Chapitre 19
New experiences

''I have to say, you're doing better than I expected.''

Nuffink was smiling looking Frost on Pouncer's saddle. It was the first day they had started training on the ground, and the boy was already managing to remain on the saddle for five whole minutes without falling.

''It won't take too long before you would be able to fly.''

''Wouh ouh !'' The boy cheered, lifting his arms with proud and victory. ''How many time, you think ?''

Nuffink couldn't hold back his smile and shook his head in amusement. From where did that boy was getting all these enthusiasm and energy ? It was just endless.

''I'd say a couple of days, but if you're that eager, I can always tie you to the saddle.''

''Really ? What are we waiting for, then ?''

The viking laughed, then he picked up some ropes and walked to the side of his dragon.

''Stand up, pal, I'll tie Mister I-Can't-Wait.''

Pouncer warbbled and got to his feet since he had sat at one point. The movement shook Frost and almost dropped him from the saddle. He held on the saddle and just barely avoid to slip on the side. While Nuffink was tying his thin legs, he could feel how impatient the boy was, he was literally bouncing on spot.

Such eagerness was really new to Nuffink, it filled him with proud for the dragons and it encouraged him to show more things to the boy. Before meeting the merman, he was used to almost force the students at the Academy to make exercices when they were too young to actually ride a real dragon, but Frost was more the type of always-asking-more. Plus, it allowed them to spend a lot of time together.

When the knots were tied and secured, the viking munted his dragon, just in front of the boy.

''How is it, up there ?'' Frost asked. ''Is it as amazing as I think it is ?''

Without realising, his smile dropped. He had spent many years looking up at the sky and the dragon soaring in it, wondering what it felt like to fly, and now he was finally going to know. But what if it was not what he had expected ? What if reality couldn't match his expectations ? His sudden thoughtfulness wasn't unoiced by the viking, who smiled tenderly. He hold back from the urge to plant a kiss on the tip of his pale nose.

''It's even better, you could be surprised. Maybe you'll be scared at first, but I can assure you, you'll never want to get back down after this. It's like sailing in the middle of an ocean made of clouds.''

For Nuffink, comparing the sky with the ocean seemed the best way to reassure Frost, thought he was worried that could trigger the boy's nostalgia and homesickness.

''And the wind in your face and hair… It's simply fantastic. I don't know any better sensation in this world.''

Save from having the former-merman so close to him, but there was no way he was going to tell him this.

Frost noticed the dreamy smile on the viking's lips, which made him smile too. Since he didn't know what was really going on in the viking's mind, he was convinced it was flying making him that dreamy. And if he was that dreamy, the merfolk prince knew he had been right to dream of flying all these years.

So he adjusted his sitting position.

''Some tips for me ?''

''Since it's your first flight, don't look down.''

''Why ?''

''We don't really pay attention to altitude when we fly, so looking down and seeing the distance to the ground can scare or make you sick.''

''Okay, don't look down.'' He nodded with a serious face. ''Is it normal to be afraid at first ?''

''Totally, yes. But don't worry, Pouncer and I will watch over you. And if you happen to fall, which won't happen with all these ropes, Pouncer likes to play fetch.''

The dragon nodded in aproval, his tongue hangin out of his mouth in excitment.

''O-Okay, then… I'm ready. Let's go.''

''You heard him, pal ?'' The viking asked, patting his best friend's side.

Said best friend shook his head and back, then he stretched out his wings. Frost felt like a tight ball forming in his gutts, fear suddenly clung to him and even more so when the dragon took off with a strong beat of his wings.

The boy felt pulled back by the mind and quickly held on the first thing he could find, which was the viking in front of him. He wrapped his arms around the warm waist and dug his head against his back, feeling the scales of the armor pressing against his forehead. He shut his eyes and squeezed as much as he could, his whole body tensing. He was too terrified to open up his eyes, and the wind was howling in his ears so loud he could barely hear his racing heart beat.

Then, suddenly, everything ended. Calm came back, the howling lessening into a soft whistling, only interrupted by the sound of beating wings.

