Wanted: Hiccup Haddock III

(The picture above is not mine)

I unrolled the other piece of paper with the letter, and found my face staring at me.

After reading the poster, I sighed. "He wants me that badly, huh?" I said tonelessly, folding the bounty and the letter up.

Well, that's just great, I thought sarcastically. Toothless noticed my uneasiness. He walked over to me, and nestled his head on my lap, warbling consolingly. I half-heartedly smiled at this, and scratched his ear. "What do you think? Should I lay low or still go to Berk?"

He warbled, and gave me a look that plainly said I don't know. I sighed, and watched the Terror rustle his wings, and take off to the sky. I began to pace around the room, five steps one way, then five steps the other, contemplating my options.

Minutes later, I stopped pacing. "You know what? Darn the bounty!" I exclaimed, but not loud enough for the others to hear. "I'm going to the party----I'm not gonna play right into Viggo's hands by hiding."

At my statement, Toothless warbled worriedly. "Don't worry, bud. I'll take extra precautions. Just," I paused. "Don't tell the others. I don't want to worry them"

.          .         .

A half hour later, we left. I tore up the bounty and Mala's letter, so no one would accidentally find it, and tell the others.

I glanced at Astrid, who was scouting the trip ahead, and felt my stomach twist into guilty knots. I probably should have told Astrid and the others. I just don't want them to worry. But I also don't want to miss Dad's birthday because of a bounty.

"Hiccup?"

I jumped, my heart leaping to my throat. "Uh, what?"

"I asked if you were okay. You seem a little tense." Fishlegs said, an expression of worry on his face.

"Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm okay, just----thinking." I answered, my awkward, slightly nasally voice painting a distracted, unsure tone. Fishlegs didn't look convinced, but he didn't push it.

.          .          .

We reached Berk at nightfall, and went our separate ways. As Toothless and I trudged up to my house, my mind was in complete turmoil.

Should I tell him? He's my Dad, he should know. But then he'd be worrying, and I don't want to spoil his birthday because of my bounty. I winced. I forgot, he's still mad at me for losing Berk's gold at the dragon auction.

We reached the front door, and I hesitantly raised my hand to knock. I took a deep breath, and knocked three times. I could hear my father's footsteps coming to the door.

"Who in Thor's name is knocking at this hour?" he grumbled, his footsteps sounding like thunder strikes. I smiled to myself. Imagine if I said 'Hey Dad, how's it going?' and left. Door opening, he grinned widely. "Hiccup!" he grabbed me in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. I felt my back release several cracks. "Hey, Dad." I said hoarsely, my breath having been squeezed out of me.

He set me down, and patted Toothless gently. "Hey boy." Toothless warbled in reply, a gummy smile on his face. Oh, what, so you're gentle with him and not me? I thought as Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders and walked with me inside.

"I'll let you settle in, and then we'll talk." Dad said.

I swallowed. "Alright." I answered, taking my stuff to my room. 10 minutes later I walked out, feeling nervous. Oh boy, I'm in for it now. I wonder how much I'll have to pay the twins to make my grave.

Edited: As you can see, I added some things here and there. Hope it's okay. If I'm being honest, I kinda cringe reading my old writing. I think I've gotten better since starting writing a year or more ago. Anyway, I'll stop with my rambling :)