Hey, everyone. I hope your week's been going great!

Here is your chapter:

Don't You Dare Die On Me: When Hiccup is injured in battle, Astrid frets for his life.

Requested by... thepurplewriter333! Let's give her a round of applause, everyone! *loud clapping and cheers* Thanks for the request, purple, and I hope this satisfies!

This is definitely rated K+ for injury. Though I don't describe the wound, I do mention blood a couple of times. :-)

Enjoy, everyone!

Don't You Dare Die On Me

"Now!"

Hiccup's cry pierced the previously still sky, alarming the Hunters on the ship below. The Riders were too fast, however, and swooped down before the ballista could be aimed properly.

Hiccup couldn't help but grin in response to their good fortune. He scratched Toothless's head, then murmured for him to take him closer.

The Riders were stopping a considerably large shipment of Nadders that were being taken to the Dragon Hunters' base. They were almost to their destination, as the Riders had only just discovered the threat.

"Alright, bud," Hiccup muttered to his Night Fury. "It's showtime."

They landed on the ship in a reclusive corner. The Hunters hadn't spotted them yet—which was part of the plan. Hiccup quickly jumped off Toothless and looked around, making sure no Hunters were hiding. When he was satisfied that there were none, he glanced back at Toothless. "Let's go get those Nadders."

Hiccup turned to look for a hatch or an opening of some sort. The Riders hadn't seen the Nadders above deck since their capture and knew that they must've been kept below. Their plan was for Hiccup and Astrid to get the Nadders while the others distracted the Hunters. Since Astrid's dragon was a Nadder herself, the other Nadders would look to Stormfly for guidance. Hiccup would guard the group when they flew away, as Toothless was the most powerful and could most likely fend off any harm the Hunters threw at them. Later, Snotlout and Hookfang would join up with Hiccup, then Fishlegs and Meatlug, Heather and Windshear, and finally Ruff, Tuff, Barf, and Belch.

Hiccup saw Astrid sneakily approaching on Stormfly a little ways away, and nodded. Everything was going as planned. Good.

While Astrid snuck up closer, Hiccup looked around for the hatch. Toothless was also searching for it, but they were having no luck.

"Hiccup!" Astrid's voice hissed as she and Stormfly landed. "The opening—it's right over there! Stormfly and I saw it from above."

Hiccup turned to see Astrid pointing a finger to the back of the ship. He saw the faintest hint of a rim of wood, signaling that there was a hatch.

"Good work," he complimented Astrid, and she smirked back. "Alright, let's do this…"

The pair, tagged along by the dragons, rushed to the hatch. Hiccup opened it for Astrid, and she rolled her eyes at him but went down without protest. The dragons crawled down next, and Hiccup descended last.

Astrid was already looking for the Nadders—and she had found a lot of them. Cells and cages were cramped all around. Hiccup bit his lip in a burst of injustice. The dragons needed much more space to live in than this. And from the way their skin pulled at their bones, he guessed they weren't fed enough, either.

"You see any keys?" Astrid asked.

Hiccup glanced around. "Hmm... no... I'll go check down this hall." He jerked a finger to another line of cells. "You can keep looking down that one. We'll regroup here, alright? And, Toothless, Stormfly, keep watch on the hatch. We don't want any Hunters coming down here before we're ready."

The dragons rumbled in response. They would comply.

"Astrid?"

Astrid nodded and smiled at Hiccup. His heart jumped a little at her attention. "Sounds good."

The friends separated a moment later, setting down different paths.

Astrid felt the simmering heat of rage as she passed prison cells and cages that were practically stuffed with Nadders. Having one of them herself, she wanted to comfort these poor creatures. She occasionally reached out, waited a moment, then stroked a Nadder's muzzle. As they cooed at the badly needed affection, Astrid quietly swore revenge on the Hunters that had done this to these dragons. This... this was inhumane. This was wrong. And she would make sure the Hunters knew that.

She reached the end of the corridor without spotting any key rings. They must be down the other hall, she realized. Hiccup'll find them. I'll just wait at the meeting spot.

And that's when she heard the scream.

It was something she never wanted to hear again. It was strangled. Gasping. More of a horrified grunt. Something that would make anyone grimace in concern or pity. But, no—it was worse than that. Because Astrid knew who it was.

It was Hiccup.

"Hiccup? Hiccup!"

She stumbled down the hall, breaking into a run as she progressed. She ignored the way her chest heaved. The thumping of her heartbeat. All she could think of was Hiccup. He was in danger.

Hiccup.

Hiccup was in danger.

Oh—please, gods—no—not Hiccup, please—

She entered the hall Hiccup had gone down. The dragons, who were at the halfway point, looked alarmed. They had heard the scream as well. Toothless's pupils were narrowed, and he took off after Astrid down the corridor. Stormfly soon followed.

Astrid was the first one to see her friend.

She skidded to a stop in her overflow of shock.

No.

That was her first thought.

