Author's Note: This is my first HTTYD fanfic, and I have had fun playing with these characters, especially the twins. They basically write their own lines. This chapter begins at Dragon's Edge, but things will heat up quickly once we get to Berk. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Chapter 1

Hiccup

"Watch out!"

Looking down from the top of the hill, Hiccup could see all of Dragon's Edge. They'd worked for ages building it up from nothing, and now a rogue boulder was tearing through their base, narrowly missing the clubhouse and heading right towards—

"Fishlegs!" Hiccup shouted.

The larger man had poked his head out of his hut to investigate the tremors shaking the island.

"Get outta there!" yelled Astrid, darting through the buildings towards him.

Fishleg's gaze finally locked on the rolling rock, and his eyes widened.

"Ahhhhhh!" he yelled, diving out of his doorway.

Hiccup could see it wasn't enough, but before he could hop on Toothless to intervene, the boulder exploded, little pieces raining down over their heads in painful pelts.

"What the—"

Astrid was interrupted as the pale belly of a dragon swooped overhead.

"Nice!" the twins shouted in unison, high-fiving between their dragon's heads.

Hiccup sighed before slumping down the hillside.

"Why am I not surprised?" he asked.

Ruff and Tuff landed at the clubhouse, chattering excitedly until Astrid stormed the platform.

"What is wrong with you two?" shouted Astrid. "That boulder almost crushed Fishlegs."

"But it didn't," Ruffnut said, slipping down from her dragon.

"Because we're gods and pulverised it with our awesome fire power," said Tuff, raising his hands with his exaggerated last words.

"Great, now we're angering the gods," Snotlout said, his dragon landing beside them. "I do not need an angry god coming after me. I've got enough people jealous of my great looks and awesome bod."

Hiccup reached Fishlegs and helped the man stand before joining the others.

"Are you two dumb enough to set that boulder off on purpose?" Hiccup asked.

The twins gave him matching looks of disbelief, their mouths hanging open.

"Uh, yeah," said Ruff.

Astrid caught Hiccup's gaze and rolled her eyes. He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, wishing he knew how his father had kept them from destroying the village for nearly two decades—the chief had told him to pray to Odin and sharpen his axe when Hiccup had asked for advice with that problem.

"You're lucky it didn't destroy anything," said Fishlegs, who still looked shaken.

"We were aiming for the boar pit," Tuff said. "Obviously."

Astrid crossed her arms and glared at the two for a moment. Something must have clicked in her head, because a smile sprouted across her face.

"You know, I don't think this island has enough boar pits," she said. "The north side could really use one, and the hill there is much steeper—you could really get a boulder going."

"We're not stupid enough to fall for such an obvious ploy," said Tuffnut.

Ruff stroked her chin and regarded Astrid. "On the other hand, the girl does raise a fair point. Can an island have too many boar pits? I say no."

"Alas," said Tuff, gripping his chest. "We are in painful agreement with Miss Uptight Pants herself."

"To the north!" Ruff shouted, jumping on their dragon.

"Would you stop calling me that!" Astrid yelled after them, but the twins had already crested the hill.

She slumped against the building.

"Idiots," she huffed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

"Would you two follow them and make sure they don't destroy the entire island?" Hiccup said, turning to Snotlout and Fishlegs.

"Babysitting?" shrieked Snot.

Fishlegs called for Meatlug and hopped aboard his dragon.

"I'd rather be at the top of the hill next time," he said before flying away.

Snotlout grumbled, but followed.

"You owe me, Hiccup!" he shouted before disappearing over the ridge.

In the quiet that followed, Hiccup moved closer to Astrid. She had sat with her legs splayed out and her head resting on the wall. He plopped next to her.

"They're exhausting," she moaned.

Hiccup grinned. "You handled them well."

"Redirection," she said, turning her head towards him, her blue eyes squinting with a hint of a smile. "My sister told me it's the only thing that will work with her little brats. Telling them no just reminds them about what they shouldn't be doing and they do it."

"Aren't they only three or something?"

Astrid shrugged. "I don't think the twins have changed much mentally since they were three."

"Fair enough," laughed Hiccup.

His eyes swept the horizon out of habit, but he found only the sun sparkling off the calm sea.

"Great day for a ride," he said.

"Better yet, a race," said Astrid, jumping to her feet.

Hiccup tried to follow, but a hand to the chest shoved him back.

"Hey!" he complained.

Astrid only laughed as she jumped astride Stormfly.

"Afraid you'll lose, Haddock?" she asked.

"Now you're asking for it," huffed Hiccup.

Toothless had appeared at his side. He hopped on, but Astrid had already taken off.

"Stinger Rock and back," she shouted over her shoulder. "Loser has to babysit the twins next time."

Hiccup hollered something back, and they mostly taunted each other as they sped over the ocean waves. Hiccup only stopped grinning when a flash of green snapped his attention away.

"Terror mail," he shouted to Astrid.

They both slowed their dragons to intercept the tiny creature. Hiccup unrolled the message.

"Looks like they need us back in Berk for a couple weeks," he mumbled.

"Anything wrong?" asked Astrid with concern.

Hiccup shook his head. "Something about negotiations with the Hysteric Tribe. I'm sure my dad wants me to learn all about my chiefly duties."

"How bad could it be, then?" asked Astrid with a smile.