I'm weak-willed and easily distracted. Sorry.
Hiccup had never been the best in the group at combat, his lack of leg proved that, but he still liked to think that he'd able to fight himself out of a difficult situation as a last resort. Whilst, he had managed to escape with six Vikings and six dragons, he had also escaped with a knife in his shoulder after it had been hurled across the boat.
"First time having a weapon stuck in you?" Astrid smirked as she sat on the side of his bed once Fishlegs had removed the knife and stitched him up.
"How did you know?" He replied, sitting up shifting slightly to give her some space.
"The half broken spoon you chomped on was a pretty good indication" She laughed "Don't worry though. You'll live. It's only your shoulder"
"Better than my internal organs" He said "I'm guessing the situation would be slightly worse if I'd have taken it to the heart"
"How would explain that to the great Stoick the Vast?" She chuckled before becoming quite serious "I'm glad you're okay, Hiccup"
He stroked her cheek and wiped a stray tear off "We're okay"
Astrid soon fell asleep on his good shoulder soon enough. She was pretty adamant about staying by his side. She refused to let anyone peel her away from him. Until Fishlegs gave him the all clear, she wouldn't move from her position.
What Hiccup had not told Astrid was that the knife that plunged itself in his shoulder was not intended for him. In truth, Dagur had thrown the knife and, if Hiccup had not deliberately put himself in it's path, it was supposed to land right between Astrid's blue eyes. It was a quick, no-brainer decision and, though Fishlegs's removing and stitching hurt like a bitch, it was nothing compared to the pain that loosing Astrid would bring. Nothing would ever persuade him otherwise.
Next to his bed, Toothless warbled as nudged Hiccup's hand slightly, shifting his attention from the beautiful girl sleeping on his shoulder to the Nightfury next to him.
"Hey bud" He whispered quietly "I'm going to be out of action for a bit, I'm afraid. Astrid and the others will be looking after you in the meantime"
As if she had heard, Astrid stirred as stretched her arms around Hiccup's waist, nuzzling into his neck and sighing.
Through some sort of telepathy between dragon and rider, Toothless understood. Of course, he knew Hiccup loved him differently to how he loved his father, but it had never occurred to him that Hiccup loved Astrid differently to both of them. It was the type of love that was casual yet wildly intense. They could laugh, joke and feel comfortable around each other despite the passion that they felt.
Maybe as a dragon, love for Toothless would be different but if it was anything like this, he expected only the greatest things.