Not What You Expected

Author: Nightstar Fury from Nightstar Productions.

Rated: M for Mature.

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD, Frozen, Tangled, or Brave.

~(A/N: Alright, should probably mention this. This whole story has songs in it. So In addition to the disclaimer about not owning any of the shows...I also do not own the songs used in the story. All songs belong to their original artists!)~

1; Project.

Hiccup Haddock the Third was invisible. He was a senior at Berk High School, got good grades, always did his homework on time, and kept to himself. He was unpopular, the loser at school and on the streets if anyone ever saw him. Hiccup had two friends, Fishlegs Ingerman and Tuffnut Thorston. Hiccup's father was a champion wrestler, Stoick the Vast, he took on the look of their ancient ancestors who were Vikings. Hiccup looked nothing like his father though, he had short brown hair, and deep forest green eyes. Hiccup always wore a long green shirt, and dark brown pants with a simple pair of black sneakers. His backpack was just an over the should brown satchel like bag and never had more in it than his school books, a few pencils and notebooks.

In school, no one knew who Hiccup was the son of. Many wouldn't believe it anyway since his father was a well built 400 pound man, and Hiccup was a thin 140 pound teenager. Hiccup didn't use the Haddock last name at school, he used his uncle Gobber's last name, Borgeson. Not only that but Hiccup didn't want people to notice him just because of who his father was, he wanted people to notice him for who he was. But alas, that wasn't the case. Hiccup was labeled a weak loser in elementary school after his mom died when he was little and got caught crying in the bathroom alone. That was how he met Fishlegs and Tuffnut because they knew what it was like to lose a parent or both even. They had become friends instantly.

Hiccup's mother, Valka passed away from cancer when he was 7 years old. She had battled it for years and finally it took her from them, that is when his father started wrestling full time again. It was his way of dealing with the grief of losing his wife, Hiccup didn't hold it against him personally. They owned a big house, it was close to a mansion. Hiccup lived there by himself with a few staff members like maids, butlers, gardeners, etc. Hiccup's father, Stoick wanted Hiccup to be a wrestler too and follow the business but Hiccup had no interest in such and when Hiccup started high school, he made that very well known. Also, his uncle Gobber wasn't his real uncle but he was a very old friend of the family and as such Hiccup saw him as a father figure, and since he was old enough to talk he'd called him uncle Gob, and then older understanding his whole name called him uncle Gobber.

Hiccup's hobbies included drawing, inventing things, singing, and dragon racing. Oh yes, there were dragons among humans and there was peace. It happened years ago in the past that people came to terms with the fact dragons weren't dangerous unless provoked to become such. It wasn't everyone's cup of tea but those who liked it had dragons as pets, or raced with them. Those who didn't just continued normal life. Hiccup had two dragons, a small Terrible Terror named Sharpshot and the rarest dragon of them all, a Night Fury who he named Toothless. However it was a complete secret about Hiccup having a Night Fury, he raced under a different name and attire so no one would know it was him. His name in dragon racing was Fury, and he wore a riding suit of all black, his mask resembling a the face of a Night Fury. No one had ever seen his face. He always came fully dressed, with the mask on. Not even Fishlegs and Tuffnut knew this secret and they were Hiccup's best friends.

Another secret of Hiccup's is that he and his two friends were a band but they all sounded and looked different when performing. Hiccup was a man of many secrets, ones that could bring him instant popularity in school with everyone. But Hiccup didn't care about all that, he never did and never would. He never intended for one song he wrote for his mother to turn into a hit, or that when he was brought into the recording studio with Fishlegs and Tuffnut, that they would be caught screwing around and singing. Ultimately leading them to starting a band. They hide who they really are under a their band name, "Fire Storm" and costumes. They didn't even use their real names in the band, those were kept a secret too. Fishlegs was known as Stone. Tuffnut as Spark, and Hiccup was known as Strike. He couldn't use Fury because he used that name as his racing name and people could connect the dots he was the famous dragon rider. Living a triple life got complicated easily but Hiccup had ways to make sure his stories never mixed and no one figured out who he was.

One more thing about Hiccup is that he had the biggest crush on Astrid Hofferson, one of the most popular girls at school but she didn't even know he existed in her world. Often times Hiccup thought about making himself known to everyone about who he was but he didn't want that life, not that way at least. Astrid was leader of the fight cheer squad, her best friends were Heather and Ruffnut, who happened to be Tuffnut's twin sister. Astrid's boyfriend was Eret, he was a jock and a complete moron in Hiccup's eyes, he never understood what Astrid saw in him. Snotlout was the boy who hit on every girl he could, usually he got turned down but he was one of Eret's best friends which made him popular by default.

