Hey guys,

I'm sorry but I've gotten late on my translation schedules so in the new few days I might not be able to post a new chapter every day. I'll let you know if some updates will be delayed. Anyway thank you so much for the readers, followers and favs !

PART 4 - Love and loss

Chapitre 25
Dragon racing

After saying his parents and sister that Frost and him were together, Nuffink had seen the news spread everywhere in the village, faster than an epidemy of eel-flu. Within a sole day, everyone knew about it, and mostle everyone reacted the same way. Mostly. If some people were still uncomfortable with the idea of a same-gender couple, all the other vikings were liked to hear that.

All of Nuffink's relatives and friends who had seen him go into depression were happy to hear the last proof they needed to know he had now completely recovered and was moving on. Some girls who had been flustered by Frost's charms were disappointed to learn he had someone, but they didn't say anything when they saw the both together.

The dragon riders were the most excited ones, rejoycing for both of them, thought Igvid had not joined the cheers, but Nuffink was too swarmed in his friend's joy to pay attention to it. Gobber was way more happy and excited about it, to the extend he had thrown a party to celebrate in the evening. Frost had not seen Selina there but had not worried about it, because the mermaid has told him she was leaving for a good week trip.

The following days on New Berk were pretty restless. The dragon riders were hard-working, getting prepared and training for the upcoming race, and the more Frost was looking at them, the more he noticed how late he was compared to them. They had been training and flying for years, they had developped numerous technics and skills and figures with their dragons… Still the white-haired boy didn't let himself be discouraged.

He trained too, maybe harder than the other, assuredly longer. He was coming home late and exhausted, and was the first to get up in the morning. Nuffink knew that, if he was doing this to Pouncer, his dragon would hate him. Yet it was not Ruffrunner's case. For all the dragon had been the lazy and grumpy one of the family, he seemed to be just as excited and motivated as his rider. Surely he enjoyed training with his rider and even was the one to drag the boy out of the house in the morning. Thought the dragon's excitement didn't hide the growing anxiousness of the boy. Nuffink noticed it and wondered what he could do about it.

So, on the fourth day of training, he offered a training session to Frost, in the forest instead of the Academy, just the two of them, well with their dragons of course. Frost wasn't sure his boyfriend was really talking about training of taking a break, still he accepted and followed him. Both dragons landed in the woods, near a nice river where they could fish something to eat for lunch.

They found a nice spot in the grass and sat there. Frost was biting the inside of his cheek with nervousness, he couldn't help but hink about the race.

''Don't worry,'' Nuffink assured. ''you have have the same odds of winning as the others.''

''I don't see how ! You guys are all that impressive, you know so much about your dragons and have so much skills while I'm just a rookie.''

''It's not a matter of skills, what matters is knowing your dragon and your opponents. And I can help with that.''

''Won't that be cheating ?''

''No, just upgrading. Us riders are used to work together, we know each other and lots of the other's tricks. So you have an advantage.''

''Looks more like a drawback for me.''

''I mean no one know what you're capable of.''

''Including me.''

Frost sighed and ran a hand on his face.

''I really appreciate you trying to cheer me up. I needed it.''

The viking moved closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Frost rested his head against his neck and sighed in content, eyes lingering on the landscape.

''Why did you want to join the game ? If you knew you'd be stressing like this, you could have just watch it.''

''Because it's so cool !''

His eagerness seemed to completely wipe off the anxiety, as if he was a completely different person.

''Come on, 'dragon racing' ! I never saw one before, I had to join in !''

''So, you want to participate in, you're not really interested in wining.''

''Well, huh… Yeah, but if I wasn't last it would be nice too.''

Nuffink chuckled at that, he gently squeezed Frost and kissed his forehead.

''That shouldn't be that hard.''

''How can you be so sure ?''

''Because I know the others, and because I know you too. You're a way better rider that you think.''

''Sometimes I feel like you have blind trust in my abilities.''

''Maybe I have the trust you lack. Don't doubt yourself, babe. I told you : you were made to fly.''

