Their Agreement

Oh Astrid knew, that it probably was the worst idea of going on the sea this late, while a storm was about to reach the archipelago completely. All on her own. Yet she wanted nothing more but to get away from this damned place, that didn't even want to be here in the first place and who's muttonheaded chief judged about a offense she didn't even commit in the first place!

No – it hadn't been on her mind to harm one of his beloved dragons! And it wasn't her fault, that she surprised a few sleeping Typhoomerangs, when she threw her axe at a tree they were sleeping next to!

But how would he know?! His stubbornness made him blind and unable to realize, that he was wrong all along!

When the first rain began to fall from the skies above, she finally found a small, but steady looking fishing boat – which even looked as if it still had a few baskets of fish on deck! This would surely be enough to get her back to Hranafall! Back to her parents, in hope, that they would welcome her back with opened arms.

Knowing, that she was the reason, that the previously signed contract was probably now declared as invalid, a silent tear left her eyes. She already knew, that her father wouldn't be all too happy about it, while her mother would just state, that she was right about Hiccup.

And yet it was the young chief himself, who stared at the still opened door, wondering, what he had done to the young woman. About all the bad things he had said. Sure – her cursing wasn't good, either, but...had he given her another choice? And judging by his friends looks and the still sad cooing of his winged friend, he knew, that this hadn't been his most shining moment.

Trying to calm his conciseness, Hiccup patted the top of Toothless's head with care, trying to smile confidently at the dragon. Yet, it felt quite strange, that his trusty friend hadn't stepped in when she had hit him, like he had normally done.

"Well...she is gone now buddy and won't ever hurt a dragon on this island, again!"

"...ehr...Hiccup?" Fishlegs carefully raised his voice, still feeling a little scared from the argument that went between the two young Vikings and of which he and the others were witnesses from.

"Yeah...H?" Tuffnut mumbled, unsure of what to say, before he faced the gang and whispered: „I don't want to be the one, who tells him the news..."

"What "news"?" Hiccup still asked, now finally looking over to his friends, though he was aware of them from the very beginning, when they had entered to house. And their nervous glances didn't make him feel better, either.

"Okay, we know, that that little stubborn brain of yours likes to think every now and then that it is right, right?" Snotlout said in a hurry, before it was Eret who added:

"You know – the Typhoomerangs – they were not hurt! They didn't even have a scratch on them and just did seem to be a little surprised by something. And we tracked back to were we found Astrid and-"

"And you are a total idiot. Astrid was right!" Ruffnut now said, laying her hands on her hips.

"We assume that she just scared them, when she killed one of the trees, they had their sleeping place next to it." Fishlegs now finally finished, making Hiccup stumble back at this revelation and making him feel like a real muttonhead.

"You mean..." He mumbled, while the room suddenly started to spin around him madly "..., that she wasn't trying to kill them? And that I have been accusing her for the wrong reasons? Why haven't you told me, before I have been sending her off! No wonder her mother likes to see me dead!" He knew, that he shouldn't talk about Ljóda like that, but right now it didn't matter and he guessed, that his friends had already notices a certain tension between him and his mother-in-law.

"You guys were shouting at each other!" Ruffnut said, lifting one finger, as if she wanted to count and added yet another, when her brother said:

"And you both were saying horrible things to the other."

"And you were using bad words!" Snotlout finally said, making Ruffnut hold three fingers up into the air.

In frustration Hiccup combed through his already disheveled hair with his fingers, starting to pace around in the room and thinking about a way, to apologize to the young woman for his wrong-being.

"Oh Thor, what have I done?! We were just on the right way of including her on the village and my stupidity scared her off! Why can't I just shut up for a moment?!"

"Yeah...that is one thing I am asking myself ever since you were born..." Snotlout mumbled more to himself, although he was the younger one of the two of them.

That was the moment when yet another lightning crashed through the clouds, enlightening the earth underneath, while Hiccup was finally able to see the drumming rain for a moment.

Yes – Gothi had been right the week before. A heavy storm definitely had reached Berk and nobody should be outside in such a weather, especially when they don't know-

Hiccup's eyes widened immediately, knowing very well, who was outside right now and probably worse – trying to escape the island by boat or ship!

And it was his fault all alone!

"Astrid..." He whispered, while fear gripped his heart and he immediately gestured for Toothless to come and follow him. They had to find her after all! And bring her back to safety! Yeah, sure, she would be absolutely mad at him – he was that himself – but at least she would be sheltered from the storm and could leave, when it had gone away!

