Chapitre 21
From surprise to surprise

''So,'' Nuffink stated. ''I counted twenty three Timberjacks, five Scauldrons, one Thunderdrum and two Night Lights.''

After their flight in the late afternoon, Nuffink and Frost had went back to this nearby island where they had kissed for the first time. They were sitting in the grass, surrounded by Pouncer and Ruffrunner.

Frost didn't know why the black and white dragon had tagged along, but still he earned a good fish collation just like his brother who had carried both young men.

''We said one kiss per dragon, right ?'' Nuffink insisted with a charming smile.

He leant in on Frost, determined to claim his due, yet the boy pushed on his chest.

''Nice try, but I was talking about wild dragons I had never seen before. Pouncer and Ruffrunner obviously don't count, neither the Thunderdrums, even less the Scauldrons.''

''You haven't said so beforehand, you're cheating. So you owe me thirty-one kiss.''

Frost shook his head, the viking could be stubborn sometimes. Well, most of the time, actually, but still.

''It does seem fair to me, if we'd count the Night Lights everytime we see them, we would never stop counting how many kisses I 'owe' you.''

''I you don't want to give them to me, I can still ask someone else.''

Nuffink made this joke without even thinking it, though his mind quickly woke up and slapped him in the face for hurting Frost. Plus, the boy's reply didn't help him knowing if Frost was joking back or trying to get some revenge.

''Don't play that game, I could ask it to Selina, too.''

The viking's face instantly turned dark with just the name. Even his voice went dark.

''Don't even think about it.''

Frost lifted his head to him, revealing a teasing smirk, finally telling the viking he was kidding. A wave of relief crashed into the blond and chased away all his anger.

''Well, what you gonna do about it ?'' The merman defied him.

''This.''

Nuffink tackled his boyfriend in the grass, holding his wrist above his head, and kissed him with more passion he had done before, savoring the thin and pale lips with bits of possessiveness. When they lips parted, Frost was panting, his face flushed.

''Wow, I should get you jealous more often.''

''I'm not jealous.'' The viking stated flatly.

''Yeah, of course, I can see that.''

Frost sarcasm amused the viking. Once again, his anger fled away, leaving place for his suual good mood and this light feeling he was getting used to. He still had troubles comprehending how Frost was doing this, it was turning him crazy. But crazy in good way.

He rolled his eyes then layed next to his boyfriend to kiss him again, this time slowly and tenderly. As the days were passing by, Frost was growing more confident in the kisses and Nuffink felt like he was discovering his lips all over again each time. He smiled even more when he felt the chilly arms wrap around his neck, keeping im close.

''What can I do to reassure you ?'' The boy asked in a whisper, before his voice turned back to normal volume. ''I'm with you, not her. I want to hold your hand, not hers. I want to spend time with you, not her. It's you I want to kiss, not her.''

Nuffink closed his eyes and let the words hypnotize and lull him. Goosebumps were covering his skins everywhere. Frost smiled and pulled something out of his pant pocket, placing it in the viking's hand behind the merman's back. Curious and puzzed, Nuffink let go of his boyfriend and looked at the object he was now holding. Tied to a small silver chain that seemed to come from the smithy, stood a tiny sea shell sculpted in a strange material.

It was cold, it looked like sparkling ice, but it wasn't melting on the berkian summer weather nor in the warm palm. The shell was finely sculpted, and was covered with Frost fern-like patterns. Looking closely, Nuffink even noticed some symbols on it. It took a bit of time considering it was really tiny on the small object, but Nuffink recognized the same symbols he had seen on the merfolk 'books' Frost had shown him. He looked back to his boyfriend, whose face was blushing again.

''Where I come from, it's a protection charm, some sort of lucky-charm.''

Nuffink felt so move that, for a second, he thought he would cry. This gift was really marvelous, so detailed, so finely sculpted… He wondered how Frost had managed to do it, thought the chain indicated he received some help from Goober at one point. When had he been working on this, exactly ? He also wondered what was the shell material, but mostly he was moved by the signification of this charm. He closed his fingers around it and smiled even more.

''It's beautiful. Thank you.''

