Chapter 3: The Diner + 

Hiccup POV: + 

I knew exactly where to find Astrid. It wasn't about some grand gesture, just a simple desire to see her reaction. Though, if I was honest with myself, I wanted more than just to observe. I wanted to see how she’d grown, how beautiful she’d become. We were both twenty-three now, and time had changed us. The Fury Diner felt like the perfect place; Astrid, the gang, and I had spent countless afternoons there after school, huddled over homework and shared laughter. + 

I snatched my keys from the table and headed for the door. “Heading out! Mom, Toothless, and please, *please* turn in my application to Berk Elementary!” I called over my shoulder. “Yes, dear!” Mom replied from upstairs, and I slammed the door shut behind me. + 

I hurried to my car and climbed inside. “Fury Diner, here I come,” I muttered, pulling out of the driveway. + 

--- + 

My mind raced with what to say, what to do when I saw her. She might still be furious about my disappearance, and I knew the gang would be pressing me for answers too. All I could focus on was the memory of her ocean-blue eyes and the feel of her long, silken blonde hair. I remembered running my fingers through those golden strands. + 

I turned onto the street across from the diner. As I approached, I spotted the familiar sign and pulled into a parking lane, shutting off the ignition. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. I grabbed a ten-dollar bill, planning to grab a coffee and pretend I hadn’t come specifically to find her. + 

I scanned the diner windows, searching for a flash of blonde. Not seeing her, I resigned myself to going inside. + 

I hopped out of the car and locked the door. The car beeped softly as I pocketed the ten and my keys. I tried to quell the fluttering in my stomach, convincing myself she wasn’t there. + 

I pushed open the diner door, and the rich aroma of coffee washed over me. It smelled incredible, and my stomach growled in anticipation. I scanned the room, but the familiar blonde remained elusive. I sighed and approached the counter. “Hi, yes, I’ll take a Double Carmel Frappe, please?” I asked the woman behind the counter. “Two fifty-nine,” she replied, and I handed her the ten. + 

She slid my coffee across the counter, along with my receipt. + 

“Hiccup?!” a voice called out. I grabbed my coffee and turned around, my breath catching in my throat. There she was. She wore a green cardigan over a tan shirt, a black bralette visible beneath, ripped jeans, and brown heels. Her hair, long and stunningly blonde, cascaded down her back, and those ocean-blue eyes… they were just as captivating as I remembered. + 

“Astrid?!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with disbelief. + 