"Modern myth".
How to train your dragon, Toothcup.
By: Sinattea.
.
.
Disclaimer: Cressida Cowell owns the book series, Dreamworks owns the movie. I own nothing but this AU.
Note: Wasn't that easy to get done in time but here's the new chapter as promised: only a week after ! !
I am so excited because after this we get back to the fantasy part of the story and BIG things are going to happen! YEAH! !
Now read, enjoy, and you know: review! !
.
Chapter 28: Sunstone.
.
.
It was quite a hard mission, letting go of Toothless' lips, but Hiccup eventually did as the ringtone became more insistent.
- What is it? – he whispered, worry drawing a single wrinkle in the middle of his forehead as he frowned.
- No idea – Toothless gritted, pressing the call button at once -. Evelyn?
- Dean, I need you to come to the manor. I found something, and you're going to want to see it.
- Now?
- Yes, now – Evelyn said, urgency slipping in her voice, despite her attempts to keep it hidden -. Like, right now.
Well, Toothless had to recognize she sounded really freaked out. It was obvious it wasn't anything Hunter-related, otherwise she would have started the phone-call in a much authoritative tone, but it was definitely something worth his immediate presence.
As much as he disliked it, Toothless had to go.
- Ok. Be right there – he confirmed, and hung up.
- Where are you going? – Hiccup wanted to know.
- Sunstone – he replied grimly -, it's important.
- Ok, just let me tell my dad that- - -
- No. This is not a "we are going" situation, Hiccup – Toothless clarified right away, making Hiccup feel a little insulted.
- What are you talking about? – the Haddock boy lowered his voice to a whisper Snotlout couldn't listen - You can't fly without me.
Toothless put both hands on Hiccup's shoulders in the most tranquilizing way he could; somehow managing to smile in both apologize and reconciliation.
- I'll take a cab, and then I'll run.
However, Hiccup wasn't convinced.
- But what if is dangerous? – he insisted, still speaking in a whisper.
- That'd be more the reason to go on my own! – Toothless exclaimed, earning a glare from his boyfriend, that he blatantly ignored for good.
- Before she was here I was the one to go with you everywhere, even if it was dangerous – Hiccup muttered, upset for real -. Let me come along.
- It's not necessary, Hiccup – Toothless refused -, it's not gonna be dangerous.
- Then why did she call you like that?
- You know how paranoid she can be. Evelyn was freaked out, but it has nothing to do with Hunters. Promise.
- Toothless- - -
- See you tomorrow – he didn't let Hiccup talk. Toothless gave him a fast goodbye kiss on the cheek, and then left even faster down the road, until he hauled a cab at the end of the street.
Hiccup didn't know how to feel. On one hand he was incredibly happy because apparently his dad had just said to Toothless that he accepted their relationship. On the other hand, Toothless insisted on doing certain things on his own, despite of what Hiccup might think, and he didn't like that; especially because he'd started to act like that since Evelyn learned about their relationship, emphasizing it now that she lived in Berk.
He couldn't stay upset for long, however, because he came across the idea that when things came to Evelyn, it wasn't up just to Toothless to decide. And it was obvious he and the woman had a longer and much more complex relationship than theirs in some aspects, particularly the ones referring to the Night Fury.
- What was that? – wondered a curious Snotlout.
- Job emergency – replied Hiccup. And a part of him knew it was exactly that.
.
.
Toothless had to run from the city's borders and through the forest in full dragon form while carrying his backpack in his mouth, which was rather bothersome, especially since he hadn't done it in a while. The one who always worried about carrying around his clothes was Hiccup; and the extra effort required for not dropping the backpack on the way ended up being much more tiring than expected.
By the time he reached Sunstone Manor, a little bit out of breath, Evelyn was already waiting for him at its very doors. She was wearing the black coat with dragon-scales sawn to it, the one she wore every time she had to deal with wild dragons, because it had a certain resistance to fire. And she carried the metallic case with her dragon-emergency supplies in her left hand, which gave Toothless a very clear clue of what the whole issue was about.
As soon as Evelyn spotted him getting closer, she started walking into the woods making it clear that she wanted him to follow her.
He reached her and walked at her pace as he turned back into human.
