To The End - A Tuffnut Love Story (HTTYD)

46. Finally Time

Tuffnut scooper Iris up and held her in his lap. "It's okay," he cooed to her comfortingly, rubbing her back with a gentle hand, "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere." They sat like that for quite some time, until Iris was finally able to settle down. It wasn't like her to show weakness like this, but Tuff assumed her pregnancy had something to do with it. Now eight months in, Iris was becoming increasingly more emotional.

Not that Tuffnut minded. He was happy that she felt so safe with him. No matter the situation, she knew that he'd be there with her. He was glad to have made such an impression on his love. Smiling down at his now-calmed wife, Tuff set her back down on the bedside. "Stay right there," he told her softly, then got up.

Tuffnutmade his way to their table and filled a wodden cup with water from a bucket. He also got out a fresh roll and smeared it with yak butter. Satisfied with his work, he brought the roll and water to Iris. Iris took them both with a grateful smile, "thank you, Tuff."

"Anything for you, Ms. Thorston," Tuff spoke in a playful tone, in attempts of making her laugh. And she did. After letting out a small giggle, Iris began to nibble on the buttered bread. "Think you'll be able to get back to sleep?" He asked her.

At this, Iris frowned, "I don't know.."

"That's okay," Tuffnut assured her. Looking out the window, he saw that the moon was about to touch the horizon; soon, it would be morning. He smiled lovingly at Iris and offered, "I'll make a nice warm fire for us to sit by until morning."

"Oh you don't have to," Iris insisted, her heart fluttering at the kind gesture, "you should go back to sleep, I'll be alright."

But Tuffnut only shook his head, "no can do; if you're awake, I want to be awake with you."

To this, Iris couldn't object. So she walked over to the fire place with Tuffnut and sat down on the yak-fur rug. She watched her husband make a fire for them, then he sat beside her. Together, they waited for morning to come.

***

Tuffnut stood outside of Gothi's hut with Hiccup, Eret, and Tuffnut. The day had finally come. After ninth months of waiting and anticipating, Iris had gone into labour. He was breathing heavily and pacing in nervousness.

"Calm down, Tuff, you're acting like it's you who's giving birth," Tuffnut rolled her eyes at her brother.

Tuff shot her a glare and snapped, "hey, that's my Iris in there."

"And she's gonna be fine," Hiccup assured, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

There was a moment of quiet before Tuff asked his sister, "why are you even out here? You're a girl; shouldn't you be in there helping with Astrid and Mora?"

Everyone winced as Iris's cry of pain sounded through the closed door. Ruffnut frowned and explained, "that's why." She then went on, "not to be insensitive, but I'd probably just get annoyed and have to leave anyways." The female twin wasn't trying to be mean. The truth was, she just couldn't handle the idea of helping with something so delicate and important.

More shouts and groans could be heard from inside, as well as the muffled words of Mora and Astrid trying to soothe Iris. All Tuff could do was wait outside with the support of his sister and male friends. Finally, after hours of suspenseful stress, the door to Gothi's hut opened.

Everyone immediately turned at the sound of the door creaking. Astrid peaked out. Tuff's eyes were widein excitement and nervousness. She smiled and announced, "everything went smoothly."

"Oh, thank Thor, thank Odin, thank all of the gods!" Tuffnut spoke as if a ton of bricks had just been lifted from his shoulders. He approached Astrid asked asked, "can I come in yet?"

Astrid nodded, "yes, but quietly."

Tuffnut nodded and entered the hut, closing the door gently behind him and Astrid. The inside was dimly lit by a few candles. The light of their flames illuminated off the sweat that soaked Iris. Even Mora, who sat beside Iris, was sweating a bit do to the heat in the room. Tuff's mouth opened in awe as he saw the bundle in Iris's arms. He almost couldn't even belive it. A child, his child.

After a moment of pure shock, Tuffnut made his way over to Iris's side. He knelt next to the bed she laid on, propped up with wool-stuffed pillows. She smiled at him through the exhaustion, "look at her, Tuff."

Tuff peered eagerly into the baby's face. She was beautiful, with big blue eyes, just like his. "Oh my..Thor," he muttered, smiling wide.

But then, Gothi came back into the main room with a bundle of cloth. She smiled and made her way over to Iris, who wore a look of pure love on her face. Tuffnut was at a loss for words when he saw that Gothi was holding a second child.