"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: Happy Day of the Dead everyone! ! !
¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Feliz Día de Muertos a todos ! ! ! !
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Chapter 14: Initiative.
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Their first flight, however, turned out to be an experience none of them would feel very proud of in the near or far future. The whole device Hiccup designed was a good idea, but still needed some important details improved. Toothless shook his wings five times and they fell into the pond, which made the black dragon go red with embarrassment and a bit of frustration, but Hiccup laughed and shouted excitedly because everything worked actually better than he expected (part of him feared the tailfin would shred apart in the first three seconds of trial).
- Don't be like that, Toothless, this is just attempt #1. Trial and error, bud, trial and error…
Those three words Toothless heard them so much the next few days he almost began to hate them. He didn't have Hiccup's patience, that was a fact, yet neither did he have the heart to spoil what evidently was the biggest fun Hiccup had had in years. He was just so proud of his invention that he didn't care about the slow perfection-process they were going through; every tiny success and the countless appalling fails he treasured all the same. Toothless, on the other hand, could only draw half a draconian smile every time they elevated four meters without any incidents.
It is important to mention that Toothless didn't return to school. He didn't feel ready to go back into society; his temper was still scalded and he didn't want to risk losing control and taking his fury against innocent people… again. His reactions against Hiccup, Mrs. Evans and even some random people on the streets kept Toothless' guilt-complex quite active lately.
Hiccup let the dragon do as he pleased, but he still had some final exams to excel at. Now that he and Toothless were in good terms again he could concentrate much better, which was a relief, but he still escaped the rest of his classes to go and practice more flying. He hasn't said it aloud, but he secretly wanted to dominate this riding issue before Toothless' birthday on upcoming december 21st.
Eventually, Toothless went human again, but the only things he talked about were the progress in their flying tests, some advices of when Hiccup should open the tailfin wide or medium length, and how he found it funny that the thick straps of the saddle happened to cover some convenient parts of his human anatomy (receiving for all answer a hard blush and some giggle and babbling about the odd and demure coincidence).
Luckily Toothless didn't ask about school, which was good, because Hiccup didn't want to be the one to tell him that he'd missed all of his final exams and consequently failed his fifth semester. Time would come to take care of the routine, later.
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- How much height was that? – asked Hiccup, finally stepping on the ground after two hours of "trial and error".
They landed (quite decently, for the first time) near the main road, because Hiccup had to go back to school to pick his report card, for it was the last day of school. The brown-haired boy looked away as Toothless went human and dressed himself with the clothes Hiccup had so kindly brought for him.
- Flying between the trees? Eight meters, average. Thirteen at our best moments – he replied, his numbed hands having some difficulties with the zipper of his pants.
- But we did fly above the treetops this time.
- Twenty, thirty meters, maybe more… – said the black-haired boy, unimpressed. He finally got fully clothed and tapped on Hiccup's shoulder to announce he was done.
- Toothless, that's great! We're really improving fast.
- But we're still too slow – he pouted -. If only you could forget that useless piece of paper…
- Hey! This "piece of paper" prevents us from crashing against the rocks… again.
There they go. Hiccup had drawn a guide of the various tail positions required to do certain movements, and he used it all the time when flying, and so far it had proven somewhat efficient. Toothless, however, considered it an unnecessary item that pretty much distracted Hiccup from the real sensation of flight. They'd had this discussion many a time in the only three days of existence of the guide, and none of them was willing to give in.
- Flying is about instinct, not knowledge – argued Toothless, not losing the faintly mocking smile adorning his face -. It's all in the practice, Hiccup.
- Practice and theory go hand by hand in the beginning. Flying comes natural to you, but we humans need some bases. Don't worry, when I get better I won't need it.
- Let's try flying without your guide, just once – he insisted.
- Once I've perfected the harness in the saddle… we'll see – Hiccup refused.
Toothless blinked for a second, confused.
- Are you saying "no"? To me?
Hiccup chuckled involuntarily.
