Excuse me?"

"Your clothes are nice, but they're not tight enough, to put it bluntly."

Hiccup just crossed his arms and huffed at Astrid. "I'm skinny enough as it is, Astrid. No need to make me look even smaller."

"Oh hush. You have curves that you don't know about Hiccup," Astrid said with a reassuring yet sassy tone.

"Whatever. It's not like I have the money for new clothes anyways! Living alone is expensive."

"Good thing the company I work for gives out bonuses twice a year if they do well. And guess what. They did well. I'm buying."

"Astrid, I won't let yo-"

"Hiccup shut up or I'll make you shut up," she threatened.

And knowing Astrid, that's not a threat. That's a promise. *Sigh…*

"Fine. I'll accept that as payback for throwing water on me."

"That was so good though, you have to admit," Astrid grinned widely and said with pride.

"I sure as hell didn't expect it, so I'll give it to you," returned Hiccup with a smirk.

They both grabbed their things and jumped into Astrid's Jeep. The mall was only 15 minutes away, thanks to this being a college town.

It being a Sunday, the mall was packed.

"Finding a parking spot has taken nearly as long as the drive. If we don't find one soon I'll park on top of the nearest Prius I see," Astrid fumed while grasping the steering wheel much too hard.

"Easy there, Evel Knievel, no need to destroy anything," Hiccup teased, knowing that he was playing with fire.

Luckily, they found a spot not 30 seconds after that.

The mall was pretty average for an American shopping mall. Huge, too much stuff, and way too many people. And, for some reason Hiccup would never understand, multiples of the same store.

"I just don't get why there would be more than one! Sure, one store may be busy enough that the other could reduce traffic, but they're so far away that it makes no sense! Why wouldn't they just put the two next to each other and make it a single larger store?"

Astrid, not really paying attention at this point, simply said, "What about him, Hiccup? Do you think he's cute?"

"You're not even trying to pay attention to me, are you Astrid?"

"Yes, and no. I don't know why there are doubles, but that doesn't matter. I'm still trying to find you a date, remember?"

"Whatever, dude," Hiccup said with major sass before glancing at the guy she pointed out. "Nah. Too preppy."

"What do you mean too preppy?"

"I tend to not like people who wear polos. And look at that hair. He must have spent hours on it! No, not attracted to him at all."

"Huh. Okay. But he has a nice butt at least."

Hiccup stuttered a second before finally getting out, "Uh-Y-Yeah. I guess so."

Astrid smiled at Hiccup's nervousness. "You're too cute for your own good Hiccup. You're gonna kill it tonight in the club."

"I have no intentions of killing anyone Astrid. That's usually you," Hiccup shot back without pause.

Astrid raised her eyebrows, shot Hiccup a side-eye that could dissuade a person with the strongest of wills, and then rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yep!"

They made their way through a few stores, not finding exactly what they wanted in any.

More like didn't find what Astrid wants. I thought that last outfit was nice enough but nooooo. Not 'flattering enough, Hiccup. Aim higher.' I hope we find what she wants soon.

They entered yet another designer store that Hiccup didn't recognize when Astrid finally found what she wanted Hiccup to wear. Pulling items off the rack she handed them to Hiccup and ordered him to change.

This… Actually looks really good! Hiccup thought after he had put on the clothes. An emerald green shirt hugged Hiccup's chest snugly, bringing out his somewhat hourglass shape. The sleeves were a ¾ cut, leaving his forearms bare. Although it was snug, it was not tight nor uncomfortable. The dark, yet still vibrant shirt stood out from the dark brown pants. Just like the shirt, they complemented and brought out all the curves Hiccup had while not seeming skin-tight and ill-fitted. Hiccup turned this way and that, getting looks at himself, checking out how the clothes fit and looked from each angle. Wow, my butt looks great in this. Nice! He smirked.

"Did you die in there or what?"

Instead of responding Hiccup exited the dressing room and Astrid smiled wide, happy with what she saw.

"Am I good or am I good?" She asked him while making him turn and show off.

"You picked a damn good outfit Astrid," he chuckled, "Now will you stop looking at me? You're making it weird."

Astrid blushed at the joke momentarily before meeting Hiccup's eyes and putting a hand on her hip. "Hey, I'm just admiring the clothes I picked out. Not the person inside. That can easily be switched out for a nicer one," Astrid cracked with a sweet and evil smile and tone. "Now change back so we can go to the food court. I'm starved again."

"Good plan."

Hiccup quickly changed, Astrid bought the clothes, and they navigated out of the store and towards the food court.

