A/N: *Saunters into the room manically cackling* Well, hello there! I felt as a writer it was only necessary that I remind you that in this world I am a fricken god and I can at any point kill anybody even the main character! (Of course this is a joke please don't take it seriously.) So moving forward I can say that I will NOT be adapting RTTE into this story, solely because it is as of yet, unfinished, I don't want to attempt to alter it before I know the entire story, so after Defender's of Berk I will be doing HTTYD2 and then this story will complete, I put this fiction at around 30 chapters but depending on how much I cover per chapter it might be less or more that'll be as I go thing, but I'll stop my rambling now and let you move into the story!

Hiccup felt like he was slowly sinking, his entire body floated weightlessly down until his back fell against something firm and he stopped, bits and pieces floated around the edge of his memory, the Outcasts, the fight, the other teenagers…Astrid screaming, he sat up abruptly and looked around, nothing, it was just an expansive swirling mass of smoky white.

"Yo," His head snapped to the voice and his eyes widened, he was looking at himself, well his armor at least, face mask down and eyes narrowed like he was on edge "Me? Hiccup? How do you talk to yourself these days?" The armored him chuckled to himself and gave him a quick mock salute.

Hiccup exhaled for a moment before he spoke "You're me?" He gestured between them calmly.

"How rude, you forget who watched your back all those years in the forest?" The boy in the suit placed his hand over his heart in mock hurt.

With that it clicked, he was looking at what he could assume was his mental image of what his out of control, relying solely on instinct self looked like, it was more humorous than he expected.

"Your thinking I've retained your sarcasm huh?" The suit st down with a laugh "Well, cracking jokes in the face of danger is a good way to seem unafraid."

"So, I'm dead?" Hiccup asked slowly

"Well, you're not dead yet, the rest sort of depends on the people outside you can't much help yourself at the moment," The suit explained, flopping onto his back with a thud and letting out a sigh "But still man, couldn't you use me just a little more often these days, my legs are getting stiff."

"Legs?" Hiccup asked glancing at his own feet and realizing his peg-leg was missing, he frowned.

"Were in your head remember, not a lot of people make themselves handicapped in their imaginations!" The boy quipped

Hiccup crossed his legs and sat down and the pair sat in silence.

"You're…not what I expected." Hiccup voiced slowly

"Hah, what did you think I'd be coated in blood telling you to wake up so I could kill something?" The suited boy laughed "I'm still you, you know."

"I get it but I mean," Hiccup glanced at the other boys eyes and gestured towards him "Your still all this."

"Aye, all this is what I am," The suit gestured to himself with a chuckle "I'm unnecessary now."

"What's that mean?" Hiccup asked as the suit climbed to his feet slowly.

"You haven't brought me out in a while," The suit sighed "I'm not stupid, you don't need me anymore."

"That's not true!" Hiccup exclaimed rising to his feet "I mean, I'm a good fighter but you, you're a great fighter!"

"We are the same person," The armor countered blankly "Think back, this whole Outcasts business I've come out once, when Astrid was hurt, you haven't used me sense, not to scare Mildew, not to combat the Outcasts or Alvin and Savage, face it Hiccup, you don't need me anymore."

Hiccup's arguments died in his throat and he averted his gaze to the ground "But me and you, it was us against the world for a long time."

"Hey, I said you don't need me anymore, don't act like I'm dying!" The armor snapped.

"Huh?" Hiccup hummed questioningly.

"For a smart person you're an idiot huh?" The armor blanked

"Hey, what happened to 'were the same person' crap from before." Hiccup countered

"Yeah, I guess this is pretty much the pot calling the kettle black," The armor sighed "I was only ever there to watch your back in the forest."

Hiccup tilted his head still not fully grasping what he was saying.

"Look, you don't need me to watch your back anymore! You've got friends, family, your gonna get married in the future who do you think watches your back now huh? Me or her?!" The armor snapped before placing a hand where the bridge of his nose would be and squeezing lightly.

"I'm not dying, I'm just…unnecessary now." The armor titled it's head, eyes shifted and softened, he could tell the smile he was using behind that mask.

Hiccup remained still for a moment before he smirked "I guess you're right, it was a good run, it was really fun."

"Aye, that it was." The armor laughed as he held out his hand.

