"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: So, another week has ended and update day has come again. I told you I update only on fridays, didn't I? Every week if I got the chapters ready (just so you know, I've been asked that a lot lately).

So this is chapter five, and I could give you some comments and details about it, but I guess I'll let you read and figure things out on your own. ^^

Read, enjoy, review! ! !

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Chapter 5: Oaths.

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Now, as beautiful as that moment was, it certainly led Hiccup to experience the biggest bewilderment of his life. He'd been kissed, he'd been kissed by another boy, who happened to be not just any boy but the mysterious and unpredictable Dean "Toothless" Night. And only to make things worse, he'd liked it.

He and Toothless didn't speak at all after they separated under the rain, they had just stared at each other completely puzzled and, in the end, Toothless ran away and disappeared in the increasing darkness, leaving behind a wide-eyed Hiccup with his thoughts just as messy as the rainy weather.

Hiccup wondered how long had he felt this way about Toothless, and if it meant that he was… orientated the other way. Or maybe it was just Toothless, because before that guy showed up at BHS Hiccup had always being focused on girls as he was meant to. Well, he'd had a crush on Astrid since elementary school, but even as they dated for those short months Hiccup never felt with her the electric rush that invaded him when he was with Toothless. All of his emotions seemed taken to the limit with him: with Astrid he'd be nervous, with Toothless he'd be extremely nervous; with Astrid he'd held hands, with Toothless he'd kissed.

With Astrid, Hiccup had no trouble getting used to the idea of being just good classmates when things didn't work out, but with Toothless he just couldn't take it anymore. Hiccup needed answers, and he wanted them now. He wanted to know why Toothless kissed him… and why he knew that particular song.

His heart was beating so hard and so fast within his chest that he was fearing it would come out of his body at any minute.

Eventually, he fell asleep, being awaken several hours later by his ringtone, announcing that Fishlegs was calling him with a bit of urgency (it was the third time it rang). Victimized by a headache, Hiccup crawled on the mattress till he reached the phone.

- Hello? – he muttered at the phone, his eyes still closed.

- Oh, Hiccup, Hiccup! I've waited so long to tell you this! You totally vanished yesterday, what happened to you?

- I… I… – Hiccup had to be grateful no one could see his blush right then.

- Well, you mind to tell me later? I totally have to tell you this! – since Fishlegs sounded so excited Hiccup did his best to pay attention and let his best friend speak -. Remember "Aura" Wilkins? The girl who asked me to dance? She's just the most amazing person I've ever met! We like the same things, she's also obsessed with "Skyrim" and "Dungeons & Dragons", and she says she's impressed by my absolute knowledge of all there is to be known about every dragon from every story and game ever invented.

- Well, that's your biggest bizarre talent – encouraged Hiccup -. Your head is like a dragon book… She likes dragons, right?

- I think she liked me Hiccup! I really think she did! Can you believe it? Me! We're going out today, she wants me to accompany her buying some trading cards – Fishlegs' voice was the happiest thing Hiccup had ever heard -. I can't believe this is happening to me! This is the best halloween of all times!

- At least you enjoyed yourself – smiled the brown-haired one -. I'm happy for you, buddy. Truly…

- Well, now I've told you the great news I'll let you sleep. You sound very tired still.

Thanking Fishlegs for being such a considerate friend, Hiccup hang the phone up and got back to sleep. His mind wasn't ready to work just yet.

- Wake up, Hiccup, no time t'sleep – Stoick's loud and rough voice interrupted drastically Hiccup's dragon-infested dreams.

- What's going on, dad? I went to the Ball as you wanted… Is sleep-depriving some sort of new punishment? – he moaned, half sleeping.

- Ya've slept 'nough already. Wake up! Ya comin' with me to tha train station.

- Station? – if only out of curiosity Hiccup fully awoke then.

- We're picking Starkard. He stayin' in Berk for a couple days.

Philip "Starkard" McGrade was a fellow boxer and friend of Stoick. They had grown up together as neighbors and studied at Berk's High School at the same time. They even met at the ring in many final matches for world championship titles. Starkard left Berk to move to the USA and open his own gym in Philadelphia, but apparently a complicated divorce motivated him to return to his roots. Or that's what Stoick explained to Hiccup as they drove towards the train station to wait for Starkard to finally arrive.