''It is good ?''

''Yes,'' Nuffink chuckled. ''You have nothing to fear.''

Frost slowly opened his eyes, then he looked up at the sky and their surroundings. He couldn't believe it. Now his face wasn't burried anymore against the viking's back, he could feel the chilly wind brushing his face and hair. It seemed to wake up every inch of his skin, and it felt so… familiar. It was like the caress of the water current.

The landscape also reminded him of the ocean's vastness, adding the patterns of the clouds.

''Wow…'' He breathed. ''You were right, it feels like being in the ocean. I mean, the wind, the feeling of floating, it's… Wow !''

''I told you.'' The viking grinned.

Pounced warbbled too, earning a light pat on the forehead from his best friend.

''For years, I looked up at the dragons in the sky, wondering what it was like to be there with them. I always wondered what it would feel like to fly, but this… this is something else… There's something more.''

''I know what it is. It's this feeling of freedom. Pure freedom.''

''Yeah.''

The young merman felt his eyes water. Though the sensatioin surprised him by how different it felt compared to merfolk tears. It was not a thick nacred liquid, but a light water. The tears barely had the time to stream they caught on the wind and rolled on his temples.

He reveled in the feeling of the wind on his face and playing with his hair. Closing his eyes, he almost felt home that made him feel comfortable and safe. Though it was not exactly the same. There was also this impression there was absolutely nothing around him, as if nothing could reach him this far up.

Nuffink was right, this was freedom. At last. Here, he was sure his father couldn't reach him. Here, there was no one to lock him in. There was noone to force him to attent the training with his brothers. There was no mean brother. There was no hiding and no prison. Here, he could do whatever he wanted without having to explain himself to anyone. And what he wanted to do, cas having some fun.

Nuffink knew this sensation by heart, for years now, and sharing this Frost was warming up his heart. Plus, feeling the boy's arms secured around his waist, his chilly body against his back… He felt complete and more serene he had ever been.

He wanted to revel on the feeling for a moment, but he felt Frost move on the saddle, easying his grip on him. Then, he heard his voice, filled with some mischief.

''So, what can you guys do ? I saw some pretty nice figures the past couple of days, above the village and at the Academy.''

''Want to see some ?''

''Yes, yes I'd like to !''

''Okay, so hold on tight.''

A teasing spark lit up in the green eyes. He waited for Frost to tighten his arms around him before bending to Pouncer. The dragon tilted his head and noticed his viking pointing to the bottom. The Night Light beamed a cheeky grin and suddenly closed his wings, dropping in mid-air. Frost held tighter on the viking and shouted, but it was not in fear, it was pure joy and a ringing laugh the viking oh so treasured. Pouncer opened up his wings again and resumed to gliding.

Frost calmed down his laughter and wiped some tears from his face. Tears of joy. Nuffink turned to look at him with a smirk.

''You alright, back there ?''

''Again !'' The boy chirped.

''You sure you can handle it ?''

''Yeah ! I don't want to ever go back down again !''

Nuffink shook his head in amusement. What else had he been expecting ? Baffling, he had known the boy would react like this, it was exactly the answer he had wanted to hear, the answer that would make this moment last longer, this peculiar moment the both of them were sharing… Well, the three of them. They definitively must not forget it was thanks to Pouncer they could live this.

He gave another signal to his best friend, who hang his tongue outside his mouth again, then the dragon started a serie of various figures. Twirls, spins, dives, high speed ascends, swirls at different speed…

Nuffink alternated between giving some instructions to his dragons and letting him decide what he wanted to do, praising him and petting him each time. All the while Frost held on the viking, all the while he wasn't sick nore scared, just joyful and laughing. He was really enjoying the moment, it felt like connecting back to the ocean, he had completely forgotten about gravity and the danger of falling from the saddle.

They kepts their antics almost the entire afternoon, getting away from New Berk. After several hours of flight, they landed on a small island, at the top of a cliff offering a beautiful view of the ocean's immensity, and the far away frame of the fortress-like island.