Hiccup was the one always bullied, him and his friends. They put up with it, had one another's backs all the time. Yep, Hiccup's life was complicated with being the son of a famous wrestler, himself as a famous band member and dragon rider, part time handy man worker for his uncle, and a full time, straight A student who was bullied but he managed it all for years, and after school was out he wouldn't have to hide anymore because he wouldn't care who he had to impress. That didn't mean he was going to reveal it to everyone on graduation day, he just wouldn't care as much if someone figured it out. Only there was a new problem in his life and it threatened everything he'd worked for. Everything started that fateful Monday of school.

(School)

He couldn't believe how late he was. He never slept in this late, why hadn't his alarm gone off like it did every morning. His green eyes darted to the dashboard's digital clock. It read in its blue font, '7:28am'. Hiccup whipped his small black car in to its assigned parking spot of the student parking lot, flipped the key to off, grabbed his bag and ran out of the car, pressing the lock button twice until he heard a honking sound. With a small smile he rushed to the gates and down the hall to his first period class. He slid a bit making the corner of room's door entrance but made it just as the bell rang and the teacher closed the door. Hiccup reached his seat and plopped down breathing heavily.

"Cutting it a bit close there, Hiccup?" Asked his teacher, Mr. Bludvist, a larger man with long black hair and always wore a black suit to class. "Perhaps go to bed at an earlier time?" Mr. Bludvist suggested as he turned to face the class now.

"I–was in bed at 10:00, Mr. Bludvist...My phone was set to silent and I didn't hear the alarm...But I made it on time." Hiccup stated to him as he'd finally caught his breath.

"Awe, the little Hiccup has a bed time and still didn't get up on time?" Came the voice of Snotlout. Hiccup rolled his eyes as the other student began to laugh. One thing Hiccup excelled at was the sheer art of sarcasm and out-witting someone and he took every chance he got to make Snotlout look like a fool.

"I may of slept through my alarm, Snotlout but at least I stepped foot in this room a second faster than you did. I still beat you driving the speed limit, leaving my house with 7 minutes to get here, park my car, and get to class before the bell rang. What were you doing? Flirting in the hallway, getting rejected and realized you'd get another detention if you didn't start running?" Hiccup grinned a bit. "So that means...I had less time from my house to get here and you were already in the building. Looks like I'm smarter and faster." Hiccup crossed his arms with a cocky smile.

"Hah! BURN! You tell him Hic!" Tuffnut said raising his fist triumphantly. The class laughed again as Snotlout crossed his arms over his chest and mumbled slightly turning his head from Hiccup.

"Alright, settle down class. Today is a pop quiz...and then I'll be informing you about your senior projects. And before you all start your groaning, it is required and a nationwide project. So books closed, pencils out and lets get started." Mr. Bludvist said holding the stack of papers which was there pop quiz. "Take one and pass the stack back. This quiz covers everything we've learned this past month." He added. As soon as Hiccup had his he looked over it with a sigh, this was going to be easy. "You will have 30 minutes. When you're done flip it over and sit quietly. Anyone caught cheating will fail and be sent to the office. Begin." Mr. Bludvist told them as he sat down at his desk, beginning to go over a few things. Hiccup picked up his pencil and began right away. There were only 20 questions. 18 of them were multiple choice, the last two were explanations. After the first 15 minutes, Hiccup was done. He put his pencil down and flipped the paper over sitting back with his eyes closed. "Is there a problem, Hiccup?" Mr. Bludvist asked looking seeing him sitting there relaxing.

"No sir. I'm already done." Hiccup replied. His teacher arched a brow at him.

"Well, come along. Bring it up then." Mr. Bludvist stated waving his hand for Hiccup to come to the front of the class. Hiccup stood up with his quiz and walked to the front handing the paper to him. His teacher looked over it, then back at Hiccup. "Well, Hiccup. I can't say I'm surprised. Good job, all correct." Mr. Bludvist picked up his green pen and wrote a '100%' on it then handed it back to him. "Take your seat. Once everyone else is done, we'll be going over it." He said. Hiccup nodded and walked back to his seat, he saw Snotlout stick up leg farther out. This was a means to trip Hiccup but it wouldn't work. As soon as he walked by Hiccup side stepped and avoided his foot and stuck his tongue out before sitting down.

