Based on new spoilers from HTTYD 3! Warning: actual dialogue from the movie.

Astrid watched him walk away with a heavy heart. It was especially unnerving to see him cast his helmet aside in defeat.

"He thinks he has to lead alone, well.. because his father had to," Valka spoke up from behind her. "He doesn't realize the strength you have together."

Astrid continued to stare at his retreating form in silence.

"Do you still believe in him?" she heard his mother ask.

"Of course I do!" Astrid said without hesitation. "I wish he did. But he thinks he is nothing without Toothless.."

"Then help him realize the truth."

l-l

Help him realize the truth.

She listened to him speak of his insecurities and how he was back to being Hiccup the Useless again. Berk was destroyed, his people had lost their home and now had nowhere to go, and there was nothing he could do about it. Grimmel had defeated him and taken Toothless and the Light Fury, and there was nothing he could do about it. Without Toothless he was not capable of anything. Without Toothless he was worthless; a nobody.

"Well, you are right. You are back to where you started," Astrid said as he finished up.

..You must feel horrible. You've lost everything. Your father, your tribe, your best friend.

"But I was the first to believe in you," she reminded him.

..Because I want to remember what you say right now...

..The first to fly one though.

"And I have watched you doubt wether you are worthy ever since." He spared her a quick glance, still looking as hopeless and sullen as he felt.

But then her next words took him aback. "But you know what.. I am the person I am today because of you."

He slowly turned to her in surprise.

Her voice grew more emotional. "I never told you that, but it's true." He had no idea just how much he as a person meant to her. How he was everything to her.

"You were the bravest, most stubborn, most determined knucklehead I know." He rolled his eyes at the word 'stubborn' but his face grew noticeably softer.

And it was the truth. For all the trouble and mayhem this knucklehead caused growing up, which was a lot, Hiccup had always been brave and determined, and so annoyingly stubborn.

"Toothless didn't give you that, Hiccup," she continued softly. "He just made it-"

Hiccup's facial expression changed as a new realization dawned upon him.

"-easier," Hiccup finished for her, finally meeting her eye.

Toothless had only made it easier. He had given him a short-cut.

Everything that happened could still have happened because it was never really about Toothless. He could still have achieved everything he did only it would have been less easy. But never impossible. Just like now..

"And now it's gonna be a lot harder," she continued, voicing his thoughts. "So..."

..So what are you gonna do about it?

"What are you going to do about it?" she repeated her younger self.

Eh, probably something stupid.

"Probably something stupid," Hiccup replied with a growing smile.

"That's the Hiccup I know," Astrid said proudly, returning his smile and taking his hand in hers.

Giving her an adoring look, he kissed her on the cheek before turning towards the other riders with renewed determination.

"Suit up gang! We are going to get them back."

AN: Ughhh, I can't wait for the movie! I know there is tons of Hiccstrid moments and kisses. It's like a love letter to Hiccstrid fans. Dean gave the haters the biggest middle finger by making Astrid not only a lead in this movie, but also the most important human to Hiccup, lol. Love it!