Chapitre 22
The surprise

When Zephyr and Frost reached the Academy and enetered the arena, he boy was expecting to find the dragon riders already training with their dragons. But no, they were gathered in the middle of the arena, almost in circle, and looked to him and smiled. Nuffink stood in the middle of the group, Pouncer and Ruffrunner by his side. Dart, who was trying to annoy the older of her little brothers, left him and rushed to her rider, bouncing excitedly around her and rubbing her head on her arm.

Zephyr chuckled and stroked the dragon's head, before tapping Frost shoulder and gesturing him to join the group. He did so but was confused.

''What's up ?''

''Today we'll have a peculiar lesson.'' Nuffink explained. ''You're going to learn to fly on a dragon. As a rider, not a passenger.''

''Heh ?!'' The boy yelped.

Nuffink smiled and offered his hand, Frost was about to take without by habit but Nuffink realised what they were doing and quickly pulled back before they could touch, and quickly turned towards the dragon. Frost swallowed hard, eyeing waryly the others to make sure they hadn't notice. He thought back to why Nuffink would want to hide their relationship, it explained the blond's reaction but it didn't soothe the snow haired boy's disappointment.

He pushed the thoughts aside and focused back on his boyfriend who was gesturing to Ruffrunner's back, where was a saddle.

''Wha-What ?'' He blurted out, suddenly panicked as he realised Nuffink was serious when he said he would drive.

''Ruffrunner really took a liking for you, I think we can say you two have this connexion from dragon to rider.''

''But I never drove before, not even with Pouncer.''

''Don't worry because it's not Pouncer. Actually, it will be easier for you to learn how to fly with a dragon you have a connexion with. You trust me, don't you ?''

Nuffink stepped just beside Ruffrunner and nodded to Frost, offering his hand again. Frost breathed in deeply and took it so the viking would help him up on the saddle. Once he was sat on it, he noticed a small hook on the side of the leather saddle. Nuffink mounted behind him and took his shepherd staff to put it on the hook. Frost smiled seeing the viking had thought about the staff and made the hook especially for it. Thought that didn't make him relax for the upcoming fly.

The blond viking smiled to his friends and turned to his own dragon, who sat down looking at them.

''Be nice Pouncer, I want you to watch over them while I'm gone.''

Zephyr shook her head in amusement, arms crossed again, leaning on one hip. Nuffink shot her back the same squinted eyes and smirk, then talked to Frost.

''Let's go, Frost.''

He patted his own thighs to show he was ready and even impatient, which made Frost even more nervous. The boy hesitantly patted the side of Ruffrunner, mimicking gestures Nuffink used to do with Pouncer, and the dragon reacted the same as way as his brother by turning his head back towards his rider. He seemed excited and impatient, too.

''Let's take it slowly, okay ?''

Frost's voice shook slightly. For all he loved to fly, suddenly being the one to be in charge, to actually drive, it scared him.

The dragon stretched out his black wings and jumped in the air, flying upward in a relatively slow speed. Frost thought he would break his fingers seeing how strongly he was gripping the handles of the saddle.

''Relax.'' Nuffink chuckled, putting his hands on the boy's thin shoulders.

Frost felt the thumbs pressing his skin and drawing circles. It was nice, he felt his shoulders starting to relax, though his heart was still racing in anxiety.

''Take your time. The secret is to listen to your dragon. He knows everything you need to know about flying, you just have to follow his instincts.''

He let go of the chilly shoulders and let his hands ran down on his arms, getting closer.

''You earned his trust, now it's your time to give him yours.''

''O-Okay. Where are we going, then ?''

''For now, nowhere. We just train. Try to make simple figures. Try to turn right, for example.''

Frost nodded, he looked on their right, then bent slightly on the side. Ruffrunner felt his weight shift and followed it, slowly turning right.

''Very good !'' Nuffink praised. ''See ? You're doing pretty well. Now try again on the other side.''

Frost did the same trick to the left, Ruffrunner followed just the same way. Suddenly, all Frost's worried vanished, his broad smile even came back.

''Hey, that's easy !''

''Is it ? Then go ahead, impress me.''

Frost felt his boyfriend's arms wrapping around his waist, Nuffink seemed to ready himself for behind shaken about in all directions. He smiled. His boyfriend was getting to know him very well and had anticipated what the boy would do. So he smirked.

''Ruffie, you ready to blow our mind ?''

