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

Dare suggested by The Prime Writer (again-but they gave a dare that was actually perfect for what I needed for this chapter). A tweak to the suggestion was made by me.

Through Pink-Coloured Glasses

Crossing the dirt path that twisted through the village, Fishlegs came upon the Jorgenson household. Snotlout was leaning against Hookfang, and it seemed like the two were asleep. Fishlegs walked over to the boy and nudged him with his foot. Snotlout grunted and cracked his eyes open.

"You better have a good reason for disturbing my nap, or else I'm gonna pound you."

"You never need a reason to do that," Fishlegs responded dryly. "I came with a message from Hiccup. He wants to see you."

"And he couldn't come get me himself because…?"

"He came down with a cold after the ice bath," he replied. "He's stuck in bed, recovering. I went to check on him and he asked me to get you, for reasons I think we both know."

Snotlout made a face. "I got it. Fine." He stood up and glanced at Hookfang. "I'll be back. Don't set anything on fire."

Hookfang opened his eyes slightly and peered at his human. "We'll see," he growled softly before settling back to continue his nap.

Rolling his eyes, Snotlout walked past Fishlegs and headed for his cousin's house. He climbed the grassy slope and, after a moment of thought, decided to play it safe and knock. He rapped his knuckles against the wood and when no one answered after a minute he entered.

"Yo, Hiccup?"

A bout of coughing answered him, and Snotlout climbed the stairs. When he reached the top he found the brunette in bed, nearly buried beneath a pile of covers and his head propped up against a few pillows. Toothless sat beside Hiccup's beside, his wing draped over the boy for added warmth.

"Geez, you look horrible."

"Thanks," croaked Hiccup sarcastically. He was pale, his hair was greasy and there were dark bags under his eyes. "I've got a dare for you."

"Of course you do." Snotlout crossed his arms. "What is it?"

"I dare you to sneak into Astrid's room and paint everything pink, especially her favourite axe."

Snotlout paled. "Uh…what?"

"And if she catches you while you're doing it, you're out," continued Hiccup. "You have to do it tonight."

"You realize she'll come after the both of us, right?" demanded Snotlout.

"She'll come after you. I'm sick. She wouldn't hurt me while I'm sick." Hiccup brought the covers up to his chin. "That is all," he rasped. "You may go. Unless you want to pass."

"No," said Snotlout hastily. "I'll do it."

He spun on his heel and left Hiccup's room, his stomach twirling into nervous knots. There was no way he was simply going to pass up Hiccup's dare. He had to go through with it.

But he knew better than anyone what Astrid's wrath felt like.

Better find my hiding spot before I do the deed…

…

Night descended upon the island of Berk, giving Snotlout the cover he needed to creep through the village undetected. Carrying two metal cans of pink paint, he paused in front of Astrid's home, eyeing the exterior warily.

"Why does it always have to be pink?" he muttered to himself. "She hates pink…"

But he supposed that was the whole point.

Taking a deep breath, Snotlout took off his boots, wanting to make as little noise as possible. In his socked feet he entered the Hofferson abode, moving on his tiptoes. He went for the stairs and took them two at a time, flinching at every creak. He paused at the top and listened intently, but everything was silent.

Nudging open Astrid's bedroom door with his shoulder, he slipped inside. The blonde was sleeping soundly, her long blonde hair splayed out on the pillow. Snotlout stared at her for a moment before giving his head a sharp shake.

You can gawk at her later. Right now you need to do the dare and get the heck out.

Setting the cans carefully to the floor, Snotlout removed a paintbrush from the waistband of his pants. He pried off the lid to the first can and dunked the brush in the thick pink substance. He started with the walls, slathering them with a hasty coat of paint. The strokes were uneven and messy, but all he wanted to do was make sure most of the stone was covered.

Every time Astrid moved in her sleep, his heart would jump in his throat and he would look over his shoulder. But she would eventually settle and his posture would slump in relief. Come on…almost there…

The walls were finished and Snotlout turned his attention to Astrid's furniture. Her bedposts, wardrobe and desk soon matched the walls. He then went to her favourite axe, which rested by the door. Using the last bit of paint in the second can he slathered the handle and axe head.

His work finished, he stood up and hurried over to collect the empty cans. His sock-covered feet slipped on the wooden floor and he tripped.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as he fell, arms flailing as he descended towards the floor. Screwing his eyes shut, he swore mentally just before he smacked against the wood with a loud thud.

Astrid shot upwards, blinking furiously as she attempted to clear the sleep from her vision. "Who's there?" she demanded, voice thick with drowsiness. The bright glow of the pink paint helped bring her back to full consciousness and she stared, mouth agape at her new room. Very slowly, she turned to stare at Snotlout, who was sprawled on the floor.

Face white and heart stammering in his chest, Snotlout slowly got to his feet. The humiliation and indignity of losing the dare (and therefore losing the contest-before Hiccup) was overpowered at the moment with terror at the slow-building rage in Astrid's eyes.

"Pink's a good colour for you," he said feebly. He scrambled back when the blonde climbed out bed, mouth curling into a vicious snarl. "Uh…Hiccup made me do it!"

He attempted to make a run for it, but did not make it. Astrid tackled him to the ground and sent her fist flying into his face, immediately causing a black eye and a bloody nose. "You lousy son of a half troll!" she screamed, smacking him silly. "You're cleaning this up!"

"O-o-okay!" he croaked, thrashing madly in an attempt to dislodge the girl.

Astrid abruptly stood up, but before Snotlout could sigh with relief she reared her leg back and sent a violent kick to the place where Snotlout would feel it the most. He let out a shrill shriek, immediately curling up in a ball.

"I'll be back for you later," she hissed before storming out her room. "Hiccuuuuuup!"

Snotlout's only consolation was that, despite being sick, Hiccup was not immune to Astrid's fury.

But nothing could soothe the sting of defeat by the hands of his cousin.

Next chapter: In which the teens take turns daring the remaining two, and first up is Fishlegs daring Ruffnut.