"Modern myth".
How to train your dragon, Toothcup.
By: Sinattea.
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Disclaimer: Cressida Cowell owns the book series, Dreamworks owns the movie. I own nothing but this AU.
Note: Oh, gods! I am so happy with the response this story has received! All those reviews, and faves and subscribes... You're totally making my day/month/year! Thank you so much for reading and helping me get this story written. I hope I can pay it to you with good chapters.
So here comes the update! Enjoy!
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Chapter 4: Unmasked.
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Black scales shiny as an obsidian armor, black claws sharp as a sword, green eyes bright as emeralds on a black velvet mask, eyes whose look was impossible to escape, eyes that dig deep into your soul revealing the secrets of your heart…
- Hiccup… Are you listening? – called Fishlegs, mad at first and then utterly worried because his friend was beyond distracted in the last few days.
- What? Said something?
- Actually, I did. Really? Didn't you listen to anything I just said?
- What were you talking about? – asked Hiccup, thinking that hint might help him make something up and pretend he did listen to a thing or two.
- The Halloween Ball – said Fishlegs.
- Oh, yeah, your Skyrim disguise – Hiccup started to improvise, hoping that topic could start a conversation and erase the one he hadn't listened at.
- No, that's not what I was saying – frowned Fishlegs -. I was telling you how this year's "Halloween King and Queen Contest" was cancelled, and now we aren't forced to take a date to the party. Isn't that great? For the first time since eighth grade! We can arrive alone at a school party and no one will care!
- That's good news – agreed Hiccup, taking a pause from his dragon-invaded thoughts to focus a bit on his day-to-day life -. Why was the contest cancelled?
- Something to do with a cheerleader cheating to get more votes than Astrid.
They kept going on the subject for a minute or so, till the professor's shouting made Hiccup realize that he wasn't the only one missing important things those days.
- What outrage is this Mr. Night? – the professor was raging.
Dean "Toothless" Night had fallen asleep on his desk, and for the last fifteen minutes he'd been lost in dreamland till he finally started snoring slightly. He'd been like that for the past two days, since he returned after one whole week of absence. Fishlegs thought he might be sick, because he looked really tired and pale, and as he walked everyone could see he was weak. Toothless had been lucky that Green Death was too busy with the football practice for the big game before the Halloween Ball to notice.
Toothless woke up abruptly, looking rather confused and mumbling unintelligibly.
- School is no place for naps. If you can't sleep properly in your free time I suggest you reorganize your schedule. Detention, Mr. Night.
- I already got detention from Mrs. Adams – said Toothless. Half the classroom laughed at how he kept refusing to call that teacher "Miss".
- Fine – the professor seemed quite upset for having his golden chance stolen by the math teacher -, then I'll just load you with extra homework.
Toothless sighed in irritation, but did nothing else, he was too tired to even negotiate.
Scratching his numbed head, he looked around, and his green eyes met Hiccup's, who fixedly stared at him. That gesture seemed to scare all sleepiness away and Toothless rapidly avoided Hiccup's gaze and focused on that day's essay, evidently nervous.
Hiccup was a little bit surprised by the black-haired boy's reaction, yet he couldn't explain why. He just fell nervous as well.
- Halloween week is definitely not Toothless' week, don't you think? – said Fishlegs as they headed down to Gobber's classroom -. First he sickens like awfully, and now everything he does gets him punished.
- Professors are terribly inconsiderate when it comes to him. They don't stop to think he has a lot of things to do and his health hasn't been the best lately.
- What do you mean? Sounds like you have all the arguments to defend him.
- Well… maybe he has a job or something – Hiccup said, stuttering a little bit -. Maybe he indeed doesn't have the time to properly sleep.
- You know something I don't, that's obvious – pointed Fishlegs, but he didn't push the matter any further.
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Gobber's class was at least the less stressful one in the entire day. Toothless seemed excited enough about cutting and drilling before school was over that he didn't even fall asleep, he simply put on a pair of earmuffs and turned the electric drill on.
