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It was a dark, empty and bleak night with the owls hooting and the screeches of the night terrors on their perches verberating throughout Dragon’s edge. Okay, who was he kidding, Hiccup had no sign of Toothless or Astrid anywhere, nor Snotlout and Stormfly. They were supposed to be back from their recon flight by sundown, but nope, it's beyond nightfall, with the Thordamned moon shining like a night light but no Night Fury with a blonde shieldmaiden was spotted. Or a stout Viking man with a blue Deadly Nadder for that matter. Usually, Hiccup would let another few hours go by before he would worry. But today was different. He could just feel it. A long deep sigh was expelled from him, as Hiccup turned towards the orange Gronkle, with tough lumps accentuating her, already…Uhm lumpy figure and strong thick sandstone coloured scales.
“Well Meatlug, we’ll just wait for Fishlegs to come back from his patrol flight with Tuffnut and Barf and he’s all yours. I must admit though, you’ve been a great partner for today, I got most of my work done without a stubborn Night Fury whining and grunting at me with baby eyes and tail smack for a morning and evening flight.” And the chuckle that came out of his chest was low, more forced than he thought it was. Of course, he’d miss his useless reptile. It was Hiccup who suggested swapping dragons for a day, and it was Hiccup who was missing his best bud more than he thought he would.
Why the new experiment? Don’t ask him, he has no clue either. At least out of all the riders his dragon had some common sense and chose Astrid for the day, so he’s in good hands.
Sensing his dejected mood, Meatlug waddled up to him and nudged slightly. Though not bonded with him like Fishlegs, Meatlug has a sense of respect, patience and friendliness towards the fishbone in red.
Well in Meatlug’s mind he was more of a thin dried slate stone looking because she prefers rocks than fishes, and she prefers slate-stone-alpha here on human-and-dragon-cliff island rather than firemane-boulder alpha back on rider-home island. But the thin, sheep-hair-and-red-dried-yak-skinned-with-brown-human-fur, human alpha was so tough, taking so many falls with her own leader the Night Fury that Meatlug wasn’t sure which rock to classify him as. But the black dragon and his species could not have the official title since they don’t have the power to use mind-speak so he was just leader. Not alpha. Which was confusing because the black dragon did kill the red mountain queen and free all the dragons. He should have mind-speak. Maybe he doesn’t know how to use it. So he was just, leader to her and the three other dragons.
But her leader had not yet returned. And his human was missing him. Well, she was not close to him. But the human-red-slate-stone-alpha she calls him misses her leader. And being the nice dragon she decided to comfort him. After all, he did just praise her for good company. So she decided to reward him with a nuzzle.
Hiccup chuckled a bit more freely to the affectionate gesture and petted the Gronkle on her snout as the telltale whistle of a Night Fury’s wings hit his ears and the infamous Jorgenson scream was heard. And then it was nothing but usual chaos in a nutshell.
Snotlout started complaining about an ambush attack, Astrid swatted him, and by swatted, she literally swatted him and his curly horned-helmet away like, the Jorgenson was a nuisance…Which he was. Most of the time anyway. Wait. ambush attack? “What attack?” he asked before he even knew what the Hel he was saying.
“A few hunters nicked up as we got ready to fly from the island after the scouting,” Astrid explained. But Hiccup’s eyes were focused on the red blotch on her blue tunic she was desperately trying to hide, Stormfly and Toothless fussing over her made her less subtle than, Hookfang setting Snotlout’s hut on fire in the dead of the night like a giant torch because he had a nightmare, ironically. Snotlout was fine, just singed here and there. But that was an occupational hazard when riding any type of dragon. The man whisked himself away. “I’m gonna go get dinner, my quota is filled for a month. Also, Astrid gets that stab wound checked.”
That got Hiccup’s attention. Since he was scrutinising the bruises on her face, he missed the glare she threw at Snotlout, as his eyes zeroed on the said wound. Fishlegs was alarmed and worried, as expected. “Stab wound? Astrid, you should have been more careful!” Hiccup internally agreed. He, however, did not say a single word because one, his throat was caught up, tight in a knot looking at Astrid hurt again, and two, he doubted Astrid would enjoy any more nagging tonight else she’d draw her axe. Betrothed or not, he did not wanna test her.