- I'm glad you're here, Dean – she said as a salute.
- Wish I could say the same – the boy groaned as he both walked and got fully dressed, a skill he'd mastered over the course of the years.
- Well, you should have mentioned you had such a busy schedule – she replied, dignity wounded.
Toothless, however, was immune to her gesture. If there was someone with all the rights to be angry, that was him.
- I was happily making out with Hiccup – he said -, until you called.
- Oh – Evelyn blushed, stopping to a halt amidst the trees. Her voice dramatically changed from upset to apologizing -. You could have told me you were with Jay; this isn't that urgent.
- When am I not with him? – Toothless complained, half amused.
- Good point – Evelyn had to admit -. My bad, sorry.
- Never mind, I'm here already, right? – Toothless easily forgave it this once - What's the big emergency then? You sounded pretty upset on the phone.
- Oh, well… – Evelyn resumed her pace, walking faster than before - I said this is something you'd want to see.
- But what exactly is it- - -? – Toothless ran out of words as soon as his dragon eyes spotted it through the leaves and branches in their way - Oh…din damn it.
- Exactly my thoughts.
Speeding up towards their destination, Evelyn and Toothless soon found themselves at the very edge of a deep tunnel carved in the floor of the woods, framed by broken, dry roots, with circular walls of stone, perfect as a well's.
That tunnel shouldn't be there.
- That is one big hole… – Toothless muttered, leaning down to feel the texture of the earth and stone with his hands.
- Big hole, dug in hard rock – Evelyn confirmed as she opened her case and pulled out the parts of an electric gun that she quickly assembled together. She'd stolen some of those during a confrontation with Hunters, back in England -. Looks like a nest.
- Whispering Deaths…
- I'm afraid so. And this is one of those rare dragon species I'd rather meet unconscious. I have very bad memories related to them – she loaded the weapon with expertise, programming it on its lowest voltage, and activating a lantern of soft yellow light attached on its top.
- Yeah, I remember them too. You're using artificial light? – Toothless inquired.
Dragons could tell apart the difference between natural, fire-lit, and artificial light easily, and most of time, they weren't fond at all of the last type. When it came to dragons in dark places, fire was the safer way to go, because using artificial light near them, since their eyes perceive it as abnormal right away, got them nervous, and often aggressive. Both Evelyn and Toothless were well aware of that, which was exactly why Toothless was so surprised to see the woman act like that.
- These dragons can be very aggressive. If we're already trespassing their territory, this can't make it any worse. Besides, I'm already paranoid: I need to see.
- Ok, let's take a look, then – and this said Toothless jumped inside the hole and landed as neatly as a cat in a subterranean chamber several meters below, completely unharmed.
- What the hell do you think you're doing? – Evelyn yelled at him from above, furious - You can't fly out of there anymore! And you had to wait for me to install the rope!
- Sorry, I forgot the rules of team-work with you – thank the gods Evelyn didn't hear his big "Oops" -. We hadn't done this in quite a while – he excused.
- Don't move – the woman gritted -. Wait for me.
Evelyn rappelled down only a minute later, again, with an expertise you wouldn't expect such an elegant woman to have. She unhooked the rope from her harness, and got her gun up, aiming the light at the walls and all around.
- If we have to get out of here fast, you climb first and pull me up – she ordered.
- Got it – Toothless agreed.
It was a deep tunnel, and a dark one. Not even Toothless' eyes could tell apart much, and the fact that it was cloudy and practically night didn't help at all. Evelyn's lantern wasn't too helpful either, since it was designed to alter the dragons' eyes as little as possible, and thus it wasn't as potent and effective as other kinds of light.
- I believe we're going to need a little extra illumination. Light us up, Dean.
- Yes, ma'am.
Toothless spat a plasma blast and the tunnel turned blue under its light, until it reached the bottom and vanished when crashing against the rock.
They stayed on guard for a while, expecting the fire to attract all the dragons almost magnetically, but luckily none came. Once they were sure there wouldn't be any surprise attacks, Toothless finally found the time to concentrate on his dragon senses and study his surroundings through them. He sniffed here and there, pressed his ear against the stone and listened carefully.
- I don't think this place is inhabited – he finally said.