Frost smiled back and took it from his hand, placing the chain around the viking's neck. When the charm rested on the viking's chest, taping the armor, Nuffink swore he saw some kind of shine on it, but he convinced himself it was just a reflection of te sunlight. He didn't wait for his boyfriend to pull back his hands and pulled him close to kiss him passionately, his hand runing along the boy's nape. He felt goosebumps on the chilly skin and that made him smile.

''According to merfolk tradition, now we're really together.'' Frost whispered against his lips.

Nuffink hesitated and looked in his blue eyes, trying to find an explanation as to what he had just said. What was this tradition ? The boy smiled, seemingly understanding his confusion, and pulled his sleeve up to show the bracelet he was constantly wearing. Nuffink was still confused, but the thought escape his care as he met again his boyfriend's eyes. He dove deep into this crystal blue and forgot everything, he pressed his lips in his again.

This new kiss, filled with some much tenderness the viking melted in it, lasted longer than the others, making their chest heavy. When they pulled back, he pressed his forehead against the merman's, sighting in happiness.

''And now ?'' The merman hesitated.

Nuffink chuckled hearing how unsure he sounded. That proved that, once again, he didn't have much experience about love.

''Now, we enjoy. It's just the beginning for us.''

He looked down to his boyfriend, meeting his eyes and smiling soflty. His answer seemed to make the merman happy according to this spark in his eyes.

''There's a place I'd like to show, how about we go tomorrow ?''

''Where ?''

''I'm not telling you now, that's a surprise.''

''Can't you give me a clue ?''

''Nope, but I know you'll like it.''

''Okay, I trust you.''

Nuffink smiled even more and leant in for another kiss. Frost melted into the kiss, and even more where the lips lips trailed along his jawline and pecked at his ticklish neck. His heart was racing like crazy now, Nuffink really had ways to make him breathless. His only presence and body warmth was enough to get him light-headed and daydreaming. The viking lifted his head again and looked down at him, his eyes tender but a teasing smile on his face.

Frost huffed and rolled his eyes, thought he coldn't help but smile. This magical moment laster for a few moment before the dragons nudged them, asking to join their game.

In the middle of the night, since he couldn't sleep, Frost got up. With time, it had turned into an habit but it didn't lessen the joy to see Baby Tooth again. The beach with the dock-like rocky formation had become their meeting point at night, and there was no more night where Ruffrunner was not joining them.

Baby Tooth has gotten used to her new life in the great lake surrounding the berkian isle. Thought she constantly needed her totem to be comfortable with the warm waters, she didn't wanted to ever leave this lake again. Even if she was the only beluga in these waters, she had made way more friends that she had done in the frozen lands of the north. She had met a couple of tidal dragons and they had accepted her as their own, they had become family to her, and Frost couldn't be more happy for her. She was really happy to, she was loved and cherished.

One night, she had brought along her new family so they could meet Frost, and the boy had to admit this was a funny family to look at. The dragons were two of the numerous Tide Gliders living within the lakes of the island. These medium-sized dragons were very slender with big fan-like wings and horns on the head, the scales blue with white waves patterns on the wings. Even thought they were pretty big for the beluga, it was obvious they cared for her. Sometimes they would come along for the meeting and join the game, but most of the time Baby Tooth was coming alone because she really wanted to enjoy this priviligied moment with her best friend.

And with what they had been talking and working on for the past week, she was more than excited to see him that night. She was hysterical when the boy and the dragon finally showed up.

''So, so, so ? How was it ?''

She was jumping in and out of water, splashing everywhere with no care, smiling the broadest smile she could flash.

''Have you giving it to him ? Did he liked it ? What did he say ? Does he wear it now, say ?''

''Calm down, Baby Tooth.'' He laughed, sitting on the edge of the rocky dock, as close as he could from her.

Once again, he let his legs dip into the water up to his knees so she could climb on him. She did so without waiting for an invitation, pressing her fins on his knees while wagging her tail from side to side, her own totem shining in the moonlight.

''First of all I want to thank you, you gave me the idea of the carm, after all.''

''Yeah, I know, I'm a genius.'' She said and waved her fin as if they didn't care at all about this part. ''So what did he say ? What did he do ?''