The dragon warbbled excitedly, then he felt his rider slightly bending forwards, applying a soft pressure on his nape. The dragon bent too, then dropped himself head first, before getting into a swirl the boy initiated.

''Hey, slow down !'' Nuffink laughed.

''Don't worry, we get it. Ruff, steady.''

Frost gently pulled the handles, slowly adjusting the dragon's trajectory into horizontal. Ruffrunner shook his head and decided he would just glide for a moment. Both his passengers straightened up on his back. Nuffink was about to give another tip to Frost, but he realised he didn't need to as he watched his boyfriend almost sprawl on the saddle, wrapping his arms around the dragon neck and petting him.

''Good job, buddy !''

The dragon purred and cooed, before looking ahead again, focusing back on their flight. Nuffink just smiled. Whe Frost sat back and turned his head to him, silently asking for his opinion, he met a gaze that made him flush.

''What is it ?'' He hesitated.

''I was going to tell you not to forget talking to your dragon, to feed your bound and not just consider him as some transportation, but it looks like you already got it.''

''There's something, else, isn't it ?''

''Yes, there is.''

He kissed the chilly cheek before hugging him closer, resting his chin on his shoulder, smiling almost dreamily.

''I knew you were to fly, but you impressed me. I never saw a better first solo flight.''

''Thank you, Nuff. Thank you for everything.''

''Don't thank me, it's not done yet. I told you I had a surprise for you, remember ?''

''Huh ? Wasn't it the flight ?''

''No, the surprise's just beginning.''

The viking leant on the side and pulled out of his satchel a map. He unfolded it and straightened up, slightly backing on the saddle so he had enough space for the paper.

''I'll be the copilot, but you're the one who's gonna take us there.''

''Huh… Okay, then where are we heading ?''

''North-west.''

Frost hesitated for a second. He looked around them and opened up his merfolk sixth sense to feel the magnetism from the pole. It was the only way of orientation he knew, because even though he had learnt vikings were using the sun, he still couldn't manage this. When he identified where north was, he looked straight to east, and leant to make the Night Light turn in the right direction.

Ruffrunner followed without hesitation, which amazed Nuffink. Maybe it was the way Frost was only using his weight and soft pressures that made the dragon follow his instructions as if they were instincts, but that still amazed him. It surely was less invading that a viking pointing directions or giving intructions with his voice. The dragon beat his wings faster, he really seemed eager to enjoy this first flight with his brand new rider.

Soon they came across the island Nuffink guided them to. Once the land was visible, Frost noticed there were multpile black things circling the fog.

''What is it ?'' He asked.

''Dragons. I counted ten different species here, you'll owe me a lot of kisses.''

He squeezed Frost's waist and gave him a mischievous look, making the boy laugh. This laugh was replaced by wonder as they were slowly approching the dragons.

''What is this place ?''

''I don't know, some kind of haven, I think.''

''I wonder how these dragons find their way here-''

His sentence was cut short as a Terrible Terror bumped into him and fell on his laps.

''Hey there, little guy. Careful where you're going.'' He said while helping the dragon on his paws and stroking his back.

''Careful, it happens often in the fog.''

Frost looked up to the mist surrounding the island, while the green and brown dragon took off again.

The fog was so thick it was impossible to see the land.

''Are we really going to fly through this ?''

''Don't worry, it's gonna be alright. Trust Ruffrunner, he knows how to direct himself in this.''

''Does he ?''

Not that Frost didn't trust Nuffink's knowledge nore the dragon's abilities, but it was still better to know how.

''Night Furies can emmit sounds we can't hear, but you can feel them as vibrations. They used it to sense obstacles when they can't see.''

''Whales and belugas also use this kind of waves. We call it sonar, thought they seem to use it to communicate.''

''Fascinating.''

''Well, now I understand why vikings call these dragons 'Night' Furies, it's not just for their black color.''

''Not, it's not. Though the Light Furies doesn't have this ability, the Night Lights do.''

''Okay, I get it, the dragon is the real mastermind in the group.''

He patted Ruffrunner's head, the dragon appreciated the pet as well as the compliment and made it clear with a coo. They went deeper into the fog, and it did seemed like it wasn't bothering the dragon. He was flying as if in a clear sky, avoiding obstacles and other dragons. Listening closely, Frost managed to hear some vibrating whistling noises coming from the Night Light. That wasn't quite like Baby Tooth's sonar, but it sounded close enough.

