For the longest time, depression had been Hiccup's only companion.
It was always present in his shadows, whispering into his ear.
He knew there was no escape from it. Even during his happiest hours he was well aware of it lurking in the background. It couldn't disappear or be cured. It could only temporarily be silenced but even that in itself left consequences which had led him to his current predicament.
Hiccup eyed the water below him. It looked cold and inviting.
He only needed to take on step before darkness embraced him for eternity.
He had not led a miserable life. Despite his lonely childhood and insufferable teenage years, Hiccup had eventually found his footing and prevailed. He had gotten his dream job and was happily engaged to the love of his life.
Things could not have been better.. until the depression he had suppressed for so many years suddenly consumed his entire being.
It came out of nowhere but left him an empty shell of a person.
He stopped eating, started over-sleeping and grew apathetic. Everything that once mattered was now far beyond his reach.
Hiccup closed his eyes, counting down to his demise when familiar arms suddenly enveloped around his waist.
"Please don't do this," Astrid whispered, burying her face into his back. "You are not allowed to leave me."
Hiccup exhaled, feeling the pain inside him intensify. "I don't know how to go on, Astrid. I don't know what it's like to be human anymore. Everything feels so fake and meaningless. Why are we even alive in the first place? What is the point when we are all going to die in the end anyway?"
"I can't live without you." Astrid tightened her hold on him, tears still running down her beautiful face. "If you go, I'm going with you."
His heart all but stopped at her words.
He turned around to face her, meeting her tearful gaze with his own.
"No," he muttered. "I can't let that happen." He couldn't imagine a world where Astrid Hofferson didn't exist.
"Then come with me Hiccup," she pleaded. "I'm not going anywhere without you."
After a long fleeting moment of silence, he nodded, swallowing back a sob.
"I feel so lost." His voice was small and barely audible.
Astrid pulled him into her embrace and Hiccup buried his face into her neck, finding warmth and solace against the throbbing numbness. "I will help you find the way home," she promised. "You are not alone."
Hiccup felt himself relax slightly. The emptiness was still present within him and he felt like he might drift away with the wind but fortunately Astrid had anchored herself to him. So wherever he went, she was sure to follow.
AN: This story is so bad and I'm sorry. It's because I have been unable to write anything at all lately. I have been suffering from so much physical pain and now I feel mentally incapable of doing anything. I still hope to update my other stories soon but it might take me a while.