"Tuffnut, this is the kind of thing you need to talk about with someone. Acting so brazenly... You have to consider how your actions affect others. I... I'm sorry, but I love Astrid. I can't give you what you seek." Hiccup says firmly, his eyes filled with kindness, but with a(+)
That's when the tears finally fell.
At first he didn't have the words.
Then he just stared at him, sadness in his eyes.
It was obvious he knew. And he was sorry. He didn't want this.
"I'm sorry...
I just...
It's eating me up inside--"
For a second, Hiccup froze. And then, once he regained control of himself, he pushed Tuffnut off of him, standing up and backing up a few steps. "Tuffnut... You know I love Astrid... Why... Why?"
Tears filled his eyes as he reached for Hiccup's hand, knowing he was seconds from rejection.
He didn't know if he could take it.
"Just once... just once I wanna know what it's like."
Before he had time to think, he leaned closer, placing a soft kiss on the other's lips.
"Uh... Tuffnut...? What are you saying?"
Hiccup grew a bit uneasy at the way Tuffnut spoke. It was unnerving. Unsettling. And very unlike Tuffnut. "Can you... Explain? I'm not sure I understand what's happening."
"I don't think you can, Hiccup.
I don't think you should."
He sighed deeply, eyeing Hiccup with a kind of look that said he knew Hiccup should run, get out of this situation as soon as possible.
He'd give anything to not have to do this.
Tuff moved a little closer.
"Talk to me? Sure thing, Tuff. What's on your mind?"
Hiccup offered his friend a warm smile. He could tell something deep was bothering Tuffnut, given how upbeat, annoyingly so, he always was. It was rare that Tuffnut wasn't up to his antics.
"Whatever it is, I'll help!"
He shook his head, eyes filled with fear.
"No-
No, she...
She's at home.
I wanted to... to talk to you."
His leg started to bounce to cope with the immense anxiety in his heart.
"This is bad... I shouldn't be here..."
He mumbled to himself.
"Tuffnut! Hey! Didn't think anyone was around."
Hiccup looked up, surprised to see his friend looking so serious. He glanced around, his eyebrow cocking slightly. "Ruffnut not around?"
+
How was he even gonna start this conversation?
He shifted awkwardly.
"Um... Hiccup?"
His voice was quiet and timid, out of character for his usual playful energetic self.
It's not so much about being smarter, Ruff. It's about taking the time to study and really getting to know the world around us. It's something we're all capable of.
@pride_of_berk Oooohโฆ
You see this is why youโre chief. Youโre smarter than the rest of us.
I thought they just grew into their eyes when they got bigger or something.
@THEC00LERTWIN Being one of the more apex predatory dragons, Nightmares have to rely on their sight and smell more so than other dragons. And that starts from a young age. Having larger eyes means better vision. Similar to why cats have proportionally large eyes.