Chapter 9.

Astrid cranked the door open slowly, taking in deep, calming breaths, trying to keep herself calm. It was difficult to do, because all the shock and panic from the last couple hours was starting catch up with her, making her feel dizzy and weak in the knees.

Gobber and Stoick were whispering quietly at the table, Gothi standing before them, nodding her head every now and then. In a mad panic, Astrid's eyes scanned the room for Hiccup, nearly having a heart attack when she noticed he was no longer on Gothi's examination table.

She sighed in relief when she noticed the bed in the corner, and the form lying on it. She ignored the adults, and instantly went straight to the bed, afraid of what she'd see but anxious to see him too.

He was pale- as in, really really pale. His skin looked nearly white, except for his cheeks, which were slightly flushed with what she supposed to be a fever. To her extreme relief, she noticed his chest rising and falling under the blankets, although the cloth prevented her from seeing his wound.

"Astrid." Stoick whispered loudly. She turned around, her heart beat picking up rapid speeds in worry.

"Yes..?" She asked cautiously, stepping closer to the small group.

Stoick scooted over on the bench, motioning for her to sit down, which she did so. Gobber and Gothi sat across from them, and they were both quiet. (Well, Gobber was, Gothi is always silent)

Stoick remained quiet for several moments, making her panic rise all the more. Why didn't he just tell her already!? This waiting was driving her crazy!

"I wanted to thank you." Stoick finally murmured. "Gothi…" He waved a hand towards the elder, who nodded back and smiled at Astrid. "She said she didn't even have to anymore then wash it out. You did well, Astrid."

Astrid let out a sputtering breath of relief, half laughing in it and wiping away some tears that escaped her eyes. "Oh… oh thank the gods, I thought…"

Stoick smiled and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close into a half hug. Instinct told her to stiffen, so she did, but after a few seconds she relaxed, almost finding the courage to hug him back.

"Thank you so much, Astrid. For protecting Hiccup… for doing… all that." He gestured about with one hand. "For him." His hand then gestured softly towards Hiccup. He turned and smiled at her through the beard (Again, drat that beard!) "Thank you." He finished simply.

Astrid smiled and scooted away, still rather uncomfortable in his tight grasp. "It's not a problem chief- er, Stoick." She blushed and dared to say, "I wanted to."

Stoick laughed quietly. "Yes, I know, lass. Boy, do I know."

That puzzled her, but she shrugged it off, to tired and mentally exhausted to question it. "So he'll be alright?" She asked hopefully.

Gobber took this moment to jump in on the conversation. "Yep, old Gothi here-" whack "said you did a good job with the stitched, and he should be good as new in a couple of weeks. A week or two in bed, then he can be up and moving around if Toothless helps him out a bit."

The dragon's head shot up from the opposite side of the table, and he cooed and nodded his head, almost as though he understood. IT was rather comical, because at the position his head was in, it looked like he too was sitting at the table, nodding his head seriously.

"Good dragon." Gobber laughed, rubbing Toothless head.

Astrid listened to them pick up the conversation again, her eyes wandering back to Hiccup's still body. When would he wake up? He wouldn't be in a coma again would he?

"He's just exhausted." Stoick reassured her, as though reading her mind. "Gothi says he should wake up soon- perhaps tonight or early tomorrow."

Astrid nodded, still remaining silent. So… she probably wouldn't get to see him as soon as he woke up. She felt rather depressed at that thought, she'd been hoping to see him as soon as he dropped back into consciousness…

Stoick cleared his throat and stood up, sliding the bench and Astrid away from the table. She nearly toppled over the moment, having been distracted and not paying attention. Gobber also stood up and walked towards the door.

"We have to get back to work… but-" Stoick's beard twitched, making Astrid wonder if he was smiling or just had an itch… (That stupid beard!)

"Astrid." Stoick said in his 'commander' tone. "You'll stay here and watch Hiccup, alright? Gothi has other customers to take care of, and I want you to make sure Hiccup doesn't wake up and try taking off. I'll try to be back before he wakes up, but if something comes up, I might not…" Stoick's voice trailed off in regret. "But I'll try."

