They were upstairs in Hiccup's room. Astrid laid her head on his shoulder while sitting next to him on his bed. Hiccup sighed.
"I know what you are going to talk about. You are going to try to convince me to agree. I just... I can't, Astrid. You know me... I'm not the kind of guy who goes for the kill, and I can't face them again. I just can't." Hiccup said softly, voice trembling.
"I get it, Hiccup. I really do. But don't you want those pirates to be punished for what they did to you?" Astrid said, placing a hand on his chest.
"Yeah, I want them to be punished so bad! But I can't do it! There's got to be another way." He said.
"Like what?" She asked.
"I... I don't know! I just... I don't know what to do anymore." He said with tears in his eyes. Astrid sighed.
"Look, Hiccup. I understand that this must be really hard for you, but you have to do this. If you don't do anything to stop those pirates now, then they are just going to keep capturing innocent people, and make them go through what you went through. Think about your friends, Hiccup. Think about the people of Berk. We fly on the backs of dragons, which makes us an easy target for those pirates. And I know you, Hiccup. I know you so well. If anything happens to any of us, you are just going to keep blaming yourself for not doing anything to stop it. What if it happened to me? What if I get captured by them while flying on Stormfly one day? So please, Hiccup. Please agree with this so you can stop those pirates for good. Do this for me." Astrid said while cupping his cheeks. Hiccup began to sob. He couldn't imagine anyone going through what he did. And he would never forgive himself if Astrid got captured by them.
"I... I would never be able to live with myself if anything happened to you." He sobbed. Astrid hugged him tightly.
"B-but I'm scared. I'm scared to face them again." He whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks.
"I know, baby. But I will be right next to you the whole time." She said while rubbing his back.
"Promise?" He asked so softly, she almost didn't hear.
"Yes, Hiccup. I promise." She kissed his head.
It was late afternoon when they decided to look for Stoick. They held hands while looking for him, and eventually found him in the forge with Gobber. Astrid made sure that no one else was in the forge before speaking.
"Hiccup has made his decision, Chief." Astrid said. She looked at Hiccup, telling him to continue. She felt him squeeze her hand tighter before he spoke.
"I... I agree with your plan. Do what you have to do." Hiccup said softly. Stoick and Gobber looked at each other and smiled.
"But I won't land on the ship until they are tied up and gagged. I don't want them near me, and I don't want to hear their voice." He said with a slight tremble in his voice.
"Of course, son." Stoick said, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You are doing the right thing, lad." Gobber said with a small smile.
"Well then, we will leave tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you, son?" Stoick asked. Hiccup nodded and left with Astrid.
Hiccup didn't eat much that evening, and decided to go to bed early.