''He looked… moved.'' Frost said, smiling fondly. ''He thanked me and kissed me. He also spoke about a surprise.''

The beluga's cheeks turned a deep red-purple and she squinted her eyes as if trying to hold back an internal scream. She dove back into the water and spun around shouting hysterically, the water barely muffling her voice, which made Frost chuckle. She came back up even more joyful.

''I knew it ! I knew it ! I knew iiiiiiiiit !''

She nuzzled him in the calf, stronger than she intended.

''And since you did it with your powers, the charm will be very powerful ! Aw, Nuff's so lucky to have you, and I'm soooo happy for you !''

''Yeah, I can see that.'' He said while moving his face to follow all her crazed movements.

It took her longer to calm down, still she was excited.

''And what is this surprise he told you about ?''

''I don't know, that's precisely a surprise. I try not to think to much about it, but it's hard. I just know he said that I will like it.''

''Then it has something to do with dragons or ice.'' She chirped.

''You know me too well, sweet tooth.''

''You bet I do ! I am your best friend, after all !''

''Yes, you definitively are.''

He bent and hugged her, before being nudged on the back by Ruffrunner's nuzzle. He let go of the beluga and turned towards the dragon who seemed upset. He even blew into the boy's face.

''What ? You jealous, baby boo ?''

The dragon seemed to mimicked him and grumbled, which made both merman and beluga chuckle.

''Don't be, come on.''

While keeping an arm around Baby Tooth, Frost reached out the one holding his staff and wrapped it around the dragon's neck, pulling him in a group hug. The dragon flinched at first, then he relaxed and started to purr, closing his eyes. Her head against the dragon's throat, Baby Tooth could feel the vibrations.

''I love when he does this noise.'' She smiled.

''Frost ?'' A voice suddenly called out.

They pulled away and the threesome turned to look at the silhouette walking towards them. The dragon didn't really reacted, while Frost recognized the person.

''Oh !'' Baby Tooth chirped, instantly noticing the strange hair. ''Another mermaid !''

''Selina ? What are you doing here this late ?''

''I was taking a walk and I heard some noises, so I came to see what it was. Do you come here often ?''

''Huh… yeah.''

Frost felt embarrassed having been found here. This beach had become some find of secret garden, of safe haven, for him. So knowing someone had found it, espacially Selina, it kind of broke the spell.

''Is it because you miss the ocean ?'' The girl asked.

Frost didn't reply. Nuffink's words flooded back into his mind, mostly what himself had said. 'I'll be careful.' He sat in silence, looking to the ocean. Baby Tooth didn't know what to do since he seemed reluctant for the other mermaid to be here. Said mermaid still walked to them, and stood next to them. She was smiling brightly.

''You can go back there, you know. The transformation is not permanent.''

''I know, but I'm afraid I can't turn back into a human after that. I like this place, I don't want to leave.''

''You won't.''

He looked up at her, eyes full of hope.

''You are linked to your totem. As long as it's not broken, you can turn as you want.''

''Really ?''

''If you don't believe me, watch this.''

She smiled and pulled out her necklace, which she gave to him. Then she jumped into the waters. A bright light flashed into the waters, then she broke the surface. Frost looked at her, puzzled, until she just out of the water for him to see her tail. Her scales and fins were the same jade as her eyes, glittering and shimmering, thought her hair were still the same blond and green. She didn't look like the merfolk Frost used to see in the reff castle or in the city he had watched from afer. Looking closely, he noticed her fins didn't look either like Santaklaussen merfolk's fins, nor his.

Merfolk from Santaklaussen had straight and smooth fins dotting their tail in four groups. On the hips, in the middle of the tail were human knees would be, the large fins at the end of the tail and two small fins just above it. But Selina had larger fins that looked almost like translucent seaweed, and only three groups. Two large and long ones on the hips, two ribbon-like were human ankles should be – those ones lookes more like Frost's – and the tip fin that was as waving as the others.

The light pastel color of her scales and the color gradient of her hair reminded him of Edelweiss. Was she from the same clan as the witch ? Were they both from Sinterklass ? Were they both enchantresses ?

