"Modern myth".
How to train your dragon, Toothcup.
By: Sinattea.
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Disclaimer: Cressida Cowell owns the book series, Dreamworks owns the movies. I own nothing but this AU.
Note: So, ehm, yeah, I know, I suck and I'm the worst person and I can't even remember when was the last time I even updated this fic. It's just that, I'm going through a period in my life when school is the one and only thing, and I seriously have no time for anything else. I actually wrote this chapter and the next one four months ago during my break between terms, but didn't have the time to edit and post before school started again. I'm on break once more, so there will be life to this for a couple weeks before going into hiatus again.
But FEAR NOT. This fic will be complete even if it takes me a lifetime… (Ok, that does sound like something to be feared, sorry).
Friday is still the blessed day. Can't promise anything else.
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Read, enjoy, review, don't hate me! ! ! !
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Chapter 34: Deal done.
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Toothless had been staring at the Night Fury painted on his ceiling for hours. That night the scar on his lower back itched more than usual, as if reminding him cruelly of the events that had put it there. Could things get any worse than what they had that dreadful night? Could people come after his human self as well as his dragon self? How was he supposed to deal with all that crap?
It startled him off his senses when his cell phone rang. He almost set fire to his own bed in his freaked-out reaction. Toothless reached for his phone and thanked each and every god in the universe when he saw what it was: a text message, obviously from Hiccup.
Were you sleeping? Because I can't.
Quickly, Toothless typed a reply. Not at all. Wanna talk?
I had a nightmare, about you… being hunted.
Toothless sighed, tired, his own train of thought wasn't travelling any different paths, but for his own sake, and Hiccup's, he had to try and remain calm. Still freaked out by Evelyn's creepy news?
He failed.
Are you not? Hiccup insisted, and Toothless quickly realized any attempt to hide his fear was useless.
I'm terrified. I hadn't even blinked because I know I'm having nightmares too.
Then the cellular stayed quiet for three minutes that could have perfectly been three hours.
You should come to my house. Finally suggested Hiccup.
Toothless was quite impressed. In the darkness of his room nobody could see him blush, but he immediately felt the heat of his chest take over his face too.
Now?
Scratch that. It seemed like a better idea in my mind. Can I call you?
After that last message it was Toothless the one to make the call.
He and Hiccup spent the rest of the night solacing each other via phone, until they both fell asleep with their telephones still glued to their ears.
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Next morning Hiccup knew as soon as he woke up that it was going to be an eventful day. The first signal? His dad had made breakfast. Nothing classy, of course, but there was a very firm intention to it. Hiccup was mildly stunned as he sat down at the table. Stoick poured some chocomilk into Hiccup's glass, then took place right in front of him.
- Ya've been miss'd a' tha gym lately – Stoick said right after the morning salute.
So that's what it was all about.
- Right… uhm… yeah…
- So has Toothless.
- Well… uhm… – dang, how was he supposed to excuse that? "Sorry, dad, been hanging out with dragons for the last week. Did I ever mention Toothless is actually, like, a dragon?" - Remember I told you last week Toothless had this big allergic reaction? He's still getting better. Evelyn really wants him to stay home for another while. And I'm hanging out with him at Sunstone.
Perfect, that was a great excuse. Partially true, convincing, nothing very exaggerated.
Stoick pulled a fake expression of understanding as he poured protein milk into his own glass.
- An' Snotlout's been hangin' out too?
Hiccup choked on his milk.
- What…? Why would Snotlout be there too? Come on dad, that's kinda- - -
- Spitelout's been callin' ev'ry now an' then askin' if he's with ya guys – his father stated. Raising his eyebrows in a straight line -. If you're thinkin' o' a lie, think 'gain, Hiccup.
- Alright, busted – Hiccup had to give up. It was not like he could ask his father permission to go to his room to think of a better lie. Or like his father would grant it, anyways -. We've all been hanging there.