That led Hiccup to realize something that froze him on the spot. He sat on the table next to Toothless', and as the black-haired guy was distracted Hiccup could hear him sing in low voice. Hiccup got his hands covered in glue as he shocked by listening to Toothless sing.
He wasn't singing just any song, though. He was singing "Stick & stones", the song Hiccup liked the most because his mother used to sing it for him as a lullaby when he was a little child; and as far as Hiccup knew nobody else had ever heard that song apart from himself… and the Night Fury dragon he had hummed it to.
Hiccup's eyes automatically focused on the dark silhouette next to him. None of his thoughts made any sense, and confusion was the only thing Hiccup could be certain of…
- A'right, class's over. Put ev'ry tool away and see ya' tomorrow – announced Gobber.
That voice brought Hiccup back to reality and reminded him that he had to hurry for there was a black dragon waiting for him in the forest, and he didn't want to keep the magnificent beast waiting. Without even saying goodbye to Fishlegs, Hiccup left the classroom running, utterly surprising everyone who noticed his abnormal behavior.
Toothless was one of those who immediately noticed. "Damn!" he thought. Fast as he could, the guy removed the earmuffs and put them away, getting ready to imitate Hiccup's rapid escape. He also had a place to arrive to as soon as possible.
- Except ya, Mr. Night – Gobber stopped him -. Been told ya've misbehaved lately.
- I'm sorry, professor, I don't have time for being scolded right now. I must go right away – tried Toothless to excuse, urgency and nervousness in his voice.
- Ya'll have t'make tha time – unfortunately, that was one of those times when Gobber couldn't act as the cool teacher he was -. I'll escort ya t'detention.
- B-but… but… I really have to go…
- Such a shame, Mr. Night. But wherever you have to go, you won't be going today – interfered Ms. Adams with the most tenebrous smile ever -. I will make sure of that.
Toothless felt his heart sink down to his feet. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he hurried… This time he wouldn't be able to make it on time. His green eyes stared sadly at the door through which Hiccup had disappeared minutes ago. "I'm really sorry, Hiccup" he whispered. Then he was guided into the detention classroom, where he was locked the entire afternoon, forced to write lines on the blackboard and write essays about the importance of being disciplined.
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Hiccup dropped his bags in disbelief, watching the empty clearing, nothing but the footprints revealing a dragon had been there. He gulped, trying to swallow the knot that had settled in his throat. Where had the Night Fury gone? Hiccup searched for the black dragon everywhere, for three hours, but he found nothing, as if the dragon had been just a dream.
Hiccup didn't understand why the dragon was gone when he'd seem so comfortable in his company the last time. Besides, the dragon hadn't healed completely, and he was certainly not capable to fly yet, was he? Why had he escaped and how? Why…?
- Enough – Hiccup said to himself, upset and sad in equal amounts -. I can't be like this. The dragon was real, and dragons are wild. It was just a matter of time before he left to meet with his kin… I must… I must… forget him…
Unbelievably heartbroken, Hiccup picked his things up and left the woods. Knowing he would never find a good reason to return again.
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So Hiccup arrived home quite early that day, only to find his father waiting for him at the kitchen, with a murderous look and a plate of untouched roasted chicken before him. It was always a bad sign to see Stoick's plate untouched, now Hiccup knew he was in serious troubles.
- So – he said, as serious and severe as Hiccup had never seen him -, are ya goin' to try an' explain? Or do we skip straight t'tha part where I punish ya? Gobber call'd. Said ya've been leavin' school early these days. T'go where? Ya haven't com' home early these days.
Having one of your professors being best friends with your father definitely has more negative things than perks, Hiccup remembered. He'd been given away.
Hiccup stared at his father for a couple seconds trying to decipher what was the smartest way of acting in his situation. The bad thing about Stoick, is that no matter how intelligent Hiccup was he just hadn't learned how to read his father's mood. So he gave a try anyways, anything he said couldn't make things worse than what they already seem like going.
