DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from the HTTYD series or any of the ideas to the plots. My ideas are inspired by a collective of stories that I have come across. But I am always open for any ideas that could help with the story. I might also mess up with some details but I will try my best for the story. Without a further ado I will let you get on with the reading, enjoy!

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Italics: Flashbacks, dreams, or reading

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Astrid's prayers were not answered in the following two weeks as Hiccup's condition went downhill. Throughout most of the day it wasn't too bad, but he struggled with withdrawal time to time. Astrid always asked if anything was bothering him but Hiccup always said that was fine despite the fact they both knew he wasn't. It was in the night that Astrid finally saw the effects of his withdrawal. Luckily in those two weeks there were only two raids but Astrid could both of them had a heavy effect on Hiccup. She didn't let Hiccup know, but Astrid was awake when he had his nightmares. He would toss and turn in his bed and Astrid could hear him muttering something to himself in his sleep. He would wake up almost shouting and Astrid had to stop herself from getting up to check on him. She wanted to help him through whatever he was going through, but she knew he was just shut down if she pressured him into opening up.

Tonight though was the worst night yet as Hiccup seemed to be having a pretty bad nightmare. Astrid layed down on the makeshift bed and waited for him to wake up but he continued to thrash around. Enough was enough and Astrid got and walked over towards Hiccup. As she approached the bed she saw a pained look on his face.

"Hiccup," Astrid called out as she lightly shook him but he didn't wake up. She continued to shake him and call his name for a few more seconds but he was still stuck in his nightmare. Suddenly Hiccup's eyes shot open and he quickly sat, a crazed look on his face. He reached over to his side and grabbed some type of tube. Astrid heard a button click and suddenly a flaming blade burst through the tube, causing her to jump back in fear. His breathing was ragged as he looked around and held the makeshift sword tightly in his hand. Once Hiccup realized where he was he pressed another button and the sword retracted back.

He let out a sigh as he slowly got up from the bed, not looking at Astrid during the process. He set the device on his nightstand and walked over to an opening in the wall. Hiccup rested his elbows on the open section and bowed his head. Astrid paused for a few seconds to let her heart rate settle down for a second. Once she felt it return to normal, Astrid slowly walked over to Hiccup. "Nightmare," Astrid asked, already knowing the answer to her question, and Hiccup nodded, still keeping his head bowed. "Want to talk about it," she asked and he slowly lifted his head up.

"I'm guessing that more of a demand than a question," he told her and she shrugged.

"You don't have to," she told him, "But my mother always said that talking about your nightmares always help." Hiccup let out a sigh and Astrid could tell that he was debating it in his head.

"I hear people screaming," Hiccup told her as he looked out towards the sky. "I'm going down a hallway, everything's on fire, and I just hear people screaming. No matter what I do, it always ends the same. The screams just get louder and louder but I can't find anyone. It's just a sign that I'm useless." Astrid felt her heart tighten as she watched Hiccup bow his head again. She didn't say anything, instead she reached over and placed a hand on his arm. Hiccup slowly looked up at her and chuckled. "Some Dragon Master I am," he asked her, "Really have everyone shaking in their boots with how brave I am."

"I think you're brave," Astrid admitted and he looked over at her with a curious look. "How many vikings would admit their fears, their nightmares, or their problems to anyone. You're not a coward by admitting those things, you're the bravest person I've met." Hiccup let out another soft chuckle as he looked down at his hands.

"The bravest person you met is the first viking in three hundred years who wouldn't kill a dragon," he noted.

"First to ride one though," Astrid pointed and Hiccup paused as he heard her say that. Hiccup let out a sigh as he rubbed his forehead and Astrid could tell he was in pain. "Headache," Astrid asked and he slowly nodded as he continued to rub his forehead.

"Drinking numbed all the pain," he told her, "Now that pain is all coming back."