- Odin, you're shocked for real. Is it really the first time? I've spoiled you too much.
- No, I was like that since before – Toothless played along.
They'd been making jokes about that the whole week, only to diminish the tension of a matter they knew was way too serious to ignore. It was true, in the months their relationship had lasted Hiccup had been too condescending and Toothless had allowed many details about him to still remain secret. But that was about to change, and Hiccup was the one to determine so. Some of his comments occasionally turned sarcastic (something so far Toothless hadn't seen in him, but recognized that it came to Hiccup naturally), and that's what made it clear for Toothless, in a very affectionate way nonetheless, that Hiccup had forgiven this quite easily, but it would be the last time and from now on things should move on to a next stage of trust.
Thinking of this they'd gone quiet for a while.
- Still, we're a great team – Toothless said out of the blue, bringing a shy smile to Hiccup's mouth that disappeared only seconds later.
- By the way, team, I don't think I can come this afternoon – he said as he removed his belt and harness, biting his lip in remorse -. I need to talk with my father… Are you upset?
- No. I guess that's the signal for me to start working things on my own… I have to go home as well. I have to… get back into the real world.
- Do you want me to stay? We could do this together- - -
- No – Toothless shook his head -. I have to do this alone… But… call you tomorrow?
Hiccup nodded, kissed him goodbye and walked away down the road until Toothless could no longer see him, even with his sharp dragon sight.
Carrying the bag containing the prosthetic tailfin (and all the other additions) that allowed him to fly once again, Toothless headed in his own direction.
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Meanwhile, back at Berk's High School:
- And… he's alive – said Ruffnut when she saw Hiccup pass by, his report card in hand -. Gimme the money, Tuff.
- What money? Didn't bet anythin' – refused Tuffnut.
- You did.
- Didn't.
- Did! – shouted the twin girl.
- Didn't! – the male twin shouted back.
- Guys, grow up – interfered Astrid, taking seat at their favorite table in the cafeteria -. Ruff, stop trying to make money out of everything, Tuffnut didn't bet this time – the female twin groaned indignantly, Astrid ignored her and drew a smile -. What was the bet about anyway?
- Nothing – said Ruffnut, then her attention turned to Snotlout, sitting by Astrid's side with a miserable expression on his face, which was extremely weird, considering he was at Astrid's side -. So how was it big guy? Bad as you expected?
- Worse – Snotlout hid his report card in his pockets -: failed half my subjects. I'm coursing fifth semester again.
Both Astrid and Ruffnut patted him on the back, solacing.
- Look at the bright side: you'll be quarterback again – suggested Tuffnut, then asked his sister -. We made it to sixth semester, right Ruff?
- Barely, Tuff, barely…
- Even they approved their finals! Now I'm seriously depressed – pouted Snotlout. Astrid couldn't hold back her compassionate laughter.
- Oh, cheer up. Next year will be better – then she decided to change the conversation topic and talk about happier matters. She clapped her hands enthusiastically -. So, where are you guys going for the holidays? I'll go skiing, with my parents. The chalet is awesome! – she grinned.
- Well, I'm staying as far from the snow as possible – revealed Snotlout, recovering his usual self-satisfied expression -. Ten days on a cruise: heated pool, southern weather. I'm spending Christmas and New Year on the paradise!
- And you? – Astrid asked the twins.
- We're goin' to Norway to visit the family. Which is great, grandpa always gives me the best presents. I'm his favorite one.
- No, I'm his favorite – Tuffnut differed at once.
- Oh, gods – complained Astrid, leaning back on her chair and exchanging an exasperated look with Snotlout that meant "Who punches them fisrt? Me or you?"
Snotlout gladly took the initiative.
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Hiccup didn't know it right then, but that conversation would actually have a meaningful effect in the way his holidays were about to develop.
Of course right now he had nothing to worry and everything to feel proud. Top of the class, again, and all his grades were excellent (well, except for PE which was simply good). And he was improving a lot in all this new dragon-riding stuff (who would have thought his dream job would ever come true?). And Toothless was safe, and welcoming him back into his life after a serious emotional breakdown.
