Hi! Sooooo... last chapter was rough. I know and I'm sorry. I'm going to be honest... it doesn't look good in the future, but for now, let's enjoy some Hiccstrid fluff. This chapter is taking it easy... probably. It's going to be a short one, but this will be it for short chapters, this is just going to wrap up the whole fire thing.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Hiccup's Dad is on a business trip and does not know about Astrid. Also, Heather has not been informed about the fire, but since she had not come home the night before, she still does not know.

Anyway, enjoy and review!

Also, thank you CheckingDude for the comment, it will be very helpful for this chapter.

Hiccup's P.O.V

"Now, back to you Claire."

"Thank you. Last night a fire broke out on the North Street, burning an apartment complex to the ground. While there were many mild injury , fortunately no serious harm or death occurred. I am here, with the chief of police on more information."

"We have officiers scanning the area, but we have come to the conclusion that this fire was just an accident. The building was old and narrowly passed average inspection. As for the families that have lost their homes, we are doing what we can to make sure they are situated."

"In other news, regarding the fire, here is footage as a resident and Air Force retired K-9 unit dog comes out of the building, only to go back in to save her owner. This dog, named Stormfly will be awarded a medal for her service at city hall next Friday."

I clicked the off button the remote and stared at the black screen. The clock on the cable box below flashed 5:10 in neon green. I hadn't gotten much sleep since Astrid and I had gotten home late, and after that, I couldn't help but lay awake thinking about the events.

What if Astrid had died? I winced at the thought. I hadn't known her too long, but already she was one of my best friends. She was stubborn, smart, kind, funny... and beautiful. And I was not about to let her go.

I scratched behind Toothless's ear, he cooed softly at his favorite spot. It helped me ignore the pain that erupted in my chest. My lungs burned and stung as if a bee had formed its hive inside of me. I scrunched up my nose in pain and tried to adjust, but nothing helped the sensation. My whole body ached too. From all the movement from fast, adrenaline made decisions, my whole body was sore to the touch. I could only imagine what Astrid was feeling.

A small nagging inside of me, gave me the the sudden urge to check on her. Like she was in danger. I slowly got up from my spot on the couch, Toothless groaning in a complaint.

"Oh come on you lazy dog." He huffed an irritated breath and followed me up the main staircase. The slick wood floors cracked under my heavy steps as I dragged my exhausted legs up. I tiptoed down the hall, to the guest sweet.

I exhaled softly and turned the knob, slowly opening the door just a crack. Astrid was in the queen size bed, tossing and turning in her restless sleep. Her blankets had been kicked off and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep out the early morning sun that leaked through the large windows.

I opened the door a little more, just enough for me to slide through. I padded across the room, shut the blinds and pulled the silk curtains close. The room was still relatively bright, but there was nothing I could do. The thought ran across my mind of waking Astrid up.

She looked afraid and distressed as she turned over again, kicking her leg out. She winced and I could practically hear her teeth grinding in stress. Yet, she looked so tired. Her body still covered in light burns and ash, dark bags formed underneath her eyes. It had been too late to shower and she had almost fallen asleep in the car.

I bit my lip unsure of what to do. I stepped back cautiously, worried my mere presence would wake her. Toothless suddenly burst through the door way, his claws scrambling across the floor.

He pushed his hind legs allowing his front to fly up onto the bed. He carelessly walked right over Astrid and nearly drowned her in kisses. She sputtered and bolted upright. Astrid smiled at Toothless, reaching up to pet him. He moved forward to lick her ash covered cheeks. She giggled a litttle, but as he rested a paw on her chest, she grimaced and groaned.

"Hiccup?" She wheezed out. I pointed at the floor, Toothless following my command, upset that he hurt Astrid. She rest a palm on her head.

"Ugh. My head is killing me." I nodded as she tried to breathe steadily.

"I know. You took in a lot of smoke." I spoke quietly and sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled her knees to her chest and fiddled with the fitted bed sheet. I sighed, my lungs bursting in waves of pain.

"I've lost everything." She wouldn't look me in the eye, and if I was totally honest, I was glad I couldn't see them. All her emotion was hidden behind those big blue eyes, and it killed me inside.

