"Modern myth".
How to train your dragon, Toothcup.
By: Sinattea.
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Disclaimer: Cressida Cowell owns the book series, Dreamworks owns the movie. I own nothing but this AU.
Note: ( (I should be sleeping 'cause tomorrow is gonna be a long, long day, but I promised I'd update today and I'm keeping my word. My apologies if the chapter feels a little rushed or is not as carefully written as usual, I had very little time to work on it considering I had to prepare everything for my journey. I swear I thought I'd have more time for this, but in the end I didn't. This is probably the first chapter I'm gonna edit post-publishing. The lack of chapter title says it all. Sorry. But for now, you can still enjoy the storyline. I'll fix details later.) )
- -Aaaand guess what? I already fixed the details!
The edited version of this chapter is pretty much the same, but now beautifully written as you guys deserve.
Let's go!
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Chapter 25: Blurry future
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They left the library perhaps not with new hopes, but yes with new determination to sort out every obstacle that crossed their paths.
Fortunately, before having to face the disgusted looks and the offensive mutters behind their backs they met with Snotlout on their way to the classroom, and dimly, but he managed, unintentionally, to draw some worriless smiles on their faces.
- Guys! – the quarter-back called, practically turned into the raging bull American football players must be -. You won't believe what's happened to me! I've had a lousy morning! – Snotlout cried - First I wake up, early because my stupid alarm "magically" reset itself… If I see Gobber today, I'll kill him! It's the fifth time! ! Then I go to the kitchen, try to have my champion breakfast but I can't 'cause the kitchen is a mess! And I can't even complain 'cause there are two wasted, grumpy bears with a big headache on my living room! I had to tiptoe out of my own house! Had to take the bus 'cause dad isn't borrowing me the car until prom! The car! ! The car I've washed and polished and cleaned since I was twelve! It's practically mine! And I wasn't the one who broke the stupid windows! And ARGH I wanna kill someone…! ! !
Snotlout strangled an imaginary neck more than once, while Hiccup and Toothless stared at him trying to decide whether to laugh on his face or run away laughing. Snotlout obviously needed to just let out all his frustration; he just needed some sympathy. Pretty much like them.
- Y-yeah that was a lousy morning – agreed Hiccup, nodding exaggeratedly -. Lousy indeed…
- You just redefined "lousy" man… – conceded Toothless as well, doing his best to restrain a giggle.
Letting go of his imaginary victim Snotlout finally relaxed and gave a break to himself in that lousy morning.
- Thanks! – he said - Ok, now I gotta go… Classes, I hate classes. But, nah, whatever.
- I hope you find Gobber! – shouted Hiccup in an encouraging voice as Snotlout ran in the opposite direction.
- Punch him hard! Two birds with one stone! – advised Toothless.
- Yeah! – exclaimed Snotlout, and then disappeared amidst some random students getting out of class.
And suddenly everything felt… calm, as if the storm had already reached an end. Sometimes we forget the beauty of routine: its spiral is so vertiginous and absorbent than it has the rare quality of making us forget everything but the present. There is no past and no future, only the moment you are living in.
- Gobber resets the alarms? – asked Toothless pulling a smiley wtf-look.
- Every poker night – confirmed Hiccup, sharing in his sudden mood.
May the gods bless school, classmates and the simplicity of daily life that manage for a moment make you forget that there are troubles outside those walls.
Never mind that always something happens that on the other hand makes you remember the world's still out there. Toothless received a phone call from Evelyn asking him to please go to the train station and check that all the stuff she'd send to Berk had actually reached their destination; since Toothless didn't want to say no to her and he wasn't really ready to face school that day, he kissed Hiccup goodbye and left (promising that if anyone messed with Hiccup all he needed to do was call for his dragon and he'd be there in a second to defend him).
