Astrid, you and I have been through everything together.

You don't think we can handle this?

Astrid, you have me. No matter what.

Okay, whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean.

I am with you.

There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid.

Always.

The world around her was consumed by darkness but it didn't matter as much as it used to. She had always relied so heavily on her vision that she had become blind to the things that couldn't be seen.

Such as the way her fingers tingled whenever Hiccup touched her.

His scent. His warmth. His very presence.

She knew things between had been changing for a while now. They were closer and he was her best friend but at the same time, so much more. She had not really been able to see that, not until she lost her sight.

It was a relief to have finally dealt with the Triple Stryke, and Astrid never imagined she would have been the one to figure it out. But upon becoming blind, her other senses were working more efficiently. She especially enjoyed listening to Hiccup muttering things under his breath and the creaking sound of his prosthetic leg whenever he walked.

Even if she couldn't see him, she was still able to single him out and that thought had comforted her a little.

She was currently waiting for Gothi to arrive. Hiccup had informed her it would take about three days since Gothi was making another stop on the way. Astrid would just have to be patient in the meantime.

But that was easier said than done.

Especially when there was still an inkling sense of fear lurking in her mind. What if Gothi was not able to reverse the damage? What then? Would she be permanently without sight?

Although Hiccup's reassurance had calmed her down as much as it had touched her heart, being blind for the rest of her life would definitely be a great challenge. She would need to rely on other people and that idea alone reawoke the feeling of being inaduqate and helpless.

Astrid blinked back the tears, willing herself not to cry. She was stronger than that.

"You are very quiet," a soft, familiar voice to her left rang. "Are you alright?" She could feel his hand descend over hers, momentarily subduing her qualms.

Astrid sniffed. "I.. I'm fine," she whispered, voice slightly shaky. She took a deep breath.

"Did you mean it? What you said back in the forest?"

"Every word," he replied in a firm tone. "You have me, Astrid. No matter what." He squeezed her hand. Astrid nodded and felt him pull her into his arms. She breathed him in.

"It's going to be hard.. if I don't get my vision back."

"And I will be with you every step of the way, Astrid. I promise you," he assured her. "We are a team, you and me. Nothing can change that."

She could hear the rain starting to drip over the wooden floor outside.

"I still wish I could see you," she mumbled.

He lifted her hand up to his face. "You can."

She paused for a moment before starting to trace all the way down to the small scar on his chin. She memorized him as best as she could. Moving her fingertips over his cheekbones and nose, before brushing them across his soft lips.

"Are you smiling right now?" she gasped. "You are, aren't you?" she continued suddenly feeling elated about this new discovery.

"I am," Hiccup chuckled in affirmation and then kissed her knuckles. "And so are you, milady."

"Oh." She almost had not noticed.

She bit her lip, feeling her cheeks heat up. "Thank you."

He brushed a piece of hair away from her face before pressing his lips against her hand again. "Always."

AN: How great was season 4? Hiccup's speech made me cry. I will write some longer RTTE drabbles when I get time in the future.