Of Words and Book Worms

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Lame title, I know ... ^^;

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Fishlegs had always and forever been the more ... literary- inclined(?) of the children of Berk. But during this evening's meal, his was not the only nose to be found hidden behind a work of literature, if you could call it that.

Yes, the boys of Berk were doing their homework so to speak, however this particular ... assignment, had little to do with the hunt, the proper stance when riding a dragon, or anything in particular that might aid them in daily life inside the village.

Regardless of what they thought about it, this particular volume was utterly useless, the novel's poor construction, its hand-written text, and its undoubtably idiotic context was all do to none other than Snotlout, who rested easily in his dining chair, baring a purely male look of satisfaction.

Upon finally being able to court a girl, (one stupid enough to fall for his lines), the arrogant jerk now had reason more than a massive ego, to believe he were Thor's gift to Viking women.

And, at the risk of said ego possiblydeflating, the dope had to secure this title by ... writing a "book" (as he calls it) on what the boy so humbly referred to as, "the mastery of flirtation."

As surprising as it was unfortunate, several young men in the village began hanging on every word the snot had written, as though the chicken-scratched words on the battered, and poorly sewn copies were the words of the gods themselves. And, as much as Astrid hated to admit she found herself disturbingly curious about what exactly Snotlout had to say about affairs of the heart.

Surely all of it was nothing more than a pack of idiotic lies and fabrication. It had taken Hiccup's cousin nearly six years to learn his left from his right, this resulting in several training accidents (which he referred warmly, as "battle scars").

But, as idiotic as the notion of "master author, Snotlout" seemed, Astrid failed to understand why it seemed intelligent enough to influence the boys.

Even the seemingly level-headed Fishlegs – who, during that evening had proclaimed in an awkward and broken tone – a loud one – that Ruffnut looked lovely in the candle light, earning him several stares, and a death glare from the object of his affections.

"So ..." Astrid began, in Hiccup's direction – an undertone of annoyance poking it's way through the word. "... how is it?"

"Wha-? Oh! Its – it's ridiculous Astrid, dripping with cheesy pick-up lines, compliments ..." he listed.

"Compliments?" her brow arched, the pick-up lines she'd expected.

"Yeah ..." he cleared his throat, and continued " – like here, it says, how you should tell a girl she's ..." he paused, and looked up at her, with a kind of shy desperation – like he wanted to ... touch her, stroke her hair, run his calloused blacksmith's thumb down her cheek –the muscles in his throat contracted roughly, her's did too.

"...beautiful." he breathed. "– like I'm telling you now."

"... Yeah?" she'd uttered, entirely too ... girly emotions, began pounding at her skull with the impact of a war hammer, her heart drummed. "You really think I'm ... pretty?" The coughed out the word, feinting nonchalance – barely clinging to that small spark Astrid-ness, left screaming in the back of her mind.

"Beautiful." he repeated, a bit louder this time, a burning, scarlet blush beginning to creep its way up to his cheeks.

"Ugh, get a room lovebirds!" came Tuffnut's catcall, causing the haze that had broken over the two to shatter, as they stared at their friend with mouth's agape, looking horrified.

Ruff had looked as equally disgusted as her brother at the couple's display, but merely rolled her eyes at them, her nose wrinkled, and gave Tuff a swift punch in the arm for good measure. The male twin growled – glaring at his sister, as he rubbed out the pain radiating up his shoulder.

Hiccup and Astrid – silently grateful to Ruffnut for offering a distraction, stole quick, embarrased glances, at each other, and returned to their meals.

Snotlout's copy of How to Charm Your Lady lay to rest forgotten on Hiccup's lap.