"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: I'm back! I'm baaaack! ! Believe me I missed this much more than you did. Sorry that I had to vanish for so long, it's a long story that I'll explain in my final note because I don't want to make you wait any more.
Warning: Snaketongue speaks, the word b*tch is shamelessly used, but just once. Sorry if this is the shortest chapter of all and the one with the less original title... but hey, I'M BACK!
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Chapter 22: Gossip.
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As soon as Snaketongue's voice boomed with her famous "No fuckin' freakin' way", the cafeteria perfectly fit into the definition of "cataclysm".
- And that's how you unleash hell in Berk's High School… – declared Astrid -. I can't believe Hiccup did it.
- About time, honestly – opinioned Fishlegs -. They've been together for, what? Five months?
- I can finally harvest all my bets! – exclaimed Ruffnut, triumphant - Woo-hoo! ! I'm rich baby! Rich! !
- Wait! – interfered Tuffnut, puzzled, pointing at his friends alternatively - Why you ain't surprised?
Everybody silenced for a short moment, thinking of the simplest explanations they could give for clueless Tuffnut. The male twin continued staring fixedly at his friends, arching his eyebrows in a demanding gesture.
- I'm their best friend – said Fishlegs -. Of course I knew.
- I'm his cousin – replied Snotlout, shrugging dismissively.
Astrid and Ruffnut exchanged entertained looks.
- We knew – they said in unison.
- I knew – added Aura.
- Everybody knew? I'm hurt – Tuffnut played the drama queen - Ok… I'm sayin' I knew because I feel really left behind – he pouted, crossing his arms.
- Awwww! Poor belchin' worm! – Ruffnut smiled -. Always so slow! Com'ere!
- You insultin' me or comfortin' me?
- Both – Ruffnut hugged her twin as he pretended to be disgusted by her affection -. Which, by the way… Remember that christmas bet? When I told you Toothless so was in a relationship and you said "no way" and then we bet like a hundred bucks?
- What? – Tuffnut squealed in a so not-masculine voice.
- So you do remember – smirked the female twin.
- I don't…
- Yes you do!
- Don't! – Tuffnut shrieked - I'm slow, remember?
Nobody could help it, the gang laughed, and when Ruffnut hugged the twin that was going to make her rich even tighter, they all laughed harder.
- Look: love is in the air – mocked Astrid.
- Just in time for Valentine's. Isn't that cute? – spoke Aura, chuckling.
- Sort of – the blonde girl joked along.
But Snotlout, who nobody noticed wasn't laughing along, abruptly smashed his fist against the table, cutting everybody's fun.
There was a real troubled, angry look in his face.
- Can we focus on the real matter? You don't see what's gonna happen? The Vikings are killin' my cousin! Dagur's a total homophobe!
The others went silent for a second, feeling somewhat guilty that none of them had bothered thinking about that.
- Relax, Snot. Wouldn't worry if I were you – said Tuffnut -. I was there when Toothless knocked Green Death out.
- Yeah, as if Dagur will be able to come close to Hiccup. Toothless sent Green Death to the hospital protecting him – reminded Astrid.
- He'd send Dagur to the grave – totally agreed Ruffnut.
Everybody nodded and mumbled affirmative half-sentences trying to sound as reassuring as they could. But Snotlout wasn't convinced yet.
- And Toothless can beat the whole football team on his own? Don't think so.
- But you are the quarterback. You can handle the team, right? – pointed Astrid, convincing and flattering the most. Discretely caressing Snotlout's forearm.
Well, that was exactly what Snotlout needed. He blushed bright red to the ears.
- Well, guess I can – he mumbled.
- See? You got nothing to worry about, big guy.
- Just the gossip – inquired Aura, uncomfortable. She really disliked gossipers.
- Yeah, but no one's ever died 'cause of gossip – said Ruffnut.
- Well… – Aura squeaked, obviously remembering a very bad moment from a very good book.
The twins had learned to recognize that high-pitched voice all too well.
