Chapter 5
The night is young, part 2

They didn't walk for long before they reached Horrendous' tent, which was the long one Jack had spotted before. When they entered, the young boy was surprised to see the state of the tent. It was devided in two parts, but the first one was kind of empty. There was very few furniture. A pile of blankets and furs on the ground seemed to serve as bed, a lanthern poised next to it, lighting up the whole room. Some plates and wooden cutlery were placed on one of the two barrils by the corner, next to some wooden boxes, and on the other side was a large flagstone covered with dark stains in the shape of a circle.

Horrendous entered and aimed for the curtain separating the two rooms.

''I'll bring them one by one, take a seat. Huh… Jack, is it ?''

He gave him a questioning look, still the boy saw in his slight smile that he actually remembered perfectly his name. He didn't know why, but that made him smile. He nodded as confirmation, Horrendous smiled back and crossed the curtains, still it didn't stop him from talking through it.

''Your parents aren't hunters or poachers, right ?''

''No, why ?''

''Not a lot of people actually want to see dragons, even less from that close.''

He stopped for a moment and spoke in a lower, softer voice.

''Hey, bud.''

Jack smiled, suspecting the tamer to talk to one of his dragons. It warmed his heart to hear him talk to them like friends instead of pets.

''You must be brave.'' Horrendous said louder, continuing their previous conversation. ''Or unconscious. Usually people are scared of dragons.''

''Huh… Should I be ?'' The boy asked as he looked around the room.

There was no chair but the woodne boxes seemes comfortable enough. He decided to sit on one of them.

''No, no you shouldn't, really.'' Horendous assured. ''Actually, it's nice to meet someone interested in them instead of thinking there's just some blood-thirsty beats.''

Jack smiled for himself but that quickly faded as he noticed something on the box next to him. There was a tunic laying on it, beside a bucket of water and a stained piece of towel. The fabrics were covered in uncleaned dried blood. The boy stared at it, a knot forming in his guts as he tried to guess what had happened. He ended up gathering his courage to just ask.

''Huh… Horrendous ? Your tunic is blooded…''

He heard a faint noise coming from the other room, then the auburnet's head popped up between the curtains, casting a glance at the stained clothe.

''Huh… Did one of your dragons did this ?… By accident ?'' Jack added.

The young man smiled softly and Jack wondered if it was because of the way he had asked the question, or if it was because he had assumed it was an accident instead of an attack.

''No,'' the tamer explained. ''It's not my blood, actually. It's a 'gift' from proachers in the woods.''

''T-The woods ?''

Jack couldn't help but stutter. Granted there was a lot of trees and forests in this island, all around Burgess, but the largest one was the one surrounding his village. The idea of Horrendous coming across hunters from his village gave him unpleasant chills, not only because he knew how violent they could be, but also because he was afraid the dragon tamer could have heard things about him, about the pond curse.

''W-What happened ?''

''Dragons don't like staying indoor, they rather go by and wander in the woods. One of them got hurt by a trap. I intervened and tried to stop them. It's her blood on the tunic.''

''Is… Is she alright ?''

Horrendous smiled again, brighter this time.

''Oh yeah, she's all good now, right Stormfly ?''

Jack froze as he saw the curtains being pushed to let in a dragon. A really different one from the one he had seen during the show. Where the first one was red with black stripes, had a long, thin neck, four twisted horns and was leaning on his wings as if it was front legs, this one had different colours and looks. Standing on two large and powerful clawed hinder paws, a round head adorning a crown of horns, the snout looking more like a beek with oversized nostrils, a long tail covered with spikes. Blue scales were decorated with yellow dots on the wings. On the left paw was still visible the bandages, but it wasn't bothering the graceful creature.

The tall dragon turned his – or rather her if Jack got it right – head on the side, observing the boy as if her giant snout was obstructing her view. Then she shook her wings while producing a cackling sound.

''Wow…'' Was all Jack managed to say, and that made Horrendous chuckle. ''She's beautiful.''

''You… You really think so ?''