It was another 10 minutes and everyone had finished. Mr. Bludvist stood up. "Pencils down. Switch your paper with someone else. We'll now go over the answers. Lets see how well everyone did after a long weekend." Mr. Bludvist said. All the students did what they were told and they began going over the answers, as they reached the explanation ones, the teacher called on Hiccup to give the correct answers. He stood up with a sigh, then he noticed whose paper he had. Astrid's. The rules when the student's exchanged papers were that you read the answer on the paper you had, even if it was wrong. He glanced over Astrid's answer, it was wrong. Very wrong. "The question asked to explain was how Vikings back in the day preformed their funerals. Hiccup?" Mr. Bludvist asked looking at him. He couldn't lie.

"How Vikings preformed funerals in the past. They buried them." Hiccup recited off the paper.

"That is incorrect. Hiccup, would you care to explain the right answer?" Mr. Budvist asked him.

"Vikings in the past would honor a lost tribe member by laying their body on a small ship, draped with a cloth. A member of the tribe who was selected by the Chief would say a few words before the send off and then the Chief would light an arrow and fire it at the ship, the rest of the tribe would follow suit. All would remain until the ship burned completely and sank. This could take a few minutes, to a few hours." Hiccup stated calmly.

"Very good. And the second question asked to recite the words for a fallen Chief's ceremony." Mr. Bludvist looked back at Hiccup. Again, he looked at Astrid's paper. Her answer was blank.

"The person had no answer, Mr. Bludvist." Hiccup told him as he put the paper down.

"Mark it incorrect, and please give the correct answer." Mr. Bludvist stated with a heavy sigh.

"May the valkyries welcome you and lead you through Odin's great battlefield. May they sing your name with love and fury, so that we might hear it rise from the depths of Valhalla and know that you've taken your rightful place at the table of kings. For a great man has fallen: A warrior. A chieftain. A father. A friend." Hiccup recited with a formal, respectful tone. His teacher nodded in a proud manner now.

"Well done, Hiccup. Bonus question. Why was it stated in the reading Hiccup just gave 'A Father'?" His teacher asked now. No one raised their hand. Hiccup rolled his eyes now raising his own hand in to the air. "Lets hear it." His teacher smiled now.

"When a man became Chief, he was to have an heir or successor to take his place in the event of his death. As such, whenever a Chief passed away, it was always mentioned that he was a father amongst everything else he was listed as when he had his time alive." Hiccup replied softly.

"You never disappoint, Hiccup. Alright. Mark the number of wrong answers at the top and pass it forward. You'll get these back tomorrow." Mr. Bludvist stated walking back to his desk. Hiccup sat down finally and marked the number 6 wrong at the top of Astrid's paper and passed it forward. He sat back with a sigh, he hated being the center of attention even at school. Mostly because of the glares he got or the snide remarks about him being a teacher's pet and favorite. Then always, he was regarded as a nerd or loser for being so smart and top of the class.

"So what's this big project?" Called out another student.

"Glad you asked! First off you'll be happy to know that you get to work in pairs..." Everyone smiled looking to around as if eye-claiming their partner, then their teacher laughed a bit. "What you won't like is that they have to be boy/girl and I will be choosing them." Mr. Bludvist stated. There was the in unison groan rising from the class. "The project is meant to be one to see how you function in society. You will be required to balance a checkbook, manage money, and deal with the average problems that come up in a typical marriage." Their teacher began to explain everything now. They'd be required from the moment being paired up to act as engaged and plan a wedding, when that phase was done, they would become 'married' with a set of fake rings and manage every day life stresses and problems. Their teachers were all in on it, each class would have some form of effect on the play marriage. And in the middle of a class, the teacher could throw a problem at any of the 'couples' there and then be given a certain amount of time to correct the problem or find another solution.

"So we get no say in any of this? What if we don't like the person we're paired with!?" Yelled someone.

"This is a district, a national senior project. You will have to deal with it. There is no option for divorce. This will be your partner for the remainder of the year. Everything is to be turned in on their deadlines. You will have to be going to one another's houses and figuring things out as married couples do. All of this has been run by your parents and they've allowed it. You do not have to kiss, hug, hold hands, anything. Unless you really want too. Its all acting. Whatever you decide to do. But nothing against school policy, and I think it goes without saying, nothing illegal. Just work together as a married couple would. If this is not done, you will not graduate." Mr. Bludvist stated firmly. There was another round of sighs and groans.

"How do we know when the deadlines are for planning said wedding and what not?" Another asked.

"Everything is in your packet. And it is required that we see video proof of everything you and your partner go through and deal with. The videos will be viewed by the school board, teachers, and classmates. You will be graded separately on each segment and then at the end of the year, you will be given a final grade. Video tapes will be available through any of your teachers as well as a video camera. So let's get you all paired up, shall we?" Mr. Bludvist stated grabbing the paper on his desk. Hiccup wasn't paying attention anymore, he was flipping through the packet taking it all in. This really was a marriage type deal. From the moment of being paired up, they were assumed to be dating from anywhere to 2 years to 5 years and the male was to arrange a proposal. The female would accept it and then the wedding plans. They'd all been given at least two months to plan the wedding they wanted with a set budget.