Despite the fog, Frost was looking all around them, trying to catch glimpses of the dragons passing by.

''Keep your eyes open.'' Nuffink told him. ''I bet you've never seen as many dragons in the same place.''

''I never seen these dragons before.''

''Welcome to my world.'' Nuffink chuckled.

''It's so different from mine, I like it more and more.''

Even if his words were eager and joyful, Frost still felt a pinch in his chest, which made his smile falter. Nuffink saw it. His smile dropped too and he hugged his boyfriend from behind.

''What's wrong ?''

''Nothing, I… I've been thinking about Father lately. I know I'm the one who left, but… It's a bit frustrating to not have news from him. I'd like… I'd like to know how he's doing. Cörail and Limönn too.''

Nuffink felt his sadness, somehow. Seeing Frost sad made him sad. He tried to find something to say, somthing that could cheer him up, then he got an idea. Maybe Frost could send a letter to his family ? Even if he didn't know yet how exactly they could do it, he wante dto share this idea with him, but the boy cut him.

''Oh, by the way ! I completely forgot to tell you, but I saw Baby Tooth !''

The viking was baffled by these news.

''How ? Where ?''

''At Berk, she had gotten a totem too and clumb a waterfall to the lake circling Berk's isle. Now she lives with a couple of Tide Gliders, they kind of adopted her and she's really happy with them. I visit her by night, at the beach, you have to come by one day, she's always asking me about you.''

The return of his bright smile moved the viking. He hugged him once more, pressing his chest against the boy's back, and kissed his cheek.

''With pleasure, I'd be happy too to see her again.''

Frost leant in the touch, resting his head against his boyfriend's, who felt the chilly hands cupping his own. Niffink sighed in content, then straightened up.

''Get ready for landing, we're almost there.'' He said after pressing a kiss in the snow hair.

''How do you know ? We can't see anything in this fog.''

''Don't you feel Ruffrunner is slowing down ?''

Frost looked down to his dragon and noticed that it was true his speed was decreasing. He slowed down even more and ended landing in the characteristic pirouette, shaking his passengers. There was still a lot of fog, though it seemed to end up a bit farther according to the light coming from it. Frost could spot some snow on the ground.

Nuffink suddenly put his hands on his boyfriend's eyes, blinding him, while Ruffrunner was walking forward. The boy wanted to protest but Nuffink hushed him and said it was for the surprise, so the boy gave up but still pouted. Just like everytime he was pouting, the viking chuckled.

Ruffrunner didn't walk for too long before the viking stopped him, then fred Frost's eyes. The boy froze as he saw the landscape. They were in a cove covered with ice and snow. Waterfalls were frozen solid, just like the lake beneath them. Leafless branches were hanging from the trees, adorning frozen droplets that shimmered like ice pearls.

The sooth sunlight was bathing the whole ladscape in colorful hue, mauve, purple, bleu and pink.

''Wow…'' Frost breathed.

''I knew you would like it.''

He dismounted the dragon and helped Frost down, before letting him gaze at their surroundings.

''It's beautiful, it's… It…''

Tears suddenly poured from his eyes.

''It reminds me of my home.''

Seeing these tears, Nuffink was filled with a mixture of sadness and tenderness. While Ruffrunner shook his back and went playing in a snow pile, the viking pressedn himself against his boyfriend, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and kissing his head.

''I'm sorry, I thought you would like this place, I didn't meant to make you cry.''

Frost shook his head and wiped his face before throwing his arms around the viking's neck. Said viking was startled first but quickly returned the huge, feeling his boyfriend's chille body shaking.

''Thank you, Nuff…'' The boy whispered in the crook of his neck.

The snow hair brushed the viking's jaw, he leant his head against his and let himself smile and revel in the embrace. Thought his smile faded as his thoughts came back to him.

''Frost, you know I'm an explorer. Usually I can't stay in the same place for too long, I always need to escape and see other places.''

Frost opened up his eyes, thought his face was still burried in his viking's neck. Well, against the collar of his armor. He listened to him in silence, just trying to guess what he was trying to tell him.

''For the first time in years, I feel like I can finally stop and settle down somewhere. With you.''

He pulled back and Frost looked up to him, dead in the eyes, while the warm gloved hands cupped his face and gave me a feeling of urgency he didn't like.

