Thanks to ReptileGirl497, yesthenLucky9 and Smoe05 for the feedback!

You guys remember that one time in Race to the Edge, where Astrid got shot? Imagine this taking place directly after it...

Enjoy!

"Astrid! Look out!"

He heard her scream in pain, something he only heard in his nightmares. Hiccup glanced over and saw Astrid, gripping her leg, with an arrow protruding out of it.

"'Lout, 'Legs, cover Astrid, make sure she gets out of here."

"Hiccup..." Astrid was speaking with incredible effort, trying to not let the pain seep in her voice. "I'm fine. Really. It just grazed me."

"No. You are going back to Dragon's Edge. Heather, make sure she gets there. I'll patch it up when I get back."

Hiccup put his hand on Astrid's back, not only to help her, but to let her know that he was there for her. "C'mon. Let's get that looked at."

"Hiccup," She was speaking easier now. "I'm fine. I can manage by myself."

"And I said, let me look at it."

Heather laughed. "You two really are perfect for each other. What do you want us to do, Hiccup?"

Hiccup grinned. "I need you to check the perimeter of the Edge with Fishlegs."

Was that a...was Heather blushing?

Hiccup shook his head and turned his attention back to Astrid. "We need to come up with some sort of armour for you."

Astrid winced as he lightly touched her leg. "Oh, gods. Who are you more protective of? Me, or your sister? It's hard to tell."

"Astrid, I just want to keep you safe. Which means patching you up when you get shot."

Hiccup grabbed a knife. "I'm going to have to cut through your leggings to see it."

"Or, you could just take them off?"

She wasn't sure, but Astrid thought Hiccup turned beet red.

"Uh, t-that's not really an option."

She chuckled. "Fine. But, you're making me a new pair!"

Hiccup groaned as he cut a hole in her leggings. "I thought you said the arrow grazed you. Astrid, the arrow went in several inches."

Astrid hissed in pain. "Isn't that a graze?"

"You're going to need to have this stitched up."

Hiccup smiled at her. "See? That wasn't so bad, right?" He held out a hand to help her up.

Astrid smiled back and took the hand. "It could of been worse."

"Wow, that sounded like an complement. I will take it."

She punched his shoulder. "Shut up."

Fishlegs and Heather walked in. "Perimeter secure. No Dragon Hunter ships here."

Astrid winced as she put pressure on her leg, while Hiccup supported her and looked at them.

"Good work, guys. I have no other jobs for you, so go have fun."

As they left, Astrid looked at Hiccup. "So, what's your brilliant plan for those two?"

He grinned. "See where it goes, and make sure Fishlegs doesn't cross any lines."

"What are you working on?"

Hiccup didn't even look up. He rarely got to use Gobber's forge anymore, and he was going to utilise every second of it while they were on Berk.

"I'm making a sword."

Astrid sat down in a chair. "I've seen you make swords; it doesn't take you this long. What's so special about this one?"

Hiccup lowered the blade into a bucket of water before looking at Astrid. "This sword is for me."

Wow. She never thought that Hiccup would use swords. He could barely lift them! "Why?"

"Because, I'm tired of being captured all the time. I should be able to defend myself."

"OK, but you have me and Toothless. We-"

"Didn't really help the last three times I got captured." He instantly regretted his words as soon as he saw the look of hurt that came over her face. "Astrid. I-"

She stood abruptly. "No. No. I'm probably holding you back from your personal defence weapon."

As she walked away into the night, Hiccup slumped in his seat. Nice going, Haddock! She was trying to be nice, and you practically called her useless. Remember how you felt when people called you that?

He stood and started to chase after her.

Astrid was trying hard not to let the tears fall. At first, she was hurt, but then she realised something. He was right. They had been of no help the last times he had been captured, and he had been traumatised for weeks because of it. He deserved to be able to defend himself. Now, she still walked along, not feeling too hot with herself.

"Astrid! Wait! Or, at least slow down! It's hard to run with this leg sometimes."

She stopped and waited. "Hiccup, I'm sorry. I shouldn't of walked out on you like that."

"No, no. I shouldn't of said what I did. I just...I can't be captured again. I'm still not recovered from the last time Ryker had me. All those memories came back. He's not really a fan of me."

Astrid turned to face him. "The next time we see him, we'll face him. Together. The sword is a good idea. I just don't want to be replaced."

Hiccup took on a confused look. "Replaced? Is that what you're afraid of? Astrid, do you really think that this sword could ever replace you? That's crazy."

She opened her mouth to speak, when it suddenly began to rain. And thunder. And lighting. The last one seemed to really throw Hiccup off his thinking game.

"Astrid, I-" He shuddered as a bolt of lightning was seen in the air. Astrid had rarely seen him that tense, and pushed him into the nearest house. Thankfully, it was his.

Hiccup quickly sat on his bed, and wrapped his arms around his knees, burying his head whenever a peal of thunder was heard.

Astrid sat beside him and wrapped an arm around him. "Hiccup. It's ok to be scared of things."

The quivering mass of Hiccup beside her gave what sounded like a snort. "I never used to be like this. I-" he stopped talking as another thunder blast could be heard. "When that lightning bolt hit me when I was trying to get back here, it kinda damaged me. I'm useless during storms. It takes me back."

Astrid hugged him tight, tighter as another thunder blast made it's presence known. "Hiccup. Whenever you're afraid, just come find me. I will help you. If there's a storm, I'll come find you. Ok?"

He nodded, still too terrified to speak. He just clung to her as the lightning fell. Especially as the lightning fell.

Finally, he could speak. "Astrid. Thank you. For-for everything."

She smiled and kissed him. When they pulled away, she grinned. "You're welcome."

Have a nice, no cliffhanger, Hiccstrid chapter! For the third day in a row. I PROMISE you it'll get more interesting eventually. I'm working on a future chapter that you guys will probably-90% chance-murder me for.

But, until then, Hiccstrid!

Thanks for reading!