A/N: Up there is a video I made about a year ago. It has nothing to do with the chapter, unfortunately, but I just wanted to post it here for you guys to see and also because we haven't had much Hiccstrid in this book lately since we won't see Hiccup until the next next chapter. Hope you like it :)

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AUTHOR POV

After a quick dinner with the team, Jack began to discuss his request. Astrid was a little worried because they had been away from home longer than they should be, but she decided it was only fair to return the favor since Jack would decide to help them. 

They gathered in the small dining room of a lodge they had rented out. The crackles of the fireplace made the room a cozy heaven compared to the dark snowstorm blowing outside.

"So, what do you need us to do, Jack?" Astrid asked, setting down hot drinks on the table.

"Okay, right now, we're in the town of Hewe, right? It's the only settlement within the Cursed Peaks. Life here is pretty harsh, and the people don't get many visitors since it's such an inhospitable location," Jack said. 

"Go on..." Ruffnut ogled Jack as he sipped from his cup.  

He caught her staring at him and it broke his concentration for a moment before continuing.

"Anyway, a few weeks ago, I overheard a band of bandits saying they were going to storm this town and plunder it for all its worth. I've been tracking them since then, and it looks like they're going to attack tomorrow. I was scouting the town today to figure out how to stop them, and that's when Astrid found me."

"Then you lied to me and ran away," Astrid added.

"Sorry about that. Lots of bad people are hunting me because of my abilities. I thought you were the same," Jack sighed. "Anyway, I could use your help to defend this town."

"Why don't we warn the townspeople?" Fishlegs asked. 

"It's pointless. I've scouted them. None of them can fight," Jack said, sipping from his mug. "They can't leave, either. They'll die from the cold or lack of money."

"So, our only chance is to defeat the bandits ourselves," Astrid said as she stood up in front of the team. Astrid didn't like dawdling about; she wanted to get this over with as quick as she could. "What more do you know about them, Jack?" 

"At least thirty men will come and they'll be arriving on horseback. Swords, spears, crossbows-- your typical barbarian," Jack explained. 

"Sounds easy enough. With our dragons and your abilities, we should be able to defend this place," Astrid said. She then slammed the table with her fist."We'll destroy them long before they ever reach the town, so there's no collateral damage." 

Apparently, Astrid was now the self-proclaimed commander of this mission. Jack gulped at her sudden intensity while the rest of the team cheered at the vigor of their fearless leader.

"Good idea," Jack nodded. "I was planning to take them on myself, but now that you guys are here, the villagers are safer."

"Afterwards, we make for Berk." 

* * *

The rest of the team had gone to bed, leaving Astrid and Jack alone in the dining room. The fire had gone out, save for a few smoldering embers. Their hot drinks were also nearing empty. 

"More?" Astrid grabbed a pitcher.

"No thanks, Astrid," Jack shook his head. He took another sip from his cup. "Hey, wanna see something?" After putting his cup down on the table, he took his hands and drew on the table with his fingers. 

Astrid watched carefully as frost sparkles came out from his hands. "So that's why he's called Jack Frost," Astrid thought.

An ice image of Astrid's face began to appear on the table and Jack looked up to smile at her. Astrid stared in wonder at his ability and couldn't help but crack a grin. "That's amazing."

"I knew you'd like it," he said softly.

"What else can you draw?" she asked.

"Only pretty things." The piercing gaze of his sparkly blue eyes lit up Astrid's cheeks on fire.

Jack slowly licked his lips as Astrid met his gaze. He watched carefully for her reaction, which only encouraged him. Astrid stared back and forth between his gleaming blue eyes and stunning lips. Feeling that he had the green light, he started to lean into the table. Astrid froze as she saw him getting closer to her face. Her heart betrayed her and began pounding uncontrollably. 

Right after he closed his eyes, however, she palmed his face and pushed him back onto his chair. "Don't," she panted.

"Why not?" he asked, leaning forward. Astrid was surprised that he was going to make another attempt.

"I have a bo--" she paused and realized Hiccup still wasn't her boyfriend. Curse that Haddock boy. "I have feelings for someone else."

