Winter on Berk was a difficult thing for Vikings. They had to get everything they needed to fill their storehouse before the ocean became filled with icebergs and became to dangerous . So, when the trade ships didn't show up on time Stoick the vast became angry and quickly sought out his son finding him in the forge working on his newest invention. The minute Hiccup saw his dad's massive shadow looming in the entrance he prepared himself for screaming as was their usual interaction.
"Hey dad what's up?"
"The trade ships haven't come in yet, and as you know if they're not in before terrible winter comes Berk will be in trouble. Normally I'd just blame it on rogue dragons or bad weather but with Dagur's armada constantly testing our waters I wouldn't put it past them to try something."
"Alright I'll take the riders out and see if we can find them and guide them in."
"About that son I have a bit of bad news, seems like their parents got worried and sent their children to hunt boars or fish on some nearby islands despite how I told them to have them on standby."
Hiccup sighed knowing this just got harder. "So, you're sending me out alone to search for multiple ships?"
"Well not quite alone…"
He was about to ask what he meant when Ruffnut came hurdling into the forge. "You see son it seems that instead of going out to get food Ruff and Tuff decided to anger a family of boars. Tuff got a broken arm and is recovering but Ruff is still able and ready to fly."
"It's not my fault he didn't run when I told him to."
"That's enough, we need to find the traders and you two are all we have right now."
What?! Please anyone but Ruff! Even Snoutlout would be better. It wasn't that he hated Ruffnut, but she and her brother were known for their destruction and stupid actions. On numerous occasions he'd had to help them out of traps that he'd told them to disable.
He opened his mouth to speak but his father cut him off. "Grab your dragons and leave in five minutes. I want the traders found and brought in by nightfall."
He walked away leaving the two alone.
"So, when we are heading out?"
"I guess now, think you can fly Barf and Belch solo?"
She looked away chuckling "Well funny thing about that you see during the whole boar thing Barf and Belch kind of got injured as well. Not to bad just a damaged wing and should be fine by tomorrow."
"So, you're saying you can't fly?"
"Nope."
He sighed in annoyance and grabbed what supplies he'd need. "Alright looks like we'll have to share Toothless." Her eyes lit up hearing this and she ran to the sleeping dragon outside trying to get him up and flying.
"Come on Toothless we got some heavy duty flying to do!"
Toothless annoyed at being woken up rolled over and pinned her on her back. Hiccup laughed a bit and patted his head. "Sorry bud but we got a job to do and as much as I'd like to fly solo, we'll need her extra eyes."
He rolled back over letting her up. As Hiccup slid into the saddle Ruff slid on behind her.
"You might want to hold on."
She snorted at his suggestion "Please I think I can handle a little speed."
Nearly a minute later she was falling from the sky after stating Toothless wasn't as fast as she thought.
Of course, Hiccup ordered him to save her. He growled in annoyance before diving down and catching her on his saddle. She stared in shock for a moment before wrapping her arms around Hiccup. As they flew Hiccup fond that despite how awkward it was, he enjoyed her holding him.
Well despite her crazy she is still a girl. Come to think of it this is the first time I've flown with a girl besides Astrid.
About an hour or two into the flightHiccup saw the sun starting to set and got a bit worried. "At this rate we won't find them by night fall, and we'll have to turn back."
"Your dads not going to like that."
"Well it's not like they're just going to pop out of nowhere." He started to turn Toothless around when Ruff squeezed his ribs. "Wait I see something."
He turned his head and saw a large iceberg with a few trade ships around it.
"Alright let's go see why they're so late."
He dove down and dismounted on the iceberg but was surprised when he saw a cave and footprints leading inside. They followed the footprints down the cave where they eventually found four of the traders being held captive by a very large man with a spiked club. On his back was the berserker crest. "Now for the last time you're going to stay away from Berk. My boss has plans and we can't have them getting supplies."
The traders turned their head when they saw Hiccup and cheered. The berserker raised his club and charged them but toothless quickly blasted him into the ice. Seeing their captive fall the traders stood up and began running for the entrance.
"Thanks lad, we were on our way to Berk when their ship attacked us. We're not fighters so we were no match for them. Sadly, though most of them sailed off with a good amount of our supplies while leaving him here to watch us."
"How long ago was that?" he asked hoping he could still catch them.
"Hours ago, but don't fret we might not have much, but we still have enough to tide Berk over, if only just."
For the first time in hours Hiccup felt a feeling of relief wash over him. But that was short lived when he noticed Ruff exploring on of their ships. He rushed over and pulled her away from the barrel she was just about to hack into.
"Ruff what are you doing?!"
"I smelled jerky and I'm hungry!"
He looked down on the label and saw it was indeed yak jerky. He'd tried it once and found it to be the saltiest chewiest thing he'd ever tried. Not to mention the smell alone was enough to repel a boar. But for some reason there were Vikings that would trade a year of savings for this stuff. Usually Berk was lucky if they got a single barrel a year and even then, it was consumed within a month.
"Ruff that's not yours."
She raised her axe preparing to ignore him and open the barrel when a massive wave rapidly came into view.
