The Son of The Chase

He'd had enough with playing nice, everything he tried had ended in misunderstanding.  Nothing worked and whenever he managed to corner Hiccup, the taller Viking would sneer at him and ignore everything that came out of his mouth.

Snotlout was no help as his suggestions to make Hiccup feel special had left Tuff feeling like a moron and Hiccup embarrassed and hurt from the teasing of their peers.

So this was it.  Today was the day that he would either make Hiccup listen, or he was washing his hands of the brunette.

XxX  XxX

Hiccup was just leaving his lodge when Tuff stomped up, looking angrier then usual and it immediately put Hiccup on edge.  Everything he'd done since Hiccup had practically thrown himself at the blonde's feet had seemed like a very Tuffnut form of payback.  Mean and designed to hurt in the worst way.

"What do you want?"

"Shut up."  Hiccup's eyebrows rose at the snarl and he wondered if he should attempt to make a break for it.  It must have shown on his face because Tuff grabbed his elbow, his grip tight enough to make Hiccup wince.  Tuff may have been shorter then him for now, but Hiccup still hadn't bulked out like he'd assumed he would, which meant Tuff was still stronger.  "I'm fucking done with you."

"Surprise surprise."

"Shut. Up."  Tuff grabbed the neck of Hiccup's shirt and pulled him down until they were face to face.  "I don't know how many times I tried to explain everything to you.  And every time you seem hel-bent on misunderstanding me."

Hiccups face went mutinous, his scowl dark.  "Let go of me."

"No, you're a jerk."  Tuff's brain suddenly decided that censoring his mouth was too much work.  "All of the sudden you're a big hero and everyone forgets what a moron you were before.  You destroyed the village half a dozen times.  There's no way you'll ever end up in Valhalla because you'll fall on your own sword before you take a swing.  You are useless."  Hiccup flinched and pushed away from Tuff who was still livid.

"I'm not useless."

"You couldn't even talk to me."  Tuff sneered.  "You're not a Viking and you never will be."

"Shut up."  Hiccup's breath was hitching, his freckles standing out against his pallid skin like dots of ink.  "Shut up."

"You're a disgrace to your bloodline and your father."

"You think I don't know that."  Hiccup shoved Tuff back a full step, green eyes overbright.  He scrubbed an arm across his eyes once and then glared down at the blonde.  "Just leave me alone, I was stupid to think you would be different from her."

"Odin give me strength.  Why won't you ever LISTEN?"  Tuff grabbed his hair and yanked, frustrated beyond belief, though he was beginning to see that his problem began and ended with Astrid.   Hiccup's jaw took the same stubborn tilt it always did when he refused to do something he didn't want to.  "I'm not Astrid."

"Obviously."

"Don't you walk away from me."  Tuff pushed Hiccup back against the lodge wall hard enough to make him loose his breath.  "I've had it with you ignoring me."  Hiccup shrank into himself, the prospect of physical violence making him lose his bravado. "You're a skinny, whining, stubborn pain in the ass.  But you're brave, and you're not Snotlout."

"Thank…you?"

"Shut up.  You're creative, you draw good, and we'd all be dead if it wasn't for you."  Tuff stopped looming, though from his expression it was clear that he'd start again with little provocation.  "My point is that I'm not a girl, so don't give me crap presents.  You wanna do something, man up and ask me instead of acting like a little bitch and hiding behind your cousin."

"Fine."  Hiccup squared his shoulders, the action making Tuff's lips twitch a little as it seemed like the brunette was about to face down a tribe of marauders. "Doyouwannagoflyingtomorrow?"

"Sure."  Tuff reached up and patted Hiccup on the shoulder.  "I know learning to be a man must be hard for you."

"Go to Hel."  Hiccup muttered, rolling his eyes and pushing past the shorter Viking who took the sudden opportunity to slap him firmly on the ass.  Hiccup squawked, stumbled and stared back at Tuff who cackled and leered at him.

"She won't take me."  Tuff paused and then leered harder.  "How did I not notice your ass before?"

"….shut up."

"No really.  Get back here."