She swam and made some figures in the water, laughting, then she came back to him. Her clothes were gone. She circled Frost and rested her elbows on the dge of the rocks, a smug smile on her face.

''Can I get my totem back, please ?''

When she stretched out her hand, the boy came back to his senses and give it back to her. She only needed to touch it for it to wrap her in a flash of light, turning her back into a human. A soaking wet, dressed human. She clumb back and sat next to him.

''So ? Wanna give it a try ? Don't worry, the fact this water is not salty is not bothering for us, it's just a bit hot but you'll get used to it.''

Frost had to admit he wanted to try. He really wanted tog et back his tail and fins, enjoy the ocean a new, but he was afraid. He was so afraid of not turning back into a human. If he had to get stuck in the ocean, he couldn't see Nuffink anymore. It was too risky. He felt his fingers curl tighter around the shepherd staff, hand shaking.

''You really like this place, don't you ?'' Selina said, noticing his uneasiness. ''I can understand you're afraid to loose it, but I garantee you there's no risks. Totems all work the same way, even if they don't have the same shape, the spell is still the same. I promise you'll turn back into human shape.''

Frost was still hesitant for a few seconds, he was holding the staff so hard his fingers were getting numb, his knuckles turning white. But all his worries disappeared when he met Baby Tooth's eyes. She smiled and nodded, encouraging him. Frost breathed in, then he stood. Ruffrunner stepped back to give him more space, looking intently at him with confusion as he coudln't udnerstand what was going on.

Frost looked a last time at his totem, then handed it to Selina. She took it in a way that show she was going to make sure nothing would happen to it, and nodded. Frost clenched his feet and finally jumped into the water. Selina's smile grew bigger and she got excited, just like Baby Tooth and Ruffrunner.

The mermaid bounced on her feet and carefully put the staff on the rocks, along with her necklace.

''Can you watch over these ?'' She asked the dragon. ''Protect these as if it was your life !''

The dragon blinked in confusion, before seeing the mermaid plunge into the water. The beluga squeaked in delight and dove after her. Both dove deeper until they found the white merman.

''Yes !'' Baby Tooth shouted before swirling excitedly around her best friend. ''Your lovely sparkling snowy scales ! I missed them, I missed them ! They're so pretty !''

Frost couldn't help but smile, too. Feeling the brush of water all around him, and the flexibility or his tails, and his fins being carressed by the current… It had missed the sensation. He only realised now how much he had missed it. He had though it felt like the wind and flying, but not, it was different. The air had not the same pressure, he still felt a bit heavy in the gravity's arms and he could feel the void around him while he felt secured in the water, and it was carrying him in a way he couldn't fall. It felt safer.

Even if the water was warmer and that he could taste and scent the lack of salt, Selina was right seeing it was not really bothering. He could get used to it.

He laughed seeing his best friend circling and swirling around him, but his smile dropped as he saw Selina's face. She had frozen, and was staring at him as if she was completely dazed and lost. When she noticed he caught her staring, she shook her head and apologized.

''I… I'm sorry, I didn't recognized you, your Highness !''

She bowed lowly in front him, she was tensed to the tip of her fins, as if she had commited an unforgivable crime.

Frost tensed too.

''No, please don't ! Don't bow ! I'm not a prince anymore, you don't have to do this.''

She looked up at him, abashed, only to find his embarrassed face. Then she tentatively straighten up, clearly confused. He sighed in relief, then smiled reassuringly.

''I'm just Frost. A merman like the others.''

Selina verted her eyes, her cheeks flushing a deeper hue of green.

''No, not quite like the others. I never… I never saw scales and fins like yours… So sparkling, so stunning… You're really beautiful, Frost. You're… breath-taking.''

It was Frost's face to flush. He couldn't find anything to reply, and he couldn't lessen his embarassment. It was not the kind of embarrassment he could get with Nuffink, this time it felt… bad. True he felts flattered by Selina's compliment, but he couldn't help but think about Nuffink.

He cleared his throat and completely changed topic, trying to get back to his mischievous self.

''Come on, I haven't swum in forever, I must be rusted up. Wanna race ?''