Astrid nodded, but she had a sneaking suspicion Stoick had put her in charge of Hiccup for more than one reason. Because, for one thing, she'd been practicing medicine. She was certain she could care for Gothi's patients while the elder watched over Hiccup. But no, Stoick had placed her in charge of Hiccup.

He so totally knows…

…

As Stoick had predicted, Hiccup didn't even so stir until late that afternoon. The sun was just disappearing from the sky, and the gang had already come and gone, wondering how Hiccup was and wanting to learn if he was alright. They had originally wanted to stay and wait with Astrid for Hiccup to wake up, but Gothi shooed them all out, for the reason she said, "They're too loud and Hiccup needs rest." But Astrid suspected the elder also wanted to play match maker, and because the twins seemed to irritate her no matter what they did.

Astrid was rereading one of the books she'd read a few days ago, checking over stuff about extreme burns, when she heard a small, low groan. For a moment, she thought it had only been Toothless, but the dragon had gone outside to find something to eat, so it couldn't be him.

Her eyes widened and she literally tossed the book across the room in her hurry to get to Hiccup's bedside. She crashed into the chair beside it, leaning forward hesitantly and worriedly.

Hiccup's eyes squeezed shut a bit tighter and he opened his mouth to moan again, the sound squeezing Astrid's heart. He was in obvious pain- of course he was! He'd just been stabbed in the stomach for Odin's sake!

"Hiccup..?" She whispered quietly, resting a hand lightly on his chest, feeling the shaky rise and fall of it as he breathed.

"Astrih…" Hiccup mumbled incoherently, his eyes still shut and his breathing unnaturally heavy. "You… you alright?"

Astrid smiled softly to herself, her hand moving down to grab his hand. "I'm just fine Hiccup."

"T-toothless?"

"Fine too. You're the only one hurt."

Hiccup nodded, licking his lips before sighing and blinking his eyes open at her. Seeing those bright emerald eyes brought more comfort then she thought possible, and she smiled a wider upon seeing them.

He moaned and tried to roll onto his side, Astrid offering help when he needed it. At one point he froze in place, hissing through his teeth for a long minute before completely turning onto his side.

"S-sorry…" Hiccup said hoarsely.

"For what?"

"Being useless… and for- for yelling…"

Astrid laughed quietly and slid out of her chair, kneeling on the ground so she was now eye level with him. "You idiot." She whispered, her fingers playing with his hand. "Don't you realize… you saved us? You save Berk, and just because you got hurt during it does not mean you're useless."

Hiccup stared at her, then blinked a few times in bewilderment.

"And as for the yelling…" Astrid sighed and leaned back, her spine bumping against the chair. "I'm sorry too."

"But I was being a mutton head." Hiccup insisted, scowling and looking frustrated with himself.

"Yes. Yes you were." Astrid agreed, but before he could say more she finished. "For not telling me what was bothering you.

Hiccup snapped his jaw shut, his eyes softening and he lowered his gaze to their clasped hands.

"Hey…" Astrid whispered, resting a finger under his chin and drawing his face up to look at her. "I'll always be here for you, alright? And..." She quieted a bit, and was tempted to chicken out and not say anything, but Hiccup's eyes brightened and held a sparkle, silently begging her to finish.

"I care about you, alright? And no matter what you do, even if you yell at me, I can't stop lo-liking you." Astrid hurried to finish, nearly spilling her secret. "And besides, I knew for the most part was bothering you, so don't let that bug you alright? All's forgiven, and for now, I just want you to focus on getting well, alright?"

Hiccup looked away, but she again used her cupped hand to drag his face back to face her. "Got it!?" She asked fiercely.

Hiccup nodded meekly. "Yes ma'am." He smiled softly but then grimaced, "But… really, I'm sorry. I shouldn't've yelled."

"It's alright." She reassured. "Just… next time tell me what's eatin' you before ignoring me alright? And also." He stared at her, "no matter what you do- and even if you think it makes you look weak- don't ignore me. Please. I have never thought you weak… well, not since I've gotten to know you anyways." She added with a hint of embarrassment. "So, no more hiding it, alright?"

Hiccup nodded, whispering almost inaudibly. "Right… thank you."