Pouncer had a great time but he didn't complain about landing, he sure had fun but was tired. Nuffink was the first one to dismount him, before untying Frost. It was only then he realised the boy had brought along his staff, which he had slipped in the ropes so it wouldn't fall during the flight. Remembering how important this staff was, Nuffink was relieved it was still there.

Once the last rope was removed, the viking rolled it and shoved it into the stachel straped to the saddle, before giving a teasing look to his friend, still sat there.

''So ? How are the legs ?''

The pout on the boy's face proved he didn't like the teasing, but Nuffink couldn't help it, this pout was just too cute.

''They're perfectly fine !'' Frost claimed solemnly, a bit vexed.

He gathered his legs on the side and jumped from the saddle to prove his point, but it didn't turned out like he wanted to. Actually, it turned out like Nuffink wanted to. Having a global idea of Frost's legs state and knowing what flying for two long was doing to his own legs, he knew the boy wouldn't be able to stand. His legs were just as weak and wobbly as the very first day, so the boy fell instantly, and that Nuffink an excuse to catch him in his arms.

''Huh… Maybe they're not…'' Frost mumbled.

Nuffink chuckled and resisted the urge to keep him against his chest forever. He helped him stand and gave him his staff. Pouncer pushed behind the boy to help him steady, slightly purring.

''He likes you.'' Nuffink said.

''Me too !'' The boy beamed.

Frost stroked the white scaly head, then he bent and put his hands on his tights, slowly massaging the muscles. They hadn't liked squeezing around the dragon for that long. Sensing the parts in-between his tights still felt odd for Frost despite the weeks he had spent on land. He was still missing his tail and fins.

''You okay ?'' Nuffink hesitated.

''Yeah, it's just… I still have troubles getting used to it.''

''I can understand. You must be missing your fins.''

Frost nodded, still massaging his tights. Nuffink had to admit that, sometimes, he also missed Frost's fins. He missed seeing him in his merman form, though he still was beautiful in human form.

''I didn't know flying was that tiring.'' Frost sighed. ''Don't get it wrong, it was incredible and wonderful, but exhausting as well.''

''You'll get used to it and, for your defence, we don't usually fly for so long during one day.''

The former-merman didn't reply and kept on massaging his tights. When he decided to stop, he looked around them.

''Why had we stop here ? Shouldn't we get back to Berk ?''

''Come, I want to show you something.''

Nuffink offered him his hand and Frost took it without thinking, completely oblivious this touch had send goosebumps up to the viking's shoulder and made his heart skip a beat. The blond couldn't hold back his smile, though he didn't want to get high hopes.

He walked his friend to the edge of the cliff, well a few safe steps from it, and Frost gaped at the view. He couldn't move nor breath. It was only in this moment he realised just how far from home he was. The ocean was bright and colorful, bathed in warm colors. Despite the fact that there was some snow on Berk and even the island they were on, there was no ice to be seen on the surface of the ocean.

The sun was slowly setting to reach the water level, getting closer and closer to its blurred reflection. Firing colors were filling the sky and warmed up the air, even if the wind was chilly, still not as cold as the one in the frozen lands of the north.

As to the viking island, it was so big and imposing. It was the first time Frost was seeing it like this, even if he had seen how much bigger it was than just the berkian isle. From afar, the island looked like a massive block of stone rising from the depth of the ocean and disappearing just above the clouds. Nuffink had been right when he had said it was a fortress, it was obvious no one could just climb the cliffs. One could only reach the top with wings.

Nuffink smiled seeing the awed expression on Frost's face. Keeping his pale hand in his, he sat down on the grass and patted the spot next to him, silently inviting the boy do sat with him. Frost did so before immediatly looking back at the sunset. Both remained like this in silence, side by side, hearing Pouncer play around with some birds.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Nuffink looked at Frost. The orange light of the sun was adding warm colors to his pale skin, snow hair, but also to his crystal eyes.

''You were made for flying.'' The viking said.

''You think so ?'' Frost asked, full of hope.

''I'm sure of it. Look at you, you weren't sick at all during the whole flight.''

