Hey guys! I'm thrilled at all of the positivity the last chapter received! Thank you guys who left a review and followed/favourited it. This next chapter is going to be a bit more of a sad one than the previous, but for those who don't particularly like that sort of thing, it will probably be a lot more light hearted after this. I'm also sorry that it isn't as long, just over 2,000 words. I'll try to settle at about 3,000 in the future.
Enjoy!

-Zephyr

Hiccup had ended up taking Ruffnut's cooking shift that morning, too frustrated with his and Astrid's moment being ruined by that mutton-head to bother sorting out petty squabbles. Although he had suggested it, Astrid had insisted against staying inside, and Hiccup knew all too well how stubborn she could be. She was sitting on a log not far behind him. He could feel her gaze on him as he turned the spit slowly. He glanced back, smiling. His heart seemed to jump as she smiled warmly back, sending shivers down Hiccup's spine. It was very rare to see her smile like that on a good day, but considering the circumstances, Hiccup felt privileged. Fishlegs seemed to catch on, but didn't speak up about it; he was too busy eating his second plate of cod. This gave Hiccup time to think. What would happen now? Things were surely going to be different between him and Astrid from now on and he knew that the kiss they had shared was much, much more than one of their usual kisses that ultimately didn't seem to change anything between them, somehow. There was a lot more meaning in it. And that spark that had pulsed through them was like a skrill had unleashed pure chaos in their emotions. Whatever had gotten in the way between them before that stopped them from going further with their relationship, had vanished. Now he just had to figure out how they could be together without the rest of the group teasing them. He needed an excuse to be alone with her for a few days, so he could help her through her grief, away from the others while she recovers enough to tell them when she's ready. If anything, she needed to see her family. Grabbing his and Astrid's portions of the breakfast, he walked over and set next to her.

"Hey." He said, handing her a plate, which she took gratefully. She rested her head on his shoulder briefly. He didn't really want to spoil her seemingly good mood by bringing up the visit, but he figured he should talk about it with her sometime.

"Hiccup, I'm going to visit my father and… my aunt." She said, bluntly.

Looks like I don't have to, then.

"Oh, okay I understand." He put his arm around her waist for comfort. "Do you want me to come with you?" He offered. She punched his arm.

"Ow!"

"Of course I do, idiot!" She teased, kissing him.

"After breakfast, though."

Not long after, the two were flying on their dragons over what felt like miles and miles of ocean. They had told no one but Fishlegs where they were going, but only Astrid and him knew exactly why. Astrid would tell the others when she was good and ready. For now, it was up to Hiccup to help her through. They mostly flew in silence. Astrid was silently hoping that her aunt still clung to life, that everything would be okay. Hiccup could see her apprehension buried deep within her serious expression. Hiccup flew closer to her, a gesture that he was there for her. She noticed and smiled gratefully. He felt like he had to say something.

"Hey, Astrid?"

"Yes, Hiccup?"

"I love you, remember that - whatever happens today. And I'm here for you." Surprise flickered in Astrid's sky blue eyes.

"Thanks, Hiccup. I love you too." A smile found its way on both of their faces.

After a while in the air, Berk came into view. They both swooped down towards the plaza. Upon landing, Hiccup dismounted Toothless and gave his muzzle a rub of appreciation. Astrid did the same for Stormfly. Stoick was helping sort out a quarrel between Bucket and Mulch when he heard them land.

"Hiccup! Welcome home, son!" He boomed, a big smile appearing behind his massive beard. He walked over and lifted Hiccup in a bear hug. All of Hiccup's breath left his lungs in one big gust.

"Hi.. dad..." He said, straining. "Ribs... breaking!" Stoick released his death grip and chuckled.

"So what brings you home, son?" Hiccup signalled to Astrid, who walked over to greet her chief. His father's face grew solemn as he realised.

"Oh, of course. You came to see Freja?" Freja was Astrid's aunt.

"I-is she still.." Hiccup couldn't bring himself to say it. Stoick sighed and took them both into a large hug.