And his father was pretending not to know he'd been escaping school the whole week, even though it was something the whole city had presumably heard about already. Stoick was actually behaving abnormally… fatherly.
He even closed the gym early and took Hiccup to dine at his favorite restaurant to celebrate the successful conclusion of another semester. Frankly, Hiccup was getting scared, maybe the aliens had abducted his father and either replaced him with a clone or brainwashed him.
He tapped his fingers against the table rhythmically as he looked at the waiters going from here to there, bearing an uncomfortable expression. He was really freaked out, his father was really out of character in the late days, and that could mean either fantastic or terrible news. "Well, you better figure out which ones" he thought.
- Wow – Hiccup began speaking awkwardly, catching his father's attention in that very instant -, we haven't come here since… well, since… Mom…
- Yeah… – Stoick unconsciously interrupted - So, how was school t'day?
- Great – the boy responded way too quickly -. It was great… You already saw my grades, they're great…
- Yeah… Gobber says ya're top o' tha class again…
Hiccup almost choked with his own spit. So that was it. How could Hiccup forget that crucial detail? Gobber was obviously keeping Stoick well informed of his son's whereabouts, just as he had since Hiccup entered high school. This was one of those times when Hiccup cursed both his luck and his father's social life. Gobber knew a handful of important things… most of them concerning to Hiccup being bullied on a daily basis and befriending someone with the apparent hostile personality of Toothless'. The Haddock boy wondered how much Gobber had decided to share.
And that's when Hiccup wished he and Toothless had kept their distances and chose to be together only in the utmost secrecy. What if Gobber had discovered that they were more than friends? Mrs. Cowell knew for sure, she was a sensible woman, and she was good friends with Gobber. Well, to be fair everyone was good friends with Gobber, that's why he always knew more than he should and he'd gotten his nickname many, many years ago.
With his mind in the middle of a brainstorm Hiccup went silent for entire minutes. When he finally came back to reality, ten possible excuses to justify his closeness with Toothless invented, Stoick looked at him through suspicious eyes and a skeptically raised eyebrow.
- Ya ain't usually this quiet. Anythin' ya wanna tell me? – he inquired.
Hiccup froze on his spot, wishing to some random god that something, anything happened right then. Some waiter spilling hot coffee on his face… or maybe an earthquake, (so he could disappear in a crevice), a power cut… anything! But no, it was a lovely peaceful day at Berk with anything worse than the regular bad weather. Nothing was going to save Hiccup from this father-and-son conversation.
Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea, to share some things with his dad. The abyss that separated them for years was slowly closing ever since Hiccup's twisted ankle. Maybe Stoick could actually provide some help, some guide. Maybe if Hiccup chose the correct words he might even understand that he and Toothless were bonded in a very strong and non-traditional way… Ok, maybe the last thing wouldn't happen, but the other options seemed rather convincing.
An idea had been tingling in Hiccup's mind since the night Toothless was knocked down. And, strange as it might be, Stoick was just the person he had to go to for that one.
- Well… actually there's… something I did want to ask you. I know is gonna sound weird, but…
- Whut is it? – Stoick invited, determined to keep Hiccup talking. He had this feeling that if he let the boy go silent again he wouldn't speak until the next day.
Hiccup breathed in and out nervously, he didn't know how to put this to words.
- Dad… I want you to teach me how to fight.
It was Stoick's turn to freeze on his spot. He blinked, shocked.
- Whut? ?
- I have to learn how to fight – Hiccup repeated, hardly believing those words had come out from his mouth. Stoick was having a harder time even.
- Ya wanna learn box? ?
- I was thinking of your kick-boxing classes, maybe a bit of wrestli- - -
- Who are ya an' whut've ya done to ma son? – Stoick slammed both hands against the table, causing the whole cutlery to clatter.
