Chapter 7.

Astrid glanced up when a soft knock tapped against the door. With a quick glance back to the still sleeping Hiccup, she rose from her seat and set Gothi's book aside, trotting to the door to peak out and see who it was. If Gothi was letting them pass, it must be someone semi-close to Hiccup.

Tuffnut's face popped in the crack of the doorway, face filled with curiosity. "How's it going, Hoff?" He whispered lowly, eyes quickly glancing over the hut until they landed on Hiccup's huddled shape. "He's breathing!" He whispered loudly behind him.

"Well that's a relief." Snotlout's voice scoffed.

"Come in, guys, just… be quiet, okay?" Astrid whispered, opening the door entirely. Stoick looked up, giving the young teens a smile from his dazing place on the other cot.

"Yo… chief, you laid up too?" Ruff asked quietly.

"Day off, Ruff… I'm just waiting for Hiccup to wake up." Stoick explained, sitting up as he gestured slightly with his hand towards the bed against the opposite wall. Toothless crooned and warbled from the rafters, tail flicking down so they noticed him.

"How's he doing?" Fishlegs asked in concern, while the others grabbed chairs and pulled them to sit back to the walls, facing the middle of the room.

"He woke up a few hours ago." Astrid explained, resuming her seat by his bedside. "A lot of bruises and cuts, some broken bones and a concussion, but… Gothi says he should be alright."

"Should be?" Snotlout shook his head, "Not 'will be'?"

She glared, "Hiccup's strong, I know he'll make it. He was already cracking jokes- albeit tired ones- when he last woke up-"

"And he was flirting with Astrid." Stoick chuckled, eyes twinkling. "He'll be alright, he just needs time."

Astrid flushed but nodded, biting her lip. "Though I wish he'd wake up without us having to practically drag him out of slumber. It has me worried…"

"Concussion's do tend to make a person sleepier then normal." Fishlegs pointed out. "It's natural."

"That's what Gothi said too." Astrid sighed, lifting a leg on her chair and wrapping her arms about it, chin resting on her knee. Her eyes fell upon Hiccup's messy hair, all to be seen from under the covers. "He scares me, Thor darn it."

"We know." The others chorused.

"Young love." Stoick teased. Astrid glared.

"I wish he'd wake up…" She sighed heavily, leaning back. "I want to hear his voice again."

Snotlout rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, slumping in his chair, "You're head over heals, Astrid. Love has made you a mushy mess."

She jumped to her feet and grabbed the nearest object- her book- holding it threateningly over her head. "What did you say, Snotlout?"

He blinked and cowered further against the chair, eyes wide and mouth twitching. "Ah- eh… me? Did I say something?"

Astrid dropped back into her chair, tossing the book aside. "I'm not mushy, just caring, alright? Nothing wrong with that."

"Except you keep expressing this "love"," Snotlout cocked his fingers for emphasis, "when we're around. It's gross, ew." He made a face.

"I think it's sweet." Ruffnut squeaked.

"Enough talk." Stoick interrupted, face smiling and body shaking from silent laughter.

"No… mm some more…" A tired voice mumbled. Astrid whirled around happily, staring in joy at Hiccup's drowsy and half-lidded eyes.

"Hiccup! You're awake-"

"Flirting again, pfft, for Thor's sake." Snotlout mumbled, shaking his head with a scowl.

"You, Snotman, are just jealous." Tuffnut jabbed him in the chest with his elbow. "But no fear, you can have Ruffnut."

"Ew!"

Ruffnut gagged and looked away, instead rushing to Astrid's side, peering over her shoulder.

"Hey sleepy bones, finally awake! Don't you look peppy and ready for the day."

Hiccup refocused his attention, blinking tiredly. "'Morning to you too, Ruff."

"Afternoon now." Ruffnut motioned towards the one open window. "See? Sun's right above us now- but don't worry! We had lunch." She patted her stomach. "No food like the food of home, am I right, Tuff?"

"Indeed, sister. Though, the roasted chicken was not to my delight."

Fishlegs stepped closer, smiling shyly. "How're you feeling, Hiccup?"

The boy blinked but remained still, as he had since awakening. Astrid knew he was in pain, just from that fact alone. "Uh… as fine as I can be."

