The arena was empty.

Which was weird, because Hiccup was always there early. Maybe he was just held up with work or chief training or a multiple of other things. Who knew? Either way, Astrid decided to go out and search him out. Training would be starting soon enough. She started at the forge, where he was usually helping Gobber. The Blacksmith was alone.

"Hey Gobber, have you seen Hiccup?"

"Neh Lass, not all day. Didn't show up for work!"

"Huh, odd."

"Might go ask the chief. He may know."

Astrid nodded and was off. She supposed she would search around town. The chief was somewhere, but his duties often took him all over the place. Finally, though, she found him down at the docks, talking to the fishermen.

"Chief!" She called to him.

He glanced back. "Oh Astrid, hello! What can I do you for?"

"I'm looking for Hiccup."

"Aye, thought so. He's in bed."

That was concerning. "Why? Is he sick?"

"In the head!" The chief shouted. "We had an argument last night, then with the thunderstorm…ah, you should go check on him lass."

She nodded. "I will, thank you Stoick."

The chief's house was on the hill, and she had been there hundreds of times. Though, this may have been the first time she was going with a dread in her chest. She didn't want to see her dear friend in pain. Though, she had on occasion. There were many times when they would be hanging out and he's casually rub at his leg. Usually at the change of seasons. There had been a handful of times were he confessed he needed to go home and lay down he was being bothered so much. On those occasions, she made sure that ditching her for his bum leg was perfectly fine. He always thanked her. Sometimes she saw him later, others, not so much.

She knocked on the front door, no reply. So she entered, and saw no one in the main room. Surely he couldn't still be in bed, it was late afternoon!

She stalked up the stairs, into his loft. "Hiccup?" she called, not too loudly.

His bed was in front of her, and the majority of if was occupied by a dragon. A large Nightfury. Toothless surrounded a lump on the bed, covered with a blanket so he was completely unseen. The dragon whimpered when she entered the room.

"Hiccup?" She asked again, very much concerned.

"Did my dad send you?" Said the lump, a scratchy voice speaking.

At least he was alive. She sighed, "Sort of, I was looking for you. Your dad said you'd be here and that I should check up on you. Are you alright?"

The lump shifted. "I'm fine. Just a rough night. What do you want?" His tone was sharp and it made her wince.

"I just didn't see you today."

"There are plenty of days we don't see each other." He reasoned.

"I suppose so…" She simpered. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I said I'm fine!" He barked, his voice breaking.

Her brow furrowed. "Okay, yeah, I don't believe you."

He grunted. "Fine, whatever. Just…leave me alone."

She huffed. "Only if you ask nicely."

Hiccup shifted, the blanket scooting over his head and letting his hair show. "Can you do me a favor?" He sounded much more tender now, very earnest.

"Anything."

"Could you take Toothless out for a flight, and feed him? He's been cooped up here all day."

The Nightfury perked up in mention of his name. He looked hesitant to leave, but torn between his need to stretch and his hunger.

"I can do that." She neared the dragon and scratched him affectionately. "Can I bother you with a question?"

"I don't see why not."

"Did you have any plans for training today?"

"No. Do whatever you want. Cancel even. I don't care."

Then fact that Hiccup wasn't showing an interest in training dragons was alarming at best. He was already in a bad mood, and bothering him now would only make it worse. If she took care of Toothless, then maybe he would open up a bit more. Resolved, she pet Toothless again. "Okay, I'll figure something out. Hope you feel better." Then, in a daring move, she squeezed his shoulder.

Hiccup was silent as she left.

So Astrid did as he asked. She first went down to the docks and acquired a hundred large cod for the dragon. He ate heartily, relishing in the food he finally got. After, she fetched the auxiliary stirrup that she could use and took him on a flight. Toothless was calm, as the trip was around the island, just a easy glide.

"You're worried about him, aren't you?" She asked.

Toothless warbled softly in response.

"I'll talk to him. Maybe with some gentle coaxing, he'll come out of whatever funk he's fallen into."

The dragon did a loop, eager to get back home so she could fulfill her promise.

"Whoa! Let's give him a little bit of time though, okay?"

After the flight, Astrid steered Toothless back to her own house. They passed the twins on the way.

"Hiccup's sick, class is canceled."

"YES!" The two shouted simultaneously, knocking their helmets together.

It was nearing dinner time, and she knew her mother would be making her favorite stew. The boy probably hadn't eaten all day, and bringing him food would give her an excuse to seek out his company.

"Ah Lass! Just in time for dinner!" Her mother chirped.

"Can I get two portions to go?" She asked, batting her eyelashes. "Hiccup's not feeling well and—…"

"Say no more!" The woman grinned. "I suppose you're going to take care of him?"

"If he'll let me." She shrugged.

"Get the canisters from the cabinet, and take two bowls with you."

