Hiccup traced the charcoal characters with his gaze and for a moment he was silent. Around them three enthused hatchlings sprung about feeling the excitement of Castiel waking. They were still too young to understand beyond their mother’s joy but they reflected that in their movements and sounds they emitted. It was when one of them scrambled over his shoulder and fluttered onto the table, smearing the writing, that Hiccup snapped out of his brief daze. He grabbed for the hatchling “you little rascal!” and playfully snorted into her soft neck causing the baby to squeal with delight. When the others ran past under the table she squirmed until he let her free to spring after. Toothless bounded their way, gently batting them his paws as they tumbled and rolled with clicking that sounded all too much like laughter. Hiccup looked back at Castile a small smile still gracing his face. “I’m fine. Nothing but a few bruises. Certainly nothing a strong Viking like me can’t handle.” He puffed up impressively though Toothless thought of him like a canary for it- at least it had some weight now that he was no longer a literal toothpick. Not to say he was being serious about the show though. Hiccup KNEW he wasn’t built like the other Vikings in his village.

He got to his feet. “You must be hungry.” Toothless perked up at that and his eyes rolled partially back before Hiccup thrust out a hand “NO! Toothless. Uh… we’re good.” He insisted, causing the night fury to grumble though he could clearly see the pot over a slow churning fire. Hiccup poured Castile a hot bowl of stew and carefully brought it over to the table, nearly falling over himself as the hatchlings sped around his ankles. Stepping over them- he put the food on the table before sitting down once more. “You’ve been asleep for two days now.”