A Complete Turnaround

Rated; M
Pairing; HiccupXAstrid
Disclaimer; I do not own anything HTTYD related. Everything belongs to its original creator.

More Time

=Normal POV=

{Tuesday, April 26, 2022-3:15 pm}

(Archian Prep DT Field)

Astrid stood there in a bit of shock after what Hiccup stated he was going to do in order for her to stay protected. At least until all of this mess was over. The question was what part of the mess did Hiccup refer to? The fact she's being targeted, or him not having his left foot and extremely limited on how much he can ensure her safety? Astrid didn't know, and it would be discussed later on. For now; her mind was racing with what Hiccup said he was going to do. Hiccup was going to teach her Martial area was eerily quiet, and the feeling that resonated around the small group was shock, fear, and confusion. Finally, Astrid snapped out of her daze, shaking her head to focus more.

"I'm sorry…What did you just say?" Astrid inquired.

"I didn't stutter, Astrid. I'm going to teach you Martial Arts as a method of self-defense," Hiccup repeated.

"B-But…Isn't that why you're assigned to protect me? As my bodyguard?" Astrid questioned quickly.

"And I'm doing the best I can in my current state…But it's not enough, and today was too close for comfort. You need to know how to defend yourself in these situations. Ones where you might be the only one who can fight back or provide an opening for someone else to strike. Everyone here got put at a standstill by that moron pointing a gun at me, threatening to shoot if they moved. Had his focus actually stayed on me; I would not have been able to get up and strike him…" Hiccup explained.

Astrid bit her bottom lip, looking down a little. Hiccup was right; he is injured and supposed to be taking it easy. Astrid knew she couldn't just depend on Hiccup to always come save her and if she could help him in any way; then she needed to step up. Hiccup wasn't saying he would stop, only that he was going to teach her to help herself or him out in a tough spot like minutes ago.

"Okay…" Astrid agreed with a soft nod to Hiccup.

"Please do not think I am mad at you, Astrid. I was charged with protecting you until everything blows over and you are no longer a target, but as you can see…I'm limited to what I can do right now, so I need to teach you how to defend yourself whether you are alone, or in a group. Everything I show you are out of the skill-set I created from years of martial arts training," Hiccup said.

"So like…Karate?" Astrid wondered.

"That and more. I know MMA," Hiccup enlightened.

"Whats…MMA?" Nadia asked.

"Mixed Martial Arts. And it's exactly how it sounds. Various types of Martial Arts mixed into one joined fighting style used for striking and grappling. It's full contact support, and in most professional MMA matches; its no holds barred, meaning no rules. MMA consists of, and this is just a few types; Judo, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Boxing, etc.," Thuggory remarked.

"Good Odin above…And how long did that take you to learn, Hiccup?" Ragna questioned.

"Well, the stuff I know now…two and a half-three years maybe?" Hiccup shrugged, guessing the amount. "Two-three hours a day a few times a week. Learned things from Gobber, Spitelout, and Alvin…" Hiccup replied. Astrid looked terrified of what she was hearing. "Don't look so worried about all the time I've spent training…It was…Preparation for joining the military. You, though, Astrid; you will be learning basics. Only things that you can use to defend yourself from attacks to make a getaway, or someone else gets an opening to take over…"

"A-Are you sure I can do it?" Astrid looked at Hiccup now.

"Of course. Astrid, before all popularity got to your head; you were one of the most fearless people I knew. Well, still know, but you know what I mean. It's just an hour or so a day in the training room of Haddock Manor, which also doubles as the weight area. Like I said, not gonna go crazy…But I am teaching you how to defend yourself," Hiccup stated.

"And a good idea that is too, Hiccup," Spitelout's voice came through. "Just don't hurt yourself; your parents will kill me if they find out about any of this bodyguard and Astrid being targeted stuff," the man added. "So, tell me what happened?" he asked. Astrid looked at Spitelout with a sigh, then began explaining things. Afterward, Spitelout nodded and had two officers get the attacker off the wall while he retrieved the gun from the ground. "We'll take care of this; you kids head home," he ordered.

"Yes, Mr. Jorgenson," everyone replied. Spitelout left with the culprit and his officers as Astrid sighed.

"Astrid…What's going on? Why is Hiccup your bodyguard? Why are you being targeted?..." Eret decided to ask after a few moments of silence.