- I've been going to the forest. There's this… drawing I've been working on. You know landscapes are far more complicated than everything else.
Stoick didn't seem at all relieved by hearing Hiccup's "explanation".
- Whut am I goin' to do with ya, Hiccup? – Stoick's voice had never sounded so disappointed and grim - Is tha' really whut ya spend ya' time doin'?
- There's nothing wrong with my hobbies – muttered Hiccup.
- No, jus' with ya' priorities. I'd like ya to, jus' once, go out with som' friends like a normal guy, instead of isolatin' ya'self into tha woods. I know ya haven't talk'd to Snotlout since tha last time he visit'd.
The knot the dragon's disappearance had brought into Hiccup's throat tightened at the realization of how he was never to fulfill his father's expectations. And the worse was that Stoick knew it, and he didn't seem willing to have any more hopes on his son.
- I don't know if you're aware of it, dad, but Jonah and I move in very different social circles – mumbled Hiccup, painfully conscious of the truth in his words -. The chance will never come for us to talk in real life.
- How can ya say tha'? – Stoick demanded for an explanation, but Hiccup had no desire of getting into that topic.
- Are you going to punish me or what?
Stoick's face went sober.
- I am – he informed his son.
- Fine, I'll go to my room and stay there till I'm twenty one – Hiccup was already resigned to it.
- A'tually, I was thinkin' o' a differen' kind o' punishmen' – Stoick crossed his arms on his chest and stared down at his son. Hiccup gulped, knowing for certain there was nothing good coming out of it -. Were ya thikin' o' goin' to tha Halloween Ball?
- Nope.
Truth is that Hiccup had been looking forward to the Halloween Ball since the beginning of the school year, but now that he'd lost his dragon and his spirits were severely dampened he doubted he'd manage to make it out of his bedroom. Stoick seemed to think differently.
- Now ya are – the father said. Hiccup's heart stopped beating for a second.
- But dad- - -!
- Ya're goin' to tha' party. En' o' discussion.
Hiccup's ego had been wounded. Now that was a punishment for someone like him.
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There was nothing he could do to it, though. So on friday night Hiccup dressed himself up, readying for the Halloween Ball. He didn't assist to the traditional football match before the party, so he had some extra time to spare on his costume. Brown woolen pants, furry boots and a green shirt; the furry vest, the wooden shield and the helmet with horns providing the perfect viking look, just as planned.
Hiccup took a minute to watch his reflection carefully. There was something peculiar about the boy greeting him in the mirror, something about his eyes, his face… Hiccup could not recognize the geeky boy, what he saw instead was a true young viking getting ready to prove that he was worth his salt. That reminded him of a book he read a couple years ago, a story precisely about a young viking who found and trained a dragon… Well there he was, everything he had to do now was going to that ball and finding his dragon.
And so he did. Hiccup arrived at BHS with his face hiding beneath the shadow of his helmet, which allowed him to reach the gym without being recognized by Green Death and his gang of Viking bullies. At least that detail gave him this feeling that something real good would come out of this ball.
He located Fishlegs in his Skyrim outfit at once, and quickly went to sit by his side; his friend looked very excited to see him.
- I'm glad you did come after all. I was starting to fear you'd leave me here alone.
- Yeah, I'm late, refused my father's offer to bring me here – explained Hiccup.
- You went like that on the bus? – Fishlegs laughed - Didn't you pop anyone's eyes out with that helmet?
Hiccup tried to look offended but he couldn't help but laugh along Fishlegs. They spent the rest of their time eating the free food and taking pictures with their nerd and geek comrades, who were cosplaying as if a convention of some sort had place within the school gym.
Things worked out pretty well, actually. Fishlegs was even invited to dance by a math-genius girl from the third semester, who was totally in love with his dovahkiin looks.
- Is ok if I go with her? – Fishlegs had asked Hiccup, a bit of guilt printed in his face.
- Go, have fun. I'll be right here with the punch.
Fishlegs didn't have to be told twice, and he went to the dance floor with the girl.