"No... Oh gods!.." Astrid choked as she realised. Sadness entered his heart as he saw Astrid sob. He rushed over to her and enveloped her in the warmest hug he could manage.

"Hiccup..." She sobbed, hiding her head in his neck. Hiccup never could imagine Astrid of all people crying so openly in public, not holding anything back for anyone to see. The Astrid Hofferson, crying. He cradled her head with his hand, stroking her soft, silky hair.

"Can we see her?" Hiccup asked after a what felt like hours of standing there, Astrid in his arms once more. He didn't notice, but a tear of his own rolled down his cheek. Stoick only nodded, and motioned them to follow.

"Hey, Astrid? You ready to visit her?" He asked gently. Without moving her head, she said "Y-yes." In a weak voice. They shuffled, Astrid still clinging desperately to him, over to Astrid's home with their dragons not far behind. Toothless rubbed his head to Astrid occasionally in sympathy. Hiccup ignored all the sympathetic looks the villagers gave him and Astrid, he only focused on the girl and where they were going. When they eventually reached the door to Astrid's home, Stoick knocked on the door. After a few moments, it swung open to reveal a tall, stocky man with armour that kind of resembled Astrid's, only it was bigger and had leather padding on the chest, and a belt with ornamental studs along the middle. His beard was shorter than Stoick's, and was braided towards its end. Upon seeing his daughter, his face lit up.

"Astrid! My beautiful daughter, come here!" He exclaimed. The girl in question released her death grip on Hiccup and almost fell into her father's embrace. A large hand cradled the back of her head, where Hiccup's own hand had been moments before. Astrid's father looked to him, nodding his thanks in helping her along. Hiccup nodded back respectively. He had never met the man before in person, but Astrid had occasionally mentioned him in casual conversation.

"D-Dad, please, tell me she's still here!" Astrid wailed. Dragon claws gripped onto his heart. Astrid acting so out of her usual character was enough to make him nauseous in dismay. Her father took a heavy breath.

"Come inside, you should see her." As they went inside, Hiccup sat down on a rock nearby and waited. From inside the house, Astrid pleaded.

"Wait, please. I need Hiccup with me." The boy in question immediately stood up as the door opened again, revealing Astrid looking out to him.

"I'm coming, don't worry, Astrid." He held her hand as they walked through her home. It was a very large house, with multiple rooms hidden by wooden walls. As they reached the far end, they walked through an open doorway into a small bedroom. What Hiccup saw made his heart slow down. A large bed was at the far end, and in it was a woman, lying motionless with her eyes closed and hands on her chest. Her skin looked pale, almost white. Her hair somewhat resembled Astrid's; a braid running down her shoulder.

Astrid choked in horror.

They were all silent, apart from the open crying of Hiccup's... girlfriend? Friend? What was she to him now? We did kiss, and we shared 'I love yous' Hiccup saved the debate for later. Right now, he was gently walking with Astrid to her aunt's side, where she broke down. She wailed, screamed, as if she was being impaled on hundreds of spears, as if her life was being sapped away by the second. It made Hiccup gasp in internal pain, too. It was almost too much. But he swallowed his own sadness to help the once strong, brave viking who was now clasping to her aunt like her life depended on it.

No, she's still strong and brave, and the toughest viking I've ever known. He mentally slapped himself. But looking at her now, she looked beaten, desperate.

As her wailing died down into desperate sobs, Achilles, Her father, stepped forward.

"She loved you dearly, as her own child. Every day she would talk about you with the most adoring smile she could ever pull, even as her condition worsened. She didn't care what happened to her, but rather what happened to you. Even if you couldn't have been with her in her final moments, she still passed knowing that she'll be able to see you again soon, from Valhalla. In the end, she did die in battle. The fight she fought so bravely against her condition was long and hard, and she died with her honour, and her love intact. And for that I know that... I-I know she will be welcomed in the realm of the fallen, where her p-pain will finally be lifted." His voice wavered.

