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-

X

THE PLAN PREPARATION

SAMUEL

TODAY, STOICK DECIDED to leave work early to spend some quality time with his son, Harper, whom he felt he had been neglecting lately. He even brought home Harper's favorite food, pizza, as a small gesture of offering. As he arrived home, Stoick expected to find Harper in the living room, either watching television or doing his schoolwork. However, to his surprise, Harper was nowhere to be seen.

Panicking, Stoick immediately called Gobber, hoping that Harper might be at his place.

"Hello, Gobber. Is Harper at your place right now?" Stoick inquired anxiously.

"Hello to ye, Stoick. I do nae know where the lad is. I'm not in my place right now. I'm currently on vacation. Is the lad gone missing?" Gobber responded.

Feeling a mix of relief and worry, Stoick explained, "Okay, I don't know. I just panicked when I didn't see him here in the house, so I called you."

Gobber, ever understanding of parent problems, suggested, "Have ye tried to call him?"

"Not yet" Stoick admitted.

"Then go call yer lad. I'm sure he has a reason to go home late," Gobber reassured him.

"I will, and I hope so. Thank you, Gobber. Enjoy your vacation," Stoick said before ending the call.

Just as Stoick was about to call Harper's number, a voicemail notification from his son popped up on his phone. He quickly listened to it.

'Hi, Dad. It's me, your son. I wanted to let you know that I might be getting home late tonight because I have a meet-up with my classmates at the Mead Hall. That's all, Dad. Goodbye.'

As the voicemail ended, Stoick couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He realized that he should have spent more time with Harper and stayed more involved in his life, especially during these crucial teenage years. Nonetheless, he decided to wait for Harper to arrive, doing some work on his emails while he waited. Stoick couldn't shake off the concern he felt for his son and hoped everything was alright.

oOo

ASTRID

AT THE MEAD Hall, Astrid found herself surrounded by familiar faces, including Fishlegs, Heather, Ruff, Tuff, and surprisingly, Harper Haddock. She was taken aback by the fact that he was involved in the plan they were discussing. The atmosphere was intense, as the group gathered to strategize on how to deal with Snotlout and teach him a lesson.

As they sat down and ordered food, the Twins, Ruff and Tuff, took the lead in explaining their plan, which they dubbed "Operation: Teach Snot a Lesson." To Astrid's surprise, Harper was chosen as the main star of the plan, leaving him visibly shocked and reluctant.

"Why me?" Harper protested, unable to fathom his starring role.

Tuffnut explained, "Because you, my friend, have the potential to be the star player in this. We need to unleash that potential and have you trained to fight."

Harper responded sarcastically, "Thank you for summing that up."

Fishlegs chimed in, pointing out that Harper wasn't as lean as they thought and that they could see muscles through his clothes. Despite the mild praise, Harper wasn't convinced about the plan.

Next, the Twins insisted on changing Hiccup's appearance, from his clothing to his hairstyle. Astrid and Heather agreed, while Harper questioned the need to alter his style.

"What's wrong with my style?" Harper protested.

A hesitant Heather replied, "Um... you have a too big sweater?"

"And you have those nerdy glasses that are way too big," Tuffnut added.

"And you should wear your hair naturally. I've seen it without gel. It looks tousled and better," Astrid said matter-of-factly.

Feeling defeated, Harper finally relented, saying, "Okay."

As the Twins continued laying out the plan, the group finished their meal. Harper, eager to move forward, asked, "Okay, when will we start?"

"The sooner, the better," Ruff replied with determination in her voice.

oOo

HARPER

AFTER LEAVING THE Mead Hall, Hiccup drove himself home, knowing that Astrid would be taken home by Heather and Fish. As he drove, he couldn't help but question why he agreed to be a part of whatever plan they had concocted. Doubts lingered in his mind, but he tried to focus on the potential positive outcomes, realizing that once he committed, there would be no turning back.

It was already 8 in the evening when Hiccup arrived home. Opening the door, he was greeted by his dad, Stoick, who had been worried about him, having received his message.

"Son, how's your day? I've been worried about you, especially when I reached home and didn't see you," his dad expressed his concern.

"It's okay, Dad. I'm okay. And it's good that you decided to go home earlier than usual," Hiccup replied, appreciating his father's attempt to spend time with him.

"Yeah, I planned to spend time with you. I even brought you pizza," Stoick said, trying to engage with his son.

"Thanks, Dad," Hiccup expressed his gratitude.

"But it turns out you have other people to spend your time with," Stoick said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Hiccup quickly clarified, "No, Dad. It's actually something important, that's why I met them up. If not, I could have just declined. I would love to spend time with you, Dad."

With that, a heartwarming moment ensued as Hiccup and his dad caught up on the moments they had missed. The father-son bonding was wonderful and amazing, giving Hiccup a sense of having a parent beside him. He cherished the time spent with his dad and looked forward to preparing for the plan they had discussed starting the next day.

-HTTYD-

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