So, I decided to write a second chapter to this story. :) Enjoy! :D
"I'm dying, Hiccup," I moan miserably. "I'm dying…you have to do something now."
Hiccup doesn't even look up from his book. He's sitting at a stool parked by my bed, reading as if it is the most fascinating thing in the world. "Yeah, sorry, Astrid," he says offhandedly, turning to the next page. "You're not dying."
"Easy for you to say," I say, flopping back on my bed. I drape one of my arms over my eyes. My forehead feels like it's burning, but I make no comment. "You're not the one nearing death. Fetch me my Will, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third."
"Sorry, princess," Hiccup says. "Using my full name does not make me want to cater to your every will."
I groan, propping myself up on one of my arms as I lay on my side. "Did you just call me princess?" I ask.
"You're feverish and delusional," Hiccup says. "You're hearing things. Go to sleep."
I moan. He hasn't looked up at me this entire time, and it's starting to get on my nerves. "What are you reading that's so interesting?" I ask.
"Nothing really," Hiccup says.
"Well, it must be, if you're staring at it so intensely," I comment. "What is it?"
"Just some books on contraptions and mechanisms…you know," Hiccup says. "Just some usual Hiccup stuff."
"Oh," I say, losing interest. I lay back. "You did call me princess, though," I say simply. "What's the deal with the nickname?"
"I don't know," Hiccup says. "You sure are acting like a princess, ordering me around…"
"I'm not ordering you around," I say. "Shut up."
"I rest my case."
"Stop it."
"Now you're just further proving my point."
I roll my eyes. "Seriously, Hiccup," I say. "You can be so difficult sometimes."
Hiccup looks up at me for the first time in our conversation and smiles. "Guilty as charged, milady," Hiccup quips, just before returning his attention to his book.
I moan.
"And you know," Hiccup says, "the sighing and moaning and groaning isn't effective."
"It gets your attention off that book," I say. "It's effective enough."
"What do you have against reading?" Hiccup asks. "Reading is awesome."
"Yeah, well, maybe for you," I say. "Throwing axes is fun too."
"Yeah, that's different," Hiccup says. "And it's not fun. It's useful, and dangerous, and very Astrid like."
"Are you saying there's something wrong with being Astrid like?" I ask angrily.
"Nope, I'm just saying it's dangerous," Hiccup says.
"And what?" I say. "Being Hiccup like is completely safe?"
"Not at all," Hiccup says. "Just the opposite, actually. Being Hiccup like is bound to get you killed. That's why I'm the only Hiccup on Berk. We couldn't take two Hiccups walking around and wrecking havoc."
"Oh, that would be awful," I say, but I'm smiling. "One Hiccup is enough for a lifetime."
"Now I feel appreciated," Hiccup says under his breath, lowering his voice so it's just loud enough for me to hear."
"Sorry," I say, not sure if I'm being sincere or not.
"Hey," Hiccup says, closing his book and leaning forward. "I'm just joking." He says it as if it is some great discovery.
"So am I," I smirk.
Hiccup's smile turns into a frown. "Rude," he says.
"You're the one being snarky, Snarky," I say, smiling, although I make sure to leave all evidence out of my voice.
"If you want to start calling me names," Hiccup says, pointing a finger at me, "then you better watch out, Astrid."
"Careful what you wish for, Dragon Boy," I smile.
"Don't you 'Dragon Boy' me, Astrid Hofferson," Hiccup warns hastily.
"Don't you 'Astrid Hofferson' me, Dragon Boy," I say.
"Ooooh," Hiccup says knowingly, holding the word out longer than he should have.
"Ooooh," I agree, putting more emphasis on the word although I held it out just as long as Hiccup did.
"So it's gonna be like that, is it?" Hiccup asks. There's a somewhat competitive tone in his voice, which is something he seldom shows. However, I can tell by the smile on his face that he's joking.
"Of course it is," I say. "Isn't it always?"
"Lizard girl," Hiccup says.
"Dragon Boy," I say.
"Milady," Hiccup says back.
It's a silent rule that hesitating leads to losing the name calling competition. "Night Fury man," I say.
"Axe thrower," Hiccup says.
"Book reader," I shoot back.
"Anti-Book reader," Hiccup says.
"Cheater," I accuse.
"Insulter," Hiccup says.
"Weirdo," I snap. It's getting harder and harder to think of names.
"Dragon Rider," Hiccup says.
"Peg-leg," I say.
"Super insulter," Hiccup says.
"Snarky," I say.
"Princess," Hiccup says.
"Smarty pants," I say.
"Sasstrid," Hiccup says.
"Nutcase," I say.
"Mrs. Haddock," Hiccup says in response.
I pause. "What did you just say?" I ask.
"Ah ha!" Hiccup says triumphantly, fist pumping the air, a smile on his face. "I win!"
"No, what did you say, Hiccup?" I ask.
"Who cares?" Hiccup says. "I win!"
"Be useful and get some water, slave," I order, flopping back on my bed for what feels like the millionth time.
"Alright," Hiccup says, rising to a standing position. "Is there anything else I can get for you, your highness?"
"What was that?" I say in a warning tone.
"Nothing, Astrid," Hiccup mutters in response, leaving to do as I had asked (no, not asked…commanded).
He hands me the cup of water once he gets back, and I chug it down in one sitting. The cool, refreshing liquid tastes so good, helping my dry, sore throat. There's a momentary relief from the fever as well.
I hand the cup back to Hiccup's waiting hands, and he sets it on the table, taking his place on the stool once more. I look him over. It's been a few hours since Hiccup found out I was sick, and the entire time, Hiccup's been here, refusing to leave. Now, though, he looks ready to collapse.
"You look exhausted," I comment.
Hiccup manages a weak smile in return. "Thanks for the encouraging words, Astrid," he says.
"No, I mean it," I say. "You should go home and get some rest before you face plant the ground."
"Really, Astrid, I'm fine," Hiccup says. "You're really the one who should be sleeping."
I huff, but can't deny the fact that I feel tired myself.
"You have to go get some sleep, too, Hiccup," I say, my eyes closing on their own without my permission.
"I'll be fine, Astrid," Hiccup says. "You go to sleep."
Before I can argue with him, sleep washes over me, and I fall into a dreamless slumber.
The next morning, I wake up what I assume is late. The sun is already up, sunlight pouring through my bedroom window. I stand up, surprised at how good I feel. So, it was a fast moving virus? Well, of course, Hiccup recovered from it in just a day. It was just an overnight thing, I decide, and it makes me pleased.
I'm about to head outside and fly Stormfly, when I look towards my bedside table and smile. Hiccup's sleeping soundly, his head resting on his elbows, his arms on the table. He must have passed out from exhaustion.
The poor idiot. He stayed here all night with me, just to make sure I was alright. I can't help but smile. Grabbing my blanket off the bed, I drape it around his shoulders. Then, I head outside to start my day.
Author's Notes:
So, this is an add-on to the original one-shot, since I got the idea…and yeah. I hope you liked it as much as I liked writing it. :)
Until next story!
-BeyondTheClouds777