"It's…A long story," Astrid replied.

"And one we'll need to ask Spitelout if we can share first," Hiccup reminded.

"Ensure no one can hear you and don't reveal every detail. The less who know, the better," Spitelout informed sternly as he'd returned to grab something else he had forgotten; then left once more.

"I guess we're going to my house then…" Hiccup muttered as he locked his crutches on Stormfly and she got lower for him after a hand signal from Hiccup. After that, Hiccup grabbed the saddle and pulled himself up into it carefully, then eased down. "Come on, Astrid…" he leaned a bit and offered his hand to her. Astrid grasped it as Hiccup pulled her up behind him. Astrid put her hands on his shoulders and gave a nod that she was ready.

"We'll meet you there," Astrid said softly.

"You can take the dragons if Dagur guides you," Hiccup added as he gave a whistle to Toothless, and the Night Fury looked at him. "Toothless, home. Stormfly, let's go," Hiccup commanded. The Night Fury bolted into the trees, heading home for Haddock Manor. Stormfly took to the sky, heading for Berk as well.

. . .

{3:40 pm}

(Berk; Haddock Manor)

Reaching home, Hiccup was happy to get inside and take one of his pain pills instantly. While Hiccup did that, Astrid put Stormfly in Haddock Stables next to Toothless's stall before getting inside to find Hiccup in the Great Room.

"When they arrive, are we talking in here?" Astrid asked.

"No. We have to go somewhere secure, like the basement," Hiccup informed. Astrid nodded, understanding. By 3:50 pm, the friends showed up and were let inside by Sigurd; then taken to the Great Room where Hiccup and Astrid still were.

"So what's going on?" Heather inquired.

"Not here," Hiccup forced himself to get up and adjust his crutches; then he and Astrid led the group to the cellar.

. . .

{4:00 pm}

(Haddock Manor Basement)

Once everyone was downstairs and seated somewhere, including Hiccup in his recliner chair; Astrid sighed.

"Talk to us, Astrid," Minden offered gently.

"Everything started after my parents died. When Stoick was reading the will and stuff; it was revealed that my parents wrote own wills, so it was never legal. Stoick had stepped in some years ago to legalize it all, and he only needed my parents' signatures for me to receive everything left to me in the event they passed. Stoick is still working on all that stuff, as far as I know," Astrid began.

"So that's why you ended up broke…But what about the insurance payout?" Thuggory wondered.

"I was hoping on that too, but as it turns out; the insurance won't pay out for an intentional fire. Accidental yes, but not if it was arson," Astrid explained. The friends' eyes widened.

"It means exactly what you think it does," Hiccup piped up. "The fire that destroyed Astrid's home and killed her parents was intentional," he added. "However, the fire investigator and police believe that Astrid was meant to die in the fire as well, but she snuck out to go to Eret's party and wasn't home,"

"Spitelout, Alvin, and an agent from the AIB are working on a case involving a guy who lost to my father in countless elections for Mayor of Archia Isle. This guy apparently wants total control, but never gains Mayorship," Astrid continued.

"Astrid has been attacked a few times since the death of her parents. She's been beaten up walking home from work to a shelter she'd been staying at. Someone tried to grab her as she was walking to school. That guy at school who almost ran her down. Another situation was where you five saw me fighting in the Archia Burger lot; those people were after Astrid then, and we even believe the car accident she was in not long ago may have been another attempt. Spitelout and the agent from AIB believe she's being targeted by the guy who kept losing Mayorship to her dad," Hiccup enlightened.

"But wait…Doesn't that mean you too, Hiccup, could end up being targeted. Anyone in your family because your dad is the Mayor now?" Camicazi inquired.

"It's been brought up in the discussion at the station before. Right now; it seems they only want Astrid…And after today…It looks like they want something she has…" Hiccup said.

"Where did you get that from?" Astrid blinked.

"The guy said he wanted something you have; something small from your parents' house," Hiccup informed. "Or at least that's what he started to say before I whacked him with the crutch. I have zero doubts that your house has been ransacked by these people, looking for whatever small thing this is to give to Bludvist…However; they obviously couldn't find it, so they are turning to you. The only survivor who did get the chance to go into the house and collect things after the fire," Hiccup explained.

