FRIENDSHIPS:
BUILT, REVIVED, AND EVOLVED

(A How To Train Your Dragon Fanfiction)

By: Astrid Camicazi N. Hofferson

Summary: Harper "Hiccup" Haddock is ditched by his best friend, Astrid Hofferson for fame and reputation. Can one event revive their friendship and make it even more? (MODERN AU!)

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

A/N: English isn't my first language so please bear with me. Constructive criticisms are pretty much appreciated.

- HTTYD-

VIII

THE UNEXPECTED OFFER

THE NEXT DAY, in the darkness of the janitor's closet, Hiccup found himself confronted by Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the longhaired wheat blonde twins known for their mischief. Bewildered and slightly panicked, Hiccup demanded to know their intentions.

"Who are you? Show yourself," Hiccup urged, trying to make sense of the situation.

Unbeknownst to Hiccup, the twins were hiding their true identity in the dimly lit closet.

"I think it's time to turn on the lights," Ruffnut suggested.

With the lights on, Hiccup's suspicion was confirmed as he came face to face with Ruffnut and Tuffnut. He couldn't understand why they brought him to this secluded place.

"Ruff and Tuff?! What do you want with me? Why did you bring me in here? Did Snotlout plan something to make my life miserable again? Tell me!" Hiccup's emotions were evident in his voice.

Trying to reassure Hiccup, Ruffnut spoke, "Shh... Hiccup, please lower your voice. We're not here to hurt you, and Snotlout didn't send us."

Tuffnut chimed in, "Besides, we wanted to talk with you, that's why we brought you here."

Hiccup was still skeptical of their motives, questioning why they wanted to talk with him, especially in such secrecy.

"We brought you here to help you beat Snotlout and show him that people like us shouldn't be underestimated," Tuffnut explained.

Hiccup couldn't fathom why they, supposedly Snotlout's friends, would want to help him. He raised an eyebrow, suspicious of their offer.

Tuffnut confessed, "We are friends with him, but he treats us unequally, like we're beneath him. He bullies us too. We want to make amends for what we've done to you over the years."

Ruffnut chimed in, "Consider this as our apology. We just wanted to teach Snotlout a lesson and fix things with you."

Hiccup was taken aback, processing their unexpected confession and request for help. He agreed to consider it but asked why they couldn't stand up to Snotlout themselves.

"Because we're scared of him, okay? He's much better to us when we're on his good side. We admit he can be bossy, but he's not all bad. We want to change things, and helping you is a start. Will you accept our offer or at least consider it?" Ruffnut pleaded.

Hiccup nodded hesitantly, "Yeah. I'll think about it. Give me some time."

Tuffnut handed Hiccup a piece of paper with both of their phone numbers. "Here's our number. Call us or meet us up if you decide."

As Hiccup left the janitor's closet, he couldn't shake the conflicting feelings. He had a class to attend, leaving the twins inside to await his decision.

oOo

SHAUN

SNOTLOUT FELT ANNOYANCE bubbling within him as he waited impatiently for Ruffnut and Tuffnut to arrive. They had been supposed to meet him an hour ago, and he couldn't understand why they were taking so long. When they finally showed up, he noticed that something was off – Ruffnut appeared sick, and Tuffnut was helping her.

"You two, where have you been? You're late! Do you know what time it is? It's already seven-fifteen in the morning. I said meet me up at six, not an hour later," Snotlout scolded, trying to hide his concern.

Tuffnut explained that their mother had sent them on an errand, but Ruffnut fell ill, making her attendance at school a challenging decision. Snotlout, although annoyed, couldn't ignore Ruffnut's condition and the responsibility Tuffnut had to take care of her.

"Anyway, it's much more important that you two are already here. Now we can talk about the plan for Fishlegs. Then, you two could do it," Snotlout stated firmly.

However, Tuffnut was quick to point out that they couldn't execute the plan due to Ruffnut's illness and the twin's strong sense of unity. He asked for a postponement, requesting understanding from Snotlout. Looking at Ruffnut, who was coughing violently, Snotlout reluctantly relented.

"Fine. But make sure that Ruff will feel better as soon as possible. So, I'll see you two at lunch?" he said, displaying a hint of concern.

"Sure," Tuffnut replied, grateful for the leniency.

Leaving the twins to tend to Ruffnut, Snotlout headed off, feeling a mix of irritation and worry. He hoped that Ruffnut's condition would improve and that they could proceed with their plan soon.

oOo

TYLER

AFTER SNOTLOUT LEFT, Tuffnut and Ruffnut dropped their act, relieved that the first part of their plan had gone smoothly.

"So, first part of the plan's done," Tuffnut stated.

Ruffnut nodded, sharing her relief. "Yeah, I got nervous earlier and thought Snot wouldn't believe us. Luckily, he did. Now, we just need to focus on convincing Hiccup to agree with our plan and become friends with him."

