#brief ruffnut

AN: I was just really feeling Tuffgur for some reason so I figured I would just continue a one-shot fic. I also left this one open-ended for whenever I get in this mood again. Writing Block has been killing me lately

Ruffnut watched as Dagur and her brother slowly started to head towards the water. Surprised her brother accepted Dagur offering him swimming lessons. Especially so soon after he had almost drowned only three nights before.

Ruff remembered the stabbing pain in her heart when Hiccup resurfaced with Tuffnut in Toothless's claws. Her brother too still and eyes closed. The sudden fear of believing he was dead was hardly rectified when upon the land they managed to revive him, only for him to pass out again. Ruffnut had stayed with him all night till he finally had awoken, shaken and scared, but relieved when his eyes had fallen upon her. Ruffnut had almost completely forgotten that Dagur had almost died too, till Tuff had asked about him.

He was only awake an hour till the Beserker had also awoken. Then things had just gone back to normal like he hadn't almost died. Ruff knew the fear of drowning, having been too close to herself. She would never wish that upon someone, especially her brother.

"You okay?" A voice called. Interrupting Ruff's thoughts, as she turned, spotting Heather climbing up the Cliff next to her. Ruffnut still didn't really trust her so she just shrugged, putting on a mask as she gave the girl a small smirk.

"Oh, I'm just peachy." She lied looking away and back down at the beach. Watching her brother flinch as the water splashed up against him. Her body tensing as she almost leaped down there to help. However, Dagur was immediately there to calm him, which gave Ruff some kind of relief.

"Dagur wouldn't hurt Tuff you know that." Heather interrupted having followed her gaze.

"It's not that. It's just..." Ruff bit her lip, both unsure what to say or even if she wanted to say it to Heather. She didn't want her to think that she didn't trust them. Heather's expression was earnest and open though, promising no judgement. Perhaps this is the reason Ruff continued.

"I almost lost him." She whispered, looking back down at the water. Smiling softly as she saw his familiar grin being directed at Dagur. Right before he splashed the other boy with a well-timed swoosh of his arm.

"I was helpless to catch him after he was hit. And even when we did find him. He wasn't breathing. When Hiccup surfaced with him. I thought he was dead. Even now I'm not sure if..." she cut off. Flinching as Heather leaned forward and rested her hand against hers.

"He's alive, Ruff. We got him out in time. Both of them." She said following Ruffnuts gaze to the boys below. "I haven't been a sister for half as long as you... but I understand the fear. The terror of losing them. Having to double-check to make sure. Needing to keep an eye on them." She added cheekily.

Considering where the two girls were. Ruff chuckled at that although looked surprisingly solemn as she responded."My brother has always been the most important thing to me. Couldn't bear the thought of living even one second without him." She admitted. Heather looked down at this before reaching over slowly and pulling Ruff into a hug.

"Think you need to get your mind off of it. Fear like this... the unknown. It eats at you. What do you say... you and I have some... girl time?" Heather offered, pulling back from the hug. Ruff just giving her a bewildered look.

"Oh, so I'm invited this time?" She said, surprisingly harsh before she seemed to soften. As if regretting her words. She didn't apologize though. "Sure, I'll follow your lead." She offered. Giving one last glance at her brother before giving her full attention to Heather.

Heather decided not to comment about it as she just smiled warmly. "I know the best spot..." she started before leading Ruff away.

--------

It felt like hours before Dagur dragged himself out of the water. Still laughing at the flushed and shaking form of Tuff. Who was giving him a halfhearted glare, "It was a sea snake." Tuff declared. Oh yes, sea snake, or seaweed. Regardless, the slimy thing had touched the twin's leg and he had raced out of the water faster than a Terror that stole a chicken. It was all so amusing but Dagur was too tired to argue it.

"Good thing you got out quickly." He commented. Getting a nod from Tuff. Who clearly believed he agreed with him.

"There are only two things I don't mess with in this world. My mom and sea snakes." He said crinkling his nose as he shivered looking out at the water again.

"I can't believe I did that." He whispered, which sounded more to himself.

"You did well. Now you don't have to worry." Dagur commented leaning back in the sand. Closing his eyes as he just enjoyed the sun resting on his face.

"More like you don't have to worry. Mister, "Get up we're going swimming." Tuff commented elbowing the other before laying down next to him. Dagur just chuckled before laying down next to him, looking up at the clouds as he thought over his next words carefully.

"Well, figured with how often we are near the water. Best if you learn how to properly swim." He said. He also knew that after dealing with something traumatic it was good to deal with things head-on, instead of hiding away. He didn't want Tuffnut to develop a phobia of water from this after all.

"Guess that's a fair point. Kind of ingrained in my mind now though. Don't think I could forget, even if I wanted too." Tuff said before shaking his head and moving back up to a sitting position. "Not that it bothers me. Vikings almost die every day, it's an occupational hazard, as Hiccup likes to say. I imagine most died by drowning... its a common death." He said but shivered none the less. This caused Dagur to frown, he expected this type of deflecting from Snotlout, not the twin next to him. Who was always so self-assured.

"Still a pretty shitty way to go." Dagur shot back, nudging Tuff who just nodded, oddly quiet.

After a moment though, a familiar grin fell across his face as he got to his feet, "Anyway, thanks for the lessons. Oh, oh gods, never thought I would be thanking someone for lessons. Are you sure we didn't die? Is this some internal torment?" Tuff said getting more dramatic by the second which just made Dagur laugh.

"If we died, I promise I'd tell you." He assured.

"Well, if you are some infernal demon, here to trap me in a forever loop, where everything is backwards. Water burns, fire freezes, the sun is a moon and the moon is a piece of cheese."

"What?" Dagur questioned, now completely confused by Tuffs train of thought.

"I don't remember where I was going with that," Tuff admitted. "Although can we go to eat or sleep or something? No offence had enough water to last an eternity." He questioned. Like he needed to ask permission from Dagur. Dagur on his part was just watching Tuff with a warm smile on his face. Not answering or really saying anything causing Tuff to chuckle nervously.

But against his better nature, the hooligan moved closer to the Beserker, bumping into his arm and giving him an answering smile. "Same time tomorrow?" He asked hopefully. "Thought you had enough water?" Dagur shot back.

Tuff just shrugged fixing his helmet and flicking off the last water droplets, "Oh, I have, but I'm willing to go wherever you take me."

Dagur just smirked, "It's a date then?" he asked, trying to remain cool despite the way his ears rang and the world seemed to slow as he waited for the Tricksters response.

"Y-yeah," came the response after a moment. Tuff quickly turning to leave, "Anyway um, better find my sister too. See you tomorrow, you uh, know where to find me." Tuff responded awkwardly before making it worse and literally running back up the hill. Dagur wasn't offended though, simply watching him run off with a smile on his face.