Astrid was back at the chief's home, and it seemed like Stoick was still gone. Hiccup was still incapacitated, as the house was quiet. Toothless nudged passed her and bounded up the stairs. Astrid followed behind carefully.

It looked like he hadn't moved. The blanket had slipped down his form, revealing his matted hair and sweaty back. Toothless went to his human and placed kisses on his face, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Then he retreated, going back to his rock and laying down.

The dragon had been there from the beginning. Since he started simpering and crying in his sleep from nightmares, to when he shouted in pain and gripped what was left of his leg. He had done what he could, but now it was up to the human, someone who could talk to him.

"Hiccup?"

"That was fast. Cancel class?"

"Yeah, I figured if you were sick, you should have someone taking care of you."

"I'm not sick." He argued.

"Then what's wrong?" Quietly, she set the food on his bedside table. Then she slipped out of her boots and armor. This situation was delicate, and armor would be unwanted. She sat on the bed next to him and smoothed out his frayed locks. "What has you in such a funk?"

"Just a bad day."

"Well, I've had a good day. And I want you to have a good day too. What do you need? What can I do to help?"

Hiccup sighed and sat up. Immediately, she felt a cold hand on her heart, clenching.

His eyes were bloodshot, huge black bruises surrounded them. His skin was pale. "Everything hurts." He whispered.

She pouted, sympathizing with him. "Let's focus on one thing at a time."

He nodded, then his stomach growled loudly.

"That's an easy fix." She simpered. She leaned over and poured two bowls of stew and handed one to him. "Mom made yak and potato stew. Thought you could use some."

"You brought me food?" He asked, bewildered.

"Yeah, I'm not gonna let you starve."

"Thank you, Astrid." He spoke sincerely. He slid back to lean against his headrest, and his blanket fell off his shoulders to expose his chest. He didn't seem to notice though. Then he began to eat in silence.

Astrid wasn't sure to what to say to lighten the mood, so she just pressed on. "What else is wrong?"

"My head hurts too." He sipped on his broth. "Dad and I had a fight this morning. I was already in pain, but he told me to buck up and get over it." He clenched his fist and impersonated his father. "'A chief finds a way to fight through the pain.'" Then he sighed. "I told him that he would never understand me until he lost a limb. He said that I was just looking for an excuse to get out of doing stuff today. I told him that I didn't ask to be chief, so he could just take his expectations and shove them. He said I was being overly sensitive.

"I said that he was being heartless, and it was no wonder that my mom left." He set the empty bowl back on the table. "He hit me and told me to never talk ill about her. She didn't leave, she was taken, and I should know better. He then accused me of being spoiled." He rubbed his eyes furiously. "That's why I was such a problem child, that's why I was such a mess."

Hiccup then rested his elbows on his knees, and his face in his hands. "Then we said some stuff that we both regretted and the guilt has been eating me alive all day."

"Sounds like a easy fix, too." Astrid supplied.

He looked at her curiously.

"You said it yourself, you both said things you regretted. You're father was just frustrated with you."

"Well, it's not my fault! I didn't choose to have my leg chopped off!"

She simpered. "I think he's frustrated because he doesn't know what it's like. He can't understand your pain, and so instead of making things worse, he left. And then asked me to come check on you." Her hand ghosted over his. "That doesn't sound heartless, now does it?"

He shrugged. "I guess not…"

"And the chief is a viking, he's not going to turn the other cheek when someone starts yelling at him."

Hiccup laughed outright. "That is very true."

"Talk to him tonight, apologize for your attitude. He'll apologize for everything else."

"I'm sure that's exactly what's going to happen." He scoffed.

"You never know, he might surprise you." Her fingers wrapped around his palm and held his mitt loosely. "Even if he doesn't, you will have at least apologized, then you will have no reason to feel guilty."

A remnant of a smile quaked across his face. "I guess you're right."

She smiled back. "Your leg then? That's also bothering you?"

The boy groaned and absently rubbed at his stump. "Ugh, yeah, with the storm last night and the change in weather, it's been bothering me."

"That's another easy fix." She smiled shyly. "Can I see it?"

He scoffed. "No, it's gross. You don't want to see it."

"I saw it once, when you were unconscious. It was wrapped then, though."

"Still…"

"Please Hiccup, I want to help. I don't like seeing you like this." She gave his hand a squeeze. "I want to make you happy."

The look that crossed his face was indescribable. Not nervous, not scared, but doubtful. He didn't believe her words, though she was honest. He bit his lip and gripped at the sheet.

The limb was not as she had expected. The shape of the stump was noticeable in every day life, as his pant legs didn't do much to hide the evidence. The tip pulled together to make a small point, completely covered in silvery scar tissue. The marks of burns and stitching crept up the limb, and even onto his knee.

But then there were teethmarks.

Round.

Spaced.

Unmistakeable.

