Hiccup's birthday was too beautiful. Astrid winced as Stormfly jolted to a stop, pulling her stiff legs off the dragon's warm flanks. If Hiccup was here he'd make them all saddles, she thought. But Hiccup is here. He's just… recovering. Right? Even Astrid knew people weren't supposed to be unconscious for two weeks.

It was warm for a winter day, so Astrid wasn't surprised when she walked into the house and found it dark. The fireplace lay quiet and black, still smoldering from what must've been last night's cook fire. Astrid stopped and listened. If Stoick was still here, she'd have to admit she was coming to see Hiccup. Did he even know it was his son's birthday? Astrid doubted it.

Finally she decided she was alone in the Haddock residence and padded softly up the stairs. The first time she'd done this had been terrifying. What if the chief comes back? What if I get caught? Can you get punished for breaking into the chief's hut? Now it was a regular occurrence. She entered the familiar room, eyes tracking the sunbeams as they made their dusty way down onto Hiccup's sheets. He hadn't moved. Astrid pursed her lips and sat. Her hand found his. Gods, it's cold. After the routine whispered prayers to Odin and Freya, she sat back against the rough wood of the chair. "Hiccup…" She began. "I don't know how to say this, but… I'd- we'd all really, erm, like it if you could wake up. Today's your sixteenth birthday, after all. So, uh…" She squeezed his hand and pulled out a small bone necklace Gobber had given her. "I want you to have this, when you wake up. Sæll burðardagr, Hiccup. Happy birthday."

She should've gotten up right there and then, but she didn't. Instead she leaned forward and, with the occasional glance around or pause, related to Hiccup's sleeping form exactly what had been going down the past few days. Can't hurt if he can't hear me, she figured. She was halfway through telling him exactly how the twins had managed to explode Mulch's hut again when she heard heavy stomping. She bolted to her feet, hardly daring to breathe. Muttering reached her ears, and a heavy thump, and she pictured the Chief tossing a heavy catch of fish onto the table. "I have to go, Hiccup." She whispered hurriedly, wrapping the necklace and pressing it against his faintly moving collarbone. "But I'll be back. I promise. Just, please—" She squeezed his hand. "Wake up soon, OK?"

He squeezed back.

Hiccup freaking squeezed her hand back.

Astrid froze, open-mouthed. Had that really happened? He hadn't moved in—

Footsteps clomping up the stairs drove her from her stupor. Heart thudding, she slung one leg out the window and glanced back, half-hoping to see those sparkling green eyes of his staring back at her. But he was motionless, one arm hanging off the edge of his little bed frame. She pushed herself over the ledge and rolled, hardly feeling the damp coldness of the grass. Then she bolted, headed through the trees to Fishlegs' house.

What a birthday.

And maybe, Astrid thought as she raced to tell Hiccup's oldest friend the good news… maybe he'd get to celebrate with them.

A/N: So, I know this is incredibly not historically accurate and I also know that Hiccup's birthday is NOT November 19th but it's my birthday so I'm doing it deal with it. Sorry this chapter is so short. I'm currently on the train to New York as we speak, listening to the Taylor Swift song about New York (lol). Main character vibes anyone? Cute guy across from me too.

Anyways, happppppy birtthdaaaaay to meeeee…

That felt wrong.

Love you guys!

-Grace