So this is basically a transition chapter. I really wanted to make this chapter longer. I didn't actually want to stop it here, but the next part is extremely detailed so I decided this would be the best place to give you guys an update before the plot really starts happening. The next chapter will be longer so it might take a while for me to get that update out. I am a senior in high school which is a stressful time period so I don't exactly get enough time to write. It's literally 2:00 AM and I have to wake up in 4 hours but I was desperate to get this transition chapter out to you guys. PLEASE do not complain when this next chapter takes a while. I am extremely busy. I have a lot on my plate right now and I really want to make the next chapter long for you guys. More than just 5 word pages. Hopefully around 10 word pages instead. You guys mean the world to me and I want to make this story great. I finally know where I want it to go and I hope you guys love it! I figured out how to deal with a dragon in our world.

Thank you all so much! This is my most successful story and you would not believe how much this means to me. THANK YOUU!

Disclaimer: Psht, I didn't win that Academy Award.

-Ash

I knew I shouldn't have done it. But it was too big of an opportunity to miss. I had been down at the Grocery Mart (we don't have chains due to being a small town, yippee) and I saw her. I saw Astrid standing with her parents in the store. I was facing a big moral dilemma here. Do I approach her and possibly have her punch my face in? Or do I actually get introduced to her parents from my little stunt?

I chose the former for some ungodly reason. I approached her family quickly and tapped Astrid on the shoulder. She got that stone cold look on her face as she spun around to see who had touched her. When her eyes met mine, the glare melted away. The blonde beamed at me, "Hey Hiccup."

I waved awkwardly, "Hey Astrid. I saw you from the other isle and thought I'd come say 'hi'…"

Astrid cocked a brow at me with a slight smile, "What're you doing here, of all places? Don't you rich people have fancy stores on the other side of town?"

"Wow, yeah. That was the most stereotypical statement I have ever heard leave your mouth. Just rude. And the answer is no. Except for like two jewelry stores that I don't understand their existence."

"Oh well, never mind then. Sorry to offend you, you poor boy." She snarked.

"Wow, you're trying to insult me." I pouted at her.

"No really, why are you here?"

"This place has the best fish." Was all I said. Her parents were there, even though they didn't know what Toothless was. I'm sure they'd get curious and wonder what creature I own that only eats fish.

Astrid understood in a heartbeat, "Oh. I got you."

"Astrid, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?" Her mother chimed in. I don't blame her. She and Astrid's father had just kind of been standing there awkwardly while we exchanged witty banter.

"Yeah, sure. This is Hic-…Harold Haddock. He's the mayor's son. We go to school together." Astrid told then with a gesture to me.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Hofferson."

Her mother smiled, "Well it's nice to meet you Harold." She took my hand and shook it kindly.

I reached my hand out to her father and he gripped it tightly, "Nice to meet you young man." He squeezed.

My eyes widened slightly, "A-Ah… yeah. Yes sir, you too." When he let go I released a breath that I hadn't even realized I sucked in. I grabbed my limp hand, hoping Astrid didn't notice.

Astrid glanced at my hand, but ignored the problem. The blonde turned back to her parents, "Harold is the one I was telling you guys about. He has helped me a lot."

Her mother's mouth popped open, "Oh! He's your art tutor? Well thank you very much Harold for helping our Astrid pass art. She's never really been the creative type. I'm glad you brought it out in her."

"Eh, it's no problem. I'm willing to do anything to help!" I chimed.

"Speaking of which, we have another project due on Tuesday. Do you mind if I come over tomorrow so we can finish it?" Astrid asked.

Huh? What was she talking about? Our next project was due two weeks from now. It was an extra-large canvas painting, so Ms. Abby gave us more time. I cocked a brow at her, "We don-"

Her eyes sharpened at me. I knew that look meant "stop right there." I nodded, "I mean… Yeah. Sure."

She clasped her hands together, "Great! I'll meet you there tomorrow!" She pushed her parents off and the three of them ventured away.

What did Astrid want to come to my house for…?

Astrid strolled up to my house. I was just about to be on my way to go feed Toothless before she got there. I glanced over at her, "Oh hey."

"Good thing I got here just in time!"

I held the fish uncomfortably in my hand. The thing smelled God awful and I really didn't want to be around Astrid smelling like…well shit. I stared at her, "Um, why exactly did you want to come over today anyway?"

"You promised me a flight."

I hissed and sucked in a breath, "Well, um, Toothless and I… we haven't exactly… gotten the hang of it yet?"

