(A/N) Hey fellow readers! So yay I've finally reached the more Hiccstrid chapters such as the basketball practice!
Hiccup woke up around ten AM to the sound to his phone going off. Sleepily picking it up (They really didn't go to bed until like 2:00) Hiccup hit answer and heard a females voice on the other end of the line. "Hey Hiccup? I was wondering if you'd want to get lunch before practicing today. It's Saturday remember?"
Hiccup's eyes suddenly nodded and he jumped out of bed wile pulling a tossed green tunic on and fixing his prosthetic. "Oh hey Astrid-hi Astrid-uh...yeah wanna meat at Eleven? I can bring Toothless wile you bring Stormfly and we can stop at the nearby Pizza Buffet." Suddenly Hiccup tripped on a book in the floor, landing with a yelp. "Ow..." Hiccup was upset at first, but smiled warmly as Astrid chuckled on the other end of the line.
"Goof. Sure that would be great, meat me at the grocery store on first street, I have to pick up a few things for my mother." Hiccup nodded, cradling his phone between his shoulder and chin wile pulling on a fur vest and his green leggings. "Sure thing. Be there in..." Hiccup looked at his phone and realized it was 10:15. "Let say 45 minutes?" Astrid chuckled again before agreeing and hanging up the phone.
Suddenly Hiccup heard the top bunk move and looked up to see Fishlegs awake. "Well Hey 'Legs. Not used to seeing you awake at the same time as me." Fishlegs rubbed his temples, smiling down at Hiccup. "I'm usually a heavy sleeper, but even I can't sleep through your excitement." Hiccup shrugged, fixing his shirt.
"So..." Fishlegs started with his blanket still over him. "What's got you so up and at 'em anyways? I haven't seen you this happy and excited since we were going to the fair four months ago and they had a night fury hatchling on stand with one of the specialized trainers." Hiccup smiled to himself, folding his sleeve over.
"Yeah, that was a good day. Anyway, you know Astrid Hofferson?" Now Fishlegs was interested, staring at Hiccup with intent interest. "The Hofferson girl who's a pro Soccer, and Basketball player? The one who owns the fastest Deadly Nadder I've ever seen and manages to juggle her sports with A+ grades? Let's not forget her reputation as a writer on the Middle school team when she was only in elementary." Fishlegs started talking about Astrid like he would talk about dragon facts. Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle, ignoring a hint of frustration that came to him.
"Yeah, that's the one. She invited me and Toothless over to eat lunch and practice basketball." Hiccup explained wile brushing his hair. Fishlegs suddenly overtook a mischievous face and Hiccup became confused. "What is it?" He asked sounding a little defensive.
"Nothing. I just didn't predict you'd be one for dating a sports girl like Astrid." Hiccup's eyes widened and he dropped his brush after getting a tangle out of his overly curly auburn hair. "Wait. What?! N-No way Fishlegs, I'm not...dating Astrid. She's way out of my league and we're very different. She's not even in most of my classes." Hiccup grit his teeth, retrieving his brush from a pile of cloths that needed to be washed.
"Oh common. Going out to lunch, practicing her favorite sport, and we all saw how you were at your race. Admit it H, you've got a thing for the Hofferson." Hiccup sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "Maybe...I just don't know. I mean I do get along well with her, and we have similar beliefs as how to judge someone. I don't know 'Legs, you know I can never do anything without complications."
Fishlegs nodded with an understanding nod. "True to that. So what time you leaving?" Hiccup looked at his phone which now said it was 10:25. "Well actually if I want to get their a little early I could go get Toothless up and saddle him. After that I'll have maybe twenty minutes to get their." Hiccup picked up his spare backpack which had his journals and extra supplies. "Can you tell Magnus and Jacob where I went?"
Fishlegs suddenly looked surprised and Hiccup frowned. "What?" Fishlegs shrugged, climbing down from his bunk wile knowing he wouldn't get back to sleep. "Nothing. It's just...you never really think to make sure they know where your going. Your not really the type of kid who cares if they worry where you are."