"Run!" everyone did their best to avoid the wave. Some hide in their ships while others retreated into the cave. Sadly, as the wave hit the barrel rolled from the boat and into the freezing water below. Before he could stop her Ruff had dived from the boat and into the water. Hiccup and Toothless raced to the edge just in time to see a stream of bubbles rush up.
"Ruff!" after a moment he jumped on the edge. "Bud plasma blast I'll need some light down there." He jumped in just as the plasma shot through the dark waters lighting it up. He only had to search for a few moments before finding a still Ruff floating next to the barrel. He grabbed her and did his best to pull her to the surface.
His limbs were freezing, and he could barely breath, but he still managed to pull them out of the waters and onto the berg. But as he looked around for help saw that all but one of the boats had all gone.
"Damn, bad time to be without help."
Toothless dragged them both on the deck of the ship and blasted the berg to get the boat going. "Bud we'll need a fire."
Toothless had just destroyed one of the wooden creates and lit them ablaze when he heard screaming. Using what strength, he had he lifted himself up just as the berserker pulled out a blowgun and hit toothless in the leg screaming. "Never leave a berserker alive!"
Toothless collapsed onto the ground and Hiccup quickly pulled out the dart relaxing only when he smelled the familiar scent of numbing plants.
"Looks like you'll just be out for a while." Then he remembered Ruff and did his best to drag his freezing body over to her. He didn't see her chest moving and knew he had to perform CPR.
"Come on Hiccup remember what Gothi taught you."
He opened her mouth and began blowing into it before pressing down on her chest.
After a few moments her eyes opened, and she saw Hiccup was kissing her. She pushed him off and coughed up water.
"What the hell Hiccup!?"
"The hell is that I just saved you from drowning after you dove into freezing water over some jerky."
She wanted to scream but then she saw that he was shaking from the cold. She then felt her own body freezing up. Her anger quickly subsided in the freezing environment. "Come on let's warm up with the fire." She quietly helped him to the fire, and they curled around it. But after a few minutes Hiccup knew they had another problem. The fire was dying down due to the cold weather and with Toothless asleep they had no way to start it up again. They barely had the energy to move so they couldn't put more things in the fire. His father had always told him what to do in case of freezing emergencies but with dragons he'd never thought it would be an option.
"Ruff you're not going to like what I'm about to say."
"I never like what you have to say."
"Look our clothes are soaked and freezing. We'll have to take them off and curl up or we'll get hypothermia."
"You expect me to strip! Never!"
"Look we either do it while we have the energy or freeze." Her gaze was blazing as she starred at him.
"Look I'll keep my eyes closed if you want."
She tired to reach out to smack him, but her arm was slightly frozen to her shirt. She knew he was right, but it still pissed him off. Damn it! Why is he always right!?
"Fine but if you look, you'll lose another body part."
Hiccup kept his word and kept his eyes closed as the two of them removed their clothes and curled up with one another next to the dwindling fire.
For nearly twenty minutes she starred at the fire from behind him as she thought about her situation.
Well this is just great. Not only do I not have my jerky but now I'm trapped on a freezing boat with Hiccup! The one legged know it all who can't even use a sword.
But as it went on, she realized something very important. Something she was loathed to admit.
But he did risk his life to save mine. I should pay him back. After a moment a thought came to her, a stupid insane idea but it was the best idea she could come up with to pay him back.
"Hiccup."
"Yeah Ruff."
"Look cuddling is barely keeping us warm right?"
"Yeah but what else can we do?"
"I know of a way, and I think you do to."
His head perked up as realization dawned on him. "Ruff you don't mean…"
"Yep, look you technically saved my life twice and Thorstones don't like owing people. We'll both die if we don't warm up fast, so this kills two birds with one stone."
Hiccup could barely belief what he was hearing. He knew she was right, but this seemed wrong.
Sure, dads always said that Vikings will do anything to survive but this really doesn't feel right. He briefly opened his eyes and saw that the fire was dying faster than he realized.
"Are you sure?"
"Look you're not my first choice but I'm not really complaining."
He turned over and opened his eyes. For the first time in years he felt his mind slow down as he starred at her.
"Wow…" was all he could say as he could a good look at her naked form. "You're beautiful."
Ruff blushed at what was possibly the first compliment a boy had said about her and got on top of him before leaning down.
"Listen up Hiccup. This doesn't leave this boat understand?"
"Agreed." She grabbed his head and quickly kissed him.
For what seemed like hours the two of them embraced each other just to stay warm and awake. By the time their bodies were completely warmed up they laid next to each other both unsure of what to say or do next and simply relaxed in the moment.
Luckily Toothless soon woke up and after staring at the two for a moment lit the fire back up so they could rapidly dry their clothes. Once they were, they quickly got dressed and hopped back on Toothless who flew back to Berk at record speed. They were greeted by the Stoick who of course screamed at them for being late but rushed them inside as a storm was brewing. At the crossroads leading to their different homes Ruff and Hiccup shared an awkward goodbye hug before quickly rushing inside. Hiccup hobbled up the stairs and into his bed his mind unable to forget the events of the last few hours.