Hiccup watched, trying to decide if he was a bit jealous or if he was just relieved to have some time of his own. He certainly was glad for his friend; Fishlegs was at least having a real good time, not like himself who was just pretending to enjoy the evening.
Just as he kept an eye on his friend he somehow managed to catch a glimpse of dark clothing and black messy hair. Was it Toothless at the gym's furthest corner? Had he even attended the party?
Moved by his curiosity, Hiccup crossed the gym trying to reach the dark figure.
He searched and searched, but couldn't find Toothless anywhere. "Maybe I just imagined the whole thing" he was beginning to suspect.
He couldn't find out if it was just his imagination, though, a more urgent issue required his immediate attention. Green Death was not far from there, and judging by his screaming and the strong smell of alcohol in his clothes he was drunk as part of the celebration for the recent victory in the halloween football match.
- What you looking at? – Green Death yelled at Hiccup as soon as he caught him staring.
- Nothing – Hiccup rapidly looked elsewhere and stepped back.
- I know you – said Green Death, a cruel smile spreading through his mouth -. You're that nerd from History class… When was the last time you visited my locker? How 'bout now?
In the very second those words left Green Death's mouth, Hiccup turned around and ran desperately. Lucky him the bully was way too drunk to walk two steps and keep his balance, so Green Death wasn't able of persecuting this viking. Still, Hiccup didn't come to a stop till he was completely out of breath; he hid under the football field's grand-stands.
He fell to his knees and breathed in and out, in and out, until his heart quit pounding like a crazy clock. Too much of a hope to believe his disguise would somehow hide the real Jay "Hiccup" Haddock for the world not to see.
- That was close – he gasped.
- Close indeed – answered another voice.
Hiccup could barely hold his screaming back, but fortunately he did remain quiet. Though maybe his mouth was shut, but his mind was shouting loud and louder. Before him stood, undoubtedly, Dean "Toothless" Night, wearing simple black leather jeans, black boots and a hooded leather jacket with tiny wings attached to its back. And he was wearing an eye mask, a simple black mask with a silky texture. He looked, by all means, as if he had decided to dress as a dragon that night.
- T-toothless – Hiccup stuttered -. What a surprise…
- Yeah, I know. I didn't even want to come, but had a free day at work and Mrs. Evans insisted so much. She even sewed my costume so I couldn't refuse.
- You're a dragon – assumed Hiccup.
- What? – Toothless paralyzed on the spot, what could be seen of his face turning twice as pale as usual since he got sick. Hiccup even noticed how the boy's hands clenched in fists and how he gulped before gritting his teeth.
- Your costume, I mean. You're a dragon, right?
Toothless blinked, quite shocked, and it took him a while to truly understand what the brown-haired guy was talking about.
- Yeah… right… I'm supposed to be a dragon. Mrs. Evans' idea – he shrugged, doing his best to dissimulate his former tension -. And I guess you are a viking…?
- Too tough for someone like me, isn't it? – smiled Hiccup.
- I think you look good – suddenly confessed Toothless.
- Really? – Hiccup blushed.
- I… I mean… I've seen worse costumes tonight…
- Oh, yeah… – Hiccup blushed even harder at the interpretation he'd given to his interlocutor's words - Worse like Green Death's?
Toothless laughed.
- Yeah. Coming to the Halloween Ball in his football uniform. Not a brilliant idea. Though his worst idea was bringing those beers, that actually allowed me to… well, play a little joke to him.
- What do you mean?
- Don't you wonder why he couldn't catch you at the gym? – Toothless smile turned incredibly mischievous - Let's just say somebody put something in his beer. The perfect plan. His fault for bringing alcohol to a school party.
- You did what? – Hiccup knew what Toothless had just said and done was wrong, then why did he want to laugh with him so badly for it?
- He deserves it – replied Toothless, dignified.
- Sure he does – coincided Hiccup.
There was a moment of silent, in which both guys examined at each other discretely. Hiccup couldn't help but thinking at how much the black clothes highlighted Toothless' emerald green eyes.
