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“Okay, Haddock, get on my back.”
“What?” Hiccup looked at Ruffnut in surprise.
“Well, there’s no way around this mud,” Ruffnut said. “We have to cross it. You said your prosthetic would get sucked in and stuck, so get on my back.”
Hiccup looked around the forest. They were the only two Dragon Riders out here. They’d been on a mission together when their dragons had gotten scared away. It was clear that they’d crossed this giant patch of mud that had no way around, as it just devolved into swampland on either side. And Hiccup hadn’t been lying when he said his prosthetic would get stuck. It might even come off! They’d tried their dragon calls, but to no avail. This was the only way through, it seemed.
“Fine, fine.” With Ruffnut’s help, Hiccup climbed onto her back. He was surprised Ruffnut could hold him, as he was taller, and she was about as spindly as he was. She didn’t seem to be feeling the stress from his weight just yet.
“This is kind of fun,” Ruffnut said. “Me, giving you a piggyback ride.”
“Why is it called that anyway?” Hiccup asked as Ruffnut stepped into the mud. He had his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve never seen pigs on people’s backs.”
Ruffnut laughed. “You know what? I have no idea!”
She kept walking through the mud, and Hiccup could tell as each step weighed her down. He felt bad, but he couldn’t lose his prosthetic in this. His extra one was with Toothless.
All was going well until Ruffnut slipped and fell face-first into the mud, sending Hiccup flying. He, luckily, landed on the other side of the mud, on dry ground. Not lucky for Ruffnut, as she was now covered in it.
Hiccup wanted to help her up, but couldn’t, and Ruffnut was already getting back to her feet anyway.
“You okay?” Hiccup asked.
Ruffnut wiped mud off her face, shook it off her hands. She smiled with her teeth, a real smile. “This day just got more fun.”