As I said, just another fluffy Hiccstrid College AU. It's inspired, as so often, by a song, though just one line of lyrics this time and the rest of the song doesn't fit at all. I might say more about that at the end of this story. Now, it would be a spoiler ;P

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"Hey, Hiccup."

Hiccup looked up from his book as Justin's voice echoed toward him. He sat in his favourite spot on campus, a broad rock formation near where the rivulet fell down a metre or two in some kind of waterfall. The landscape was all artificial, of course, but he still liked it here.

"Hey, Justin. Scott," he greeted his two friends as they came closer. "What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you something," Justin gasped, his chubby face red even from just the small hike through the park. "It's about tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What about it?"

"You do remember that we all wanted to go to the cinema, right?" Scott asked with a small smirk, his eyes flickering to the book in Hiccup's lap.

Hiccup rolled his eyes and closed the book, but only after tugging the bookmark in place. "Of course, I remember," he replied sourly. It had only happened once that he'd missed an appointment because he'd gotten stuck in a book. Or… three times at the most.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to ask whether we should pick you up, too. Heather and I are heading in your direction anyway to pick up Scott; it wouldn't even be much of a detour."

Hiccup's face cleared. "Ah, I see. Thanks, but no, thanks. I already promised to pick up Astrid after work. We'll meet you guys at the cinema."

At that, Scott's smirk grew even wider, one eyebrow raised. "When will you two finally admit that you're dating? Seriously, it's not as if it can get any more obvious."

"We're not dating, Scott!" Hiccup insisted, his cheeks turning warm. "How many times do I have to tell you? We're just friends."

"Yeah, sure. That's why you wait here nearly every day until her courses are finished. Because you're just friends. I totally believe you."

Again, Hiccup rolled his eyes at Scott's dry tone. "Yes," he explained for the umpteenth time, sighing. "Because her workplace is practically right next to where I live. And it's either I wait here for half an hour and drive her there, or she has to take public transport, which would take her nearly two hours she'd have to work longer afterwards. What friend would I be if I wasn't willing to make such a small sacrifice?"

Snorting, Scott shook his head. "If that's what you insist upon. Suit yourself." He turned and walked away, muttering to himself.

"Eh, sorry about that," Justin muttered with a grimace. "I think he and Minden just broke up again today, so he's in a bad mood. Don't worry, tomorrow he'll be better again."

Hiccup snorted out a laugh as he waved after Justin. The relationship drama between Scott and Minden had become a running joke by now. If they didn't break up at least once a week, something felt off.

He returned his attention back to his book, the second part of a book series about were dragons, until another, much more pleasant voice interrupted him again.

"Hey, Hiccup. Thank you so much for waiting again. What would I do without you?"

As always, Astrid's voice brought a grin to his face. Quickly, he put away his book and got up, just in time for her to reach and hug him. "It's no big deal, Milady. Really, I don't mind at all."

She gave him a warm smile at the use of his usual nickname for her, and it made his heart flutter. Damned be Scott and his stupid comments! Because it wasn't as if Hiccup wouldn't want for him and Astrid to be more than friends. She was smart, witty, and funny, strong and beautiful, and he was fully aware of the severe crush he'd developed for her by now. But it was just that, just a one-sided crush. She certainly didn't feel the same or she would have said something by now. And what would she like in him anyway? He was just a dorky nerd with glasses, a prosthetic leg, and an obsession for engineering and dragons.

For a second, his smile turned a little melancholic as he shouldered his bag. When they walked to where he'd parked his car that morning though, chatting amiably, it had already turned back to being genuine. Having Astrid as his best friend wasn't bad at all, and if he sometimes dreamed of holding her tighter than just a friendly hug, of letting his hands glide beneath her shirt, and of tasting those soft pink lips of hers – well, then that was his problem.

. o O o .

Just a first short shapter to this miniseries. Three chapters planned, 2,5 already written. ^^