If he had to repeat himself, he'd feel stupid for admitting it in the first place. But seeing her smile made his fear of another unpredictable emotional explosion subside.

Along with some things never changing, he flinched when she thumped him again.

"Ow. Hey! Twice is enough for one day, don't you think- "

The complaint wasn't fully completed because Hiccup definitely wasn't expecting that to happen.

His whole body felt funny. Warm. A dazed expression took over his features as he shrugged.

"Okay, maybe I can work with this."