Chapitre 24
You and me, part 2

Okay, I know I said I'd try to not put important facts in the previous chapter, but I did (sorry). So for those had skipped it, here's two things you need to know.

1. It was Frost's first time (yeah it's important to know that for their relationship).

2. They had started to use pet names :)

When Nuffink woke up, he was filled with a feeling of fullness like he had never known before. He felt perfectly rested, his heart light, a smile creeping on his lips. It was the first time he was waking up that serene. He could still remember the morning routine he had fallen in. Despite his travelings and all the good it did to him, he still happened he had troubles getting up. Fighting heavy eyelids, lifting a groggy body which hadn't recover enough strength during a restless night, chasing away negative thoughts…

But that day, there was none of these. There was all but a soft warmth in his chest. His mind seemed free from all negative feeling and sorrow. The only thought that came in his mind was how he wanted this moment to last.

The first thing he saw when opening his eyes was the ceiling of a cave, bathed in light. The afternoon sun light burned his eyes and blinded him, telling him the fog surrounding the island had lifted. He closed his eyes, grunting, resting his forearm on them in try to sooth the pain, then turned on his side.

He then felt the chill wind blowing on his back and bottom, reminding him he was naked. Memories floded back in his mind. He saw Frost's face, so red it seemed about to explose, he remembered the feeling of his body against his, and how he had felt inside of him. His face flushed to the memory, and the warmth spread anew in his chest.

Puting a hand on his chest, he realised what it was, and by which miracle he had managed to sleep that well. Never before did he had felt that rested and light, because never before did he had felt that happy. He was happy. He had found happiness. His smile returned, broad and bright, enlightening his whole face, and his heart raced again to the simple thought of the white-haired boy. Nuffink wanted to see him, and opened his eyes again to look for him.

He didn't have to search for long as he found the boy laying next to him, sound asleep. His naked pale body seemed to shine in the sunlight. The boy squinted his eyes and stirred slightly, he seemed about to wake up, making the viking smile even more. Nuffink felt the urge to hold him close, kiss him and thank him over and over again for making him discover what were love and happiness. But his body refused to move.

He stayed there, laying on his side in a not-so-comfy position, eyes lignering on the merman. He stared at his peaceful sleeping face, the beauty of his features, remembered the curves of his body now half hidden under a blanket, got mesmerized by the blue and silver highlight in his hair, shining in the light, and pictured in his mind the deep and hypnotizing color of his closed eyes.

He was unable to see how long he stayed like, he couldn't care less actually, he could do it for the rest of his life. His heart was beating fast, quickening his breath. It was what the boy was doing to him, with his sole presence. The young blond man took the time to enjoy his feelings. He wouldn't trade anything against this moment, and wanted it to last forever.

Eyes lingering on the pearl-like skin, he noticed something he had not seen before. On Frost's forearm stood a white line, tracing his skin from the elbow to his wrist, on the outside. It looked like a tattoo, and the viking remembered that was were had stood a translucent silver white fin.

He wondered if Frost had similar marks everywhere he had fins when he had been a merman. He didn't really paid attention to that when they had made love, his mind foggd by lust had rathered focus on the curves of the boy's thin body and the flesh sensations. These memories fog up his mind again.

Dragged by his racing heart and the overwhelming love filling him, he made use of Frost lying on his back to lay above him, intertwining their legs and tenderly rubing his tight against the boy's intimacy, waking him up in a jolt and making him moan in a raspy hoarse voice that made it even sexier. Frost arched his back, pressing his chest against the viking's, and said viking slipped a hand under the boy, stroking his back. The boy wrapped his arms around his neck before he even had opened his eyes, his face already flushed.

Sleepy blue eyes met shining green ones, both melting into each other, a new smile forming on the sunkissed lips.

''Hi, babe.''

Frost smiled and closed his eyes.