"I'll get you some medicine," Astrid told him and she walked over to one of the wardrobes. Since she reorganized the place she found the medicine with ease. She took it and a glass of water to Hiccup who took both with a grateful nod. "You should try to rest," Astrid offered and Hiccup nodded, slowly standing up and walking back towards the bed. Astrid watched him as he sat down on the bed and swung his legs up into it as well. He pulled the covers up to his midsection and then looked up at Astrid with a curious look.

"Going to tuck me in," he asked jokingly and Astrid couldn't help but smile as well.

"Mind if I try something," she asked him, "It could help with your nightmares."

Hiccup hesitated but then motioned for her to do whatever she was planning on doing. She gestured for him to shift over and she then sat down on the side of the bed. "Close your eyes," Astrid told him and he raised his eyebrows at her demand. "Just trust me," she told him and he slowly closed his eyes. Astrid brought her hands to his forehead and slowly started to massage it. She closed her eyes as well and started to hum a simple melody that she remembered that her mother sang when Astrid was a child. After a few minutes Astrid stopped and she opened her eyes to see Hiccup staring up at her. "My sister sometimes got bad nightmares and I did that to calm her," Astrid explained. "My mother did the same for me as well, usually helps most of the time." Hiccup nodded as he examined her and she slowly stood up from the bed.

"Do you miss them," she heard Hiccup ask and she turned around to see a serious look on his face.

"Sometimes," she admitted with a soft nod, "Mainly my little sister the most."

Hiccup nodded as he watched her and Astrid started to slowly turn back around.

"Thank you," she heard Hiccup say as he rolled over to his side.

"Anytime," Astrid told him as she watched him for a few more seconds. She then walked back over towards her makeshift bed and looked over to see Toothless watching her. She paused as she locked eyes with the Night Fury and saw that he was studying her. After a few seconds it seemed that he gave her a short nod before he rested his head on the ground. Astrid shook her head and then slowly lowered her body onto the blankets. She let out a sigh and smiled to herself, probably the best case scenario for tonight.

Hiccup wiped the sweat from his forehead as he finally attached the last piece of wood to the bed frame.

"Hiccup you really don't need to do this," Astrid told him but he shook his head.

"Nonsense," he told her as he slowly stood up and stretched his back, cracking it in the process. "You deserve to have a proper bed to sleep in," he added as he adjusted it slightly. He looked over at Astrid who was standing over near the makeshift kitchen that Hiccup had also made. Astrid told him that she couldn't just survive plain cooked fish and wanted to be able to fix meals in different styles. Hiccup crafted a few tables and set them up alongside one of the walls and Astrid quickly took to claiming them. Hiccup walked over to the table and sat down as Astrid turned back to the kitchen.

"You never turn down the chance to build something," Astrid noted and Hiccup shrugged.

"I like to tinker," Hiccup admitted as Astrid turned around with two plates in her hands.

"Just like that flaming sword of yours," Astrid asked as she sat down at the table.

"That came after a lot of failed prototypes," he said as he recalled all his previous ideas.

"Sounds like they weren't so good," Astrid said and he nodded,

"Let's just say there is a reason why there's not a lot of wood in the forge," he told her. The two ate their meal and then Hiccup excused himself to go down to the forge to tinker with a few designs. He didn't notice how fast time flew by until Astrid came walking into the forge. He was in the middle of hammering out a piece of metal and stopped mid swing as she walked in.

"Do you always have it this hot," Astrid asked as she looked around the room at all the fires.

"Most of the time yeah," Hiccup told her as he looked at all the fires as well, "Gotta keep it hot to work with Gronckle iron."

"Gronckle iron," Astrid asked with a confused look and Hiccup set his hammer down to show her.

"This is Gronckle iron," Hiccup told her as he pulled out a smaller piece of the ore. "It's just a whole mix of things really. But, it's lighter and stronger than any metal known to man."

"Interesting," Astrid said as she examined the metal that Hiccup was holding. "How do you get it," she asked him.

"There's a big dragon breeding nest on the North side of the island," Hiccup told her as he set the ore down. "I just go up and collect whatever the Gronkle's leave behind once they leave the island." Hiccup looked over towards Astrid and saw that there was something else on her mind but she wasn't saying anything. "What's bothering you," Hiccup asked and Astrid looked down at her hands.