Along the way Astrid kept on pointing out guys to see what Hiccup liked and didn't like, feeling out what type to point him towards, or point towards him, at the club.

"So what about him? He's super cute."

Hiccup turned towards the current man of focus. Holy Thor and Odin.

He's gorgeous.

Hiccup gaped for a second at the man. He was tall. At least six foot. He was slender but didn't seem sickly or out of shape. His hair was the most eye-catching aspect – a pure white. But that wasn't what caught Hiccup's attention.

His smile. Oh gods that smile is perfect. Hiccup stared across the walkway, trying to figure out how this man's smile could make him so beautiful. It was– pure joy. That's what it is! Hiccup realized. His smile just radiates pure joy. And it's not just because he has nice teeth or a beautiful face, but it's everything about the smile. The way his eyes crinkle at the edges, the laughter carried in his gaze, and the genuine happiness that his lips conveyed. Holy shit.

"Earth to Hiccup!" Astrid waved her hand in front of his face to snap him out of his reverie.

He closed his eyes and shook his head a bit, as if to shake the thoughts away.

"So I take it you like him then!" Astrid beamed.

"Uh, well. You see, I, uhm, oh fuck it yes."

"Ha! Finally found one."

"His smile is just gorgeous. I can't help but enjoy a genuine smile like that."

"How not superficial of you. Congrats."

"Uh, thank you?"

"My pleasure," Astrid said dismissively. "Now what about him."

This continued on, checking out guys as they went, but Hiccup internalized the fact that none of the other ones were anywhere near close to how great the white haired man looked. Too bad I'll probably never see him again.

The pair found some food, ate, and promptly left. Once home they watched a few movies while getting ready for the night. Hiccup fixed up his mop of hair as best as he could, eventually admitting defeat and just leaving it relatively unchanged. Astrid let her hair down for once, the braid giving it incredible curls that, quite honestly in Hiccup's opinion, looked fantastic on her.

"Why don't you wear your hair down more often Astrid? It looks great."

"That's the thing, Hiccup. I know it looks great. That's why I don't do it often – so when I do let it down it makes even more of an impact," she slyly said with a wink.

"You clever temptress."

"Guilty as charged." As she spoke she dramatically flipped her hair over her shoulder and shot Hiccup a look.

"What. Was that supposed to be an attractive look or something?" This is gonna be good.

Astrid was taken aback, "ExCUSE me, Hiccup! What did you just say? I know for a fact that that look works, don't you dare say it doesn't."

"Oh I dare, Astrid. It did absolutely nothing for me."

Astrid tsk-ed with her mouth and quickly looked straight ahead. "I guess you're too gay to appreciate it then. Sucks for you!"

They both took a few more steps in silence before huge smiles ripped across their faces.

"Gods I have missed you Hiccup. I need to visit you more. None of my friends at school try that kind of shit with me!"

"That's because they're too afraid of you Astrid. I grew up with you. That, and I love making you mad. It's great!"

"You know that you're playing with fire Hiccup. I always win."

"Except for that time –"

"Don't even think of bringing those up."

"Bu-"

"DON'T!" Astrid scolded with an accusing finger which finally made Hiccup relent.

They reached one of the bars they had chosen earlier that day soon after their friendly argument had finished. That's when Hiccup's nerves finally surfaced.

"Astrid, why did I ever agree to this?"

"Because it's our mission to find you a man. Now let's," Astrid quickly shoved Hiccup through the door, "go!"

Hiccup stumbled in and caught himself on a table. Thank the gods I didn't catch myself with a person. That would have been terrible. Luckily for him, not many people saw his near-fall. Some heads turned towards the newcomers and turned away quickly. A few, though, obviously checked Hiccup and Astrid out.

Hiccup said just loud enough for Astrid to hear, "Well I don't feel violated at all."

"Hey, at least you're being noticed. And who knows, maybe one of them will buy you a drink!" Astrid covertly replied.

"You know, it's kinda messed up how we are supposed to feel good when people look us up like that. Why is that? It's so wrong."

"In short, our bullshit culture has fostered an environment of oversexualization and objectification that normalizes that kind of staring. It has socialized us into believing that looking attractive to others is the main goal in life and that beauty is everything. And this is partially what leads to our culture of sexual harassment and victim shaming, that they should have 'known better' and 'not dressed that way,' when really every person should have been taught not to rape and that what lies below the surface is what actually makes a person beautiful," Astrid belted out without pause or effortful thought. "And we're supposed to feel good if we're noticed by others because we obviously can't be happy with just our own self-approval. That kind of thinking doesn't sell makeup and expensive clothes."

"Uh."