Hiccup barely registered any of the things that occurred during the journey to and from the station. He was sure Starkard had mentioned something about his slim and weak physic and his lack of proper height, but apart from that everything else was mere "blah, blah".

Surely one day Hiccup would meet someone who didn't care about his lack of both muscle and Haddock toughness. That if he hasn't already.

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- So, Starkard, ya' stayin' where? Back with tha fam'ly? – asked Stoick.

- Was actually planning to camp on your couch – joked Starkard. Stoick laughed a lot.

- Oh, man, ya're still tha same. Good joke, Starkard. So… stayin' where?

- Hotel Nordic – he announced -. Reserved a suite, you know?

- Suite? Soun's fancy an' expensive…

- Decided to spend as much as I can on myself before my wife tries to take it all away.

Hiccup had to spend the rest of the day listening to similar chatting, more bored than he'd ever felt in his short life-time. He had to accompany his father and Starkard to the gym, then to eat, then to do some visits to old friends. He didn't even understand why he was there, but after eavesdropping some of his father's conversations he deciphered that Stoick didn't want him to have the chance of escaping into the forests alone now that the weather had turned unpredictable again and storms were coming and going without warning. And despite the tension that had grown after being punished, Hiccup couldn't help but feel a lot of affection for his father, because, in his own strange and manly way, but he cared a lot about Hiccup's welfare. Stoick just wanted his son to be like him and have a plenty and successful life as he had: "I jus' want Hiccup t'be a champion" he'd said to Starkard.

That lifted Hiccup's spirits quite a bit. And to think the best of the day was yet to come.

- Hey, Hiccup, wanna come an' help Starkard install at Hotel Nordic? – Stoick invited.

Hiccup didn't realize why until several minutes later, but he said yes at once.

Only now that he was at the lobby sitting in a green sofa as he waited for a bellboy to arrive and pick Starkard's luggage Hiccup remembered who he should expect to encounter at Hotel Nordic.

- May I help you with your- - -? Oh… You gotta be kidding me – said a familiar voice in a very nervous tone.

Hiccup's body paralyzed as his cheeks involuntarily reddened. The bellboy standing right in front of him was Toothless.

- What are you doing here? – he questioned Hiccup, looking quite uneasy - Are you…? How did you find me?

- I… actually wasn't… looking for you… – a mental alarm rang in Hiccup's head: awkward, awkward, awkward! !

- Oh, right… – now it was turn for Toothless to blush as well - Listen… Hiccup… I'm working, I don't have time to… talk right now… – then he mumbled to himself - If I ever do today's certainly not the moment – Damn! This was so awkward.

- I'm not here to talk to you about what happened yesterday at the Halloween Ball – Hiccup considered necessary to add the obvious reference, perhaps that would push Toothless to make a bit of time for talking, but since he didn't seem like giving the awkwardness up, Hiccup decided to wait and simply do what he was meant to -. I'm waiting for a bellboy to help me take all these things upstairs to Starkard's suite.

- Hiccup, I…

- 'Bout time – interfered Stoick, walking into the lobby, glaring at the red-suited boy standing next to his son -. I know ya're busy with all tha halloween tourism but we've waited a lot.

- Indeed you have. I beg your pardon, sir. I'm taking your luggage immediately – said Toothless in the most polite way ever -. May I ask what room shall we accommodate you in?

- Whut room was it, Starkard? – Stoick shouted at his friend through the hall.

- 512, I think – he yelled in answer.

- Understood – nodded Toothless, and prepared to carry all the suitcases upstairs.

- Ya'll have t'double-journey, lad. That's lots o' heavy luggage – mentioned Stoick.

- I'll help him! – Hiccup exclaimed at once. About time it was for him to take control of this situation for good.

Toothless was so shocked to hear Hiccup's intentions that instead of bringing up a proper and educated excuse for a client not to do such thing he simply gazed at Hiccup, utterly upset and confused.