Frost gazed at the viking, then his eyes dropped with some melancholia. He smiled softly, then grinned.

''I guess that, if you don't get sick in a maelstrom, then you can handle some spins in the sky.''

Nuffink grinned too. Having witnessed the fury of the snowstorms in the frozen lands of the north, he daren't imagined what it was to be caught in a maelstrom, even if merfolk couldn't drown. He liked to picture Frost playing with Baby Tooth in the middle of one of these typhoon.

''Having lived in the ocean surely gives you an advantage for flying. Are the sensations similar ?''

''Kind of, yeah. It's nice, it reminds me of there.''

He let go of the viking's hand and curled his arms around his knees. Frost liked this position, it was one he couldn't manage with his tale for obvious balance issues. But this position, it made him fell safe, though he didn't know that, for the viking, it looked like the boy was shuting himself. This position mixed with his far-away gaze on the horizon made him look homesick, which was something the viking was desperately trying to avoid.

''You miss your home ?''

''I miss some things, but I discoevered so much more here.''

A bright smile crept on his lips, smile that surprised and hypnotized the viking at the same time.

''Rain, for example.''

Nuffink chuckled. This reply was so simple and looked a bit candid, yet he remembered how Frost had reacted the first time it had rained since he was on Berk. They were in the early summer, there was still snow but it was slowly getting rarer as the temperatures were getting warmer.

It had happened just the day before. In the early afternoon, rain had suddenly heavily poured on the village, without any warning. Frost had been in the middle of the street, playing with a bunch of kids and baby dragons that had been messing with the smithy before he got them away with a game. While everyone had left to get back inside or find the first shelter they could, he had stayed there, laughing and giggling, feeling the drops pouring on his face.

Nuffink had stared at him, fascinated, mesmerized, before he had broken from his dayd ream and had fetched him. The boy had been soaking wet when he had managed to drag him back to the house. Still he was still laughing. Nuffink remembered he had lost himself in the contemplation of his face, his heart beating like crazy and his mind getting blank of any thought save from the want to kiss him. Thought he had hold back from doing it.

He was feeling like he constantly was holding back himself when he was with Frost. Holding back from kissing him, from hugging him without any reason, from gently stroking his face of hair, from holding his hand, from planting kisses on his cheek, the tip of his nos or his hair, from brushing off some strands trying to cover his silver eyebrows… The only things he could do was staring intently at him when the boy couldn't see it.

He came out his thoughts when Frost talked again.

''What I really miss is Baby Tooth. Swimming too, I suppose, by flying feels pretty close to it, so it's okay. But there's nothing close to Baby Tooth. She was my very first friend, you know, and my best.''

When their eyes met, the viking read all the affection the merman had for the tiny beluga. As if he had not noticed it when he had seen them together. He smiled, he knew he surely himself had the same look in his eyes when he would speak of or think about Pouncer.

He put a hand on Frost's back and started to trace soothing circles on it. He didn't really know why he did this, maybe it was in try to comfort Frost, maybe it was just because he wanted to. All he knew was that his heart skipped a bit when Frost closes his eyes and dropped his head on his knees.

''Hum… That's nice.''

The viking's face flushed. One part of his mind felt embarrassed beyond its limits and begged him to stop while the rest of his brain just screamed to keep on. His body escaped his control and he kept on doing it while he looked at Frost.

Tentatively, surely to test the boy's reaction, he moved a bit closer and let his hand shift to the side, drawing bigger circles. However, when his fingers brushed the boy's ribs, he flinched. Nuffink instantly tok back his hand. Since he knew that was where the merman's gills had been, he suddenly was afraid it had hurt him.

''Did it hurt ?'' He asked, worried.

Frost shook his head on his knees, then slowly lifted his face to him, cheeks a light pink color. He was pressing his lips in a thin line that seemed embarrassed, and the viking didn't need to be told so know what it meant. A mischievous, almost devilish smirk, crept on his lips.

''Frost… You don't happen to be ticklish, do you ?''