- Are you sure? Because I don't want any of these living near my house. I won't be able to sleep; these dragons are impossible to train – Evelyn involuntarily shivered.
- It doesn't smell of dragon anymore – informed Toothless, running a finger through the stone wall and examining the dirt on its tip -. Only moss and humidity. This must have been abandoned years ago.
- Years? – Evelyn inquired, cautiously suspicious - Is not a seasonal warren?
- Not as far as I can smell. Besides, look, there's a lot of vegetation down the entrance tunnel, and stalactites all the way into – Toothless noted -. You don't see that in an inhabited tunnel, even a seasonal one.
- Because the Whispering Deaths destroy them as they move through. I know – Evelyn complemented. She knew all the stories, legends and books by heart as well as Toothless, even better; she'd taught everything to him -. Still, are you completely sure?
- Yeah. Actually, I even smell some- - -
- What was that? – Evelyn squealed, aiming her light at the interior of a lateral tunnel.
Several pairs of red eyes opened at the same time, and a bunch of flying creatures squeaked as they woke up, disturbed by the light, flapping in and out the subterranean caves.
- Bats! – she crouched as the winged little things flew above her head, and she used her light to drive them away from Toothless and from her.
- That's what I was gonna say: the ultimate signal – Toothless restrained a giggle.
- Don't you dare mocking me when I have one of these in my hands – Evelyn stared at him menacingly, pursing her lips and closing her hand on her gun.
- Ok, relax. Aren't you happy for these bats? Bats would never come close a Whispering Death hole with Whispering Deaths in it – Toothless sort of smiled -. See? I was right.
- I guess I'd forgotten how keen your senses are – Evelyn recognized, finally relaxing. She cleaned the pearls of sweat on her forehead with her sleeve and stood up, lighting her surroundings more calmed -. This is good news. Great indeed.
- Glad I could help. Now let's get out of here – the boy added.
Evelyn blinked, puzzled; this wasn't something she got to see very often.
- Don't you want to stay and see how big this nest really is? – she asked, her surprise completely diaphanous.
Toothless' lips curved in a half-smile, and his eyes sparkled with the nostalgia of someone who remembers the old happy days of childhood.
- Not today – he said miserably -. I'm late for work already. Gotta run.
- Let me drive you.
They rushed towards the entrance of the tunnel, and Toothless was the first to climb back to the outer world, hauling Evelyn up easily once she hooked her harness.
They reached the manor and got Evelyn's black Porsche Panamera on the road in a five-minutes-time record.
.
Trees passed by the window like a blurry green stain. Evelyn's high heeled boot softly but constantly stepped on the pedal, accelerating between the traffic.
- You look troubled – she mentioned, side-glancing at Toothless, who bore a frown on his face.
- It's nothing. I'm out of signal, and I gotta call Hiccup – he kept watching his cellular as if with his piercing bright green eyes he could make it work.
Evelyn smiled.
- You can't live a minute without him, can you? – she teased.
- I can live without him – Toothless assured, shrugging -; I just don't want to.
- How romantic – Evelyn giggled -. Do you have signal now?
- No – Toothless whined.
- How about now? – she asked five seconds later.
- Funny – Toothless replied in a really not amused tone of voice -. When I get any, you'll know, trust me. I'll scream "yes" at the top of my lungs.
Evelyn focused back on the road, while Toothless kept trying to use the Force on his cell phone, which obviously wasn't working.
Then one minute later he made the woman startle when he screamed.
- YES! !
And half a second later, Hiccup's voice echoed through the phone.
- I was waiting for your call – he said, serious.
- I know, I've been waiting to call you too – said Toothless in a gentle, excited voice; the kind of voice Hiccup couldn't get angry when listening.
- You just left; no explanations – Hiccup complained -. I was worried.
- I know, I'm sorry. But everything's fine. Evelyn just went paranoid.
- Hey! – she screeched.
- You did – well, she couldn't argue that -. She found a dragon nest, but it's abandoned, so we didn't find any dragons. I'm gonna take you to see it, you're going to love it.
- What kind of dragon nest is it?
- You'll have to guess when you see it – Toothless spoke mischievously.
- Ok. But if I guess I want a reward – Hiccup dared.
