Ingrid opened the door with Astrid at her side to see a tall, skinny shape standing in the cold. The boy almost started at seeing the woman and his wide emerald gaze looked wary as he automatically backed up a pace. He stared, then ran his hand through his dishevelled auburn hair, pushing the hood off with the same movement. His hoodie was grimy and stained, his baggy jeans had mud on the knees and he had no coat. There was a school bag on his shoulder and a skinny black dog was sitting at his side, panting and almost smiling.

"You didn't say anything about a dog," Ingrid told her daughter and Astrid rolled her eyes, glaring at Hiccup.

"He didn't say anything about a dog, Mom," she protested.

"Um, he-he'll be no trouble, Mrs Hofferson," he said, his teeth chattering. "If-if he could maybe just stay in the yard, he'll be fine..." The woman stared at him and he swallowed. Then his shoulders sagged, reading her stony expression and making the the conclusion he was on his own. "I-I understand..." he muttered. "Th-thank you anyway..." He turned to the dog. "Cmon, bud...we gotta go..." The green eyes looked up trustingly and the dog whined as the boy began coughing again, almost doubling up. Astrid looked at him worriedly: that sounded even worse than over the phone.

"Wait...Hiccup, isn't it?" Ingrid said as he turned back to the road. He nodded.

"Hiccup Haddock, Ma'am," he said roughly, offering her a hand. She shook it: his skin was freezing. Ingrid swept her keen gaze over him again, seeing him shivering, feeling the icy skin and noting the bruises on his face...including a new and still-livid welt in the shape of a hand.

"We need to get you out of the cold," she decided, hearing his teeth chattering. He blinked, surprised then turned back to Toothless.

"Um...about Toothless?" he asked, coughing again. "He-he's my best friend...I can't l-leave him..." Ingrid paused then nodded to Astrid.

"Can you open the side door, please Astrid?" she asked as the girl raced away out back. Hiccup led the dog round in the direction she pointed and tried not to feel anxious as the front door slammed shut...but after a few moments, the gate creaked open and Astrid peeked through, smiling shyly as the boy warily walked in...though Toothless was happily trotting into the yard, his tail wagging wildly. Astrid closed and bolted the door and then turned to the dog.

"He's so cute!" she said, leaning forward and rubbing him behind the ears. The dog's green eyes rolled back appreciatively and his tail wagged wildly. He gave a little moan of pleasure.

"Traitor," Hiccup grumbled. She glanced up, amused at his words as he coughed again.

"Why Toothless?" she asked, straightening up and walking back towards the house. There was a kennel there with a full bowl of water and an empty food bowl. Hiccup shrugged.

"He's lost a few teeth," he admitted, crouching down and rubbing the dog behind the ears affectionately. "He's a stray...kinda like me. If...you have a rag or something he could lie on...?" She shook her head, not sure they had anything. He sighed. "Sorry, bud," he sighed, then fished in his school bag and hauled out a plain bowl, pouring in a small helping of biscuits from an almost empty bag. "Sorry it's not more, bud," he sighed. "I'll have to get some more tomorrow..." Toothless fell on the bowl, scraping away at top speed, his tail wagging wildly. And then a fine golden dog emerged from the kennel.

It was obvious the owner of the kennel was pedigree, a fine hound with shining coat and feathered tail. She had amber eyes and inspected Toothless thoughtfully. The stray flattened his ears and backed away. "He's just a softie," Hiccup explained, stuffing his hands under his folded arms.

"Stormfly, be a good girl," Astrid suggested.

"Stormfly?" he asked incredulously. "Are you kidding me?" She gave him an irritated look as she rubbed the dog's head.

"She's pedigree," she explained. "Her full name is Beatrice Royal Stormfly the Third...Stormfly for short. I got her when I started High School!" Hiccup pointed to the beautiful dog.

"Toothless, meet Stormfly. Stormfly, this is Toothless. He hasn't got a pedigree and I have no clue how old he is...he's just a scrawny mutt like his owner. Toothless-try not to embarrass me, okay bud?" Toothless gave his wide smile, his tongue hanging out as he panted happily, then proceeded to try to smell Stormily's rear end. Hiccup groaned, watching Stormfly trying to turn round to get away from the determined black nose. "And there goes that..." he sighed. Astrid began to giggle at his chagrin, watching the boy talking to the dog and gently scratching the pedigree dog under the chin. Both dogs were wagging away and responding happily to him.