Horrendous looked amazed, but cautious about it, as if expecting Jack to just laugh at him and tell him he hadn't mean his previous words.

''I do ! She's so colorful and elegant, she looks like a noble.''

The tamer hesitated a bit, then he laughed while the dragon lifted a wing so she could scratch her armpit with her overgrown teeth. Strangely, even doing this was graceful for her. The auburnet approached her and ran his hand along the side of her neck, which she liked judging by how she closed her eyes and leaned on the touch. It was funny to see her act like this despite her imposing size.

''She's a Deadly Nadder. The one you met on the stage is a Monstruous Nightmare.''

''Those are different species, then. How many is there ?''

The growing excitement of Jack seemed to wake up Horrendous' own, because his smile grew bigger with the interest and his hands started to flail around while he spoke faster.

''There's a lot of them. But even if I'd like to have more with me, these companions take a lot of space and need attention.''

''How many do you have here ?''

''Six. Stormfly here, Hookfang, Meatlug, Barf and Belch, Sharpshot and Toothless.''

Jack couldn't help but chuckle.

''Those names are funny, but wait… you said six dragons, why seven names ?''

Horrendous's smile turned embarrassed, to the extend he scratched the back of his head.

''Barf and Belch are the same dragon, actually, but the twins made a joke by giving him two names. I guess it just stucked.''

''Why two names ?''

The tamer remained silent for a few seconds, pressing his lips as if holding back laughter.

''I'll show you.''

Jack nodded but was disappointed as the tamer brought back Stormfly to the other room. He came back soon after with another dragon, taller and nothing alike the Deadly Nadder. This one was a vibrant green adorning lots of red and yellowish spots, his body was larger but also flat, four short legs making him look shorter with two long and slim tails, and two long and slim necks. Yes, two, because that dragon had two tails, and two heads. Each head was roundish, with two straight horns along with a curved one on the snout.

''I present you the Hiddeous Zippleback, Barf and Belch.'' Horrendous said proudly.

Jack could have burst in laughter realising the dragon had a name for each head, but he was way too amazed and impressed for that. All he could do was staring, slack-jawed, eyes sparkling, as Horrendous kept on showing him his dragons one by one. The next one was Meatlug, a Gronckle. She was shorter but massive. Her skin seemed to be rough as rock, her leaden body was adorned with rounded spikes and a thick tail that visibly served as a mace. Her wings seemed tiny, conversely to her mouth full of sharpened teeth popping out. The detail Jack liked the most about this dragon was her two tiny ears in the shape of wings, and the fact she was nothing but an overgrown ball of affection under her frightening appearance.

After this, Jack met again Hookfang, who seemed happy to see him judging by how he nudged him in the head. Horrendous explained it was affectionate. Then came a small dragon Jack found cute. He wasn't bigger than an adult cat and fitted in Horrendous' arms. His scales were a mixture of green and brown, and he seemed like a troublemaker. His name was Sharpshot and he was from the Terrible Terror specie. Horrendous warned Jack that, despite his small size, this dragon was still dreadful if he wanted to.

However, when the last dragon's turn came, Horrendous proved to be reluctant to show him. Jack sensed it and decided to not push the tamer, instead he tried to ask gently.

''Can I see him too ?''

''Huh… I'm not sure it's a good idea.''

''Why ?''

''You see… Toothless is a special case. He's a Night Fury. These dragons are known as the unholy offspring of lightning and death, the most dangerous and deadly of dragons.''

He seemed to be saying this like he was expecting Jack to freak out and flee, but it was the last thing the boy could think of.

''I'm sure he is really nice, especially if he's your friend.''

Once more, his answer amazed Horrendous. The auburnet smiled, but this smile faded as he tightened his arms around the Terrible Terror still settled there.

''Yes, he's my friend. My best friend, actually. He is really important to me.''

He was still reluctant, and Jack understood it. It was clear that dragons were important for Horrendous, that those he had in this tent were like family for him, and that Toothless was the closest to him. Jack understood his reluctance, but he also felt he didn't have to do much to convince him.

''I would be honoured to meet him.''