''Hi…''

He was still not completely awake, and that made the viking chuckle. He leant in and pressed a soft kiss on the tip of his lover's nose, who mumbled something smiling. Nuffink couldn't make out any word, but it was not really important seeing how the boy was holding onto him. He couldn't resist and held him close to his heart, burrying his face in the crook of his ticklish neck. He stayed like this for a moment, then layed back next to him, placing an arm around the boy shoulders to support his head, head that tilted to rest on his left shoulder. He softly stroked the boy's shoulder, which made him smile and hum.

Frost felt shivers runing down his spine, he really liked Nuffink's hands on his skin, he didn't want it to stop. When he opened his eyes, feeling a bit more awake, he met his boyfriend's own gaze, and noticed the dreamy smile adorning his lips.

''What is it ?'' He enquired.

The viking smiled even more.

''I'm happy, and I have to thank you for that.''

Frost blushed and averted his eyes for a second, brushing his nose against the freckled shoulder.

''Thank you for making me discover this. This was… amazing. It's the best sensation I know.''

The viking could only smile because he thought the same thing. Just having sex was nothing compared to having sex with someone you loved. One was just pleasant whlie the other left him dazed, warm and with this feeling of fullness. It felt like it had put back together all the scattered pieces of his messy life and heart.

Drowning in the crystal blue eyes, softly stroking his boyfriend's shoulder, he lifted his other hand to brush his cheek. Frost's smile made his heart skip a beat, though the spell was broken when the boy frowned looking at his right arm.

''What is this ?'' The merman asked.

The chilly fingers gently ran on the viking's arm, following the red lines and symbols covering the skin. Frost knew it was not natural, but he couldn't understand what the pattern meant. It didn't look like viking runes.

''That's a tattoo.'' Nuffink told him.

He streched out his arm and placed it in a way Frost could see the whole tattoo.

''I made it about two years and half ago.''

''It's superb. Does it mean something ?''

The viking's smile faltered thinking about it. Granted he remembered exactly the meaning of each line, each curve, each point, each symbol, and it suddenly felt it had been so long since the time when these emotions had taken control of his life.

Hense, now it felt like the tattoo was uncomplete, like there was missing something important, the most important thing, though this 'thing' was laying against him, wrapped in his left arm and running chilly fingers on the red tattoo.

He stared at Frost's eyes looking at his arm with a mixture of wonder and curiosity, then planted a kiss in the snowy hair.

''Yes, it does, but that's a story for another time. For now, we should get back before the other send rescue team to fetch us.''

The merman chuckled and sat up, noticing a shy silhouette peeking from the cave entrance.

The bright light behind it made it difficult to see, and the dragon's head was just barely peeking out, not daring to enter not look at them, whining faintly. Frost smiled recognizing Ruffrunner, and the faint sound caught the viking's attention. He sat up too and gently stroked his boyfriend's back, placing a soft kiss on his bare shoulder.

''I told you he wouldn't bother us.''

Frost shook his head and pushed his boyfriend playfully, making him laugh too. Then they dressed up and joined the dragon, the white-haired boy petting him and giving him a quick hug.

When he found himself back on the saddle, Frost felt more excited to fly than he had been before. Nuffink sat behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist, huging him from behind.

''Will we go back here ?'' Frost asked.

''Of course, as soon as you want.''

''And are there some interesting palces we can stop by on the way back ?''

Nuffink chuckled. Decidedly, he couldn't get used to Frost's endless eagerness, and couldn't get tired of it.

''A few ones. We can go to the Zipplebacks' island, or even the Skrills' cave. What do you think of it ?''

''Yes to both !''

''And, as usual, one kiss per new dragon ?'' The viking smiled.

''Perfect.'' Frost chuckled. ''Then let's go.''

''You drive.''

Frost smiled and patted his dragon's side, who shook his head and took off, impatient to go back home and see his siblings. They still stopped by the two islands and spent a few hours there, getting a late lunch and watching the dragon.

They only came back to Berk in early evening. The black and white Night Light landed in the arena of the Academy, where they found the other dragon riders.