Hiccup clasped it in a firm grip "Thanks."

The armor nodded as it began to break, small holes of white appearing over its surface, the gentle smile remained on its eyes the whole time and Hiccup slumped to the ground and looked around, the expanse of white just went on forever 'The rest depends on the outside huh?' He recounted to himself as he laid down and crossed his arms behind his head "Well Astrid, sorry for leaving everything to you."

Astrid's head darted from the tree tops in front of her to the boy behind her, she couldn't see his breathing and couldn't remember a heartbeat, she shook her head violently as she urged Ghost to go faster as they landed with a loud thud in the cove.

"Gothi!" Astrid shouted in panic as she clambered off of Ghost and attempted to pull Hiccup down, his weight shifted onto her and they fell in a pile, she rolled him over as the village walked over to investigate, Gothi shoved through the crowd followed by Stoick, on seeing his son on the ground he ran over as Gothi moved to Hiccup's side.

"What happened?!" Stoick demanded

"I he, we, the Outcasts got into the caves underground and I was going to help but there were catapults and he had to fight Alvin and Savage alone! Someone helped them!" Astrid roared in panic before her eyes widened.

"Where's Mildew?" Astrid growled

"No one's seen him since yesterday." Stoick replied, lips pursed in a flat line as his eyes glowed with unbridled fury.

"Mildew is a traitor!" Stoick shouted as he got to his feet "Everything that has happened in Berk over the last two days is his doing, I want that old man shown no mercy if he is found."

Astrid glanced at the village and then to Hiccup's pale face and her stomach clenched tightly, Gothi inspected the boy closely listening for breath and attempted to feel a heartbeat, Gothi glared at the armor in irritation before he pulled a small dagger from her waist and cut the leather away, she tossed the chest piece a small distance from her and placed her ear to his chest, a small smile of relief settled on her face.

It was slow and weak, but it was there, his breath was shallow and almost non-existent but it was there.

"Get back to Berk, go and assist the other Dragon Riders, we owe them our lives!" Stoick barked furiously

Astrid saw Gothi's small gentle smile and she sank to her knees in a pile, relief knocking the air out of her as Gothi rummaged through her pouch, quick, trained hands moved around Hiccup's torso, closing the gashes on his side on his chest, the bolt was removed and the area was sterilized before being wrapped, Astrid help Hiccup's hand so tightly Stoick was afraid she might break the bones in the boys hand, not that he'd say anything about it, her eyes fixed worriedly on his face, it was pale and deathly still by no means was he out of the woods yet.

Gothi finished quickly and Gobber walked over slowly, collecting himself enough to translate the woman's scrawling "She says she's done everything she can, moving him again would be dangerous so the girl should stay with him."

Stoick glared at the man angrily "Stoick, I know you want to be here too, everyone does, but the village will need a chief."

Stoick's glare softened on his friend slightly and he sighed and raked a hand through his hair "Your right Gobber, Gothi thank you, just knowing he has a chance is a great relief."

Gothi inclined her head as she wrote something else in the ground.

"I believe he will recover he has more strength that we know." Gobber translated with a small smile.

Astrid heard the words chance and strength but ignored them as he grip tightened even more on his hand, the village eventually left, Stoick followed and Astrid felt the bite of the nights cold begin to shift, the cold morning air was considerably less harsh than it was at night, but she shivered all the same, her clothing was still coated in blood and it had frozen against her chest, she ignored it and remained unmoving.

When Hiccup shivered slightly she snapped up, he had moved even if it was an unconscious twitch it was movement, she had yet to believe he was even still alive for the fear of hope swelling in her chest, that little movement created more than she cared to admit, she finally moved letting go of his hand and running to the emergency stocks, he retrieved as many furs as she could carry and draped them over him carefully, something bumped against her back and her eyes widened in surprise when Ghost curled a large grey wing over them, providing a small shield against the cold as Astrid wrapped the remaining fur over her shoulders and pulled her knee's to her chest, her chin rested on them and her hand squeezed Hiccup's gently, praying he'd squeeze back.

He didn't and she sniffed, she gritted her teeth and wiped at her itchy eyes in irritation, she was still a Hofferson, there was no way she'd cry now! Hiccup was alive, his heart was beating and he was breathing! She would. not. cry.

