"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: Damn, I had already written my A/Ns but my stupid internet didn't save them... Argh! Whatever. Did you already see we now have some attempt of a cover? You can check the larger version on my DA! (-yes!-)
I got a tiny announcement and a little warning (with its respective apology) to do. First, no, Hiccup didn't lose his leg... Ye- - Squirrel! ! ! -t. Ok, he'll never learn. Second, there is an excesive use of the word "fuck" and its derivatives; that's what happens when you re-watch Queer as folk at the same time you have to write two dialogues by some sporadic OC named Snaketongue. Sorry in advance if anyone feels offended or considers it unnecessary, but it was a lot of fun to me.
Now, off you go, enjoy your reading!
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Chapter 8: Avowal.
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Ruffnut and Astrid exchanged a concerned look: if there was such a mess in the hallways, something important was certain to be happening. If only they could go outside and find out what… Everybody felt just as curious, even the English Literature professor.
- Wait a moment, I'll be back soon – he said to the students -. Read Wilde's biography in the meantime.
As soon as the professor left the classroom, everyone abandoned their places and headed to the door and windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the world outside.
- There's an ambulance at the entrance – someone shouted.
- And can you see who's been picked up? – Astrid asked, but was brutally ignored.
- You worried 'bout your ex? – wondered Ruffnut - I thought you didn't like him anymore.
- I don't, but he's a nice person and nice people don't deserve to be sent to hospital by a beast like Green Death – she pronounced the name with such hate and disdain that Ruffnut felt scared; now she understood.
- Green Death did something to you today? That's why you were so freaked out with Snoutlout's flirt?
Astrid looked down, ashamed and angry in equal amounts.
- He… he tried to force me into… doing things… after practice.
- Tried to kiss you? – Ruffnut wanted to know.
It wouldn't be the first time Green Death took advantage of his total and absolute rule upon the school like that. Sometimes Astrid would let him get a kiss only to gain herself the immunity that allowed her to stand in defense of others once in a while. But the significant look she dedicated to Ruffnut made the twin realize this time Green Death's insinuation had gone much further than that. Ruffnut panicked.
- A-Astrid…! – she cried - You…
- Punched him in the face and ran away of course – she said, covering her face with both hands -. It was awful…
- I'll stick my racquet in his eye! I swear!
- Ruff! ! – came Tuffnut, running towards them from the hallway - Ruff! !
- What you want loser? Can't you see it's obviously not the moment? – she got indignant, pushing her brother away. Tuffnut insisted.
- It's the moment! Toothless Night just knocked Green Death out! – he announced.
- What? ?! – both girls yelled in unison.
- Toothless motha'fucka' Night kicked fuckin' Green Death's ass! ! – Snaketongue walked by shouting at the top of her lungs.
Everybody stared at the vulgar girl in awe, some judging her crazy and some approaching to question if she wasn't lying.
- Is what that town-crier says true? – Astrid was… well, she couldn't define how she felt. She was certainly relieved, but shocked too.
- Snaketongue's famous for speaking three "fucks" out of every five words, not for lyin' – reminded Tuffnut -. Toothless kicked Green Death's butt.
- Justice! – exclaimed Ruffnut, waving her hands on the air.
Astrid blinked, somewhat unconvinced.
- H-how? Why?
- 'Cause – interfered Snaketongue, shoving Tuffnut with the shoulder and meddling in the conversation - Green Death beat the crap out of Hiccup Haddock and Motha'fucka' Night went fuckin' furious- - - Which, by the fuck, was a bit fuckin' gay… Whatever the fuck. The principal, literal, had to pick Green Death's teeth from the fuckin' floor. If you speed the fuck up you can go watch the blood before they fuckin' clean. It was fuckin' awesome! !
- Is Hiccup alright? – Astrid tried to keep talking as if Snaketongue hadn't interfered (and as if she hadn't heard the "bit gay" part of the speech), which was hard because the vulgar girl could still be heard shouting throughout BHS.