"I'm going to need something back at my house," she told him and Hiccup became even more confused.

"What do you mean," he asked as he grabbed a nearby towel and wiped his hands off.

"My monthly care routine," Astrid slowly explained and it finally dawned on Hiccup.

"Oh," Hiccup said softly and he set the towel down on the table beside him. Both of them remained silent, Astrid seemed embarrassed and Hiccup didn't know what to say. "Do you know if any traders would have those things," Hiccup asked.

"Not that I know of," Astrid told him, "I always got everything from Berk."

"Well I guess I'm going to Berk then," Hiccup told her and she looked up at him with a surprised look.

"Seriously," she asked a sense of doubt in her voice as she did.

"You help me all the time, it's time I return the favor," he told her. "But if I am going to get back at a decent time I need to go now." Astrid nodded, a grateful smile on her face as the two walked out of the forge.

The flight to Berk was thankfully smooth and uneventful for Hiccup but that still didn't put him at ease. When the island finally came into view Hiccup heard Toothless let out a low growl. "I know bud," Hiccup said, "We'll be out pretty fast." Hiccup had Toothless land near the outskirts of the village, just in case the nigh watchers were patrolling. Hiccup tried his best to hide in the shadows near the houses and managed to not by anyone. He finally reached Astrid house and looked around for an easy way into the home. He walked around to the back of the house to where Astrid said her room was and found his way in. High above on the second floor he located Astrid's room and saw a window that he could climb in. Hiccup looked around before he approached the corner of the house and then started to climb up. He managed to reach a decent height without any trouble and then slowly shifted towards the window. He grabbed onto the window sill and pulled himself up.

Hiccup took out his knife and slowly inserted it in between the window shutters, searching for the latch. When he felt the blade hit the metal, he carefully lifted it up until he could move the shutters. He slowly pushed the shutters into the room and peaked around into the room. Once he was sure nobody was in the room, Hiccup carefully made his way into the room. He heard a series of voice's coming from the door and he slowly approached it. He looked out into the hallway and saw a light coming from the stairs. He was sure that he would be fine so he turned away from the door. He began to search through the room as fast and as quietly as possible. He opened every drawer and cabinet in the room but couldn't find the box that Astrid had described to him. He moved towards the closet and opened the door, a light squeak coming from the hinge. He cringed slightly as he paused for a moment before continuing his search through the closet.

"Who are you," he heard a soft voice ask him and he jumped backwards in shock. He turned around to face the voice and saw a little girl watching him. Hiccup let out a sigh and placed a hand on his chest as his heart rate calmed down.

"You must be Bella," Hiccup recognized and the little girl slowly nodded.

"Are you the man who took my sister," Bella asked and Hiccup felt his heart drop at the question. Hiccup nodded slowly and he saw a sad look cross Bella's face.

"She's fine though," Hiccup reassured her and he saw a small flicker of hope flash across the young girl's eyes. "She misses you very much and she told me to tell you that she loves so, so, so much." A small smile appeared on Bella's face and Hiccup smiled as well, glad that she hadn't burst into tears yet.

"What are you doing here," Bella asked him and he sighed as he looked around the room.

"Well your sister asked me to collect something," Hiccup told her, "Her monthly care routine." Bella continued to watch him with a curious look on her face. "She said it was a small wooden box, do you know where she kept it." Bella nodded as she slowly walked towards the bed and then got down on her hands and knees. A few moments later she stood back up and held the box in her hands. "Thank you," Hiccup told her as she handed the box to him and he tucked it under his arm.

"Why do you wear that," Bella asked as she pointed at Hiccup's mask and Hiccup let out a sigh.

"Well it's because people think I'm a bad man, so I don't want them to know who I am," Hiccup told her.

"What's your name," Bella asked and Hiccup chuckled at her curiosity. He paused for a moment, debating on whether or not he could trust the child. With a sigh he slowly knelt down and looked at Bella.

