Two weeks has passed since Hiccup was rescued and he still wasn't himself. He rarely got out from his hut, and he hardly ever eats anymore. He has also been avoiding his friends, and every time they visit him at his hut, he would pretend to be asleep just so he didn't have to talk to them. The gang realised he has been avoiding them and decided to discuss about this situation.
"So... you guys noticed he has been avoiding us right? We have to do sometime about this!" Snotlout said.
"Yeah. I agree. I mean I understand why Hiccup wants to be alone. It's because something horrible happened to him and he just needs some time alone to think, but we can't just sit here and do nothing. We have to help him. He needs our help. Hiccup has been there for us when we needed him, and now it's time for us to be there for him when he needs us the most!" Fishlegs said seriously.
"I agree with you, Fishlegs. But how are we going to help him?" Astrid said.
"We can maybe go to his hut right now to talk to him? To let him know we want to help and he doesn't have to do this alone?" Tuffnut suggested.
"That's actually... not a bad idea Tuff. We can give that a shot." Fishlegs said.
The gang nodded.
A few minutes later, they were outside Hiccup's hut and were ready to go in.
"Now remember. Hiccup is still fragile right now, so we need to be gentle." Fishlegs said.
Everyone nodded and went inside.
Hiccup appeared to be sleeping. He was on his side facing the other way. Toothless looked up, saw his riders friends and pointed sadly towards Hiccup. Toothless knew Hiccup was awake and was trying to let them know. The gang understood and slowly approached Hiccup.
"Hiccup. We know you are awake. We also know that you have been avoiding us." Astrid spoke gently.
He didn't reply.
"Hiccup, we just wanted to let you know that we want to help you. We are your friends and we are always here to help. You don't have to do this alone. Please let us help you." Ruffnut said.
There was still no reply. But they waited. And after a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke but didn't move from his position.
"I lied Astrid. That day when you asked me how I was feeling, I said I was better but I'm not. I don't think I will ever feel better." Hiccup replied softly.
"Don't say that Hiccup. We can help you. And you will start to feel better in no time!" Astrid replied, trying to be cheerful.
"Y-you don't understand what they did to me. H-how much I have suffered." Hiccup replied with a quavering voice. And then he shouted, startling the gang.
"I will never get over it! I will never feel better!" He started crying and finally turned towards them.
"I... I lied. You were right. Even more happened in that ship! B-but I can't tell you! I just can't! It's too h-horrible! P-please understand! P-p-please don't make me tell you! Please!" He sobbed and begged.
Astrid approached him and hugged him tight, trying to comfort him.
The rest of the gang just stood there, not knowing what to do.
"It's okay, Hiccup. It's okay. We won't force you to tell. But you have to promise me that you will tell us when you are ready. Okay, baby?" She whispered.
He wiped his tears with his hands and nodded.