A/N: Thank you to everyone who is following this story, and especially to Margaret Helstone, Niki Bogwater, and anonymous "guest" for the reviews! I hope you enjoy part two!

-o-

"Hiccup!" Astrid awoke in a panic. Hiccup jolted upright, disconcerted but attentive to her distress. He took Astrid's outstreched hands into his own.

"Sssh, sssh, I'm right here. I didn't leave you."

Astrid gripped his forearms painfully. It took a moment for them to reorient to the waking world and remember yesterday's events. The blank gaze on Astrid's face revealed that sleep hadn't cured her unseeing eyes. This was...disappointing.

"I'm sorry," Hiccup whispered. "We'll figure this out, okay?"

Astrid nodded with false bravery. "Help me up?"

Once on her feet, Hiccup guided Astrid to a chair and helped her sit down. Toothless had abandoned them to sleep by the fire sometime during the night, and now was bounding over with a concerned look on his onyx face. He snuggled up to Astrid, as if sensing she needed extra comfort.

"I'll, uh, take over breakfast duty for you, okay?" Hiccup offered. Astrid nodded wordlessly, still scratching Toothless' head. Hiccup got to work soaking oats for porridge. Simple tasks for the hands helped calm the racing mind. Now, in addition to his usual leadership responsibilites and the everpresent threat of Viggo and the dragon hunters, Hiccup had to worry about storm damage, lost dragons, and blind Astrid. He couldn't help but steal glances at her as he worked. What was going on in her mind? How could he comfort her if he couldn't assuage his own worries that her vision would ever return?

Hiccup had just finished preparing bowls of porridge for the entire group when the clubhouse door exploded open. Making a more dramatic entrance than usual, the twins rolled in athletically, followed by a reluctant Fishlegs. Astrid rose, uncertainty and defensiveness written all over her face.

"Morning," Fishlegs squeaked, accepting his breakfast and retreating to his seat as if he wanted to avoid association with whatever the twins had planned next.

"Whaaat are you guys doing?" Hiccup asked, but wasn't able to get around the table before Tuffnut made a beeline for Astrid.

"Okay. Thorston Blind Field Test, numero uno. Who is standing right in front of you?"

"Tuff, I know it's you," Astrid responded, exasperated.

"She got it! She's fine, everybody. Oh, thank Thor. Phew. That was a close one." He swaggered over to his sister, who whapped him on the head and sent his helmet spinning. Ruffnut looked at him pointedly, as if she was trying to encourage her brother to move into the next phase of an ill-concieved plan.

"Guys, we can't worry about me right now." Astrid interjected. "We need to worry about our dragons. They're still still out there and obviously scared or they would've come back." The twins looked at each other guiltily, and Hiccup jumped at the opportunity to derail their plans.

"Guys, she's got a point. We need to round them up before the next storm hits." He turned to Astrid. "Toothless and I will find Stormfly. Don't you worry."

"And leave me here?" Astrid scoffed. "I don't think so. I'm going with you."

"Sorry. Not an option." Hiccup answered, a protective instinct surging in him. Of course, Astrid would have none of it. She rounded on him.

"Listen, I'm more effective blind, then some riders, who shall rename nameless that are fully sighted." Astrid sent a sightless glare in the twins' direction.

"Is she looking at us?" Tuffnut asked uneasily.

"She can't see. Hence, she cannot actually look. So, no." Ruffnut responded with an air of authority.

Hiccup ignored them. "Astrid, there is no way you're flying in your condition. Right? I'm sorry. As leader, I am putting my foot down."

Hiccup vaguely expected Astrid to respond with the same despondent acceptance that she had displayed all this morning. He was sorely mistaken though, when Astrid launched herself and tackled him to the floor. A few seconds of wrestling later, Hiccup found himself on his stomach, arms pinned behind his back.

"You know what, Hiccup? Let's see you try to put your foot down on me now!" She reached back and detached his metal leg.