"We need to find her! Riders – on your dragons!"

"Are you sure, that she is doing something stupid?!" Snotlout shouted, while they were already storming outside into the rain and mounting their dragons.

"Yeah...she also could have gone to the Great Hall! Or in the arena! Or anywhere else!" Fishlegs added, making Hiccup consider this for a few moments, before he nodded slowly.

"Okay – you guys search there and if you don't find her there, then return here so we can further discuss possible methods of finding her and...keeping her here. Eret-" He looked over to his tall friend, who already sat on the Rumblehorn and nodded, once he heard his name "...we will search the sea, as far as it is possible. Sure – it is not something 'stupid' that she might have done. But something short-sighted might be doable for Astrid, especially when she is fueled by anger. And lets face it – I would be utterly angry, if somebody would have said to me the things I have said... Maybe we have a chance, that Skullcrusher can still track her despite the storm!"

And he really hoped, that they would find her, though Astrid really wasn't aware of the sorrow, that her disappearance caused the young chief. All she wanted was to get away fast from this damned island, that gave her some reluctant feelings. Sure – she had thought, that some of them might have cared about her and the ways she felt alone on this all new island. But that had been probably one big fraud, so they could lull her into believing, that she was actually accepted. That she wasn't just a birth machine for their new heir.

But for now she had bigger problems to face – and those were the monstrous storm around her, the unmanageable wind from the South and the lightning and thunder from above. And of course the ever bigger getting waves from underneath.

Sure – her father had shown her how to handle boats like this one, also in some similar weather. Though...there surely was some difference between lessons with her father and well...this!

And not to mention that she wasn't feeling all too well – she knew, that her body temperature had risen in the past for hours enormously and was nearly unbearable, while the seam of her scar felt as if it torn, leaving her now with a gaping wound. She knew, that she had to find a doctor fast – but her will to return to Hranafall was yet stronger.

That was the moment when a dragon roar echoed from behind her, and turning around she could make out two of them – flying directly into her direction. And of what it looked like (at least when a lightning illuminated the sky for a minute) they had two riders on her back.

Could it be-

That was the moment when everything around her turned dark and quite.

Hiccup on the other hand had just seen the small boat, not far away from Berk's shores. And he knew that only somebody as angry as Astrid would have been able to row outside here to escape.

But that was the moment, when he saw a small shadow on the small deck of the boat, that suddenly tumbled over the the boat's railing, and into the water.

"Was that Astrid?!" He could Eret hear, just with as much concern in his voice, as he felt in this very moment.

"I-I don't know!" He mumbled, but yet spurring Toothless on to fly faster and to land on the deck of the abandoned boat.

His heart was beating faster, feeling, that Astrid surely wouldn't like to take a swim in this very moment and with this horrible storm around them.

There surely was more to it and before he knew it, he left his trusty dragon friend behind, jumping down from the boat and straight into the depths of the black water underneath. Thankfully enough yet another lightning lightened the water up a little – for Hiccup to see Astrid's slim frame descending more and more with each passing moment.

Without thinking he swam after her, hurried, to grab her before it was too late. With the coldness unbearable on his skin. And the water crawling underneath his armor. And the darkness making it nearly impossible to see her.

So all he did was swimming down as fast as he could, with his arms outstretched in hope, that he soon had caught up with her.

And soon, with kicking the water and holding back his breath as best as he could, he reached her, holding onto her wrist, before she was yet again out of his reach. Gripping her with all the power, that he could muster. Absolutely not letting go.

So he pulled her back up again, making it harder now with the extra weight he had to carry. But thankfully enough he soon broke through the surface and found the wall of the small fishing boat, before it was Toothless' tail, that hoisted them up and onto the small deck.

Hiccup could barely make out her face, but soon enough noticed her unbearable heat, that radiated from her skin. He instantly knew, that there was more to her fainting, that her had first thought.

But worse – even worse then the unbreakable wall of rain around him and the drumming of thunder from above – was the fact, that she still didn't take a gasp for breath!

Before he could answer the uncertain calls from his friend, who was still waiting on his dragon above of them, he laid her down on the deck, laying his ear on her chest, close to the spot were her heart should be.

And though the beating of his own heart made it nearly impossible to hear something around him, he still could make out the faint sound of hers.

„Oh Thor..." he mumbled, before he reached with one shaking hand for her nose, pinching it closed, before he laid his lips on hers, to get some air into her lungs.

