Safe

Hiccup shook his head, stumbling back against the wall while hanging desperately onto inferno, extending it before him at the blonde girl with the axe.

"Hiccup what's wrong!?" The girl-Astrid- asked, holding out a tentative hand before tossing the axe away, letting it land into a barrel and smashing it to pieces. "Why… why are you fighting me?"

"D-don't…" Hiccup growled, although he knew it was pointless. She had him cornered, and his blade with broken. There was nothing he could do… where was Ryker?

"Hiccup, it's me." Astrid went on, grabbing his wrist. He pulled back sharply and lifted his prosthetic, jamming it against her leg. She gasped in shock and pain before stumbling back, her hands scrambling to grip the wounded thigh. Hiccup gave a little shudder when he saw the blood seeping through her lavender leggings, staining them a muddy brown.

"G-gods…" He murmured, pressing back against the wall. His mind flickered momentarily. Somewhere deep in his brain he knew that she was… something… what was she?

She's the enemy. Ryker's voice whispered inside his head. Hiccup shook it, hoping to try and rid the whispery sound… what was happening again? He blanked for a moment.

"Hiccup." Astrid whispered, her eyes wide and filled with horror. "…Hiccup it's me… Astrid. What's wrong- what happened- I…"

She's the enemy, all of the dragon riders are.

"Get out of my head!" Hiccup shouted, reaching a hand to clutch his hair. "Get!"

Astrid was shaking her head in confusion, but he ignored her for the time being. She was making no move to harm him, even after their quick sword fight. What was happening? If she was the enemy why wasn't she killing him now? He was defenseless…

"Hiccup, calm down!" Astrid's voice echoed, but he was drifting in and out of consciousness now. Something was wrong… his head was pounding, threatening to explode. Words were repeating over and over, and the black spaces of his memory seemed to be closing in.

"Hiccup!"

Astrid. He thought faintly. In a flash he remembered- her clinging tightly to his back, holding on for dear life as the dragon-

Toothless.

-lifted them high into the air, leveling out and floating over a multi-colored sky of northern lights…

"Astrid!" He shouted, collapsing against the wall and letting inferno clatter to the floor. He sunk down to his knees, pulling them against his chest as he proceeded to sob against them, feeling like the worse being to ever walk the earth.

He'd just… he'd tried to kill Astrid…

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM!? WHY WOULD HE DO THAT!?

"Hiccup..?"

He felt her touch his arm, and he shuddered under her touch. How could he have just hit her and fought against her only minutes ago? She was his best friend…

Ryker… that evil scum…

Hiccup took in a deep shaky breath, knowing deep down that it wasn't his fault his memory had been temporarily erased. It was Ryker and the Changewing…

"Sorry sorry sorry m'sorry…" He mumbled repeatedly, trying to express his true remorse. He couldn't look at her, he couldn't stare into those eyes- the eyes of the girl he loved whom he'd just tried to kill. "E-everyone keeps telling me you-you're the bad g-guy… that I hav-have to kill you… that you're the enemy…" He wheezed, feeling lousy for trying to give an excuse. How low could he get?

"Hiccup…" Astrid's voice was surprisingly soft, her touch equally so. He absently leaned against her hand, wishing he could feel it against his fact and hair again, like how it used to be. He smiled gently when he realized he could now remember those events, and how much he cherished them.

"I know, Hiccup." Astrid whispered soothingly, her arms going to tentatively wrap about his shoulders. Hiccup bit his lip, shivering again at her touch. She was so gentle… loving, caring, forgiving. He didn't deserve it. His eyes opened a crack, and he caught sight of the blood stained leggings.

"As-Astrid." He wheezed. "Y-your leg…"

"A scratch, Hiccup. I'll deal with it later, you're more important." She responded, running her fingers through his hair while pressing soft kisses against his forehead. "You need care too."

"I'm sorry, so sorry…" Hiccup gasped, reaching out to grab her in a hug. "P-please-so sorry…"

"Shh…" Astrid began rocking back and forth, the rythymetic movement calming him. "I know you are, and it's fine. I know it was Ryker's fault."

"B-but…"

"Shut up, babe."

Hiccup sniffled, knowing it was pointless fighting her, so gave in and curled against her protective and strong embrace. He knew he was safe now, it was just hard to shake the doubt…

"I'm here now, and I'm not letting Ryker get anywhere near you again." She whispered fiercely. "I promise that."

Hiccup hugged her harder, giving a little sob of relief and gratefulness. "Th-thank you." He breathed.

He was safe.