Hiccup laughed shamefacedly, scratching the back of his head. Well, at least he wasn't the only one with alien conspiracies in his head. Stoick stared fixedly at him, demanding an explanation, looking rather intimidating with his thick beard and broad shoulders. Hiccup waited until their table-neighbors quit gawking at them in terror to continue speaking.
- Dad, by now I'm sure that you know my ankle wasn't an accident – he sighed, defeated. "Time to confess, Hiccup" -. I didn't fall down any stairs.
Stoick crossed his arms and leaned back on the chair.
- Well, Gobber earn'd 'is nickname for reasons. He mention'd somethin' 'bout… a bully?
- I was beaten… by the quarterback. He used to do it every day – Hiccup added, casually -, different ways, though: sank my head in the toilet, stuck me into his locker… He did push me downstairs once or twice… He'd bullied me since kinder garden basically; in elementary school he used to take the money for my lunch.
- Why didn' ya tell us anythin'?
- Mom knew – Hiccup revealed -. I never told her, but she knew.
At the mention of his wife Stoick's face saddened noticeably, but he held on.
- An' why ya didn' tell me?
- Because I knew you'd feel disappointed that I couldn't fight back – he'd said it! Oh, gods, so many years of finding himself pulled down by that sad true and he'd finally gathered the guts to say it out loud! Telling his father what he thought filled Hiccup with a new and resolute flush of energy -. But I wanna do it now: I want to defend… myself.
- This has anythin' t'do with tha' frien' who isn't Fishlegs? – Stoick guessed, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
- What? ? – Hiccup's voice went high-pitched against his will. His father already knew about Toothless? Damn you, Gobber, damn you! ! ! !
- Tha quarterback's now a' tha hospital, right? Gobber said som'one stood for ya an' hit 'im.
- Well, yeah… he… did… – Stoick looked at Hiccup inquisitively, trying to push him to talk by the mere force of his stare. Hiccup surrendered -. We call him Toothless. He's a good… friend.
- Toothless? ? Soun's familiar… He's tha newcomer?
- Yeah, that's him…
- An' he got all this fightin' sttuf in ya head?
- No! – there, the high-pitch again, and a lousy hiccup every now and then (well, actually, the hiccups had delayed quite a while to get into the scene) - No, but… he recently had a problem with… Green Death's gang, the other bullies, you know, and I couldn't pay the favor back to him. They… they hurt him, and I wasn't able to help him. I have to learn how to defend myself, dad, so I can stand for my friends as well!
- Hiccup… I've been waitin' ma 'ntire life t'hear ya say tha' an' still… Ya sure this is whut ya want? – the boy nodded -. Well, great, then… but ya've t'know tha' it's gonna be hard, an' it'll hurt 89% o' tha times.
- With my statistics, I guess I can take it, dad. Being bullied hurts 100% of the times.
He tried to say it as if it wasn't anything serious, just another part of a geek's daily life. Truth is it wasn't. Even Stoick knew that.
- Hiccup, I'm sorry – he said all of a sudden.
- What for?
- No' bein' a good father – as Stoick pronounced this Hiccup's eyes widened in warm surprise.
- Well… I'm not exactly the son of your dreams- - -
- But ya're a good son. Ya're smart, a bit awkward, per'aps, but ya're a good frien'.
If right then disaster did occur, Hiccup wouldn't care less. Had he really heard those marvelous words coming from his father's mouth? Was it a dream?
- Thanks… – he muttered, sheepish but all heartedly - So, what are we eating? – he called in the best mood of the decade.
- A whole cow wouldn' be bad idea, I'm starvin'…
Stoick barked his potent laugh and Hiccup joined him with a giggle.
This would definitely qualify as one of the best moments in his life.
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It was weird, to say the least, the way Mrs. Evans behaved once Toothless returned to the tenement house. She was all smiles and kindness and… cupcakes. She didn't scold Toothless for running away, she didn't claim him for paying the rent late, she'd even phoned to Hotel Nordic and supported Toothless' sickness alibi so he could keep his job.
It was frankly strange. Almost as if she knew something was going to happen to Toothless and she wanted to make his last days as nice and easy as possible.