''Gods, what took you so long, guys ?!'' Zephyr grunted. ''We thought something bad happened to you !''

Nuffink dismissed the motherly scold and used the dragon study as an excuse. Quickly their friends calmed down, and Birdlegs smiled expectantly.

''So, how was it ?''

Frost was smiling broadly while stroking Ruffrunner's head, while Nuffink jumped down from the saddle.

''We officially have a new dragon rider on Berk, and he's really talented.''

Much to the boy's surprise, the riders applaused. They all rejoyed, save from Sneezelout that seemed to sulk. He was dreading competition.

''Does it mean I can join you to the dragon racing thing ?'' The new rider chirped.

''Why not ?'' Zephyr said, shrugging. ''But you'll have tot rain for that.''

Frost finally dismounted and wrapped his arms around Ruffrunner's neck.

''What do you say, Ruffie ?''

The dragon shook his head and let his tongue hang, he seemed playful and visibly liked the idea. Though the training session was officially over for a couple hours, the riders stayed there and everyone was talking about the upcoming race. Slowly, Frost's smile faltered. He had been watching several training sessions at the Academy, watching technics and complicity of the various duos, and he suddenly noticed just how unexperimented Ruffrunner and him were. They would have to train really hard if they wanted to stand a chance in the games. Though he was not that worried, he didn't really cared about winning or loosing, he was already glad to join in.

Coming back to the Haddock hutt, they met Astrid and Hiccup who had just finished their day, and Zephyr proposed to help her father cook the diner. If both still had troubles telling Astrid her cooking was bad, Nuffink was aware he was just as a disaster in a kitchen, and Hiccup denied Frost's help because he thought the boy was already doing too much on break-fast time. Granted he appreciated it, all the Haddocks did, but he didn't want to turn the boy into a slave.

So both young men went upstairs into Nuffink's room, the blond sitting at his desk and taking notes of what they had seen to the two dragon islands they had visited earlier. Frost stood just behind him, leaning on the back of the chair and looking at the papers from above his shoulder.

''So, we saw a group of Timberjacks, two Skrills, a good dozen of Hiddeous Zipplebacks and a Gronckle.''

''Don't forget the pack of Terrible Terrors we spotted on the Back Sand Island.''

''Right.''

Nuffink wrote down the number of dragons and their locations, comparing it with the previous datas he had gatheres from the same place. Frost leant a bit forward, looking closely as his boyfriend's writing. This writing was still completely different from the merfolk's, but now he was starting to understand it. He was starting to link some runes to the dragons' names.

''What do you do with all these datas ?''

''it's a census. It helps us knowing how many dragons are spread on the islands, hense we can know where to find them and if groups have gone missing.''

''You're really good at studying dragons.''

He rested his chin on the viking's shoulder, making him smile and turn his head towards him.

''It's easier when I'm not doing it alone. It helps to have someone driving while I study the landscape.''

''Stop giving me all your credits.'' The boy chuckled. ''I could have never driven if not for you teaching me.''

Nuffink chuckled too and pressed a kiss on the pale cheek.

''I didn't do much. You have it in you.''

He tilted the boy's head towards him so he could kiss him properly. He enjoyed the thin lips for a bit but they quickly pulled away as they heard footsteps behind them. They turned around to see Zephyr by the door, staring at them with wide eyes.

''You !'' She exclaimed, pointing at Frost. ''I should have know ! How long ?! Nuffink, how long were you planing on hiding this ?!''

If Frost had froze and was now sweating like crazy, Nuffink remained calmed. Casually, he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's waist and pulled him until he was sitting on his laps, making him blush a deep crimson red.

''Actually, I was planing on telling you during diner.''

Zephyr's mouth opened and closed again, it looked like Nuffink had stolen her voice, making her unable to retort anything. Frost didn't know what to think of her wide eyes and intent look on her brother. After the conversation they had had about him, and how worried she had been about her brother being ready or not for a new relationship, the young merman grew afraid of her reaction.