''Oh yeah, racing !'' Baby Tooth chirped, swirling again around her best friend.

''Then let's go. Let's swim to the bottom, we have to touch the ground and the first back up at the surface wins. Wanna join us, Selina ?''

He flashed is excited smile to the mermaid, who seemed still a bit uneasy and trying to digest her shock. Though she smiled and swam closer.

''Three…'' She started to count down with her smiler growing bigger. ''Two-''

''ONE !'' Baby Tooth yelled before diving.

''Hey, you little cheater !'' Frost laughed, diving after her.

Selina quickly followed suite and the three of them made it to the bottom of the huge lake. Frost outpassed Baby Tooth quickly, Selina being a bit slower. He stayed a bit next to the beluga to tease her, both touched the ground at the same time but Frost left up faster. Selina was just behind him and quickly accended, she swam faster and managed to break the surface first. There, they laughed and giggled and waited a bit for the beluga to catch up.

She wasn't happy to be the last one, but Frost didn't gave her the time to pout as he hugged her, then they started to play in the water, splashing each other. After this playful fight they went back to the rock dock, where Ruffrunner seemed more excited than ever. He was looking intently at Frost with round eyes, the same look he was always giving him back in the frozen lands.

''What is it, Ruffie ?'' The merman teased. ''Now that I'm a big fish again, you wanna eat me ?''

He shook his tail and fins above the water to show them to the winged reptile, throwing some droplets to him. The dragon shook his head and warbbled, answering the merman's laugh with his own dragon one. Frost laughed again and tried to mimick the sound, which was pretty funny to hear, then he swam back to the rocks. It was the time to make sure he had screw things up. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, a sort of ball forming into his throat that made it hard to swallow. When he grabbed his staff, light flashed around him and turned him.

As he felt his legs and clothes sticking to skin, he couldn't help but smile before thinking of holding to the rocks. He still couldn't swim with these legs, after all. Ruffrunner helped him up back on the dock, where a broad smile split up the merman's face in two. He threw his arms in the air, lifting his legs too.

''It worked !''

''It means you can turn whenever you want !'' Baby Tooth added, smiling as broadly as him. ''And we can swim together just like before !''

The dragon rejoyed too and nuzzled the boy's snow hair, rubbing his head against his. Baby Tooth couldn't be more happy for him, she had never seen him that happy, and noticed that, in the middle of the droplets covering his face, there were tears. Even if human tears were different from merfolk tears, it was still obvious that these were tears of joy. Frost didn't have to choose between his two worlds, he could keep both of them.

Both merfolk sat on the beach, trying to dry off their clothes in the chilly wind. They spent hours talking about the ocean, and the frozen lands of the north. Selina confirmed she was from Sinterklass clan, and Frost learnt that the enchantresses used to neevr left the glaciers. The only ones to did, did it to escape.

Just like him, Selina didn't know about what had caused the war between the clans, she just guessed that there had always been some tensions that grew bigger and deeper with time, until it turned into a full blown war. Enchantresses had locked themselved in the glaciers, like in a fortress protecting them from Santaklaussen as well as outside threats.

'Oustide threats'… This reminded Frost about the questions he was wondering about Berk.

''Say Selina, since you've traveled a lot and met humans several times… Have you ever told someone about where you're coming from.''

''I tod you.''

She smiled and elbowed him playfully.

''No, I mean… Have you told a human ?''

Her smile dropped and she gazed back to the sea-like lake around them.

''No, never. I don't trust them.''

''Why ?''

''I know that they don't really believe in us, they think we're only legends. Some of these legends are good bot others not.''

''What do you mean ?''

''Some of them say we are enchanted creatures, blessed with healing magic and that we guide the sailors lost at sea. But others say that we are predators, that we're using our charms to lure the sailors into drowning. I don't know if some merfolk really do that kind of things, all I know is that I heard some humains claim they killed or captured merfolks.''

While speaking, her eybrows had slowly frowned and her fists clenched. By the end of her tirade, she breathed ot and tried to calm down, going back to her usual friendly mood.

''Why do you ask ?''

''I wanted to know what the vikings think of us. If I want to live here, I want to know how they would react knowing what I am.''