The next hour was a blur to him mainly because as soon as Fishlegs finished his worried rant at her, and got the medicine and tools from the clubhouse apothecary drawer, Astrid’s legs had wobbled. Hiccup swiftly caught her and brought her to his hut, legs, well leg and peg leg, going by muscle memory setting her down on his cot as he was ushered away by nurse Ingerman as the husky Viking did his best to mend her back up.
When Fishlegs emerged down from the loft where his cot was, Hiccup immediately went to his side. Fishlegs still in his nurse mode gave specific instructions as he gathered the dirty tools. “And make sure she gets lots of fluids for more blood circulation and a ton of rest!”
Making his way up, He passed to two now calm and reassured dragons and settled himself on a stool next to her bandaged self brushing some flaxen locks away from her face. Her eyes closed, clear that she had been fed that drowsy liquid Fishlegs learnt how to make from Gothi, it makes one so sleepy, they forget the pain. It's usually used for huge and deep wounds that have blades intact in the victim’s flesh or for injuries on babies. But since Fishlegs doesn't want any hassle, he feeds it to the riders when they even have a small stitch wound.
Astrid felt feather-like but rough and calloused fingers brushing her and opened her eyes staring back into forest green ones. “I look ugly don't I?” Hiccup nearly laughed. “You’re under the sleeping drug, clearly you’re not thinking straight, are you? But to answer your question, no you don’t. You look like a huge bandage roll. But a very pretty bandage roll.” Because since when did Astrid Hofferson think about her looks that much. She preferred practicality and abilities more than aesthetics. And since when did Astrid Hofferson care about how she looked?
Rolling her eyes she turned her head the other way, taking a sharp inhale, slurring her words. “Get out…”
“You're in my hut.”
“Oh? Guess I’d have to watch where I step then. Don’t wanna trigger your crazy machines.”
He couldn't help but chuckle, leaning more towards her, lowering his head. “C’mon it wasn't that bad.” “you’re bola launcher and its calibration issues from four years ago knocked someone out.”
“That was five years ago, I’ve improved.”
“Dragonfly begs to differ.”
“I beg to differ, Dragonfly is a work of art Miss Hofferson.”
She blinked up at him again. “ I’m fine babe.”
“You said the same thing when dying from the Scourge of Odin,” he grasped her fingers, rubbing them continuously with his thumb.
“Thank Snotlout for that then. If it weren’t for him, we would’ve been captured. He’s okay to be honest, if he learns when to shut his mouth he’s a bit more bearable”
“I think Ragnarok is coming quicker than expected”
“Zip it Snarky. He’s a valuable comrade, something I’d never thought I’d say.”
“Hmmm, he is. But seriously, why are you mentioning other men in front of me?”
“He’s Snotlout baby.”
“Fair enough. A stupid reason. You win.” she laughed in 'duh' fashion.
“Toothless is fine by the way.” the dragon perked his head up at the mention of his name strolling over to investigate like a curious puppy.
“I can see that." He looked down not knowing what to say next as he tried to make a joke to dispel the tension in his mind. They both knew that if left clutter hisins does thst thing where he spirals away like crazy. Looking up with determination he met her tired eyes even if he was going to lie through his teeth.
"But I love you more than him.” and she let out a breathless chuckle, pink lips curling into an amused smile closing her eyes. “That is such a lie.” Busted. Hiccup pouts, taking the hand in his palms to his lips, eyes averted, looking down.
“Sorry.”
Her eyes reopen, surprised and curious, but not fully. Exhaustion must be taking its toll on her. “Hm? Sorry? For what?”
“Not being there…I could have–”
“–Nothing. It's literally inevitable to get by without a wound with these hunters Hiccup. I’ll be fine. Stop blaming yourself before I deck you.”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll always be here for you though. You know that right?” he lets go of her hand setting on the soft blanket covering the cot, before stroking her hair softly, smoothening the wisps that came out in battle and after her mending. Leaning into his touch, Astrid smiled, closing her eyes again, a soft smile curving up.
Leaning closer, brushing his lips next to the shell of her ear he whispered, “I love you.” Kissing her forehead he chuckles softly, lips smirking up into a lopsided smile at her answering hum before continuing to stare at her tranquil face before his own eyelids got heavy.
Nestling against the black mass of scales called a Night Fury, he sighs again in a tired fashion closing his eyes. Tomorrow will be a new day with new happenings.