Zephyr found herself frozen in spot when she saw her brother's face. He was givin her this teasing and defying look she knew all too well, but what stunned her was his smile. It felt like forever since she last saw such bright smile on his face. She opened and closed her mouth, searching for her words, but ended up frowning while glaring at Frost.

''Don't think you're out of troubles, I'll keep an eye on you.''

And with that she left. Nuffink felt his boyfriend tense up at his sister's words. He smiled and pressed a kiss on his shoulder.

''Don't worry, it's just an expression, she won't really be watching you.''

''She's just true to her big sister's act.''

Frost was really thoughtful about it because, somehow, he would have wished for Cörail and Limönn to be like this with him. Nuffink brushed his chin with his gloved fingers and tilted the boy's head so they could kiss again. When their lips parted, he brushed the tip of their nose against one another, earning a faint chuckled in reply.

Tasty smells from the warm diner were coming up to the rorom, and soon they were called out to join the others downstairs.

''Well, let's make it official.'' Nuffink smiled.

Frost felt really nervous about it. He was even more anxious about Nuffink's parents reaction. And his nervousness grew stronger as he met Zephyr's glare when they went down in the living room. She had her arms crossed and seemed really angry. Surely this was because Frost had lied to her when he had not told her who was 'wooing' her brother, right ?

And things went sour when Nuffink finally told his family. They had been eating for a while, chatting about the village like any other day, when he claimed he had something important to tell them. His parents went quiet and looked him expectantly, only to see their son placing a hand on Frost and telling them they were together, smiling broadly. Frost tensed up from head to toe, lowering his head because he dared not to meet their eyes.

He still saw Zephyr's frown deepen, and Astrid and Hiccup exchanges a confused look. Silence lasted so long Nuffink's smile dropped, and he tightened his grip on Frost's hand. After what felt way too long, Astrid frowned and Hiccup seemed uneasy.

''Son,'' The chief hesitated. ''Are you sure it's… Hum…''

''Frost,'' Astrid cut in even if her eyes were focused on her son. ''Can you leave us alone for a moment, please ?''

Way too uncomfortable with the situation, the boy nodded and stood, but Nuffink hold him by the hand.

''Why ?'' He growled to his parents.

''Nuffink, please.'' Zephyr insisted.

She managed to make the two words sound like a advice and an order at the same time.

The blond glared at her, but she simply glared back. Frost forced hmself not to swallow hard and used his free hand to gently pat his boyfriend's own.

''It's okay.''

Nuffink looked at him intently, his eyes seraching his own as if trying to say weither or not the boy was really thinking what he was saying. Since he was still holding him, Frost froced his hand free and nodded shyly to the other three Haddock, before leaving the house with his shepherd's crook on the shoulder. Ruffrunner grumbled and followed him outside, almost smashing in the door that had not closed back yet.

Not much to the Haddock's surprise, the other two Night Lights followed too. Then, Toothless and Toothpaste, as if sensing the bad moon hanging in the room and the up-coming fight, left by the back window.

Once the dragons had left, silence came back. Nuffink was clenching his fists on his tights, glaring at both his parents, who seemed really concerned.

''Nuffink, what's gotten into your mind ?'' His mother reproached.

''What ?'' He retorted, offended.

His mother frowned so hard it drew a line on the middle of her forehead. She seemed even more irritated by his reaction. Thought he couldn't help but being angry, his mother was making it sound like it was something bad.

''You know exactly what I mean.'' She said.

''You can't be serious, bro !'' Zephyr snapped and stood with crazy gestures as if she had hold back from saying anything for too long.

Just by looking at her, Nuffink knew she had kept quiet for the moment she had seen them upstairs, but now there was nothing left to stop her.

''Oh Thor, just what were you thinking ?!''

''I don't see the problem, here.''

''If only there was only one problem.'' Hiccup said, more calmly than the two woman of the family.