Apparently, it wasn't half as fun to mess with Hiccup if Toothless wasn't there to witness so, and the day went by almost tranquil. Sure there were several jerks that insulted him and Toothless, on his face or behind it, but nothing Hiccup and his friends couldn't handle. Besides, he quit being the center of the spotlight when a girl in History ended her oral presentation giving Hiccup two thumbs up and announcing that her long-distance boyfriend, Charlie, whom she'd met last summer, was actually a girl named Charlene. As a fact, suddenly Hiccup was receiving as much support from classmates he'd never talked to as he received loathe from others he was sure hadn't noticed his existence until yesterday.
The worst thing in his day was getting tripped in the cafeteria and losing his food. Not even the Stoick matter seemed to be as bad anymore.
- Hey, Snotlout, and… when you left the house this lousy morning… was my dad awake? – Hiccup asked his cousin as they sat altogether in the table.
Fishlegs had convinced everyone to give away a tiny portion of their lunch to make up the one Hiccup had lost, and they were all now eating contentedly.
- Nope – Snotlout muttered, his mouth full with spaghetti.
- And was he… uhm… talking in his sleep?
- All the time, like my dad – he confirmed after swallowing his meal.
- Whoa! Were they talking to each other? – exclaimed Tuffnut.
- In their sleep? – followed Ruffnut.
- Scary! – the twins said in unison, big goofy smile on their faces.
- Of course not! Shut up! – yelled Snotlout, giving a slight hit on Tuffnut's head, which made Ruffnut laugh madly and almost spit her juice through her nose.
- And what was my dad saying? – wondered Hiccup in nervous urgency - Something along the lines of "go get him" or "cut his head"?
Snotlout gave him a really compassionate look, feeling kinda sorry for what his cousin had to worry about.
- Nope. He kept saying stupid plus name of random card from the deck.
- Oh! – interrupted Ruffnut immediately, seizing the opportunity for a joke - Did he say "stupid two of Thorstons"?
- Ha! That'd be you insultin' you, genius! – Tuffnut snapped, offended the most.
- 'Course not! I was born first!
- No, I was born first!
- You don't know who was born first? – asked Fishlegs, preferring to save everybody the endless minutes of "No, I was – No, I was!" that would've for sure taken place.
- Mom never asked the doctors! – said Ruffnut -. And dad didn't see anythin'!
- He fainted – added Tuffnut.
- Don't you have like a birth certificate or something? – suggested Astrid, teaming up with Fishlegs to have the twin's pointless discussion finished as soon as possible.
- Already checked that. We were born in the same minute – explained Tuffnut.
- But I was born seconds before – Ruffnut whispered wickedly to Astrid's ear.
- No! The male twin is always born first!
- Says who!
- Duh! A male twin?
And they continued to yell at each other and expose ridiculous arguments to support their supposedly irrefutable opinions. Astrid and Fishlegs sighed in defeat, leaning back on their chairs. Snotlout couldn't care less; Aura was gone to buy some extra grape juice.
- Any ideas to bring this… thing to an end? – Astrid asked Hiccup, her blue eyes practically pleading for his help.
The Haddock boy simply smiled and shook his head in negation.
- No. Let them be. It's good to know some people can still care about simple issues.
- Ok – Astrid nodded after biting the inner part of her cheek as she gave the matter some thought -. If that cheers you up, I'm giving the twins more ideas.
- Everything's gonna be ok, Hiccup, you'll see – reassured Fishlegs, giving his best friend some gently pats on the back.
- Thanks, guys.
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Everything went nice indeed. When Stoick got home that afternoon, he was grumpy and tired, but memory-wiped, and he didn't remember many details of his failed poker night, only that he'd lost a handful of money and that something had happened to his pick-up. "But it mus' be ma 'magination 'cause tha car's fine".
Hiccup gave him a full jar of water and advised him to sleep some more before returning to their usual activities on the gym (to which, Toothless, conveniently, didn't attend). Then he locked himself in his room and screamed his relief against the pillow right before calling Toothless to give him the marvelous news.
"Thanks Odin! ! !"
- So… Stoick doesn't remember a thing? – inquired Fishlegs suspiciously - You sure?
