It's been so long since the Dragon Riders hadn't won a battle against the Dragon Hunters, it was starting to bring Hiccup down, and slowly, he was losing reason. Sure they freed a couple dozen dragons almost every week, but it felt like this was just a distraction for Viggo was still a step ahead of them – perhaps even many steps.

Their victories felt like losses to Hiccup, and Astrid could see that he didn't feel like they'd won the day. It pained her to see him hurting. One second she'd be celebrating with the gang, laughing and cheering in the Clubhouse, and the next one where she'd turn her head to Hiccup, she'd see him walking away, his head low. If he had Night Fury ears, they'd be droopy.

That night, as the rest of the group drank their victory in the Clubhouse, Astrid walked the platforms connecting the whole base together like one big family, and reached Hiccup's hut. She knocked before entering, knowing it wasn't exactly the perfect time to gag him. The moment she heard his voice calling her in, the swung the door open, and first thing she saw was Toothless' big head resting on his forepaws as he laid down on his stone bed.

''Hiccup?'' she called, unable to see him anywhere.

''Yeah, over here, Astrid. Coming.'' she heard him call. It was coming from behind Toothless on the second floor.

Astrid climbed up the stairs and met her friend, who was trying to look innocent and joyful. Which, obviously wasn't working... not with her. She knew him too well.

''Hiccup...'' she said warningly, crossing her arms over her chest as he was sitting on his desk chair, turned around to face her, forcing a smile. ''You're not alright.''

It took some time, but he finally dropped the act. ''Fine...'' he said, dropping his eyes to the ground. ''You win. I'm not okay. Viggo is driving me completely nuts. He's dragging me down...''

''What are you talking about?'' said Astrid, sitting on the edge of his bed. ''Viggo's still standing on the same spot as the one in the beginning.''

''Is he?'' said Hiccup, turning his head away from her. As he did, his body followed and he showed his side. There, something caught Astrid's eyes, and she couldn't help speaking up her thoughts.

''Hiccup, what is this?'' she said, and got up, grabbed his arm and revealed a fresh wound.

''That's nothing... It's just a cut.'' he replied carelessly, taking his arm back.

''Hiccup, you need to stop this. You're going to wear yourself into the ground one of these days.'' she said, and when he didn't turn to face her, she knelt down at his side and took his hand his hers. ''I don't agree with you, with the idea that you don't stand a chance against that guy. I want you to know that you're not alone in this. During the good and the bad days.''

Hiccup, little by little turned his head to her. He smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. He wanted to stay this way forever, but he knew Astrid's intention all along.

''Alright, Dragon Boy.'' said Astrid as she got to her feet with Hiccup following. ''Tonight is bottoms up.''

I know this was super short, but...

I've been trying so many times to write a story I've been planning for so long, but since I kind of took a ''way too long'' break of writing, it turned out terrible... My writing is now just awful... I'm so sorry, guys! I'll probably be writing mostly one-shots to get back into it. Once again, I apologize for my long absence.