=Normal POV=
{Saturday, October 16, 2021-6:45 am}
(Hiccup's Bedroom)
No one had anything to say after Hiccup said what he did to them. How could they? Sadly, Hiccup wasn't wrong. Hiccup might be rich, but it appeared that he made his own living instead of going with the one he was handed. The rest of the night was relatively calm. Around 8:05 pm, Runa was fed her bottle, burped, changed, then back to sleep. Hiccup didn't talk to the others, but he jumped online and played a few rounds with his friends. The popular seven took it upon themselves to set up the beds they'd be using. Eret and Astrid were sharing the bed inside Hiccup's room while Gruffnut slept in one of the recliner chairs. Thuggory and Camicazi took a bed in the sitting room, then Nadia and Ragna were sharing the second bed in the same place. It wasn't the best arrangement, but as Hiccup mentioned to them; he didn't have to be this generous either. Hiccup could have just given them sleeping bags and pillows, but he didn't, so the seven thought it might be a good idea not to aggravate Hiccup the rest of the time they were there.
Runa was up again for the final night feeding until morning at about 12:40 am. The others were laying down, trying to sleep but ended up staying away through Runa's feeding. Hiccup took care of Runa in her room, so not to disturb the others and then after Runa was back to sleep around 2 am, Hiccup didn't even go to sleep. Hiccup ended up taking a shower until 2:20 am, then finally, he laid down on his bed and knocked out around 2:45 am. Now, it was the next morning as the others were just beginning to wake up, but Hiccup was out like a light, or so they thought.
"Not gonna lie; these couch beds are super comfortable," Camicazi whispered, greeting the other six.
"What time is it?" Gruffnut rubbed his eyes.
"Fifteen to seven," Astrid replied, checking her phone.
"Looks like he's still sleeping," Nadia pointed to Hiccup who was laying on the left side of his body, and the right side of the bed. The blanket was half off him, revealing that Hiccup wasn't wearing a shirt. Hiccup shifted a little, moving onto his stomach with his arms under the pillow and head turned to the left.
"Well, he didn't get to sleep until almost 3 am," Eret informed. "Astrid and I were awake. Hiccup got Runa back to bed, then took a shower before falling there," The seven stayed quiet to use the bathroom and sit on the bed Astrid and Eret were using to charge their phones and check in back home. The storm didn't appear to be any better either. As it neared 7 am, Runa began to whimper. However, Hiccup remained asleep. A minute later, Runa was crying loudly as Hiccup shifted again, turning his head to the right and lifting it up to listen better. Hiccup groaned, rubbing his eyes and turning over to sit up.
"Hang on, Princess. Daddy's comin'," Hiccup said tiredly as he threw the blanket off and stood up, revealing to be in a pair of semi-loose gym shorts. Hiccup stretched then moved into the nursery. Five minutes later, Hiccup came back out holding Runa with one arm, and her head was on his shoulder. Hiccup carefully walked around the beds to get into the sitting room and make the bottle for her. After that, Hiccup returned to his bed, sitting up against the wall and positioning Runa to feed her.
"Morning," Nadia greeted.
"Hi," Hiccup said, apparently not a morning person. Or maybe it had to do with the fact he only got about four hours of sleep. "If any of you want coffee, there's some brewing in the sitting room," he added with his eyes closed. Not saying anything, they got up to step into the other room. Astrid got a mug first, then stopped and poked her head back into the bedroom.
"Hiccup?" Astrid asked.
"Hm?" Hiccup replied.
"How do you like yours? Coffee, I mean," Astrid inquired.
"French Vanilla and three sugars," Hiccup informed. Astrid nodded, moving back into the room and making a coffee for him.
"What are you doing?" Eret asked.
"Guy only had four hours of sleep and woken up by the baby. I think he'd probably like some of the coffee he started brewing. Come on; we could stand to play nice while we're here…" Astrid rolled her eyes, then returned to the bedroom. Astrid stood beside the bed, offering the mug to Hiccup. "Here; you look like you could use some,"
"Um…Thanks?" Hiccup blinked a little, surprised. Hiccup adjusted his arms and the hand to hold Runa's bottle with one, then took the mug from her. Hiccup took a few sips off the top, then set it down beside him. Hiccup relaxed more while feeding Runa as the others got their coffee and just sat around quietly to drink their beverages.
