The idea of this small hiatus was to come up with a plot for the story as I really didn't have one when I started writing, unfortunately it didn't work so I have decided to just wing it. Hope you enjoy the ride!

Word Count: 2k

Warning: Mention of character deaths, flashbacks, past AstridxHiccup (or future, depending on how you see it), cursing.

Recap: Hiccup is already changing the past, starting by Stoick's expedition to the nest, but it doesn't stop there; things get more complicated after the confrontation between Astrid and Hiccup.

Chapter 07 – Night Fury II

Their gazes clashed but both quickly looked away in anger.

Hiccup stared at Astrid's retreating back with dazed eyes; his mind was somewhere else, stuck in the memory of another time.

-With the war raging on, nobody could waste time and effort on being a couple but that didn't mean Hiccup's appreciation for the blonde Viking faded, in fact it grew with each passing day and if there was one thing Hiccup hated, it was to see her getting hurt, it was a recurring argument between them.

"It's a trap!" Hiccup insisted once again, Astrid sighed and sharpened her axe one last time before setting it down.

"We don't have time for our usual fight Hiccup" Astrid commented angrily, crossing her arms. "Berk needs this victory. People are losing hope of this war ever ending"

Hiccup frowned and tried to come up with something to say "I know that, but I also know how Dagur thinks, he is setting this up for an ambush"

Astrid shook her head and picked her weapon and travelling pack "Do you have any proof? Did you tell that to your father? He is the one leading the attack"

"I did but without proof he didn't believe me" Hiccup mumbled but needlessly moved aside and let Astrid storm past him to reach the door "And neither will you" He finished resignedly.

Astrid sighed sadly, anger ebbing away and stepped closer to Hiccup, bringing her hand up to caress his cheek. Hiccup leaned in to the unexpected touch "Don't worry, your father is strong, he will protect us" She bit her lip and hesitated for a second before closing her eyes, leaning in to kiss the surprised male on the lips "Take care of Berk while we are gone Hiccup"

Hiccup gave her one last hug and nodded, not trusting his voice not to break. Astrid gave him one of her rare soft smile and left, leaving Hiccup staring at her retreating back.

That was the last time he saw her. -

In the end it turned out Hiccup was right. Astrid and Stoick along with their small party were killed by the Berserkers in a clever ambush. Hiccup didn't have time to mourn or feel guilty. With Spitelout long dead it was up to him to lead Berk, and Hiccup did, he forged on and buried everything to fulfill his promise, with Toothless firmly by his side.

Hiccup felt faint watching Astrid storm away just like her future-self did that night, chin high and shoulders set, not looking back.

"You alright Hiccup?" Tuffnut asked worriedly when he felt Hiccup lean heavily against him. The green eyed teen was pale.

"Yeah" Hiccup murmured and straightened his posture, the twins exchanged a look and took a step back to give Hiccup room "I have things to do so I will see you all tomorrow"

And just like that Astrid and Hiccup were gone, leaving the rest staring dumfounded at the gate, trying to figure out what exactly happened. None of them had ever seen Hiccup act like that before, and those who knew of his crush of Astrid, were even more surprised.

Gobber pinched the bridge of his nose with his good hand as he tried to come up with a way to fix the mess that had become the dragon training. It really was important to know about dragons but it was equally important, if not more so, to have good teamwork. They couldn't simply go out there and fight solo as the teens had been doing.

-What I am doing wrong? - Thought Gobber as he watched the rest of the fidgeting teens in front of him.

"I will talk with him" Gobber finally said before the rest could get any ideas of following Hiccup.

"Wait! He didn't do anything wrong!" Tuffnut exclaimed, getting in front of the surprised Gobber "If anything Snotlout should be punished!"

"Wait what?! How can it be my fault? You tripped Astrid and Ruffnut tripped me!"

"It was your idea!"

"You-! Let's resolve this like proper Vikings!"

"Tch, you are on!"

"Shut up! Both of you" Gobber snapped, besides him Fishlegs flinched. "I don't blame Hiccup for what happened Tuffnut, I just want to know if he is okay"

"Then I will go after Astrid" Ruffnut commented with a sigh, a pissed off Astrid wasn't to be taken lightly and she didn't trust any of the boys with her.

Gobber nodded and ushered the rest out "I will see you lads at dinner"

But by the time Gobber got rid of the teens and went in search of his wayward apprentice, Hiccup was nowhere to be found.

"What will I do with you lad"

Ruffnut had more luck than Gobber. Unlike Hiccup who had mastered ways to sneak about, Astrid gathered attention wherever she went, so Ruffnut had an easier time tracking her down, just by asking the villagers where she went.

"Astrid!" Ruffnut called out when she finally spotted her friend at the edge of Berk, just about to enter the forest.

"Don't bother me Ruffnut," Astrid snapped over her shoulder and continued walking to her usual training spot, she needed to vent her frustration "I'm not in the mood"

"Too bad for you, we are talking" Ruffnut deadpanned and followed her friend, ignoring the glare that was thrown her way with ease.

The only two girls of the group continued on in silence, even after Berk was out of sight.

"So what do you want?" Astrid finally asked, throwing her axe to a mutilated trunk, the blade burying itself deep in the bark.