Nuffink looked at him as if his father had just betrayed him. Actually, it felt like this.

''I'm sorry, son,'' Astrid said. ''but we can't let you do this. You and Frost can't be together.''

''What ?! You're kidding me ! Do you really think you have a word to say in this ?!''

It was his time to stand, making the air in the room even thicker with tension and anger.

''We do since Avock.'' Zephyr stated coldly. ''Do we really need to remind you what happened ?''

''It has nothing to do with this-''

''Oh really ? Has your depression nothing to do with this ? Neither for sudden urge to leave the island to flee on the other side of the world ? Not even counting all your one-night business in try to comfort you ?!''

Nuffink frozed hearing this. He was sure he had never talked about this to anyone. Maybe he had mentioned a bit of it to Gorth, but the guy had promised to keep it to himself. He would have never repaeted it to Zephyr, right ?

''How… ?'' He stammered.

His sister instantly went from angry to sad, and a bit hurt. Why hurt ?

''You speak in you sleep when you drink too much. You even cry. If you think you don't deserve to be loved, you're wrong, and that prove how much you're still fragile and not ready for a new relationship.''

She was so sad her eyes were watering, thought that didn't soothe the burning anger within the young man.

''Don't you think I am the one to decide, here ? I'm an adult, I can make my own choices and I should be the one knowing when I am ready for something ! This episode with Avock goes back so far it's not affecting me anymore, it's been three years for Gods' sake ! I moved on !''

He tried not to get too angry and loud, breathing in deeply and leaning on the table, before looking at them solemly.

''I am ready.''

He scrutinized them, noticing Astrid and Zephyr seemed to believe him, yet the frown of his father was unusual.

''What about him ?'' Hiccup asked.

This question, so calm compared to the previous argue, took him aback.

''What do you mean ?'' The blond hesitated.

''You think you're ready, I can belive that, but what about Frost ? I don't think you need to be reminded that he had lost his family and home, that he's completely new here and is still trying to get used to the change. Are you sure this relationship is healty for him, that it's not a way for him to fight back loneliness and fit in ?''

Nuffink wanted to get angry again and begrudge these accusations, but when he met his father's forest green eyes, he swore he saw his thoughts and ate humble pie. It was not accusations, but concern. Concern for his son and for Frost.

''I you think you're in a good emotional state for this kind of relationship, are you sure this is also his case ?''

Nuffink couldn't manage to answer right away. He felt moved by his father's cocnern towards Frost, because it proved that the chief had taken a liking for the boy. Granted, a lot of vikings were intrigued by the snow-haired boy that had joined them, a lot liked him, at least Nuffink was only hearing them say nice things about the boy – even if Gobber was complaining not seeing the boy often at the smithy. If everyone knew he was from the frozen lands of the north, only the Haddocks knew about his backstory, and noone knew better than Nuffink. If someone knew how difficult the change of environment was, it was Nuffink.

But saying the boy had fallen in his arms because of this change and the possibly loneliness created by it… Frost had already felt lonely back home, granted this was the reason he had left with Nuffink and the dragons, but he also knew their relationship had nothing to do with it. They had bound through friendship and their common interest for dragons.

''I'm sure of it.' The young man finally said.

His father and him looked intently at each other, dead in the eye, as if the chief was gauging his son. Then Hiccup nodded.

''Fine. I believe you.''

''But Hiccup-'' Astrid interjected.

The chief hushed her with a calm gesture of his hand.

''Nuffink is an adult, he is able to make his own decisions on his own. If he thinks he is ready, I think we have to trust him and give him a chance.''

Astrid closed her mouth quickly, her wide eyes saying he was suddenly guilty, then she gave an apologizing look to her son.

Said son just stood still, looking at both his parents, moved. He really was moved by how comprehensive his father was. Judging by the first reaction he had hearing the news, Nuffink had feared his father could side with his mother and sister, but once again, the chief was the one to understand him better and help him.

