I sighed as I was cleaning up Gothi's platform after a long day of helping her around as per usual. After I was done, I placed the broom against her hut, I was about leave until I saw Snotlout walking, well stomping, up the long stairs muttering under his breath. He looked up and gave me a sideways smile.

I looked up and down at him. He was very much burnt. Must have been training with his dragon.

"Hookfang?" I said through a soft smile.

He did a half nod to the side "Hookfang."

I grabbed a nearby stool and told him to sit down and then I went inside Gothi's hut to get supplies. Not before Gothi looked at me, confused.

"Snotlout." I said

She rolled her eyes and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I went back out and started to get him cleaned up. He was unusually quiet. He would always have something to talk about.

'Maybe he has a lot going on in his mind.' I thought

He was very upset a few hours ago during the Thawfest Games.

'Maybe he wants to talk about it.'

I softly cleared my throat and it got Snotlout's attention. "Hey, you know if you want to...talk about it with me. You can."

I looked up from his arm that I was cleaning. He blinked at me a couple of times and averted his eyes away.

I softly sighed and went back to what I was doing.

After a couple of minutes of cleaning off the soot he began to talk.

"I'm going to lose to that loser, aren't I?" He seethed through his teeth as he balled his hands into a fist.

I didn't answer him right away.

I finished cleaning his arm and got the paste to soothe the burns

"If you do it shouldn't mat--"

"It does matter!" He shouted interrupting me

I was taken aback from the sudden out burst but relaxed and continued to tend to his burns.

He sighed and continued "My family has never lost a single Thawfest. I can't be the first! My dad, he..." he trailed off

I finished up his arm by wrapping it up.

I looked up at him concern

"He would what?" I asked

He looked at me and sighed again "He..." Snotlout growled in irritation "he would, I don't know, he would be disappointed with me and I don't want to disappoint him." He looked down at the ground

"Oh, I see." I quietly replied, there was a moment of silence.

I didn't know what to say but there is one thing that I always wanted to do.

I slowly stood up and Snotlout looked up as I stood. I took a step forward and gave him a comforting hug. He sat still and his body tensed up.

"I'm sorry you're going through this. If you need anything or need someone to talk to, let me know, because... I'm you're best friend, right?"

I pulled back to see his expression. He had wide eyes and his mouth was slightly opened.

I gave him a worrying smile

'Was that too much? Oh no, he probably thinks I'm a freak!'

He blinked a couple of times and suddenly a smirk appeared on his face

"Oh? So we're best friend now, are we?" He said flirtatiously

I rolled my eyes "Shut up Snotlout, get out of here." I said in a joking matter while laughing

He got up to leave but before he took a step I gave him a small jug of liquid.

"Oh! Hold on, I forgot to give you this."

He took it and gave me a questioning look "What is it?" He asked

I smiled "I'm glad you asked! It's chamomile tea. It should help you relax tonight and tomorrow morning before Thawfest. Thought you might need it."

He looked down at it and up at me and gave me a rare genuine smile. "Thanks..." His smile changed into a cheeky grin "...best friend!"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I chuckled "You're welcome Snotlout."

I then remembered one more thing "Oh, and also I almost forgot about this."

I reached into my satchel, that I always carry, and pulled a small dark glass jar.

"Dragon spit doesn't suite you." I chuckled and handed him the small jar.

"It's sandalwood oil. Just a little dab here and there would work perfectly."

He took it and looked at me confused "How did you know...?"

"Know what?" I asked, also confused

"That I use dragon spit. Did Heather tell you?"

I didn't realize he never mentioned this to anyone except to Heather during that one time I was spying.

"Oh. Uh, hahaha n-no...it was just a...hunch" I gave him an awkward grin and a shrug. I didn't want to blame Heather for something she didn't do.

"A hunch?" He said as he raised an eyebrow and then squinted at me in suspicion. I gave him a nervous chuckle "Yeah, a hunch!"

He seemed to take the bait and nodded and smiled. "Well thanks, I'll give it a try!"

I silently sighed in relief

He walked to the steps and turned around "See you tomorrow!" And waved and started walking down the stairs.

"Bye!" I shouted "Goodluck, Snotlout." I quietly said after I waved goodbye.

•●●●•

It was the next day and it was the last day of Thawfest

Mulch and Bucket was sitting in the front of the score board like usual.