- Stop! No more spoilers! You didn't spoil me this Hiccup-Toothless issue, don't dare spoiling whatever it is you're plannin' to say – begged Tuffnut, bringing everyone back into the laughing mood.
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The tricky part is that when Aura mentioned gossipers she did so with total absolute knowledge of what she was talking about. Words could be way more lethal than actions, even worse than the violent ones. Who would know better than her and Fishlegs, the outcast nerds of the school? They've been victims of words their entire life.
- Eew, I really hope somebody gets those twisted freaks in place. I mean, they're like… Eew, just eew… – said a random girl in a nearby table, being immediately seconded by both her male and female peers who started a very insulting conversation that revolved around Hiccup and Toothless.
Fishlegs was the one to overhear them first, feeling offended the most that those students were talking about his best friends. He wished he had the guts to stand up to them and tell them to shut up. Well, for his friends, he might give it a try.
- What is it Fishlegs? – Ruffnut wondered, noticing the angry look he dedicated to the neighbor table. She paid as much attention as she could and when she got what the others were talking about, she nodded to Fishlegs - I got it.
Just when their table neighbors were beginning to raise their voices, their lunch literally exploded over their table, covering them in juice, pudding and cold coffee.
- Keep talkin', bitches, and your faces are gonna look just like that puddin' – growled Ruffnut, menacingly bouncing a second tennis ball on her racquet -. So, any of you wants to risk sayin' more nasty stuff 'bout my friends?
- Anybody? – teased Tuffnut along, pulling his racquet out of his backpack as well. The twins looked incredibly threatening; everybody in BHS knew that when they were on the same side, like in the tennis-court, you better run.
Everybody in that table looked down in a rather hypocrite shame and shut their mouths tightly.
- Good – said the twins in unison, and dedicated a fulminating look to everyone else around before joining their gang again.
Astrid patted their backs encouragingly; Fishlegs smiled at them gratefully for standing in defense of their friends. "Thanks for doing what we were all thinking" whispered Aura to them.
- Let's get out of here – suggested Astrid, and her friends gladly listened to her.
Just as they were leaving, however, they managed to catch a glimpse of Snaketongue's conversation. She was like, crying her heart out to her friends, she looked really upset.
- You gotta be fuckin' jokin', like, fuckin' seriously… Toothless was so mothafuckin' gorgeous, and now he fuckin' swings for the other fuckin' team? Fuck it! I mean, why the fuck every time I fuckin' think that a fucker is smokin' hot, THIS fuckery happens? I give the fuck up, I fuckin' swear. With my fucked up luck, I'm dyin' fucking 'lone…
The only reason why nobody took it against the vulgar girl was because she never mentioned Hiccup, neither really gave hints of being disgusted by his and Toothless'… taste. She was just seriously angry that all possibilities of her being noticed by Toothless were completely gone. Who would have thought Snaketongue had a serious crush on him?
- I almost feel bad for her – confessed Ruffnut.
Then the gang left the cafeteria in the same chaos Hiccup and Toothless had left it.
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But the whole issue didn't finish once back in classes, or even after those were over.
Astrid found herself in a very uncomfortable position at her usual practice because everybody kept talking about Hiccup and Toothless, not necessarily in the nicest of ways.
Fortunately, she used a very subtle tactic to shut the offensive comments. She just had her teammates working harder than usual the entire practice, because if they focused on the ball they wouldn't have the time to gather around the bench and talk. She even challenged those who refused to give more importance to the basketball than to their conversations: "Are you in the game or in the gossip? Think your answer carefully, your Viking title depends on it".
Nobody dared to choose "gossip" when it was obvious Astrid was determined to get whoever gave that response out of the team.
She had an easy day compared to the other Vikings, though. Snotlout had a very hard time keeping the football team under control, and there was a war of power between him and Dagur that he ultimately won thanks to the coach who gave preference to his quarterback position. But Dagur made it clear that he would not drop the matter even though he was now practically forbid to even think about it when training.