No! was her second.

Because Hiccup was on his hands and knees on the floor, gasping for breath. A Dragon Hunter stood over him, grinning evilly. Astrid noticed he was holding a dagger in his meaty hands.

A dagger with blood on it.

"HICCUP!"

The exclamation was ripped from her throat so hard it hurt. Like everything else in her body. Especially her heart. She couldn't even imagine if Hiccup was—

She sprinted forward, and with one fluid movement, jumped on the Hunter and kicked him. Toothless took over, sending a low plasma blast at the Hunter, sending him spiraling into the wall. He lay limp on the floor, unconscious. Astrid was in agreement with Toothless's actions. Though she wouldn't kill, that didn't mean she would let this Hunter go free while Hiccup was vulnerable. Even more, that man had hurt Hiccup. He had hurt her friend.

Astrid turned to the other Rider, almost fearing to see the results. Toothless already stood by him, whining in terror. Astrid saw why.

Hiccup was still hunched over, his forehead shining with sweat and eyes clenched in pain.

"Hicc-Hiccup," she choked out, falling to her knees.

She saw the wound.

Crimson blood leaked out of his chest. Luckily, it was on the right side of his torso—the dagger hadn't hit his heart. The girl let out a shaky sigh of relief, though her joy was short-lived. Meanwhile, the stain bloomed outward, further and further till Astrid couldn't take it anymore.

"Hiccup! No—no, you can't—please, hang on!" she begged. "You have to. For me, Hiccup! For me! Please!"

"Ast...ri...d..."

His arms gave a sort of tremor, as did his legs. He couldn't hold himself up much longer. Astrid realized this and immediately set to work. She tore a piece of her skirt off and quickly tried to staunch the blood flow. Hiccup groaned during the process but bit back any more screams.

When Astrid was done, he about collapsed, but Astrid caught him in time.

"Oh no—no—Hiccup!"

What happened next was a blur in her mind. Mostly because she didn't want to recall the emotions she felt bubbling inside of her. She could remember pulling Hiccup down the hall, Toothless aiding her attempt. Dragging him out of the hatch. Hollering for help.

She started to feel again when another Rider heard her plea and started to come.

Fishlegs was the first to hear. His face drained of color faster than Astrid had ever seen him pale before.

"Hiccup!" he shouted, flying down on Meatlug. Astrid could see distinct tears clinging to his eyes. She felt some in hers, as well, but refused to let them fall. She would lament later. Later, when Hiccup was safe.

"Is he—is he—" Fishlegs stuttered, panting at the sight of his fallen friend. "D-d-de-?"

"No. He's a-alive. But he's lost a lot of blood." She gestured down to her clothes, which were now stained. "We need to get him back to the Edge. Now."

Fishlegs nodded, looking sick. "I'll gather the others... send the signal that something went wrong."

"Yes. Good."

They had made a plan that if anyone was injured, or their strategy failed, one of them would send up a burst of flame The others would abandon what they were doing and regroup with the person who had sent the alarm up in the first place.

Astrid held Hiccup's head in her lap while Fishlegs directed Stormfly up to shoot an alert of fire, as Meatlug only had her lava blasts. Toothless hovered over Astrid and Hiccup. He wouldn't stop whining and wanted to take care of Hiccup himself. But Astrid refused to let Hiccup be taken from her. Instead, she put the Night Fury on watch to fend off any Hunters. The yelling had given their position away, and the burly men were advancing fast.

"Shh... shh... Hiccup, it's alright...," the young woman soothed, combing back her friend's sweaty hair. "You're going to be fine... I won't let anything else happen to you... just... just hang in there... you have to... I can't imagine a world where you're not there..."

Hiccup's eyes were fighting to stay open. "Ast... I... it's... I'm fine... why... why am I o-on the fl... fine... m' fine..." His eyelids fluttered.

"No!" Astrid gasped. "Stay—stay awake, Hiccup! You can't fall asleep... no..."

But Hiccup's eyes were nearly shut.

"Fishlegs!" Astrid screamed. "Hurry!"

The said boy was up in the clouds, hurriedly gesturing to the other Riders. Soon, they were all there and flying back to Hiccup and Astrid. Hiccup was moaning, sounding delirious in pain.

The Riders landed a moment later, horrified at the scene.

"What happened?" Snotlout whispered, staring down at his cousin in dread.

"Hiccup—there was a Hunter—he—he stabbed Hiccup in the chest," Astrid explained. "I don't think the wound is too deep, but Hiccup—he's lost a lot of blood."

Heather's normally collected appearance turned disturbed. "We have to get him back to the Edge. Quickly! Fishlegs and I can help—living on my own has taught me a few tricks, and I know Fishlegs knows a little on healing."

Fishlegs nodded. "I do."

