Author's Note: Whoa! The last part for my arc, "Beaten and Bruised" already!? Wow!

Hello everyone and welcome back to "Sticks and Stones!" =D I can't believe that this is the final part to my arc, "Beaten and Bruised." This is definitely one of my favorite arcs in this collection, and I can't believe that it's already over...*dabs eyes with tissue*

BUT there are other arcs that are yet to come along with several one-shots and drabbles that I'm super excited to write and post as well, so I'm not entirely sad that this part of "Sticks and Stones" is over since there's a bunch of other stuff that I'm looking forward too. =)

Anyway, here's the last and final part of "Beaten and Bruised." =) I hope you guys enjoy it! =D

Summary: Finally safe and sound on Dragon's Edge, Hiccup slowly begins to recover and Snotlout comes and apologizes to him. (RTTE.)

Beaten and Bruised, Part Five

Astrid and Snotlout landed at Dragon's Edge and both of them made a beeline to Hiccup's hut. Astrid was deeply worried for Hiccup. He had passed out once she and Snotlout had took off, and during the flight, he would make various sounds of pain, which made Astrid even more anxious. But once the Edge came into view, Astrid's nerves had receded a little, but she still couldn't help but fear for Hiccup. Would he be okay? He had taken multiple hits, was covered in scratches and bruises, and had a lot of internal injuries, especially around his ribs. And then there was the large cut on his right arm. Astrid was glad that she and the others had gotten there before the Hunters did something worse to Hiccup.

Shaking off these thoughts, Astrid focused on getting Hiccup to his bed and making him comfortable. With Snotlout's help, she was able to do just so, and she draped a blanket over Hiccup's shivering form. Hiccup stopped shaking just the slightest, but Astrid could tell that heat was slowly returning to Hiccup's body. The Haddock's breathing evened out, but Astrid didn't know whether he was unconscious or asleep. Quite possibly both.

"Is there anything else I can do to help?" asked Snotlout. Astrid turned around, surprised that Snotlout was actually offering to assist her. To help her. Snotlout never did anything for anyone unless there was a reward involved. She then remembered that Snotlout probably still felt bad about what he had said to Hiccup; he wanted to make up for it.

Astrid nodded. "You can get some medical supplies from the clubhouse."

Snotlout saluted her and then ran off to grab what she wanted. Astrid then turned back to Hiccup, and she faltered as she finally got a closer look at his injuries. Bruises and scratches litter his face. A couple of them were bleeding, but others were beginning to scab over. Hiccup's cheeks were red, either from a small fever or slap marks, and overall looked very, very hurt. His arm was still messily wrapped in a small piece of cloth, and the wound seemed to have stopped bleeding. Even though his external wounds looked bad, Astrid knew that the worst ones—the ones that she wasn't able to see—were on the inside.

Hiccup's breathing was uneven, and Astrid could tell that was probably from a broken rib or two. Every few seconds or so, the young viking's face would contort with pain and he would let out a small moan or an occasional whimper. The small, feeble sound tore at Astrid's heart, and he made her want to restore Hiccup to his usual, happy self. She wanted to see his smile. She didn't want to see him in so much pain.

Astrid gently brushed Hiccup's bangs and ran her hand through his hair, occasionally whispering words of solace when Hiccup would stiffen or cry out in pain. She knew it wasn't much, but sometimes, small actions can do wonders.

"Hiccup, I know you're hurting, but I promise, I promise that you're going to be okay. You're going to be alright, Dragon Boy. Just hang in there for us," Astrid paused. "Hang in there for me," she added in a whisper.

Toothless warbled from the other side of the bed. Astrid looked up at him.

"He'll be okay," she said reassuringly. The Hofferson girl rubbed Hiccup's hand. "I know he will."

Hiccup's face softened, and he let out a small sigh. Astrid smiled and she pressed a small kiss on Hiccup's forehead.

Snotlout soon returned with the medical supplies that Astrid had requested from him, and he told her that the others had come back from the Hunters' base. Astrid told him to go and ask them what they discovered.

Snotlout nodded, and then he asked, "Is Hiccup going to be okay?"

Astrid placed down a roll of gauze on Hiccup's side table and turned to Snotlout. The Jorgeson then added quickly, "You know, something to lift up the mood for the others."

Astrid rolled her eyes a little. "Don't worry Snotlout. Hiccup's going to be fine."

Snotlout smiled, but he quickly returned to his normal, haughty composure and stated, "That's good." And with that, he left the room, and Astrid couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She knew that Snotlout cared for Hiccup even though he never showed it often. Sometimes, Astrid wished that he'd just accept that he cared and go on without trying to hide it, but Snotlout was Snotlout. He didn't like showing his soft side.

