Author's Note: As always, thank you! This is a very short chapter, but there will be one more. Onto the plotting!
Chapter 10
Four Days Earlier
"I won't beat around the bush about why I invited you all here," said Stoick from the head of the table.
"Is it a surprise party?" asked Tuffnut. "Because I didn't think anyone would remember my chicken's birthday."
Ruffnut punched her brother in the arm. "No one cares about your stupid chicken. This is obviously about the two people who aren't here."
"Yes—" Stoick said.
"Spitelout and Gothi," interrupted Ruff. "I mean, talk about the sexual tension."
"True that," chimed in Snotlout. "Get a room already."
The chief sighed.
"Oh, I get it," Tuffnut said. "We're throwing an awesome surprise party for Berk's favorite almost couple."
"No—" Stoick said.
Ruffnut folded her arms over her chest and nodded. "You're right chief. This definitely calls for something classier, like a romantic dragon race."
"You think a dragon race is romantic?" Fishlegs snorted.
"And that's why you don't have a girlfriend," said Tuff solemnly.
"For the love of Thor would you idiots shut up?" Stoick roared.
Silence fell over the table for a moment.
"So, no party," Tuff said.
"How has Dragon's Edge not burned to the ground or fallen into the sea by now?" Stoick asked, turning to Gobber.
"Got me, Chief," Gobber said, running his hook through his mustache. "I'm more impressed with what Hiccup has to put up with now—don't tell the boy, of course."
"Hiccup—yes," said Stoick, hitting his fist on the table. "That's why we're here."
"Is it the haircut? Because I told him it looks bad," said Snotlout. "He knows."
Stoick growled, and Snotlout jumped back in his seat, looking like he'd found the wrong end of a Whispering Death.
"We are here to discuss Hiccup and Astrid," the chief said.
Ruff shrugged. "What about them?"
"They are—well, I've been led to believe that the two are, you know…" Stoick rambled.
"Involved?" Fishlegs offered.
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that, chief," said Tuff, waving away the concerns with his hand. "They can't high-five without turning red and coming up with excuses to bolt."
"That's the problem," said Gobber. "She's too stubborn, and he's too—well, Hiccup."
"You want to encourage them?" asked Snotlout.
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Fishlegs said. "We live with them, and I haven't seen any indication that they are ready for that."
Stoick curled his fist on the table. "They only need a little nudge."
"More like a whack on the head," said Ruff.
"We'll save that for later if the nudges don't work," Gobber said.
Tuffnut stroked his chin, wearing a serious look.
"So," he said. "What sort of diabolical scheme are you cooking?"