- What do you want?
- Tell you when we meet. I'll leave my window open tonight – even through the phone, Toothless could sense the smile of Hiccup -. You haven't visited me in a while.
- Oh, your dad is gonna go crazy – he reminded.
- He doesn't have to know. And this is a professional meeting.
- Ok. I'll see you later, Hiccup.
Toothless hang the phone, a goofy smile in his face. Evelyn pursed her lips.
- And when exactly are you going to meet Jay?
- Midnight, after work.
- You two have school tomorrow. You're going to be very tired – she turned the wheel to take the main avenue; they weren't far from the Hotel Nordic now.
Toothless rolled his eyes; he knew where this was going.
- We'll survive.
- You know there's a very simple solution to this – the woman declared -. All you need to do is say "yes".
- Evelyn…
- We could avoid this crazy driving to make it on time, you could spend more time with Jay, flying, training together…
- I like my job – the boy stated.
- No, you don't. You grew bored of it ages ago; you complain about it all the time. Mrs. Evans told me.
Just in that moment Evelyn parked her Porsche in front of the hotel, where a valet tried to attend her, but she elegantly refused, which earned Toothless a glare from his workmate.
- It gives me independence – Toothless grimaced, getting out of the car.
- That's not the kind of independence you need right now. You need time for other things, and I don't mean only Jay. There's nothing wrong with relying on people, Toothless. We can help a lot, if you would just let us…
- Thanks for the ride – the boy interrupted, closing the door, but she opened the window before he could walk away.
- Think about it, Dean.
.
.
Curse her. Curse her words. In the moment Evelyn pronounced them Toothless became indeed unable to think of anything else. He was absent during work, and he almost made the mistake of taking the luggage to the wrong room; he had to pull out a real dragon-speed to fix it before the client arrived.
That day, the little things of everyday work were far more annoying than usual, and it almost seemed as if everyone were being a nuisance on purpose. It was tradition, alright, that whomever arrived late would be punished by the other employees and would have to do all those other little tasks that nobody else wanted to do: cleaning something here, dealing with a bothersome client there, getting everybody's lunch for break. And since Toothless had arrived late, it was his turn to serve as the employees' personal slave.
He hated that; with his double life he basically was always the one to arrive the latest. And nobody understood why; moreover, this was one of those days when Toothless felt sure they didn't care as for the whys. He was tired, he was fed up, he was overwhelmed.
What if Evelyn was right? What if now he needed time for other things? He'd been working his entire life, and he didn't mind before because he had nothing else to do: no social life, no hobbies, his only worries were escaping and staying alive. Now, however, he did have a social life, he had friends and a boyfriend, and he wanted much more than just staying alive: he wanted to live. He'd realized that long ago, but now he clearly saw what he had to do in order to achieve.
"…Spend more time with Jay, flying, training together…"
Yeah, he wanted that.
- I'm quitting my job.
- Really? – Hiccup was surprised to hear that.
It was a little bit later than planned, because Toothless had to walk all the way to Hiccup's house since he couldn't fly there anymore, and he also had to climb up the window instead of easily landing there from the air.
They were sitting on the windowsill of Hiccup's bedroom, wrapped in a furry blanket and sharing some cookies stolen from the SSS box (Stoick's Secret Supplies). Toothless would have preferred some chocolate, but he was well aware cookies were the only thing Stoick didn't really mind being stolen from that box.
- I've been thinking about it. Evelyn's right, you are right. I'm tired, I… I would like to have some time for myself…
- You deserve it – Hiccup agreed, placing his hand gently on Toothless' shoulder, the dragon-boy leaning on the touch -. So that means you're moving in with Evelyn?
- Well, I can't exactly pay the rent if I quit my job, right? – he gritted.
- Don't be like that, you know I think it's a good idea – Hiccup squeezed Toothless' shoulder lovingly -. Sunstone's great! You'd be living totally comfortable, you'd have a lot of free time, you can go to the woods and dragonize all you want to…
- And you could do all that with me – Toothless smiled sweetly.