- He says it's all blurry. That works for now. We just need a bit of time to think of something – affirmed Hiccup.
- Plus, Evelyn's arrival should keep him busy for the next weeks. That gives us more time – added Toothless.
- Evelyn, your…?
- Tutor. Yeah, that's her.
- I was thinking calling her a mentor or something that matched if I called you a padawan… – Fishlegs giggled, summoning a dreamy look on Toothless - But what are you gonna do after that time is out? – he insisted.
- We still have that time to think about it – shrugged Hiccup, trying to fake relaxation, in which he miserably failed. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable.
- We're working on it – Toothless patted his boyfriend's back, telling Fishlegs with his eyes that, even though they hadn't openly asked for it, they were going to need all the help they could get.
- Ok, but… Now can I know what happened to your eye?
- Don't ask, bud, please… – Toothless looked away, brushing his messy hair with both hands to try hiding his eyes with it.
Nonetheless, as much as Toothless tried to keep it unnoticed, everybody did notice the black eye; a professor even asked what had happened to Mr. Night's face, receiving for response Dagur's ill-timed "Hate-bashing" snigger, mockery which his peers echoed instantly.
- Got any problem with me? Come here and say it in my face! – challenged Toothless in an angry roar, nearly smashing his own desk.
- Want two black eyes faggot? ?
Hiccup tried to interfere before things went awfully wrong and Dagur became the second victim of the Night Fury, but the bullies, stupidly, tripped him before he could stop Toothless. Fortunately, training with Stoick on a daily basis, Toothless had learned a fair share of self control, and he only gave Dagur a big, swelled-up black eye.
They both got detention, of course; in different classrooms at least.
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Hiccup waited patiently outside the detention room in which Toothless was captive. At least Dagur had also been rightly punished; it was the first time ever Hiccup witnessed a Viking bully was put under detention. All hail Principal Cowell.
Trying to help Toothless get through his boredom, he whispered sweet things and funny nonsense, perfectly aware that everything he said would be heard, and hoping that he would manage to draw a smile on his boyfriend's lips.
What a pity that the other bullies hadn't gotten punished as well, because that friday they enjoyed themselves too much bothering Hiccup for the nature of his relationship with another boy, knowing that that would anger the hell out of Toothless, and all they were looking for was a good fight. Such fools; seriously they could be so stupid some times.
- Hey there queer queen, waiting for that faggot? Going to the parade after class?
Unconsciously, Hiccup clenched his hands into fists. Ok, they could insult him, he was used to it, but Toothless? His Toothless? Not in front on him. Hiccup stood up with brave determination, ready to tell those bullies what he thought of them. Oh, everybody would be so proud if they could see him right then!
- Yeah, sure, you should hurry too, or you'll miss it – he hissed.
- What did you say? ?
- That you're so ridiculously homophobe it's obvious you're lost in the closet.
None of the bullies really got the clever offense Hiccup had dedicated to them, but the Haddock boy's voice was so obviously defying and offending that it wasn't hard to decipher it had been an insult.
- You're dead! ! – the leading bully grabbed him by the clothes and pulled him forward, closer to his peers' fists.
- Apologize! – said other bully.
- Let go of me – said Hiccup, his expression unbelievably calmed and concentrated, as if he had everything under control. It was the same expression Toothless drew right before he started a fight in the gym.
It was his opportunity, finally! Now, for once, he could stand in Toothless' defense (and on his own), proud and determined.
This, this confidence, this strength… those were the signals that had made him realize Toothless was the one. Nobody else had ever made him feel so good in his own skin, so happy to be himself, so special and unique and… safe. All that, he was ready to protect… to fight for; whether it be before these bullies… or even before his own father.
He'd made his mind.
- Why ain't he afraid? – wondered one bully, puzzled the most to see such scrawny little nerd not pleading for mercy or trying to run for his life.
- He must think Toothless is coming to save him – said another one.