Fishlegs nodded in sympathy, hands tapping awkwardly. "Everyone's wondering what happened, what do we say?"

"The truth… but… uh, water it down." Hiccup winced as he shifted, giving Astrid a hard look when she moved to help him. She respected his wish, setting back in understanding. She'd be acting the same had she been in the situation. She wouldn't want constant help and fretting.

"Water down? Like, tell them you were injured?"

"Basically yeah. Tell them I had a run in with the Dragon Fliers- did you tell them about the Fliers..?"

"No."

Hiccup closed his eyes, chest rising and falling heavily from exhaustion. "Mm... okay, then, explain the Fliers and the Edge, then tell them I had a run in with Krogan and was injured."

Fishlegs nodded in reply, returning to his seat.

"But worries aside- how do you feel, Hiccup?" Astrid asked sternly, taking his hand in hers. "Need anything?"

"...No…" He bit his lip and his face slowly turned red, alerting her something was… off. He was lying, the poor idiot never could do it well.

"Tell me, Hiccup. I know something's bothering you."

"It can wait." He rasped lowly.

"What is it, Hiccup?"

Hiccup looked away, shifting slightly. His face was as red as a tomato now, and everyone's attention was focused on him. Toothless quirked his head to the side, staring down at his rider in confusion.

"I'll wait." He replied stiffly.

"Lass…" Stoick coughed. "I think Hiccup might need some… time alone. Only with me, because he can't stand on his own."

Hiccup sighed and pulled the blankets over his face with his good arm, whining pathetically underneath. For a moment Astrid was worried he was in serious pain, but realized upon further notice that it was made in embarrassment more then anything.

"I'm sorry, I don't-"

"Astrid- I need a bucket." Hiccup coughed quietly. Snotlout, closest to the bed, burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh ho! Gods that's-"

"Get out! All of you! Hiccup's tired and needs rest, and you guys have some explaining to do to the village- and me. Wait out on the balcony so I can get the whole story, got it?" Stoick shooed them out, slamming the door shut behind them. "Nosy little- how do you two put up with them 24/7?" Stoick shook his head in exasperation.

"Not easy." Hiccup mumbled. "Can I just… die now?"

"Oh hush." Astrid swatted his arm, instantly regretting the decision when Hiccup gave a little hiss. "Oh gods, I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you- are you okay I'm so-"

"I'm fine, just tingles. Did you guys give me something?" Hiccup's head slowly popped back out from the blankets, eyes dreary and face strained. "I feel groggy and... sluggish."

"Yes, Gothi came in about an hour ago and forced something down your throat." Astrid glanced at the bowl on the table, the liquidy orange substance appearing odd, but not revolting either. At least, not until she smelt it. It made her back away quickly and avert her mind to something else, not wanting to know what was in the so called medicine. "It was some sort of painkiller."

Hiccup gave a lopsided smile, "Enough to get me to a bucket?"

Stoick laughed and stepped forward, resting a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "Wait outside for a moment, would you, Astrid?"

She nodded and scooted away obediently, giving Hiccup's hair a fond pat before trotting to the door, smiling happily in doing so.

Sure, the Edge was overtaken and possibly destroyed, the future was uncertain, and there were more dragon riders, but Hiccup was alive… and at the moment, no one and nothing could bring her down from her happy cloud.

She slipped outside, looking back to notice Snotlout and the twins playing Truth or Dare- a dangerous game when it involved the twins- as any game with the two tended to be. Currently Snotlout was attempting to hang off the deck with using only a finger, while Hookfang sat not far away, chuckling at his riders antics.

"Guys, don't kill Snotlout, would you?" Astrid asked, before pausing. "On second thought-"

"Shut up, Astrid!"

She smiled quietly, leaning against the wall as she waited. She heard mumbled voices from inside, then a small crash that had her alert instantly. Stoick yipped, and Toothless warbled in what sounded like laughter. She relaxed, smiling again in wonder.

She knocked on the door after about five minutes of watching Snotlout struggle, and eventually fall. Stoick swung the door open, motioining for her to enter.

Hiccup was lying down again, blankets piled higih and body entirely covered. She walked to her chair again as Stoick stepped out to talk to the others, bellowing for them to stop trying to get each other killed.