- I think so. Toothless took him with Mrs. Cowell. Snotlout must be there already.
- Damn… Toothless Night's so gettin' expelled – mentioned Ruffnut, more to herself than to her comrades.
- Actually, he's not. The official version you gotta tell if asked is that Green Death fell downstairs when runnin' to class – clarified Tuffnut.
- And who made the principal believe that shit? – Ruffnut was skeptical.
- Me – Tuffnut smiled, pretty proud of himself.
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School was about to finish, and Hiccup was now trying to get some sleep, a bag of ice resting on his left ankle. He felt his whole body numbed, but he was truly glad for at least he was certain his body was still complete. He couldn't open his left eye (there was another bag of ice right there), and he failed to speak when he tried, for his lower lip pulsated with a wound and his mouth was too dry.
He looked around, keeping the ice on his face with his left hand, and recognized Mrs. Cowell's office and, sitting by his side, Toothless.
- Hiccup! – he exclaimed, totally relieved - You're awake…
Toothless wrapped the brown-haired boy's other hand with his own, caressing the back of his hand with his thumb.
- And about time you wake – interfered Mrs. Cowell, a solacing smile on her lips -. Glad to welcome you back into the world of consciousness, Mr. Haddock. I don't want to be rude but classes will be over soon and I have to go to the professors' lounge. We have quite a thing to discuss.
- Can we stay here? – asked Toothless.
- Until six, only if really necessary. Will you be the one taking him home? – she inquired to Toothless, nodding meaningfully towards Hiccup.
- Yes.
- Then make sure to tell his father that Mr. Haddock must go to the doctor. That ankle needs much more than a bag of ice. Maybe and orthopedic boot and a crutch. I'll talk to Gobber, he might want to give your father a warning.
- Thanks, Mrs. Cowell – said Hiccup.
- I'll go now – and she headed to the door, but before crossing she remembered something -. By the way, Mr. Night, if you insist you aren't hurt you might want to wash your hands… and clothes, thoroughly. Don't give wrong impressions.
Then Mrs. Cowell left.
- She knows I'm the one who sent Green Death to the hospital – Toothless muttered, somber.
- So does Gobber, but they won't hand you over – Hiccup assured. Studying his aching body carefully, he noticed a thing or two that would make a good change of topic -. Is this your jacket I'm wearing?
Toothless blushed seriously, the red color noticeable even on his tanned skin.
- Well… I… you…err…
- Thanks – muttered Hiccup -, thanks for everything you've done for me.
- Don't say that, it's my fault this happened to you – Toothless said, ashamed.
- You didn't hunt me down… or stuck me into that locker. You were the one to save me – remembered Hiccup, considering it absolutely necessary -. Green Death had done all those things to me before, never all of them at the same time, though…
- He won't do it ever again – promised Toothless through gritted teeth -. That's at least the one thing I did manage to do for you.
- Wanna do something else for me? – Hiccup bit his lip when asking, which made Toothless utterly curious -…My mouth's dry…
Understanding at once Toothless placed himself in a more comfortable position, with his head hovering above Hiccup's reddened face, and softly pressed his lips on Hiccup's, a slight taste of blood invading the kiss. Hiccup moaned when the wound burnt, but it was a price he was eager to pay for feeling Toothless this close. He wasn't sure why he needed to do so, but right now nothing would make him feel better than Toothless' tongue sliding on his lips and his hands running through his hair. If this was the reward, he could take it, anything there is to come…
- Ouch! – Hiccup exclaimed, abruptly breaking the kiss.
- What? Did I hurt you…?
- No… It was me. Silly me… I forgot my twisted ankle – he pouted.
Wanting to reach Toothless' mouth better, Hiccup had tried to incorporate by pushing himself upwards with his feet, which proved immediately to be a bad reflex.
- Damn… how am I explaining to my father I got a twisted ankle?
- Well, it wasn't your fault…
- Depends on the point of view – Hiccup pitied himself -. If I were the fighter my father has always wanted me to be, Green Death would've never been able to do this. And with this foot I won't be able to escape my father's scolding.