He repeated this a few times, pleading to the gods for her to finally take her first breath again, while every passing second made it harder and harder to focus on this task.

"Come on!" He mumbled, still not answering Eret, who waited just as impatiently.

The young chief listened again to her heart, feeling more and more helpless about this situation, when she suddenly jolted, water coming gurgeling from her lips.

Finally!

"She is alive!" He finally shouted to his fellow dragon rider, though he knew, that he needed to be fast now, with her ever rising heat and the storm, that still became more and more dangerous.

He hooked on arm under her legs and the other one under her back, lifting her with ease up into his arms and holding her close to his body.

"Let's get you home..." he mumbled, crawling back onto the back of the black dragon, making him soar back up into the air and leaving the small boat behind.

"What's wrong with her?!" The young chief could make out his friend's voice, as they neared Berk once again. "Shouldn't she be awake...and maybe trashing around for taking her back towards the village?!"

"She is ill! I need to take care of her!"

It was a difficult task to fly and to hold on this young woman, but they – both Hiccup and Toothless – eventually managed it pretty well and soon arrived the Haddock House.

Thankfully enough the door opened for them, with their friends already waiting for the two riders and their dragons.

Their faces filled with sorrow immediately when they saw the young woman in Hiccup's arms and the pained face of their chief.

"What is with her?!" They asked and: "What has happened?!"

Hiccup couldn't answer them, yet, already storming past them and past the fire they have made for them to warm themselves there. Sure Astrid needed some warmth – but she needed to be in bed right now and a healer to look over her!

He reached the stairs to go upwards, but stopped for a second to order:

"Somebody get Gothi over here as fast as possible! And there by the fire are some furs and blankets! Get them up to the bed! And Ruffnut-"

"...yeah?"

"Follow me! I need you!"

Before could ask for his motives, he was already gone, sprinting right through the bedroom door to lay the young woman down onto the bed.

His heart was beating madly in his chest and the world was turning around him. This...felt so surreal! Especially the fear that had taken over his body. A fear for loosing her...

With shaking and wet fingers he reached inside of the small night stand by the bed, searching for something small.

Eventually he found it – being very small but laid good in his hand. It was filled with Monstrous Nightmare Gel and could be used with ease to make a small fire. And with that he enlightened the candle, that was on top of the night stand to get some light.

And what he was shocked him:

She was unbelievable pale and had dark shadows underneath her eyes. Her breathing came out in small puffs, while her chest only rose and lowered itself slightly.

It was strange to see this beautiful, strong warrior in such a weak and helpless state. And made him feel with regret, that this was probably his fault all along!

"Hiccup...?" Ruffnut suddenly mumbled, unsure what to say in such a strange situation.

But the young chief couldn't answer her and before the blonde Viking knew, what was happening, he lifted a little her skirt up and – before he could reach for the leggings underneath – he already saw the bloody imprint, that had soaked through her clothing.

He knew it!

With care he pulled at he clothing a little, only so, that the scar underneath was visible to them.

"Oh wow!" He heard his friend behind him. "What is that?!"

Hiccup gulped, upon seeing the festering wound that and he let go of her cloths to cover her up again.

"That is the reason we need Gothi here immediately..."

He should have known! He should have known, that somebody specialized as the older woman was, should have taken care about Astrid's scar! Not him! He only knew how to sew leather together! But not skin!

"Ruffnut..." he mumbled, stepping back a little „...can you undress her? We need to get her out of the wet cloths!"

"Wait?! Make her naked?!" Snotlout suddenly squealed, as he and Tuffnut had reached the bedroom with piles of blankets and furs on their arms. "I can assist!"

"Oh can you just be mature for once!" Hiccup grumbled, going over to one of the wooden wardrobes and taking out a old tunic and threw it towards his female friend. "Then put her that back on and put her underneath the blankets and furs, so she can stay warm!"

"Why do I need to do stuff like that?!" Ruffnut asked, sounding a little annoyed, though some sorrow still shone through her voice.

"Because you are the only woman apart from her in this house and lets face it – once she gets better and hears, that I have been the one, who undressed her and saw her naked, she might try to get yet another axe and use it on me..."

"Or I might be actually...thankful..." A weak voice suddenly whispered, startling the four other Vikings, who were still in this room. It was Astrid, who had pushed herself up a little to see them better. Her long, blonde hair clinged on the skin of her face, shoulder and arms, while her clothing seemed to be just as wet. Her eyes were very clouded and she had a few problems to keep them opened. And yet there was a small smile that lined her lips.

