Mistake

"I made a mistake."

No way. He thought sarcastically. So yeah, nearly tumbling into a mountain? Was that a mistake? No. That was just plain stupidity. Not listening to him? That hurt, deeply, but a mistake… was it a mistake? Or just plain painful?

"Hiccup, please, say something." Astrid whispered, grabbing his arm. He grit his teeth and pulled away, walking quickly to the door overlooking the Edge, the night sky now spread over it like a blanket.

"I'm sorry…" She whispered.

He clenched his fist and closed his eyes. He really didn't think she knew how close he'd been to losing her. If he hadn't caught her in time… she'd be gone…

She placed a hand on his shoulder again, and this time he merely flinched, not bothering to move away from it. She'd just run him down until she forced him to listen anyways, so he might as well listen now and get it over with.

"Hiccup, would you please say something!?" She begged, her other arm grabbing his should and forcing him to look at her. "Please?"

He kept his gaze directed towards the ground, focusing on taking steady breaths rather then giving her an answer.

"Hiccup Haddock, listen! Yell, scream, do something!"

He sighed and slowly looked up at her, staring right into those ocean blue eyes. She stared back, her face panicked and filled with remorse.

"You almost died." He whispered, finding it to be the only tone his voice was currently working in. "You…you almost died..." he repeated, feeling all the anger drain away, leaving pure terror.

Gods, she'd almost died.

Her expression was unreadable, although Hiccup did catch signs of relief and confusion, almost as though she'd been expecting something different.

"But…" She answered, tightening her grip. "You caught me… I'm safe." She looked away, letting out a shuddering sigh. "If I had just listened to you, none of it would've happened…"

What's she talking about again? He thought foggily. His brain was still shocked by the realization that Astrid had been so close to death.

"I promise I'll listen next time, Hiccup. I promise." She continued.

His mind tuned into the present moment, and he realized she was talking about his warning from earlier that day. Telling her not to try that flip stunt off Stormfly. Then her hand slipping, falling towards the sharp rocks below-

He shivered, beyond thankful he'd caught her in time.

"Please… no next time." He breathed, wrapping her in his arms and burrowing his head in her hair. "I can't stand it, not again…"

She went rigid for a second, and he knew she was shocked by the embrace. She'd been expecting angry words, perhaps a harsh rebut of friendship or love, but instead he was hugging her fiercely- desperately.

He'd scold her later. Right now, he was just happy she was alive.

After a moment she returned the hug, the two rocking back and forth in the doorway while the moon stared down upon them, spraying a ray of white in through the doorway.

"Please, DON'T do that again." He whispered fearfully, clinging just a bit harder, almost afraid she'd disappear from his arms if he let go.

"I won't." She promised, bringing a hand up to run it through his hair. She chuckled quietly, "I'm getting off a lot easier then I thought I would-"

"I'll yell later." Hiccup mumbled. "Right now I'm not mad enough." He knew she knew he'd never yell at her, and that yes, she was getting off very easy here, but he really didn't care at the moment. He just wanted to hug her forever and keep her safe from all the dangers to head their way.