- It doesn't have to be like that – said Toothless, a strange expression curling his lips.
He kneeled and seized Hiccup's left foot in between his hands, removing the bag of ice (bag of water, more likely).
- What are you doing?
- It's a trick that works for me all the time, and since your wound is muscular I believe it'll work on you as well. Lucky us this isn't a broken bone.
Toothless placed a wet kiss on Hiccup's swollen ankle, sending an electric shiver up the boy's spine, the hair at the back of his head standing on end.
- T-toothless… what- - -?
- Shh – he whispered. Hiccup went silent right away.
Toothless positioned his hands strategically and started blowing on Hiccup's ankle, his breath unbelievably hot. Hiccup felt a burning sensation crawling up his leg and down his foot; it was painful at the beginning, itching his skin and shredding his muscles underneath. He was about to scream at Toothless, begging him to stop, but suddenly the pain vanished in a second and was replaced by the comfortable sensation of warm water dripping down.
What a surprise Hiccup felt when he realized his foot didn't hurt anymore and he could move it way better than before.
- What did you just do? – he questioned, intrigued as he moved his fingers casually.
- Dragon-breath – Toothless revealed, looking obviously proud of himself and quite self-satisfied -. Healing properties it has.
Hiccup stared intermittently and wide-eyed at both his foot and Toothless.
- It's so much better! I believe I can go home now…
- I'll go fetch your clothes, then.
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"Err… Nope. You ain't going anywhere. I'm taking my cousin to my uncle's house, not you" that's what Snotlout said when he intercepted Hiccup and Toothless meters away of the main entrance before they left BHS. After some seconds (or minutes) of blankness because Toothless didn't seem surprised at all to hear that he and Hiccup were related, he insisted in taking care of his cousin and separating him from the black-haired boy. Actually, Snotlout was pretty obvious in his actions: he knew about Hiccup and Toothless and was clearly uncomfortable with watching them together and almost hugging (Hiccup's arm was over Toothless' shoulder and Toothless' hand was around Hiccup's waist for better support when walking).
So Toothless and Hiccup said goodbye, discretely promised they'd call each other later, and followed different paths.
The road to Stoick's gym was the most awkward and quiet thirty minutes that Hiccup and Snotlout had ever spent together.
Snotlout tried to start a decent conversation during the ride time, but he failed miserably and only made Hiccup uncomfortable and freaked himself out even more. In the end they didn't manage to exchange more than five consecutive words, and their short phrases always ended in questions.
Finally, Snotlout parked his car outside his uncle's gym.
It was raining now, much to Hiccup's discomfort; it was way harder to walk with a limping leg on the mud. At least Snotlout carried an umbrella and was smart enough to lend it to Hiccup so he could use it as a cane. He entered the gym soaked from head to toes, but at least his ankle was still in the wonderful conditions Toothless left it.
Stoick realized in the very second he crossed the door that Hiccup was there, after all, his son visiting the gym was as rare as a helicopter landing amidst main avenue. Actually, the whole place went silent due to Hiccup's presence.
- Coach… isn't that your son? – asked some of the boys in training.
- Yeah, he's…
Stoick removed the boxing gloves from his hands and walked towards his son and nephew. What wasn't his surprise at the sight of Hiccup's hideous wounds and bruises.
- Hiccup! Whut happen'd t'ya? – he exclaimed and received no answer, so he had to turn to the other boy - Why's ma son like this Snotlout?
- Well, uncle, it's kind of a long story…
- I fell downstairs – interrupted Hiccup at once.
- Ya whut? ?
Both Stoick and Snotlout stared perplex at Hiccup.
- Actually, Hiccup was bea- - -
- I was running to class and I fell, happens all the time – Hiccup said all sped up, drawing a hypocrite smile on his face.
- Coach Haddock! What was the combination you wanted me to practice? – called someone.
- No' now, boy, can't ya see I'm busy? – he shouted without moving his eyes from Hiccup's black eye and parted lip - How ya fell?