Horrendous looked back at him, then this smile came back. Jack felt like melting everytime he was seeing this peculiar smile. It suited Horrendous, and was highlighting the kindness in his eyes. It really was something unique Jack had never seen in anyone else before. Well, actually, maybe. It reminded him a bit of his mother's gentleness back when she still considered him as her son.

Feeling bad memories creeping back, he tried to push them back and focus on the present, focus on Horrendous' kindness which was really adressed to him. His mood dropped a bit as he reminded himself the auburnet was only kind to him because his hair was dyed, because he looked like a human. Jack had no doubts all of this would come to an end if the dragon tamer was to learn what he really was. But he didn't have to know. He didn't have to know tonight, and since they were not going to see each other again after this, it didn't matter. So Jack enjoyed the moment, as long as it was lasting.

Horrendous disappeared in the other room and Jack heard a few noises. He swore he heard a cackle from Stormfly, along with a hiss from Barf or Belch – or Barf and Belch ? – then a completely different sound vibrated. It sounded like some kind of clucking, quickly followed by Horrendous panicked voice :

''No, wait bud !''

Jack wondered what was going on before a dark mass popped out of the curtains and bounced in the middle of the room. The young boy started, making the box he was sitting on wooble. By the time he managed to catch his balance, Horrendous had joined them and wrapped his arms around the thick neck of the black dragon to hold him back. Jack looked up and gaped.

This dragon was shorter and thinner than the others, reaching Horrendous' height and, once more, looked nothing like the others. Four legs, two large wings, he also had fins on the hips as well as at the tip of his long tail. His head was large and flat, with appendices all around, including two longer that moved like ears. In all the ebony mass could be seen two big lime-green eyes with rounded pupils.

''Sorry about him,'' Horrendous apologized with a sheepish smile. ''He's usually joyful and excited, he didn't mean to scare you.''

''I'm not scared, I… I just got surprised, he appeared all of a sudden.''

''Yeah, he tends to do that.''

Toothless completely ignored his tamer's explanations as he was staring intently at Jack. He seemed curious, wiggling his snout like a bunny and trying to come closer despite Horrendous still holding his neck. The auburnet noticed his scaly friend's insistance and his green eyes looked back and forth between Toothless' curious eyes and Jack's amazed smile. The boy could read his dilemna on his whole face, until the auburnet spoke with hesitation.

''Huh… Do you… Do you want to pet him ?''

''Can I ?''

It took Jack by surprise, since this dragon was the most precious for Horrendous.

''Really ?''

''Looks like you intrigue him,'' the tamer smiled. ''He wants to get to know you.''

As if to confirm, the black dragon let out a vibrating sound that sounded friendly.

''I'd like to get to know him, too.'' The boy smiled.

''Alright, then do as I showed you on stage. No sudden move, present him your palm and show him your trust.''

Jack nodded and placed his palm toward the dragon, whose eyes widdened and sparkled. Much to the boy's surprise, the tamer released Toothless' neck and let him go closer by himself, without supervision.

''Is it really safe ?'' Jack asked. There was no fear at all in his voice, only surprise.

''It was safe on stage too,'' Horrendous chuckled. ''All my dragons are tamed, I wouldn't take the risk to act with a wild one. It was just to spice the show.''

Jack chuckled at that, then he focused back on Toothless who was slowly approaching his wiggling snout, sniffing the pale hand. The boy smiled even more and closed his eyes. He could feel the body heat from the dragon, coming closer to his cold hand, and soon a hot breath tickled his skin, just before a warm and slightly wet snout pressed against his hand. He cracked a broad smile and didn't wait to open his eyes. Toothless' were closed as he was producing a soft, vibrating noise that sounded like a purr. When lime-green eyes opened, Jack retreated his hand. The dragon stepped even closer and started to sniff his face and hair, which tickled him and made him laugh.

''Wow,'' Horrendous breathed. ''He likes you.''

''You think so ?''

