Hiccup and Astrid

memories

It was a rainy day on the edge and everyone is in his hut, except for Astrid who stayed with Hiccup after having the twins destroying her hut.
"Do you remember a time like this five years ago, Astrid?"
"What, what happened?"
"It's not strange that you don't remember, you were too sick to do."
"Tell me about it then..."
"...Six young Vikings stood on the overlook above the docks as several longboats set sail toward the horizon, that was us. Our faces were impassive as we all had at least one, if not both, parents on a vessel bound for another dangerous search for the dragons' nest. we were all twelve years old – except for Snotlout who had just turned thirteen the month before – and had all been deemed old enough to fend for ourselves for the week or more that the older Vikings would be gone, rather than having to stay with relatives as in years past.
In quiet each one contemplated the great responsibility laid upon us and how we would strive to serve the village as productive members.
"Woohoo!" Snotlout exclaimed breaking the calm, lifting his arms overhead.  "I'm in charge!  All you losers better do what I say or else."
"And who says you're in charge?" Ruffnut asked under heavily lidded eyes.
"Since both the chief and my dad are on the hunt that makes me next in line."
I made the slightest shake of my head.  By all rights I was the next in line, being the son of the chief and all, but no one was going to ever listen to anything I said, so I was better off just not making an issue out of it.
Unfortunately I had Fishlegs to do it for me.  "Uh, wouldn't that be Hiccup?"
My face burned hot as Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut swiveled their heads toward me, and then as one burst out laughing.  "Yeah, good one, Whalebutt!" Snotlout said, slapping Fishlegs on the shoulder.  "I knew there was a reason I keep you around: you're always good for a laugh.  Well, you losers can stand here like sissies, but I'm going to break into my dad's secret ale stash!"
He took off running towards his house.  
"Hey, wait up!" Tuffnut cried trying to chase after him, but Ruffnut tripped his foot.
"Not before me, mungpie!" she yelled, flipping his helmet off and causing him to chase after it with a yelp of indignation.
"I'll get you for that, goat breath!"
"You'll have to catch me first!"
And then the two were nothing but a blur of flying blonde hair.
Fishlegs glanced at me with an apologetic smile and a shrug of his massive shoulder before turning and toddling off after the other three. we have once been friends many years ago until Snotlout had suddenly declared Fishlegs "cool in a nerdy sort of way" and started including the large boy in any activities the small crowd got into. I suspected it was more about stripping him of a friend than any real interest in Fishlegs, but I would never say that to the other boy's face..."
"But, where is me?" Astrid asked
"Wait, I'm coming to you"
"All right, continue"
"...Sighing, I was about to turn around and head to the blacksmith's shop, where I had a very strict set of chores I was expected to complete with Gobber gone, none of them including the forge or anything with a blade. I paused, however, when I heard a low snuffling sound to my left.  Shifting my eyes ever so slightly, I noticed that you were still standing next to me.  Already my heart started palpitating painfully as I watched  you lift a small, perfect hand to your nose. I found it difficult to look at you directly in the face at such close range, like how staring directly at the sun would blind you for a few moments. you sniffled again and took a ragged breath, and I began to wonder if you were crying.  That seemed like an illogical assumption, but there you were, head bent, sniffling, breath hitching,

"ACHOOO!"

I started at the unexpectedly loud expulsion from the slender girl next to me, but I recovered enough to put my hand out when you tottered unsteadily.  "Whoa, there, uh, Astrid.  Are…are you, um, sick?"
You swiveled your face to me with an expression of surprise, as if you didn't even know I was still there, just like all the other times that you simply looked through me. I didn't exist in your world, that time..."
"Hiccup, listen I'm so sorr,"
"Don't be, the past is in the past, or you want me to stop?"
"No, continue"
"Okay, as I said
...why would you be expected to notice me?
"Sick?" You repeated, and now I did note the bloodshot and puffy eyes, and the red nose that was leaking fluid like a mountain stream after a big storm.  "I'b not sick!"  This was followed by a hacking cough that doubled you over and caused you to stumble against me.
"Okay, sure, you're healthy as a Gronckle.  Let's get you to the healer so she can look after you."
"No!" You shouted and then blinked rapidly.  "I'b a tough Biking warrior and tough Biking warriors do not get sick!"
I took a deep breath, weighing my options. I could just leave you on you own, but my heart nearly ached at the sight of your obvious discomfort, especially as you placed a hand to your mouth and sneezed cutely against it, followed by a decidedly unladylike snort..."
============================
To be continued...
It's a long chapter so I'm going to make two parts.