- I actually ran into another classmate and we both fell – Hiccup faked a laugh, as if it were the silliest anecdote in life.
Snotlout's face went plain, why was Hiccup complicating things so much when it was sooo simple to tell the truth?
- Yeah, right – he mocked, sarcastic beyond imagination -, and Green Death fell all the way down while you only fell halfway, right? And that's why he ended in the hospital and you didn't. What comes next? Toothless pushed you both downstairs?
- Coach! Was it jab-jab-cross-jab-hook-upper-upper?
- No' now! – Stoick yelled, frustrated - Whut ya mean Snotlout?
- As a matter of fact, Snotlout doesn't know what happened because he wasn't there – Hiccup gritted his teeth and was practically speaking without moving his lips from a fake smile position, but Snotlout obviously didn't get the message.
- Or was it jab-jab-cross-hook-hook-upper-upper?
- I don't need to be there for something the whole school heard 'bout – replied Snotlout, oblivious and offended -. Besides, I knew firsthand that Green Death was going to bea- - - OUCH! !
That was it: Hiccup had to hammer his elbow against Snotlout's ribs with all of his strength to keep him from talking. Didn't his cousin know when to shut up?
Fortunately Stoick had been distracted and didn't notice.
- Fo' Thor's sake! Jus' do any combination! Ya've been here long 'nough t'do tha'!
- Ok. Jab-jab-cross-hook-upper.
- Whut was it again Snotlout? – Stoick asked again after a stress-releasing sigh.
- Nothing. Hiccup fell downstairs – he said with rough voice, for Hiccup's hit had been perfectly aimed to leave him breathless.
- I rested the whole day… in the nursery. I'm fine, but I was recommended deeper medical attention for my ankle – continued Hiccup.
- Looks swell'd up.
- It is – yet Hiccup tried to modulate his voice to make is sound much less grave than it really was. He wasn't really that bad after Toothless' touch and breath.
- A'right, let's go. Up t'ma car, ya both.
Hiccup couldn't dissimulate the astounded expression that lit up his face when hearing how his father was ready to leave training aside to take care of him. He hadn't received that kind of preoccupation from Stoick about him in quite a while.
Hiccup's ankle required indeed bandage and a crutch for ten days to two weeks, but he was very happy the orthopedic boot wasn't necessary. The doctor was very optimistic because the swelling was giving in quickly and the foot could move just fine. Hiccup was absolutely sure that it was Toothless and his strange healing method the only one to be grateful to. Two hours later he was back home, enjoying some hot chicken soup and telly for a change, while his father tried to clean the best for Hiccup's easier transportation through the house. Stoick even checked the stairs to make sure they weren't too deadly and the banister was firmly attached to the wall; they didn't need any more accidents.
- I gotta go back t'tha gym – Stoick said after everything was ready -. Anythin' else ya need son?
- No. Thanks, dad, I'm fine – said a smiley Hiccup.
- A'right. Got ya' crutch? Fine. I'll be back asap.
- See you, dad – he bid farewell.
Stoick left the house and Hiccup pulled out his cell phone to call Toothless. It rang once and then that gorgeous tenor voice answered.
- Hiccup! I've been waiting for you to call. How's your ankle?
- It's fine, actually. Two weeks of bandage and crutch, nothing worse. All thanks to you – he whispered in fond voice.
Even through the phone Hiccup could so tell that Toothless was smiling.
- I'm glad to hear that. Work will be much less stressful now that I know you're better.
- Yeah, I had to lie to my father about my wound, though, but it's okay. Remember how Gobber was supposed to give my father the warning? Well, he did, but as it is to be expected from Gobber, it was too late. He called once we were at the hospital! It was so hilarious!
- And what did you tell your father?
- I told him I feel downstairs – Hiccup chuckled -. And luckily, Gobber supported my version of the story. You know, since it is the official excuse for bruises and broken glasses at school…
- Did he believe you?
- With Gobber's backup and Snotlout's blessed silence, he eventually did.