Hiccup continued to read everything, this was going to suck. He just hoped whoever his partner was would get along with him. He closed his eyes putting the packet down and rubbing his head to get rid of the forming headache he was developing. Class was almost over thank god. Then he heard it, "The final pair will be...Astrid Hofferson and Hiccup Borgeson." Hiccup's eyes shot open as he sat straight up looking at his teacher, and then Astrid who was looked as shocked as he was. Before either could protest, the bell rang. 'This is just great...' Hiccup thought as he started packing up his things.

"Remember class, proposals are to be turned at the end of next week!" Their teacher called as everyone filed out of the room now and filled the hallways. Hiccup stumbled out of class as Fishlegs and Tuffnut came beside him smiling.

"Dude, you got paired with Astrid! You're so lucky!" Tuffnut exclaimed.

"Have we suddenly forgotten she doesn't even know I exist!?" Hiccup groaned out smacking his face. "Who did you guys get paired with?" Hiccup asked as he took a breath to calm down.

"I got paired with Tuff's sister...Ruffnut." Fishlegs stated.

"I got paired with Heather...And you better be nice to my sister..." Tuffnut warned him.

"Relax man..." Fishlegs rolled his eyes. "But anyway...Hiccup, how are we going to do the thing?...We got a practice for the upcoming show in the city..." Fishlegs whispered.

"Sssh! What did we say! We talk about this outside of school or in texts..." Hiccup reminded him. Oh that's all he needed was the secret of their band getting out. This play marriage was going to be a real pain to do, and hide his dragon racing, and the band. And if Astrid had to come to his house, how was he going to explain his massive house? It was only 3 months in to senior year and he was dreading the rest of it. Could it get any worse? He wished he hadn't asked as suddenly he saw Astrid standing in front of him, she looked like she was going to murder someone. "U–uh, hey...As–Astrid..." Hiccup greeted her with a nervous smile. Astrid grabbed his arm and dragged him away angrily.

"Was nice knowing ya Hic!" Fishlegs called after him, Tuffnut shook his head. Astrid pulled Hiccup outside the main building and pushed him up against the brick wall with a finger pointed in his face.

"First. Let me start by saying, I hate this. Secondly, don't think you're in charge just because you're the smartest kid in school. And lastly, you do nothing without running it by me first! Is that clear, Borgeson?" Astrid stated.

"Okay! Jeeze. I got it..." Hiccup huffed rubbing his shoulder, that was going to bruise fast. Astrid took a breath and put her hand down now.

"Good. Give me your phone so I can put my number in it. You don't bother me unless its something to do with the project. I'll call you later after cheer practice and we'll figure this whole thing out." Astrid demanded holding out her hand for his phone. Hiccup rolled his eyes at her and too his phone out of his pocket, he unlocked the screen and handed it to her. Astrid took it and punched her number it, pressing the call button her's began to ring. She ended the call and handed it back to him.

"Make it after 9. I have to work tonight." Hiccup said putting his phone in his pocket again.

"Didn't I just tell you not to tell me what to do?" Astrid snapped at him. Hiccup was already annoyed with this attitude of hers.

"Look, I don't like this anymore than you do your highness. School project or not, I still have a life and tonight it calls for me working until 9. We're supposed to act like a couple who has been together for a few years. Would you want a boyfriend who sits on his rear all day or a boyfriend who works hard so you can have everything you want?" Hiccup asked her in a firm tone, her eyes softened a bit now.

"Okay fine, you're right..." Astrid huffed at him.

"We have to work together, Astrid. How about this, I'll shoot you a text on my break, it'll be around 5:30. We can meet up and talk about it. I get an hour off. Sound fair? I said I wouldn't take charge of everything, but you're going to have to ease up too." Hiccup told her.

"I can do that...Sorry I snapped at you. Having an off day..." Astrid mumbled slightly.

"It's only 8:40 in the morning..." Hiccup sighed.

"Okay, I had a bad night that killed my good mood for today." Astrid stated to him. The warning bell rang now. "I'll be waiting for your text...Bye." Astrid said as she went back inside the school now to go to class. Hiccup shook his head as he opened the door and went back inside and walked to class. He met up with Fishlegs and sat beside him with a heavy sigh.

"Damn, you lived?" Fishlegs asked.