"Hey. Hey. No you haven't." I handed her her phone. "You've got me Stormfly still. And me." I almost didn't say the last part, but we were friends, right? She'd always have my back. And I would always have hers.

"You go shower. I'll get you spare clothes and I'll try to make something to help the burning." She nodded and slowly stood.

We left the room and I showed her the bathroom. Reluctantly I left her, I felt safer if I was with her.

I went into the kitchen and began to ransack for things to help the sore tissue in my airways. I dug through things, placing random jars on the counter until I found honey. I smiled remembering my mother. Whenever I had strep she would make me eat a spoonful of honey and drink... mint tea!

I heated water on the stove and dug around some more- gods, my father was unorganized- until I found the little tea packets. Pouring the hot water into two mugs, I let the tea bags sit as I went to get Astrid some clothes.

I went through my closet and pulled out a sweatshirt from Dad's company. I sighed, knowing that I need jeans and probably a bra. There was only one person I could call for that. Oh gods and how I so did not look forward to that.

"Hello?" Ruffnut's voice cracked through the phone speaker in a sing song voice.

"Hey um Ruff, can I ask you a weird question?"

"Sure. Go for it."

"So umm... Astrid house burned down last night and well, she needs clothes."

"Oh wow! Was it a cool fire at least?"

"Umm no! She could've been killed. Anyway, she needs clothes." I said trying to get Ruff back to conversation.

"Say no more my lovesick friend. I'll be there in 5." And with that she hung up. I stared at the phone. Lovesick? I sighed, shaking my head wondering what could possibly go through her head.

As expected, 5 minuets later the front door flung open and Ruffnut came bounding in with a whole box of clothes.

"Here ya go! I didn't know what cups size Astrid was, but these should work!" She dropped the pile of tanks and sweaters and jeans and even some pajamas at my feet.

"I kinda figured you would know, but you're so awkward that I didn't want to take chances." I blushed a deep red.

"H-how would I know?!" She rolled her eyes.

"See! So awkward!" She expressed, ignoring my question completely. She quickly said goodbye to me, saying Belch needed to be taken to the vet after eating a bird, and left the house, leaving me flabbergasted.

I picked up the box and headed back upstairs and placed it back down in front of the bathroom door. I mumbled to myself about what Ruff meant by her very inappropriate statement. I froze. Inside I could hear Astrid singing. It was more of humming with a few words thrown in, but it was peaceful. Like a lullaby. Her voice was soft and unique, and although rough coughs paused her, the song was pretty. I wanted to stay and listen, but forced myself to knock instead, interrupting her song.

"Astrid? Ruff brought some clothes for you. They are right out here." She shouted a thanks and began another coughing fit. I rested my sweatshirt on top and headed back downstairs.

I sat on the counter sipping the mint tea, soothing my burning insides. Toothless was in the middle of a grooming session with Stormfly, her pearly white fur still coated in bits of debris and ash. He licked her ears clean, nuzzling her neck every now and again, trying to relax the edgy dog.

Quiet footsteps came downstairs only minutes later as Astrid stepped into the kitchen. I grinned at her. She was wearing some of Ruffnut's skinny jeans and my sweatshirt. While her hair was still soaking, she had forced it into a braid.

"Here." I handed her the mug as she joined me on the counter, our legs swinging off the edge.

"Feeling better?" I asked, my voice less hoarse that before. She nodded and sipped the tea as she watched the dogs in silence.

"Took forever to scrub the ash off." I chuckled in agreement. Astrid looked around, surveying the kitchen and the mess I had made looking for the honey. She grinned greedily and climbed down. Astrid grabbed one of the many jars that had been left out, and opened random drawers until she found a spoon. She came back over and sat again.

"Nutella? Really?" She stabbed the spoon in and pulled it back out, gooey chocolate drizzling off the sides. She grinned.

"Hey. I'm stressed and chocolate fixes all problems." She stuck the spoon in her mouth and melted at the taste. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't resist. I grabbed another spoon and snatched the jar from her hands.

"Hey!" She looked at me, offended. I chuckled as I ate a spoonful. She ripped it back from my fingers and put she spoon back in.

We laughed and took the container back and forth until our stomachs pleaded for no more and our lips were coated in chocolate.

