What ho fellow dragonites! It's Hiccstrid week 2017 so to celebrate you get a new short titled: HTTYD – How To Tell Your Dad

Tumblr Day 1 Prompt – A character reaction

||Gobber

The Awkwardness Begins

Parchment was strewn in a scattered mess about the table, the light of dancing candle flames illuminating the pages. Together they formulated with intricate detail the mechanics of the new Dragon Blade. The shaft was longer with symmetrical jagged edges for an extra edge in combat and even traversing some terrains. Three pairs of eyes analysed the designs making sure it was up to standards befitting of its user.

'How's it looking there?' Gobber queued in from the other end of the forge wiping his hands off with a rag.

Two pairs of eyes cast a brief glance before falling back to the blade.'Gobbler, we've been working on this for weeks, of course it's going to work. I mean when have Hiccup's inventions ever failed?' Fishlegs chimed in for reassurance.

Hiccup was quick to point out the flaw in his statement. 'Ah well not entirely Fishlegs, but it is only sword, a glorified, fire brazened sword that's going to be nearly as tall as I am."

Gobbler nodded trusting his judgement. "Oh well good luck too you lad, I'm sure I have some Gronkle iron lying around somewhere," he said moving out towards the workshop stations.

Hiccup piled up the plans neatly stacking them away in the shelves. 'I think we'll start working on this tomorrow, better having a few hours sleep behind us,' Hiccup commented.

Fishlegs quirked an eyebrow befuddled as to why Hiccup was clearing up now. It was a common thing for him to work late into the night and even into the early hours of morning on projects. There was something else amidts, and he think he knew what, or more he should say who it was.

His ears burned at the thought. 'Oh, right, I'll ah. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night Hiccup,' he stuttered shuffling out before his face burned up with excitement.

Hiccup rolled his eyes at the antics, though he wasn't surprised. Fishlegs was sharper than people gave him credit for.

Outside the the work room, Gobber was sorting through different piles of tools and metal sheets looking for his old stores of Gronkle iron when he heard patted footsteps bouncing by.

'Evening Gobber,' Astrid sang out with cheer.

'Astrid,' he replied looking briefly as she skipped past. 'Hiccup's inside.'

Her smile broadened as she travelled quick distance bumping into Fishlegs on the way through. 'Oop, didn't see you there Fishlegs. See you tomorrow I suppose.'

Fishlegs blushed heavily, his suspicions confirmed. 'Yep. You two have fun,' he cheecked shuffling away with a little giggle.

She cast him a sideward glance before slipping in through the doorway. Gobber narrowed his eyes curious as to what was possibly being eluded to. Fishleg's cheeks were burning as he scooted away, Meatlug quick to fall in beside him. A light clatter emanated from the room followed by murrured voices, it wasn't unusual and the calm sounding reaction seemed to conclude there was no problem. He slowly returned to sorting through the shelves when he heard a rather unfamiliar sound.

A soft giggle reached his ears pulling his complete attention, all other sound drowning away. He knew it wasn't his business to intrude but he had nevever heard a giggle like that before, it was soft, cheery and femanine. The pieces put themself together as he realised it was from Astrid, but she never giggled, it just wasn't in her personality, unless?

He edged himself over to the door as silently which all things considering was a valiant triumph and peered through to lay his eyes upon a sight he hadn't seen in nearly four years. Hiccup and Astrid were locked in each other's embrace sharing a passionate kiss completely oblivious to the world around them. He froze for a moment thinking he should back away before he was caught, but as he went to push away his peg leg slipped and his chunky frame fell through the door sending his face into the dirt. The couple broke apart in surprise at the sudden intrusion. They both looked down at the fallen body precariously pushing himself off the ground.

They were too shocked for words sharing awkward glances but not quite letting go of each other's arms. 'What are you… ahh, up to, Gobber,' Hiccup nervously questioned feeling very sellf conscious.

Gobber couldn't help but stare back as he slowly felt the edges of his lips curl upwards into a broad grin. His mind was reeling over this discovery trying to process what it meant, but at the same time trying to maintain a bit of rationality. He managed a soft chuckle where the returning expressions were of growing concerned.

'Does Stoick know?' it was the only thing he could vocalise causing a flush of fear to flood through Hiccup.

'I think if my Dad knew, so would everyone else Gobber,' he tentatively replied realising too late why he was asked.

Hiccup shot an anxious glance towards Astrid and began moving forward. 'Oh no, ahh Gobber, no. Don't even think about telling him yet,' he frantically babbled in an attempt to sway his mentor from doing something rash. 'I'm serious Gobber, you know what he's like, and beside shouldn't a son be the one to share big ahh life changing developments with his dad anyway?' he continued to try and reason.

Gobber couldn't wipe the smile away, he just rocked on his heel and slowly exited out the door still chuckling away highly amused about what was to come. Stoick was in for some big news soon enough. He returned to sorting out through the shelves still chortling away his amusement

In the meantime both Hiccup and Astrid stood perplexed staring at the doorway unsure what to do. 'Do you really think he's going to tell your Dad,' Astrid asked.

'Probably,' came the succinct reply.

'Do you think we should try and stop him?' she followed on.

Hiccup shook his head, eyes not refraining from the doorway. 'It's already too late.'

To Be Continued in The Awkwardness Continues