"Shut it, Legs..." Hiccup mumbled to him. Fishlegs only snickered a bit as the next class began. The day seemed to carry on, every class was just more discussion about the project, Hiccup felt like his head was going to explode. He just wanted to get to work, then go home to sleep this off. Hiccup had to say though, he was proud of himself for not putting up with Astrid's bad mood. They were stuck working together for the rest of the year it seemed. It was only 7 months, he'd survive. He hoped. Fishlegs, Tuffnut, and Hiccup spent their lunch at school going over band plans, it was so loud in the room that no one would hear them anyway. Then it was back to class until the final bell rang, their final class teachers handed out video camera's and a tape to use, saying again if they needed more to let a teacher know. Hiccup couldn't move fast enough to his car and unlocked the door, he tossed his bag in the backseat and went to get in the driver's side when he over heard an argument.

Curiosity got the better of him as he looked over slightly to see Astrid arguing with Eret, she looked frustrated and upset. From what Hiccup could gather, Eret was upset with her because of the project and her having to work with himself. Great, now he was the reason for an argument. That wouldn't make things anymore awkward than they already were. He dared not ask if it could get worse, last time earned him a bruise on his shoulder. Hiccup started the car and headed out of the parking lot, he didn't want to be late for work which was still a 15 minute drive from the school. Hiccup put in a CD and kept driving, turning on to a side street to beat school traffic he saw Astrid again, she was walking on the side of the road with her backpack and holding her arms. Hiccup looked at the temperature on his dashboard, it was nearly 30 degrees outside. Now he silently cursed himself as he pulled up beside her and rolled down the window.

"Get in." Hiccup told her calmly, she looked at him now.

"N–no, I–I'm f–f–fine..." Astrid shivered out as another cold wind blew through, going against her.

"Astrid, get in the car. It's freezing outside, you'll get sick." Hiccup stated again.

"What do...y–you...c–care?" Astrid asked as she kept walking and Hiccup stopped the car now, moving the gear shift stick to park and getting out. He took off his sweater and stood in front of her.

"Because it's 30 degrees outside with 15 mile per hour winds and getting colder. Now please, get in damn car...Let me take you home." Hiccup told her holding out his sweater to her. "Come on, you're lips are blue and you're covered in goose bumps. You're only wearing your cheerleading outfit, you'll freeze out here and it will be dark in a half hour. Put this on, and get in the car. I'll take you home, Astrid." Hiccup said firmly. Astrid sighed as she took it and put the sweater on and then climbed in the passenger side of his car. Hiccup sighed in relief as he got back in the driver's side and closed the door, now turning up the heat.

"Don't think this means anything..." Astrid shivered still with her arms over her chest.

"Wouldn't dream of it. What happened to practice?" Hiccup asked as he switched the gear back to drive and pulled back into traffic and started driving.

"To cold and the gym was being used for basketball practice..." Astrid stated as she kept her eyes forward. "Didn't you have work?..." Astrid asked him now, her voice returning to normal as she got warmer.

"I still do but my boss will let me slide. Where do you live?" Hiccup asked her.

"On Shield Avenue...number 15." Astrid told him calmly. "You know where it is?" She asked now.

"Yeah, you don't live to far from me. I'm on Dragon Street number 13, few blocks away, maybe 6." Hiccup replied to her as he lifted his phone and pressed a button for the voice command. "Call Work." He stated clearly. 'Calling...Work.' The automated voice responded. It rang a few times before a happy voice answered.

"Boy, where are you!" Asked the man.

"Sorry. Giving someone a lift home so they don't freeze to death. I'll be 10 minutes late." Hiccup stated to him as his eyes peered at Astrid, she looked away out the window as Hiccup looked forward and took another turn.

"Take your time lad, it's slow anyway." The mad replied, a smile in his voice.

"Thanks, Gob. See ya soon." Hiccup said before hanging up and putting the phone down and returning his hand to the wheel and looking ahead.

"Gob?" Astrid asked.

"Family friend. Been working for him since I was like 13." Hiccup shrugged. The rest of the ride was pretty quiet except for the music playing on the stereo. "Thanks by the way...for the ride..." Astrid finally said as Hiccup turned on to her street and pulled up beside her house.

"Well you have my number now. If you need a ride, just call me. My phone is always on." Hiccup smiled at her.

"I'll keep that in mind...Well I'll uh...wait for your text then when you go on your break..." Astrid said as she opened the door and stepped out, she went to take off the sweater.

"Just give it back later. I don't need it right now. You're still cold. I'll text ya. And you're welcome." Hiccup replied to her. Astrid nodded as she closed his car door and walked up to her house and went inside. Hiccup turned the car around and headed to work thinking only that this day wasn't so bad after all.