He smiled reassuringly, earning a less confident smile in return. Nuffink pulled back his arm and started to explain him everything he needed to know about the other's playing. First, Frost didn't have to worry about Birdlegs. The girl had never won a game because she was too fair. She never dared to steal a sheep from another player even though it was part of the game. The only times she did was when the sheep had been stolen from her in the first place.

By contrast, the Jorgenson were good opponents. The competition between them made them dangerous, they wouldn't hesitated to bump into other dragons. Though if Igvid was as skillful on her dragon than without her, it was Sneezelout's weakness. He was copletely lost once separated from Slashlout.

Gorth was just as willing to win than them but knew when to stop when he was going too far. Actually, he often ended up being the arbitrator to avoid disasters and injuries, which explained why he never wan a game so far. And last but not least was Zephyr. She could be as a dreadful opponent as a harmless wee lamb. It was depending on her but on Dart's mood. Indeed, the Night Light could get easily distracted, especially when Ruffrunner was in the galleries, calling out for his siblings to play with him. How many times did the blue-eyed dragon had left the race without a warning and disqualified her rider ? Nuffink had lost count on it but it still made him laugh when it happened. Well, knowing Ruffrunner would also participate made it less unlikely to happen.

''What about you ?'' Frost enquired.

''I don't have anything to say about Pouncer and I.''

''You talked about upgrading, you have to tell me about everyone.''

''No, I have to tell you about what everyone knows, not about my secret skills.''

The viking smirked smugly.

''Now you look like you're cheating.'' Frost pouted, still playfully nudging his arm.

Nuffink laughed and stared at his boyfriend for a sweet little moment, before kissing him. With just the touch of these lips upon his, his heart looped in his chest. They kissed until their lungs asked for air, then slowly pulled away.

''Don't think you'll get out of it like this.'' Frost teased.

Nuffink smiled and grabbed his wrist, gently pinning him on the ground and finding himself above the blushing boy.

''And like this ?''

Frost blushed even more and looked away.

''Weren't we supposed to train ?''

Nuffink didn't reply. He simply smiled and leant in to plant a lingering kiss on the pale neck, earning a soft moan from his lover. The last time he had touched him was barely two days ago, butt with the hard-work at the Academy it felt more. Though Frost pushed on his chest, panting and blushing.

''Sorry, I lied.'' Nuffink said. ''You're training restlessly since Dad let you join in the race. It's tomorrow, so I thought you needed to take a break.''

''So that's what I suspected, you weren't planing on training.''

Nuffink smiled feeling Frost's strength lessen in his arms, so he leant in and held him close, slipping his hands under the tunic to brush his skin. Frost didn't budge and just stared at him. The viking pressed their forehead together and breathed in, trying to soothe his racong heart but also taking in some of the boy's scent.

''If you rather sleep, we can just go back home.''

''Yeah, I'd rather take some rest for tomorrow.''

''Don't stress, okay ? These races are made to have fun, after all.''

He kissed the pale forehead, then helped his boyfriend up. Pouncer and Ruffrunner were still playing around them, trying to chase a squirrel turning around a tree, until their riders came to them. They didn't complain as they received their usual pet and then the foursome flew back to the village.

The big day had finally come. Vikings had gotten up early so they could finish the remaining preparations. In the early afternoon, the dragon racing could finally begin. Those were the favorite celebrations at the village, even before tha Thawfest or Thorsday, and knowing there was a new player made the vikings even more excited. Everyone one was looking forward to the race, except for one person, having more and more troubles managing his stress.

The dragon riders had gathered at the Academy, getting themselves ready. They used to make an aerial ballet before the beginning of the race, but before that they had to wear their war paints. They covered their faces, armors and dragons with colorful paints and were wishing good luck to one another, sincerely of teasingly for the Jorgenson's part. Sneezelout was really confident that, this time, he wouldn't be the last one. He was sure Frost would be.

''Finally ! My glory !'' He snickered.

''There's no glory in getting second to last.'' Igvid retorted.