Astrid took the supplies that Snotlout had brought her and began to tend to Hiccup. She first cleaned up all the cuts and bruises and rewrapped his arm. Then, she proceeded to his chest. She could tell that a couple of ribs were broken. Astrid began to wrap gauze around Hiccup's chest. He would cry out in pain a couple of times, which made Astrid bite her lower lip as she continued to wrap up his injuries. She couldn't believe how horrible, how cruel the Dragon Hunters were to hurt Hiccup. She hoped that they wouldn't attack him or the Edge anytime soon and she also hoped that Hiccup had learned his lesson after what happened with the Hunters.

A small groan pulled Astrid out of her thoughts, and she spotted that Hiccup's eyes were beginning to flutter open. His usual, emerald-green eyes were filled with pain, but he still managed to smile at her.

"Hi," Hiccup managed weakly. He tried to sit up, but Astrid pushed him back down.

"You need to rest," she said as she pulled the covers back over him. "You can't be doing anything strenuous right now. Your body needs to heal."

Hiccup sighed. "Hurrah, I'm confined to my bed," he drawled. "It's going to be so fun sitting around and doing absolutely nothing."

Toothless crooned and licked his rider's cheek. Hiccup smiled and scratched Toothless affectionately.

"It's good to see you, Bud," he said. "How are you feeling?"

Toothless warbled happily, showing that he was completely fine.

"Right now, you should be worried about yourself," said Astrid. Her face turned into one of concern. "You have a lot of internal injuries, Hiccup. What did the Hunters do to you?"

Hiccup chewed his lower lip, but he told Astrid everything. Sneaking out, flying through the storm, being ambushed by the Dragon Hunters, being beaten and kicked, and nearly having his head chopped off. Astrid felt a vehement feeling of rage toward the Dragon Hunters, but Hiccup looked so feeble and hurt that she decided not to show such an aggressive emotion in the current state that he was in.

Astrid gripped Hiccup's hand. "I'm really glad that the others and I were able to come and save you before anything bad happened."

Hiccup nodded, but he sighed. "Snotlout was right…I really do drag you guys into everything. I nearly got Toothless killed and you guys had to come and save me…"

"No, Hiccup," Astrid said. She made him look into her eyes. "What Snotlout said earlier is wrong. You don't drag us into anything. We willingly follow you. Even Snotlout. You're smart, brave, and kind, and you've never forced us into anything. We came to save you because we care about you. Toothless came with you because he trusts you. You're not dragging or forcing anyone into anything, we choose to follow you and support you, and you didn't force that decision. We're a team, and a team sticks together. They fight together and they save each other when they have to."

Toothless nuzzled Hiccup's cheek and nodded, agreeing to what Astrid had said. Hiccup was touched by Astrid's words, but he still had a vague feeling of self-doubt. But before he could say anything else to bring himself down, Astrid placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Hiccup blinked in surprise and Astrid laughed at his expression.

"Get some rest," she said. "I'll come back to check on you later, okay?"

Hiccup smiled softly, and he promptly fell asleep.

…

The other Dragon Riders visited Hiccup as frequently as they could, and Hiccup was very grateful for their company. Astrid did a wondrous job at tending to his injuries, and Hiccup felt that he would soon be out of bed, back to riding on his dragon and spending time with his friends. But until then, he stayed in bed like Astrid had requested him to do, so he entertained himself by reading or drawing.

Hiccup was reading a book when Snotlout stepped in. Hiccup smiled at him.

"Hey, Snotlout!" greeted Hiccup cheerfully. "It's a good thing you're here. I wanted some company."

Snotlout smiled a little but then he sighed. "Hiccup, I came to apologize for what I said earlier. It was stupid and I was just tired about all the fussing over the Dragon Hunters and Dagur and possible attacks on the Edge. I just wish that we could take a break from all of that."

Hiccup closed his book and took in Snotlout's words. The Haddock placed his book aside and said, "Snotlout, I sometimes wish that we could have a break too," he admitted. "That things could be like when we first became friends with dragons. No problems, just fun dragon races and no danger, but we have to continuing fighting until the Dragon Hunters are stopped. We're probably the dragon's only hope."

Hiccup smiled. "I accept your apology."

Snotlout grinned and then he quickly said, "If you tell the others that I told you any of that, I will personally end you."

Hiccup laughed, and he ignored the pain in his chest as he did. He was glad that he was back on good old Dragon's Edge where he was safe.

Safe and sound.

Author's Note: And that's the end of "Beaten and Bruised!" *Throws confetti into the air and dances around like a maniac* My first arc! Woo!

I hope you guys enjoyed "Beaten and Bruised" as much as I did writing it, and I'll see you all in my next one-shot, drabble, or whatever I post next for "Sticks and Stones!" =D

Until the next chapter!

-BeyondTheMoon1203