I do not own the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

So we have a clear winner, as determined by you guys from the poll. I won't reveal it here, so you'll have to wait to find out how this story is going to end. Hopefully I do it justice.

Dare suggested by…me! xD

Hiccup's Icy Soak

Strolling through the village, Astrid paused at the sight of a familiar blonde male standing in his front yard. She arched an eyebrow as she watched Tuffnut lick his finger and stick it high in the air, eyes narrowed in concentration. Though she knew she ought to leave him be, her curiosity took over and she made her way over to him.

"What are you doing?" she asked, setting her hands on her hips once she stopped just in front of him.

Tuffnut tilted his head down to look at her, and she got a clear view of his black right eye. "Seeing how cold it is," he replied, lowering his arm.

"Okay…" She was torn between asking for a further explanation and inquiring about his newest injury. "We'll get back to that. Before we do, what happened to you?"

"When Hiccup dared Ruffnut to dye her hair pink, I added extra sap so that it would last longer," he explained. "She tried using the rain a few days ago to get it out, but it didn't work. There's not really anyone else stupid enough to mess with her like that, so she immediately came to him and punched my lights out."

"Makes sense. So is that where your other half is? Trying to get it out?"

Tuffnut nodded. "She said I better pray that she gets it out, or else I'll be sleeping with the fishes. Which I guess means she's gonna throw me in the sea."

Astrid smirked at the mental image of Ruffnut scrubbing furiously at her hair in an attempt to get out the unwanted colour. "And you want to see how cold it is because…?"

"I'm intervening and giving a dare to Hiccup."

Posture stiffening, Astrid turned suspicious eyes on the male Thorston. "What, exactly, are you going to dare him to do?"

"You'll see." He crossed his arms. "It'll happen soon enough. Probably tomorrow morning. That's when it'll be cold enough. See you later."

He went inside and Astrid slowly started off, suddenly nervous for what Hiccup would have to endure at the crazy mind of Tuffnut Thorston.

…

In the early hours of the following morning, Ruffnut was rudely awakened by her brother, who shook her shoulders impatiently. "I'll murder you," she growled, cracking her eyes open. "You're still not off the hook for my hair."

It had taken the majority of the day, with intense scrubbing at the hot springs, but her hair now lacked most of its vibrancy. After another wash or two, she would be back to her normal blonde colour.

"I have a dare for Hiccup. It's a good one, too."

Now intrigued, she sat up and rubbed at her eyes. "What would that be?"

"It's a surprise." He grinned. "A really horrible surprise for him, anyway. Go wake up the others and bring them to the beach. Everything is already set up."

"Don't tell me what to do." She punched him in the shoulder, but stood up and put her helmet on. "Geez, how long have you been up?"

"For a while."

They started outside, where the sky was grey and the sun was barely peeking over the horizon. They split off once they reached the village, with Ruffnut gathering their friends and Tuffnut jogging towards the Haddock household. He knew he would have to be quiet, for after seeing his sister come home with bloody, blistered hands and throbbing feet from all the labour Gobber, Spitelout and Stoick had put her through, he did not want to have the same experience.

Easing the door open, he could hear Stoick's thunderous snores coming from his bedroom. He tiptoed up the stairs and paused at the top when he found Toothless in a protective stance near Hiccup's bed, eyes narrowed and mouth formed in a snarl. His stance relaxed somewhat at the sight of a familiar face, but his eyes seemed to radiate suspicion.

"I have a dare for him," explained Tuffnut. "It's gonna be great."

You guys are still on this crazy game? Toothless thought in disbelief. Alpha almighty, when does it end?

Shaking his head, the Night Fury slunk back to bed, feeling only slightly sorry for whatever his human would be put through. Tuffnut went over to Hiccup and punched his sleeping form. The auburn-haired teen shot upwards with a soft yelp of pain.

"What are you doing?" he hissed at Tuffnut.

"I've come with a dare." Tuffnut pointed dramatically at him. "A dare that will happen this very moment!"

"But it's Ruffnut turn to dare someone," said Hiccup slowly. "Why are you intervening?"

"Cause she can't dare you," explained Tuffnut. "And by me daring you now, you can't dare her back."

"Why not?!"

"You guys can't do dare-backs. Just because I'm intervening doesn't matter. I'm not in the game. I can dare whoever I want. You can't."

Hiccup scowled. "There's some twisted reasoning in there somewhere. I'm almost positive this is a form of cheating."

"No, it's legit," dismissed Tuffnut. "Now, I dare you to take an ice bath for ten minutes in your underwear."

"An ice bath? Now?" Hiccup stared out his window in dismay. "It looks freezing out there!"

"It is," said Tuffnut cheerfully. "Let's go."

Huffing in irritation, Hiccup climbed out of bed and reluctantly followed after his friend. They went all the way down to the shores of the beach, where their friends were waiting. Hiccup's heart sunk at the sight of a steel tub sitting in the sand, filled three-quarters of the way with water. There were dozens of small chunks of ice floating at the surface.

"Good luck," was all Fishlegs could offer.

"This was so worth getting up for!" laughed Snotlout.

Groaning softly, Hiccup reluctantly stripped down to his underwear, conscious of the two females watching him. He put one leg into the tub and could not stop the high-pitched shriek that left his lips.

"If that was supposed to be manly, I'm afraid you're way off," said Ruffnut with a grin.

Gritting his teeth together, Hiccup slowly eased his body into the water. It felt like he was being stabbed by tons of prickly needles. He submerged himself to his chest, goosebumps prickling across his skin. Gripping his knees, his teeth immediately started to chatter from the chill.

"Ooh, that looks painful." Fishlegs winced.

"It is," croaked Hiccup.

The brisk Berk breeze did not help matters. Even though he was accustomed to the frigid weather conditions of Berk, there was a difference between experiencing cold weather and submerging yourself completely in ice water.

"Here's some more ice," said Tuffnut in a sing-song voice, dumping a bucket full of ice chunks on the brunette's head.

Hiccup flinched as the ice slid down his back and front. "You're evil."

"Maybe a little."

Pulling his knees up his chest, Hiccup tried to think happy thoughts to take his mind off of the chills shooting up his spine. But it didn't do much good, especially when a massive gust rose up and a small wave of water splashed his face.

"I can't feel my legs," he complained.

"You only have one," said Snotlout bluntly.

Astrid rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder. "He doesn't need a reminder, stupid."

Though it was only ten minutes, it felt like an hour. Hiccup practically catapulted himself out the tub when Tuffnut declared his time was up. Shivering madly, he stood shakily on his feet, skin pale and lips blue.

"I'm g-g-gonna g-g-go m-m-make some s-s-soup," he choked out, dressing hurriedly in his clothes, though it didn't do much good thanks to his soaking wet underwear.

"I'll come with," said Astrid.

"Me too," said Fishlegs, and the three set off. Cackling, Snotlout headed back to his house for some more sleep. Tuffnut turned to his sister with a grin.

"So, do you feel better?"

Ruffnut pretended to think for a moment. A wide smile split across her face.

"Heck yeah. He's definitely gonna come down with a cold after that. Which means no flying. And that's enough of a punishment for me."

Next chapter: In which Hiccup dares Snotlout.