"Hey, babe. How're you doing?"

"Lemeawone." Hiccup slurred. His eyes peered over the edge of his blanket, eyes fluttering tiredly. "Hm, I'm so tired of sleeping…"

Astrid smiled in understanding, "I get you. But it's what you need if you want to be back on your feet in time to help get rid of the Fliers…"

Hiccup shook his head, eyes troubled and face losing color. "I don't want you guys going near them." He whispered. "Please… you don't know-"

"Hiccup." Astrid lifted a hand to gently cup his jaw, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "We have to get the Edge back. We're not just going to let them take over and let them get away with it- they'll come for Berk next…"

"No, Astrid…" Hiccup whimpered, eyes pleading. "You don't know…"

"I saw you." Astrid said fiercely. "I know what they did, I know what he did. I know what he can do. Krogan's a monster, for sure, which gives us even more a reason to make sure he doesn't make it any further."

"I can't let you guys." Hiccup murmured. "Krogan's relentless, he'll do anything…"

"We won't give him the chance." Astrid hissed angrily. "I'll kill him myself."

Hiccup fell silent, eyes shut and mouth pressed into a thin line.

Astrid sighed and fingered his hair, rebraiding it before pressing a kiss against his forehead. "We'll be safe, and we won't go until we're sure you're healthy… and Hiccup, you don't have to come. You went through a traumatic experience-"

"You aren't going until I can go with you." Hiccup replied simply, eyes fluttering opening. "Please, if we do this, I'm helping."

"I understand…" Astrid bit her lip, nervous none the less. "But like your Dad said, we'll… figure that out later. Right now, don't focus on that. We're safe, Berk's safe, the dragons are safe… well, most of them. But for now, just rest, okay? Please, Hiccup?"

"I will." Hiccup burrowed futher into the mattress, sighing. "I'm sorry, again. I keep messing things up and…"

"No, no, Hiccup. It was Krogan- that scum- it wasn't you. You were just doing what you had to… at least, I believe so. Why did you burn down your hut?" Astrid asked in puzzlement.

"I had some things in there they couldn't get a hold of. It was for the best…" Hiccup simpered down. "And your hut, Ast. Thor, they were going through and I just- I'm sorry…"

"Not your doing. Besides, at least my hut is still standing, which is more then you can say about yours." Astrid grabbed his hand again, slowly rubbing her own against his in a comforting gesture.

"But… you don't understand- they were going through your things, and laughing and making jokes and it was-" Hiccup closed his eyes and grit his teeth visibly. "it was so darned maddening…"

Astrid laughed and leaned down to nuzzle her nose against his neck, crawling on the bed beside him so she could huddle close. Hiccup froze up and stiffened in shock, but after a few moments he relaxed, nuzzling her back.

"Thank you, babe." She whispered.

"For what?"

"For being protective." She pulled away, looking him in the eye. "No one has… has ever done that for me before. Probably because I haven't let them- I still don't… but when you do it, it's not the same. It only makes me love you more."

His face flushed, as did Astrid's when she realized the words she'd said.

"Gods, I-I…"

"Nah…" Hiccup smiled slowly. "I… I love you too, Astrid."

She leaned forward, kissing him sweetly- but gently- on the lips. She wished to hug him, but feared to do so in case she hurt him further. She did wrap one arm around his waist in a half hug, deepening the kiss ever so slightly.

She pulled away and sighed, smiling when he rested his head against her chest, eyes closing. "Sleeping again?" She teased.

"I'm sorry… so tired…" he mumbled.

She softened, hands running through his hair. He moaned in pleasure, causing her to smile. "Go ahead, we'll be here when you wake up, alright?"

Toothless warbled from above, reminding them that hey, he was there too.

"And I know Toothless won't leave you for awhile." Astrid laughed.

"Thanks guys…"

"Sleep well, Hiccup."

Sorry guys for ending it here, but I believe it's gone long enough... 7 chapters is 4 over then I'd originally planned for this! Lol. xD But thanks for all the wonderful feedback, it means a lot to me. Once more, happy birthday to animalsarepeopletoo and thepurplewriter333! You guys rock, hope you each have good birthday's. :) Lots of love!

See you guys next story, toodles!

-Kat (FanWriter02)