The twins, on their part, basically stuck every ball in the other tennis players' mouths. Even Aura and Fishlegs had their respective clubs turned into an intense debate about tolerance, human rights and freedom.
Well, at least the girls from the freshman semester enjoyed themselves intensely while the gang bravely fought prejudice. Creepy enough, by the end of the day something very similar to a fanclub had already been born: Bayonetta and many of her friends were randomly inviting every person in the school to come out if they were closeted and follow the courageous example that had been witnessed earlier at the cafeteria.
BHS had never experienced in its long history such a chaotic, eventful day.
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Toothless and Hiccup were dozing with their backs resting on the mistreated car, still holding each other closely. This time it was Toothless the one who rested his head on Hiccup's shoulder, pressing his forehead against the freckled neck, the scarf warming his cold cheeks and nose.
Hiccup brushed Toothless' silky black hair with his fingers restlessly. Unexpectedly he chuckled and called his boyfriend in a whisper.
- Eyes open wide, blinded by the sun now… – he began to sing, and he felt Toothless smile against his skin -. Orange and white, dark red, green and yellow; rainbow colors! Do not hide, see the view! Step aside, go through!
Toothless placed his left hand on Hiccup's knee, caressing his leg and drawing circles with his fingers. Hiccup kept singing, a noticeable smile slipping in his voice.
- Against the light, too strong, blow a fuse now; everything bright, new songs, burning shoes; the look in your eyes! Break our bones into half, scream and shout and do laugh! Let yourself… go… Let yourself… go…
- Stay close to me… – Toothless sang along -, count one, two and three…
- Up in through your sleeves. Bursting through the seams… Open your eyes and see…
- You'll see…
They hadn't even noticed they were closing in while singing. Now their breaths fused in a warm, loving kiss, and for one glorious minute all the pain, worries and fears vanished; gone to a place where they couldn't hurt anymore.
- Hiccup… I can't picture my life without you…
- Me neither…
They looked at each other in downright adoration, their pupils dilated and their lips pulsing.
- What ya doin' 'ere?
Wide opened eyes looked up to meet Gobber's inquiring gaze.
- Weweren't… ehm… Imeanwewere…
- Missin' class! ! I'll've t'take this t'Principal Cowell. Up ya both. Come with me.
Standing with dumb, mechanic movements due to deep embarrassment (and helping each other up, as it is to be expected) they followed Goober back to the school, not bothering to take their eyes off each other's shoes.
And holding pinkies, because Toothless still wasn't ready to let go but it was extremely awkward to do anything before a professor.
- What are my chances that he didn't see the car? – whispered Toothless.
- He definitely did – replied Hiccup in the same low voice -. But I think it belongs to a student he doesn't like. He won't give you away.
- And you think he saw…?
- No idea… – Hiccup blushed hard.
Still looking doing in humiliation, they were headed to Principal Cowell's office and conveniently put to detention instead of being sent back to class with the rest of the world.
It seemed as if the professors were fully aware that the boys needed some time alone. Lucky them.
And lucky Gobber that just won a big bet to the principal.
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They spent the rest of their day alone in the detention room, erasing the answers from all the math books, because Mrs. Cowell as principal was implementing a serious recycling culture.
- You know? Things make much more sense now – Hiccup said, low-voiced -. You were acting somewhat weird lately. You were... grumpy and overprotective.
- Pardon my lack of sleep and its resulting paranoia – apologized Toothless, scrubbing the eraser against the innocent page that had been victim of pencil graffiti.
- I'm not saying it's bad… – Hiccup buried his nose in a book to hide his increasing and involuntary blush - you being all pouty and... territorial about me... But that's not the point! We were talking about your nightmares.
- No, you were – specified Toothless, dropping his almost finished book to emphasize his words -. I'd rather drop the subject.
Hiccup watched the book bounce on the bench and fall to the floor with a simple thud. He moved from where he was sitting and took place next to Toothless.
Gobber had already caught them almost kissing; sitting next to each other like that certainly wouldn't surprise him at all.
- I don't think that's a good idea, Tooth – opinioned Hiccup.