. . .
{8:10 am}
Hiccup got Runa back to sleep, then he finished his coffee and used the bathroom; even taking another quick shower. By 8:25 am, Hiccup walked out of his master bathroom. Hiccup wore a pair of black jeans, no socks or shirt. However, he did have his headphones in while moving to the dresser to grab said shirt and socks that he wasn't wearing.
"Some people call me little. Some people call me small. But given the chance, I'll rise and stand above them all. Some people put me down. Some people kick me around. But believe me, when I say, I'll be the one who rules this town. But they all say no, and say you can't go. But I won't let them decide who I should be…"
"Colorful rainbows catch my eyes when I see you fly across the sky. You're like a drug that calms the mind. Like a drug that calms the mind. I'll flap my wings and get off of the floor. I'll fly higher than ever before. Wind in my hair as I start to soar…Wind in my hair as I start to soar!"
Hiccup didn't even seem to remember there were others around. Hiccup started just humming along for a bit, and then he began singing once more. "I know-I know if you give me the chance. I know-I know if you give me the chance. I know-I know if you give me the chance. I know-I know if you give me the chance. I'll be the one who stands up tall. The one who rises above them all. The one who gets to be…Somebody!" the note was long, and kind'a high, but Hiccup managed it. Hiccup paused whatever he was playing, then pulled his headphones out.
"Random question…Where'd you learn to sing?" Ragna asked.
"Taught myself, but according to my parents and other family members; I've always been good at it," Hiccup shrugged. "Come on; breakfast time," he motioned for them to follow.
"You don't wanna go back to sleep?" Thuggory wondered.
"Why should I?" Hiccup asked while leading them downstairs to get into the kitchen.
"You don't look like you got a lot of sleep last night," Gruffnut said.
"I didn't, but I'll live," Hiccup replied as he started breaking things out to make breakfast. "Any of your allergic anything?" he asked.
"Nope, we're good," Astrid told him. Hiccup nodded, beginning to cook. It was silent about five minutes. "So, since we never got to it last night…Can you still help us with that dragon training stuff?" she decided to inquire.
"I suppose. What are you having trouble understanding?" Hiccup glanced over while flipping the bacon.
"Well, we've finished Stoker Class. Dagur managed to squeeze the last five dragons in after Nightmare over Thursday and Friday. Dagur couldn't remember if you did…Uh, I think it's called Red Death?" Nadia said.
"We did go over it briefly. Unfortunately; it's not a dragon we can do a lot of research on because that last one rumored was back in Viking times. Also, that's not a beast you want to get near," Hiccup shrugged while watching the bacon still, but breaking out another pan to do sausage links.
"Was it that bad?" Eret wondered.
"From many stories passed down over the centuries…Red Death is said to be an enormous Stoker Class dragon. Four-hundred feet long, ninety-nine feet tall and had a wingspan of five-hundred and fifty feet. This thing had three pairs of eyes, massive clubbed tail, head frill, vacuum-like mouth. It could create a homing signal to control other dragons," Hiccup informed.
"Wow. Thank God that thing isn't around anymore," Gruffnut blinked.
"In theory, it's not around anymore. We don't know; I don't believe anyone really wants to go looking for it. The best place to look is volcanos," Hiccup stated.
"What classification are we doing next?" Camicazi inquired.
"Boulder, Sharp, and Strike," Hiccup listed.
"How many dragons in those? I mean, are we going to finish in time for Midterms?" Astrid asked.
"Twelve in Boulder. Fourteen for Sharp and six to Strike," Hiccup replied calmly. "And yes, we'll have plenty of time as long as there are no more incidents like Wednesday," he added a little coldly.
"On a slightly unrelated note…What was that thing you mentioned yesterday? That your friends had bonded dragons already?" Thuggory questioned.
