Chapter 4

Astrid

An artist. That was one she hadn't heard before. And not just an artist, but one that suddenly seemed to have grown a spine. When was it that Hiccup had become so… resilient. He had demanded, and his voice had been just that, demanding, that she go away, and leave him in peace. She was used to being revered and respected by everyone her own age. Even the adults gave her more heed than any of the other teenagers.

She knew of course that she was vain to think it but she knew that she was better than the other teenagers, and even a few adults besides. She put down the knife she had been using to skin the sheep that would be a meal for her and her parents. She called to her mother that the somewhat messy job was done and headed into the house to wash up.

As she rinsed the blood from her hands, she tried to stop thinking about Hiccup. Why was she so very concerned with his behavior? Of course that was a stupid question. She knew why. He was besting her in any fight with any dragon they happened to be facing together. It was like he had power over the reptiles. Not only that, but in the time it took that him to discover these abilities, he had become surly, and he now responded to belittlement with anger, like he never had before. And Astrid knew she was concerned about that. It was radically different from the normal, and anything that was abnormal without a good reason, was dangerous. She finished cleaning her hands and stepped through her door, intending on some dinner.

Hiccup's secret, and she was sure that he had one, would be revealed with time. And perhaps a little help from her observations. She wasn't going to let the little shrimp out of her sight when she saw him next.

XXX

Hiccup

Hiccup looked upwards and started. Night was falling, and he wasn't home. His father might be back. Gods it would be awful trying to explain being out in the woods at this hour to him. Sighing heavily Hiccup rose to his feet. Toothless raised his head and objected. The dragon had been feeling full, warm, and happy. And now Hiccup's sudden absence from his side had ruined it.

"I'm sorry bud, but if my dad's back and I don't get home soon, he just might tie me to a rafter or something." Toothless lifted himself from the ground, and stepped quickly to Hiccup's side, tilting one side of his back towards the ground, urging Hiccup to get on. "I can walk back by myself Toothless." Toothless snorted and looked at the very dark forest, and then back to Hiccup giving a questioning croon. His meaning was obvious to Hiccup; You think I'm going to let YOU go in THERE by yourself? Hiccup sighed again and leaped onto the dragon's back and positioned himself in the saddle. "When did you get so pushy you paternal reptile?" Toothless let out an amused hiss and leapt into the darkening sky.

XXX

Toothless

Sometimes his Hiccup was SO ridiculous. He could see how much the boy didn't want to return to the village. Every time he spoke of it a minute flare of pain appeared in the depths of those forest green eyes. Happiness had been a happy cloud surrounding him while Hiccup had lain at his side. Hiccup was always cold to his touch; he didn't like that. Every time Hiccup sat with him, he leaned and pressed against the small boy, in an effort to transmit every bit of his extra heat to his rider. Now he was in a foul mood. The wretched boy had thought he would be walking home by himself. HA!

As usual it felt infinitely better to be airborne. There were no vicious lupine creatures here intent on his Hiccup's death. Here they were free to let the peace of the night envelop them. They were invisible, invincible! Within a few minutes however, the lights of the village came into view, and Hiccup's shifting of his tail forced him to dive. He was careful to keep the small flaps that ran along the sides of his body closed, to prevent them from producing their usual high pitched scream, as they vibrated in the rushing wind. Their landing was even more graceful than last time. Hiccup managed to actually stay on his back! They were getting better no doubt about it.

Hiccup leaped from the saddle and turned to him. He shoved his nose right up against his human's torso, inhaling deeply and letting out a mournful croon. He couldn't stay with his Hiccup. He knew that.

"It's ok Toothless." Now the boy was trying to console him. "Before you know it, it will be morning, and I will be out there with you. I want you to take good care of yourself while I'm gone." He snorted. Only his Hiccup would be so compassionate that he was more concerned with the safety of a dragon, weighing far more than twice his own weight, that could breathe fire. "Hey I don't care what you say. I will be concerned about you so long as we live on an island of dragon slaying Vikings." And then he was gripped by an odd urge. An odd, and completely overpowering urge.

Without a second thought, he brought his head up until it was level with Hiccup's, and gave a tiny, light, and altogether loving, lick, to the sensitive spot just between his jaw, and his neck. He felt the boy shiver slightly, then Hiccup turned and strode toward his house sending a soft "Good night." winging back to the dragon. He stood there for a long while, at the edge of the forest. Then he turned and melded into the shadows of the night.

XXX

Hiccup

Elated. There was no other way to describe the sensation. He didn't know why but he felt as if he were still flying. The spot under his chin tingled, where it had come into such brief contact with Toothless' tongue. That had felt amazing. The house had no light of fire from the first floor, so he was almost sure that his father still was not home. Upon stepping into the house, he wished for a moment that someone was here. The place was so cold and dark. He found himself yearning for that spot, in the cove. A bed of ash, and a Night Fury enveloping him, in warmth and love. He touched the still tingling spot underneath his jaw.

Toothless had licked him often enough before, but this time, it had seemed far more… intimate. It had had feeling behind it. And he found himself craving that intimacy. He realized as he climbed the stairs to his room, that he would do anything to have Toothless here by his side. Right this instant. How very strange.

Hiccup shook his head. He was probably just a bit confused by the lateness of the hour. He'd try to sort out his feelings in the morning. And with that final thought, the young human collapsed into his bed.