"Welcome to the final deciding event of this year's Thawfest Games. The Obstacle Course Race! Take it away, Gobber!" Mulch announced loudly through the horn

Down in the arena was a drawn map of the race course.

Gobber started to point at the drawn map on the wall "The race will start here in the stadium, where, after the Log-Dodge, and the Cliff-Climb, Hiccup and Snotlout will get on their dragons, loop around the flagship anchored off the coast, slam through the sea-stack maze, then head back here! The first one to pass that finish line is the winner!"

The crowd cheered and I clapped with excitement and a hint if nervousness.

Gobber looked down at his arm excitedly "Look at those goosebumps!"

I was standing in the audience. Snotlout was already inside the stadium stretching in place. He looked up and gave me a cocky smile. I smiled back and gave him a small wave.

Astrid was talking to Hiccup, calming him down. Then Hiccup joined with Snotlout.

Astrid was walking towards me. I gave her a nervous smile. "I'm so nervous of what's going to happen today."

She gave a big sigh "Yeah, me too."

It looked like Hiccup and Snotlout were talking but Snotlout looked mad and walked away from Hiccup.

•●●●•

"Vikings and dragons! Take your positions!" Mulch announced

Hiccup stepped up beside Snotlout who was stretching and started to jump in place

Mulch continued "On your mark..."

Hiccup and Snotlout got in position

"Get set..."

Then both boys looked at each other pretty intensely. Well, I couldn't tell with Hiccup since all I saw was the back of his head but Snotlout, on the other hand, I could tell. Although, there was a slight worry or nervousness in his expression.

"...and..."

Both looked forward

"GO!" Mulch yelled and hit Bucket's buck

Both boys began to run but then Snotlout pushed Hiccup!

"Out of my way!" I heard Snotlout yelled

I placed my palm on my face and. growled to myself in frustration 'Snotlout...wait is there not even a rule for this?!"

As Snotlout was running towards the Log-Dodge the Vikings, who were at the top of the ramp made of logs, were rolling down large logs. As the name suggests, Snotlout started to dodge.

The first one he jumped over. The second he rolled to the right and the third he flipped over the log!

The crowd was going wild with their woos and claps.

As he was running up the wooden ramp he glanced to his right where Astrid and I was standing and gave a wink and a smirk.

I blinked and blushed at the action but Astrid on the other hand rolled her eyes and instead watched Hiccup.

I looked down and my blush went away quickly

'It was probably for Astrid.'

I shook my head 'Wait, why do I care?!'

I was watching Hiccup and he dodged the logs nicely as well. On the first log he stepped to the right and stood stiffly still. Then on the second long he slid on his knees as the log went over him and the third one he stepped to the left and kept on running up the ramp.

The crowd was impressed with Hiccup's performance, there were claps and wows.

Meanwhile, Snotlout started to climb the Cliff-Climb. Snotlout was climbing the cliff very fast but at the top there were two Vikings who were throwing stones down and one of them hit him in the face but he kept on going without being phased.

I winced at the impact 'I probably need to check that later.'

"Ooh! Rock to the face! Heh, I love a good rock to the face." Tuffnut commented, who was standing to the right of me.

Ruffnut looked down and saw a small rock and smashed it in Tuffnut's face

I just blinked in shock. But should I even be shocked at this point?

Tuffnut wasn't even mad just looked a little ditzy "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about..." he said slightly slurring his words.

Hiccup was now running to the cliff. Stoick got up from his Cheif's throne chair and ran to the front of the stadium to get a better view.

As Hiccup was climbing Snotlout got on Hookfang and flew off. Meanwhile, a Viking threw a rock down at Hiccup and then Hiccup lost his grip!

"He's falling!" Mulch yelled through his horn

"Hiccup!" Astird shouted in shock

"I can't watch!" Fishlegs whimpered as he covered his eyes and Meatlug's eyes at the same time.

I gasped like the crowd

'Oh no! He's going to lose more than a foot if he falls from that height!'

Luckily, speaking of foot, his metal foot was able to stop him from falling.

Everyone cheered at the save.

"Yeah! That's my boy!" I heard Stoick say.

Hiccup continued to climb up and finally made it up at the top

Snotlout, however, has already flown half-way to the flagship anchored off the coast.

Hiccup got up on Toothless and flew off extremely fast.

"Look at them go!" Mulch shouted

He started to catch up with Snotlout easily.

Snotlout sped up a bit faster and quickly looped around the flagship and was flying back.

