Those tears that flood from Hiccup's eyes, soon became a burning anger that he would not be able to control. How could he have listened to Stoick? How could he have let his pride and joy just slip away? Hiccup needed to honestly speak his mind to Stoick, and thats what he set off to do. But what about Astrid? Would she be able to handle her own dragon and Toothless for the time being? Hiccup couldnt even think of that anymore, he needed Stoick to change his mind.
"Dad! We need to talk," yelled Hiccup.
"Bout what son?
"Dad, you cannot just flip your mind on a dime like that about Toothless. I grew such a strong emotional attatchment to Toothless, there is no possible way im letting him go." Cried Hiccup.
Stoick was beyond angry, "Hiccup, i already told you. You are not to have a dragon." Stoick became enraged at this point and hit Hiccup's face.
Now, this sound rang through all of Berk. Not only did people stop what they were doing immediately, but Astrid's eyes filled with tears, because she knew what had just happened. She felt as though she couldnt do anything about it and that killed her. She looked at Toothless, then she looked at her reflection in his eyes. She didnt even know who she was. She normally knew how to help Hiccup, but now she was helpless. She couldnt bear this...pain, this...awful gut feeling that she simply wasn't enough...
"Why do I not know how to solve this? Why am I not Hiccup's rock anymore? I know I love him, and I know I want to be there for him, but how?" Astrid cried to Toothless, "Should I just let go? Should I just give up? I mean after all there is a cliff...NO! What am I saying? I have to be here for Hiccup...but am I enough?"
It was getting late after this long day of twists and turns, and Hiccup didn't really want to be here for the next day. He let Toothless down. He couldn't make Stoick change his mind. Hiccup could not stand the thought of what might happen to Toothless, and all of the "what if" statements started to run through his head. He couldn't take it. He needed to see Toothless.
Early the next morning, Hiccup set out to see Toothless, and talk with Astrid about everything. Only to make sure that they were all on the same terms.
When Astrid and Toothless were in his sight, he started running up to them with tears of joy in his eyes to finally see them again after what had felt like an eternity. (Cue epic reunion music, am I right?) And they all stayed in the biggest bear group hug to ever have happened. There were tears, smiles, laughs, and kisses in this hug that lasted far longer than a normal hug.
When they had all hugged and finished being overjoyed Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid all say down and Hiccup started the conversation.
"Astrid, I don't know what I'm going to do without Toothless...I don't even know who I'm going to be without him.."
"Hic, come on, cheer up. You'll be okay. I hate seeing you like this...but can I tell you something?"
"Of course. You can tell me anything. That's why I'm here, Astrid."
"Well, last night, I was thinking and I was beating myself up because I couldn't help you last night. When Stoick hit you, my heart dropped, and tears flooded my eyes. I was scared. I wanted to be your rock, but I let you down by not being there..I couldn't handle it anymore. The thoughts flooding my mind of me not being enough for you...when that's all I strive to be, Hic..."
Hiccup scooted closer to Astrid and put his arms around her and held her close. He whispered in her ear, "You, are more than enough Astrid. Don't you dare think less than that. You are my rock. I wouldn't still be here if you weren't always in my mind."
Astrid blushed and let herself finally breathe again. She felt sufficient for Hiccup. But he was hiding something from her...She knew him well enough to know that something was said between him and Stoick... But what was it?