"That's precisely what I said. My friends already have their own dragons, but to register them at the Dragon Registry Office; they have to pass Dragon Classifications first. I'm a legal dragon owner, caretaker, and trainer so I can house their dragons here until such a time they finish," Hiccup yawned while pulling the bacon off, then setting it off to the side for the extra grease to drip off. Hiccup rolled the sausage links, then lowering the heat before draining the oil from the bacon and rinsing out the pan. Hiccup started cracking eggs, adding cheese, salt, pepper, and a little milk before mixing it together and dumping it in the pan for cooking. Grabbing a whisk, Hiccup kept on moving the eggs around so they wouldn't burn.
During all that, Hiccup managed to get the toast going in the oven; he pulled out jelly, butter, and cinnamon. "You named the Monstrous Nightmare from Wednesday…Is he one that belongs to a friend?" Astrid inquired.
"Hookfang, a male Monstrous Nightmare and he belongs to Snotlout; the two of them don't always see eye to eye. And Hookfang has set Snotlout's pants on fire more times than I can count. Also, Snot takes so much abuse from his dragon that it's hilarious to watch. However, Hookfang would never let anyone, or anything hurt him," Hiccup explained, still mixing the eggs around, and adding the cheese to melt in.
"What about the others you mentioned?" Nadia pushed.
"Well, there's Meatlug. Female Gronckle, belongs to Fishlegs. Uh, Windshear is a female Razorwhip and is Heather's. Minden has a female Razorwhip too, she calls her Silverwhip. Ruff and Tuff share a male Hideous Zippleback, each of them ride one side. Tuffnut has the right, called Belch. Ruffnut named the left Barf. Oh, and Adelaide, she has a male Razorwhip named Spearstrike," Hiccup explained.
"And you have Stormfly," Eret mentioned.
"Correct," Hiccup nodded. "We all bonded about three years ago. Me and Stormfly first, then within six months, the others to theirs," he added while turning the burner off and grabbing a stack of eight paper plates, then the forks and setting them out. Hiccup set the pan of eggs on the counter on a hotplate, then the bacon and sausage along with toast and it's additional add-ons. The seven began to get their food and eat while around the center island in the kitchen. Hiccup grabbed his last as they were all eating.
"What class are Razorwhips?" Camicazi asked.
"Sharp," Hiccup said.
"A-And Gronckles are Boulder, right?" Astrid wondered. Hiccup nodded to confirm while still eating. "How come Nadders are Tracker Class?"
"Not sure actually. Deadly Nadder used to be Sharp because of the spines, but somewhere along the lines; they got moved into Tracker. Also, it's fitting too because they are excellent Trackers," Hiccup stated.
"Where did you learn to cook?" Nadia questioned.
"Here and there. It never hurts to have life skills," Hiccup shrugged.
"I don't see why, though. Like, it doesn't make sense to me that you have all this stuff, but you still do things as if you have nothing and need to make living," Gruffnut enlightened.
"It goes back to what I told you all two weeks ago; all this doesn't define who I am," Hiccup remarked. "Money is just another object used to make the world go round, but it doesn't make a person who they are,"
"But why work a job? Why do all these things that your staff could do? Like cooking, or cleaning?" Eret asked.
"Because if I didn't have all this; I would have to do it. Do you remember when I told you that I know who my true friends are with or without all this?" Hiccup looked at the seven as they nodded. "The same situation applies. Yeah, I've got people who could do everything for me. Cook, clean, laundry, even take care of Runa. My family has a lot of money. Yes; I have a lot. But what would happen if I woke up tomorrow and everything was gone? The house, the money, the help? Who is left to do everything? Just me," Hiccup explained.
"I still don't see how it would help," Ragna responded.
Hiccup sighed, setting his plate down. "Let me try it this way. Who does your laundry at home? Who cleans your house? Cooks the food? Pays for your cars, school items?" he inquired.
"Well, we have helpers in my house," Thuggory said.
"Same," Camicazi and Eret replied.
"My parents," Astrid informed.
"Okay, now what happens if all that is gone? Astrid, your dad, is mayor, and your mom a top doctor. What happens if they lost their jobs. Would you still have all that money?" Hiccup tried.