Toothless stepped back and warbbled happily, so Jack tentatively stroked him. He cautiously put his hand on the Fury's brow and ran it slowly on the scales. The dragon closed his eyes and pressed his head against the cold hand, asking for more. Jack chuckled and obliged, starting to scratch the scales, much to the dragon's delight.

''He's incredible, Horrendous !''

The tamer didn't reply as he just stared at the two of them.

''You can call me Hiccup.''

Jack, despite keeping on scratching and petting Toothless, now under his chin, looked back to the auburnet and noticed he had this soft smile on his face again.

''Horrendous is my stage name. You can call me Hiccup.''

''Hiccup… Suits you better than Horrendous.''

The auburnet's smile grew even softer while his eyes filled with a mischievous spark Jack knew all too well, for he had had it in his own eyes back when they were brown, before they turned icy blue. Hiccup stroked his dragon's side, who rubbed his head against him while purring.

''There must be something special in you for the dragons to like you that much.''

''Huh… You think so ?''

Jack didn't know if it a good or bad thing, if Hiccup was talking about his personality or if the dragons were able to sense he was different. For the umpteeth time of the night, Jack felt the back of his head to make sure the dye was still in place. The slight roughness told him so. The auburnet didn't seem to notice his sudden uneasiness, or he took it as embarrassment, because he gave him a reassuring smile.

''It's a good thing. First Hookfang, then Toothless… Sharpshot seems to like you too.''

''Really ?''

Hiccup nodded towards the curtains. The Terrible Terror was there, half-hidden, staring at them with big sparkling yellow eyes. Once he saw he was spotted, he trotted, drawing a zigzag path to them. He stopped a few steps from them and tilted his head on the side, as if asking permission to come closer. Hiccup smiled at him and bent to pick him up, before he sat next to Jack.

The boy blushed as he felt Hiccup's knee brush his tight, but he forced himself to remain calm and looked at the small dragon staring at him.

''Do you want to hold him ?'' Horrendous asked.

''C-Can I ?''

''Of course. Actually, I think he's asking for it.''

He held him out to Jack, who reached for the dragon even if he wasn't sure how to hold him. He found himself carrying him by the armpit and tensed, which amused Hiccup. The dragon seemed to find this funny too judging by how he hung his tongue and shook his pointy tail. After a long hesitation, Jack tentatively put him down on his lap, then carefully let go of him. The dragon didn't wait and stood on his hinder legs to put the front ones on the boy's chest, sticking out his tongue like a snake and sniffing him joyfully. Jack chuckled but remained tensed all the same.

''Relax, he's just sniffing you. Dragons have a memory based on smells. Once they got yours, they will rememrber it their whole life. Judging by your behaviour with them, they will associate your smeel to danger or safety. Don't worry, he knows you're not a threat for him, he won't harm you.''

''I don't doubt that, I just… I lost the habit.''

''Of pets ?''

''… Of touch.''

Silence loomed as Jack tentatively petted the small dragon's back. His scales were not soft, but they were smooth and warm, if was pleasant compared to his cold skin. While he was slowly getting lost in his thoughts, he could feel Hiccup's eyes burn on him. After a moment, he gave him a questioning look, and got surprised by the expression on the freckled face. There was a part of confusion, but mostly this kindness and… empathy ? And what was this shine in his eyes, like some kind of determination ?

The feeling of connexion he had perceived on stage came back to life as he dove into this intense forest green. The more he was staring, the more Hiccup's face seemed to be close, as if his vision was tunneling on the tamer, as if their faces were inching closer. But what it really just 'as if' ? He was certain not to move, so was it Hiccup closing the distance ? It was proven right to him as he started to fell the young man's breath brush on his face, and that made him a bit dazed.

A part of his mind tried to wake him up and back, but he didn't want to. He wanted to stay there, basking into the warmth of these three bodies around him, especially the one coming from Hiccup. This aura seemed to fill him and chase away the cold living within him and haunting him since the accident. While Hiccup's eyes started to flutter shut, Jack closed his too, and the breath on his face grew closer, more intense, stealing his own breath away and sending his heart into pounding loops.

''Hiccup !'' A voice shouted from outside.