- Go 'head – agreed Stoick -. Ya'll save Starkard half tha tip – he joked.

- You don't have to do this. I can handle it perfectly myself – complained Toothless.

- These suitcases are really heavy – said Hiccup.

- I can handle them.

And only to prove how true his words were Toothless grabbed all of the suitcases and dragged them alone into the elevator. Hiccup sneaked in before the doors closed.

- I wasn't warned you were included with the luggage. What am I doing with you once at the suite? Put you into the closet? – Toothless was speaking in a very sarcastic way.

Hiccup blushed furiously.

- Not funny – he gritted.

- I wasn't… referring to anything in particular – great, now Toothless felt stupid and Hiccup was upset -. I'm not trying to be funny. I'm working – he excused.

The elevator dang and its door opened to the fifth floor. Toothless kept carrying Starkard's luggage through the corridor. Hiccup walked behind him, two or three steps away, determined to get his explanations no matter what.

- It's really heavy, you'll get hurt. Let me help you – this time Hiccup wasn't asking for permission, so he just grabbed one of the suitcases and started dragging. He couldn't pull it over two meters -. Odin, this really is the heaviest thing ever!

- Let the expert do the job – Toothless somehow found cute Hiccup's reaction, so his voice sounded a bit tender even.

Hiccup watched as Toothless effortlessly took care of the whole luggage by himself.

- You're really strong – the brown-haired boy was amazed.

- It's… part of the job, I guess.

- Then I guess Hotel Nordic only hires super-bellboys. Starkard put his weights in there. How, on Odin's name, can you move that on your own?

- Alright, I'm strong. That doesn't mean anything – there was a nervous and uncomfortable expression painted in Toothless' face.

- It means a lot to me – revealed Hiccup.

- What would it mean?

- There's more about you than you let others see.

Both boys stood amidst the hallway staring at each other for entire minutes. Toothless' breathing was heavy, but he didn't have the time to lose his nerve, even when Hiccup's words were such an evident indicative that he was learning too much in way too short time.

Maybe Toothless was imagining things, driven by his anxiety and fear. Maybe Hiccup had no idea and he was collapsing over mere coincidences.

So the bellboy broke the eye contact and headed towards room 512, opened with his master key-card and entered, hoping that by watching this, the other boy would understand that job was a valid excuse to postpone such conversations. Hiccup followed him inside the suite anyways.

At the beginning, the brown-haired boy contented himself with contemplation, his eyes following each and every movement of Toothless'. He liked the way Toothless moved, so elegant, agile and yet strong, like a cat. And though he couldn't see it, he heard the silver-dragon necklace clinging against the bellboy uniform's buttons. Hiccup wondered if Toothless ever removed that collar from his neck, and if not, why was it so important to him. Maybe it helped him remember something important, maybe it was an amulet that helped him feel protected. Why would dragons mean so much for Toothless?

And again, there he was, singing "Stick & stones" to himself as he distractedly made sure everything in the room was ready to receive the client.

Hiccup then realized about the similarities.

He realized about the coincidences.

He realized about everything.

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Toothless didn't seem aware of the thoughts invading Hiccup's mind, not until the smaller boy took a step forward and called him in loud voice.

- Why did you kiss me? – Hiccup demanded to know.

Toothless startled; then fixed his eyes at Hiccup's silhouette.

- How could I've kissed you when I didn't even go to the Ball? – he stated - A dragon kissed a viking, that barely has a thing to do with us.

- What?! – Hiccup feared his heart might just stop beating all of a sudden, and an incontrollable rage boiled inside of him - Are you just… denying everything? Pretend it never happened?

- It should've never happened in the first place! – Toothless yelled, clearly losing his cool nerve - Hiccup, you don't understand…

- I understand that you are the most selfish, ungrateful, silly- - -!

- Hey, hey, stop it. No need to insult me…

- I'm not stopping! – indeed Hiccup wasn't going to, there were too many emotions exploding inside of him for that to happen. After all the courage he had to gather to talk about this specific subject he wasn't just going to drop it - After all I did for you in the forest these past two weeks? I healed your injuries, I fed you! I kept you company, I kept your secret…!