Despite her mental protests a sob escaped her throat and tears began sliding down her face, the stress of everything finally getting to her, Ghost didn't move, just laid her head down and allowed the humans the little privacy they gained under her wing, Toothless landed near her later in the day followed by the girls Nadder.

"I'm sorry I burrowed something of yours without permission." Ghost bowed her head slightly to the Nadder.

Stormfly titled her head in amusement "A rider is not property Ghost, I merely trust the girl, as she grows and trusts other dragons I may decide to move on, we are not slaves to them and they are not to us."

Ghost nodded her head slowly in understanding.

Toothless remained silent, but he didn't seem outwardly depressed or effected.

"You seem calm, your rider is playing with death as we speak." Ghost voiced bitterly.

"My rider is not weak," Toothless replied strongly "I trust him and I will trust him to pull through this, his soul is that of a dragon he won't let something like this stop him."

Ghost was taken aback, the blind faith the pair had in each other sparked jealously in her core and she let out a growl "I am tired, I am going to rest so try to remain quiet."

Toothless smirked knowingly "As you wish, Milady."

Astrid wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep, her hair felt matted to her head by moisture, her cheeks felt stiff she rubbed at them and realized she must have fallen asleep while she was still crying, she shivered and pulled the fur around her shoulders tighter, although the frozen blood covering her torso made it difficult to warm.

Hiccup hadn't moved and she grimaced as she gave his hand another experimental squeeze, she could have sworn she felt his hand twitch against hers and she sighed in slight relief, she didn't understand how something so miniscule could bring her so much relief at all.

Astrid hummed a slow tune, she didn't remember where she'd heard it, but images of Stoick and a woman she could only assume was Hiccup's mother flashed through her mind, they were singing it heartily in the great hall, she remembered it as their wedding song and she rubbed at Hiccup's hair slowly in realization, they were going to get married someday in the nearer future, would Hiccup write her a song? Should she write one for him? How would their relationship change from now?

Astrid began experimentally.

I'd heard girls say he's a handsome one,

I dare say I ignored them,

He has eyes of emerald green,

I dare say I ignored them,

She smirked, at least it matched the tune she had in her head, she didn't count herself among the best of singers, but she still wondered if Hiccup would sing a song with her, would he smile at her again? Or would he laugh and make some kind of joke about her voice? It was traditional that men would start the songs and the wives would join, most of the time the songs were just made up on the spot and lyrics made little to no sense, what would Hiccup sing about her? Would he sing at all?

She chuckled at the idea of him bent at the knee attempting to serenade her, arms spread wide with the slight red of embarrassment he always wore on his cheeks when he thought people would judge him harshly.

"Hey, I love you a lot," She barked at him, her voice wavering slightly as she spoke "You hear me in there? You had better wake up, don't think you'll get away from me by just dying."

The idea of fighting through hordes of demons to rescue Hiccup subdued her restlessness slightly and her chin settled back onto her knees as she held his hand tightly.

Hiccup sighed as he walked, he found everything irritating, he felt like he was missing something really important and it pissed him off, the endless expanse of swirling white pissed him off, just everything pissed him off, he let out a growl and felt his foot catch something and his eyes widened as he toppled forward and thudded against…wood?

An eye cracked open slowly, he was laying face first on a wooden floor? Wasn't he just walking through a huge expanse of nothing? He couldn't remember, what was he doing? He licked at his lips slowly and took a deep breath as he got to his feet, that's right he was going to see Astrid.

His face twisted into a small smile as he looked at whatever his feet had caught, it was a small wooden dragon, he titled his head, why did that seem so familiar? He questioned as he pushed the door to his home open, he could smell something roasting over the fire, his mouth watered slightly at the smell of mutton as he realized how hungry he was when his stomach voiced it's want of the food.

"And the triumphant chief returns." He would recognize that voice anywhere, although he felt like it sounded older, less girly almost, he shook the thought away of course they didn't sound like children they were already passed twenty.

He turned to the girl with a wide smile "Were you expecting someone else?" He purred as he walked towards her, he felt like something was missing from the clunk of his step but quickly dismissed it.