Stoick stayed silent for a moment, and then he inquired, profoundly offended.
- Does she have a better gym than mine?
- What? – ok, to be honest Hiccup never saw that coming. His dad could be so… fatherly sometimes. What an enormous relief – No. Of course not! That's not it! We just have… stuff, to talk about. Teenage stuff.
- A'right, I'm trustin' ya in this one. Maybe next time ya wanna trust me back.
- Dad…
The way he'd said it made it clear to Hiccup that Stoick was fully aware of his insomnia; his father could tell something was off but didn't want to push his son into sharing what it was. He had really improved at the whole fathering thing. Hiccup felt extremely grateful, and in that second decided that he should talk to Toothless about considering, under very specific circumstances, fully trust his father if required.
- Jus' le' me know next time ya're skippin' gym, ok? – Stoick went on - Stop disappearin' out o' tha blue.
- Alright. Sorry, dad.
- An' please remember, son, ya can trust me.
Hiccup smiled, and they began eating after that.
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Later that day, at school, Hiccup naturally felt the need to talk about his dad with Toothless, seizing the first break they got in between classes to do so.
- Toothless?
- Yeah?
They were walking down the hallway towards literature class, a crowd of still sleepy students around them. Hiccup had to stride a little bit to keep up with his boyfriend's long steps. This was one of those times the Haddock boy felt utterly self-conscious of the height difference between them, but that was off the topic, so he urged himself to stop looking at Toothless' head and focus solely on his eyes.
- You think we can rearrange our schedule? – he blurted - Go back to the gym?
Toothless paused for a second.
- Right! I totally forgot we used to do that… I don't know if Evelyn would approve after all that's happened.
- I'm sure she wants to keep you safe and sound. But this is training – persuaded the brown-haired guy -. We'd be basically getting ready for whatever comes our way. I'm sure she would agree on it.
- Well, when you put it that way… she might. Sure, we should definitely go back to it.
- Great – Hiccup sighed in comfortable relief -. We need something to keep our minds busy, at ease if possible. Plus, I think my dad has missed us.
- You, you mean.
- No. I'm pretty sure it's us – specified the boy with a smile -. We kinda talked about it over breakfast. I know he misses his boxing buddy.
Toothless couldn't help but laugh before such a comment. Yeah, right. He still wasn't convinced he'd managed to make it back into Stoick's white list. And for a second, he was absolutely grateful that, despite all the dangerous and complicated things in his life, he still could worry about something as common as his boyfriend's father.
- He misses me because that's the only way he gets to legally punch me in the face – Toothless shrugged off.
- Oh, come on. You know he's acting really… suave about us now.
A smile managed to curl Toothless' lips up.
- Suave is too strong a word if you ask me.
Hiccup rolled his eyes.
- So? Are we going to the gym today after school? You know, before meeting the guys at sunstone.
- We'll have to hurry up, but yeah, we can handle it. Let's go.
There was something in Toothless' voice that made it evident he wasn't totally at ease with that decision, but deep down he knew that was just remnants of his Green Death induced paranoia, and he really wanted to get over that, so he decided to listen to Hiccup on this one. He knew what was best for him, for both of them.
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On another corner of BHS, however, somebody also made plans for that afternoon.
Snotlout had even made up an excuse to miss that day's football practice, because he had an idea in mind and it was something he really wanted to do, even though he'd only figured it out after encountering Ruffnut and hearing her speak, still excited, about his first encounter with the dragon he'd touched.
He really hoped Fishlegs wasn't the kind of guy that wants to be early for every class, because he really wanted to have this conversation in private, and if he had to go look for Fishlegs in a classroom, odds were that Hiccup would also be there.
Lucky him, Fishlegs was still at his locker, emptying yesterday's books from his backpack.
- What up 'Legs – said Snotlout, a little too enthusiastically.
Fishlegs immediately read that as suspicious.
- Everything alright Snotlout?