"Hey, hey, hey, that is totally uncalled for," Hiccup protested. Holding the prosthetic above her head with one hand, Astrid pressed on his arms painfully.

"Ow ow OKAY!" He roared. "You can come! I'll take you myself!" Pleased, Astrid released his arms and rolled off just as Snotlout arrived.

"Aw yeah, Astrid," he crowed, flopping down on the chair next to her. "Way to kick Hiccup's butt when you can't even see."

In a surprisingly thoughtful gesture, Snotlout slid a bowl of porridge in front of her before grabbing one from himself. Ignoring the spoon, she tipped the bowl into her mouth and drank victoriously as Hiccup struggled to get up and hop to his seat.

"Can I get my leg back?" he asked petulantly, a flush of pain and embarrassment coloring his cheeks. Astrid put a territorial hand on the metal appendage in her lap.

"Not until we leave. I need some leverage to make sure you don't try to ditch me in some misguided attempt at chivalry."

Hiccup knew he had no choice but to accept that answer and ate his breakfast, sulking. It was one thing to be bested by Astrid; everyone on the Edge had been subdued by her at one time or another. It was quite another to have your leg stolen by a blind girl, in front of everyone, while trying to assert your authority as leader. While the others speculated where their dragons had gone and planned where they would search, Hiccup remained silent, pouting. Relucantly, he had to admit that he probably would have tried to escape without Astrid if given the opportunity. His offense melted, and Hiccup also had to admit that it had been a while since he and Astrid had ridden on the same dragon, which would be nice. Regardless of the circumstancrs, time alone with her was always appreciated.

"Let's go, Toothless," Astrid called once breakfast had finished. The Night Fury bounded over, but cocked his head at Hiccup when she reached for his bridle. Hiccup shrugged in resignation and nodded. At his assent, Toothless began to lead Astrid to the deck outside, pausing only to allow her to shove the leg into Hiccup's chest as they passed.

Hiccup reattached the missing prosthetic, ignoring Ruffnut's whiplash sound effect and the resulting snickers from everyone else.

"Come on dragon boy," Astrid called from outside. She was already seated atop Toothless, straigthtbacked and regal like fierce warrior queen. Hiccup mounted Toothless and clicked into place in front of her. Astrid gripped his waist and they took off into the sky.

Astrid let go once they were coasting, and Hiccup definitely missed the extra contact. He also missed her conversation; a haughty silence had taken over their flight. As Hiccup scanned the trees for any signs of life, it occurred to him that perhaps she thought he was still offended for taking his leg. He had never been able to stay mad at her for very long, but she wasn't able to read his cues now. It was a minor misstep in the dance they'd been doing for years, and Hiccup wasn't going to let stubborness or pride stop it now.

Finally, several minutes into their flight, Hiccup leaned forward and wryly told Toothless, "Remind me never to put my foot down again."

Astrid took the opening. "I can still hear you, Hiccup." Her voice softened. "But I agree."

A moment later there was an unexpected patch of turbulence, which Hiccup reacted to instinctively. Astrid though, was unbalanced and began to fall.

"Whoa!" She cried, and Hiccup reached back to steady her waist.

"Whoa! Okay, you've gotta hold on tighter."

"Sorry." She responded, slipping her arms around him once more.

"No, don't apologize." Hiccup said. "The truth is...obviously, I'm glad you're here." Her grip around his waist tightened into a grateful hug. A lightness that had nothing to do with flying fluttered in Hiccup's stomach.

The moment should have been perfect. He had Toothless, Astrid, and the sky: everything that had ever made him feel whole. Of course, life would never be that simple for Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. Navigating towards a promising patch of forest, Hiccup prayed to any of the Norse pantheon that might be listening.

Please, let us find our dragons soon. I need Astrid to get well. I swear on my life, I'll do anything to stay by her side.

-o-

A/N: Bam. Part two, down, complete with sappy ending.. What do you think? Are you excited for things to heat up in the next chapter? I hope to post again soon!

-PP