''You should keep this for yourself, Frost. It would be too risky to tell them and-''

''Nuff knows.''

Selina froze, her eyes wide in fear.

''Y-You told him ?''

''We met before I had my totem, he knows I'm a merman since the beginning.''

The mermaid suddenly stood and her voice went from casual talking to shouting.

''And you told him for me too ?!''

''No, I didn't !'' He assures, lifting his hands innocently. ''Of course not, it's not up to me to tell him about you.''

She paused for a second, then calmed down. She even sat back down with him.

''I'll tell you what he said to me. If you don't want them to know, then I won't say anything either.''

''Thank you.''

She tucked at the bottom of her dark blue tunic, playing with the whool. After an awkward silence, she finally spoke again.

''You don't have to tell them for you, you know.''

''True, but I want to.''

Selina didn't reply, and Frost noticed how thoughtful she was now.

''You look like you really care about them. You gave up on your world for them.''

''No, I didn't gave up on it, it turned its back on me.''

She looked at him with a baffled expression. She blinked several times, and wanted to ask more details, but Frost stood and brushed the sand from his pants.

''It's getting pretty late. I'll get back home and take some sleep, you should too.''

She nodded and stood too. She nodded to him, visibly holding back from bowing, then left in silence.

Thought she only made a few steps before she heard him call out her name. She turned back and saw him smile at her.

''It was nice today, we should do it again, some time.''

Her shoulders tensed up and she averted her eyes while her face flushed. She hesitated a bit, then nodded with a smile.

After she had left, Frost hugged Baby Tooth goodbye and left with Ruffrunner.

Just like Frost had anticipated, he couldn't really manage to sleep. Thought the games at the beach had tired him, his mind just wouldn't rest and was focusing on Nuffink's surprise. He thought about it the whole remaining night, filled with curiosity, excitation and anxiety.

Time seemed to strech out into forever until the day finally rise. It had almost felt like years for Frost. He got up first and, like he had started to do for a few weeks now, made break-fast for everyone. Since the Haddock were letting him live with them, it was the least he could do. Though he was too hungry to wait for them He had almost finish his breakfast when Hiccup and Astrid finally emerged from their room. But Nuffink seemed to linger in bed, making the boy more and more impatient.

He waited in silence, still sat at the table even when the parents had left. When Zephyr woke up too, she made use of the two of them being alone to have a chat. She didn't have much occasion to do it since the boy was always spending time with her little brother or the dragons.

''So, this is the big day ?'' She teased.

''The big day ?''

''Nuffink hasn't told you ? Huh, strange, he couldn't stop talking about it yesterday, I thought you knew.''

''Knew what ?''

''Zepp, stop !'' A voice said from the top of the stairs.

Both turned their head to see Nuffink, who seemed barely awake. He stepped down the stairs, followed by Pouncer and Dart, and glared to his sister.

''That's supposed to be a surprise so don't you dare say one more word.''

''Okay, I see…'' She snickered.

Frost paused seeing Nuffink. The viking had not really done something special for this day, he was wearing the same scales-armor as usual, his hair was just a messy as ever, but there was a detail that caught Frost's eyes. The small ice shell was hanging to his neck, slightly bouncing to each step, poking the armor. It made the boy smile and his heart skip a beat. It was as if the viking had kept it during the whole night, or had put it back again once he woke up. Either case it still made the merman happy.

The jewel didn't escape the big sister's eye, who arched an eyebrow.

''What is this ?'' She asked, pointing at the necklace. ''It's really fine for someone like you.''

''It's a gift.'' The blond replied, lifting his chin in a almost deying fashion, smiling proudly.

Looking at the both of them, Frost coudln't help but analyze them. Zephyr seemed to take seriously this 'big sister' thing, wanting to keep advantage on her little brother, though it was obvious she cared about him. Quiping and teasing him just seemed to be her way to say she loved him.

It made Frost think back of his own brothers. On first impression, the three seemed to have the same kind of conversation than the Haddock siblings, thought the viking had this way of talking… Nuffink looked annoyed and was pleased to retort things to his sister, thought affection and amusement was clear in his eyes and crooked smile, as well as Zephyr's. Even if her words aimed to quip him, it was not hurting.