- Wha-what are you talking about? – Toothless' face blenched.

- Stop pretending, Toothless – Hiccup's voice was now more even, but his anger could still be read in his eyes -. I know you are that dragon, the black Night Fury.

Toothless fell the world was coming to an end. His vision went blurry and his legs trembled; before he knew he had already fallen to his knees, pale as dead. "This is not happening" he thought, again and again, trying to sound convincing enough…

Alarmed and scared, Hiccup kneeled beside Toothless; desperately needing to make sure the black-haired guy was all right, his hand resting on the red-dressed tense shoulder.

- How did you discover it? – Toothless murmured, not daring to look into Hiccup's eyes just yet.

- Well, now is not so hard to figure out – Hiccup did his best for his voice to sound solacing and innocent -. You didn't go to school for the week I took care of the dragon, and out of the blue you know all the songs I sang to him… And… the kiss – at this point, Toothless' gaze met Hiccup's -. When you kissed me I felt the same… electric shiver that I felt when I first touched the Night Fury.

- Aren't you afraid?

- Why would I? – replied a surprised Hiccup.

- …I'm a beast… – Toothless whispered, his green eyes shining with a spark of caution and dread, the same look the wounded dragon had in the forest.

- You're many things, Toothless, but a monster is not one of them. I'm not afraid – Hiccup had never been sincerest in his whole life -. I'm just sad you didn't trust me. You knew I knew, right? That's why you thanked me yesterday.

- I knew you were keeping a secret about a dragon. I had no idea you knew that dragon was me – it was almost a miracle that Toothless didn't stutter saying that.

- I just figured it out, seriously – Hiccup smiled -. Your strength kinda helped. But don't worry, I'm not telling anyone, I swear…

Gulping to his discomfort, Toothless abruptly stood up and turned his back at Hiccup.

- Get out – he hissed.

- What?!

- You heard me: get away from me!

- What?! – Hiccup stood as well - You kissed me and now you want to push me away? ?

- Just forget about the kiss, forget about the dragon and don't talk to me again. Ok? You'll be better off – Toothless waved his hand as if shoving Hiccup; never touched him nonetheless.

- Don't you dare to think you know what's best for me…!

- Don't you get it? Hiccup, you have no idea what you're running into! – Toothless turned around and grabbed the boy by the shoulders, letting the desperation in his face be completely transparent to him now that their faces were only inches apart - Just forget this ever happened and leave me alone!

- I'm not going to! – as Hiccup screamed this he placed his hands firmly around Toothless' wrists, determined to hold him for as long as necessary.

Toothless loosened his grip on Hiccup's clothing, though didn't let him go.

- Oh, damn… You really like me.

- What? No, I don't – Hiccup's reply was too fast and high-pitched to have any credibility. One single hiccup escaped his mouth.

- You're crazy about me – Toothless finally realized, wide-eyed and his cheeks turning a slightly shade of pink -. Come on! I'm half an animal, I smelt your pheromones since the moment you stepped into the lobby. I can smell you now! – with those words Hiccup had no option but to blink clueless and blush mercilessly - And you know what the worst part is? – Toothless proceeded - That I like you as well… I've been thinking about you since the chemistry project, when you sent me that letter. In the forest I knew it was you for your scent, since before I opened my eyes. As soon as I could fly again I returned to school, but I'd hurry every day after class to make it to the clearing before you arrived and wait for you… The day you didn't find the black dragon in the woods I was in detention. Sorry 'bout that…

- So… you are… saying me that…

- I'm half dragon and I like you, Hiccup – Toothless had never been this direct in his life. He didn't comprehend why he'd decided to just blurt things out like that to Hiccup, but he was glad he did, though.

- How is that even possible? – Hiccup looked away, overwhelmed.

- Well… I was born like this, I can change my shape at will- - -

- No, I mean… – Hiccup had this lovely fragile expression dancing on his face. He'd never looked cuter in Toothless' eyes - How can anyone fall for someone like me?

- There's much more about you than you let others see – Toothless smiled -. And you let me see it, Hiccup. How could I not fall for you?

And then, softly and unbelievably tender, Toothless leaned in and pressed his lips against Hiccup's for the second time.