The boy's cheeks grew darker and he averted his eyes. Nuffink then remembered their second meeting, when Dart had burried her nuzzle in the merman's neck, and how said merman had reacted.

Frost watched the viking's smirk waryly, he had a bad feeling, and he knew he had been right to worry when the viking suddenly launched to him and attacked his ribs with his dextrous and merciless fingers. The boy giggled and wiggled, trying desperately to push him away, not to avail. They toggled and rolled in the grass, both laughing out loud while Frost tried to fight back but could pass the protection of the scaled-armor.

He did tried to get use of its breaks, especially the armpit, surely the brown tunic of the viking couldn't be that thick… but it didn't do anything. He tried again by slipping his fingers in the viking's collar, but it didn't do more.

''It's hopeless.'' Nuffink teased before burrying his nose in the crook of the pale neck, earning another burst of laughter.

The boy was starting to shed tears of laughter, still he was disappoint.

''I-It's unfair- HAHA ! Hik- HAHA ! Stop it ! HAHAHA !''

''Surrender and I might stop.''

''HAHA ! Ok-HA-kay ! Okay ! You win ! HAHAHA !''

The viking smirked and finally spared his victim, who was trying to stop his giggles and catch his breath. Nuffink looked at him calming down, proud of the dark red shade he had painted his pale cheeks with.

As surprising as it may seem, mostly considering his pale complexion and crystal blue eyes, Nuffink thought that red was Frost's color. Since everything was indicating Frost would need some time to calm down, the viking made use of this time to stare at him, thought he was startled had the boy tried a new assault of tickling on him. He engulfed his chilly fingers in the viking's collar, who trembled but for other reasons that gap temperature of the tickling. He quickly took a hold of the thin wrists and tackled them to the gound, on either side of Frost's head.

''You know I'm not ticklish.'' The viking grinned.

The grin turned into a smirk seeing Frost's pout, though the viking got distracted as he felt something unexpected on the boy's left hand. Through the tunic sleeve, he could feel something around the wrist. Puzzled, he let go of the wrist and pulled the sleeve, unveiling a small bracelet he hadn't noticed before.

It was quite flexible and thin, the color was a nacred silver close to merfolk's tears, but most of all it was adorned with the gemstone the viking had gave to him, in the middle of a circle of tiny pearls. Honestly, the bracelet was beautiful and was highlighting the gem's color and shine. Nuffink got hypnotized by the delicate object and gently ran his fingers on the surface, a jerk from Frost's wrist telling him it was enough to tickle the boy there too. He chuckled and looked back at Frost. He was about to tease him about how much he was ticklish, yet the though faded as he saw his face.

Frost had his head turned towards the bracelet, his gaze focused on the gemstone, filled with so much emotions… like some sort of… adoration. The viking's heart went crazy again, and now he was jealous of the bracelet. Of course, it was stupid tog et jealous over an object, but he would have given anything for the boy to look at him with such a look, because he knew himself had this kind of look when he was contemplating the boy.

''Frost. Look at me.''

He didn't really know what he was expecting by asking this, he could only dream and hope. When Frost turned his head towards him their eyes met, the viking froze. The boy's gaze hadn't change at all between the gem and him, it was exactly the same expression, and it threw him over the edge. Without a warning, without foresaying anything, the viking leant in.

He didn't understand right away what he did, he just felt the chill on his face, and a buzzing feeling in his chest. At least, until he broke the light contact between their lips. Opening his eyes, the viking met Frost's, surprised, confused, and reality slapped him in the face. Shock and embarrassment took the best of him so he quickly leant out.

''Oh sh- Sorry ! I shouldn't have done that !''

He sat back and hide his face in his hands, if the earth could open up and swallow him, right now would be the perfect timing ! He heard Frost sat up next to him, then the boy talked with a shy and slightly shaking voice.

''N-No need to apologize… It was… It was nice.''

Nuffink's head shot up, his eyes wide and his breath struck in his throat.

''Was it ?''

Frost nodded slowly, feeling his fingers curl around his bracelet, without his control. If he hadn't noticed that gesture, the viking did, and it threw him over the edge once again.

