Astrid may be a pain right now, trying to keep him inside all the time, but even with that, Hiccup understood she was just doing what she could to keep him safe. It wasn't that he liked it, but some part of him liked her reaction when she found out he was messing around again. She's so beautiful when she's angry. But the demand for a bit of freedom and privacy was still necessary. His obsession with Viggo had taken the best of him, and Hiccup would often slap himself when he realized he did something wrong, asking himself 'What is wrong with me?'
Hiccup walked the tunnel towards the exit, his gaze low as he was lost in his thoughts. He didn't pay much attention to his surroundings and kept asking himself questions of nonsense. Why had he come here again? The tunnel had many caves at its sides, spreading in more branches like a huge underground labyrinth. He found himself alone as the drinking Hunters, Outcasts and Berserkers noises fell behind and the light of torches from the huge underground cave entrance flashed before his eyes.
Lost with pictures in his mind, he didn't hear the footsteps following him closely from behind. The man's dark eyes studied every single movement from his enemy, and as they passed closely a cave in the large tunnel's side leading to the exit, he suddenly pushed Hiccup violently in, out of eyesight of every other living here.
''Urgh!'' gasped Hiccup as he crashed on the hard rocky surface of the cave's floor. ''Wha – what?'' But the storm of questions twirling in his head was stopped as all was answered as he turned on himself and met Viggo's form standing high before him, his dark gaze unmoving on him.
''What do you weigh, like 90 pounds?'' chuckled Viggo Grimborn, advancing towards the Dragon Rider. Hiccup stayed unmoving as the man grabbed the front of his shirt that was showed around his neck and lifted him up to his feet harshly.
''Whoa!'' bellowed Hiccup as he was lifted up. ''What the...'' He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that after looking for Viggo for months and always returning empty handed, it was here on Outcast Island that when he didn't search that he found. Well, technically, it was Viggo who found him... Viggo let him go and stood before him, his eyes burying themselves in the boy's. Hiccup trembled inside as he stood straight, every muscles tensed up. ''You...'' he said and his one and single idea coming in mind at that very moment, was run. He passed Viggo and dashed for the cave's exit, only to run in Ryker who suddenly appeared before him, blocking his way out. Hiccup backed off slowly and he felt Viggo's hand on his shoulder, making him jump in alert.
''Hello, Hiccup.'' said Viggo at last and unsheathed his sword at his back, placing the pointy end at Hiccup's chin.
''Hi.'' said Hiccup nervously, as he felt the blade stoking his skin. How hadn't he seen these two? They should have been so easy to spot. Why had he been so blind? What is wrong with him!?
''So, Hiccup.'' said Viggo calmly, pressing the blade on his chest where his heart was.
Hiccup looked down at it where it was placed, and Viggo began pushing it in, forcing him to back off until he was stuck between the man and a rocky wall. ''Oh, man...'' he whispered.
''I'm going to kill you.'' said Viggo calmly, never breaking eye-contact with his enemy. He pressed his sword back to Hiccup's neck, taking no chances. ''Oh, yes. Right here, in this dismal Outcast cave. It's not very classy, but there you go. But before we get to that unpleasantness, you're going to tell me where your Night Fury is.''
Hiccup shook his head, refusing to say a word about Toothless. He wasn't going to hand his dragon over, even if it meant death.
''Oh,'' said Viggo quietly. ''Well that's a shame. I'd say you're very attached to that dragon, aren't you?'' He only received a glare from the boy, feeling his teeth gritted behind his lips.
''We're going to find that Night Fury, anyway.'' said Ryker behind his brother, arms crossed over his chest. ''Why don't you make it easier, for everyone?''
''You know it's only a matter of time before we do. And, tell me,'' continued Viggo, pausing for an instant. ''Have you ever been in love?''
Hiccup licked his lips, breaking the eye-contact with the man. If he could right now, he'd hurt Viggo for bringing up that subject. How dare him talking about that. But bringing that up also suddenly weakened him, and he felt even more below than before... ''I...'' he began, giving a try at changing the subject, but Viggo was already talking above him.
''Yeah, you're in love right now.'' grinned Viggo, searching in Hiccup's emerald green eyes. ''I can see it in your eyes.'' But all Hiccup did was look down and shake his head sideways, begging for this to never have happened. Why in Thor's name did he leave Dragon's Edge? ''No, no, no, no. Don't deny it. I wonder what would happen, if you lost her.'' Hiccup so wanted to yell at him, and he was about to, but the moment he opened his mouth to let out a word of an insult, Viggo pressed the blade on his lips, whispering two harsh words. ''Shut up.'' he snapped quietly. He backed off, lowering his weapon and received a glare from Hiccup. ''Where is that Night Fury?''
Hiccup kept his glare there, and decided to lie than telling him where his buddy was. He wouldn't let them get to Toothless. No way. ''I don't know.'' he said simply, hoping it would pass but it clearly didn't as Viggo laughed.
''Oh, Hiccup. You really are a dreadful liar.'' remarked Viggo. ''Why do you have to make things so difficult?''
''That's what I used to tell him.'' suddenly growled a voice from behind Viggo. Viggo turned on his heels faster than Hiccup had seen anyone do, and tightened his grip at the handle of his sword as he sighted the chief of the Outcasts hold up in the air his brother, Ryker Grimborn, practically choking him as his hand was wrapped around the man's neck. Ryker may be a muscular and agile guy, mean and ruthless, but Alvin the Treacherous was worse. ''Want your guy back?''
Unexpectedly, Alvin threw Ryker across the cave. The Hunter crashed against the painful wall and collapsed to the ground with a groan of pain.
''Owch..'' whispered Hiccup, imagining how painful that must of been.
''Hand over the boy now.'' ordered Alvin, gesturing to Hiccup still trapped between the wall and Viggo, his sword still threatening him. The Outcast leader received a glare from the Dragon Hunter leader, knowing better than fight. Hiccup could tell this hadn't been part of his plan, and it only made him smile mockingly at his failure.
Viggo pressed the blade on Hiccup's shoulder, forcing him to move and pushed him forward towards Alvin the Treacherous. He knew he'd have a better shot next time. After all, he did know where the Dragon Riders were, but they didn't know about him. Plus, he'd just gotten enough information to know where to strike next.
The chief of the Outcasts gave the two men who had dared hurting his ally a nasty look, brows furrowed, his eyes barely visible. His lower jaw teeth showed the hate towards the two brothers and he gave them one last look before turning around and leading Hiccup to safety.
''You know this isn't the right place for you.'' said Alvin as he leaned closer to the Dragon Rider's ear for no one to hear them. ''This place is dangerous for someone like you. You should head home. I hear many would like to lay hands on you for your abilities and reputation.''
''Thanks for your concern, Al,'' said Hiccup as he stopped on the spot. ''But I can handle myself perfectly.''
''So I've seen.'' said the man, remembering the previous events.
''I should really go now. It's getting late.'' said Hiccup, showing no care for absolutely nothing. He wanted to tell Alvin that he shouldn't have come and done that, because now, the Grimborn brothers would know when to strike, and Viggo would take no more chances like this. But he didn't, and thanked him instead before he rushed outside the underground tunnels and headed to where Toothless had stayed put.
To be honest, he had been so afraid, so scared that Viggo might have really killed him... but he couldn't have let out a word of Toothless' location or even about him. Thinking about it, revisiting the images in his head and the Hunters' intentions, it was only now that he truly shivered like never before. Out there, he had kept it inside, showing nothing else but hate.
He just hoped nothing like this would ever happen to him again.
