I don't think much of it when Astrid walks out the door. She probably just needs some alone time. Truth is, I can't sleep either. My mind is racing a mile a minute, and I can't stop the thoughts that keep me awake. Most of it is about Dagur. I've spent the last few months out on my own with Windshear, taking the time to sort out my thoughts and feelings about my situation.

It wasn't easy. Anyone in my place would say so as well.

Dagur destroyed my entire island. He may be my brother, but how in the name of Thor am I supposed to simply forgive and forget? He killed my family. My friends. My whole village. He left me with no one. Without a family. Sure, technically he is family, but he's responsible for all of my suffering. All of my pain. How do you patch things up with the one who destroyed everything you know and love?

You don't.

I sit up and look around the dark room. Astrid wasn't kidding when she said her hut was made to defend the Edge. She had shields and spare axes hung up on her walls. Her empty bed was in the opposite corner from the one she had set up for me while I stay here. I stand up and pick up my axe, walking to the door. Maybe she wouldn't mind me joining her.

As soon as I take a step outside, I notice Hiccup walking down to the beach. I hide in the shadows behind the hut, so he won't notice. I follow his path down to the beach, where Astrid is.

Wait.

Astrid?

Hiccup is going to see Astrid!

Those two sneaky lovebirds. For a minute I think that this was a planned meeting, but when Hiccup approaches her, she jumps. Okay, they weren't planning to meet up.

But oh my gods, this is amazing.

I move around to the front of the hut, making sure they can't see me should they turn around. Astrid clears a space for Hiccup to sit down beside her. They seem like they're having a conversation. Then, Astrid leans against Hiccup for a few minutes before he shrugs her off. Astrid stands up and offers her hand to pull Hiccup to his feet, er, foot. He bows, how adorable is that, and they turn around.

I turn and run back inside the hut, and lie back down on my bed. Maybe I should just sleep, and not say anything. But what would be the fun in that? I hear footsteps outside.

"Hiccup!" Astrid calls. "Good night!" She shuts the door behind her. I simply lie still with my back facing her. She sighs and walks towards her bed. I turn over and face her.

Savor this moment, Heather.

"What have you been up to?" I smirk. Her eyes are wide when she realizes I'm awake. And it's pretty obvious I know what happened.

She stutters for a second and finally regains her speech. "Nothing," she denies. "Nothing at all." Nothing indeed, Astrid.

"What were you doing with Hiccup then?" I ask, still grinning smugly.

Her mouth opens and shuts, much like a fish, as she tries to find an answer. I chuckle and stand up.

"Tell me all about it," I say as I wrap my arm around her shoulders. She shrugs me off and puts her axe back beside her bed.

"There's nothing to tell you," she insists. Even in the dim candlelight, I can clearly see that her face has turned a pale shade of pink. "I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk."

"With Hiccup?" I say in a singsong voice.

"In your wildest dreams, Heather." She rolls her eyes and brings her bangs down to cover her face. She's blushing a whole lot. "He just happened to be there."

"Astrid?" I say, feigning innocence. "Your face is red."

She turns around and glares daggers at me. I keep up the innocent façade.

"Fine," she starts, her voice threatening me to say another word. "I was going to tell him everything, like you said I should. Then I chickened out. Are you happy? Is that enough for you?"

I open my mouth to speak but I can't find the words. She looks at me, satisfied that I'm not going to say anything more and goes to lie back down on her bed. I look down at my hands. What do I do now?

I walk over to her bed and sit at the edge, placing a hand on her shoulder. I don't say anything, I don't have anything to say. I simply be there for my best friend.

"It was horrible," she mumbles, burying her face in her pillow. "He came over and saw me crying. I was going to tell him. But then I freaked out and changed the subject." I only barely make any of this out since she was still covering her face with her pillow. I could easily pull it away from her, but I doubt that would make anything better.

"Astrid, I'm sure it was alright. Judging by how he walked you back like nothing happened, I'd say he didn't suspect a thing," I reassure her. She brings down her pillow from her bloodshot eyes to look at me.

"You think?" She asks hopefully.

"Knowing Hiccup, if things got weird, he would've dismissed himself. I'd say you guys are fine." I smile at her. She sits up and wraps her arms around me. I do the same. "I know you don't want anything to change between you two, but you can't keep living like this forever."

"I know." She wipes the tears away from her eyes. "But let me do it when I feel ready?"

"Of course. I won't say a thing," I promise her. She smiles.

"I should probably get back to sleep. Long day tomorrow," she says. I pat her shoulder and stand up.

"Good night, Astrid." I walk over to my bed.

"Heather?" I turn around. "Thanks. For being there for me. I really appreciate it."

"What are friends for?" I smile widely at her. "See you in the morning." I lie down again, but not before I take one last glance at her. She will be okay.

I don't fall asleep just yet. My mind is racing, but this time, I worry about my best friend. She knows she needs to do something about her feelings. But she won't. I promised her I wouldn't interfere, but if she keeps this up, it's going to hurt her more than anything. Not to mention Hiccup.

I think about my relationship with Fishlegs. I've always been open about it, since Astrid asked that one time. And Fishlegs is Hiccup's best friend too. Wait.

What if we helped them along?

I grin slightly at the idea, and decide to pull Fishlegs aside to talk about it tomorrow.

I told Astrid I wouldn't say anything, but I didn't say I wouldn't help them along. I know the result will be worth it. She may hate me for it, but she will thank me later. No doubt about it. With that thought in mind, I fall asleep.

The next morning, Astrid isn't in her bed. Probably on her morning flight with Stormfly. I get up and leave the hut, and make a beeline for Fishlegs' hut.

He's just leaving when I arrive. He looks up and waves at me.

"Good morning, Hea-" I drag him back into his hut, effectively cutting off his greeting.

"I need your help," I tell him urgently, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one had seen what I just did. He urges me to continue. "Hiccup and Astrid."

"What about them?" He asks, raising an eyebrow. I suspect he knows where I'm going with this.

"We have to help them along. They're not getting anywhere."

He considers my suggestion for a minute before looking back at me with a playful smirk plastered on his face.

"What's the plan?"

A/N: That's it for what I've written so far. I won't promise when I can update again as I need to study for my exams, but I will promise to continue this whenever I can. I already have so many ideas that I can't wait to share and I won't be ending it anytime soon. :)