A sharp pain in my abdomen makes me keel over and open my eyes. The familiar setting of my house is a welcomed sight, how long had I been out? Last thing I remember was Astrid telling me we were on our way out and one of those big guys getting the drop on me. Was I really that rusty in my fighting that I let them get the drop on me like that? He didn't fight like a viking. Glancing around, I spot my riding suit in tatters with several gashes on the stomach side of it; he had hit to kill. I'm lucky my armor was sturdy enough to take the brunt of the blade. Wincing slightly, I edge to the bed and look around.
The house is empty and its just after dusk, I must've been out for several hours at least. Even Toothless isn't here. Gripping my ribs, I lift my shirt and see a heavy layer of Gothi's bandages with varying red marks seeping through. So maybe the blade did connect to my skin and draw blood. Setting my one foot to the ground, I spot my attachment next to the bed and attach it quietly.
"Toothless?" I call out to the quiet house, only for there to be no response. "Astrid?" I try again and am met with the same answer, silence.
My pain is quickly overwhelmed by my worry that something was horribly amiss; just what had happened since we got back? Where was everyone? Sure, I didn't expect everyone to by waiting at my bedside, but Toothless being absent was a sign of worry. Standing, I feel a sharp jolt of pain through my ribs and I furrow my brow and frown. Forcing myself to stand straight, I make my way down the stairs and head to the front door as I hear a couple loud thumps outside. Before I even make it to the door, it opens and Astrid is standing in the doorway, Toothless and Stormfly peaking beyond her.
"Hiccup!" She exclaims with a face mixed with worry and happiness as she runs to my side and hugs me gently. I wince softly but feeling her embrace was enough for me not to care."
"H-hey, are you okay?" I stammer through the wince and she scoffs.
"Really, going to ask if I'm okay?" She asks with a smile. "You should be resting, why are you walking?" She asks, her smile fading slightly and is replaced by a worried gaze.
"I'm fine. I just needed to see what happened." I answer and she shakes her head.
"Sorry, you need to rest. Come here." She almost orders and I don't have the urge to fight as she leads me to the table and helps me sit down. Grabbing a pair of mugs, she fills them with yak milk and sits next to me. "What's the last thing you remember?"
"Passing out on the back of Toothless." I answer and she nods.
"Your diversion worked, you sent that Ragnar guy off the edge into the water and bought us the time we needed to free the dragons below deck. He was climbing back up as we took off." She explains and I nod.
"The boats?" I ask and she nods.
"The twins and Snotlout did a number on them; they were trying to make their way out of the channel with no means of capturing a Doomfang. Luckily the dragon itself never appeared, but I don't think they'll give up." She continues and I nod.
"They were prepared and good. I've gotten rusty in leading the Dragon Riders since being a Chief." I admit, looking away and Astrid shakes her head.
"No. You did everything you could have done. I'm more angry you thought it was a good idea to blow yourself up with Zippleback Gas." She says, scooting closer to me. I shrug with a half smile as our hips touch lightly.
"Seemed like a good idea at the time. He got me better than I expected." I admit and she takes a drink.
"Gothi seems to think he cracked a few of your rib bones. Nothing major, they should heal just fine with her medicine after a couple weeks of care. It could've been much worse. He was aiming to kill, if your suit hadn't held out, he might've succeeded and I-" She pauses biting her lip and looking away. I can see a tear speck form in her eyes as I softly wrap my arms around her.
"We made it. We're fine. We saved the dragons and you saved me. We're a team, Astrid." I answer softly and she nods, smiling and planting a light kiss on my lips.
"Speaking of, Snotlout and the Twins are up in arms with Eret. There's a commotion in the Great Hall, it's where I've been. They claim he set us up." Astrid says softly and I shake my head.
"Impossible. He wouldn't." I answer and she nods.
"I agree. Even Valka is having a hard time dissuading them right now, she wanted to be here by your side til you woke up but-" Astrid pauses and I glance to meet her eyes.
"But?" I ask.
"But, she said that was my place and not hers." She finishes with a smile that makes me smile in return.