"You know, you're pretty good with them," she smirked. He shrugged and it deteriorated into a coughing fit. "Hiccup-are you okay?" His eyes flicked up and he opened his mouth to deny any problem...but then he paused...and shook his head.

"No," he admitted quietly. "I'm not..." Toothless pulled away and the two dogs both went into the kennel as Astrid walked back to the house.

"You coming?" she asked and he nodded, walking stiffly after her. They reached the kitchen and he kicked off his shoes as he entered, meeting Ingrid's smiling eyes.

"Have you eaten?" she asked and he shook his head slightly.

"Um no, but you don't have to bother..." he murmured but Ingrid was already at the fridge, assembling him a sandwich and a mug of cocoa. Coughing gently, he sat down and stared up at them. His eyes kept flicking to the sandwich as Ingrid nodded...and finally he reached out and took a huge bite, closing his eyes and sighing in relief. Astrid stared at him in shock, seeing him tearing through the food like a starving man. Ingrid touched her shoulder.

"I'll get the room ready," she murmured. "Bring him up when he's finished." Hiccup paused, looking up and coughing again as Astrid sat opposite him. He took another bite of the sandwich.

"Um...I can't believe you're doing this," he mumbled, his mouth full. She sighed.

"Me neither," she admitted and he quirked an eyebrow.

"Then why?" he asked her directly, his eyes very bright. She stared at him.

"You're a human being and you need a break," she said. He lifted his left hand, horribly bruised and swollen.

"I think I already got one here," he sighed, grimacing. Her eyes popped wide and she gently grasped it, her eyes seeing the mark of a heel on the pale skin.

"Oh my gods," she gasped. "That looks painful! How did that happen?"

"Um...I accidentally put my hand under a foot that was trying to smash my phone," he explained dryly, carefully pulling his hand away. His skin was still cold, though his eyes looked brighter. She smiled and rose, heading towards the stairs.

"C'mon-I think Mom will have a bed ready for you," she murmured. "Do have anything to change into?" He stilled.

"Um...literally only got what I stand in," he admitted ashamedly. She paused.

"Hiccup...it's okay," she told him calmly but his green eyes flicked up and for a moment, they were fired with anger.

"No, it's not," he told her tightly...and then sagged. "But it's all I got..." Silently, he followed her up to the second floor and along to a neat room with a bed turned back and a lamp on the bedside table. A towel was folded on the bed and he stared at Astrid in shock. His bag hit the floor and he stared, turning back to look at her.

"Why?" he mouthed in shock. She walked forward and caught his arms, feeling him trembling.

"Because you need the help," she told him, seeing him blink. "You saved me, Hiccup. You're safe here..." His breath hitched and he turned away. He shook his head.

"I-I..." he murmured and coughed again. Astrid smiled.

"Get some rest," she told him. "If you want, put your clothes outside the door and I'll put them in the washing machine..."

"Th-thank you," he murmured hoarsely, coughing again. He paused and then blushed. "Astrid...um...could you maybe leave? I-I need to get undressed..."

Astrid's eyes widened. She had been staring at Hiccup, with his bright green eyes and tousled auburn hair and unexpectedly cute blush, his sharp jaw darkened by bruising and expression very wary. "Oh...er...of course..." she mumbled and left, pulling the door closed behind her and leaning against it. What was that? It was Hiccup, for Thor's sake! Sarcastic, trouble-making Hiccup. Hiccup who had raced in and saved her from being raped. Hiccup who had gotten her from that fight without being seen. Hiccup who had been beaten up by his so-called friends and was now homeless and desperate.

She heard a soft groan that deteriorated into a cough and paused. He was very bruised and probably sick. But she heard a creak and the door opened a crack. Hiccup leaned out and placed a bundle of clothes out the door...but he started as he saw Astrid. She smiled gently. "Sleep well," He gave a small smile and pulled the door closed.

After the filthy clothes were in the washing machine, Astrid walked upstairs, going to the bathroom, washing her face and cleaning her teeth, before brushing out and loosely rebraiding her hair. She was heading back to her room when she stopped and paused at Hiccup's door, gently pushing it ajar and peering at him.

He was lying in the bed, the quilt pulled up but one pale shoulder still uncovered, a light dusting of freckles on the skin. He was curled up...but his shoulders were shaking and though she heard the occasional cough, she heard his quiet sobbing breaths between and the memory kept her awake long into the night.