Silence filled the room again, even Astrid's crying had muted. They all stood there for a while, mourning and grieving quietly. Hiccup gently rubbed Astrid's back. Eventually, she retreated from her aunt's side, hugging Hiccup again.

"S-she taught me so much... How to braid my hair, how to cook my own food, how to start fires, how to use a double sided axe to destroy those who'd come against me... She was my mentor - if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be the V-Viking I am today. As-as long as I can r-remember, she was there. She was there to help when I felt sad, and there to encourage me when I needed it the most." Her voice was barely a whisper, and it cracked.

"We're going to give her a proper send off tonight." Achilles said.

Hiccup and Astrid had both stayed in Berk that night, after sending her body on a small boat and shooting flaming arrows into it. Astrid had managed to keep herself together that time, but still stayed close to Hiccup. They now sat on a cliff-side overlooking Berk and the ocean. Toothless rested his head next to Hiccup, gently purring as Hiccup rubbed his head idly. A question burned in his mind, but he couldn't put it into words. A part of him told him not to be stupid, and that the answer was obvious. But the other part of him wanted to make sure. He looked over to Astrid. She had a small smile on her face, obviously feeling better than before. She looked out into the setting sun, taking in the orange glow she glanced at him, catching him looking. Her smile grew and her arm settled on his lower waist. The way she looked back at him was so much different than it had been before. There was something new there. When she held onto him, her grip was tighter, and she got a lot closer than before when they hugged. Something had definitely changed between them. Still, he wanted to be sure.

"Hey, Astrid?"

"Mhm?"

"Are we... Do you... Is there..?" He stumbled over his words. Astrid burst out into a laugh.

"Um... Did I do something or...?"

"I-I'm sorry, Hi-Hiccup it's just..." She caught her breath. "You're so cute when you're being so awkward and silly!" Hiccup blushed and gave his trademark lopsided grin.

"Of course." He played along.

"C'mere!" Astrid ordered, grabbing his head and pressing her lips against his. He was surprised at first, but shortly melted into it, kissing back. Toothless shrank back, obviously knowing what was about to transpire. Hiccup quickly found himself being straddled by Astrid, passion rising in his chest. His whole body seemed to warm up at her touch. His mind seemed to go numb, thoughts slurring. He slung his arms around her, pulling her closer by her waist. She was now pressed so close to him that he could feel her heart beat vibrate through her chest. A bolt of pain shot up his leg. He broke the kiss and winced. Astrid's face quickly changed to one of concern.

"What's wrong? was I too firm?" She fretted.

"No it's just..." He looked toward his leg, only to see that one of the spikes from her skirt digging in so far that blood spilled out. "That..." He said. Astrid looked to where he was pointing, her hair whipped in his face a moment before Astrid recoiled. He was in more pain than he let on; not wanting to make her guilty.

"Oh gods! I'm so sorry, Hic!" She backed away. "Does it hurt? I can go get Gothi-"

"Astrid, it's fine, really. J-just a small cut." He assured her. Still, she inspected the shallow, but flowing wound carefully.

"Hold on, I think I might have something..." She jogged over to Stormfly, who was nestled comfortably in the grassy floor. A satchel lay on the floor, and she rummaged through it. A moment later, she came back with a piece of white cloth. She knelt beside him and started to firmly wrap his cut with it. It didn't hurt; it was more soothing. After she had wrapped it around multiple times and tied the two ends together tightly, she gently stroked his leg with her hand.

"Thanks, Astrid." He said, grateful.

"It's nothing. My aunt always said not to go anywhere outside of home without some kind of medical supplies." She smiled sadly. Hiccup sat up and kissed her again. Turning their attention back to the view, Hiccup spoke his mind.

"So when do you want to go back to Dragon's Edge?" Astrid sat down again with him.

"Let's go tomorrow. I want to savour being home for a bit longer." She replied curling up beside him once more.

Then Hiccup remembered.

It was Snotlout's birthday tomorrow.