- Good news, then – Toothless' voice gave away his smile.
- Yes, let's thank the "assassin stairs". I feel bad for lying to him, though. He seemed so… worried. Truly worried, not disappointed as I expected him to, even when it wasn't as bad as we all suspected at the beginning… When I was in that locker I thought my ankle was broken. It hurt terribly.
- Hiccup, never mention that again. It will never happen again, you hear me? Green Death is never going to hurt you again.
- Thanks, Toothless… You know, now you mention it, when at the hospital Snotlout figured out that Green Death was in surgery – Hiccup recalled, his mind rambling.
- S-surgery? ? – Toothless' voice faltered - W-was it that bad?
- Splinters of his broken ribs in his lungs or something. Snotlout did ask for details but even if the doctors had shared them with him I'm sure he wouldn't remember the half of them – Hiccup laughed sheepishly, much more relaxed than Toothless -. I'm actually glad it wasn't me… It could've been me… if not for you…
But this time Toothless didn't answer, he remained silent an entire minute, only his uneasy breathing audible through the phone.
- Toothless? – Hiccup had a terrible apprehensive feeling - Are you alright?
Another minute of silence, and all of a sudden Toothless gulped and said in a grave tone:
- Hiccup, this can't wait any longer. We have to talk. You need to know. I'm afraid there's no going back now. It's for the best, Hiccup, keep that in mind. However we end, it's for your best.
- What are you talking about? – now he was really worried, anxious and afraid.
- I'll see you later. I have to go now.
- But, Toothless- - -! !
He hung the phone, and Hiccup was abandoned to the dreadful intermittent noise of the telephone line. What had just happened? Was Toothless planning to finish their relationship? Because that's what it sounded like.
Hiccup dropped the phone and covered his mouth with both hands…
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He couldn't sleep that night. All he did was resting his head on the pillow, but his eyes were open as an owl's, and his mind chaotic as a tornado. Add the analgesic medication and he could barely remember the times when his world didn't spin this fast.
Fortunately the storm had stopped for the night. Hiccup didn't need any more incentives to increase his depression. He was very emotionally sensitive with all this physical damage.
There was patter on his window. Maybe he was mistaken and rain still poured down from the black skies. The noise grew louder and faster: it wasn't patter, but clatter instead.
"Maybe is hailing and I'm so numbed I didn't notice?" Hiccup wondered, so he got up the bed and limped to his window to find out once and for all the cause of that noise.
He had to suppress a scream when he saw Toothless, crouching on his windowsill like a gigantic black cat. His bright green eyes shone in the dark like lanterns.
Dazed, Hiccup opened the window and made room for Toothless to pass in.
- What are you doing here? How the hell did you make it to my window?
Second floor, no vines or trees nearby to climb… it was a valid question. What did he do? Jump and land graceful and precisely on the windowsill without making any sort of noise? Was that another skill of his? What was going on?
But Toothless wasn't in a cooperative mood, so he simply ignored Hiccup to his doubts.
- Get a jacket – he said, bossy -. A thick and warm one, it's cold outside. And boots…
He spoke as if ordering, but Toothless was actually the one rummaging in the closet and picking the proper clothes. He even helped dumbfounded Hiccup put them on.
- Why won't you answer my questions? Toothless, is passed midnight- - -! ! Whaaa! !
Toothless lifted Hiccup effortlessly in that bridal style, and taken by surprise Hiccup had to wrap his arms around the black-dressed boy's neck to steady himself. He didn't understand, everything was so fast…
- Close your eyes – commanded Toothless, walking slowly to the window.
- Why?
- Hiccup – he said, solemn the most, whispering hypnotically into Hiccup's ear, practically touching it with his lips -, you have to trust me. Close your eyes. Keep them closed until I tell you. And hold tight.
Hiccup did as requested, and out of the blue he felt he'd been submerged in a surrealistic dream. He was floating, somehow, the wind whirling around his face, his feet suspended in the emptiness; he didn't dare open his eyes for fear of what he might find, so he simply held tighter to Toothless, and caught a glimpse of a wavy sensation, like flapping wings. Actually, now that he gave a thought, he could hear those wings.