All at once, Astrid realized what he meant by ugly. She looked at his face, only to see his eyes clenched shut. "It wasn't his fault. He saved me."

"Hiccup…"

"We've talked. I don't hold it against him. It's just…it hurts. Physically and spiritually…you know?"

"Can I touch it?" she asked.

He nodded mutely.

It started as a whisper of a touch. One finger traced the mars in reverence and curiosity. "If anything hurts, let me know." Gently, she pressed her callused fingertips into his skin, massaging the ache away. He winced and bit his lip.

"Too much?"

"No, it…it just feel weird. It's sensitive."

Astrid gently cupped the leg with her hand and soothed the throb and twinge that persisted. All the while, Hiccup kept his eyes closed, content to revel in the feeling of her soft ministrations. "Hold on a minute," she whispered, patting the stump. "I have an idea."

The blonde stood and went down stairs. From there, she quickly put a pot of water on the fire, for it to warm up. Then she grabbed another bucket of cool water and a rag and went back upstairs. Hiccup hadn't moved.

"You're still here." He stated.

"Of course! Did you think I'd just ditch you?"

He shrugged.

She sat on the edge of the bed and cupped his leg once again. "Again, if something hurts, let me know."

"Okay."

She soaked the rag in the cold water and dabbed the scars with it. He exhaled loudly, his fingers unfurling from his clenched fists. He seemed content. Astrid repeated the action a few more times, and then wrapped the limb completely with the rag.

"There," She smirked. "Now we'll let that sit for a minute." She returned to the lower floor and poured the now steaming water into a bucket and returned to his side. She repeated her actions with the hot water, this time eliciting a contented sigh from his lips. Her thumb rubbed circles into his knee.

"Better?" She asked.

"Better…" He whispered with a smile.

Astrid smiled, happy to see her friend's mood improve. She wrung out the rag and replaced it, all the while, letting her hand draw lazy patterns into his wounds.

She attention snapped to him when she heard him sniff. Tears were streaming down his face.

"Hiccup…what's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

He shook his head. "No, you didn't hurt me. You didn't hurt me."

That was when it all made sense. Hiccup was so used to the pain of living, of his father's disproval, of his peers mocking and jeering, of the searing loneliness that was his life. Now that he had saved them all, that constant fear of everything returning kept popping up. He didn't want to go back to that, but every bad storm or harsh word brought back memories of things he never wanted to remember.

Astrid took his face carefully and wiped his pathetic tears away. He wasn't ashamed of crying in front of her, he was always weak in her eyes. She parted the hair from his face and smiled kindly. "I don't ever want to hurt you again." She promised. "I know I did things in the past to break you, but I swear, that's over now. You didn't deserve it, and I'm so sorry."

Her words hit him strong. His brows furrowed, his lips tugged. But he nodded, regardless. "I forgive you." He whispered.

"Then, prey tell…what else hurts?"

Hiccup used the back of his hand to keep from sobbing aloud. "My heart." He choked.

She wanted to cry herself, the look on his face was of such anguish. "Easy fix." Astrid wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. "It's okay, it's okay." She whispered.

"No it's not." He sobbed. "It's not!" His fingers clawed into her back as he nuzzled into her shoulder. "Gods Astrid! Can we stop pretending?"

Confused, she pulled away while the boy rubbed at his eye with the heel of his palm. "What do you mean?"

"You're only here because you feel like you owe me something! I saved the village, I ended the war, I lost my leg. I didn't ask for this!"

"Hiccup—…"

"Why do you have to come here now, when I'm hurting the most? Why do you have to do this to me?"

"Do what Hiccup? I'm so confused!" She simpered.

"Why do you have to make me love you?!" He nearly shouted. His body trembled with his confession. He waited for her to leave too, but patiently she sat by. "Why—You'll leave soon. And everything will go back to how it was. My time in the limelight will be over, and this—…" He gestured between them. "Whatever the hel this is—! It's going to stop!" His jaw trembled. "And I don't want that…Not after all I've gone through. Not after seeing how amazing you are." He shook his head. "I can't bare it."

Astrid's hand crept up his leg and onto his thigh. "Maybe this isn't such an easy fix." She said honestly.

He laughed, heartless, sad, and broken.

"I'm not going anywhere though. This is permanent. You're stuck with me."

"Sure, you say that now—…"

She silenced him, in one simple action proving that what she had said was true. Her lips caressed his, and she prolonged the touch until he responded, until he moved against her. She needed this as a promise, not only would she be there for him, but he would be there for her also.

Her fingers combed through his soft, feather like tresses. "Do you believe me?"

"I—…I want…to."

"Well, I guess I'll just have to take the rest of my life to prove it." Then she kissed him again, deeper, longer.

"I'm sorry…" He whispered. "If I'm…a bad kisser." He blushed.

Her nose crinkled. "Eh, easy fix."