But none of their words was reaching Frost, because all of his thoughts were focused on anxiety. He coudln't even think of what patterns he would paint. He glanced at the others.

Birdlegs was wearing orange and green colors. Sneezelout and Igvid had the same lightning pattern both in red and yellow, though Sneezelout had added some touches of purple. Gorth had angular shapes, motsly groups of three to five lines that looked like his father's chin tattoo, made with two different hues of blue. As to Nuffink and Zephyr, they were both wearing two horizontal red lines, though Zephyr had added touches of blue while Nuffink had touches of green. The dragons were also wearing the war paints on head, wings and paws for some of them.

Nuffink noticed his boyfriend's uneasiness and walked to him.

''You alright ?''

''I don't know what to paint…'' Frost admitted, slightly pouting.

Everyone wears their family's colors, with a personal touch. Since you're the first one of your bloodline to participate a race, you can choose whatever you want.''

''Great…'' The boy sighed. ''I thought you could help, I have absolutetly no idea…''

Frost looked down on the different paint bowls, sad and thoughtful. Nuffink smiled softly, then took one of the bowls.

''Do you trust me ?''

Frost looked up at him in confusion. Why did the viking still need to ask him ? Nuffink had placed a hand over the bowl to hide the color he had picked up, thought Frost could guess by looking at the remaining bowls.

Without hesitation, the boy nodded and closed his eyes, letting Nuffink brush his fingers on his cheeks and trace patterns. Frost kepts his eyes closed even if he heard his viking put the bowl back on the table, but he felt the fingers again, as if he had changed the color. Once he was done, Nuffink picked up a shield made of Gronckle iron, the surface as reflecting as a mirror, and placed it in front of his boyfriend.

''Now you can look.''

Frost opened his eyes and saw his reflection. On his cheeks stood two waves. The upper one was white while the other was blue.

''Sky and sea.'' Nuffink said. ''Do you like it ?''

''It's perfect !''

Frost quickly took the two bowls of painting and headed to Ruffrunner, drawing the same patterns on the dragon's wings. He seemed to like it too seeing his crooked dragon smile and the was he was twisting his neck to look at his wings. With paints gathering the two worlds Frost knew and loved, the boy suddenly felt reinvigorated, ready to face anything. Now he was ready for the race.

A clement weather had settled in New Berk since the beginning on the summer season. The sun was bright and warming up the air from cold to chilly. All the vikings has emptied their village to gather on the curious building rising above the water, north-west to the berkian isle where they could see their whole isle.

The bleachers were so filled it was impossible for one more person to fit in, and everyone's eyes were focused on the different flyers soaring above the village, searching for thr poor sheep that served as targets for the game.

Applause and cheers rose when one more sheep was caught. On the back of the brown Deadly Nadder stood the Ingerman daughter, throwing her fists up in joy. Strikiller cacked his own delight and flew towards the bleachers, quickly followed by the other competitors. Within the spectators, Ruffnut and Fishlegs were shouting at the top of their lungs to cheer up their daughter, and the girl's uncle Tuffnut was just as exctatic, jumping on spot and pushing the vikings surrounding him.

The colorful players flew back near the galleries, aiming for the platform where stood the goals. Birdlegs was focused on scoring her first point, at least until the Razorwhip bumped into her dragon, she accidently let go of the sheep, which spun in the air before Sneezelout caught it.

''Ha ! That's one for me !''

''Sneezelout, you're cheating !''

''Nope, that's part of the game !''

Slashlout opened up her wings and stopped to find herself next to the Monstruous Nightmare wearing almost the same paints as her.

''Did you see that, sis' ?!'' Sneezelout beamed.

Said sister huffed and rolled her eyes.

''Yeah, I saw that.''

When her brother started to snicker smugly, she hold back her own smirk and stole his prize.

''Too slow !'' She laughed.

Firestorm quickly lost the Razorwhip but Igvid made her spin to avoid a purple fireball which brushed pass them before exploding. It surprised everyone and made the public cheer anew.

''Let's go, pal !'' Nuffink yelled.

