This Changes Everything...

Relax

"I told you guys, I'm-" Astrid trailed off and her knees gave away. "Astrid!" Hiccup yelled from across the hut before quickly sprinting over to her, dropping to his knees and catching her in his arms.

The blonde coughed before saying, "I'm fine," and closing her eyes.

Hiccup looked at her with concerned eyes. They had to find some cure, quickly. Or she would be gone before they even realized what happened.

Astrid and Stormfly had been out on a patrol the day before and found a fishing ship just drifting out there. They went to take a closer look and what they found was...bodies. Pale, green skin...

The Scourge of Odin.

The disease that tore through the archipelago centuries ago, wiping out entire Viking villages.

Hiccup turned his head to look at Snotlout and Fishlegs. He gave them a concerned look before turning back to Astrid.

"Hey..." He whispered to her. Astrid moved her head but she didn't open her eyes. "Don't give up," He said softly to her and moved his arm, snaking it under her back and knees. He slowly stood up and carefully walked over to her bed, laying her down.

He pulled his arms away from her and grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed. Opening it, he laid it over her and made sure she was warm. He grabbed her hand softly, lifting it up and sitting down, really close to her.

He laid her hand on his lap, his own laying under hers as his other hand was hovering in the air at her cheek.

Astrid's eyes cracked open and she looked at the guy, - no, the young man - she loved endlessly.

"Hiccup..."

He hushed her, slowly pulling away his hand from her cheek, - almost. "Relax, Astrid..."

Astrid raised her hand and took his free hand, holding it lazily in hers. Hiccup smiled slightly and moved his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Hiccup..." She whispered again. This time, she loved her hand along with his and placed it in her cheek, just where he wanted to place his hand before.

Hiccup looked at her and scooted closer to her, eyes watering as he looked at her.

Of they wouldn't find a cure, Astrid would...

He didn't want to, - he just couldn't - imagine a world without her in it.

The blonde opened her eyes once again when she felt a wet drop on her hand. "Hiccup, are you...crying?" She asked and pulled her hands away from him, using all of her strength to push herself into a sitting position. Once she finally sat up, Hiccup threw his arms around her and held her close.

"Astrid..." He sobbed into her shoulder. "Sshh," She hushed him this time, feeling worse by the minute. "It's gonna be okay..." She forced out.

"No. What if...what if we can't find a cure...?" He trailed off.

"Then...you have to learn how to..live without me..."

Hiccup pulled away and looked at her. "How can you say that, Astrid? I could never do that. You mean too much to me for me to loose you. I just can't..."

She smiled and she pulled back her arms from around his neck. Settling her hands on each side of his neck, she looked at his lips.

She couldn't kiss him. Not now. He would be sick too.

Hiccup leaned in slowly but Astrid stopped him. "You...can't kiss me. You'll be sick too."

He stopped and sighed but then, he leaned in again. Astrid didn't have the strength to stop him. She felt his lips on her cheek.

"Hiccup..."

He pulled away she she slowly laid down again. He put a hand on her back and helped her down slowly, making sure she wouldn't hit her head into her bed.

"Astrid," He said softly once she laid down. "Hm?" She hummed, her voice fading. "I know it's hard but you have to fight. For me. You're Astrid Hofferson. A fighter. Don't give up..." He begged her, holding her hand tightly.

She breathed in once, deeply, before saying, "I won't," quietly and then she closed her eyes, falling asleep.

Hiccup leaned down and placed his lips on her forehead, lingering there and praying for her to get better.

He had to leave however, to talk to the others about a solution to find a cure for Astrid.

He didn't want to leave but he had to. Letting her hand go and pulling back, he kissed her cheek one more time before standing up and walking away to the door.

He looked back, eyes full of worry before inhaling and walking away.

•••

"Hiccup," Astrid said, standing beside him on the beach as they looked at the moon. She looked down and moved her hand, slipping it into his.

The young man looked at their hand before looking at her. "What is it, Astrid?" He asked in concern. "How can I thank you enough for what you did today?" She asked and gazed him in the eyes.

He did the same.

"You don't have to thank me, Astrid. We both know you would've done the same for me."

The blonde smiled and let go of his hand, turning towards him. Hiccup looked at her. "Yeah. I know. It's just...I can't thank you enough," She said and fiddle with the strap on his chest.

"Astrid," Hiccup said and stepped closer to her. He hesitated but slowly placed his hands on her waist.

Astrid placed her hands on his chest and looked at him. She saw his eyes drift from her eyes to her lips and then back to her eyes.

She smiled.

"You know..." She started and moved one of her hands up his chest and to the side of his neck, her fingers grazing his hairline and her thumb stroking his yaw line. "You can kiss me now," She said and saw his eyes sparkle.

A huge smile formed on his lips and he tightened his grip around her waist before leaning in.

He pressed his lips against her, his mouth slightly open.

Astrid laughed softly into the kiss and wrapped the hand she had on his neck, around his head.

Kissing back with just as much passion as he did, they smiled and pulled back, looking at each other before kissing again.

It was kind of a make out but with less tongue and it wasn't heated.

"Astrid..." Hiccup whispered into the kiss. She smiled and hummed, kissing him even more. To her disappointment, he pulled away.

She laughed at him. Droopy eyes, red cheeks and slightly swollen lips. "Milady," He said. That name sent shivers running up and down her spine.

"Yes?"

"Don't you ever leave me..." She heard him say.

She leaned in and kissed him once again. Pulling back, she said, "I promise," before resuming to their kissing.

It couldn't have been better.