As he was flying ahead Hiccup looped the flagship and was flying back as well. This time, suddenly, Hiccup started to fly faster than ever before.

Mulch started to shout in excitement "Did ya see that, Bucket? That sudden burst of speed!"

"Wow! Look at that speed Astrid!" I said in excitement I looked over at Astrid. It seemed like she didn't hear me and was way too into the race

I looked back at the two boys and was watching them go into the sea-stack maze. At this point it was hard to see what was happening but somewhere in that maze, Hiccup and Snotlout went in different directions.

"Hiccup has to go the long way around!" Astrid yelled out

'The long way??'

I looked closer and it's true. He went the other way instead!

But that didn't matter. Toothless is fast and easily caught up with Snotlout once again!

They are close to the finish line and Hiccup is passing Snotlout!

Suddenly, I noticed Toothless slowing down significantly

"Something's wrong!" Fishlegs exclaimed

Astrid and I took a step forward. I furrowed my eyebrows, worried and confused.

I looked over to Astrid and she looked worried and confused as well.

Hiccup lost a bit of control and hit a small sea-stack and landed in a grassy field in the forest.

Hookfang and Snotlout was flying in hot.

"Snotlout comes down the final stretch!" Mulch announced through the horn loudly.

Hookfang shot at the finish line banner and lit it on fire then landed inside the stadium and a Viking with a white flag waved it down.

Mulch continued "And Snotlout is the winner..."

Snotlout's dad shouted in the audience with two fists in the air "Woo-hoo!"

"...of the Thawfest Games!" Mulch finished

"Now that's a Jorgenson!" Snotlout's dad shouted as the crowd went wild.

Snotlout sat on Hookfang in disbelief

"We did it... We did it! We did it!" He cheered then crossed his arms "Of course we did it."

Hookfang let Snotlout down while Hiccup flew in on Toothless.

They both exchanged some words but was hard to tell with what they were saying, but Snotlout was going to shake Hiccup's hand but pulled away before even got the chance to shake!

'I got to talk some sense into this boy...I sound like a mother!'

I shook my thoughts out of my head and listened to what Stoick is going to say.

"It's been a spectacular Thawfest Games. Perhaps the best ever. These two young men have put on quite a show. But alas, there can be only one champion." Stoick boomed to the audience

Two Vikings began to do a drum roll.

Snotlout started to do little hops in place. Excited to receive his medal.

"The Thawfest dynasty continues. The winner, and still champion, Snotlout!" Stoick finished and placed Snotlout the medal around his neck

"We did it!" Snotlout cheered

"You did your family proud." I heard Stoick say and then glanced at Hiccup and smiled.

Snotlout started to chant and started to run around the stadium "Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi! Oi! Oi!"

Snotlout and his father started to chant in unision "Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi! Oi! Oi!"

Astrid started to run down into the stadium, assuming to go see Hiccup.

I tried to follow behind but my something or someone grabbed the back of my tunic before I could get inside the entrance of the stadium.

I turned around "(Y/d/n)? What are you doing?" I said to (him/her).

(He/she) gave me a low growl and a huff.

I saw Snotlout's father going inside to meet with his son inside the stadium.

I ignored my dragon and tried to go in but my dragon jumped in front of me and slightly pushed me back.

I looked behind my dragon and I saw Snotlout standing on top of Hookfang waving at the audience with his father by his side, I tried again and my dragon refused to let me in.

I just sighed in defeat

'He's too busy to talk to me right now anyways.'

"Fine, (y/d/n). You win." I hopped onto my dragon "Let's go."

I haven't actually relaxed with my dragon for a few days and I guess (y/d/n) wanted to do that now.

•●●●•

After a while (y/d/n) started to get bored of just swimming around and playing in the sand.

So we decided to fly back to the village.

I saw Astrid on the ground by the Great Hall. I then remembered the question I was going to ask her!

I landed and waved at her.

"Hi Astrid!" I cheerfully greeted

"(Y/n)!" Astrid said as she waved.

"Hey, I was wondering, what happened to Hiccup during the race? It looked like he was going to win!" I said full of confusion

She chuckled "Well, promise you won't tell the others?"

I nodded "Of course! I promise!"

She walked up me as I got off of (y/d/n). She cupped her hands and started to whisper.

"He threw the race!" Astrid said in a quiet tone

My eyes went wide with shock

"He threw the race?!" I said a bit too loudly.