"How did you even come to that conclusion?" Eret blinked.

"Timeframe of events. Astrid's parents died in November; she had access to her home to salvage things about a week after the incident. The people who work for the guy who likely ordered the fire to take place wouldn't have been able to gain access to the home until after the cops and fire investigator collected all their information or evidence to tell us the fire was intentional. Astrid started getting attacked in January, and we're in April now. Three months, and today we learned that they want Astrid alive to find whatever it is she may have that was taken from the home that survived the fire," Hiccup said. "Also, I didn't say I was correct about this; it's just a theory based on everything I've seen and heard since Colden and Alva Hofferson passed away," he remarked.

"When are you training me in self-defense?" Astrid inquired.

"Next week after I see how this physical therapy crap goes," Hiccup informed. Astrid nodded to him.

"So, is this why Astrid is living with you and why you two share every class? Because of the targeting thing?" Nadia wondered.

"Astrid is living here because I found her homeless and sleeping on the streets during a snowstorm after work. I made her come here and told her she was staying until she got back on her feet. But yes, we're in the same classes that way I can always watch her. We thought it would draw too much attention for her to have a police detail or agent, so I stepped up as a bodyguard. I'm her age; I can fight, use a gun, and since we're friends; it looked less attractive to others, but I'm sure it's out by now that she's got someone protecting her," Hiccup said.

"Well, we'll help too," Snotlout said.

"No, we can't involve anyone else. We informed you because you happened to be around when all this happened, but you can't tell anyone or act like you know what's going on. We don't want the person the police and AIB are looking for to use more targets. Not even my parents or Gobber know…" Hiccup mumbled.

"You don't like keeping secrets from them, do you?" Fishlegs frowned.

"Of course not. But right now, they are safe not knowing anything," Astrid interjected.

"We understand," the group replied.

"Good…Now if no one minds…I'm taking a nap," Hiccup yawned, adjusting himself in his recliner and closing his eyes. Astrid smiled a bit; then she led the others upstairs and outside to say goodbye to them. Afterward, Astrid joined Hiccup downstairs once more with her homework to do while he slept. For the time being, things were calm, and she may as well focus on her schooling.

. . .

{Friday, April 29, 2022-3:30 pm}

(Archia Isle Therapy & Prosthetics)

Today was a big day. Hiccup had his first physical therapy appointment where he could try walking with a few different types of prosthetics. The closest appointment to after school was at 3:30 pm, perfect for Hiccup because school released at 3 pm, and it didn't take long to get to the office on a dragon. Valka and Stoick were both going to be present for the event as yesterday at 4:15 pm, Hiccup was cleared by Dr. Matheson to begin using test prosthetics in physical therapy because the nub had healed beautifully. Astrid was, of course, with Hiccup since the two were rarely apart from one another because of the targeting situation. Not that Astrid minded; she'd been helping Hiccup stand, balance, and gain access to his crutches from a sitting down position. For all intensive purposes, Astrid was Hiccup's temporary nurse and physical therapist until today, four weeks since Hiccup lost his part of his left leg.

Stoick and Valka appeared to be running a bit behind, so it was just Hiccup and Astrid for the time being. All of their friends would be at Haddock Manor when Astrid of Hiccup texted to let them know they were headed back there after the appointment.

"Hiccup Haddock?" a nurse called from off a clipboard paper.

"That's me," Hiccup stated as Astrid helped him up and he positioned his crutches. About ten minutes later after getting into a room and checking all Hiccup's vitals and basically doing a standard checkup, a physical therapist had come in to take the nurses place.

"Afternoon. I'm Davyn Lund; I'll be in charge of this whole process with you. You can call me Davyn, or Doctor Lund, whichever you prefer," the man smiled. Hiccup took note of the strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes on this man.

"Hiccup Haddock, just Hiccup is fine. And this is Astrid; she's been helping to take care of me with getting around and what not," Hiccup introduced, shaking the man's hand; then Astrid did the same.

"So ready to give this a shot? I'm sure the nurse went over how today's appointment will go with you?" Davyn asked as Hiccup nodded.

"She did. Let's do it," Hiccup said. Astrid sat back to watch as Hiccup pushed himself up with the arms of the chair he had been sitting in; then got his crutches and moved to the place Davyn wanted Hiccup to use for observation purposes on how Hiccup did.

