Hey, guys! :D We get HICCSTRID in this chapter! :D So, I don't think I'll be doing shout-outs this chapter, but THE NEXT CHAPTER, I will. :D So, I hope you like chapter 3 and are enjoying this story as a whole. See you next time I update! :D

"Snotlout, please sit down," Astrid tried for the utmost time. She was trying to be nice to Snotlout, really, she was, because she knew Hiccup would be upset if he returned to find his cousin dead, but at the same time, her patience with Snotlout and the twins was wearing thin. Too thin, perhaps.

If Hiccup and Fishlegs didn't get back soon, she would end up using her axe.

"Ugh! Fine!" Snotlout finally complied, motioning for Hookfang to sit down. Hookfang snorted at Astrid, and Astrid glared back at the Nightmare warningly. Hookfang instantly laid down, although he looked beyond reluctant. "When will Hiccup and Fishface be back?" Snotlout groaned. "I'm starving, Astrid!"

"Take it like a man," Astrid huffed, her hands on her hips. Behind Snotlout, the twins were trying to see how long they could bash their heads together before they passed out. The one to pass out first was the loser. Astrid had no problem with them knocking each other unconscious. It would help her more than anything, in the end.

They had moved outside after Hookfang and Barf and Belch became restless, and there they were, waiting for Hiccup and Fishlegs' return. Astrid was wondering what was keeping them so long. Normally, it took about five minutes, but so far, it had been at least fifteen. She was getting worried now.

"Astrid!"

That was Fishlegs' voice, and Astrid sighed inwardly with relief. They were back. She was freed from Snotlout and the twins. When she turned around in the direction Fishlegs' voice had come from, however, she began to worry all over again.

"Hiccup!" she said, concern evident in her voice as she raced over to him. Fishlegs was practically dragging him with one of Hiccup's arms around his shoulders. Toothless was helping to support Hiccup's other side, and Meatlug carried the basket of fish on her back, not that Astrid cared about that last detail. Hiccup's eyes were only half open, and he was abnormally pale, looking ready to collapse at any given moment.

Astrid took his face in her hands, brushing his bangs out of his face in an attempt to look into his eyes. Fishlegs and Toothless stepped back slowly as the twins and Snotlout also approached. "What happened!?" Astrid asked, unaware of how frantic she sounded. "What's wrong!?"

"He's sick," Fishlegs explained in place of Hiccup, who looked ready to pass out at that point. "It's some sort of stomach flu, I think."

"I'm alright," Hiccup said, and it was painfully obvious that he was lying. He groaned, shutting his eyes tightly and gritting his teeth, wrapping his arm around his stomach.

"Whoa, whoa," Astrid grabbed his shoulders, trying to be gentle although it didn't work very well, and she was sure she was going to give him bruises. "Okay...deep breaths, take deep breaths, Hiccup."

Hiccup nodded shakily and worked to do as she had told him to.

"He needs bedrest," Fishlegs said simply, breaking Astrid out of her thoughts. She looked over Hiccup's shoulder at Fishlegs as he spoke. "I'll make him some broth and bring it over," Fishlegs finished.

"Wait, why?" Tuffnut asked. Astrid looked back at the male twin, biting back the urge to yell at him for being so oblivious. "Is he sick?" Tuffnut asked again.

"Duh," Snotlout snapped angrily, just as Astrid was about to do the same thing. "Does he look not sick to you?"

Tuffnut tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Are we going to get tested on this, because I am completely confused," he said.

"You usually are," Snotlout grumbled. "Why am I not surprised."

"Guys, knock it off," Astrid ordered. Sure, she was going to scold Tuffnut, but now, Snotlout was just being annoying. "Thank you, Fishlegs," Astrid said, turning back to the boy she was speaking to. "Broth will be good for him. Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snotlout, you guys are welcome to eat if you want. Just make sure you keep it down."

Snotlout, Fishlegs and the twins nodded, and Astrid looked back at Hiccup. "Come on," she said. "Let's get you to bed."

Hiccup nodded shakily and let her lead him away. She couldn't help but notice how sweaty he felt, and when she put her hand on his forehead, she felt a fever raging through his veins. She sighed, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "You should have said you weren't feeling well," she scolded. Toothless and Stormfly followed them closely, Toothless on Hiccup's side and Stormfly on Astrid's side.

Hiccup sniffed. "Sorry," he murmured. "I didn't think I was sick…"

"Well," Astrid said, "do you know you're sick now?"

Hiccup nodded, swallowing thickly.

Astrid smiled sadly. "Good," she said. "Now, we'll get you to bed, and I'll get something for your fever, alright?"

Hiccup nodded again, his movements small. There was no arguing with Astrid, especially when her mind was made up about something, and Hiccup knew that.

He didn't know why he felt so rotten all of a sudden. It just seemed like one moment he was fine, and the next moment, boom, he was puking his guts up.

Well, he supposed he had it coming to him. He should have sat down and took a break when his headache got worse, but nope. Instead, he flew over the ocean on dragonback and made himself sick.

Speaking of being sick, his stomach was cramping again. He tried to ignore it, tried to think of something else or steady his breathing, but it didn't help, and he found himself sinking to his knees and throwing up again in the bushes. He heard Astrid say something he couldn't make out, but he really couldn't bring himself to care. Astrid patted his back awkwardly, and although it was clear she was at a loss of what to do, Hiccup accepted what comfort she could give him.

Besides, it was just the stomach flu. He didn't feel completely bad. As soon as he got everything out of his system, he would be back to his normal self.

Astrid sighed. "Think you're done?" she asked, and Hiccup nodded, pushing himself back to his feet. Astrid grabbed his forearm, and the two continued towards Hiccup's residence with the dragons walking behind them, watching the two dragon riders with concern.

Hiccup became a little more aware as they walked, but even then, it was hardly enough to call an improvement. He still felt too hot and weak, and walking certainly wasn't helping anything, but he continued on, because he was stubborn and didn't want to worry Astrid or his friends anymore.

When they got to Hiccup's hut, Toothless raced in front of them and shoved the door open. After a quick "thank you" to the Night Fury, Astrid and Hiccup headed inside.

Instantly, as soon as they climbed the stairs to the loft, Hiccup crawled into his bed and laid there on his front miserably, letting his eyes shut without his full knowing it. He felt Astrid pull the blanket over his body, and he relaxed further.

Astrid kissed his temple kindly. "I'll be back," she promised, her voice barely rising above a whisper. "I'm going to get some water for you."

She turned and headed off, shutting the door behind her.