Astrid had a calculating look on her face as she rubbed at her chin playfully, of course the look disappeared when he pulled her into him by the waist and claimed her lips quickly, she titled her head, was he always this much taller than her? She pressed against him lightly as he deepened the kiss, tongue probing carefully at her bottom lip, her mouth parted and they battled for a moment as Hiccup gave her behind a quick squeeze, causing her start and moan slightly into his kiss.

"Ew!" A pair of Young voices sounded their displeasure from behind Hiccup and he pulled back with a wide grin, leaving Astrid to quickly collect herself as he turned to the pair of children, the girl slightly older, had brown russet hair like his, unruly in the same way, her eyes matched the blue of her mothers, as did the small axe on her belt, her face softened as she bounded forward and thudded into Hiccup's chest, followed by another smaller boy.

Unlike the girl, the boy inherited his mothers blonde hair and his green eyes, he had a penchant for going off on his own to hunt trolls, amongst other things Hiccup did as a child.

"Valla, Haro," Hiccup sounded happily "I missed you two little cretins!"

"That's rude dad," Valla laughed into his chest "Haro's the only cretin."

The boy pulled back, looking aghast, searching his father's face as Hiccup pretended to look calculating "I don't know, I think you both have all the qualifications to be cretins."

"Right that's enough out of you two, lunch time table, now," Astrid clapped her hands sternly and the two children darted to their seats and Hiccup moved across from them as Astrid placed plates in front of them "You're eating too?"

Hiccup frowned, he felt like there was something he was supposed to do, the feeling brought him irritation and he couldn't explained why.

"Yeah dad, You can't just sit in a dream you know." Valla sounded across from him.

Images floated through Hiccup's mind again, the Outcasts attack, the crossbow bolt, Astrid.

He was staring at a leathery grey roof, he frowned, he didn't recognize it, the bite of cold he felt on his fingers however he recognized as Berk's late air, based on the numbness he could safely say it was around sunset, although he had no idea how many days he had been asleep, his body still hurt so he decided against moving for now.

Something squeezed gently on his hand and he tilted his head enough, Astrid stared at him absently, it was like she was thinking about something far off, she didn't even register he was looking at her as she squeezed his hand again, she was humming to herself, a familiar song and he smiled gently and relaxed slightly, he looked at her face for a few moments, her eyes were red and puffy, she could see streaks on her cheeks, she was clearly crying, her usual blue shirt was died red with blood, his blood, he added mentally a fur was lazily draped over her shoulders and the leathery roof was Ghost's one extended wing.

I'd heard girls say he's a handsome one,

I dare say I ignored them,

He has eyes of emerald green,

I dare say I ignored them.

Astrid's voice reached his ears, singing calmly to the song she had been humming before hand, his eyes widened in the realization it was meant to be a wedding song.

I'd heard men say, she's got hair of gold.

I dare say I ignored them,

She has eyes of ocean blue,

I dare say I ignored them.

Hiccup's voice was raspy, Astrid's squeeze was a little tighter this time and he squeezed back, her eyes widened as she rocked back slightly, he smiled warmly at her before he continued

I met the girl they spoke about,

And I dare I've completely fallen,

Astrid's breath hitched in her throat, Hiccup was just going with whatever words floated into his head, he hoped it made sense and he hoped he didn't sound stupid.

I'd gladly sail on savage seas

and brave the gates of Hel itself,

Just to see the girl they spoke of,

At this point it was Astrid's turn so he faded off and began humming the tune slowly.

Astrid smiled widely and bit back a sob as she took a moment to think before continuing.

I met the boy they spoke about

And I dare I've completely fallen,

She swayed slightly to the tune as she continued.

I have no need for mighty deeds

I would not allow you near Hel,

I only want the boy they spoke of,

Hiccup's humming was replaced by Astrid's as he picked up the song again, this time he had a little more time to think, he recalled a few of the words his father had used and altered them slightly to suit him.

I'd bring her treasures great and small

I'd even sing her poetry

Just to see the girl they spoke of

Astrid let out a chuckle as Hiccup picked up the tune again, the tempo beginning to change towards the end of the song.

I have no need for treasures all

I care not for your poetry,

I only want the boy they spoke of,

Hiccup's foot tapped involuntarily to a beat that didn't exist as he took the song for the last of his verse.