Tuffnut smirked skeptically. "As if it's easy. The possibility that he'll agree with us is bigger than the possibility that he'll accept us as his friends. It's like 60-40."

"Don't lose hope. I know he will," Ruffnut said confidently. "Anyway, we still need to apologize to Astrid and talk to the others so we can inform them about our plan."

Curious, Tuffnut asked for a reminder of the plan. Ruffnut outlined it step by step, naming it "Operation: Teach Snot a lesson!" Tuffnut couldn't help but admire his sister's plan.

"You know what? I really love that plan of yours," he said, showing his support.

oOo

HARPER

AS THE CLASS began, Hiccup's teacher launched into a lecture about an intriguing new topic. However, Hiccup found it difficult to focus. The events of the past few days had been strange and unexpected. His bullies, the Twins (Ruffnut and Tuffnut), had surprisingly apologized and offered friendship, which left him perplexed. They even presented him with something tempting, giving him time to consider their offer.

The confusion weighed on Hiccup's mind, making it hard for him to concentrate on the lesson. Life had taken an unexpected turn, and he needed to think carefully about the decisions he would make. Uncertain about what the future held, he tried to make sense of the conflicting emotions within him.

oOo

ASTRID

AT BREAKTIME, ASTRID, Heather, and Fishlegs decided to escape the crowded cafeteria and enjoy their lunch on the serene school grounds. They found a peaceful spot where they could eat their meals without distractions.

"Finally, a good place to spend the rest of the recess," Astrid remarked, looking content as she faced Heather and Fishlegs.

"Yeah, much better than the chaotic cafeteria," Heather agreed.

Fishlegs chimed in, "It's peaceful and a nice change from what we're used to. You know, this is the first time we've come here for recess, right?"

"Yeah, and it's great out here actually. So, shall we start eating? I'm really hungry right now. I could eat this whole place," Astrid joked.

Heather playfully questioned her, "Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

Fishlegs explained, "It's a figure of speech, a hyperbole. It's not meant to be taken literally."

Amused, Heather replied, "Okay, we get your point."

With the explanation settled, they delved into their meals. Astrid had a chicken sandwich, Heather had a garden salad, and Fishlegs enjoyed some yak chops. As they ate, they noticed someone approaching – Harper.

"Guys, isn't that Harper?" Fishlegs asked, pointing in Harper's direction.

Astrid agreed and suggested inviting him to join them. "Maybe we could invite him to eat or sit here with us."

Nodding, Astrid called out to Harper, "Harper! Over here!"

He looked their way and approached, carrying a couple of AP books and a piece of burger with him. Uncertain, he asked, "Do they mind?"

"We don't," both Fishlegs and Heather responded simultaneously.

"Okay," Harper replied, accepting the invitation.

Now, the four of them sat together, sharing a meal and conversation as acquaintances. Astrid savored the moment, feeling a sense of warmth and camaraderie. It felt good, and she wished that this newfound bond wouldn't fade away easily. She wanted to savor every moment of it.

oOo

RILEY

AS THE SCHOOL day drew to a close, Riley packed their belongings, ensuring they didn't leave anything behind. Their last class was Geography, a subject they shared with Astrid. This presented an opportunity for Riley to speak to her and clear the air.

"Astrid!" Riley called out to her.

At first, she seemed to ignore them, but Riley wasn't going to let this chance slip away. They chased after her and stood in her way, determined to talk.

"Please let me talk to you," Riley pleaded earnestly.

After a moment of hesitation, Astrid relented and asked, "Fine. What is it?"

Riley took a deep breath and laid everything out for her. They explained their situation and apologized for keeping secrets from her. To Riley's relief, Astrid understood and forgave both Tuff and them. Riley shared their plans with her, and she seemed interested, wanting to be a part of it. They agreed to discuss it further with the others and decided to meet at the Edge Café.

Later, at the café, the whole gang assembled. It was Tuff, Astrid, Fishlegs, Heather, and Riley. They shared their ideas, and everyone seemed eager and intrigued. Astrid's presence brought a sense of unity, and they felt hopeful about what they could achieve together. After a fruitful discussion, they headed home, feeling grateful for the resolution and excited about the future.

Thank Loki! This day turned out to be great, and it seemed like the beginning of something promising for all of them.

oOo

HARPER

AFTER REACHING HOME and taking care of his chores, Hiccup found himself lying on his bed, deep in thought about the offer from earlier. After much contemplation, he finally made up his mind. Taking the paper, the twins had given him, he dialed Tuff's number.

"Hello, Tuff. It's me," Hiccup said as the call connected.

"Hiccup? Is that you?" Tuff responded, surprised.

"Yes, it's me. I wanted to tell you that I've made my decision."

-HTTYD-

Originally Published: March 5, 2019
Wattpad Publishing Date: April 22, 2019
Updated: February 20, 2024