It's You And Me, Always

The Chase

Astrid's POV:
After waiting for what seems like eternity, a nurse comes back with news. I stand up eager to hear what she has to say, and so does Stoick

"You can relax, everything went okay. The bullet missed any vital organs, so no real harm done. He lost a lot of blood though, and he's unconscious. We are not sure how long he'll be out, but I assure you it won't be that long. You may visit him if you like" She says, and we tell her thank you before she leaves

"That's a relief" Stoick sighs

Stoick quickly checks on Hiccup then leaves, and I take Toothless with me in Hiccup's room. Seeing him on the hospital bed, sleeping so peacefully brings me such an odd feeling of relief. Toothless jumps on the bed, and curls up by Hiccup's feet and I sit on a chair next to the bed, gently stroking his hair. I sit for hours looking at Hiccup, watching his chest slowly go up and down, listening to the nurses and doctors walking past by the room. It's late night when I decide to head home before my family starts worrying. "C'mon Toothless, let's go. We'll come back tomorrow" I say, and he reluctantly gets off the bed. I leash him, then walk him home.

***

*two days later*
After my shift at work I head to the hospital to visit Hiccup. I sit by his side again, holding his hand when I feel his thumb brush my hand. I look up "Hiccup?"

"Milady" He murmurs

"Gods, Hiccup don't you ever scare me like that again!" I say hugging him once he sits up slowly

"Ah-ow, still kind of tender milady" He says grabbing his lower left side. I call a nurse over, and she replaces his bandages, brings some food for him, then leaves again. "So, what happened? I just remember walking over to you, feeling so much pain in my lower left side, then passing out" He says while sipping his soup

"Well...." I recall all the events that happened "....and now we're here. Me watching you eat soup as you hear me retell the story" I shrug

"Hey, for a runt like me I'm surprised I'm even alive" He says, and we laugh at his little joke

"Oh! I should probably call your Dad" I say taking my phone out

"Something tells me you don't need to" He says looking at the door, and as if on cue we see Stoick burst into the room and rush to Hiccup's side

"Son, I'm so glad you're okay. I can't afford to lose you" He says hugging Hiccup tightly, and I laugh at Hiccup's face which was turning red

"DAD- AIR!" He shouts, and Stoick releases him

"Sorry, how's your wound?" Stoick asks

Hiccup, Stoick, and I chat for a good long time before we have to go, and I promise Hiccup I'd come back to visit tomorrow.

"Bring my laptop please?" He asks just as I'm about to leave the room

"Sure" I smile then leave

***

It has now been two weeks since Dustin's been missing. Hiccup was released from the hospital yesterday, and he's been desperately checking the cameras non-stop now. Stoick tells me he wouldn't leave his room to eat, only for occasional bathroom breaks. I know there's nothing I could do to comfort Hiccup so I just decide to help him look at the cameras.