And the next second he could smell the wet and penetrating scent of the forest, and for Toothless' movements he guessed they were back on safe solid land.
- You can see now.
Hiccup opened his olive-green eyes as Toothless put him down. They were, indeed, amidst the forest, he could guess the trees' silhouettes all around him.
- How did we get here? – he mumbled.
- I'm about to tell you. I'll confess everything to you, Hiccup. But you have to promise… you have to promise… – Toothless' voice died gradually.
- Promise what?
- Nothing. It's a promise you can't keep, anyways – he muttered, evidently filled with sorrow -. I'll light up a fire.
Hiccup heard Toothless blow aloud and a small fire appeared before his eyes. With the flickering light he could now recognize the place: it was the clearing where he had nursed the Black Dragon.
- Looks so familiar, doesn't it? Even in the dark – Toothless spoke. He stood good two meters away from Hiccup.
- Why have you brought me here?
- I'd been trying to avoid this moment, but you have to know the truth, know what you ran into since the day we first kissed. I'm a beast, Hiccup.
- I thought we had already talked about that… – Hiccup tried to resolve, but failed.
- No, truth is we haven't, Hiccup. And I can't believe how selfish and irresponsible I've been by keeping you by my side – there was so much hate in Toothless' words, hate against himself… -, I feel so guilty… You saw what I did to Green Death. I was out of control! I could have killed him!
- But you didn't – quickly interfered Hiccup.
- Because you stopped me. Had you not been there I would have ended with Green Death's life brutally – Toothless' jaw tightened -. I could barely think, I just reacted by instinct. They've no idea how right they are: I am a Night Fury.
- I know. I heard the men in the orange gabardines say- - -
- You have to know who I am, Hiccup. What I really am.
- I do. You told me you're half a dragon, I've seen you in your dragon form…
- It's different after you know it's me, after you've witnessed my wildest side…
Toothless sighed, resigned, his whole posture looking defeated.
- I guess words are useless and inaccurate now – he lamented -. I'll just show you. But watch carefully, Hiccup, this is all the argument I've got…
And this said Toothless kicked his shoes off and stepped back, almost getting out the circle of light of the bonfire. He sighed one more time, trying to serene and push himself to keep going. It was necessary, for Hiccup's welfare, even if it meant losing him.
And then, to Hiccup's stupor, huge black wings unfolded from Toothless' back, and his clothes ripped when a tail emerged at the height of his hips; his hands and feet covered in black scales and turned into claws, dragon ears peeped out his hair, intricate scale patterns drew on his face around his green eyes.
Toothless had, before Hiccup's thunderstruck eyes, transformed into a half dragon and half human hybrid.
Hiccup's heart stopped beating; he involuntarily walked backwards…
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Another note: Ok, I'm not writing this twice (-stupid internet! I curse you, telmex!-). I'll go straight to the Snaketongue issue. I'm not deleting or censoring her "fucks" because they're a lot of fun to me and I somehow wanted to make a reference to the new mexican way of speaking. Yeah, I'm not one of them, but most people use the whole "bad words and swearing dictionary" on a daily basis when speaking. And they got this vulgar way of calling each other "dude" that I hate... But, come on! We all got someone at our schools we'd like to wash their mouths with soap. It's a must.
And if you want me to update next week you can poke me on my DeviantArt. ^^ Link on my profile or you can search for me as Sinattea there as well.
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And thank you very much to all the reviewers, subscribers and those who fave! Really, I love you all, But you know reviewers get a special mention.
Let the dragons roar, LadyLombax, No No 22, darkoc3an,
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tmntlover123456789, NlightsofAlaska, BeautifulBayonetta,
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SweetTooth4Romance, Miku Hatsune0102, KAKEtheDEER,
Ancientathens, simoka, AlexJohnD, Loti-miko, Ipod12.
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