"I will tell you, but you have to promise me, you will tell nobody that I was here or that you ever saw me," Hiccup said in a serious voice. Bella nodded and stuck out her pinky, which Hiccup did the same, chuckling at the gesture. He then took off his helmet and looked at Bella, "My name is Hiccup," he told her. Bella smiled as she looked at him and Hiccup smiled in return. "Well Bella it was nice meeting you but I have to get going."

"Wait," Bella said and Hiccup stopped as he looked at the young girl. "Can you pass something along to my sister," she asked and Hiccup slowly nodded. Bella then quickly approached Hiccup and kissed him on the cheek and then stepped back. Bella giggled slightly as she looked at his stunned expression but then he quickly recovered himself.

"I will pass it on to her," Hiccup reassured her as he put his helmet back on his head. "Would you close the shutters behind me," he asked and Bella nodded.

Hiccup then slowly stood up and walked back towards the open window. He carefully swung one leg outside and then maneuvered himself until he was able to jump down to the ground. He looked back up to the window and saw Bella watching him. Hiccup waved a hand goodbye and Bella did the same before closing the shutters. Hiccup tucked the box under his arm again and then quickly ran back towards Toothless. He tucked the box into one of the satchels and then hopped into the saddle. The two took off into the night sky and Hiccup sighed in relief that they didn't run into anyone. The flight back was calm and Hiccup even leaned back in the saddle to gaze up into the night sky. He always felt more at home when he watched the sky and tonight was no different.

Eventually they finally made it back to their home island and Toothless landed on the cliffside. The two walked through the tunnels and then walked into the main room where Astrid was seated at the table. She had several lanterns lit and was reading a book as the two came in.

"How was it," she asked as she closed the book and set it on the table.

"Nothing to complain about," Hiccup told her as he took the saddle off of the Toothless.

"I'm guessing you found the box then," Astrid asked as she stood up and walked over towards him.

"With some help," Hiccup told her and a confused look crossed Astrid's face. "Bella helped me find it," Hiccup explained and Astrid's expression became shocked.

"She just trusted you like that," Astrid asked and Hiccup nodded. "Well thank you then," Astrid told him as he took out the box from the satchel and handed it to her. Hiccup remembered what Bella asked him and he debated on following through on his promise.

"She did ask me to pass something on though," Hiccup told her and Astrid raised her eyebrows with a questioning look. Hiccup paused for a second before he leaned closer to Astrid and lightly kissed her cheek. He took a step back and looked up at Astrid's stunned face and he rubbed his neck nervously.

"Thank you for passing it on," Astrid told him with a soft voice and Hiccup nodded with a small smile on his face. Hiccup turned and then slowly walked over to the wardrobe and took off the armor. "Hiccup," Astrid called and he turned around to see her looking at him with a determined look on her face. "I think it's time I follow through on my end of the bargain," she told him.

"What do you mean," Hiccup asked her and he watched as she looked down at her hands.

"I want you to teach me what you know," she told him and a smile appeared on her face.

"Well alright then," Hiccup told her, "We can start tomorrow if you want to."

"Tomorrow sounds good," Astrid said with a nod as she walked back to the table and returned to her book. Hiccup continued to smile as he watched Astrid, maybe being a Dragon Master wasn't so bad.

Ayo, it's me, hopefully everyone enjoyed the chapter and a bit more character development along the way as well. I would also like to just make a note that I am kinda aiming for a sort of awkward friendship between Astrid and Hiccup. Sometimes I kinda just go with things and then leave out details so I figure I should clear it up just in case. Also again thank you to the new follows and favorites, all of them really mean a lot. If I counted right there are about 35 between the two and that just blows my mind really. I just kinda threw this out here just to see what would happen and did not expect it to really catch anything. Obviously it's not a milestone breakthrough, but I will hold it as an achievement of my own. Bottom line, thank you for the recognition like I have said in the past. As always, if you have any comments, questions, and/or reviews, please leave them as they are always helpful and peace out!