When Frost used to talk to his brothers, it was nothing like this. With Limönn, there had always been some kind of tension, or barrier between them, as if the green merman had been watching his words in try to not upset him. Thought most of the time he just wasn't talking to him. As to Cörail, he had always seemed being in a bad mood, with everyone, not just Frost. He was harsh with Frost and the first to tell him when he had made a mistake, always acting as if the little brother was a complete failure that wouldn't understand anything.

Frost found himself lost in the past, but he quickly focused back on the present. He wanted to enjoy seeing two siblings actualy getting along.

''People give you gifts, now ?'' Zephyr smirked, burying her chin in her palm while her elbow rested on the table.

''I don't see why this surprise you.''

''I didn't know people liked the 'awkward and embarrassed' type of guy.''

''I'm not akward.''

Zephyr smirked even more, almost devishly, but said nothing as she drank from her pint. Though when she put it back on the table, her face changed, all of sudden she seemed more serious and worried.

''Seriously bro, who gave you this ?''

''I'm not telling you.''

Nuffink took two apples from the table and headed to the door. But just before he stepped outside, he turned to Frost.

''Frost, we'll be busy today. Meet me at the Academy in one hour at most.''

''Huh… Okay.''

The viking nodded, then he called out the Night Lights, the three of them had finished their breakfast long ago and dashed oustside, nearly toppling him. Thought Dart did took a bit of time to rub her head on her rider's back. Nuffink closed the door without looking at Zephyr nor Frost.

Said boy was puzzled. Nuffink had lied to his parents as to the flowers, and just now, he had not want to tell his sister who gave him the charm. He had refused to tell her. Why ? Was it really just to defy her ? Was two men being together really accepted in this village ? Frost didn't want to admit it, but this was getting a more pressing problem in his mind and heart. He didn't like this. He didn't like this because he didn't understand.

Zephyr swallowed the fruit she was munching and Frost couldn't help but notice her expression. She seemed even more worried and was frowning.

''You alright ?'' He hesitated.

''No.'' She growled through greeted teeth.

Her voice was so agressive the boy flinched and backed up by reflex. The young viking woman noticed it and gave him an apologetic look, before sighing. She leant back on her chair and ran a hand on her nape, in a gesture similar to Frost's boyfriend.

''Nuffink, he… He went through something bad, a few years ago. It really shook him, he really was down, back then.''

Frost didn't need more time to link her words to this story Nuffink had told him about. If the viking had allude to depression in a joking tone, Zephyr's serious face proved it had been bader than the blond had admitted.

''His heart has been broken, and he never really recovered from it. Since then, he never had serious relationship and even lost hope in love.''

'Until I met you.' The blond viking's words echoed in Frost's mind and made his heart pounding. Had he really been such rescue for Nuffink ?

He hushed his thoughts to listen to Zephyr.

''I know it happened a long time ago and that he seems fine now, but I know he's still fragile. I'm worried if he starts to accept gifts, he's not ready yet to see someone.''

''But… Shouldn't he be the one to decide ?''

Zephyr looked at him, her gaze was direct and piercing, his was shy and anxious. They stared at each other for a moment, one gauging the other who was internally sweating.

After what felt like a scaring forever for Frost, she smiled. She seemed to like knowing he cared. But this smile faded right after.

''Believe me, he's not ready yet. And I don't dare imagine how bad it would be for him if this thing happen to not work.''

Frost listened to her but he didn't what to think of this. What she was saying seemed to echoe what Nuffink had told him, but not enough. According to the boy, Nuffink was the one who could say if he was ready or not, the only one who could make the decision. After all, Frost knew that points of view could be completely differents in the same matter.

His training sessions with his brothers were the perfect example. Between what Cörail had said to him, what Limönn had told their father and what Frost felt about it, it was worlds apart. The former-merman then thought he guessed why Nuffink had not talked about them to his family, surely he fared that they would say he wasn't ready and would try to separate them.

