A/N: I'm back and doing pretty awesome with this story so far, methinks. Usually I end up taking several days to kick the writer's block, but I think I have a rhythm going. I figured that (even though it's only 7 pm) I should get a head start so I'm not stuck trying to write at 5 am when I'm barely awake. -_-'
Last chapter: Hiccup decided to take Dagur's advice and go to Berk, trying to get some answers to his past. What he finds out is not exactly what he wanted to hear, leaving him with even more questions than he had initially. Flying back to the Edge, he has secluded himself with Toothless, who refuses to leave him. Astrid has finally decided to intervene, and sees them both incredibly depressed...
Chapter 2: Repercussions, Pt 2
Astrid had to admit that the tense atmosphere was a little shocking at first, because she wasn't entirely ready for how overwhelming it was. Keeping her true thoughts to herself, she stopped in front of Toothless and glanced at a pathetic looking Hiccup.
"It'll be okay, Toothless; I'm really worried about him, too." she admitted, shaking her head at the sight before her. She could tell just by looking at him that he hadn't been eating like he should or sleeping, for that matter. She wasn't sure why, but it made her heart ache at the sight...almost overwhelmingly so. He looked so pale, with circles under his eyes plainly visible. He had fallen asleep at his desk with his head cradled in his arms, obviously because he had just collapsed from exhaustion. After a moment's hesitation, she shook his shoulder, probably a little too harshly. Hiccup's head snapped up in surprise, undoubtedly thinking he was still alone with only Toothless in the poor idiot.
"Wha-? Astrid! What are you...I mean, why are you here?" he stuttered, struggling to his feet...foot. Astrid narrowed her eyes, as she noticed how unsteady he was.
"We need to talk, Hiccup. I've let you have your way, and given you your space. I knew that you probably needed to take time on your own, but this? Whatever you're doing right now isn't healthy."
"Are you done?" Hiccup asked, already sounding tired.
"It depends on what you have to say, really." she muttered, trying not to notice how exhausted he looked.
"I thought as much" Hiccup replied quietly, sighing almost inaudibly. She could tell that he was tired, but most of that had to do with the fact that he didn't eat that much these days. Her thoughts were interrupted by Hiccup's flat tone. "I was actually starting to wonder how long it would take for you to burst in here."
"I didn't-"
"Well, I didn't answer. So, technically you did." Hiccup argued, smiling unconvincingly. Astrid, however, was far from amused. With a great deal of effort, she barely managed to restrain herself from either lashing out or rolling her eyes.
'Oh Thor, he's going to make this incredibly difficult.'
Just as she was going to open her mouth to make what was probably going to be a less than pleasant reply, she heard Toothless whine and look at her sadly. She knew that he'd never really liked it when they argued, but this was different. This was about saving him. If she had to drag him out by his ear to manage it, he'd come with her. Looking at Toothless, it occurred to her-
"Hiccup." Astrid turned back to face him, glaring at him knowingly. He flinched, but didn't move. "How long has Toothless been inside with you?"
Hiccup looked at the floor in interest, like he was slowly trying to count the days. She wasn't stupid and he knew that. Glancing up, he knew that whatever answer he gave wouldn't be the right one. Sighing, he figured answering was FAR better than being quiet. Probably.
"Um, I-I'm not exactly s-sure. I think it's p-probably been...a few...days?" Hiccup mumbled, hoping she wouldn't really hear him. He should've realized that he never really had that kind of luck anyways.
"Uh huh." she said, almost as quietly. He gulped, hoping impending death wasn't in the next sentence. "So, what do you think you should be doing?" he heard, which made him relieved and yet frightened all at once.
"I should maybe-" he started, right before he was suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
"There is no 'maybe' here, Hiccup. This isn't a negotiation. You WILL be getting ready to leave right this minute or I will take you by force. And let me promise you, that will not be pretty."
Ah, so there was a threat. Hiccup winced slightly at the implications of exactly what said threat would entail. Astrid saw his hesitation and started dragging him towards Toothless. She saw him look Toothless in the eyes and then glance at her. She was starting to lose her patience, which was never a good thing. He felt himself sweat and felt faint. He knew it had nothing to do with his sugar levels, and everything to do with what was sure to be his impending doom via Astrid.
"A-Astrid?" he started, only to flinch as he met her eyes. She was looking at him suspiciously, which was only made the pit in his stomach feel even deeper. "So, I-I was thinking that maybe you should-"
"HICCUP HORRENDOUS HADDOCK III! DON'T YOU DARE FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" Astrid yelled, making both Hiccup and Toothless flinch at the volume. Hiccup gulped. He was pretty sure that he'd accomplished a lot in his life, but whatever goals he had for his future...well, he was about to die anyway. He gulped taking a few steps back from the enraged shieldmaiden.
"N-Now Astrid, j-just calm down. Please." he begged, which he was quite sure came out as a squeaky whisper.
Toothless looked at Hiccup, who looked even more pale than before and ready to pass out from the stress. Astrid looked furious, which was really confusing. Hadn't they been getting ready to leave just now? Toothless grumbled in frustration, not entirely caring if Astrid caused at least a little bodily harm to Hiccup. She'd never do anything truly harmful, he knew that. Besides, it might even get him out of this weird mood he'd been in lately.
Astrid had been as patient as she deemed was possible had threatened Hiccup three more times before having to resort to her last resort. It usually was her only plan, but she knew that it would have only pushed him away. That's just the kind of person he was; he was irritatingly stubborn. Sometimes, she wondered why she even bothered. She opened the door to his hut, only to find the twins, Snotlout and Fishlegs making a pathetic attempt to 'act natural'. Gritting her teeth, she mounted Stormfly and hovered in the air.
"Get him, Toothless!" she yelled, taking off towards the other end of the island. She knew that the others weren't going anywhere anytime soon. It frustrated her, because she knew that was the cause of at least half of her problems.
"Toothless, no! I'm not going, okay?" Hiccup told him, looking tired as ever. The night fury roared loudly in frustration, proceeding to hit his tail on the floor several times. "Come on! Would you just...if you stop making so much noise, then we'll go on night patrol later."
Toothless was obviously less than impressed with this ultimatum, but acquiesnced in the end. He had heard Hiccup promising him things like this before Astrid came and yelled at him. Toothless knew that if anyone could get him from merely promising things to leaving, it would be Astrid. He knew he wouldn't get anywhere with Hiccup, being stubborn as everyone knew him to be. Going to the door, Toothless called for Stormfly and Astrid to come back. If Hiccup thought that he had won this fight, he was in for a surprise...and possibly a threat or two.
Astrid was flying over Dragon's Edge in what could only be called a lazy circle. She was hoping that Hiccup would have been joining her and Stormfly by now. Knowing Hiccup had been in what was steadily becoming a self destructive state, she knew that she had to do something. Being so deep in thought, she almost didn't hear Toothless calling her for help.
A/N: And yet again, I find myself needing to stop because of circumstances beyond my control. -_-' But I promise (seeing as it's only 9:15 p) I should be able to get another chapter posted. Probably. XD