Hiccup bit his lip, trying to hide his own surprise. "Well yeah I mean...don't want to keep them worried for no reason right? Your already awake so there's really no difference. Anyways I've got to go, Toothless isn't really a morning dragon you know?" Fishlegs nodded, making sure to remember where Hiccup was going.
"Hey Toothless. Can you land near the thrift shop? There's something I need to grab." Toothless and Hiccup were flying to meet Astrid at the grocery store, but Hiccup had something he needed to do before he met Astrid. If Fishlegs was right and this is a date, then he needed to get something from there his eyes had been set on for a wile. With the money Hiccup made from Sponsors and racing championships causing him to almost be a millionaire, but not quiet since he didn't care to much about money and such, he had enough extra to get certain things.
Toothless landed at the front door, taking interest in taking pictures with a few families their wile Hiccup went inside. "Hello young lad. What can I do for you today?" A man at the front counter asked. "Um...do you still have that silver ruby heart watch on sale in the back?"
Hiccup remembered seeing a beautiful watch the last time he came here. The band was made of silver and stones which honestly resembled the colors of a Razorwhip and Deadly Nadder combined. On the clock part of the watch were two oak brown arrows and crimson colored outline. On either side of the clock holding the band and the top together were two sides of a heart made of red rubies. The watch was over 500 dollars and on sale.
Hiccup remembered when he saw that watch and was offered it he said he didn't need it. He had once told the cashier in exact words if he ever needed a gift for someone, the watch would make a perfect treat. Now Hiccup wished more than anything luck would be on his side and the watch would still be here.
"Actually it is. You know...I think I remember ya. Aren't you the night fury racer who came here last time? Let me guess, you need a gift?" Hiccup smiled and nodded. "Something like that." The Cashier nodded, reaching into a box on the back shelf full of old antic watches that still worked. The silver on the ruby heart one was a little rusted, making it reasonable to be on sale for over 25% off. This was a thrift shop after all.
"Here you go son. Need a box to go with it?" The man asked in a heavy accent, holding up a small brown box in his left hand. On the counter he lay different colored wrapping paper. Hiccup took the watch, pointing to the baby blue wrapping paper and white speckled ribbon.
"Thanks sir, helps a lot." The man at the front waved it off, smiling brightly. "No problem Hiccup, anything for such a respectful costumer. We don't usually get kids like you who have good taste and respect rather than one or the other." Hiccup nodded with a small smile, shaking the mans hand and running outside.
"Toothless! We've got to go!" Hiccup called to his dragon. As he was running Hiccup accidently tripped on the curb because his prosthetic. Toothless caught him just before he could hit the ground. "Aww." Three younger kids said wile their mother held them away from Toothless.
Hiccup looked to the mother to see if she needed anything, but the young woman waved him off with a smile. Hiccup took off on Toothless, flying at top speed after losing more time than he thought he would shopping. They hovered near the grocery store on first street, landing just as Astrid came outside the doors with bags in her hands.
"Hey Hiccup!" Astrid shouted, attaching her three bags to Stormfly's saddle and running into Hiccup. Hiccup opened his arms, both of them sharing a quick but tight embrace. "Sorry I got here later than planned." Hiccup noted the clock on top of the store saying it was 11:05.
"No problem. What's that in your hand?" Hiccup was confused at first, then smirked when he realized Astrid had seen the box. "Well...guess you'll have to grab it and see?" Hiccup said in the most competitive voice he could grasp. Astrid's eyes lit up, the girl always finding joy in any kind of challenge as if it was an addiction. She never liked the easy way out which some found odd.
Astrid reached for the box, but Hiccup turned with incredibly fast reflexes. Astrid frowned annoyed, reaching for the box again. Hiccup held it above his head, both of them laughing. Finally Astrid took advantage of Hiccup leaving his side vulnerable, nailing his right in his ribs with her elbow.