Astrid shushed me

"Oops, sorry." I smiled, I continued "Wow, heh, I bet you're really proud of him, huh?" I said as I bumped Astrid in a playful way

She chuckled "Yeah, I am."

(Y/d/n) started to nudge me. Which means it's food time. I turned towards (y/d/n) and laughed at (him/her).

"Alright. Alright, I'll get you something." I said to (y/d/n).

I got on (y/d/n)

"Well Astrid I'll see you later!" I said with a soft smile.

"Cya, (y/n)!" She said and waved goodbye.

•●●●•

I ended up getting a basket of fish for (y/d/n) and an apple for myself.

As I turned I saw Snotlout walking around proudly with his medal around his neck and Hookfang behind him.

I took a deep breath 'Why am I so nervous?! He's my...best friend...right? Yeah!

My thoughts have been interrupted by the eaten apple falling out of my hand. I wasn't even paying attention!

Snotlout noticed me and came over.

I waved at him "Hey! Congratulations on winning the Thawfest Games." I said with a shy smile.

He smiled proudly "You like the medal? Isn't it so shiny? Wanna touch it?" He said as he picked it up and showed it to me.

"Oh, sure!" I said and took the medal from his hand.

The medal was round with a symbol on the front. Probably representing Thawfest.

"It is really shiny. I can see my own reflection." I chuckled.

I gently placed the medal down

"Where were you by the way? Everyone was celebrating my win!" He said, he sounded a little bit upset.

I gave him a sorry smile "I'm sorry. My dragon..." I pointed behind me but noticed my dragon flew off somewhere and took the basket of fish with (him/her) "uh, wanted to go to the beach for a while." I slowly said as I started to look around the area

'Where the heck did that over sized lizard go!?'

In the distance, behind Snotlout, I noticed Hiccup coming to our direction

I then remembered what happened during the Thawfest Games.

"Oh! There's Hiccup! You should go shake his hand and tell him good game." I said

He looked behind him and back at me "Why?! Why would I shake that loser's hand?" He said with his arm crossed and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Because! You need to be a little bit more nice to him, you know? It's good etiquette."

He scoffed and looked away "etiqu-- what? Whatever, that means. Anyways, I am not--"

I lightly touched his arm. "Please? Can you at least be nice for today? Besides, you guys are friends, right?"

He looked up with furrowed eyebrows "We! Are not friends!"

I rolled my eyes "Okay, fine, maybe you're not. But just be a little nice? Besides he...never mind!"

I almost slipped and told Snotlout that Hiccup threw the race!

I noticed Hiccup coming closer and I spoke before Snotlout said anything

"Here he comes! Here's your chance, Snotlout." I said to him as I walked towards Hiccup.

"Hi Hiccup! You did great today!" I said with a smile

He smiled at me back "Thank you (y/n)!"

I nodded at him and kept walking. I then took a huge step to the left and hid behind a barrel and slightly peeked over the barrel to see if Snotlout will actually do it.

As I was watching, I saw Snotlout and Hiccup exchange some words.

I saw Snotlout look behind Hiccup and looked at me with confusion. I mouthed the words "Do it!"

Hiccup turned around, probably wondering why Snotlout was looked off some where else. I ducked before he got the chance to see me...hopefully.

I peeked around the barrel and saw Snotlout take out his hand but was looking away, looking mad and maybe a hint of embarrassment.

Hiccup hesitated but took his hand and both gave each other a firm shake.

I pressed my back against the barrel I was hiding behind and smiled, happy that Snotlout actually listened to me!

'He actually took what I said seriously!'

As I was deep in my thoughts, a familiar voice spooked the life out of me.

"(Y/n)? What are you doing?"

I looked up and it was Hiccup

I felt a blush creeping up to my face.

'Well this is awkward.'

"W-well what are you doing?" I asked back

"I forgot some stuff back at home and was going to get it." He said as he pointed to the direction of his home.

I didn't know what else to say so I made up a random excuse.

"O-oh, um...well I was looking for--" I looked down at the ground and pretended to grab something.

I stood up quickly "I found it! Well, I gotta go! Bye!" I said without a second delay. I turned on my heels and walked away from the situation quickly.

I noticed in the corner of my eye that Hiccup and Snotlout gave each other a glance and a shrug.

Probably really confused of my weird behavior.

Lately, I keep getting this weird feeling and I'm not sure if I like it or not.