"I've been learning in college, Hiccup. And not just about recreational education and therapy."

"Alrighty then. Props to you, Astrid. That was legitimately impressive."

She just smiled proudly.

They both ordered drinks: Hiccup a long island and Astrid a parrot martini.

"So does this mean we're being as bad as them by checking them out while trying to find me a date?" Hiccup asked genuinely.

"It really depends on the mindset. If you realize that they're a person and go in with no ill-intent, then you absolutely can look around and appreciate how good people look," Astrid said with a wink.

They scoped out the room, not blatantly staring or being obvious, but just noticing the crowd.

Hiccup's heart almost stopped when he saw a shock of white hair over the crowd towards the back. No freakin way that it's him. There's no way.

He pulled Astrid to the dance floor, which surprised Astrid quite a bit.

"Well this is a change, you leading the charge. See someone you like?"

"Might have. Just wanted a closer look."

Hiccup awkwardly danced for a bit, waiting for the crowd to part just right so he could see through to identify the white haired man. Yes! Just a little more… the person blocking the view finally shifted and… Oh gods, shit! Nope! Oooh man that's embarrassing. Definitely not telling Astrid about-

"Who are you looking at Hiccup? You just got the craziest look on your face!"

"Uhm, nobody. Not who I thought it was."

She gave Hiccup a nod, but he could still see she was interested.

I'm never telling her I almost approached an old man. And how does that old guy have hair like that?! What the hell…

Hiccup made his way back towards the edge of the room, his confidence dwindling again. His drink about half gone, he could start to feel the warmth of the alcohol spreading through his stomach and to his face. He was a lightweight, after all. Between being a thin guy and not drinking much it didn't take a lot of alcohol to get him tipsy. Astrid walked over right then.

"You don't want to dance anymore?"

"You know I'm shit at dancing Astrid. I won't do it unless I have an excuse."

"You want an excuse then." She didn't say it as a question.

Oh no.

"Here are your choices: Go ask someone to dance yourself or I'll go grab someone for you."

Yep! Should have kept my mouth closed… Well I might as well find someone to talk to before she gets impatient.

He began to scan the room, searching for someone who he might end up liking.

Ugh. This is not the way I want to do things. I want to know who they are first before meeting them… Why did I agree to this! Hiccup lamented.

After about 10 seconds of scanning the room Hiccup noticed a man standing towards the back. Taller, brown hair that was short and nicely styled, and a kind air around him. He was talking to someone else, but dismissively. Not as if they were together.

Alright. I guess I'll try with him.

Hiccup pointed the man out and told Astrid to have fun while he was gone, finished his drink, and set the glass on the bar. Hiccup's stomach clenched as he walked forward, heading towards the man. Unease and nervousness increasing with every step, Hiccup did what he could to prepare himself. When he was about 5 feet away the man noticed him, raised his eyebrows slightly, looked Hiccup quickly up and down and smiled.

The man was the first to speak. "Hey."

"Hi, uh, I was wondering if you'd like to, you know, have a drink or dance with me or maybe both or… something." Smooth as coarse gravel, Hiccup. Nice going.

The man smiled kindly and agreed.

They reached the bar and the man ordered two gin and tonics, without asking Hiccup if that's what he wanted. Wish he would have asked, but I suppose he's buying…

They talked for a few minutes, sipping their drinks. His name was Aaron, he was going to business school, his family was from the south and he's –

A stuck up ass. Wow I picked the wrong guy. Hiccup thought while giving Aaron a fake smile and rushing through his drink so he could get out of there.

"So, do you think you'd like to come home with me tonight?" Aaron asked with an odd smirk.

Hiccup literally choked into his drink, spitting some of it out. He coughed for a second before saying, "Sorry Aaron, but I really don't think so."

"Well why not? Is there something wrong?" Aaron asked mildly aggressively.

"No. I just don't go home with guys until they at least buy me dinner," Hiccup responded sternly, becoming more confident thanks to the alcohol and the asshat he was facing.

"I bought you a drink. Doesn't that count?"

Gods, this guy doesn't take a hint. "No. Bye, Aaron." And with that Hiccup got up and left to find Astrid.

After a short search he grabbed his friend and made a beeline to the door of the bar.

"So I take it he was a loser?" Astrid inquired.

"Not as much of a loser as a twat who doesn't take no for an answer," Hiccup responded sharply.

"Well that sucks. Sorry Hiccup. Do you still want to the next bar or not really anymore?"

Hiccup, emboldened by the aggravating experience, "Oh we're going to the next one. No doubt about it. And I'm going to find a nice guy there that I will actually take on a date."