Pouncer grabbed the sheep and tore it from the brunette's hands who could do nothing but watch in horror. She frowned and hold back an angered growl while the white Night Light zipped to the goals. He flew above his own, indicated by a painting of the white dragon's head along with red and green colors, and dropped the ship inside the hanging nest.

''That's five for Nuffink !'' Hiccup claimed, not holding back his pride.

The viking chief looked at the other goals and counted the others' points.

''Igvid is on his tail with three ! Gorth lags with one while Frost, Sneezelout and Birdlegs still don't have any point ! As to Zephyr…''

The chief paused seeing the last goal, the red and black one, which was empty. Looking closely to the competitors, he noticed that one dragon was missing. He glanced around searching, until he spotted the black and white dragon two bleachers under his. The dragon was carelessly playing with a bunch of Terrible Terrors while Alwin was sitting on the edge, her feet hanging and her chin in her palms. She seemed pretty pissed off.

''Forfeit, I suppose…'' The chief said.

Sneezelout caught up with his sister and both dragons started to plane side by side.

''Ig' why did you gave him your sheep ? He's gonna win, now !''

''I didn't gave him, he stole it from me ! And you didn't help much !''

''Didn't you say Firestorm and you had trained and made up new tricks ?''

''What about you ? Don't you teach anything to your dragon ?!''

While the Jorgensons were on the verge of a new fight, Frost and Ruffrunner intervened.

''You okay, guys ?''

''Shut it, you show-pony !'' Sneezelout growled.

''Come on, kids !'' Someone yelled from the bleachers.

The three riders looked down and spotted the chieftess bouncing and waving. Next to her, Hiccup and Valka chuckled and shared an amused smile.

''What would I give for Dad to cheer us up like this.'' Sneezelout sighed.

''He would if you could at least score one point.'' Igvid snorted.

''Hey ! You're gonna pay for this one !''

Ruffrunner quickly flew away as the Jorgenson started to fight. Meanwhile within the public, Hiccup called out his wife.

''What do you say, honey ? Time for the last lap ?''

Astrid beamed and tried to calm down her excitment, thought that barely changed anything when she wave again.

''Last lap !''

Downward, placed on the other side of the goals platform, was standing a viking next to a big corn sculpted like a dragon. The viking, until then quietly sitting, startled as he saw the chieftess, and blew in the instrument. The sound seemed to echoe within the valley surrounding the lake and the isle.

''The black sheep !'' Igvid smiled. ''Time to shine, Firestorm, we have to win this one !''

''Not if I catch it first !'' Sneezelout said, loosing her.

Unlike the other sheeps, the dragon riders had an idea of where this one was, save from Frost who followed them. Once again, Gobber was in charge of releasing the black sheep, using his favorite trebuchet – which he called the big Bertha – to throw the poor beast in the air. Even if he was changing location at each race, he had two favorite spots : next to the smithy or around the Ingerman's farm.

The poor sheep was completely oblivious of what was coming for it, at least until Gobber activated his device. The sheep was thrown into the air and bawled when he spotted the dragons coming his way. Igvid was the closest but the fastest. Just when Firestorm was about to catch the beast, Slashlout flew just in front of her and stole the trophee. Thought, to everyone's surprise, Strikiller bumped into her and Birdlegs tried to take the sheep.

''I like your spirit, sweety.'' Sneezelout grinned seductively.

''I'm only paying you back, you're always stealing all my sheeps !''

''What, you gonna cry ? I can comfort you after the race, if you wan-''

He couldn't finish his sentence as the blondie punched him in the face. He was so startled he made Slashlout loose her balance. She slowed down and rammed into the Monstruous Nightmare.

''No !'' Igvid grunted.

Birdlegs took advantage of the situation and caught the sheep. Roars of delight and cheers came from the spectators while Nuffink, Gorth and Frost were pursuing her, even if the Zippleback was falling behind the two Night Lights.