- There won't be nothing left for 'im to find when we're done with you!
- I said: let me go – Hiccup repeated, serious. The bullies snickered.
- No.
- Ok – he said with sarcasm -, violence is never the answer, but if you insist…
And he did something that surprised all of the bullies (and, being quite frankly, it also surprised himself): he connected a precise punch right in the sternum of the bully holding him, and when the bully gasped, Hiccup pushed the invasive hands to the sides and freed himself, just as his dad and Toothless had taught him to.
It felt awesome. Maybe it wasn't the most impressive of punching tricks, but still felt awesome and super-hero worthy.
"Don't overreact, I'm fine, really – Hiccup muttered for Toothless to hear -. Now I'm just going to avoid them, we don't need any more trouble, right?". Hiccup turned around and walked away while the bullies recovered from their shock. Had a nerd just defended himself properly? Had a nerd just hit one of them? Had this nerd turned his back at them as if he had nothing to fear? Wasn't that the same nerd they'd locked for an hour the past semester? If Green Death were still there he would never allow such blasphemy!
- Oh, no, you ain't going anywhere! – sentenced the harmed bully, and went after Hiccup.
They got him when he was almost reaching the gym where the basketball team practiced, surrounded him and held him two at a time so the others could punch him. But Hiccup still didn't look scared; he was, really, but he wasn't going to show so if it pleased the bullies. Besides, if he could survive Hammerhead, Toothless in his mean coach-like façade and his dad in full coach-mode, he could stoically get through this. He wasn't that weak nerd anymore. He may not be yet the fighter his father wanted him to be either, but he was stronger than ever; that was a fact.
- Now you're gonna get it… – gritted the bullies.
- Please get your hands off my nephew – came a fancy yet threatening female voice.
All the bullies turned their heads to the auburn-haired woman, their jaws dropping at once. Evelyn had that effect; with her beauty she was just the kind of person that never passes by unnoticed. But with her character she was also the kind of person you immediately know better not to mess with or she will pull the strings of her obvious influences against you.
Not taking his eyes off the lady, the bullies let go of Hiccup.
- Fine. You're dismissed.
Obviously the bullies had no idea what she'd just said, but the tone of her voice and her determining mimic were enough for them to get the implied "get out" message.
Hiccup watched the bullies leave, trying to decide if he was more shocked by the mere fact of seeing Evelyn there, or if of what she'd just done was also responsible for his awe.
- Hello, Jay! – Evelyn beckoned enthusiastically as if nothing had happened. She stepped forward intending to hug Hiccup, as families do, but thought better of it and settled for a handshake. They weren't there just yet.
- Hello, Evelyn… – ok, this was awkward, even more awkward than when he and Toothless met at Hotel Nordic after the Halloween Ball - What… what are you doing here?
- Surprise! – she elegantly clapped her hands together with a somewhat hypocrite smile - I thought it'd be nice to pick you up. I finally moved in. Where is Dean? – she looked around as if expecting he'd jump out from behind a locker at any time - Do you want to come and see my new house?
- Well, uhm… – would it be a good idea to let her know or would that only made her paranoid? Toothless said the worst quirk of Evelyn's was precisely her paranoia - Toothless, I mean Dean…
The woman stopped him with a movement of her hand, pinching the bridge of her nose in slight irritation. Hiccup's sly stutter was enough of an answer for her.
- He got himself in trouble, didn't he?
- He's in detention… – confessed Hiccup, biting his lip apologetically - But in his defense: he was provoked!
- He's always provoked – she sighed -. You can't get the Night without the Fury, right? – she switched her voice from angry to comprehensive when saying this, and then she smiled - Let's go get him.
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Apparently Evelyn and Principal Cowell were in very good terms, because Toothless was spared half his time of detention for that day under the condition that he stayed the next monday to make up for it. "Though I should have you in detention extra time for making me lose that bet, Mr. Night" whispered the principal to Toothless' ear, making him laugh hard and loud against his will.