A wave of warmth and positive energy filled him to the core, he hadn't felt this good for years, actually he wondered if he had ever felt that good. He wanted to bounce like an excited child, punch the air and scream out of joy. The only memory that made him that happy dated from his childhood, the first time he had manage to climb on a dragon's back without any help. This was the memory of a little boy, pure childish joy, but it felt as good as what he was feeling right now. Pure, unlimited joy.

A broad smile split up his face in two, though he was still a bit nervous, hense he rubbed his nape, looking at the ground as if i was the most interesting thing in the world.

''I didn't meant to do it like…'' He mumbled. ''I wanted to wait for the perfect moment, and I wanted to be sure you'd be okay with it.''

''Well, that seemed pretty perfect for me.'' Frost assured, his voice calmer and softer.

Nuffink smile again, and found the courage to look up at the boy. He was still next to him, closer than ever, their body could almost touch.

The viking sighed in relief, then he tentatively moved closer. Slowly, with a slight smirk, testing the boy's reactions, he kissed him again. He gently pressed his lips on the pale ones, longer than the first time. Frost let him do it, feeling his heart beat quicken. Nuffink's warm lips on his cold ones… it was wonderful.

He completely gave in the sensations this kiss was filling him with. It felt like a warm wave washing over him and melting ice he wasn't aware he had within him. He appreciated the soft touch of this skin on his, but didn't know how to respond to it. Nuffink felt it, so he broke the kiss and his smile dropped.

''You don't seem comfortable.''

''I just… I didn't… Huh…''

The boy averted his eyes, unable to say it, but the viking thought he understood what was the problem.

''Is it… Because I'm a man, too ?''

He instantly met the crystal blue eyes, but couldn't read their expression. It didn't look like disgust, more like… astonishment ?

''Why would it be a problem ?'' Frost asked, quizzical.

The answer was so frank it just quieted him. Even if Nuffink he had the chance to live in a clan whose chief was really open-minded, he knew other clans weren't so keen to accept that sort of affinities. He even had troubles being accepted here, at first. For a moment, he had feared the merfolk would not be tolerant about that matter, so the frank reaction of Frost stunned him more than it reassured him. He cleared his throat and rubbed his nape.

''Well… Not many people can accept that sort of things. It's not a problem here, but… I thought that, maybe, merfolk would have a more 'traditional' opinion about this…''

Frost shrugged, his eybrows up. When he replied, his tone sounded like it was obvious and common knowledge.

''Two men, a man and a woman, two women, how does it matter ? As long as both are happy.''

It was Nuffink's turn to raise his eyebrows. He knew he was really lucky that his sexuality was accepted on Berk, even if some people were still not comfortable with the idea, but merfolk seemed to think it was completely natural. He really was amazed. On this point, he found that merfolk were better than humans, even if he still hadn't digest the treatment Frost had received from his father and brothers.

The young viking smiled again, almost all his incertainities had vanished, but there was still one question feeding it.

''And you, what do you think about it ? I mean, do you prefer men ?''

'' I don't know, huh… I never asked myself before. I never… had someone.''

''Never ?''

Nuffink smiled but felt confused at the same time.

''I can't believe that. I mean, look at you.''

Frost hesitated, he blinked a couple of time before looking at himself, then back to the viking, even more confused. Nuffink's face flushed again.

''You… You're really handsome, I can't believe noone has been interested in you.''

''Remember I wasn't seeing much people back home…''

The viking felt bad for forgetting that, but when Frost had told him that, he had hoped the merman had exaggerated. Obviously not, and it saddened him.

Frost cleared his throat, trying to calm down his embarrassment. He could feel his shoulders tense up, his chest felt it was crushed, it was almost painful, though Nuffink's presence was soothing.

''And you ? Did you ever have someone ?''

The blond felt even badder. Just like when they had talked about their family and he had felt guilty to be more lucky, now he felt guilty to have more experience, thought this wasn't good experience.

But Frost was always so spontaneous and honest, so he wanted to be the same with him.