Frost felt bad. Just like he was feeling guilty to hide Selina's secret from his boyfriend, now he was feeling guilty to hide their relationship to the Haddocks. However, just like he was protecting Selina's secret, he convinced himself it was the right thing to do. If Nuffink didn't want them to know, the merman he would keep the secret too.

Despite the fact he wante dto reassure Zephyr and tell her he would take care of Nuffink, he remained silent. The sister leant further on her chair, frowning deeper and deeper, her arms crossed and a glare towards the window next to the main door.

''I have to know who is hitting on my brother. Have you noticed anything, the past days ? Like a boy talking to him more often than usually ?''

''A-A boy ?'' Frost sputtered, almost choking on his own pint he was sipping in to hold back from talking.

Zephyr arched an eyebrow to him then, suddenly, she seemed to realise something. She straightened up in her chair.

''Yeah, huh… Nuffink like boys. Sorry, I thought you knew it, it's not like he's hiding it anyway.''

Frost blinked in silence, abashed. Okay, well, at least now he was sure that this was not a problem on Berk.

''I knew it, but I didn't know if you did, too.''

Zephyr chuckled.

''Frost, everyone knows.''

She laughed more seeing his stunned face then, completely forgetting about her previous questions, she stood and ruffled his hair. He barely reacted while the young woman headed to the door. He suddenly woke up and stopped her.

''Huh… I wanted to ask you… Are Gort' and you… you know… ?''

Another amused smile crept on her face, her ocean blue eyes sparkling with teasing.

''That too, eveyone knows. You really have to keep yourself informed, Frostie.''

The nickname made his face flush. Granted, Frost was already a nickname to Fröstkel, but he was so used to it by now, and the vikings thought it was his first name. Knowing that Zephyr had gave him a nickname embarrassed him a bit, but mostly it felt like, suddenly, he had earned his place under this roof, in this village.

Zephyr smiled and finally opened the door.

''Come on, you should get ready. We're waiting for you at the Academy.''

He blenched and hurried up to unset the table, making the chief's daughter laugh. It was a rule within the house, the last one to finish breakfast had to clean the table. It didn't took long for Frost to get ready, and both left the house. While walking to the Academy, they chatted a bit. Zephyr gave him some details about her relationship with Gorth, the fact that they actually were going to marry, but Frost noticed that, despite the fact she was still talking, she was also scanning their surrounding, eyes lingering on every young man they could happen to see.

But only young men who were more or less their age. The merman guessed she really wanted to know who was 'hitting' on her brother. Frost couldn't just let it drop loke this.

''Why do you want that much to know who gave the necklace to Nuff ?''

She looked at him quizically, but Frost doubted it was because of her brother's nickname. From the first day she had met Frost, she had seen how he had troubles pronouncing viking names and Nuffink had made sure every dragon rider knew about that. That ended up with making up nicknames or simpler versions for the boy to call them. Igvid and Birdlegs were the only ones he managed to pronounce the name properly. Gorth ended up in Gort', Sneezelout in Sneeze or Lout, Nuffink in Nuff and she accepted him to call her Zep or Zeppy.

So Frost didn't know what to think about her looking at him like this. He was begining to fear she would have doubts, thought she seemed to drop her thoughts because she finally replied to his question. But she did it while frowning and looking angry.

''I want to make sure this guy won't do the same thing than Avock and break his heart. I have to make sure he's good enough for my little brother.''

The snow-haired boy stopped walking, stunned, then burst out into laughter. It was Zephyr's turn to be stunned, and confused.

''What ?''

''Nothing, just… You two really get along.''

''Of course, he's my brother. I'm his big sister, I'm the only one allowed to bruise him. And the one who thinks he can do so will have to deal with me.''

Frost finally calmed down his laughter, which still left him in some kind of admiration for Zephyr. He suddenly realised she was wearing a mask. She seemed tough and a bit intimidating on on the outside, but inside she was caring and protective.

Somehow, she reminded him of his father. The last remains of his smile disappeared as he thought about him. He wondered where he was, right now. Well, he knew he was at Santaklaussen, but how was he ? Was he worried for him ? Did he miss him ? For the very first time since Frost had left the frozen lands of the north and came to Berk, he felt guilty for leaving his home.