Then Evelyn invited them to take the back seat of her black Porsche Panamera (Hiccup couldn't restrain an admiration whistle when seeing the fancy car) and drove across town and into a forgotten forest road that Hiccup, having spent all of his life in Berk, knew very well where it headed.
- Don't tell me you bought Sunstone Manor… – he mumbled, his trembling hand instinctually seizing Toothless'.
- That's exactly the house I bought – replied Evelyn with a wicked smirk.
- But… wasn't this family brutally murdered there?
- Urban legend – she disdained, obviously not worried in the slightest. It wasn't the first time she heard something like that (the people she hired to redecorate the house were the most insisting on the matter), still it was amusing to see how the natives from Berk automatically believed in the story behind the name of Sunstone -. It will conveniently keep people away from the property.
- Everybody knows Sunstone Manor is haunted. Just saying… in case you want your money back – Hiccup insisted nonetheless, earning a curious look from his boyfriend.
- There might be a bit of truth there… – Evelyn faked a thoughtful gesture - I was the only one bidding for the house, and I got it quite cheap, actually…
Yes, now Hiccup was convinced: big haunted house. How exciting! (note the sarcasm). Evelyn saw his expression through the rearview mirror and burst out in a clear laughter.
- Good news is: I'm not afraid of ghosts, they're just dead people. Living ones are the ones to be feared – she said -. Wouldn't you agree? Seeing what people in your school is like? Besides, you'll be fine, Jay, you have a dragon with you.
- Speaking of me… – interfered Toothless - Is anyone explaining to me what's Sunstone Manor? I mean, Iget the "manor" part, but the rest is like no.
- It's this huge, huge mansion that some fancy family built on the mountain-side, on the only spot in Berk where you can look above the forest and through a gap in the mountains and catch a glimpse of the sea farther north – answered Hiccup -. It's said you can actually watch the sunset from there as if you were on the beach.
- But better, because you can also see the forest and the mountains setting on fire with that light – added Evelyn with a bright smile -. You're going to love it, Dean.
- Except for the fact that a whole family was murdered by this crazy-psychopathic man that didn't want to give his fortune in heritance… You know, just mention…
- Maybe, but that was… what? Fifty years ago? – she said in amusement - Your father wasn't even born… Nobody can prove it actually happened!
- Hey! It's true! – Hiccup exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger towards Evelyn - Don't you dare say it's not: you'll ruin the spooky part of my childhood!
- Listen, Sunstone it's just a place where people felt very lonely living in, and when they moved out they made up the whole murder-story to make sure nobody would sneak in and destroy the property in their absence – she argued matter-of-factly, a mischievous grin on her face.
- No! I'm not listening! – Hiccup played along, covering his ears with both hands - How do you explain the fact that all the people who have moved in there in the last decades leave after a month?
Oh, Evelyn was enjoying her mean self very much. Was this the way families teased each other? She'd forgotten that and just how much fun it was. And watching Hiccup's childish reaction made it twice funnier.
- It is a lonely place. Most people are not made for such reclusion. That's why.
- I hate her logic – Hiccup pouted, looking at Toothless as he leant back on the seat, crossing his arms like a little, disappointed child -. She's just destroyed my childhood's halloweens!
- Hey, don't worry – Toothless caressed Hiccup's cheek gently, drawing a soft grin -, your best halloweens are yet to come, right?
Somewhat slowly, but Hiccup did get the message.
- Oh, right! Right… – he turned bright red from neck to ears. Toothless smiled charmingly, moving closer to Hiccup and pressing their foreheads together in a lovely prelude to a kiss that never happened.
- Boys, remember you're not alone in this car…
Blushing and clearing their throats, both boys straightened up and giggled awkwardly.
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Suddenly, a white wooden balcony appeared between the treetops, its shiny glass balustrade announcing it was Sunstone Manor. As they approached the house more and more, it became more obvious to their eyes why it had been given such name. The entire building seemed to be covered in shiny gold wherever the sunlight touched it; it was almost painful to look at. Deep inside Toothless wondered if Evelyn had chosen that house guided by her paranoia, just in case someone tried to spy at her; looking at that house through binoculars would for sure blind anyone, which was an advantage.