"Good," said Astrid, relieved at the news, but still agonized for Hiccup's life. Hold on, Hiccup, she thought with a pained sigh. I... love... She was too embarrassed to even think about her feelings. "Let's board our dragons—Hiccup taught me how to fly Toothless in emergencies a little while ago. I can fly him. Stormfly can ride nearby."

"What about those Nadders we came to save?" said Ruff.

"Yeah, it's the whole reason we came," Tuff pointed out.

Astrid glared. "Hiccup is dying. We can come back later if there's time. But if we don't do something now... Hiccup... he'll..." She took in a deep breath. "We have to get him to Dragon's Edge."

Once again, the world was blocked out to Astrid. The Riders took off quickly and were back at the Edge within minutes with the speed they were going.

Astrid had Hiccup propped up against her during the flight. He was nearly passed out, the only signs that he was awake were his nearly incoherent mutters of, "Fineeee...don't...ow...could y... stop... no... sor..."

They landed at the Edge about ten minutes later. Astrid's makeshift bandage had been bled through, much to her concern. The Riders carried Hiccup to the Clubhouse and set him on a table. Heather went right into business, acting like a regular healer. She had the others get bandages and water. Astrid watched nervously as her friend was treated. Everyone hissed when Hiccp's shirt was removed, revealing a nasty wound. Astrid's heart skipped a beat. How had Hiccup not been screaming the entire time? She knew she would've... it looked so painful...

As soon as Heather started washing the injury, Hiccup shrieked a little but calmed down when the stinging eased and he realized that the pressure would help him. Astrid held his hand in hers, grasping it tightly.

"You'll get through this, Hiccup," she murmured to him. "You will... just... hang on..."

Hiccup's eyes flashed open for a second, hearing Astrid's voice and reacting. "Ye... sure..." His eyelids began to close again, but Astrid squeezed his hand.

"Don't you dare die on me, dragon boy," she said.

A faint smile played on the Hiccup's lips. "Wou... wouldn't dream of it..."

Meanwhile, Heather was finishing up. She was remarkably good, having washed away all of the blood and now finished up bandaging the stab wound. Fishlegs stood by, washing his blood-stained hands in some water.

"He'll live," said Heather with a small smirk.

Astrid ducked her head, fighting back tears of relief. Hiccup will be okay...

"Told... told you...," Hiccup whispered. He sent a squeeze over to Astrid's hands. "I'll be... fine..."

Heather crossed her arms, businesslike again. "He's lost a lot of blood, as you said before. He'll need plenty of fluids and bed rest. Nothing strenuous that could open the injury further."

Astrid nodded. "Of course... thanks, Heather... I... it means a lot..."

Heather reached over and touched Astrid's shoulder. "Sure... now, I think we should try and regroup. After all—what are we going to do next?"

Astrid inclined her head in agreement. "Yeah… good idea…"

Soon, the Riders had a meeting where they decided what they were going to do. Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the twins would go out to free the Nadders while Astrid and Heather stayed and tended to Hiccup. The groups parted, and Astrid was soon alone with her friend while Heather cleaned up.

"How are you feeling, Hiccup?" she asked the wounded Rider. He was doing a lot better since he had been bandaged and drank a lot of fluids.

Hiccup squinted up at her. "Is that a joke?"

Astrid laughed, though it was more of a breathy chuckle. "Okay, I guess I wouldn't feel great after I got stabbed, either... gods, Hiccup, you really scared us... you scared me..."

"Sorry," Hiccup apologized. "It's an occupational hazard..."

Astrid smiled again. If Hiccup was cracking jokes after nearly facing death, then she knew he would be okay in the end.

"No more getting hurt, alright?" said Astrid.

"I... make no promises... but I'll try my best, milady."

Astrid rubbed her temples. "Fair enough. Until then, try and stay away from daggers. Or knives. Or swords. Or really anything sharp—"

"Astrid," Hiccup interrupted, staring up at her with his intelligent green eyes. "I'm going to be fine."

Astrid's heart melted a little. He was right. Hiccup would recover, maybe with a scar or two, but he would get better. And that was all she cared about.

"Astrid," said Hiccup. "Thanks. You know... for taking care of me... I... I was considering letting go through all of the pain, but then... but then I heard your voice. Urging me on. I knew I couldn't leave you... so... I stayed." He took in a breath, looking a little sheepish. "Astrid... you saved my life."

"Hey," she said, though she felt terrified at the thought of losing Hiccup, "what are friends for?"

Hiccup smiled at her. "Taking care of each other."

"Correct. And you're my friend, Hiccup. A… very, very good friend."

And she couldn't help thinking, Perhaps a little more...

Of course, it's more than that, Astrid! Of COURSE!

I hope you guys liked this! Took all day to write... *cough* Mostly because I was procrastinating most of the time... *cough*

Special thanks to...

thepurplewriter333, katurdi, surferbabe2019, SunshineGirl14, FanWriter02, phieillydinyia, Guest (#1), Guest (#2), SailorMew4, aaaaannnnddddd devufairy. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Until the next chapter!