Hiccup bent over out of breath, pretty sure his side was bruised. The box went flying in the air, and Astrid grabbed it with one hand, using the other to support Hiccup so he didn't fall. "You okay?" Astrid asked, helping Hiccup stand strait.
"Never been better." Hiccup sucked in a long breath and smiled at her. "Cracked ribs should heal eventually." Astrid laughed, nudging Hiccup's shoulder. Hiccup smiled warmly at her, and closed his eyes as Astrid quickly pecked his cheek.
"So...who's it for?" Astrid asked jokingly and Hiccup stood behind her with his arms around her waist. "Only for the strongest girl I know and her Nadder." Astrid smiled and played along. "Wonder who that could be." Astrid tenderly unwrapped the bow, then tore into the wrapping paper. Raising a confused eyebrow at the small brown box inside she opened it.
Astrid picked up the watch, admiring the pure silver and scale like stones. She also saw the heard like rubies and that made it hard to keep her Tomboy like composure. "Hiccup it's beautiful." She said quietly, slipping the watch on her wrist. "How did you know I'd-"
"Well I knew you wouldn't like regular jewelry because it would get in the way of your training. A few months ago I went to the thrift shop and saw this. It has the silver like a Razorwhip, and stones like a Nadder. I kind of figured it resembled the race I was in yesterday, and the rubies were a bonus. I know your not into bracelets and such, but figured a watch would help you time your busy schedule with all the different clubs and sports your in." Astrid smiled, leaning into his hold.
"No way you thought of all that. Most guys I know wouldn't think twice and would just buy the prettiest thing they could find." Hiccup shrugged, holding Astrid closer and leaning his head on her shoulder. "Well, I'm no ordinary guy." He tapped his prosthetic against Astrid's leg who frowned at first, but then smiled at the joke.
Hiccup and Astrid flew on Toothless and Stormfly, eventually landing at the basketball court. "So...you know much about the sport?" Astrid asked, pulling off her Jacket and long fur boots so she was in her tight blue T-shirt and black leggings. Hiccup took a second to admire her beauty, before answering.
"Well I play it in the special classes I like to help in, but not like the regular sport since there are obviously changes to the rules." Astrid nodded, tying her Sneakers wile Hiccup went into the side bathroom to change into a short sleeve green shirt and torn jeans. His present cloths were ones he didn't want to risk tearing up since they were some of the few cloths he didn't have with stains or messes.
Once he exited the bathroom, a basketball suddenly came flying towards him. With reflexes he earned from playing so much when he was little with his dad, Hiccup caught the ball and passed it back to Astrid. "Not bad Hiccup. You sure you haven't been trained to play before?"
Hiccup shrugged, not feeling interested in telling many childhood stories. "I used to play with my father when I was little." For some odd reason nothing hurt inside talking about his dad like usual. Instead, Hiccup just used extra energy to catch another fast ball, shooting it into the near basket.
"Oh. You two close?" Astrid's voice seemed to hint something Hiccup wasn't used to. Something resembling both curiosity and longing at the same time. Hiccup secretly wondered why Astrid seemed to have a hard time asking the question.
"Uh...yeah when I was little." Hiccup caught the ball and passed it to Stormfly who bounced it off her head to Toothless, both of them engaging in a game of pass. Astrid and Hiccup both laughed at the sight, standing closer together.
"Why not now?" Astrid asked wile holding Hiccup's hand. When she didn't get an answer, Astrid looked at Hiccup to see his eyes numb and stoic. "Hiccup?" Astrid lifted Hiccup's shin with her finger, Hiccup sighing and managing an obviously fake smile. He tore away, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's a long story." Hiccup tried to let it go, but for some reason Astrid felt the need to push him further. Something in her really wanted to know what was going on. She had developed an odd connection to Hiccup which she wasn't used to, and now hated that he was keeping something bottled up.