- Yeah, all that, except the dragonizing part – he joked with sarcasm, making Toothless chuckle -. We could even invite the guys! Fishlegs is gonna love that library! And imagine the chaos the twins would do in that pool. Plus, I've heard Aura rocks at pool, she's got this fail-proof mathematic technique…
- It actually sounds rather cool – Toothless admitted -. I'll present my resignation tomorrow. I'm telling my boss I have to focus on my college applications and stuff…
- And when will you move in with her?
- Knowing Evelyn? – Toothless seemed surprised by the question; it was rather obvious - Tomorrow.
- Right, I'm beginning to know her pretty well too.
There came a moment of awkward silence, where Toothless' tension was noticeably through the uneasiness of his breath.
- This is going to be a big change… – he muttered, more to himself than to Hiccup.
- It won't be as big as you fear – the Haddock boy said, because Toothless hadn't spoken low enough for him not to hear -. I'm sure everything will be better now.
Toothless looked up, fixing his big eyes on Hiccup in a thankful gesture. Gods, what would become of him if he didn't have this marvelous boy by his side?
- At least living in Sunstone I can take you to look that nest – he cheered up.
- Which reminds me… We still have my reward to discuss.
- Right. What do you want?
- Being honest? – Toothless nodded, and Hiccup gathered the courage to make his petition - I want to go with you the next time something like that happens – he said matter-of-factly.
When listening to that Toothless blinked, surprised, a gesture Hiccup misunderstood as a signal of negation.
- Toothless, I can handle this! – Hiccup claimed, shaking his hands in emphasis - Before Evelyn came you didn't have so much trouble with me interacting with dragons. I want to go with you next time – he demanded.
- Alright.
- And don't you dare- - -! Wait, what?
- Alright. You're right: I wasn't like that before. You're coming with me next time - Toothless agreed.
Hiccup went speechless for a couple seconds.
- Wow, well, I… I thought you would be more… overprotective?
- Looks like Evelyn's paranoia is a little bit contagious – Toothless felt ashamed of himself, he'd been acting ridiculously overprotective in a very non-flattering way ever since Evelyn's arrival -. But you're right, and I don't want you to feel like I'm leaving you out of this… aspect of my life – he reached Hiccup's hands and held them tight -. You know, now that I'm getting some free time I think we should train together. We hadn't gone flying in a while.
- Yeah – recognized Hiccup -, this whole coming out issue stole a lot of our time…
- Not anymore – Toothless promised -. Your hands are cold.
Hiccup shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, but Toothless took the cold hands to his mouth and exhaled an hypnotically warm breath upon them, sending a shiver through all of Hiccup's body.
- Better now? – the dragon-boy asked.
- Yeah… – Hiccup gasped.
- I have to go – Toothless declared as he stood up and let go of the blanket.
Hiccup unconsciously reached out and grabbed his arm.
- Now? – he mumbled, puppy-eyed. Toothless grinned.
- Why? You want me to stay for the night?
- No – Hiccup rapidly denied, blushing bright, looking away and hiccupping once.
Delightedly amused, Toothless leaned towards him and kissed his forehead.
- I'll see you tomorrow at school. And in the afternoon maybe you can help me packing.
- Ok.
There was this imminent need to say more, but none of them was brave enough to do so. They merely locked their gazes, attempting a wordless revelation that didn't work as expected. Perhaps that wasn't the right moment for any of them.
Nothing else being said, Toothless jumped off the window and disappeared in the darkness, fast as only Night Furies can.
Hiccup wrapped himself on the blanket, feeling colder than before. Stumbling, he reached his bed and hid under the sheets, wishing deep inside that Toothless had stayed with him if only a little longer.
.
.
.
.
Another note: La-la-lá~!
I don't have much to say right now. My brain is an absorbing blob... too much Nat Geo... and Barbie songs!
.
But even if my brain is gone that doesn't mean I'm not thanking you guys! !
The oscar goes to...! ! !
.
The dragon1010, Light, Littlefox64, Matt, AliceCullen3,
ChaseDude, yuki, Darkflower123, violet flame,
Mayanderson99, Musical Fangirl, animelovernewbie,
Kigen Dawn, Wolfsthrope Von Schlieffen, lia, animelover56348.
.
.
You've already spent at least five minutes reading this chapter...
Go on, you can use five extra seconds for a review.
.