"Now, just walk along from this place to the end, turn and come back," Davyn instructed. Hiccup did exactly as he was told silently. Around 4 pm, Stoick and Valka arrived as Astrid had them stay quiet while Hiccup was going through the motions of using the parallel bars without the crutches. "Very good with and without crutches. It seems like you've been practicing these exercises," the man chuckled.

"Maybe a bit. Not much seems to hold me back," Hiccup smiled a bit.

"Alright, come back to sit so we can check the muscles, and I can call for one of the basic prosthetics to be brought in to see how you do standing. If you feel comfortable; you may try walking a few steps," Davyn said. Hiccup moved to sit down and let Davyn check over his leg.

"Glad you two could make it," Hiccup said to his parents.

"I'm sorry, son. Got held up in a meeting," Stoick sighed.

"It's okay, Dad. Astrid kept me company," Hiccup said. At 4:10 pm, a nurse entered the room with a box and Hiccup took a need breath.

"Okay, Hiccup. This is a simple prosthetic we have in office based on your weight, height, and where the afflicted area of your amputation is. You have your socket, which is where your nub will be. The rest is a pole to act as yor shin, then a bit of a flat piece to be the make-shift foot. The ankle piece does rotate side to side and up and down as if it were a real limb. Of course, this is temporary, and we'll make you something you can use all the time that only requires minor modifications as you grow into your adult body," Davyn stated, showing Hiccup each part.

"Understood," Hiccup replied. Davyn applied a cloth-like sock over the nub first, then a rubber sock. Once that was on, Davyn slid the socket over the rubber bit and tightened things in place before checking over the rest.

"How's that feel?" Davyn asked.

"So far, so good," Hiccup admitted, though; it was a bit uncomfortable.

"Perfect. Ready to stand?" Davyn inquired. Hiccup took a deep breath and pushed himself up and adjusted before allowing full pressure on his left leg. Hiccup let go of the bars and balanced himself, trying to ignore the pain on the nub he'd barely used in the last four weeks. "Looking a bit tense, Hiccup," Davyn pointed out.

"Just…New is all," Hiccup said. "Hurts a bit, but I assume that's just because I've put no pressure on the left in weeks?"

"Correct. More physical therapy and a proper fitted prosthetic will fix that right up over time," Davyn nodded. "Want to give walking a try?" Hiccup didn't answer; he just stared down at his leg and moved it forward as if he were walking. It wasn't bad until he moved the right up and all the weight was on his left for a moment. Hiccup left side buckled as Astrid reacted right away as she had any time Hiccup lost balance before and moved in to make sure he didn't fall forward.

"Are you okay?" Astrid asked instantly.

"Y-Yeah. Thanks for the save…" Hiccup replied, clearly bothered that his attempt to walk failed. Astrid nodded as she got Hiccup back to the chair so he could sit.

"It will take time to walk as if nothing happened, Hiccup. You can't put all the weight on the left just yet, but it seems you stood fine, and can probably walk with crutches, or even a cane for the time being until we get something a bit more stable on the leg," Davyn explained. Hiccup only nodded, a bit discouraged. Hiccup was tired of handicaps; he wanted to walk freely again, he didn't even care if it was with a limp. Hiccup seemed to tune out Davyn talking to him and his parents, just wanting to get home now.

"So Hiccup is free to continue using this at home with crutches?" Valka asked.

"Yes, and I'd like to see him again next week. We'll continue this twice a week, and he can practice at home too as long as someone is with him and he doesn't over do it," Davyn stated.

"Understood. Thank you, Doctor," Stoick nodded. Davyn shook their hands and exited the room while Hiccup got up, with help again from Astrid, then used his crutches to get out of the office with Astrid, Stoick, and Valka behind. Hiccup made the next appointment for Tuesday the 2nd of May at 4 pm. Soon after, everyone left to return to Haddock Manor. Hiccup stayed quiet on Stormfly as Astrid held on.

I'm sick of the answer always being 'more time.' Hiccup thought, but what more could he do? The leg was still healing even if everything was closed and no infections. Eirik said it could take additional months of therapy for things to be like he never lost the limb as far as walking or running went. Hiccup had no choice but continue waiting and giving it more time before things were somewhat normal again.