"Oh come on...Hiccup," Astrid groaned as he slumped forward against the table, his head on his arms. "I told you, you can't sleep her...oh for the love of..." She thought about moving him, but he looked so peaceful. His position didn't look comfortable in the least, but he was still sleeping soundly. She didn't want to move him, or wake him up so he could go somewhere else. So, she grabbed a blanket and draped it over his shoulders before sitting down next to him again to make sure he didn't fall off the bench.
A few minutes later, Valka ran down the stairs, looking panicked at first and then relieved when she saw where Hiccup was. She looked from Astrid and Hiccup for just a moment before moving over to sit on Hiccup's other side.
"What's he doing up?" she whispered to Astrid.
"That's what I was wondering," Astrid replied. "I think he just got...I don't know. He never really said what he was doing up. I think he was just bored, or something."
Valka nodded, rubbing Hiccup's back subconsciously. "But he made it out here without collapsing on the way. That could be a good sign. Before, he could hardly sit up on his own."
Astrid nodded. "I hope you're right," she said. "I hate seeing him sick like this."
"Me too," Valka agreed. "I'm going to heat up some of that leftover soup in case he wants to try to eat something when he wakes up." As she spoke, she stood up to do as she had said she would. Astrid nodded, remaining by Hiccup's side while Valka worked.
An hour passed before Hiccup stirred. He bolted upright, rubbing furiously at his eyes.
"Morning, sleepy head," Astrid said, almost too cheerfully. "How are you feeling?"
"Meh," Hiccup said, dropping his head back to the table.
"That doesn't tell me much," Astrid said.
"Meh," Hiccup responded.
"That bad, then, huh?" she asked in confirmation, grimacing as she spoke.
"Meeeeeh." Hiccup held that one out longer than was necessary, not even looking at her or moving elsewise.
"Seriously, Hiccup," Astrid said. "Are you feeling better? Any worse?"
"Mostly tired," Hiccup said, his voice muffled. "I'm feeling better, though."
"That's good," Astrid said, nodding her head. "You scared the living daylights out of your mother and me. Don't do that again."
"Meh," Hiccup said. "Don't plan on it."
"Yeah, good for you," Astrid replied. "Because if you were planning on it, I would have flattened you."
"Mmmhmm...good to know I'm appreciated," Hiccup murmured.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Was that sarcasm or not?" she asked.
"Figure it out," Hiccup repsponded.
Astrid pouted and crossed her arms. "And you thought I was the annoying one," she said, shaking her head.
"Meh," Hiccup mumbled.
Astrid put on an angry face, although it was clear she was only faking it. "Is that all you have to say to me?" she questioned with mock shock.
"Meh," Hiccup said.
"Oh!" Astrid exclaimed, faking an accent. "Ah. I have never seen such disgrace before! Say that to my face, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. I dare you."
"Meh," Hiccup said.
"Unheard of!" Astrid said. "I call treason! Profanity!"
"You can't call treason on your Chief!" Hiccup complained, faking a thick accent, much like Astrid was doing.
"I just did," Astrid said.
"Aww, but I'm sick!" Hiccup said. "Look at me!"
"Uh-huh," Astrid said. "Aside from hardly eating anything for the past few days, you seem fine to me!"
They stared at each other, their expressions dead serious, until in unison, they burst into laughter. Valka entered the room, and they instantly shut themselves up, putting on the most casual expression as was possible.
"What are you two laughing about?" she asked.
"Nothing," Hiccup and Astrid answered in sync, shaking their heads in perfect unison. Valka looked at them suspiciously before she left the room once again.
"You can't call treason on your Chief," Hiccup whispered to Astrid.
"Oh yeah?" Astrid whispered back. "Says who?"
"Well," Hiccup said, "if you do, I'll send my Night Fury on you."
"Oh no!" Astrid said, getting on her knees in front of him. "Not the Night Fury!" she pleaded. "Anything but the dragon that acts like an overgrown puppy dog when you give him his favorite kind of fish! Anything but that!"
Hiccup leaned backwards. "Do not mock the Night Fury," he said.
"I'm not mocking him," Astrid said, sitting down beside Hiccup once again. "I'm describing him."
"Well," Hiccup said, "you know what I have to say to that?"
"Oh, wait, let me guess," Astrid said, spinning her index finger around her forehead. "Meh."
"Meh," Hiccup confirmed.
Valka reentered the room, carrying a bowl of soup, which she placed in front of Hiccup before sitting down beside him. "So," she said, "how are you feeling today?"
"Better," Hiccup said. "Yeah, a lot better."
Valka smiled at him. "That's gread news, Hiccup," she said. "I'm sure you'll be back to your normal self in no time."
Astrid smiled at the both of them before rising to a stand. "I should go make sure Gobber isn't naming babies again," she said. "Rest up, Hiccup."
"I will," Hiccup said. "I'll see you later on, or tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Astrid said. She waved, and then headed off. Hiccup watched her leave before turning back to his mother. She had her arms crossed.
"What?" he asked. Valka remained unmoved. "Okay, Mom," Hiccup said, sighing, "I'm ready for my lecture." He said it as if he had been expecting it for a long time.
"You aren't supposed to be out of bed at all," Valka said. "You are not in a good health right now, Hiccup."
"I never said I was," Hiccup said. "I'm more in...decent health."
"No, not even that," Valka said. Hiccup looked at her with confusion written plainly across his face. "Hiccup," Valka said, "you were diagnosed with tularemia by the healer a few days ago."
"Tularemia?" Hiccup echoed, and Valka nodded. "That's interesting."
"You've been very sick for the past few days," Valka said. "And I mean very sick, Hiccup. Not just a flu, or a cold, but...tularemia. You couldn't eat. I'm sure you lost a decent amount of weight. It isn't something I would want you to ever relapse into, so until I'm sure that you're one hundred percent alright, I want you to rest and take it easy. For now, eat your soup, and then you can get some sleep."
"I feel like I've been sleeping for days," Hiccup said.
"Yes, you really have been," Valka said, "and it's helping your body heal itself. You need as much sleep as you can get."
"But what-"
"No, Hiccup. No buts about it, alright?"
Hiccup sighed, but nodded. Valka smiled at hum, ruffling his hair as she stood. "Good boy," she said. "Now enjoy your soup."