She even plotted to have Toothless accepting that she cooked for him and Hiccup that weekend. "Why don't you bring your friend here for lunch time Toothless?"
And now there they were, sitting in the common kitchen on sunday evening, while Mrs. Evans walked from here to there cooking and singing old-fashioned songs to herself.
- Is she feeling alright? I mean she's nice and everything, but this is too much for my taste – whispered Hiccup, lightheartedly.
- She's been acting weird since I came back – Toothless agreed.
- Guess she missed you too much – he giggled. Toothless looked at him with his eyebrows furrowed in an astounded and curious expression. He'd noticed something.
- Are you alright? Your voice doesn't sound the same: you're out of breath.
Hiccup blushed and cleared his throat in embarrassment.
- Well, that normally happens when you… exercise.
- Exercise? – Toothless was intrigued - What were you doing?
- Ahm… Kind of attended classes… at my dad's gym – he confessed.
- You what? ? Is that why your knees are shaking?
- Would you mind not using your dragon-scanner on me today? – Hiccup blushed harder - I thought it'd be a good idea to mend my relationship with him.
- So you're learning how to fight?
- Sort of…
Toothless couldn't explain why, but Hiccup's actions drew a wide smile on his face, and kept it there for the rest of the day, even as awkward as Mrs. Evans constant presence made it. Even so, their first official meal together was a very nice experience.
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Based on Hiccup's new agenda Toothless decided to do some changes once he returned to his job at Hotel Nordic. Hiccup would be training with his father every morning (oh, poor boy, every muscle in his body ached dreadfully the whole day after every practice), so he switched turns with a morning employee during the holidays to have every afternoon free to go flying with Hiccup.
They settled a new routine, and it was really nice to spend all that time together.
- Hey, Night, isn't that your friend? – asked one of the black-haired boy's workmates, pointing at Hiccup who waited patiently sitting in the lobby.
It was the first time since they established their new schedule that Hiccup went to pick him up at the hotel. Toothless had finished his turn and was now free to go, but it was too early to go flying.
He went up to Hiccup and was surprisingly tackled by a breath-taking hug.
- Happy birthday! ! – Hiccup exclaimed, wrapping him tighter with both arms.
- You remembered!
- Are you kidding? How could I possibly forget your nineteenth birthday? – he grabbed Toothless' hand and pulled him outside with an enthusiasm worthy of a little child.
Toothless, on the other hand, felt his mood taint with sadness and nostalgia.
- Well… no one has celebrated me in quite a long time…
- That's about to change. I got something special prepared for today – Hiccup stood on his tiptoes and brushed his lips against Toothless', completely careless of being seen for once -. Come on!
He stopped a taxi and hauled Toothless inside. They headed to the tenement house.
- Surprise! ! ! – everyone had shouted in the second Toothless crossed the door. The black-haired boy covered his face with both hands, feeling somewhat ashamed.
- Hiccup, tell me you didn't plan a surprise party…
- Well, it's not exactly a party, and it wasn't me. Mrs. Evans insisted so much… and I thought it was a good idea, so I called the guys in – he smiled.
Toothless looked at Mrs. Evans through the gap in his fingers, she bore a triumphant grin. So that's what she and Hiccup had discussed when washing the dishes.
- Happy birthday Toothless! – came Fishlegs, handing him a present.
Aura and the other four nerds that sat on their table (who weren't exactly friends yet very good companions) were there too, and even two of Toothless' comrades from HN.
Toothless couldn't help but thinking that all this was very unlike him. He didn't like crowds; he didn't like people for the gods' sake! He preferred privacy and secrecy and pretty much the way he and Hiccup had worked all this time along. But it was nice to know there were persons out there ready to employ their time doing something out of the ordinary for you; people that appreciated what you did even though they only let you know once or twice a year, which was still more than regular people did.
They sang for him and gave him presents and ate cake all together (a chocolate cake proudly baked by Mrs. Evans), and all of them were considerate enough to leave early so he could still celebrate in the private way he obviously liked.