Birdlegs was completely focused on her trajectory, making her almost blind to her pursuers. Nuffink made use of it. Everyone was seeing him slowly approaching, holding their breath as they anticiped one of his tricks. Pouncer suddenly boosted his speed and flew above the Deadly Nadder, flipping himself upside down. Nuffink stretched his arms and stole the sheep from his friend's hands. She barely had the time to register what had happened he was already flying away under thuderous applause, and she had to duck as Ruffrunner brushed past her and Strikiller, trying to follow his brother who was going to win the game.

But the game was not over yet.

Indeed, just when Nuffink was about to drop the sheep in his goal, Ruffrunner suddenly grabbed the viking and tore him from his saddle. Pouncer blenched but calmed down as soon as he recognized his brother, and ended up in a fit of laughter. Nuffink, hanging in the paws of the youngest Night Light, still holding the black sheep in his arms, lifted his head in confusion.

''Huh… Frost ? You sure that's part of the game ?''

He didn't have to wait logn before seeing his boyfriend's head poking from the dragon's side, looking down at him with eyes full of mischief.

''That was his idea.''

He scratched his dragon's nape, earning a warbble in reply while Ruffrunner was still planing quietly.

Nuffink analyzed the situation for a moment, hearing the vikings laughing at him for being carried like this. Ruffrunner was flying towards the goals, Pouncer following him but not really aiming to catch up with him nore help his viking out of this embarrassing position. It was like the Night Lights had started another game within the race.

''Could you be kind enough to drop the sheep in my goal ?'' Frost teased.

''Could you be kind enough to bring me to my own goal ?'' The viking retorted.

''Looks like we're in an impasse, then.'' The boy chuckled.

Nuffink smirked.

''I don't think so.''

Nuffink whistled, calling for his dragon. Pouncer flew faster hearing this while the viking dropped the sheep. The Night Light caught it in mid air and lost them, swirling towards the direction Nuffink pointed at him, their goal. He heard a surprised gasp from his boyfriend and had to admit he was proud of it. Yet that pride quickly faded as he saw Gorth and Double-Dagger gain ground on him, and it got even worst seeing Igvid and Sneezelout were coming too.

''Frost, throw me !''

''What ?! A-Are you crazy ? And I don't even know how to !''

Nuffink greeted his teeth.

''Sorry for that, Ruffrunner.''

The dragon barely had the time to hear this and look down to his passenger, wondering what the viking meant, that said viking kicked his belly with his feet. Of course, the dragon didn't like this and, honouring his grumpy self that was still there, he galdly set the viking flying in the air.

Frost panicked but the viking had been thrown where he wanted, towards his best friend, and placed himself so he could grab Pouncer. Though he landed on Double-Dagger's back. The blue Zippleback wasn't expecting this added weight on him, efficiently distracting him form the white Night Light. Gorth looked behind him and blinked in confusion as he found the blond viking, smiling sheepishly at him. Nuffink then pressed on the tall viking's head to distract him and jumped over him. Jumping in the air, the viking finally joined his best friend and helped him avoid the Jorgenson.

Seeing this, the spectators were going hysterical. This dracong race was one of the best they had seen so far, it was eventful and ful of twists, and never before did they had laugh that hard. And the race wasn't even over. Pouncer and Nuffink aimed for the goals, closely followed by the Jorgensons and Gorth, while Frost and Birdlegs decided to turn around so they could meet them from the other side of the goals. Of course, Ruffrunner was faster than Strikiller but the Deadly Nadder still gave his best.

When Pouncer neared his goal, he wasn't expecting to find his brother posted just above it, blocking it, waiting for him. Nuffink could see Strikiller and Birdlegs coming their way. They were so far he didn't have to worry for them, so he focused on his boyfriend. In the end, Frost was also a good opponent, it made the viking smile smugly.

''Okay, you wanna play it this way.''

Nuffink though about a new strategy. He knew Frost was not really interested in winning, that he was thinking about his dragon first, and there was no way the viking would just galantly let his boyfriend win. He had his pride and a champion title to defend. So he prompted his dragon to fly right to them, even if Pouncer whined in worry – he didn't like the prospect of raming into his brother. Nuffink reassured him with a pat, he knew Frost could make Ruffrunner dodge them before the impact, giving him room to score the last point.