Toothless looked away, sighing in defeat.
- Worst part is: me neither.
- When did they start?
- Like a week ago. Evelyn's been sending me tons of messages – Toothless' face went somber, and he bit his lower lip -. Warning messages, like something really wrong is happening and keeps her in London for my own good. She was supposed to move to Berk last week.
- What messages? – insisted Hiccup.
Knowing he couldn't (and shouldn't) hide the truth from his boyfriend anymore, Toothless pulled out his phone and handed it over.
Though doubtful at the beginning the brown-haired boy took it, immediately searching the inbox. He didn't have the time to think how cute it was that Toothless had a (conveniently nameless) folder just for him, he had to check the most recent messages and what he found got him really troubled.
"Stay home – Don't you dare dragonize – Keep low profile – Eyes open at all times – Be safe – Remember you can escape, my nephew can't – Don't go flying".
It was a real storm of panicked phrases at every random hour of the day.
No wonder why Toothless was terrified to close his eyes.
- And has she told you what's going on that even she is scared? – Toothless shook his head negatively. Hiccup sighed - That explains a lot more. Anyways, you don't have to worry. Whatever that is, it's happening in London, far, far away from Berk. And even if something does happen here, we can pull it off. You and I, as a team. Ok?
- I don't know…
Hiccup pursed his lips, upset that Toothless doubted so much. This dragon boy needed a wake-up call, and he needed it now.
- Toothless, do you trust me? – Hiccup questioned, deadly serious.
Although unable to hide his confusion, Toothless immediately responded:
- Yes!
- Do you believe in me? – Hiccup kept going, as if he didn't think Toothless was being completely honest.
- Of course!
- So… if I say you and I are gonna be fine as long as we're together…? – Hiccup encouraged him to complete the sentence.
Finally Toothless understood the point Hiccup was trying to make. He closed his eyes, the message finally sinking in.
- We will – he said.
- Exactly. Now come here – and Hiccup pulled him into a solacing, friendly hug.
It could've been a lovely moment, except that the Haddock boy suddenly realized something that should have started his inner alarm much sooner.
- Hang on! She told you not to go flying and not to dragonize. You did both things for me – he reproached, punching lightly Toothless' shoulder -, and you shouldn't have!
- I didn't want you to suspect and get worried – the black-haired boy defended -. I was- - -
- Trying to protect me – Hiccup drew an exasperated look -. Odin, Toothless! When will you realize that I can protect you too? That's why I'm training with my dad! And even if I wasn't, had I not saved you before? Twice? – the boy held up his hand in front of Toothless' face so he couldn't look away from the two fingers he showed in pride - How long are we going to pretend you're the strong warrior and I'm the fragile princess?
- Princess? – Toothless restrained a snort.
Hiccup almost chuckles as well when he realized just how silly his analogy had been.
- It's a metaphor. Focus! – he insisted -. You don't have to fight all this alone. It's too much for you. But if you share things with me, everything will be easier. Right? – he waited until Toothless confirmed a yes with his big puppy-like green eyes - As long as we're together…?
- We can pull it through.
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Fortunately their punishment lasted until classes were over and everybody had left (because that day Mrs. Cowell got really strict with the whole not-staying-late-in-campus rule) and they didn't have to put off with the gossiping chaos that had occurred earlier in the cafeteria.
Seriously, may the gods bless that woman and her meddling but comprehensive instinct.
This time they crossed a nearly empty parking lot, and judging by the amount of soda cans and candy wraps littering the floor, there had been some sort of gathering outside the school that they thankfully hadn't been there to witness.
- What do you think they were talking about? – Hiccup pretended not to know, seizing Toothless' hand in his own and drawing a joking smile.
- Very funny, Hiccup. Hilarious – Toothless groaned. Then realized how Hiccup was holding his hand and his anger vanished gradually - So… I guess we're out now?
- I don't know about you but I feel… weightless. Like all my burdens disappeared.