"Now I'm feeling better." She laughed, although her voice still rough. I elbowed her playfully and she did the same. We looked at one another silently, the only sound was Toothless's inceasant licking.

"We should bathe her." Astrid nodded in agreement and jumped down. Making her way over to Stormy, Toothless growled.

"Okay Mr. Protective, she's mine, so back off." Astrid laughed helping an exhausted Stormfly up. I blinked, having never esteem Toothless be protective of someone other than me. Astrid's strong arms picked up the 65 pound dog and carried her to the bathroom.

Once the tub was running and Stormfly was happily playing in the water, I sat down next to Astrid on my knees and scrubbed her dog clean.

Astrid had the shower head, rinsing the soapy mixture off Stormfly's fur, the water revealing the shiny coat. Astrid fumbled with the head before accidentally dropping it. I jumped back as water sprayed my face. She fell back from laughing so hard.

I wiped my eyes and glared at her as I cupped water in my hands and threw it over the tub. She gasped as water hit her face and neck.

"Oh you're getting it now!" Dipping her hands in the soapy water, she splashed me. We snorted with laughter as we threw water and slapped soap in each other's faces.

By the time Stormfly was out of the bath and blow dried, the bathroom was covered in water and dog hair.

"Great! Dad is just going to love this when he comes home." Astrid chuckled as Stormfly licked her face, the dog happy to be clean again. I paused for a moment as another wave of pain turned in my chest. For a moment I thought it was gone, but it came rushing back.

"Hiccup?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we take them for a walk?" I smiled. If it got me away from the constant throbbing in my lungs, than why not? She too looked like she needed a distraction from the sensations. I grabbed two leashes and locked the front door. Astrid kept Stormy up tight as we walked towards main street. I let Toothless roam freely, allowing him to sniff... and pee on everything.

"Why do you have her so tight?" Toothless suddenly jerked me forward as he found another tree to sniffl

"Because she was trained as military. I have to keep her that way." Astrid said with a shrug. Stormfly didn't seem to mind either as she trotted along side proudly.

We kept walking for another hour, most of it silent as we got lost in our own thoughts and even the pain that still stirred within us.

"Hiccup. North Street." She pointed to the sign, her eyes poorly hid the emotion behind them. Maybe they were well hidden to the rest of the world. Maybe I was somehow the only one to see through it. I gulped.

"Do you want to turn around?" I asked nervously. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down there myself. She thought for a minute, biting her lip in contemplation.

"No. Let's pass by." She spoke bravely. I nodded and directed the dogs down the street. I didn't understand why she wanted to see her former house, now resulting to crumbs. But a stern expression flashed on her face. Like something was nagging at her.

Something was nagging me too.

We walked closer, Stormfly growling as we arrived at would have been her front steps. Astrid handed me the leash and climbed over the fallen chunks of building material, her eye brows furrowed in determination. Like she was searching for something.

"A-Astrid? Is this a good idea?" I got no answer. I waited impatiently as she disappeared. Stormfly whined and paced at my feet. A small pit in my stomach tore me up. I unclipped the leash from Stormfly's blue spiked collar. She immediately bolted in Astrid's direction, leaping over what was once the stair case.

"Astrid?" I called again several minutes later. This time I got answer.

"Hiccup? Come here!" Her voice was strained, causing panic to creep up my neck. I stumbled over the ruins, the dogs jumping and climbing over debris until we saw Astrid. Toothless pressed his nose to the ground, curious about the new smells. His ears flicking the air in alert. Astrid was crouched, looking at the ground. She looked at me worried from her position.

I came closer, my curiosity mixing with my fear. Stormfly sniffed the ground, a low growl rising up her throat.

"Hiccup..." Astrid trailed off, her breath heavy. With shaky fingers, she brushed the ground, smashing ash between her fingers and smelled it. The ash stuck to her finger tips in small clumps. Stormfly sniffed the spot Astrid had touched and snarled. I exhaled shakily.

"Hiccup, this fire... this fire was no accident."

Uh-Oh! What's going To happen?! Just kidding I know what happening. You don't though and to that I find amusing. So I said this chapter was going to be real short (900 words or so)... well it turned out to be 3000. Oh well anyway, please review! Until next time,

-Daisy