Nothing to Fear

Chapter Sixteen: Coming Back Around

Finn had always been an active boy. Ever since the day he took his first steps, he was running all over the village like he owned the place, getting into things and causing all sorts of mischief. This hadn't changed when he began to grow into his teenage years, except now he had an affinity for wrestling with the boys his age, hunting trips with Helga, and other sorts of activities that taxed him physically.

He loved it: pushing his limits to see how far he could go, feeling the muscles in his arms shake with strain, and feeling the sweat accumulate on his brow during hard work. Those were the times that he truly felt like a man, despite his obvious teenage features. Naturally, after every long and hard day, he'd crash in his bed, completely exhausted, ready the next morning to spring out of bed at the crack of dawn to begin a new day.

Never before had Finn experienced so much exhaustion. And never before had he come to the frank conclusion in his mind that he was most certainly not ready to spring out of bed and he was definitely not ready to begin a new day. The sun would have to rise without him today. Whatever day it was.

His mind felt foggy, his thoughts sluggish. His entire body felt heavy and weak like he'd had to carry a whole deer across the entire island by himself. It was a struggle to recall what he did last. He remembered hunting for deer with Helga and... fish? No, he had to fix a fishing net or something, right?

With a short exhale, Finn finally opened his eyes to find himself lying on his back in the Great Hall. A quick, concerned glance to his left revealed the Hall mostly empty beyond nearby tables and benches. Confusion stunned him as he again tried to remember the last thing that happened, when a big, warm hand rested on his forehead. Finn slightly jumped at the touch and turned his head to the right but relaxed when he saw who it was.

"Hey buddy," Hiccup whispered with a soft smile. "It's okay, you're all right now."

Finn frowned. All right? He felt sluggish but he didn't feel terrible. What did he mean? "Waz..." The teenager started and cleared his throat, shocked at how thin and weak it sounded. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Hiccup adjusted his blankets carefully, so as to not disturb Astrid sleeping with her head in his lap. Finn took note of Benen sleeping against a few propped up pillows at the next pillar as his father replied. "You passed out; worked yourself too hard while you were sick."

"Oh..." Finn's brow furrowed. "Wait, but I wasn't sick."

"Mara thinks you worked so hard and didn't get a proper amount of rest that your immune system was working overtime. Basically, you crashed." Hiccup gave his son a stern eye for a moment. "I know I said to help your mother and the village, but I didn't mean work yourself to the bone."

"Dad, there was too much to do. I couldn't waste time."

Hiccup nodded. "I understand. A chief's work is never done. There's always going to be something to do, someone to help. But that doesn't mean you don't take time for yourself. Even if it means stepping outside for five minutes of fresh air – it's necessary."

"And that's why you take random flights with Toothless now and then."

"Yes," Hiccup affirmed, "It's our little bit of time to just relax and breathe without being badgered. It's practically medicinal."

Finn snorted and rubbed his angry throat with his fingertips. Hiccup returned a moment later with a small cup of water, which Finn drank gratefully. He wiped his lips with his sleeve before settling back into his pillow. "So...how long was I out then?"

"Oh..." Hiccup paused in thought. "About a day and a half... almost two."

"Two days?" Finn asked incredulously. "Gods, that explains why I feel so sluggish. I haven't done anything."