So recently I saw a post regarding the definitions of empathy and sympathy, outlining the differences between each.
And this is where my train of thought went, but the moment I read the empathy definition, I thought of Viggo using the word empathy. His brief conversation with Hiccup as they flew out in search of the Submaripper. How he taunts Hiccup. But in thinking about the conversation, and looking at the definition, something else came to dawn on me.
It made me think that his little speech, was a hidden love confession.
And I know this is just my vigcup head, but please hear me out. I think I have evidence to support it.
I mean, okay this is how it goes, alright:
“Poor, dear, Hiccup. Relationships can be complicated. Am I right? And while I cannot put myself directly in your shoes, I can most surely empathize with your situation.“
“You can huh?”
“Absolutely. To be in love with a girl who is your partner in battle? Not sure how I would balance such a precarious situation. It can certainly cloud the mind, impair judgment. Make even the simplest decisions vexing.”
Excuse me as I run the scene through my head and smirk. Cuz, you also have to consider the freaking body language as he said this. I mean, we were able to see Hiccup’s face he said this, but Viggo was only seeing the back, yet knowing it was inciting a reaction.
The post described empathy, as an involuntary feeling. You don’t control feeling this empathy. On the surface, it shows how Viggo knew that Hiccup and Astrid were in the beginning of a relationship. But in my eye, I feel Viggo brings it up while highlighting his own internalised feelings. Previously, I knew the definition of empathy being that the person relates to the other because they’ve experienced the same. Quite literally, like having been in the other person’s shoes. Yet, at the quote, Viggo outlines that he’s not directly inside, his way of saying that he’s had an attraction to someone while in battle. Then goes on to say he wouldn’t know how to balance the situation. It clouds the mind, then coming to impair judgement.
I mean, we got a couple of seasons where we came to know Viggo’s mode of acting. He’s not one to bluntly speak. There’s layers and loopholes to his words. Yet I have to say, if there’s any evidence we see as to Viggo having an attraction toward someone, I wager to say it’s distinctive with Hiccup. Complimenting him many times before they’d reached that point of Shellshocked. When in the cage in Maces & Talons pt 2 saying Hiccup’s far exceeded his expectations, Buffalord Soldier commending how he’s a man of his word, in Defenders of the Wing pt 1 saying he’s a worthy opponent, willing to engage him as an adversary for years. How when he speaks of them, it’s Hiccup and the Dragon Riders, not just the Dragon Riders and knowing Hiccup was automatically included.
In thinking of Viggo saying this, leaning close so his words came straight to Hiccup’s ear, I really come to think that he’s admitting his own feelings toward Hiccup. At this point, they’re currently temporary allies, forced to work together because Hiccup’s on his final resort. Stand as partners. Viggo’s saying he doesn’t know to balance the precarious situation, because in all honesty he doesn’t. Of course he’s mulling over the logic. He and Hiccup have stood as enemies for what can be presumed to be a good half of a year. He’s dealing with an adversary who has foiled so many of his plots, with him always managing to think ahead, though consistently coming to fail in the end. And even though Viggo’s gained some victories, Hiccup takes his own in other circumstances.
Viggo knows he can’t outwardly admit his feelings, not when there stands so many awful situations behind them. If he expressed affections, he’s guessing Hiccup won’t come to reciprocate. And it’s where he can see Hiccup’s in love with Astrid. Viggo is admitting he doesn’t know how to go about it, but still attempting to take a jab at Hiccup, wanting Hiccstrid to take unstable ground. He also acknowledges that his own mind could be clouded, and he himself was at the verge of making bad decisions. Which judging from what comes later, I can see it.
Okay, initially the conversation alone may not suggest it. There’s other more likely reasons for why he said that. Not demonstrating a thing for Hiccup at all. But to me it’s been supported by something he later comes to say. Wings of War, we discover that he’s actually alive, and has been scarred from his time in the volcano. He tells Krogan of how they’ll use the melding dome to get into the volcano, coming to praise Hiccup for his invention of it. I paid particular attention to what followed.
“Reverence? It’s a dangerous emotion Viggo.”
“Only if it is allowed to cloud one’s judgement.”
He says cloud one’s judgment. Which fits with the dialogue above of cloud the mind, impair judgment. And once again, it is of a circumstance which involves Hiccup. Where we once again see Viggo praising an adversary where, given how he now bears another scar there’s reason for anger. Yet instead he is speaking highly of the young man who caused him to be on the cliff of that volcano in the first place. Yet in him saying of clouded judgment, just seems like denial to me. Still not admitting to himself of what he feels for Hiccup. And he’s even come to learn what was a bitter lesson too. Telling Krogan not to underestimate Hiccup.
This is me setting this forward with the mindset of how I can see them as a ship. This is what I felt supported what Viggo said.