"Well, no…But they'd just get new jobs…" Astrid said.
"What if they couldn't? Say something occurred where they were unable to work. Someone gets sick, can't find a new job, injury. Think about it, and then add in if they couldn't pay for the cars, the house. What happens when they don't make enough to let you keep all the things you have? Who would it fall on to take care of herself?"
"Me?" Astrid replied.
"And because you're so used to having everything given to or done for you…Would you know how? To care for yourself?" Hiccup questioned.
"Probably not…" Astrid said.
"Same goes for all of you. What happens if something happens to your perfect lives? Can you care for yourselves?" Hiccup looked over the remaining six. They shook their heads. "That's why I do all the things I do. If I woke up tomorrow, and all this was gone. I can still take care of myself, my daughter, my dragon…My family. I don't rely on my parents to support me. I don't count on this staff to handle everything. I have money in the bank to fall back on. I have loyal friends who would let me crash at their place if I needed it. I can take care of my daughter on my own because I don't make the staff just do it for me. A perfect example is that I'm exhausted right now, but I still got up after only four hours of sleep to take care of Runa, then come down here and make breakfast. I know how to clean, do laundry, cook, and work a real job. You can't rely on the life you've been given, so I made one for myself. One that allows me to survive with or without all this," he motioned around to the house.
"Ugh, you are sickeningly kind, optimistic, and wise," Gruffnut rolled his eyes.
"Just because I'm rich doesn't mean I have to be an asshole to everyone. I get through life by staying humble and kind," Hiccup chuckled as a maid came through holding Runa in her arms. "Hey, you're supposed to be sleeping right now," he took the child from the woman.
"I was gathering laundry and heard her; I tried to get her to go back to sleep, but she wasn't having it," the female said.
"Oh, don't worry about it, Mia. Thank you," Hiccup smiled as Mia nodded, then walked off. Runa was crying lightly as Hiccup put her up and on his shoulder, beginning to rub and pat her back a little. About twenty seconds later, Runa burped, and the whimpers stopped. Hiccup laid her back down in his arms and smiled. "There. Now, do we feel better?" Runa smiled, her hands reaching up to touch his face. Hiccup lowered is head more, rubbing his nose against hers. Hiccup set Runa on the counter, then grabbing a dishrag and putting it over his head. "Where's daddy, Runa?" he said. It took a second or two, but she reached a bit and pulled the rag down. "There he is!" Runa giggled. Hiccup did it again, Runa's laughing continued with little squeaks clapping.
This time, he put it over her head. "Where's Runa?" She pulled the rag down. "Boo!" a bigger laugh came forward. Hiccup repeated this a few more times. Then it went back to her pulling it off of him. Runa was giggling, bouncing around with her arms and legs moving around.
"She adores you," Astrid mentioned.
"Yeah; she's a daddy's girl for sure," Hiccup replied. Hiccup lifted Runa up, spinning her around in a few circles and earning more laughing. Hiccup tossed her up and down in his arms, having a blast. The others ate and watched. It was about 8:40 am when they finished as Hiccup was still playing with Runa, having completely forgotten about his food. Though; it didn't appear he cared either. Hiccup set Runa back on the counter, playing patty-cake now. Runa smiled still but gave a big yawn. "Somebody's getting tired," Hiccup chuckled a little as he picked her up once more, keeping Runa on his right side while she held her head and body up without support from Hiccup. "Daddy loves you so much," Hiccup said to her.
"D-D…" Runa tried. Hiccup snuggled her as she reached for him again. "D-D..a..D-Da…" Runa continued as Hiccup's eyes widened a little. Babies were known for babbling with random sounds. Hiccup looked at her quickly; Runa's light blue eyes staring up at him as she lightly touched the side of his face. "D-Da...D-Da..Da. Dada," Runa managed to get out after a few tries. Hiccup's mouth dropped open, entirely floored. Runa was almost five months old, and she just called him Dada! Hiccup laughed out, holding Runa close to him. The man looked like he was about to cry, but wouldn't because he knew who was watching. Hiccup was super proud and happy; Runa said Dada, which is her first word!