As he and Hiccup watched everyone go, waving their hands goodbye and shouting the last congratulations of the day, Toothless felt, for the first time in a decade, home.
Once everyone was out of sight and they stood alone at the door Hiccup intertwined his fingers with Toothless' and dedicated a gentle smile to him.
- I know it was like a lot of people, but still… Did you have a good time?
- It's the biggest fun I've had in years. Who would've thought? I do have a social life – he joked. Hiccup chuckled along.
- Ok, there is more. Two things. Number one – he lifted one finger -: don't open my present until you're alone. Number two… – he let go of Toothless' hand, fished the (in) famous guide out of his pocket and ripped it before the dragon boy's eyes - Let's go flying.
Toothless' heartbeat fastened and a warm sensation lit his face up with a huge smile.
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Now that was the best flying session ever. Like ever for real.
Hiccup hesitated at the beginning, but as soon as they elevated beyond the treetops something changed inside of him. He knew what to do, he didn't have to think it through; he simply knew it. He could foretell every single movement of Toothless', the exact width and angle required for the tailfin; he felt every muscle tense and move beneath the black scales, almost as if his thoughts were connected with those of the dragon he was riding. Their hearts eventually started beating at the same rhythm, and Hiccup could feel the fresh wind curl around Toothless' wings as if they were his.
They flew and reached higher, passed the clouds, to a haven on the sky where the moon shone and the floor was made of clouds whose snow couldn't touch them.
They bonded deeper than imagination considered possible.
None of them had ever felt so alive…
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They descended back to earth flooded with an uncontrollable euphoria. Toothless went hybrid, kissed Hiccup passionately and thanked him for being a genius and making him fly again. Suddenly an intense and brand-new urgency settled in their minds and hearts at the same time, and with mere looks they determined the impulse was worth to be followed.
Hiccup climbed again on the Night Fury's back and they flew between the trees towards Berk. Luckily Toothless lived in a lonely neighborhood at the city's periphery; it wasn't hard for the dragon and his rider to reach the roof of the tenement house in the middle of the snow and the darkness.
They sneaked in Toothless' bedroom through the window (finding it quite convenient that he slept in the attic), though Hiccup slipped with the frost that the first snowstorm of the winter season left on the frame.
- Ouch – he complained, brining a smirk to the dragon boy's lips.
Hiccup looked around as Toothless helped him incorporate. The room was obviously small, but it felt warmth and comfy. Toothless only had one large shelf and a small wooden desk where his books and laptop rested respectively; postcards and pictures and maps of every place on Earth he wanted to visit were pinned on the door; he didn't have a closet, but a trunk to put his clothes away; and the mattress laid plain on the floor, no box. Everything was perfectly clean, though, and on the ceiling there was a drawing of the same dragon than hung from Toothless' neck.
How could a place so small and simple have such a magnetic and intriguing aura? Hiccup couldn't help but gape in fascination at every tiny detail of everything around him.
- I've never been to your room before.
- Welcome to my den – Toothless said, then sat on the mattress. He'd removed the prosthetic tail and saddle and put on some trousers as Hiccup got through the window, because even for a half dragon the weather was extremely cold.
Focusing his attention on the door and the different pictures Hiccup removed his harness and belt, unzipping his thick jacket afterwards. He watched the many postcards, all of them from the UK, and then the photographs and maps, reading the names of the places: Barcelona, Berlin, Vienna, St. Petersburg, even New Zealand.
- I've lived in many cities; most of them I didn't choose – explained Toothless -. One day I'll get to know all those places.
- Will you take me with you? – Hiccup asked, focusing his olive-green eyes on him.
- Come here.
Hiccup approached Toothless and let those strong arms wrap around his skinny waist, that dragon nose press against his abdomen, inhaling deeply. Hiccup closed his eyes, let his jacket slid down his arms and buried his hands in that silky, messy black hair.