"I've gotta get to the Great Hall, Astrid. I can't let them lob blame at one another. They were just well prepared." I state and she nods. "When I heal, I want us to start training again. You and I, like back at the Edge. I need to get better if I'm going to lead the People of Berk through these times." I say softly and I can see the concern in her face but she slowly nods in agreement.
"We'll do whatever it takes, Hiccup. I can't—I won't lose you." She answers quietly and I smile, pressing my head to hers.
"Never." I say simply and kiss her lightly on the lips. She presses in fuller, causing our lips to fully press as one of her arms snakes around my shoulder. I wince softly and she withdraws with a sheepish look of concern.
"S-sorry." She stammers and I shake my head.
"My father said the best way to work off an injury was to give it its due time to heal, and work through it so that while it healed, it didn't forget what it was healing to do." I say, and while it may not be the words of a healer, it was the words of Stoick. I'll be damned if I can't kiss her or anything for these couple of weeks. Pressing my lips to hers again, she responds in kind. I don't care what Ragnar said, we fight together, stronger than ever before. We'd beat him too without sacrificing our ideals, our team or each other. Breaking the kiss, she looks into my eyes with a fiery smile and nods.
"Help me to the Great Hall?" I ask and she chuckles softly, standing and helping me stand.
We leave through the front door with our dragons walking behind us. I take a brief moment to pat Toothless on the underside of his neck. "Thanks bud, I owe you one too." I say softly and he coos as we begin our walk to the Hall together.
True to her word, the Hall was bustling with sounds of anger among the riders. Time to be the Chief and make a plan... hopefully a better one than the last one.
I was relieved to see Hiccup standing and talking, for there was a moment I feared the worst. When Gothi, Gobber and I removed his suit and we saw the impact from the axe blades, my heart sunk and I think, had the other Riders not been there, I would've lost it. I even heard Valka gasp when she saw it, she wanted nothing more than to run by his side with me but Gothi was adamant that he has room to breathe. Too many bodies around him would clog the air and Valka gave way for me to stay by his side.
Snotlout and the Twins were quick to point out it was Eret's intelligence, though I didn't care at this moment, I just wanted to see Hiccup recovered. The troubles at the Great Hall, the Trappers, it all seemed meaningless when I saw the damage. That Ragnar, he was just like Drago; he was aiming to kill. Valka had told me the story about how Drago nearly took her head off and only didn't because Stoick arrived just in time. Same can be said for this. One more hit and Hiccup might not have made it out, explosions aside. I can't believe he really blew himself up just to buy more time and distract Ragnar.
As we walk towards the Great Hall, the sounds of shouting fill the air, though most of it is from Snotlout and the Twins riling up everyone. When we finally crest the last step, I can see Snotlout standing on a table, holding an Axe towards Eret who has his arms crossed.
"You set us up! Admit it!" Snotlout cries out. "You nearly got Hiccup Killed!" He exclaims and I'll be honest, hearing Snotlout come to Hiccup's defense was a change in tune but not an unwelcomed one.
"I did no such thing. Why would I have done that, and if I did, why would I have waited around for you guys to come back?" Eret challenges.
"Good point…" Snotlout admits but re-levels his axe. "You still knew!"
"Oh-okay guys! Enough!" Hiccup stammers to speak as he pushes his way out of my support. It both made me worry but proud.
"Hiccup! You're walking!" Tuffnut shouts as the twins rush towards him. I intercept their advance.
"Yes, he is. Barely. Let's not tackle him to the ground unless you want a cracked skull. Got it?" I say rather coldly and he shudders. Ruff nods, pulling Tuff back. This was one time they weren't going to challenge me, I was not in the mood for their antics.
"Look, these guys, whoever they were. They were prepared. They were traveling in Hysteric Waters for Thor's sake. They had to expect some trouble." Hiccup says, trying to make light of the situation. "Eret, the one who I spoke too, his name was Ragnar and he mentioned a leak. I think your friend might be in danger." Hiccup adds, and I can't help but shake my head softly. More worried about a man he's never met than himself.
