Winters Revenge

Chapter Sixty-Eight-Cooking Up Memories.

The laughter filled the room as the group of friends—Anna, Kristoff, Merida, Hiccup, Punzie, and Flynn slipped inside the institute kitchen to prepare some much-needed lunch after their training session. They bustled around, gathering ingredients and utensils, while chatting animatedly. Of course, Flynn stood to the side as he continued in the banted grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. He had a habit of causing a hazard in the kitchen whether it was dropping the cutlery on the floor or burning himself on the stove he decided to let his friends take the lead while he stood and watched.

"Did anyone else notice how Jack and Elsa were actin' today?" Merida asked, her eyes twinkling' with curiosity as she chopped vegetables.

Flynn "I'm glad someone else noticed...I wasn't going to say anything." He grinned.

Hiccup nodded, stirring a pot of pasta on the stove. "Yeah, they seemed to be flirting quite a bit. It's hard to miss."

Anna giggled as she grabbed some ingredients out the cupboard above for Punzie who was busy making the sauce. "I thought it was just me! They've definitely been spending a lot more time together that's for sure!"

Kristoff grinned, leaning against the counter. "Well, it's about time. Those two have had chemistry since school."

Punzie and Flynn exchanged amused glances. "I guess we'll see where this goes," Flynn said, adding a dash of spice to the sauce as he walked over to his girlfriend still trying not to make a mess as he quickly helped slightly.

Merida "Oh why yah do that for!" she said realising that they'd added spice to the mixture.

Punzie "Ermmm... because it adds flavour."

Merida "Yah know Hiccup is a weakling when it comes to spice!"

Hiccup "Hey! I'm stood right here you know!"

Merida "Aye yeh know I'm right!" she chuckled to herself while her boyfriend quickly folded his arms across his chest stopping in his tracks what he was doing.

The group laughed in unison. "Remember that time Hiccup had to down a whole bottle of milk because he couldn't handle the spicy curry?" Kristoff teased, his grin widening.

"Hey, that was one time!" Hiccup protested, though a sheepish smile crept onto his face. "And that curry was ridiculously spicy!"

Punzie giggled. "Well, maybe we'll keep the spice to a minimum this time, just for you, Hiccup." She winked as she continued with the sauce.

"Thank you, much appreciated," Hiccup replied, stirring the pot of pasta with a bit more enthusiasm.

Merida shook her head with a smile. " Do you Remember that time, though, when Elsa and Jack came from gun training? They said they were just training, but we all know better." She questioned.

Flynn raised an eyebrow, glancing around the group. "Oh, I've noticed that they've been spending a lot of time together lately. Wouldn't be surprised if they're secretly dating."

Kristoff nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they've been awfully close. Every time I see them, they're whispering and laughing together."

Punzie grinned. "Well, good for them if they are. They make a cute couple. It's about time they get together after being in love with one another for years."

Hiccup chuckled, "Just hope Jack doesn't have a problem with spice too! Elsa would freeze him out if he did."

The group laughed again, and Merida turned back to Hiccup with a teasing glint in her eye. "Seriously though, Hiccup, how do you survive if you can't handle a little spice?"

"I manage just fine, thank you," Hiccup retorted, trying to keep a straight face.

Kristoff chimed in, "Maybe we should start calling you 'Mildcup' instead of Hiccup."

Punzie giggled. "Or how about 'Spicecup'? It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Hiccup rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright, I get it. I'll work on my spice tolerance, okay?"

The group continued to laugh and joke, their camaraderie filling the kitchen with warmth and ease. As they continued cooking and reminiscing, the bonds of their friendship grew even stronger with each memory they reminisced about together.