And it was Hiccup who immediately hurried back towards the bed, kneeling next to it.

"You are weak, Astrid...Just lay down. Gothi will be here any minute..."

"Now that is one...compliment that will get you...an axe thrown straight towards your head..."

"She absolutely looks fine to me!" Tuffnut said upon hearing that threat aimed towards Hiccup. But thankfully enough it was his sister, who hit him straight into the stomach and earned him an evil eye of the other three.

"You know, what I mean..." Hiccup said, looking back towards the young woman, that had laid herself back on the bed and now looked up to him with her clouded eyes. He even dared to stroke back a strand of her wet hair behind her ear.

"And I know..." She whispered, flinching a little when she moved her legs „That it probably wasn't my smartest idea...to flee during such a...storm..."

"With a very infected wound..." He added, while his hands were drawn towards hers in a strange, affectionate manner. Holding onto it tightly and feeling the coolness from the water and the heat from her skin underneath. And it didn't even matter to him, that his flight suit was just as wet, as was his skin underneath. And that he slowly began to freeze because of it. But for now, he had different things in his mind.

But it was to his surprise – she smiled about his last words. It was a faint smile, but it nonetheless looked very beautiful on her, that made his heart skip a beat.

"Looks like you are not the only stubborn person in this house..."

"Well – if that isn't a match made by the gods!" Ruffnut uttered behind them, but they ignored her.

"Yeah...look...Astrid, I am most sor-"

"If you dare to tell me now, that you are sorry, then I think of another torture method, Haddock!" She hissed weakly.

"Okay, okay! I understand – we were both not very mature back there. Especially me, if I can say so..." Hiccup said, feeling that his heart went slower not, that he saw, that she still was the same. Especially when she rolled her eyes at that.

"You really...like to hear yourself speaking, don't you?"

"Oh – that is my most unique trait! If you stay here, you will come to like it!"

"'If?'"

"Well...you know..." He blushed a little at that "..., if you still want to go through with the agreement...After all that I have said..."

"We can try..."

Now it was him, who smiled, especially when he noticed, that it didn't even took her a second to think about that answer. And that she returned the pressure on his hands with her weak fingers.

"Or how about..." Hiccup mumbled a little quieter this time "...I will eventually teach you how to fly, once you feel better, so can leave Berk whenever you like..."

For a few moments Astrid only breathed in and out, watching the young dragon rider with an uncertain look on her face. And then – may it be luck or her bad condition – she answered:

"Okay...teach me this...Dragon Riding!"

Hiccup grinned a little wider at that, while it were his three friends behind him, that cheered on that.

"Is that an agreement, then?"

She nodded, before a silent knock interrupted the happy mood for a moment and once they had turned around, they could see Gothi, who had finally arrived at the house to take care of Astrid.

With a grim nod she gestured for the three men to go outside and Ruffnut rolled her eyes in annoyance, noticing, that she had to stay there – probably for the still very obvious problem of undressing the young woman on the bed.

While Hiccup finally let go of the young woman's hand and stood up, she said with a faint voice:

"Yes...it is an agreement..."

"Alright..."

Gothi on the other hand wasn't very happy about the situation, that the men still hadn't left and tapped her cane three times with harsh force on the ground, until they hurried away and closed the door behind them.

This revelation – of Astrid's well-being and her changing behavior – made Hiccup very pleased and content and he couldn't help the smile, that still was very present on his features.

And it was his cousin, who noticed this, too:

"So, when exactly have you fallen for Astrid?"

A/N: Ah...as promised some light fluff happening there, with a few smiles and hand holding and Hiccup caring for (his) Astrid. I hope, that you enjoyed reading it, as much as I have enjoyed writing it (though I am so looking forward to the next chapter, which will be for now my most favorite one ;D) And from now on: The fluff-o-meter will grow by one in each chapter – so much can I promise you ;D

And one thing, that quite surprised me – that some of you were on Astrid's side, while a few others were on Hiccup's side! This was so amazing to see and to read those comments! :D

Also, before some of you might ask – no Astrid is not falling for Hiccup 'just' because he has saved her. And for Hiccup – he will state later himself, when the moment was, that made his feels for Astrid grow (though we all can agree, that he is the first one ;D)

So, I dearly hope, that you have enjoyed this chapter and I want to thank you guys (when was the last time?) for the great response, that this fic is getting – in any way possible! I mean – over 500 comments and 140 faves and nearly 249 alerts! And it is since this chapter my most read fanfiction with over 54k views! (The other one has been one of my Hunger Games fictions, which I wrote many years ago). So guys – let my bow in front of you and thank you deeply, for it is every one of you, who makes this fiction, that it is!