"I know, Chief. Vern has gone silent. I'll hear from him when the waters cool down, in the meantime, we wait." Eret answers solemnly. I can tell he is worried about his friend but can't admit it.
"Okay, Riders. In the meantime. We train. Tomorrow, I want everyone, including the Auxiliary Riders; my Mother, and you, Eret, at the Academy." Hiccup commands and I see a brief wash of concern filter through their faces as Fishlegs holds up his hand.
"Uh, Hiccup. I know we need to train but you should really be resting. You took a good hit." Fishlegs motions to Hiccups abdomen and he shakes his head.
"The waters around Berk and its neighboring areas are still riddled with Trappers who are out for blood. I will not rest while they are out there. I made a mistake. I underestimated them; I will not do that again." Hiccup answers, and I can hear the anger in his voice. Like with Viggo or Johann. He was angry at himself.
I lock eyes with Valka who nods lightly at me as I approach Hiccup and place a hand on his shoulder. "Hiccup, we will train. I will make sure they are training. But you should rest a little more. At least give it a couple days before you try getting back in the saddle. Please. For me." I plead to him and he turns his head to look at me. I can see the fire in his eyes die down as his furrowed brow relaxes and his expression softens as he looks down.
"Yeah, we'll train. I'll kick the aux riders into gear!" Ruffnut says.
"And I'll just kick them!" Tuffnut adds with a snicker.
"Uh, if anyone is going to kick the Aux Riders, it's me." Snotlout adds and as they continue playfully bickering, Hiccup looks back up to me and nods.
"Actually, The Aux Riders is Astrid's Riders; She'll determine how they train. Eret, consider yourself apart of that team now. Mother, you as well please. Astrid's my General so she will be taking command of the training. I expect you to listen to her better than you listen to me." Hiccup resigns. I can hear the disappointment in his voice; with himself.
"Gobber, please help see to the needs of the town and come get me if you need absolutely anything." Hiccup adds and Gobber nods.
"Ye got it, Chief."
"I mean it, Gobber. No guessing or anything. If you need me, please come get me." Hiccup restates and Gobber nods.
"I got it. I learned a lot when I tried helpin' Stoick. Been a busy few year, I can manage for a couple days. You make sure you get yer rest." Gobber states and Hiccup nods.
"Alright, you heard the Chief. Get some rest. I will see you at dawn in the Academy. Anyone who is late owes me fifty pushups. Think I'm playing, and it'll be a hundred. Got it?" I shout out and everyone snaps and nods. Even Eret nods.
"Thor almighty, I didn't know you could sound like that, Astrid." Eret admits and I shrug.
"Comes with the territory. Should hear the stories about what the Aux team went through when I first put them together." I admit with a laugh, even Hiccup chuckles.
"Eret." Hiccup says, calling Eret closer to us as Hiccup accepts me helping him stand. Eret moves closer and Hiccup extends an arm. "I know you didn't sell us out. I wanted you to know that. Don't take what the twins or Snotlout says to heart." Hiccup admits and Eret takes his hand.
"Thanks, Hiccup. Means a lot to hear that from you. I'm calling in a few favors to see if we can get more information about the men you and Astrid faced off against. Hopefully I'll be able to make up for this soon." Eret says and Hiccup shakes his head.
"Nothing to make up for. Go get some sleep." Hiccup says and glances to me before adding with a smile. "Astrid is merciless in training, trust me." He finishes and I roll my eyes but smile.
"It's true." I admit, remembering how harsh I was to him specifically during Dragon Training, then later to the Aux Riders.
Eret laughs and nods, everyone else filtering out, I glance at Hiccup. "Home?" I ask and he nods softly. "Do you… want me to stay, tonight?" I ask, looking away briefly and feel his grip around me tighten.
"There's no place I'd rather you be, Astrid." He answers, placing a tender kiss on my lips, sealing away any fears or doubts I might've had, I smile.
"Then let's go home." I finish softly and he smiles, and together with our dragons, we walk back to his house… to our house.