Astrid smiled and wrapped an arm around him, giving him the gentlest hug she could manage. In truth, she wanted to scoop him up and squeeze him to death, for just being alive, but also for being a stupid idiot for driving that dragon into the cave all by himself.

"You hungry?" Astrid asked, pulling away so she could see his face.

He looked rather dazed, and that pushed Astrid into nurse mode instantly. She stood up and walked to the fire pit, pulling the pot out and dipping the soup into a bowl. She added a bit of cold water to help it cool faster, then turned and rushed back to the bed.

Hiccup was giving her an amused expression. "Astrid… I'm not hungry. Just… really tired." He murmured.

Astrid sat the bowl on the edge of the table, "You need to eat, Hiccup."

"Later…" Hiccup whispered, trying to roll over onto his other side. "This stinks…" he muttered angrily.

Astrid laughed and helped him roll over again, wincing every time he groaned or let out any noise of pain. "Are you sure you want to sleep...?"

"Em, yeah…" Hiccup whispered contentedly. "Lullaby, m'lady?"

Astrid laughed, "Not today, Dragon Boy. If you eat your food… maybe…"

"Stick around till I wake up, then I'll eat and get my lullaby."

"I'll warn you that I have a terrible set of pipes."

Hiccup faltered, then picked up the banter again. "Well, if it's better than your yaknog, I think I can take it."

"You…" Astrid punched him lightly in the arm, more liked tap since she figured he was injured enough without a bruised arm to add to the pot.

Hiccup moved his pillow up a bit, burying his face into it. "Hm… soft pillow…"

Astrid rolled her eyes and folded the blanket a bit further up his shoulders. "You're a dork." And such a cute one too, she added silently, blushing a bit at the thought.

"Thanks…" Hiccup murmured a reply. "You're cute…"

He's delusional! Astrid thought wildly, but his words only made her blush more, given to her previous thought.

"Hiccup..?"

"Uh-oh…" He whispered, his voice shocked and slightly panicked. "Did I say that out loud?"

Astrid chuckled, "Yeah, you kinda did."

"Ugh the gods hate me…" Hiccup whispered angrily into the pillow.

Astrid laughed again before ruffling his hair with her hand and turning to grab her chair once more, searching abouit a bit for her book. "Your dad should be back soon, I'll probably have to leave once he gets her though, so goodnight. I'll be back to see you in the morning." She informed him.

"Ah… okay… no lullaby?" Hiccup muttered dreamily.

"Maybe tomorrow." Astrid laughed, hiding behind her hand in her amusement.

"Hm, alright, guess I can wait till then."

"Goodnight, Hiccup.

"Night Astrid…"

…

Yep. Life on Berk is amazing. Especially when I have an amazing and terrific person to share it with, huh milady?

"You're so dramatic, you know that right?"

"Yep, but you love me for it."

"Don't really know why though…"

"Anyways, it took me a long time to actually ask Astrid out… nearly two years later actually. But hey! I wanted it to be perfect.

"Grrrrrmrbrrrgrowl!"

"Toothless is fed up with me, I think. He believes himself to be a professional match maker."

"He's shoved us into more kisses then I can count. Stormfly too, huh girl?"

"Squawk!"

"Berk should really be called Match Maker island. There's my Dad, Gothi, Toothless, Stormfly, Fishlegs, Heather, the twins- even Snotlout!"

"Hey, without Heather's help, it might've taken even longer for us to get together you know."

"And sheesh, Dagur really knows how to tease…"

"Yep, watching you blush is one of the funniest things ever. You literally turn into a tomato."

"Astrid! What, you like it when he teases me about you?"

"Ummm…."

"Grrgrrgrr…"

"Stop laughing Toothless!"

The end.

Thank you everyone for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing! Hope you liked this, and now to go on to my other stories! Got so many to do…

I have two new one-shot series coming up as well. There will be a Birthday one, where I write everyone's birthdays, (It was requested) and then I'll also be doing a series of one-shots based on everyone's reactions of Hiccstrid getting together after season 4 RTTE.

Anyways, thanks again! Tootles for now!

-FanWriter02