Yes, that was so Evelyn.
Apart from that, the house was a dream. Three levels, roof-balcony, green house, a garden that melted into the forest turning the wall invisible and making it look as if the whole forest was your garden, and…
- Ohmygods! Is that… is that…? That's a pool in your living room! – shouted Hiccup in total absolute excitement, his eyes bigger than plates. Evelyn had a friggin' swimming pool in front of her chimney!
- Oh, you noticed? – Evelyn grinned in arrogant pride, clapping rhythmically to turn on the lights -. I like living with style. There's also a jacuzzi in every bathroom of the second floor, and a sauna in the third one. Big, big library (you'll enjoy it, Jay), home theater, gaming room, I trust you like playing pool…
- Can I move in with you? – asked Hiccup with big, round puppy eyes, his hands in pleading-praying-like position.
- Why? Like it? – teased Evelyn.
- YES! – exclaimed Hiccup right away. And he started running from here to there in utter fascination, observing everything, touching everything, like a little kid visiting a toy-store before christmas.
Evelyn covered her mouth with her hand in order to hide a laugh.
- I thought you were afraid of the ghosts…
- Look at this place! They'll be too busy enjoying the jacuzzi to scare anyone – disdained Hiccup, hilariously ignoring what thirty minutes ago supposedly scared him to death as a youngling -. It's like a five-star hotel in a house!
Toothless watched with an affectionate smile how Hiccup bounced on his feet trying to get a hold of himself and not to dive into that pool as he felt oh so tempted to, so the brown-haired boy distracted himself continuing to observe in adoration everything around him; the house was fascinating and luxurious in every aspect a person can wish for.
At least someone liked what he saw.
- And what about you Dean? – Evelyn quietly placed her hand on the boy's shoulder - Do you like it?
- It's… nice – Toothless burbled, trying (and failing) to sound upbeat -. Very nice… Perhaps, too nice?
- Too nice for whom? – she frowned - You perfectly know my taste…
- Yeah, yours… – the dragon-boy looked away, shrugging his shoulder to remove the woman's hand from it.
Upset for the boy's gesture but conscious that she hadn't earned the right to get mad at him for it, she let him be for the time being. Then Hiccup came running towards them, panting more excited than when he first crossed the door.
- Evelyn! Where is the library you mentioned? Can I see it?
- Sure. It's the last door on that hallway. Go enjoy yourself.
Before racing towards the signaled destination, Hiccup hesitated, exchanging looks with Toothless to invite him to come along, but the dark-haired boy shook his head in negation and told him with another look that it was ok if he went alone. Drawing half a smile, Hiccup left, his enthusiasm perhaps mined a little.
Evelyn waited until the sound of footsteps vanished at the end of the hallway to resume her conversation with Toothless.
- Well, if you think it's too much we can change a few things… We're still on time.
Eyes widening, Toothless locked his gaze with Evelyn's.
- We? On time?
- Yes – Evelyn nodded, deadly serious -. Listen, Dean, I didn't buy this place only for me – gradually her eyes turned into a pure expression of self-recrimination -. I would like to finally provide to you the stability you didn't have as a child and I didn't give you as a teenager. I was hoping you would move in with me… If you want, of course.
- What?
With a sigh, Evelyn took seat in the nearest sofa, and seconds later Toothless sat beside her, perfectly aware that it was probably going to be a talk in which he better had something to hold onto. Stability? What on earth was this woman talking about? What kind of ideas had she plotted this time? Toothless knew her all too well to know that when she wanted to amend her mistakes something drastic was to be expected.
However, he decided to wait until she spoke before jumping to any conclusions.