The more they were coming closer, the more he could see Frost's face turn from a smirk to a worried pale. He was going to move aside, that was sure. Everything was going according to his plan, except he had forgotten something. He wasn't forgetting about his three pursuers, but he had forgotten about Birdlegs and Strikiller coming the other way, behind Frost's back.

So, when Ruffrunner moved out of the way at the last moment, Pouncer didn't have the time to dodge before colliding with the Deadly Nadder. The vikings oofed and greeted their teeth seeing both dragons fall on the platform, then they stared at the black sheep being ejected by the impact. Slashlout and Firestorm were pushing each other, trying to be the first to catch it, to the extend they had completely ejected Double-Dagger, but neither of them was fast enough for Ruffrunner. The Night Light caught the beast and craddle it in his paws, instantly followed by the two remaining competitors, cheered by the whole hysterical public.

The black and white dragon soared towards his own goal, Firestorm and Slashlout right on his tail, determined to ram into him with full strength. Frost made a quick estimation of the situation : if he scored the black sheep point, he wouldn't have the time to avoid the collision. He didn't care for himself getting hit – it couldn't be worst than his trainings with his brothers – but he didn't want Ruffrunner being hurt. The race could last a bit longer, right ?

So he made it last a bit longer, looking back at the two dragons behind him ready to attack them.

''Ruffie, dive !'' He shouted.

What happened next captivated everyone, every single stare was on the scene and it seemed like everything was happening in slow motion. Nuffink couldn't help but smile in the anticipation. He surely was the only one to know how Frost had learn to fly with Ruffrunner, so he was the only one knowing the boy was never giving oral intructions to the dragon.

So everyone else fell for it. The vikings were expecting the Night Light to dive in order to escape from his attackers, even Firestorm and Slashlout anticipated it and started to plounge. And that's when everyone was stunned to see the dragon ascending at top speed. Igvid and Sneezelout looked up, astounded, just like their dragons who forgot to look where they were going.

The Monstruous Nightmare went to an abrupt halt when she noticed she was aiming head firt to one of the pillars carrying the plastform, thought that stop caught Slashlout unaware. Both rammed into each other and lost their balance. By the time they managed to steady their flight, another loud honk echoed in the valley, telling the game was over.

Igvid looked up and spoted the black sheep in Frost and Ruffrunner's goal.

''That's ten points !'' Hiccup beamed. ''Frost win the game !''

Frost remained sat on his dragon's back, blinking as he had troubles realising it. The cheers and thunderous applause were all for him, because he had won. After several seconds of confusion, realisation struck him and a broad smile split his face in two. He bent over Ruffrunner's nape and scratched his head.

''You heard that, buddy ? We won !''

The dragon warbbled excitedly and even shot a purple blast in the air, exploding just like his joy. Frost stood on his saddle and rose his arms in the air, earning delightful roars from the crowd, he had to admit he was proud of winning his very first race. The public was going crazy. No one had been expecting a that eventful race, and no one had expected it to end like this.

Save from two races where Dart had managed to stay focused and help her rider win, and another one that almost was won by Igvid and Firestorm, Nuffink and Pouncer had always been the champions. The chief's son had been close to another victory, but it seemed like his Night Light had found a great opponent in his own brother.

The dragons soared and swirled a bit above the crownd before landing on the goals platform. Once Ruffrunner joined them, Nuffink ran to him. He didn't give time for Frost to dismount his dragon that he lifted him by the waist and spun him around.

''You did it !''He beamed, ''You did it, babe ! You won !''

The boy couldn't talk and simply laughed, he couldn't believe it himself. The other riders gathered around them and congratulated him, though Igvid didn't say a word and didn't even look at the white-haired boy. It was obvious she was a sore looser.

When Frost finally managed to say something, he looked down at his viking.

''I'll never doubt you again.''

''What are you talking about ?'' Nugffink chuckled. ''You are the one you shouldn't doubt in.''