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Hiccup surrendered completely to Toothless' kiss, letting his mind drift in happiness and his body be warmly embraced…

- Is everything ready up here? – said Starkard as he walked through the door and into the suite.

Hiccup blinked, terrified: his father's best friend was standing right in front of him, and he had for sure witnessed the shows of affection he and the bellboy had shared. He turned over his heels praying that he could think of a smart enough excuse before his treacherous hiccups gave him away.

- What's wrong with you boy? – asked Starkard, puzzled - Saw a ghost?

Noticing that Starkard talked to him unaware of anything, Hiccup took a look around and saw Toothless standing at the farthest corner of the room, as if he'd never been close to him. When the black-haired bellboy winked at him, Hiccup understood that Toothless was not only strong but also very fast and had just saved him from the humiliation of his life.

The Haddock boy sighed, utterly relieved.

- Stoick's waiting for you at the lobby. You're leaving already.

- Oh, right. I'm going, then – Hiccup walked out of the room and headed to the elevator.

- Thanks, lad. Here's your tip – Starkard said to Toothless.

Closing his fist around the coins, Toothless left the suite and hurried after Hiccup.

Once alone in the elevator, they couldn't help but look at each other and burst out laughing after half a second.

- I thought he'd seen us – said Hiccup.

- He almost does. I didn't hear him till he was at the door – Toothless laughed harder.

- That was close.

- Indeed.

As they approached to the first floor their laughter extinguished. A shy and awkward feeling flooded the air surrounding them.

- Can I see you tomorrow? – Toothless inquired.

- I… I'd like that… – Hiccup smiled shyly.

- At the clearing? – he proposed.

- Uhm… Do you mind if is somewhere in the city? I don't think I can sneak to the forest in a while. You know, my father…

- Can I visit you?

Hiccup wished he could answer yes to that question, but he couldn't.

- Well, actually… my father…

- Oh, I get it. Don't worry – Toothless seemed a bit disillusioned, but he didn't insist knowing it could get Hiccup in trouble.

- I want to see you tomorrow! – Hiccup assured -. Only… not where my father can see us. He… he still tries to cope with the fact that I'll never be a fighter like him. Knowing this would certainly give him a heart attack. I'm still shocked myself…

- He doesn't have to know – Toothless grinned -. Would you like to see a movie? Take a walk down the main avenue?

- I'd love to. See you here at two o'clock?

- It's a date then – decreed Toothless with the most charming gesture ever.

The elevator arrived at the first floor and Hiccup headed to the lobby, waving his hand at Toothless to say goodbye.

Odin, he would have a lot to catch up with Fishlegs next monday.

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Another note: I'm so corny... I remember the day this chapter was born. I was grinning like an idiot while writing.

I should be glad week is over. This week has been... quite eventful... and awkward... I guess. I wish I could just get things off my head. Let's hope Toothcup love washes everything away. And if that doesn't work, BunnyFrost is trying to take over a bit, and the teaser for Sherlock Series 3! ! OMG! I just hope they don't kill my Johnlock!

And I guess I should kind of warn that there'll be an unhealthy amount of Toothcup love from this chapter on (just in case is not obvious already), and as that happens the plot will slowly develop until... Bam! Epicness and secrets and heroism unleashes! - - - Squiiirreeeeel! What did I tell you about teasers? Get a hold of your tongue, boy!

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Now, my personal Thanks to all the reviewers!

Ginebra216, Heather Dehmer, tmntlover123456789, Ethelred I. Echo,

Moon's Secret Dream, cynderthedragoness1, LesserWraith,

sakurasapprentice7, lovlee5656, Let my dragons roar, Atkiak,

Yuki Usagi-Nyan, ToshiroWolf, DragonDude23, PrincessOfTheNight01,

HBluesHeart, RCRC36, gome4, Guest.

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Atkiak, Yuki Usagi-Nyan, ToshiroWolf... really the best? Oh, gods... You make me feel so... honored and special... My eyes are glowing, I swear. Thanks so much!

HBluesHeart... I also wish we could watch it together. We have a year to plan it, you know? ;-P

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