"Oh," he said with disappointment. Jack finally relaxed in his chair and gave up on his pursuit. He rested his chin on his hand, appearing to be in deep thought. "It's not any guy on the team or else I would've noticed. If I had to guess, and I want to guess, it must be the guy that I'm supposed to heal... right?"

Astrid nodded at his conjecture.

"Not everyone admits they have feelings for someone. He must be really special," Jack said, putting his feet on the table and leaning back on his chair. Astrid was relieved that he was back to his relaxed mood.

"He is. He's my best friend." Astrid hid her smile. She always loved reminding herself how special Hiccup was to her. 

"That's the most special kind, and also the most dangerous," Jack said, pouring himself another glass. 

"What do you mean by that?"

"I was in love with my best friend too. Every moment with her felt like paradise and I don't think any other couple had the closeness we shared," Jack said. Astrid listened intently with a hopeful smile on her face. She had always imagined having that relationship with Hiccup, and how being best friends would make it all the more special. "But she and I had separate duties and we rarely saw each other. It was frustrating and we slowly drifted apart. It broke our relationship and eventually our friendship."

"I'm sorry," Astrid said.

"That's okay. I'm sorry too, I'm just blabbering nonsense. I don't know why I said all that." Jack chuckled nervously.

"No, it's fine. I'm glad you told me," she said. Astrid was surprised at how quickly Jack's mood changes. One minute, he's making a move on her, and the next, he's receiving consolation.

"I just don't want you to end up like me. Make sure that both of you love each other before you turn your friendship into something else." Jack finished another cup of his drink while another period of silence filled the room. Astrid silently sipped at her mug. "Man, why is it so awkward in here?" he asked.

"It's your fault!" Astrid laughed. "You tried to kiss me and then you took our conversation to the abyss."

"Okay, okay, I promise from now on I won't make things weird or try to kiss you... for the rest of this day." He smiled, waiting for her reaction.

"Jack..." she playfully warned.

He then stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought and muttering to himself. 

"What are you doing now?" she asked. 

"I'm trying to come up with a nickname for you. I do it for all my close friends; but your name is a little challenging. What's your last name?"

"Hofferson."

"Hmm, makes you sound like a rich girl."

Astrid swept her bangs and blushed slightly at his comment. She didn't like her family being described as wealthy or noblemen even though they were relatively richer than the other families on Berk. It made her feel more isolated from her friends.

"Let's see... Astrid Hofferson..." he continued muttering. 

Astrid rolled her eyes at him and propped up her chin on her arm. "Some people call me 'Fearless', like Fearless Astrid Hofferson. How about that?"

"I've got it!" his face lit up in excitement. "I'll call you Rid-Rid!"

Astrid sprayed her drink all over the floor. "What kind of stupid nickname is that?"

"Aw, come on. You don't like it? It'll be so fun to say!" Jack said excitedly.

"It's just weird. Everyone I know calls me Astrid."

"That's kinda boring," Jack frowned. 

"It's a strong name," Astrid claimed. "Rid-Rid is like a childhood best friend kind of name!"

"So? Can't I be your best friend?" Jack offered.

"Nope. You're like 8th in line for being my best friend, and there's a dragon ahead of you," she said. 

"I don't care. I'm calling you Rid-Rid and there's nothing you can do to stop me," Jack crossed his arms victoriously. 

"I can break your arms..." she placed her hands on Jack with playful glare on her face. A hint of worry appeared on Jack's face as he felt the strength of her grip. "But I won't, because I need you to heal my friend."

"Thanks... Rid-Rid." Jack smiled widely.

"Grr... fine," she huffed. "I'm going to bed."

Jack waited until she left the room before putting out the embers in the fireplace with a frost blast.

* * *

A few hours later, Astrid slept beside her team in their tiny room. "Mm, Hiccup," she groaned softly, turning to her side. She was clutching a pillow close to her chest and drooling on it. It seemed like a good dream due to the giant grin she was wearing.

Suddenly, a hand shook her shoulders awake.

"Astrid! Astrid!"

Her eyelids ripped apart and she glared at the white haired boy who woke her. "Wh-- Jack, what is it?! This had better be--"

"I've made a mistake..." Jack said urgently. "They're here."

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A/N: Thank you for waiting patiently for my updates. Hopefully I can keep up a one-a-week schedule, but we'll see what happens.