"We've got time." Astrid said, holding his hand tighter. Hiccup flinched, looking at her slightly surprised. Hiccup hesitated, but managed to stutter. "Remember what you said the first time we met at this court? About the soldiers?" Astrid took a moment to remember, but then her eyes widened.
Astrid held both of Hiccup's wrists in her hands, pulling him closer to her. "Not every soldier survives the war." She whispered and Hiccup sighed. Astrid leaned her head further against Hiccup's chest, the sound of his heart rate slowing with his sigh relaxing.
"It's alright though. Like you said there's really no better death than a noble one right? I've been trying to think like you do. He died a hero, and that's what matters." Astrid nodded, pulling away from Hiccup with a sad smile.
"You know...we're a lot more alike than I thought. My uncle Fin that I told you about? Coincidently he was just like a father to me, my real dad leaving thanks to drug problems when I was little." Hiccup now felt surprised, oh she had no idea the resemblance.
"Yeah, you have no idea." Astrid nodded, hugging Hiccup closer. "So who do you even live with without your father? I've never met your mom." Astrid asked curiously. Hiccup didn't have a chance to answer, because suddenly Toothless accidently hit the ball the wrong way and it went flying towards them. Astrid had her back turned to it, but Hiccup quickly let her go and jumped in front of her to catch the ball.
Astrid spun around to see Hiccup catch the ball, her eyes wide. What surprised her even more was when Hiccup couldn't keep it in his hand because the speed, so he sort of sling shot the ball with his hand, making a perfect basket.
"Wow. Okay you seriously need to try out for the team." Astrid said wile catching Hiccup off guard. "Wh-What?" Hiccup stuttered out confused. Astrid smiled, catching the ball as it bounced back to them after hitting Toothless who was under the net.
"You heard me." Astrid slammed the ball into Hiccup, the boy managing to grab it before it ever hit his skin despite the speed. "You were taught to play as a kid and have developed inhuman reflexes. Add in you height and your quick movements and you'd make a pretty good offense on the school team. Just think about it, k?"
Hiccup frowned, thinking about it for a second. He looked down at the basketball, tracing the lines with his fingers. "I've also got my special prosthetic for flying on Astrid. I can hardly run with the covered one and the sweat rubs real bad." Hiccup explained and Astrid crossed her arms.
"Do you have to wear the covered one?" Hiccup was surprised by just how similar Astrid's voice sounded to a coach giving a lecture. He guessed her coaches were rubbing off on her. "Well I-" "No you don't. I get it Hiccup, you chose to wear the covered one because you don't want people to judge. With how good you do on the court though, you team wouldn't mind. I know you don't care about friends and all that, but when your on a team like ours your friends on it become similar to family. They'd stand up for you if anyone judged you and even though you'd be on the guys team I've seen how great they are."
Hiccup took in Astrid's words, the strong, authority like voice making her words hit him harder with ever sentence. He eventually gave in, nodding in agreement. "I'll think about it." Hiccup passed Astrid the basketball who surprisingly faltered, tripping backwards.
Hiccup covered his mouth, trying desperately not to laugh. "Hey! I wasn't ready!" Astrid shouted, grabbing the ball and throwing it as hard as she could. Hiccup laughed again, catching the ball with practice ease. "I got you! Admit it, I got you." Astrid frowned and stood up. She jabbed Hiccup in the stomach who doubles over. "Fine, you got me." She said in a mocking voice, Hiccup freeing one hand from his stomach to raise his thumb indicating he was good.
After they got over their little competitive argument, Hiccup and Astrid flew to the Pizza Buffet on the high way. Astrid insisted on paying since Hiccup bought her the watch, and they both chose a table. Sitting down with a drink and pasta, the two engaged in conversation, forgetting the previous one about their parents for now and enjoying the moment.
(A/N) Yay! So Hiccstrid is getting real! I know I had Hiccup talk about Stoick briefly to Astrid, but I'm not talking about the bigger parts of his past until later, Etglorriana96 inspiring me to keep that for a big reveal. Your amazing!