''But if you need to unwind and get back to the frozen ladns of the north, to Santaklaussen, be sure I would never try to stop you. I'll even come with you. I mean, I don't know exactly how you got your totem nore how it works but there must be some that work the other way around, right ? I could come to Santaklaussen with you.''

''You… You'd do that ?''

Frost felt a tint of déjà vu saying this, as if he was constantly repeating this to the viking while said one was showing him all the things he was ready to do for him. It moved him, so much another tear rolled down his cheek. Nuffink smiled and wiped it with a kiss, before planting the same affection on the boy's lips. Chest against chest, lips upon lips, arms wrapped around the other, each one lost himslef in the other's body warmth/ chilness. This warmth coming from the viking was making Frost want to hold on to him and never let go, but the spell was broken when Zephyr's words crawled back from his memories.

When the sweet kiss ended, both remained in the other's arms, Frost rested his cheek on the viking's epaulet, and Nuffink rested his on the snow hair. They just stayed there, in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. The only sound hearable were those Ruffrunner was making in his snow pile. Thought he seemed to have find a playmate in chirping birds.

After what felt like forever, Frost gathered his courage.

''Nuff, can I ask you something ?''

''Anything you want.''

''Huh, this… this morning I talked with Zep…''

He scolded himself internally as he was already sensing his courage fled away. Nuffink sighed, he knew what the merman was trying to say.

''She asked you about my necklace, didn't she ?''

Frost slowly nodded against his shoulder.

''She told me about your ex and that she's worried about you.''

The blond clicked his tongue in irritation.

''It's none of her business. She's surely going to say that I'm not ready or shits like that.''

The way he was tightening his grip on Frost didn't go unnoticed to the boy, thought he had to admit his boyfriend's sour tone didn't sound like him. Even when he had been jealous over Selina, he didn't seem that pissed off.

''I'm perfectly able to decide by myself.'' Nuffink added before kissing once again the snow white hair.

Frost pushed on his shoulder to look at him. When he saw the green eyes, he had the time to see annoyment in it, before they softened seeing him.

''That's why you don't to tell the others about us ?'' The merman asked.

Nuffink paused, he had smile meeting Frost's eyes, but that smile vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

He took his boyfriend's hand and squeezed it, leaning so both were in the same eye-level, even if Frost was slightly lowering his head.

''I won't let anyone tell me what I can and can't do, they don't have to decide for me… But saying this is why I haven't told them about us, it would be a lie.''

Crystal eyes looked back and forth between summer grass green ones, Nuffink could feel tension increasing in Frost's body just by holding his hands.

''The reason is more simple and a bit stupid.'' He smiled sheepishly. ''I just wanted to make sure our relationship was serious and solid, and I wanted to keep for myself. I'm sorry if that hurt you.''

Frost felt like a cold wave had just crashed over him, realisation and relief struck him like a slap in the face. So this was why Nuffink had kept them a secret ? Just that ? Frost felt like a complete idiot for having worried about this. Nuffink read it in his eyes and chuckled soflty, before pressing his forehead against his. Frost clsoed his eyes and his face flushed.

''I can fix that, if you want to. I can make it official starting from tomorrow.''

''Will it be okay with your family ?''

''If they try to say anything, I'll prove them wrong. I kept you for myself, now it's time for everyone to know that I completely recovered, thanks to you.''

Frost pulled away and frowned.

''Don't try to turn me into a hero, you were the one who saved me from choking to death… and from my loneliness.''

Nuffink smiled despite the painful memory of the moment he had thought he had lost Frost forever. He didn't want to feel such pain ever again.

Gratefulness and affection were pouring from the crystal blue eyes, and Nuffink treasured every bit of it.

''Then, let's say we saved each other.''

Frost looked up and pinched his chin, faking thinking about it, then he nodded and smiled.

''Sounds fair to me.''

The viking chuckled, then kissed his cheek fondly before resting his head on the chilly shoulder.

''Starting from tomorrow, I'll let everyone know that you're the only one for me.''

The viking's words sip into Frost, covering his skin with goosebumps and filling his heart with warmth. Shivers followed each breath the viking was taking out onto the chilly pale neck. His face was blushing darker and darker and he felt like it was getting too hot. He coudln't explain what exactly, but he did realised something was happening within him. He tightened his arms around the viking's neck, unable to say anything, only hoping his embrace would be enough to say how grateful he was to his boyfriend.