Astrid just chuckled and kept walking with her frustrated best friend.

Hiccup entered the next bar with a storm of confidence brewing. He weaved through the crowd to order a drink and was nearly knocked over just before he reached the bar itself. The person who backed into him immediately turned around and apologized, seeming quite sincere, before returning to his conversation with another man. Hiccup brushed himself off and turned to the bartender and froze.

He met eyes with the bartender's. Powerfully blue eyes stared back into his, bringing all previous trains of thought Hiccup had to a screeching halt.

Oh my gods… It's the guy from the mall. No. Way.

Hiccup's pause did not go unnoticed by the bartender, "Cat got your tongue?" He asked in a sonorous and smooth voice, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Hi, uh, yeah. Sorry. I actually don't know what I want yet."

"How about I make you one of my favorite drinks?"

"Sure! Yeah, that sounds good."

"Perfect. Be back in a flash."

Hiccup found two seats near the end of the bar and claimed them for Astrid and himself.

"Hiccup, was that the guy from the mall earlier?!"

Hiccup just nodded.

"No way! What a coincidence."

Hiccup raised his eyebrows and continued nodding. "Yeah, I mean, what are the chances!"

"So anyways, what did you order?"

The bartender returned at that moment with a bright blue drink, "He's having a Blue Hawaii! My personal favorite. And what would you like, miss?"

"Rum and coke, please."

"No prob."

He slid away again to make the drink and take orders from the other clubbers.

Hiccup watched him move, how he grabbed the various alcohol without looking, often flipping the bottles and catching them in a way that makes them pour immediately and accurately.

"Wow, he's pretty good," Astrid mentioned.

Hiccup, however, just nodded once again, most of his focus on the interesting bartender with white hair who was now throwing ice at and laughing with a few people at the bar.

He just seems so fun and genuine, Hiccup thought with a smile. He sipped his drink and his eyes widened. It's delicious!

The bartender returned with Astrid's rum and coke, handing it to her and simultaneously asking Hiccup, "So how's the drink treating ya?!"

"It's wonderful! I love it, thanks." Hiccup beamed.

"Great! Just be careful. Chick drinks like that are dangerous," he warned with a gleam in his eye, "they're sweet and easy to drink and then before you know it you're smashed."

Hiccup chuckled lightly and responded, "thanks for the warning. I'll try not to pass out on your bar."

"Good to hear. And if you need anything else, just shout for me. I'll make sure to ignore you," Jack sassed with a wink before whisking off to other people.

Astrid shot Hiccup a look and pointed her thumb at the bartender in a way that gave off a pleasant, 'who is this guy, he's great' vibe. They sipped at their drinks for a bit, chatting and watching the bartender goof off intermittently.

Eventually Astrid asked if Hiccup would like to dance, but he declined, informing her that his leg was starting to hurt.

A bit after Astrid left, Hiccup finished his drink and turned his full attention to the bartender to order another. They met eyes again and he approached.

"I thought I told you to yell at me so I could ignore you," he said with a large grin.

"Oh darn, I guess you did. I have always been a disappointment, I suppose," Hiccup deadpanned, making the bartender chuckle. If only he knew…

"Well, what'll you have."

"I was actually hoping you'd make another suggestion."

"How about a date?"

"Wait, what?" Hiccup remarked, shocked.

"You know what a date is, right? You, me, dinner or something?"

Hiccup shot the bartender a dry look. "Yes, I know what a date is. I'm just surprised. And I don't even know your name!"

"Jack Frost. Yours?"

"Uh, Hiccup, actually. Hiccup Haddock."

"Huh. Interesting. So, Hiccup Haddock, would you like to go on a date with me?"

"Well, uh, yes!" Hiccup gleefully accepted. "Here's… my number. Text me," he suggested as he wrote his number on a bar napkin. And this is why I always bring a pen with me wherever I go.

Jack took the napkin and held it in the air like a trophy before folding it and putting it in his pocket. "I'll text you as soon as I'm off work, okay?"

"Of course! I'll try to stay up and respond, but no promises. Thank you, Jack."

"No, thank YOU, Hiccup!" Jack nearly shouted, his mirth overflowing. Jack then turned and made his way towards the people he was throwing ice at before, taking out the napkin and showing them with a huge smile.

Hiccup smiled himself and then went to find Astrid, seeing no need to stay in the bar. He found her dancing with another quite beautiful woman with long, dark hair and told her about his plans to leave. She exchanged numbers with the girl before waving and leaving. Once they were outside Hiccup began filling Astrid in about what had transpired while she was dancing and they began to head towards home.