Toothless wished with all his heart he could feel the same way Hiccup was feeling, but he was just too stressed and worried still. He could not understand how it was that Hiccup behaved so calmed. Toothless couldn't keep his mind off all the troubles their open relationship might cause. To begin with, he so hated being the centre of attention, and he knew that between his bitter façade and his random public humanity he wasn't doing a good job staying off people's radars, but now? Now he wouldn't be able to breathe or sneeze without someone spying on him and what he might be up to. He was gaining quite a reputation: first Toothless, then Night Fury, then… queer? And what about Hiccup? He'd never had it easy-going at school because of his nerd/geek labels, and now that he was finally getting over all that he was going to be labeled under a new category that people was even less fond of than his original outcast names.
Everything was getting just so messy and complicated, and Toothless was furious at the fact that people had the capacity to turn something as beautiful as his and Hiccup's relationship into a troublesome headache.
- So… everybody's gonna know now? – he mumbled, taking his free hand deep into his pocket to hide a clenching fist. Why there had to be an "everybody" in what used to be a "just us".
- Yeah – ignorant of the dragon boy's inner war, Hiccup couldn't believe how relieved, self-satisfied and happy he felt saying that.
Honestly, neither could Toothless.
There was a minute of peaceful silence, in which they walked holding hands and simply enjoying being next to one another. Or at least Hiccup did so, for his boyfriend's mind kept working at full speed. Until the dragon-boy realized a terribly important detail his thoughts should have stumbled upon much sooner.
Biting his lower lip, Toothless found himself in the urgent need of breaking Hiccup's peace with some nervous coughing. It wasn't fair to spoil Hiccup's happiness, but it was quite disturbing that he didn't seem to have considered that particular detail at all. Well, it made some sense when you connected the dots and realized that Hiccup's current bliss could only exist built around happy, happy ignorance.
"You're gonna have to forgive me for bursting your bubble, Hiccup – Toothless thought, anxiety more noticeably on his face as seconds passed by -. But this is important".
- Does that mean your dad will know too?
- … Wait, what?
And abruptly all the heavy burdens in the world grabbed weightless Hiccup by his ankles and pulled him down so hard that he ended up half-buried in the soil. And Stoick would bury him the other half, so deep that not even Hel herself could find him.
- I… feel… sick…
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Another note: Ok, first of all, I got the "Sticks & Stones" lyrics out of the web, any corrections and or advices please let me know, ok?
Now, let me apologize for the late update. I tried to be punctual and update yesterday, but the site wouldn't upload my file and I couldn't post the new chapter. It was SO frustrating.
And if you are wondering what happened that got me suspending this story for a month and posting a warning on the summary, here comes the short version:
An aunt I hate (for being the most intolerant, selfish, ignorant and offensice person I've ever met) went on a trip to Europe for three weeks, and left her one and a half year old baby in my house. And I hate (HATE) babies! They're annoying, crying little spawns! And this one in particular is so spoiled: if you don't look at him at all times and call his name every twenty seconds he'll make a craying show. Arg! It was awful! I couldn't draw, write, read, play the piano or listen to music because I had to watch the spawn 24/7.
And please don't dare telling me "How can you not like babies?". Well, I don't. I don't find babies cute or tender at all, they just irritate me. Just like some people don't like cats; there is no explanation for it, they just don't like them. That's my case. And for that I stand against human reproduction, plus, the world is overpopulated. Let's save the planet! !
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I hoped you liked the chapter.
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Thanks for your patience! !
Musical Fangirl, .5, Hi Mr Whale, Hotaru-chan,
animelover56348, Arkangelsouls, NikkiDiAngelo, AliceCullen3,
YoshisSupport, Matt, Darkflower123, violet flame, AlexJohnD,
Yuki, Guest, Ancientathens, Black Rose of Fire, AtkiakFF,
SuicidalxKitty, Bubbles, Kigen Dawn.
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P.S.: I'm obsessed singing "When will my life begin?", "Let it go" (and pretty much the whole "Frozen" soundtrack) and "A journey to the past" all day! !
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