Since none of Astrid and Zephyr said otherwise, the young viking assumed they were agreeing. It took some time for him to register it completely, then he suddenly rounded the table to hug his father, thanking him. He also wrapped an arm around his mother, both his parents chuckling, then he felt a firm and slightly callous hand pat his back while another one, both strong and smooth, ran in his hair. Definitively, he was really lucky to have such a family.

''I think we can call Frost back, now.'' The chief said, pulling away from the hug.

''Right,'' Astrid added. ''the poor boy barely ate anything. He must be starving.''

Nuffink looked to his boyfriend's plate and noticed that, indeed, it was almost as full as it had been at the beginning of their meal.

''I'll get him.'' Zephyr said.

She didn't left room for her brother to say anything as she was already opening the door. Much to her surprise, Frost was on the other side of the street, near the neighbor house. He was swarmed by the three Night Lights that were obviously trying to play with him. She noticed once again how much the dragons liked him. Of course, it was no wonder for Dart and Pouncer, both had always been social butterflies even if Pouncer was distrustful with strangers, but Ruffrunner. He had completely opened up to the boy and seemed like a completely different dragon now, smiling and warbbling at the boy.

When the boy spotted Zephyr walking towards him, he stopped playing with the dragons and faced her, head low and tucking nervously to the bottom of his tunic. He had just turned from his joyful mischievous self to a scaredy little kid. She had to admit this was funny to see. He surely did care a lot for her brother and her family's opinion about them. She flashed him a warm smile.

''You can come back, the food's getting cold.''

He nodded and followed her back to the hutt while the dragon decided to keep on playing outside. But, just before opening the door, she turned back to him.

''Just… Take good care of my little brother, okay ?''

He lifted his head to her, eyes wide in surprise, and had troubles registering what she had just said. That meant she was accepting them being together, right ? Ocean blue eyes stared intently to crystal ice blue.

''Okay.'' Frost finally said.

They went back to the table and the remains of the meal was spent in a really good mood, though the Haddocks hadn't said anything about the couple, they ended up talking about dragon racing. Hiccup accepted to let Frost join in the game, still he warned him his lack of experience would be a huge drawback for Ruffrunner and him.

They talked for longer any of them could have thought, all the while Nuffink had his hand over Frost's, under the table. Then when they it was time to sleep, Zephyr was the first one to leave, going upstairs to her bedroom. But not before she had ruffled Frost's hair with a teasing smirk. Nuffink liked to see her act like this with the boy, it proved she really was accepting them being a couple.

Frost layed on his blankets mattress and Nuffink came to sit next to him, taking his hand and about to wish him good night. In the corner of his eyes, he spotted his parents by their bedroom door. Arm in arm, they looked at them with a soft smile for a few seconds before going in their room.

''Good night, boys.''

''Good night.''

The blond viking waited for the door closing behind them before looking down to his and Frost's joined hands. He sighed happily and smiled.

''Finally alone.'' He whispered, intertwinning their fingers.

Frost smiled too, feeling the urge to kiss him. He waited for his viking to look up at him to do so, startling him.

Nuffink chuckles against his lips and gladly kissed back. When they pulled away, he pressed his forehead against his.

''So…'' Frost hesitated. ''Is it okay with you family ?''

The viking smiled again and met his eyes, drowning a bit in it.

''Yeah.''

And the genuine smile Frost flashed made his heart skip a beat. One more, his skin got goosebumps and a wave of warmth filles his chest, proving him once more that what he was feeling definitively was love and happiness.

Green and blue met and melted into each other, then Nuffink leant in and pressed a tender kiss on his lover's lips, from the depth of his loving heart. It was the boy's turn to feel the warmth spread within him. He felt breathless, but it was a nice sensation. He wrapped his arms his viking's waist and hold him close, burrying his face against his shoulder, and felt warm and strong arms returning the hug.

This was happiness.

Pure and true happiness.