The heat emanating from Toothless was unbelievably enticing, the way his hands moved up and down his back, sending shivers through his entire body. Filled with ecstasy Hiccup kneeled for his face to be at the height of Toothless', and brought their mouths together in a torrid kiss. That was the sign for Toothless to slither his hands beneath Hiccup's clothes and burn his skin with its contact, causing him to moan against his lips. He needed to feel Hiccup so badly that only a couple seconds later the green sweater and shirt were already forgotten on the floor. He moved his lips to Hiccup's neck, drawing a path of butterfly kisses on his jaw and down to his clavicle. Then Hiccup's hand slid down his chest and stopped on his hips, which was enough to drive Toothless totally crazy.
In one movement he had Hiccup lying on the bed beneath his burning body, his knee pressing suggestively against Hiccup's sensitive thighs (of course constant riding had an effect on one's body). Their gazes locked together for what felt like an eternity, silent promises being made and scandalous confessions exposed.
Hiccup shuddered against his will, unsure if it was out of excitement or… or panic. There was a gleam of doubt in his eyes; he'd never been this close with, well, with anyone, not even with himself, and though the warmth Toothless brought to him was extremely enjoyable there was something that felt out of place. The caresses on his body, the texture of Toothless' wet lips against his awakening skin… it was amazing, but… but Hiccup couldn't go any further. His body was sending a message to his brain, and his mind was actively rejecting it.
Toothless, however, didn't seem to notice. He was too aroused already, his body reacting according to its own instincts, taking over his heart and mind. For all that's pleasurable he just wanted Hiccup to take care of the increasing pressure in his crotch, and he thrust his hips against the other boy's in a sinful, animalistic way whereas his tongue drew patterns on Hiccup's shoulder and neck.
- To-Toothless… – Hiccup gasped, his mind entering in alert state as an intruder hand dug in the borders of his pants - Toothless! ! Stop! – he shoved the boy away, incorporating halfway.
Toothless retreated, puzzled the most and blinking repeatedly as if he'd just waken up from a trance. Hiccup sat on the edge of the bed and hugged himself, feeling miserable.
- I'm sorry – he said, not daring to meet Toothless' gaze -. I want to, but I can't.
- Did I…?
- I'm not ready – Hiccup explained.
Realization hit Toothless mercilessly in less than a second. He'd gone too fast, he'd been rude, he'd positively made Hiccup feel nervous and scared, and (worst of all) he'd been so selfish he could have even hurt him.
Cautiously he moved closer to Hiccup and embraced him in a pure, caring hug that truly meant "It's ok"; he could control himself now. It took a while for him to serene, but finally Hiccup hugged him back.
- I can be such an animal sometimes… – Toothless apologized, assuming full responsibility. It surprised him to hear Hiccup snigger lowly to that comment - Are you alright?
Hiccup nodded, his lips now curled in a tranquil smile.
- It's late, do you want me to take you home? – Toothless offered.
- I told my dad I'd sleep over with Fishlegs. Can I stay here… with you?
Hiccup asked with such innocence that Toothless couldn't restrain the need of placing a chaste kiss on his forehead to confirm that it would be safe. They cuddled as close as they could under the sheets, for Hiccup was very cold.
Absentmindedly, Toothless nuzzled the tip of his nose against Hiccup's earlobe in a draconian gesture to express love until the moment they both fell asleep.
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Another note: Don't hate me for this chapter. Seriously: don't. Hiccup wasn't ready, IT HAPPENS!
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You can assume by the lack of "notes" today that I'm not feeling alright, so if you were kind enough to cheer me up with written words I'd really appreciate it. If not... well, I took a double dose tonight (-Is that legal?- Squirrel wonders), so it shouldn't be that bad.
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Still, thanks a lot from my very soul to:
LadyLombax, AlexJohnD, Koro Usagi, Ilmazzobro,
AliceCullen3, Ancientathens, Elder The 1st, Loti-miko,
Horizonsatdawn, TheArctic78, AtkiakFF, Joan111.
You're all the best and you gotta know it people! ! Thanks a lot! !
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