It's a nice morning; villagers are chatting happily and the weather isn't too cold.
Yet, Hiccup feels awful. Her head is pounding, she is congested, her nose is running, her throat is sore, and her body aches. Sleep clings to her body, begging her to go back to bed. So, as she climbs up the many stairs to get to the Mead Hall, she debates just falling asleep on the stairs.
It doesn't help that she had another nightmare that night, and she was too afraid to fall back asleep. So she stayed awake and looked at the constellations in the night sky.
Finally, she makes it to the top and is about to open the doors, when Stoick walks out and almost runs into Hiccup. She startles and moves out of the way.
"Aye, I'm sorry, lass. I didn't see ya comin'," Stoick says, then he looks down at Hiccup, her red nose and pale face. "Are you alright there? You're looking a little sick."
Hiccup shakes her head, knowing she can't admit to being sick. That was something that she learned not to show real quick.
Hiccup nods. "Yea, I'm okay sir. Just a little tired."
"Please, call me Stoick. No need for formalities." Stoick pauses, seeming to think about something. "Since I've got ya here, there was something I wanted to ask ya," Stoick says, all of a sudden looking nervous. "This should've been one of my first concerns, but it seems that I've gotten a little sidetracked. Now, we both know that winter is coming, and I hope ye are aware of how harsh it can be. And I wanted to ask ye if ye wanted to reside in a spare room back at my home. I would hate for you to get sick when winter officially gets here."
Hiccup freezes, completely caught off guard. Stoick asking if she wants to stay at his home? Her? For all of winter?
Her mind runs, thinking that this must have some ulterior motive.
On Exsilium, people never do things out of the kindness of their heart. They always want something. So why should this be any different?
"Lass?"
"I'm sorry, sir. But I can't; that would be more trouble than I'm willing to bring you. Thank you, but I can't." Hiccup quickly makes her way down the stairs, not looking back at the chief.
Hiccup instead makes her way to the Forge, hoping for just a little familiarity and warmth. However, when she walks in, she sees Ash standing in the Forge, talking with Gobber.
They stop talking when they see Hiccup burst through the door, and Hiccup stands there awkwardly. "Sorry," Hiccup says sheepishly.
"Ahh, there be my apprentice, though yer really early this mornin', lass," Gobber says as she goes to hang up her cloak.
"Oh well, got up early and I thought I'd go see my best friend," Hiccup snarks.
Gobber laughs, "Oh lass, I'm flattered-"
"What? No, I meant Snotlout," Hiccup deadpans.
Ash snorts. Gobber throws her a mock glare. "Ah, ye think yer very clever. Get to work. I'm going to go to the Mead Hall." Gobber hobbles out the door, slamming it shut.
Ash starts laughing. "I think you hurt his feelings." Hiccup snorts and walks closer to the fire, sticking her hands out to warm them from the cold.
"Nah, he's fine." Hiccup laughs and turns to face Ash. He looks at her and he frowns.
"What?" Ash doesn't say anything, he just puts the back of his hand on Hiccup's forehead. She blushes and hopes Ash thinks it's because of the cold.
YOU ARE READING
Outcast
FanfictionA stranger has appeared on Berk. No one knows who she is. No one knows where she came from. All they know is that she has a past. And it haunts her at every moment. All she wants to start over. But no one knows if it'll last. The HTTYD franchise bel...
