Chapter 5 - Every Love Story Needs a Wager and a Deadline

The song "Stubborn Love" by the Lumineers rolled quietly through the stables' speakers system, that Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Tuffnut installed a few weeks prior. Hiccup claimed Toothless and the other horses preferred classical music and it relaxed them, but Tuffnut argued since he helped installed the system he should chose the songs. Plus, being the son of a Swedish pop star and a student getting a degree in musical science, he claimed to know what type of music horses should listen to better than Toothless. Hiccup pointed out Toothless was a horse. However, in the end, decided arguing with Tuffnut over another thing was not worth his time.

"I'm sorry Hiccup," Heather returned to the stables to assist with chores where she could. "I tried to call, but you don't get service up here. And it had been a while since you talked about her, I didn't realize he was dating your Astrid until I saw how you looked at her."

"Whoa!" Tuffnut's head popped head out of the stall behind them, "You must not spend enough time talking to Hiccup about women if it's been a while since you heard about Astrid."

Ruffnut's head popped out of the next stall and both the twin's heads were soon joined by the heads of their matching yellow duns – Barf and Belch. "Seriously, Heather, why did you have to even go and bring this up? Tuffnut and I are so over this."

Since their kiss, which both agreed was more of a meaningless peck, Ruffnut had gone through a long string of boys, while Hiccup recommitted himself to getting Astrid back.

Hiccup ignored the twins, "So, Heather, tell me, how serious is this thing with Dagur?"

"Not that serious, my mom didn't know and what's odd is that she visited him a few times this past month, then insisted I talk to him. Maybe even spend time with him. We actually had a family brunch last Sunday – which is where I heard about Astrid."

"But she didn't come to brunch?"

"No."

Tuffnut interjected, "Hiccup that totally means it's not serious. Brunch is only for serious relationships. Like families and people who want to be family, like get married someday."

"I concur, brother," Ruffnut held her pointer finger up, "Brunch is the most important meal of the weekend and is reserved only for those close enough in your circle who will not judge you for eating four meals a day."

"Pointless extra meals aside," Hiccup rolled his eyes so hard his head moved with them. "What did he say?"

"Only what you know today, he's been seeing a girl named Astrid and she works here."

"Nevermind, sounds serious. Cut your losses and move on." Ruffnut disappeared back into her stall, the sound of her brush swooshing as she returned to groom Barf's golden coat.

The wheels in Hiccups mind began to turn, backtracking over what he knew about where Astrid had been and traced that up with what he knew of Dagur. Just being in the same place would not have pushed them together. Maybe Dagur changed? Or maybe Dagur knew something he did not - some situation he could manipulate. In any case, he knew it could not be as strong as what had been, his past with Astrid stood like a rooted oak tree and this thing with Dagur could be no more than a leaf in the wind.

Hiccup shook his head, "It sounds the opposite of serious. Look, I know she feels the same. Maybe it's been a while, but if she forgot, I can make her feel the same again."

"Are you the same, H? Are we the same? Is anyone the same? And are you insane?" Tufnutt questioned, "Seriously I want to know. Because if you are insane, I don't want to room with you anymore. Especially not here – because according to horror films," his voice rose with haunted bravado on the last statement, "the woods are the sites of the most gruesome murders!"

"Not according to real statistics," Hiccup informed.

He turned back to Heather. "Seriously, though – this thing with Dagur, I know it's not real. I feel it."

Tuffnut stayed in the conversation, "Alright, H. Since every overdone romantic comedy has some sort of ridiculous bet – Let's make a wager."

"My life is not a romantic comedy and not every romantic comedy has a bet. How many have you even seen?" Hiccup folded his arms.

"One, maybe – is 'Deadpool' a Romantic Comedy?"

"Uh?"

"See even you don't know… Anyhow, my offer is simple – if she confesses she loves you openly by the end of the summer, I will wear clothes all the time – even when I'm changing and it's just us."

"Shouldn't you just wear clothes around me all the time anyway? It's not like we're dating." Hiccup exchanged a disturbed glance with Heather.

"And you can have first pick of beds in our dorm room next year."

"We already bet for that, it was whoever got better grades. Which was me-"

"But, if you can't get her to confess her true love for you by the end of the summer – You must forget her forever."

"Fine."

"And no telling her about the bet. Or paying her to say it."

"Fine."

"And no finding a broken down quiet nerdy girl and giving her a make-over to look like Astrid."

"Why would I even do that?"

"Oh, I got one," Ruffnut yelled, "No kidnapping Astrid, hypnotizing her then making her think she's some sort of superhero like Thor Bone Crusher."

"Now you lost me." Hiccup rubbed his temples.

"Um, Hiccup," Heather added, "You probably will have to stick to that bet if you really are interested, because when I talked to her, she said she plans on moving at the end of the summer. Going west to start over. And if you lost her once, it's likely if she goes, you'll lose her again. This time forever."

"Well there you have it. This bet must happen. And I think we've covered all crazy scenarios - now we take a blood oath." Tuffnut exited Belch's stall and headed to the tack room for a knife.

"Or we could just shake on it like normal people." Hiccup held out his hand. Tuffnut took it.

The handshake finished then Tuffnut stroked his chin, "You know I've thought this over, maybe it's fairy tales where there is a deal struck with a deadline? Is 'Back to the Future' a fairy tale? I'm so confused."

Yes, it has been a while, sorry for that. I've had some personal issues and honestly some of the reviews, which I censored got me down, but it's a long story with ups and downs, so like my own life, I've decided to move forward with it. Work is hard, so sadly there won't be as many updates as soon as I would like…Trust me, I would rather be working on this.

Thanks to all who fav followed and reviewed. Yes, Elsa will be making an appearance, but don't worry all the characters are good but complex people, just like most folks in the real world.