Okay, so this is a new story, requested by the wonderful movielover48. First, I would like to personally thank movielover48 for the request, and for being so patient. THANK YOU! *tosses out free virtual popcorn* I normally add a lot of extra details to my requests that come in, so if you are NOT satisfied with this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me, and I will do it as a one-shot. I think I've finally gotten the hang of writing fanfictions. Yay! :) So, if you DON'T like what I added, I'll probably end up finishing this one anyway, and then re-writing it as a new story. M'kay? Again, THANK YOU for the request! This is for YOU and ANYONE else who wants to read it. It's in Hiccup's POV for the entire fic, just to clarify, and takes place a little while before HTTYD2 (Hiccup's 20). Okay! On with chapter 1!

"Why don't you come on the fishing trip with us?"

I frown as the question reaches my ears for the sixth time that morning. Astrid strides over and sits beside me at the table in the Great Hall. I really don't want to hear the question again, and I really don't want to answer it.

I shrug. "Fishing just isn't my thing," I answer just how I did the other times that day. "I'm sorry. Fishing's your guys' things. Not mine."

Astrid shrugs the same way I had. "But could it be your thing, too?" she asks, leaning her elbow on the table.

I shake my head. "I don't know," I say, turning to face her. She looks truly beautiful, even with her bangs covering her eyes.

"So...you won't even try to come with us?" she asks, her voice almost breaking, although I know she's faking it, trying to get me to say "Yes I'm in!"

I shake my head. "Sorry, Astrid," I say, standing up and walking out. "I get seasick."

"Seasick?" Astrid gets up and follows me out, although I don't even turn to acknowledge her presence. "Hiccup, you don't get seasick. You've been on ships before."

I don't stop walking until I open the doors to the Great Hall and walk out, Astrid following me. Stormfly and Toothless are running around outside, chasing each other, like they are playing tag. I smile at them, as does Astrid, but then it fades and she turns to me.

"Why don't you come?" asks Astrid.

I really don't want to answer that question, either, but Astrid leaves me no choice.

"I just don't like fishing," I finally say, sounding bored and exasperated, although finally feeling a weight lift on my chest. Now Astrid won't have to pester me about fishing trips anymore.

"Why not?" she asks.

Oops. I spoke too soon.

"I just..." I stop suddenly. "Last time I went fishing was when I was like, five years old."

Astrid looks at me, her eyes pressing for details. I, however, don't add any, so she speaks again.

"And...so...?" she begins, her voice trailing off.

I sigh. "I got bored," I say, suddenly feeling pathetic, like I really was five instead of twenty. "And...it didn't go too well. I went out hunting for...trolls."

"Ah," says Astrid, punching me lightly on the shoulder. "Did you find any?"

"I thought we were talking about fishing," I frown.

Astrid rambles on: "Gobber told me that trolls exist," she says. "He said they steal your left socks. I for one can't tell the difference." She pauses as if waiting for me to speak. "Can you tell the difference?"

I shake my head, smiling and laughing half-way. "I don't know," I say. "I haven't worn left socks for five years."

I gesture to my prosthetic, and Astrid smiles.

"So...you don't have problems with trolls, then?" she prompts.

"Nope," I say. "No problems. Can't say the same for Gobber, though..."

We both break out into a laugh.

"Now I know where Gobber gets all his stories from!" Astrid says. I can just barely register what she's saying, she's laughing so hard. "He only has a left foot!"

"I guess he's the trolls' first target!" I laugh. Then I say in a more serious tone, "I still can't tell the difference, though."
We laugh again.

"What in the world do trolls want socks for anyways?" Astrid asks. "I mean...could you just imagine..." She made her hand into a shape that made it look like she was holding a sock. "'Daddy daddy look!'" she acts out, making her voice sound remarkably high as she holds the imaginary sock over her head. "'Look! I got a sock!'"

"'Good job, sweetie!'" I chime in, making my voice sound remarkably deep and depressing. "'But did you smell it yet?'"

"'No,'" says Astrid in the same voice again. She holds the imaginary sock up to her nose and sniffs. Her facial expressions change instantly as she holds the "sock" as far away from her as possible. "'Oh daddy! That's awful!'" she cries, still in character.

"'It is indeed.'" I make my voice sound as ridiculously low as I can. I lean over and sniff Astrid's hand holding the imaginary sock, and instantly pretend to faint. I suddenly hear Astrid fall over next to me, only not in character. She was laughing so hard I was afraid she'd stop breathing.

I instantly join her in hysterical laughter. Toothless and Stormfly saunter over to us, probably to make sure we weren't going mentally mad. I pat Toothless' head, and Astrid rubs Stormfly's muzzle.

"So...will you come with us?" Astrid prompts again, sitting up and pulling me into a sitting position as well.

I sigh. "Why not?" I say.

"YES!" shouts Astrid, jumping into a stand and fist-pumping. "I'll tell the others you're coming!"

"But wait!" I shout just before she runs off. She turns to me, and I speak, "Only if I can bring Toothless."

She frowns. "It's supposed to be a dragon-free trip, Hiccup," she says.

I nod. "I know," I say, "but I'd feel better if Toothless were there."

Astrid sighs. "Okay, fine," she complies to my asking, "but Toothless is it. I am NOT letting the others take their dragons! I suppose it's only fair you take Toothless, too."

"Why?" I ask.

"Because that way, if you get 'bored', he can sniff you out," she says. She means it as a joke, I know, but there is a hint of seriousness in her voice. I laugh, knowing she doesn't want me to take it seriously.

She runs off to tell the others about me deciding to come. Toothless nuzzles me, and I pet him back.

"Ah, don't worry," I say. "What's the worst that could happen?"