Life on the Edge

4.02 Gruff Around the Edges

The sun slowly rises over a quiet Dragon's Edge. The early morning birds are the only ones awake as they start their songs for the day. It's too early for even the first island patrols to start as the Riders sleep comfortably.

Naturally, this is when the twins decide to shatter the peaceful atmosphere by making as much noise as possible with the Thunder Ear.

"Good morning, Dragon's Edge!"

Ragnar lifts his head as soon as he hears the annoyingly loud voice, hair loose and hanging in his face. He makes no effort to get up even as one arm twitches with the urge to grab his bag. He's comfortable and has no particular desire to move.

Hiccup lies sprawled over Ragnar, sleeping across his back with one arm curled around his waist and his cheek resting on a warm shoulder blade. He barely stirs at the noise, mumbling something indistinguishable and resolutely pretending he doesn't hear it.

"It's Tuff-"

"-and Ruff-"

"-and Chicken-"

"-in the mornings!" they announce together.

Hiccup groans as they go on with a weather forecast. "What are they doing?" he complains.

Ragnar frowns and carefully rolls over. "Something stupid," he says simply, smiling when Hiccup tightens his grip and shifts so he can hide his face against his shoulder instead. "We should probably see what it is."

"They're adults," Hiccup mutters. "I'm sure they can handle it themselves."

"We both know that's not true," Ragnar says because as much as he'd like to stay right where they are he'd also like the Edge to stay in one piece.

A beat passes before Hiccup sighs in defeat.

"Fine." He presses his lips to Ragnar's shoulder, lingering for a few seconds until he finally makes himself pull away. "Let's go see what they've done now."

Ragnar sits up and sets his feet on the cold floor, yawning as he runs a hand through his hair to get it out of his face. "What are the odds we get there before Astrid does and kills them?"

"Pretty good if we hurry." Hiccup doesn't speed up his movements at all as he pulls his prosthetic on and secures it in place.

Regardless, they make it outside soon enough to see the twins (and Chicken, of course) still standing beside the Thunder Ear.

Toothless warbles and tilts his head, confused by their latest antics more than anything. Nightshade, on the other hand, chirps in irritation and glowers up at them.

"I know, beautiful," Ragnar says, chuckling as he finishes braiding his hair and ties it off.

Snotlout walks out of his own hut to join them on the platform, shading his eyes against the sun with a scowl. "Leave it to you muttonheads to use the Thunder Ear backwards."

"Or are we using it rightwards?" Tuffnut asks before he leans into the device again, voice much louder as he speaks into it. "To inform the masses!"

Ruffnut runs her finger along the Ear's rim. "Plus, the earwax on this thing keeps our lips from chapping," she claims, cheerfully putting some on first her brother's lips then hers. "You know, we really should market this."

Hiccup grimaces. "Ugh."

Ragnar takes a deep breath to calm himself down. "There are so many other options they could use for chapped lips, including the balm I make specifically for that reason."

Smiling at the thought of said honey sweet balm, Hiccup looks back up at the twins when they start on the next segment of their little morning announcements.