''I had someone, at a time, but it has not ended well.''

Frost looked up at him, his blue eyes looking back and forth between the two green ones. Nuffink wasn't sure he read correctly the boy's look, but he didn't seem hurt, he seemed… apprehensive. Nuffink understood he wanted to hear the story.

So the viking sighed and lowered his head.

''We were together for a bit more than a year, but it never really was serious. At least, for him. He was seeing someone else in my back. It took some time for me to find it out, and once I did, I asked him about this.''

Strangely, talking about these events that, back then, had totally crushed him, it wasn't affecting him anymore. He still felt a bit sad, some shame for having been fooled like that, but nothing more.

There was no more raging anger, no more unfairness nor sorrow. It helped him telling the story.

''He told me he was only trying out, to ssee what it felt like, though now I now he was confused in his way, and I was in my own way. Still our break up was pretty harsh. I was really down back then, you can say I went into depression. It took me some time to recover and move on, I had lost hope in love, I thought something was wrong with me because I couldn't feel it.''

Nuffink sighed again, he could almost feel the swirling emotions creeping back from the hole he had dug them all this time ago. He didn't thought it could be possible, but it was happening. However, suddenly, everything stopped. All negative thought trying to crawl back to him vanished, as if washed out by a wave. This wave took the shape of a chilly hand resting on his cheek. This hand gently forced his head up until he met Frost's gaze.

His eyes were filled with so much emotions that they managed to chase away the last remains of the past. The eyes were glazed and the silver eyebrows were frowned with sadness, empathy, but still this spark of tenderness and adoration was still there, it even seemed stronger. Frost didn't talk, he didn't need to. Nuffink wrapped his hand around the one on his cheek, keeping it in place.

''That must have been painful…'' The boy whispered.

''Yes.'' The viking admitted, before smiling to him. ''Until I met you.''

The pale cheeks blushed again, and Nuffink couldn't resist it. His smile grew slightly bigger, and he softly stroked Frost's cheek, where the bruise was still noticeable. In the past days, it had turned from purple to yellowish and had faded, but it was still there. Frost closed his eyes for a moment, surely due to the touch, then he came closer and pressed his lips on the viking's.

This kiss was hesitant and a bit clumbsy, but Nuffink couldn't care about it. He kissed back and savoured it. None of the kissed he had with Avock had this effect on him, it felt like someone had stole his breath and a hord of butterflies were flying in his stomach. The world disappeared around them, he completely forgot about everything save from the being just in front of him, to whom he was not afraid to open up his heart. He abandoned himself in the soft kiss and layed them both in the grass. Frost was a bit startled but didn't protest, even more so when the viking wrapped his strong and warm arms around him and kept him close.

When they lips parted, Nuffink felt dizzy. It was a strange sensation, as if he was drunk and his brain couldn't function correctly. He bit his lip while staring at Frost's pale ones, running his thumb on the lower one. He could still feel their kiss on his mouth, like a lingering ghost touch. Contemplating Frost's face, he ended up noticing how it was getting dark around them. The sun had set for a while now and its last light were almost gone, the sky and dark blue hue.

''We should get back before my parents get worried.''

''Can't we stay a bit longer ?''

His childish pout made the viking chuckle. Decidedly, he just couldn't get over how cute and funny it was.

''You're adorable.'' He chirped before kissing the tip of his nose.

The way Frost squinted his eyes and flinched, visibly not expecting this touch, renewed the though of cuteness in the viking's mind. The blush on his pale cheeks too. The blond windered how it was possible to be happier than he was right now, he started to wonder if Frost was a god or had magical powers he was using on him. He didn't really care about 'how', he only knew that didn't want for this to end. So he tightened his arms around the boy and kissed him again.

Frost couldn't explain why, but he swore this kiss was even softer and tender than the others they had already shared. Maybe it was because this one had been interrupted ? It had been interrupted as Pouncer came to nudge them, whirring and gesturing towards Berk island. It was getting really dark and faint lights from the village were getting visible in the night.

''You're right Pouncer,'' Nuffink said. ''we really should go back.''