- Why are you here? – the brown-haired asked suddenly - The party's in there.
- I don't like parties – explained Toothless, his voice lowering just a bit -. Too much noise, too much flickering light, too much crowded people. Makes me dizzy, gets all of my senses confused.
- I don't like them either – added Hiccup before Toothless could realize he'd talked too much -, make me feel I don't belong there. But my father forced me to come. That's his new way of punishing me. And it's bloody working.
- Why would he punish you? I can't picture you doing anything wrong.
- I did a lot of non-permitted visits to the forest last week. He doesn't like it when I escape like that.
Again, Toothless' expression turned unbelievably serious, as if he were utterly worried about something. He took a step closer to Hiccup, to look right into his eyes before speaking.
- And exactly what were you doing in the forest? – questioned the taller, black-haired guy.
- I can't tell you.
- Oh, come on. You for sure can – invited Toothless, looking somewhat hypocrite with his enthusiasm. Yet Hiccup remained inflexible.
- I can't, really. It's a secret.
- You can trust me – insisted Toothless, anxious.
- It's not even my secret to tell, it's a friend's – excused Hiccup -. Sorry, my hands are tied and my mouth is shut. I can't tell you a word.
Toothless' anxiousness vanished in a second, being replaced by a really touched expression. He unconsciously moved closer to Hiccup.
- Will you really keep that secret? – he asked, using that tone of voice that denotes you already know the answer to your questions but can't wait to hear the other person pronounce it.
- I don't know what you're talking about… Oh, look! It's raining! – the brown-haired boy changed abruptly the topic.
Indeed, a storm had somehow sneaked upon their heads and unleashed its force from one second to the other. The grand-stands soon began dripping, and everything went cold.
- Let's get out of here – suggested Hiccup, wrapping himself with the fur vest -. I don't feel like getting sick right now. And you should definitely look after your own health, Toothless. You obviously aren't in your best shape.
- Well, I'm better now – he replied.
- Never mind, we still have to get sheltered.
As Hiccup ran towards the gym (it didn't frighten him to do so knowing that Toothless had already knocked Green Death out of business), Toothless reached him and roughly grabbed him by the arm to make him stay still.
Surprised, Hiccup looked around, only to have Toothless' left hand removing his helmet to be next placed on his cheek. Hiccup's face reddened beyond imagination, at this pace his hiccups would begin anytime just now. Toothless gazed right into his soul through his olive green eyes.
- What are you…?
- Thanks – interrupted Toothless, his mere look freezing Hiccup from head to toes -. Thanks, Hiccup – he repeated.
Then he (for Hiccup's confusion, illusion and surprise) placed a gentle kiss on Jay Haddock's lips.
Hiccup's mind stopped working, and before he even comprehended what he was doing, his hands were already resting on Toothless' chest in a gesture that invited him to do it again. So did Toothless, both boys closing their eyes and getting lost in the soft sensation of each other's lips.
It was a sweet and prolonged first kiss under the rain.
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Another note: Oh, look, the first kiss of my dreams...
Alright, now I believe this is some sort of record, because Toothcup remains as the Top OTP in this totally random realm that is my head. It's been two months and they still get me dreaming of them (though I admit Drarry sneaked in a bit last night). I'm writing a poem about the movie, I watched "Dragons: Riders of Berk", I'm trying to find a Toothcup meaning in every song I listen to ("Twin flames" - Epica OwO), I finished that drawing I told you about... And of course I'm updating here.
I'm a little bit worried though, because all this love can't get me yet through chapter 10... Words don't come easy...
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Anyways, I wanna give a huge Thank-you hug to all the reviewers for chapter 3!
SmokeyStorm, sakurasapprentice7, LesserWraith,
Ethelred I. Echo, No No 22, Ginebra216,
SweetTooth4Romance, HBluesHeart, Heather Dehmer.
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HBluesHeart... You're everywhere, I swear! Love you, girl, thanks for your support.
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