They stayed still, like this for a sweet long moment, until Nuffink pressed a kiss on Frost's neck. The boy's breath got stuck in his throat, strange thing that happened again when the viking kissed him again, just a bit above the previous spot. He slowly went up to his jawline, then on the bottom of his cheek, and finally on hips lips.

Frost melted into the kiss that seemed to steal his breath away, it felt like the viking's warmth was getting even warmer, surrounding the both of them. The way Nuffink was kissing him seemed to turn his mind and heart into a pool of melted ice. It was slow, it was sweet, it was endlessly tender.

''Starting from today,'' Nuffink whispered against his lips. ''You are mine, and I'm all yours.''

He kissed him again, slightly deeper, and let his warm hands ran down on the boy's neck. This simple touch sent Frost's hear into a looping, it was getting euphoric. And that was when the merman understood what his body was trying to tell him. The last piece of reason that lingered in his mind faded away, to the point that, when their lips parted, he turned his thoughts into words.

''I want you, Nuff.''

Suddenly realising what he had just said, Frost's eyes shut open and his face flushed the darker crimson red it had ever shown. He instantly regreted sayng such embarrassing things and sweat heavily as he waited for the viking's reaction.

Said viking seemed to be startled, but soon the expression turned into a crooked smile and a look Frost had never seen before. And how did he liked this look. It was so intense and deep it seemed to pierce and scan his very soul. It was so burning it made him shiver from head to toe, and he wished for no one else than him to ever see this look. He didn't even know he could get possessive, but he couldn't care less, he dove deep into these green eyes and cupped the viking's face to kiss him.

It quickly deepened but was still filled affection and the desire to take care of the other. Frost knew that Nuffink's heart had been broken in the past, he still didn't know how he could have help healing it like the viking pretended, but he knew he didn't want anything to hurt the viking again. Maybe hanging with Zephyr had rubbed off on him some of her protectiveness ? Or maybe the fact that he had been belittled by his own family was making him aware of how important it was to have someone whom he could rely on, making him determined to be that someone for Nuffink ?

When they pulled away, Frost was panting incontrollably, which made the viking chuckle.

''Luckily Ruffrunner has fall asleep.'' He said before gesturing behind Frost with his head.

The boy turned around and noticed that, indeed, the dragon was laying next to the snwo pile he was still playing in a few minutes ago. How did the dragon as fallen asleep that quickly ?

This question vanished from his mind as he felt his boyfriend's warm hands slowly running up and down his sides. He tensed by reflex and bit his lips in try to hold back a moan, then hesitantly looked up to the viking, face flushed again. The green eyes were soft and concerned.

''Are you sure you want to do it ? Because it's okay if you don't want to, we have all our time.''

Frost bit his lips again and nodded, smiling. However, when he was about to kiss him again, Nuffink let go and walked away.

Frost found himself unable to move and just watch him, shocked, lost and confused. Thought Nuffink didn't seem to be fleeing from him, he walked to Ruffrunner and opened the bag strapped to the saddle, glancing here and there to the dragon to make he was still asleep. He pulled out a couple of blankets and offered his free hand to Frost, nodding to him with a smile.

The former merman took his hand but looked waryly at the blankets.

''Why do you have these ?''

A sudden blush crept on the viking's cheeks, making his boyfriend even more confused. He glanced towards the lake, frozen solid, and it took a bit too long for his boyfriend's liking for him to explain.

''I was planing on melting the lake so we could swim. I mean… I don't know how your totem works, maybe you can't turn back into a merman at all, but I thought it would be nice if you could at least try. And, if it doesn't work, I could still teach you how to swim with legs.''

He was starting to ramble, scratching the back of his head and averting his eyes in try to manage his nervousness. He had been thinking about this for a couple of days but he was still unsure of how would Frost react to this idea. Maybe he had just vexed him or made him sad ? He had no idea what was going on in his boyfriend's mind, but he had a glimpse of it as the boy threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.

Obviously, the viking wouldn't complain about this, though he was so startled he couldn't kiss back. Frost pulled back and revealed his bright smile and shimering eyes.

''I'm so lucky to have you.'' He whispered before kissing him again.

Nuffink smiled against his lips and wrapped his free arm around the thin waist, holding the boy close.

''What about we go to a more private place ?'' The viking murmured.

Frost blushed and smiled all the same, taking his hand and following him. His heart was making summersauls in his chest.