- You have still so much to figure out about your life – Evelyn continued -, and I'm afraid I was never very helpful with that… – she watched as Toothless raised his eyebrows in skepticism, screaming in silent "you're afraid? You weren't", which she perfectly knew and very much regretted - I just thought that if you stayed here you could have some… peace. I would take care of all your expenses; you could quit your job and focus on other things…
Transforming his skepticism into an offended expression, Toothless crossed his arms and fixedly stared at his female interlocutor.
- I think I'm a little too old to depend entirely on you – he stated harshly.
- You wouldn't depend economically on me, that's the point – informed Evelyn, her voice deadly serious. Toothless went confused.
- What do you mean?
Surprisingly, Evelyn lost her voice for a moment before responding, as if it was an edgy subject even for her.
As a matter of fact, it was.
- They want you to join. They want to meet you. – she notified -. They've contacted me so I take you with them. You'd be working for me… for us – confused the most, Toothless' eyes widened in alarm as she spoke more and more -. We would… send you on missions, and you could use your skills to help keep others myths safe; you'd get to know the world- - -
- No – Toothless interrupted right away, a shade of fear in his usually bright eyes -. I'm not ready. I'm not… I…
Smiling gently at him, Evelyn ruffled his hair with her hand in a motherly gesture very rare from her.
- I know that. I won't let them push you into this – she promised, her voice sweet, comprehensive, worthy of total trust -. But I'm telling you, not as a warning… You are not far from graduating, you need to start thinking about your future. What do you want your life to be like?
Those words felt like a fist closing around his neck: Toothless went mute, and breathless. He'd never asked himself that question. Never. When he looked into his future everything went blurred, he couldn't see more than a week ahead; it had been like that for years, half a lifetime. Deep inside he'd been about to stop believing in the future anymore, until he met Hiccup.
- I… I don't know – his voice trembled -. When you've spent half your life just fighting to survive one more day, you don't get to think too much about the future… I've never… I hadn't…
- That's precisely why I want you to stay with me. I'm not interfering in your life, I promise; I just want this place to be your haven… – Evelyn held the boy's hands - until you are ready to make a choice.
There was a knot in the dragon-boy's throat; had he tried to breathe fire he would have burned himself from the inside. It took him a long while to find his voice again, dry and shaky when he finally spoke.
- Aren't you worried I might… burn the ceiling in the middle of a nightmare?
Evelyn remained silent for a couple seconds before summoning a tender smile and answering:
- I trust that here you won't have any nightmares. A haven, Dean – she repeated.
Haven. The word echoed in his mind endless times, tempting, seductive, like a dream whispering to your ear in the language of golden serpents that all you need to do is say yes and it will come true at your command. It was too good to be true: a family, a house, a life as normal as he could get… plus a loving boyfriend… and a perfect job? It felt unreal.
- I… I need to think about it… It's too much. I… I need time…
As if the weight of the world didn't lay already on his shoulders. Toothless ran his hand through his hair and rubbed his forehead, overwhelmed, scared. This was way too much to take in for only one day. He needed time to think, to balance his options, to talk it out, to try, to grow… There were so many things he had yet to live; he was by no means ready to make such big choices.
Evelyn knew that, and fortunately she also understood.
- Take all the time you need. I'm going to be right here.
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Another note: I said big things. BIG.
( (I promise I'll edit this as soon as I'm back so you can re-read and enjoy properly. So sorry about that. Still, you can review this chapter now and then review the edited version, ;-) There's always the option to logout in order to review as many times as you want, right?) )
Thanks for helping me hit 400 reviews! ! You're all the best!
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Ilmazzobro, Splendidguy44, AlexJohnD, yachiru-candy-lover, Me,
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If you want to know, my four days of vacation were amazing! ! I pretended to swim in three diferent rivers (cold, cold water... luckily the water wasn't too deep), roasted marshmallows, ate wild berries, caught frogs and lizzards, took amazing pictures for my DeviantArt, and got back home with fantastic memories to keep in mind forever! ^^
Now, off to sleep… I'm a zombie! ! (And I'm scared of them to death!)
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