Thank you 3

And now, for the comments:

: Oh, then I am glad, that you have surprised you back than :D And I hope, that you see my fluff-promise as fulfilled ;D

eliie: I should feel glad, that I make you feel that way about Astrid, I guess? ;D And I hope, that you can eventually bring yourself to read this story again, to see, how Astrid develops :D

Silvolde: Well, he tried to make up with her ;D That is for sure. :D

CajunBear73: Thank you for saying that ;D And Gothi really should work as a mediator there ;D And yep – she headed out there and Hiccup did his best to get her away from the trouble, she had brought herself into ;D

Crimson Dragon VIRUS: Yeah, they were not hurt. But the Stoick part of Hiccup came alive and said things, that were later regretted (like in HTTYD1). And yeah – no storm would stop Mrs. Haddock over there ;D Also thank you very much for your kind words :D

Guest: Yeah...arguing really is annoying...

Guest: Well, at first I was afraid, that I had to put your comment into google translates, because I can't speak Spanish, but thankfully enough you send in the second one in English! So yeah – they really need a way to get that trust for each other and to find their well deserved love;D And yeah...Toothless really is following his rider everywhere, which might get a little annoying, if they want their time alone ;D

Mariah: Well, it is not over yet ;D And her father wouldn't be all to happy about it...For Astrid's mom...sure...she would celebrate it with everything she could find ;D

Vivi-ntvg: Oh and how quickly he had changed his mind! ;D

Guest: But now we are a little more ahead, can I say? ;D

cosmicblader12: Was that enough making up, for now? ;D

hateme101: Thank you ;D

Guest: Oh yeah...the leg wound really is nasty there and it will take Astrid some time to recover. And I suppose, that it is just really hard for Astrid right now, with all the different ways around her and no family to support her...

jimmix: Ah, don't worry about that! But I am glad, that you left a comment on this one ;D So hope that little fluff here was enough (for now – more to follow soon ;D) And eventually she will try now more :D

S. H: Oh please Mom, don't let her down! Hope there had been some process! And he tried to apologize, but Astrid did not want to hear it (tried to make her look very Astrid-ish there ;D) And the grey Bewilderbeast? Like Drago's one? I think, that it is still recovering from its defeat (alongside with that one-armed dude out there) and I hope we get to see them both in HTTYD3!

Grima: Yeah...some ruthlessness shines through there, I guess ;D

supersandman86: Well...she at least tried to row back on a fishing boat. And yeah – regrets incoming from both their sides... And he had saved he over there ;D Our hero! ;D

hiccstrid105: I am glad, that this argument made you happy! And I have seen Eurovision, too! (though I have also liked the guy from Austria. Cesar it was or something like that?)

Rex: *whispering * very soon she will~

aaquater: Yeah... her wifely education really is lacking, since all she had become was a warrior and both her parents didn't think ahead of showing her the duties of a wife. They were probably just thinking, that she would make it without their help. And yeah...luck was really not with Astrid there and Hiccup's mind has been too clouded for actual judgment. And after all – she had done nothing wrong! And I guess, that the dragons of Berk got used to the typical Berkian behavior, but are not used now to Astrid's...killing trees training in the forest, which in my eyes seemed quite new to them (especially those two poor Typhoomerangs...). And having a tree falling on them doesn't seem to happen there every day, I guess... And I also thank you, for finding the first part of the argument as logical (and frustrating) ;D It is quite nice to see, that my writing has this impact on people ;D And for the second part – I really wanted it to hurt both of them. And cutting of the equipment...well...that would be a little too radical, even in Ljóda's eyes. But making men submissive...well that is more the deal ;D And yeah – apologizing is absolutely needed here! Like to everybody. Even to the gang, for scaring them! ;D And you absolutely right about the endless cycle there... She won't get out of this so easily!

Surayo: Thank you :D

Dragon4ever: If she would have gone home, then surely havoc would have broken loose, since it would have meant a broken contract and pact between the two late chiefs. Probably war as well? And with Berk still recovering from Drago's attack, that would mean a hard fight! Oh yeah! I am so looking forward to February 2019! *-*