"AKA you suck at it?"

"Sorta?"

She snorted at me, "Then why did you promise a ride if you can't even do it, you moron?"

"Because it sounded nice in the moment? I'll learn! I promise!" I glanced down at the ground, "We've been working super hard. I've been making adjustments to Toothless' gear every time we fly so that it'll work better. I'm trying to get him flying properly again." I murmured.

"Then what, Hiccup!? What are you supposed to do!? We don't even know where Toothless came from! Let alone how he got hurt and lost that tailfin to begin with. Hiccup… you could be getting messed up in some seriously dangerous stuff." Astrid argued.

"What could be more dangerous than taming a dragon, Astrid!? They're supposed to be ferocious beast!"

Astrid rubbed her arm, "Hiccup… dragons aren't supposed to exist…"

"Well Toothless does!" I exclaimed wiping my face with my hands.

"And something else knows that he does! Why else would he be injured!?"

I stared at her. She was right and I knew it. "Am I just taunting him? If he learned to fly would it just be a reminder of what he can't do anymore? Astrid… do I just need to figure out a way for him to fly on his own?"

"Those aren't questions for me, Hiccup. I don't know…" She glanced down at her sneakers. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm selfish."

Astrid was taken aback by my statement, "What?"

"I don't want Toothless to fly on his own because I… I don't want him to leave. I don't want to lose him. It's stupid and ridiculous but that's the truth."

The blonde girl made her way over to me, "It's not stupid or ridiculous. It's natural. You've never had real friends before, Hiccup. Toothless was the first anything to really care about you. That's something special. Now you have to believe that the bond is on Toothless' side too. He'd never leave you."

I glimpsed up at her, "You think so?"

"Only one way to find out. I'll leave you two alone today. Hiccup, you go find yourself. When you learn how to fly, I'll be back. Okay?" Astrid smiled before she turned to walk away. She left my property with one final wave to me.

I spun on my heel to see the roughage of woods behind me. I sighed and began my trek towards the cove. Suddenly, I picked up speed and I was sprinting through the rocks and trees.

I climbed down into the cove in a rush and jumped down onto the tough surface. Toothless popped his head up in surprise. I galloped over to him and dropped to my knees in front of him. I buried my face in my hands and screamed into them. Toothless hummed in concern and nudged my head. I glanced up at him, "What are you, bud?"

My dragon tilted his head in confusion. He purred and nudged me once again. I stared at him, "What am I going to do with you? Keep you here for the rest of our lives? How is this going to work?"

Toothless whimpered at me and curled up beside me. He then laid his head in my lap and I slowly looked down at him. My hands had a mind of their own as they automatically started petting my dragon's scales. I sighed, "We'll have to run away."

The dragon peeped his head up at me and crooned. I shook my head, "We have to learn to fly for sure. We have to leave here. No one can know about you, bud. We're gonna have to get out of here."

Toothless poked me with his muzzle and purred. I sighed, "I'll have to leave Astrid…"

The Night Fury growled at me then stood up. Toothless stubbornly trotted over to the small tree and sat underneath it. I cocked a brow at him, "Are you pouting?"

He let out a small rumble from the back of his throat. The dragon swished his tail in irritation before wrapping it around himself. I was so confused. He was more emotional than Astrid. I trotted over to the dragon, "What gives? I thought you didn't like Astrid."

Toothless snarled at me before turning the other way. I gave an aggravated sigh, "Really? Do you not want me to leave Astrid?"

He crooned at me once more. I stared at him in disbelief, "Bud, we can't stay here."

The dragon nodded slightly in response. "Look, what are we gonna do? Run away and take Astrid with us?"

Toothless purred loudly at that idea. I shook my head, "Toothless, it doesn't work like that. We can't uproot her from her life here at Berk. It's not fair."

The dragon rolled his eyes at me. I snorted, "But you won't leave unless I'm with her, will you?"

Toothless eyed me carefully then purred. I groaned irritably, "That's a 'yes'."

"Toothless! I've got it! I made a cheat sheet to your harness! We're going to try it out today, okay bud?" I called out.

The Night Fury bounced towards me excitably while humming the entire time. I didn't know it was possible for dragons to be happy all the time. Of course the only dragons I knew about were the evil ones from the movies. He tumbled over to me and wagged his tail slightly. I climbed on his back and hooked up my riding gear. I attached the cheat sheet securely to the top of the saddle. I sucked in a deep breath, "Alright, bud. Let's do this."