He put him back down and hugged him, enjoying the embrace as long as he dared to. Then he decided to let go to let his boyfriend enjoy the cheers. It wasn't often the blond viking was loosing a game, and it certainly was the first time he had lost while his sister had not participated, but he was glad he had lost it to Frost. Even more so that the boy had won on his own, without help.

According to him, the merman deserved the victory. After his restless training and all the worry he had accumulated, now he could relax again and savor his success. While Frost was looking in awe at the crowd, Nuffink took his hand and rose it, earning renewed cheers. Frost was proud of Ruffrunner and him, but that wasn't really what he was thinking about. He was standing there, within people that liked him, surrounded by peoples he could call friends, a powerful dragon – his dragon – by his side, and holding Nuffink's hand in his…

In this very moment, he had everything he could have ask for. He felt like he had fullfilled a dream. He was happy and content. He stared at his boyfriend and felt a tear roll down his cheek. Happy tear. Nuffink spotted it and gently wiped it, smiling, resting his warm hand on the chilly cheek. The merman closed his eyes and leant in the touch, making the viking's heart pound faster. Everything seemed to disappear around them. There was no more roaring cheers and applause, no more stares on them. The viking leant in and kissed his boyfriend so softly he didn't know he couldn manage it.

Just like the berkian tradition wanted to, the vikings threw a party to cellebrate the end of the race, and the winner was the special guest. Frost wasn't used to such attention, it seemed that every viking that had not the opportunity to talk to him beforehand, was now swarming him. Countless faces scrolled in front of him, each cheering and congratulating him for his victory.

Some told him they hadn't seen such thrilling race in a long time. Others said they couldn't wait for the next race, couldn't wait to see which tricks he would perform next. They were so many to come see him he swore the entire village was scrolling. They barely left him time to eat, though he had to admit he was so excited food was far from his concern. From a distance, Nuffink was chuckling softly looking at his boyfriend being swarmed like this, but he lost his smile as he recognize a young woman walking to the white-haired boy. The strange color of her hair, half blond, half green, made it as easy to spot her as it was for Frost.

''Hi Frost.'' She greeted him.

''Oh hey !'' He smiled back. ''So you came back ? How was your trip ?''

''It was nice, but It's a pity I have missed your first race.''

''Don't worry about it, there'll be others.''

She laughed seeing him as enthusiastic as always, then the got thoughtful. Her smile dropped and her voice lost her cheerfulness.

''I heard for Nuffink and you… Is it true ?''

''Yes.'' He beamed.

His eyes trailed to said viking, noticing he was looking at them too. Frost smirked and gave him a teasing look, before looking back at Selina when she spoke again.

''When you have some free time, I'd like to introduce you to someone.''

''Who ?''

''It would be too long to explain, right now. And I don't want to bother you with this tonight. Just… enjoy the party, we'll talk about this later, okay ?''

''Huh… Okay.''

She nodded, smiling, then left without saying anything else. Frost looked at her, puzzled. He couldn't say what was this expression on her face. Was it trouble ? Joy ? Worry ? A mixture of any and none of them ? That girl was really hard to read. Frost lost himself in his toughts and questions, to the extend he didn't notice Nuffink walking to him.

''What did she want ?'' The viking enquired.

Frost jumped, he swore his had a heart attack, it was beating that fast it could explose. His jolt made the viking laugh, and even forget about his previous question. Both ended up laughing at it, and the viking wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's waist, holding him close and kissing his snowy hair. They stayed like this for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence, until the viking asked in a low voice.

''Do you want to run away with me ?''

''I thought you'd never ask !''

Nuffink happened to forget how much they were thinking the same way. Granted both of them had been lonely for a long time, but that didn't meant they like this much attention either. Frost didn't hate it, but he really wasn't used to it and it was tiresome. When asking the question, the viking had worried he would cut short Frost's moment of glory, but he barely had the time to register his boyfriend had accepted that the merman dragged him out of the Meat Hall, hand in hand.

They left the hall running and laughing, and found their dragons outside. The Night Lights may were tired from the race, they didn't say no to an evening flight.