That last chapter was harder for me to write than one would think. I did a lot of research on head injuries for said chapter, and I'm not sure I like writing about them yet *shrugs* Aaaaaanywwwaaays, this chapter's not really very long, but it's important, so...yup, it's important. And that's pretty much it. As usual, enjoy the chapter, hate the cliffhanger. Have fun. I'll have to do shout-outs every other chapter, because my e-mail doesn't work very well sometimes. :) Anyways, enjoy the chapter! :)
Hiccup didn't wake up much after that. Every now and then, he would say something barely audible, like Stop it hurts or What is that? or What happened? Before Astrid could even answer, he was unconscious again. It was really starting to freak her out.
Not too long afterwards, Stoick and Gothi arrived. After Gothi made sure it was safe to move Hiccup, Stoick picked him up and then he, Gothi, Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout and the twins followed them to the Haddock residence.
...
"She's been in there for hooooours," Tuffnut groaned. "How long does it take to check someone's head injury?"
"Longer than you would think, Tuffnut," said Fishlegs.
"I didn't know that," said Tuffnut.
"Often because you rarely think," said Fishlegs.
"You're right," said Tuffnut. "I don't think. It makes me refrain from being crazy."
"Guys, you're getting off subject," said Astrid. "Snotlout, what happened exactly?"
"I told you earlier," said Snotlout. "I moved a piece of wood that was balancing the other ones, and then one of them hit Hiccup, and then he was out like a light. There's nothing more to say, Astrid, really, I promise. And I'm so sorry. I didn't want anyone to get hurt!"
"No one's blaming you, Snotlout," said Stoick. He looked towards the stairs. "I just hope he'll be alright."
"Yeah, that was a nasty looking cut," said Fishlegs. "I betcha he'll have a nice scar to show off after all this is over with and..." He noticed everyone staring at him, some in shock, and others with glares. "Aaand I've said too much."
"Yeah, you're not helping," said Astrid.
"What are you worrying about?" said Ruffnut. "He's Hiccup. He's always fine."
"Yeah, like the time he lost his leg to the Red Death," said Fishlegs.
"Again, Fishlegs, not helping," said Astrid.
"Sorry," said Fishlegs. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
"Maybe," said Astrid, "but all the same, I'm worried."
Truly, though, she was. Every time he woke up before Gothi and Stoick arrived, he had been severely out of it and dangerously unable to stay conscious for more than a few measly seconds.
"And when he wakes up, we'll make it up to him," said Astrid. "We'll show him those plans for that treehouse, and ask him for some tips. I'm sure he has some. Maybe we shouldn't keep it a surprise after all. If he wants to see it, you better believe we'll show him. Are we all in agreement?"
"Agreement on what?" said Tuffnut.
"Never mind," said Astrid. "I'll take that as a yes, I suppose."
"A yes to what?" said Tuffnut. "Did I miss something?"
"No, you're just ignorant," said Fishlegs.
"What does that mean?" said Tuffnut.
"I rest my case," said Fishlegs.
At that moment, Gothi walked down the stairs, her face unreadable. The others jumped to their feet and walked over, wondering what was going to become of this talk.
Gothi wrote out on the floor, and Fishlegs translated.
"She says he's lucky," he said. "It's not serious. When he wakes up, he'll probably just have a headache, but she also says it will ease quickly."
"So we're good now?" said Astrid. "Nothing too bad? What about the gash?"
"She says it wasn't very deep," said Fishlegs. "It's already pretty much closed up on its own. Give or take a few more days."
"Oh thank goodness," said Tuffnut. "Wait what happened?"
Shortly after, Gothi bid them farewell and left the household. A little while after she did, Stoick left to tend to the village and tell them of Hiccup's condition. The others remained in the house, wondering what their next move should be.
"Should we go up?" said Fishlegs.
"Go up where?" said Snotlout.
"To Hiccup's loft," said Fishlegs.
"Oh," said Snotlout. "I don't see why not. Besides, that way, when he wakes up, he won't have to worry about or wonder where we are."
Astrid nodded and walked up the steps, followed by the others in close pursuit. Toothless was standing on the left side of Hiccup's bed, growling at the youths when they entered the room, and then stopping once he realized it was only them. Hiccup's condition hadn't changed much since the last time they had seen him, except the gash wasn't bleeding.
"Ah, see, Snotlout?" said Fishlegs. "You got worried for nothing."
"Hey, I'm his cousin," said Snotlout. "It's my job to worry."
"Since when do you worry about anyone or anything?" said Astrid.
"Since it was my fault this happened," said Snotlout. Wow. Snotlout, being thoughtful? This was something new. Normally, he couldn't care less what happened to someone else.
"What now?" said Tuffnut.
"We wait," said Astrid. "Actually, if you and Ruffnut can, why don't you take that wood to the cove before someone else knocks themselves out on it?"
"That's great," said Tuffnut. "Do we get to blow it up?"
"NO," said the others in unison.
"Drat," said Tuffnut. "Anyways, gotta go!" He and his sister ran back down the stairs, tripping over each other until they finally stumbled out the door.
...
He wasn't exactly sure what brought him back to consciousness. Maybe it was the throbbing in his head that made it impossible to think of anything else, or maybe it was the fact there were voices speaking to each other in hushed tones; like someone trying to keep silent, and failing all the same.
Hiccup opened his eyes, finding it dark in the room he was in. He realized it was his own room; where else would he be? He sat up, wincing and gripping his head, trying to look for something he could see, yet finding nothing. Maybe it was midnight; that would explain it. Maybe he had been unconscious through the entire day, and was waking up in the middle of the night.
"Hiccup!" three different voices shouted in a jumbled unison.
"You're awake!" said the voice of Astrid. "Well, that was quick."
"Hiccup Haddock; always one to recover quickly," said the voice of Fishlegs. "How are you?"
"Hey, baby cousin," said Snotlout.
"I'm older than you," said Hiccup.
"Whatever," said Snotlout. "Seriously though, I am so sorry about the wood. I didn't mean to knock you out, or anything."
"No, it's fine," said Hiccup. "But could you guys please light a candle or something? It's dark. I suppose I slept through yesterday, then, and now it's the middle of the night?"
There was a short silence before Astrid spoke again.
"Hiccup...it's the middle of the afternoon," she said. "It's only been a few hours since the accident."
"Middle of the...afternoon," said Hiccup in disbelief, wondering if he had heard her wrong. "That doesn't make any sense. Why's it so dark?"
There was more silence, until Astrid suddenly gasped.
"Hiccup..." she said, "how many fingers am I holding up?"
"You're holding up fingers?" Hiccup frowned. "Where?"
"Right in front of your face, Dragon Boy!" Astrid shouted. "Can you seeeeeee my fingers?"
"I can't even see you!" said Hiccup. "What are you guys trying to pull?"
"Nothing!" Snotlout, Fishlegs and Astrid shouted in unison.
"We're not doing anything!" Fishlegs insisted.
Suddenly, the three of them gasped, all apparently coming to the same realization.
"Hiccup..." said Astrid, "I think you're blind."
Note: I actually don't know if Hiccup is older than Snotlout or not, but he sure looks older, so there ya go. I know they're both twenty in HTTYD2, but I don't know when Snotlout's birthday is (Hiccup's is in February), so I really don't know who's older. Just wanted to get that out there. :D If anyone knows, feel free to tell me.