Too many people wanted a Part 2 for this. Here you go.

When Hiccup woke up without anyone shouting in his ear, or grabbing him roughly, or being hungry and dry, his first thought was to be alarmed at the difference. But then he realized how good he felt right there.

A puff of breath hit his cheek, and he looked up to see Astrid, her head lolling forward,= and her arms still around him. They had both fallen asleep in a sitting position, but she was an excellent pillow.

Hiccup was afraid to move.

He didn't want to disturb the moment. For the first time in forever, he felt comfortable and Astrid's arms were so soothing. She had taken off her shoulder pads and her skirt, so there wasn't even anything to hurt him. Astrid was being fragile. For him. Hel if he was going to disturb it.

He observed her quietly. Her blonde locks were still in a braid, but a very loose, messy one, with a lot of it falling down her shoulders and on his nose. Her hair was the sweetest thing he had ever smelled.

How could someone look so perfect, so safe, so caring while they were a mess?

Because there was no denying she was a mess. Yesterday, he could see the bags under her eyes, and even though she had not lost even close to how much weight he had lost, there was no doubt Astrid looked skinnier. Her clothes were dusty, and she looked pale.

Hiccup snorted quietly. Who was he to call someone else a mess? He hadn't seen his back, but if everyone's reaction was anything to go by, he didn't want to see it.

Toothless made a small whine in his sleep, and Hiccup shifted his eyes to his best friend. He hoped he had been taken care of, but it was ridiculous to think otherwise. The gang loved Toothless as much as he did. Well, maybe a little less, but still a lot.

He didn't notice Astrid waking up until she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Good morning, babe."

"Good morning," he murmured, realizing how drowsy and scratchy his voice sounded, unlike her beautiful melodic sound.

"I like sleeping here," Astrid admitted quietly, a lovely smile on her face as she kissed his lips for a second and moved up to his cheeks, nose, and forehead. "Any nightmares?"

Hiccup shook his head as she tightened her arms around him securely and he snuggled in. "I thought I would, but...you being here calmed me down, I think. Can you stay?" he asked shyly.

Immediately, dark thoughts filled his head, screaming at him harshly. Of course she couldn't stay. She had better things to do than look after his pathetic self. He was too much to deal with, he should be left out to rot, kicked into submission, beaten, abused -

"As if I wanted to be anywhere else," Astrid murmured, stroking his cheek.

Those few words left him a little breathless, and his head spun in a good way. She had no idea how what she said would affect him, but he would treasure it. He buried his face in her neck and let himself go, relaxing because his kidnappers were wrong and Astrid was right. And if she said she wanted to be with him, then he would forget anything his abusers had said otherwise.

Astrid kissed the top of his head. "But I do have to get us breakfast, okay?"

He pressed into her shoulder with a whimper, shaking his head frantically. "No, please, Ast, don't go."

The horrible thoughts were coming within a minute of being gone.

"Hey, hey, I'm coming right back, okay?" His girlfriend kissed his cheek a few times and brushed his hair from his forehead. "I'm just going to get us both some food, and then I'm going to hold you in my arms and give you whatever you want."

It was too late. Hiccup yanked out of her arms and dived towards the bucket next to his bed, throwing up anything they had given him last night. He felt awful, but at the same time, relieved, as if spilling his stomach would take the memories away too.

In an instant, Astrid was by his side, rubbing light circles on his back and whispering reassuring words. They helped speed up the process.

By the end, Hiccup felt sweat on his forehead, sinking into Astrid and taking a shuddery breath. One of her hands went to his hair to stroke it - oh so wonderfully - and the other held him closer to herself.

"I'm sorry."

"No apologizing." He heard her voice tremble.

"Y-you can get breakfast." His own voice was shaky. "I'll be right here."

"I'll just find Fishlegs and ask him to get some for us. I'm not the best cook anyway, he won't mind." Her soft lips pressed to his temple, and suddenly Hiccup was even more drowsy. Her voice was so silky and soothing that he wanted to just pass out right then and there.

Hiccup knew he would be okay. The way she was holding him told him just as much. Here, in her arms, he was safe.