"He has to take this medicine when he eats, - lunch is probably best because it tastes like chicken so I don't think he'll mind it. Don't let him run around so much because it'll cause the stitches to tear and the healing would take longer," Neil started and gave a box of medicine to Astrid before handing the crate Toothless laid in to Hiccup. 

"I think he'll be back to normal in a month or two. It all depends on how he'll behave," The veterinarian continued.

Hiccup smiled and nodded, "Thank you for all the help," He said. "If anything comes up or you have any questions, just call. We'll be here to help," The receptionist said softly. "We appreciate all the help," Astrid thanked both of them for helping them.

They slowly started to make their way out of the vet. Stopping right in front of the car, Hiccup smiled and looked at the black cat in the cage. "Told you I wouldn't give up on you, buddy," He said. Toothless eyes opened and he looked at him for a second, crooning before falling back asleep due to the anesthesia.

••• 

Hiccup had been worried Toothless would deal with the loss of half a limb badly but had sighed in relief when he realized Toothless probably understood that he needed to take it slow for a while. 

However, as both he and Astrid went back to school to finish the last month-and-a-half before graduation, Toothless became better each day and when summer break finally rolled around on May 24th, he was as close to normal as he could get. Hiccup had pondered about getting or somehow making a prosthetic for the cat. 

•••

Hiccup was sitting on the couch, his arms leaned onto his knees and he was fiddling with his fingers as he watched the black creature walk and play with a tennis ball.

"Astrid? Do you think he's suffering?" He asked and watched her as she made cereal for both of them.

"Who? Oh, No. Look at him. He probably sways much now but you'll see, a little training and he'll be the same cat as before. I promise."

She walked into the living room with two bowls in her hands. She made his favorite, - making sure to taste it before. Sitting down beside him, she put the bowls on the coffee table in front of them before leaning into his side and resting her back against the couch.

Hiccup smiled and leaned back, placing a hand on her crossed legs. "Thank you, Astrid," He said and turned his head towards her, leaning in.

Their lips met for a short second before he pulled away and licked his lips. "Vanilla and blueberry cereal?" He asked and turned his head toward the bowl. "Mhm..." Astrid hummed with a smile, watching him. Shifting, she carefully turned him, his back toward her and placing  her hands on his shoulders.

She smiled before frowning. "You're all tense. You need a hot bath, and good night sleep,"  Astrid whispered softly and buried her nose into his hair, massaging his shoulders.

"Mm..."

"I'll start the water for you."

Astrid got up and disappeared into the bathroom downstairs. Starting the water, she unpacked one bath bomb she knew would soothe sore muscles and prepped the bathroom by taking out fresh towels and dripping a few drops of essential oil into the water before stirring it up.

Walking out of the bathroom, she carefully tugged on Hiccup's arm and pulled him out of the couch. "Come on, undress. I'll wait outside. Tell me when you're in the water and I'll massage your back," She said with a small smile. Though she hadn't seen him naked, - yet - she had gotten to sleep beside him when he was shirtless and he did look pretty darn good for not working out.

Hiccup chuckled before walking into the bathroom and undressing.

•••

"How did I ever get this blessed with you, Astrid?" Hiccup asked, his back turned towards her as her fingers ran up and down his spine, massaging his wet and slippery skin.

Astrid laughed. "Blessed? With me? Oh please, you can't be serious," She said and leaned towards him, pressing a small kiss to his shoulder.

"Guess what, I am being serious."

Astrid laughed and pulled away, wetting her hands once again before running them over his shoulders. "Thank you, Hiccup. For everything you've done for me. I appreciate it so much. I wish I could do something for you to pay you back..." She said and pulled her hand away from him, grabbing some soap and pouring it into her hand.

She placed her hands on his back and rubbed the soap over him.

"Astrid, having you around here is enough," Hiccup said and turned his head towards her. The blonde smiled and pressed her lips against his cheek before pulling away and continuing. "You know, you don't have to do anything for me. I'm serious. I'm just simply glad to have you in my life, M'Lady."

"Thank you, babe."

•••

Astrid crawled into bed a bit after Hiccup and smiled, pulling the blanket over her, laying down and placing her head on his chest.

"Goodnight, Hiccup," She said drowsily. "'Night, Astrid. Oh, and, babe?" He asked softly. Astrid hummed, burying her nose further into his chest, enjoying his forest-y smell from the bath bomb. "My cousin is coming over tomorrow to talk about something."

"Okay. I'll try not to be in the way," She said softly.

"You're never in the way but, okay," Hiccup replied and squeezed her. "I love you." 

Pulling her head back, she leaned up and placed a kiss on his lips. Hiccup kissed back before she pulled away. Staying there for a while, enjoying the softness of his lips. Pulling back, she kissed his collar before finally burying her nose into his chest again. 

"Goodnight, handsome. I love you too."