Vulnerability

Hiccup took one last look at his father before putting the white sheet over his body.

"Whenever you're ready Hiccup," said Gobber. Hiccup nodded slightly as he looked off into the distance. His throat ached with held back tears. His jaw clenched and his fists tightened. He couldn't take it any longer. Hiccup spun around and walked away from the group, into the glacier tunnel that they had exited from. Once he was far enough in, he started to let the tears come but quickly wiped them away when a small hand came down on his shoulder.

"Hiccup," Astrid said gently. She grabbed his hand and pulled him underneath some overhanging ice. She reached up and put one hand on his cheek, and the other in his hair. He leaned into her touch, but still suppressed his tears.

"It's okay to cry Hiccup," she said, reading his mind.

"No, I need to be strong. At least until we beat Drago. I can't be weak."

"Hiccup, mourning is not weakness. Besides, I am with you to the end. We are one, Hiccup. Do you remember back on the Edge a couple years ago, when I was struck by lightning and I went blind? I was so scared and worried that the rest of my life was going to be nothing. But you assured me, and said, 'Astrid, you have me, no matter what. Whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean. I am with you. There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Always.'"

"So, you need to know that the same goes for you. When one of us is down, the other will hold us both up."

Astrid tilted her head to get a better look at him. He gave her a bittersweet smile. Tears brimmed his emerald green eyes, and began to stream down his face. He pulled her against him and rested his head on her shoulder. His body shook as he silently cried. All the pain and regret he felt came flowing out into the open. He realised that Astrid is the only one that can truly see him through all of his sarcasm, and fake confidence. She can see how truly vulnerable he is. Oh how he loves this woman.

Hiccup stood up straight and wiped his face. He gave her a smile.

"Thank you, Astrid." Hiccup leaned down and stopped just inches from her face, and his lips brushed hers as he spoke,"I love you."

She pushed forward and kissed him. She could taste salty tears, his tears, as they moved their lips together. After a while they pulled apart.

"I love you too."

Hiccup smiled as he entwined his fingers with hers, "Now let's go give my father a proper warrior's send off."

~ A/N

Hey guys! So, it's another one-shot! I hope you guys liked it! I may turn this into a collection of one-shots. What do you think? I'll do whatever you guys want, really. Just let me know in a review if you want more, and maybe some prompts.

Anywho, I haven't had a whole lot of time to write anything extensive, or brainstorm a new chapter for Music To My Ears, because of school and stuff. Actually, I have written this whole thing during school, while I'm an office aid. So yeah. I hope ya'll aren't mad at me or anything. Teehee.

I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE HTTYD. And Hiccstrid. So if you guys got any ideas for something let me know! GTG!

~Annanarra