"Why do you hate Hiccup so much?" Ruffnut took a seat a short distance from Astrid and watched he friend practice her shorts with the axe.

"I don't- I just…ugh, he is just so… so…" Astrid tried to come up with a word but to her frustration she couldn't, with a growl she went to retrieve he weapon so she could throw it again.

"Un-Viking?" Ruffnut offered helpfully, Astrid couldn't help but smile a bit at that.

"That is not even a word, but yeah. Hiccup is exactly that and he is the son of the chief," The blonde sighed and sat down next to Ruffnut, their backs resting against the tree. "The words he uttered today, how could he say something like that? How could you for that matter"

"I think Hiccup worded it that way to rile you up" Ruffnut started hesitantly, she knew more of the green-eyed teen now but not enough "The way I see it, everyone in this village fight for their loved ones, but to present a united front to the rest of the world, we say we protect Berk as a whole"

They remained quiet for a while after that, both lost in their thoughts. Astrid sighed and looked up at the darkening sky.

"Next time you see Hiccup," Ruffnut started "Try looking at him for what he is, not for what he is not"

"…" Astrid looked at her unusually pensive friend; it really was strange to see Ruffnut this way but Astrid could get used to it. "I will try. But just because you asked"

Ruffnut smiled.

"I'm so stupid. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?"

Toothless opened one of his eyes at the sound of the familiar voice, that of the young human that had been bothering him the last couple of days. He stood up from his resting position and painfully moved behind one of the rocks, from there he would be able to hide and observe. Toothless couldn't deny that he was curious about the boy who would just visit him.

But to the Night Fury's surprise the human knew immediately where the dragon was hiding. Both set of eyes clashed before the dragon snorted and move out of his hiding place, growling when Hiccup tried to approach and jarring his wound in the process.

Suddenly Toothless stumbled when his wound reopened, immediately Hiccup reached out with a concerned expression but Toothless panicked in his weakened state. The Night Fury didn't mean to but he lashed out, his claw easily sinking on the human's soft flesh with a sickening sound.

"Shit…" Hiccup stumbled back even as the dragon recoiled, staring at his own now bloodied claw with a dumfounded expression. The wound went from Hiccup's right shoulder across the upped half of his chest.

Warm liquid slipped through relatively small fingers, Hiccup felt to his knees and tried to put pressure on the quite deep wound. Toothless whined guiltily at the sight.

"Is okay bud." The human gasped out, looking at the dragon between the fringes of his hair. Toothless eyes widened when he realized the way the human was looking at him. There was no anger or accusation; those eyes were full of forgiveness, understanding and acceptance. It all felt so familiar, the Night Fury shook his head and bowed his head to ask for forgiveness.

"I know you didn't mean to do it" Hiccup said softly, trying to hide the pain he was feeling but the dragon perceived it anyway. "Just my stupidity getting me to act before thinking.

"I'm the one that's sorry" Hiccup continued on with a sigh and closed his eyes, hoping the dragon wouldn't kill him at his next words. "It's my fault you got injured, I'm so sorry Toothless"

For a moment Hiccup wished he had his friend in front of him, the one he shared so many memories with but immediately shook that thought out of his head, he now had a second chance at everything; he couldn't be so ungraceful even if it sometimes felt more like punishment.

Toothless knew he should feel rage but now that he paid attention to the weakening human, he recognized there was something familiar about him. With big eyes the dragon got closer to the boy and gently sniffed him, making sure to not aggravate the injury.

"Toothless?" Hiccup asked confused.

Toothless whined and took a step back to sniff the bandages still on his side, Hiccup eyes widened in understanding. Toothless had used his scent to identify the person who took care of the wounds the first time around.

The dragon's eyes dilated and he stared at Hiccup with familiar curiosity before pointing at the hastily made bandages.

"Yes it was me who took care of that, I really want to do a better job now though"

Hiccup stood up with some difficulty, doing his best to ignore the pain on his front and reached out to the dragon but Toothless just growled warningly giving a pointed look at Hiccup's wound.

"You want me to treat mine?" Hiccup asked and reached for his bag, smiling when Toothless relaxed and sat down to observe him. "You are so bossy, but after me is your turn" At that the dragon titled its head as his eyes followed Hiccup's movement as he took out the medical supplies that Hiccup originally brought to the cove to treat the dragon.

Hiccup could still see his friend in those eyes. And it was further proved when the dragon whined and made a small gesture with his head to the wound when Hiccup took his tunic off with a painful grimace.

"Is okay" Hiccup said reassuringly, trying to will that guilt away "This is my entire fault." Hiccup admitted "But I will make it up to you, I promise"

Hiccup grinned once he was done and offered the fish he managed to sneak out from the village, after the whole ring fiasco. Hopeful Toothless would be distracted enough to allow him to take care of these wounds.

"I know is you favorite" Toothless sniffed the basked suspiciously before purring and digging in.

Things were looking up

End Chapter 7

A/N: So far the story remains GEN so no pairing for Hiccup aside from that bit from where he came from.

I had 20 reviews for the last chapter, not to mention all those story favorites and followers, thank you all very much!