I'm in love with the girl they spoke of

I don't know how to say it

So fair maiden please honor me

With just your hand

And just your heart

So fair maiden please honor me

With your hand in marriage.

In another time Astrid may have scoffed, but as Hiccup continued humming the tune a small tear slid from her face and she struggled with the incredible warmth and happiness his words brought her.

I'm in love with the boy they spoke of,

I know how you could say it,

So kind boy with heart of gold,

take my hand and hold it close

and hear my heart without fear

So kind boy with heart of gold

I'll gladly marry you.

Her voice faded slightly and the tempo of the song quickened as they reached the final part, the only part of the song the pair sang together, traditionally if the woman didn't return this part of the song it meant rejection, but neither of them had any idea what they were supposed to say, only the verse Stoick had once sung to Hiccup's mother remained in her head, fortunately Hiccup seemed to have the same idea.

No Scorching sun or freezing cold,

Would stop me on my journey,

Nothing can stop me from joining you

To love and kiss, to sweetly hold

For dancing and for dreaming

For all life's sorrows and delights,

I'll keep your love inside me

I'll swim and sail on savage seas

With ne'er a fear of drowning

And gladly ride the waves of life,

If you will marry me!

They fell into a silence as Astrid leaned forward, Hiccup's hand moved gently across her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb as his lips met hers, his body lit on fire and he sighed into the warmth.

Hiccup was alive, they were going to get married, Hiccup was alive, Astrid's head repeated the same two lines over and over again as they pulled back, the heat of his touch lingered on her cheek and spread around her body.

Hiccup smiled warmly "Sorry Astrid, I made you worry."

Astrid smiled brightly "You most certainly did," Her voice cracked slightly and she swallowed before she continued "But I wouldn't let you get away from me that easily."

Hiccup chuckled "Of course milady."

The two sat in silence, Hiccup's dream unforgotten as he stared at Ghost's wing, the dragon seemed to sense the lift in the mood and her wing was retracted over her back, revealing the stars of the night sky above Berk, Hiccup sighed contentedly as something black obscured his vision.

"Hey bud, did I worry you too?" Hiccup asked with a chuckle

Toothless shook his head quickly and dragged his tongue over Hiccup's form once before sauntering off, Hiccup grimaced at the layer of slime that coated him and Astrid chuckled into the back of her hand before the teens stomachs decided to sing the songs of their people.

"So, dinner?" Astrid offered

"Please." Hiccup nodded gratefully.

A fire was lit with the help of Ghost and fish was left to roast while Astrid held prop Hiccup into a seated position and inspected his bandages "Astrid, you need to change clothes, you'll freeze if you stay in those."

"I know, I know! I just didn't want to leave you here, I'll go see if there's something I can change into." Astrid waved as she got to her feet and darted around the pile of crates, searching inside them quickly, she seemed to find what she was looking for and now she was looking around with a calculating look on her face.

"What is her problem now?" Ghost asked in confusion

"Human's can't change those skins in front of their mates for some reason." Toothless voiced as he cocked his head to the side "Something about honor and virtue."

Ghost snorted "Silly creatures." Even as she said it she wandered over and sat on her hind legs, much like Toothless had done when Hiccup first fed him and spread a wing, completely obscuring Astrid from view, he heard the girl thank the dragon and Hiccup scratched the back of his head and tried not to think about what was behind the dragons wing as he turned the fish slowly.

A few moments later Astrid joined him, the clothing she wore was a little baggy clearly not made for her, but it looked warm, the hood drawn up suited her in his opinion as she blew air into her hands and rubbed them before hovering them over the fire.

Hiccup glanced up at the stars for a few seconds.

"Astrid?" He started slowly

"Yes Hiccup?" Astrid asked glancing around at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I love you." Hiccup smiled warmly and tilted his head calmly as he spoke.

Astrid's eyes widened and her cheeks colored as he glanced at the fire for a minute, her mouth opened and closed a few times before her voice finally worked "I love you too."

A/N: So, the song was actually written by me a while ago, I've been working on it since I started the story, the tradition for it I did make up but I think it suits the story, obviously I modeled it after Stoick's and Valka's, I also hinted a little at what the future of my Hiccstrid will be as we conclude the first incursion with the Outcasts! I hope you all enjoyed, if you're interested check out my other stories and as always I'll see you guys next time, peace!