Great, he couldn't have possibly been more obvious. Snotlout cleared his throat before speaking, looking as nervous as can be. Fishlegs gave him a slight pat on the arm to prompt him to talk.
- Well, I've been thinking… – Snotlout started - this whole dragon thing… You seem to know a lot 'bout it all.
- Well, Toothless did mention most mythology and pop culture is based off some actual facts. If that's true I guess I do know a bit about dragons – said Fishlegs -. Why do you ask?
Snotlout had to look around and make sure nobody was overhearing their conversation. Even so, he did lower his voice before speaking.
- Can you teach me? – he muttered.
Fishlegs was frankly surprised.
- What?
- I want to learn about that dragon, the one I touched the other day.
- The Monstruous Nightmare – clarified Fishlegs.
- Yeah, that one – nodded Snotlout -. I hadn't been able to touch it again, and I thought maybe there's something I'm missing. Can you teach me?
- Why don't you ask Hiccup? He surely knows more about this than I do.
- But I don't wanna ask Hiccup – gritted Snotlout, a little exasperated. He had to take a breath before going on -. I'm asking you. I've done what he's told me to already. Hiccup's always been way smarter than me in so many things, and for once I want to be on his level on something. Not be the dumb cousin anymore.
There was such honesty in Snotlout's voice that Fishlegs felt a little bad for him. He found it a little funny, too, because how many times in the past had he heard Hiccup say the exact same thing about his cousin when it came to physical attitude?
- I mean, we're friends now, right? – insisted Snotlout, a glimpse of nervousness still perceivable in his voice. Fishlegs snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, firmly.
- Sure we are. Wanna meet at the library after class?
- YES. Yes – the guy exclaimed -. Thanks, man.
- Hey, no need to thank. We're friends.
Fishlegs gave an encouraging punch on Snotlout's shoulder, which the quarterback gladly replied back, although his hurt a lot more than Fishlegs'. "Sorry, man – Snotlout apologized -, can't measure strength sometimes".
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As soon as the bell rang to announce the glorious end of another school day, Toothless and Hiccup grabbed their stuff and got on the first bus towards Stoick's gym. It had been a while since they'd last done that, and going back to the routine, going back to do something normal felt quite good for a change.
They got off a couple blocks early and walked the rest of the way as a warm-up exercise. They had a feeling they'd need it.
- Look a' tha'! Firs' sign o' tha Apocalypse – exclaimed an excited Stoick when he saw Toothless and Hiccup walking through the entrance door. He instantly went up to them to greet them properly.
- Hello, sir – said Toothless.
- Don' ya sir me, lad!
- Sorry, right. Coach – Toothless closed his eyes for a second, a little overwhelmed. Well, wasn't that a déjà vu -. I kinda lost the habit.
- As lon' as ya're still in shape, I can overlook tha' – the large man smiled mercifully, patting Toothless' back in a friendly way. Then he turned towards his son -. So wha'd'ya say Hiccup? Ready fo' som' trainin'?
- I'm sure I'm no longer half as fit as you'd like me to, dad, but sure, let's try – said Hiccup in a careful voice, but Stoick saw right through him, and shook his bearded head in negation.
- Ain' gonna take it easy on ya, son, don' even try.
And he didn't. Training was brutal.
Half an hour later Hiccup felt as if his lungs were about to explode within his body. Hammerhead was laughing at him, but the second Hiccup breathed in, ignored his aching muscles and pulled on his gloves again, he shut up in astonishment.
- Your father's son indeed. Even when you don't look the part – admitted Hammerhead.
- I had to look after my mom in something – replied Hiccup, half a smile hanging from his lips -. Enough talk. Go ahead.
Hammerhead didn't have to be told twice; he proceeded to continue punching Hiccup to his heart's content, just as Stoick had instructed, because how else were they supposed to find out if Hiccup remembered how to stay on guard?
And on the next ring things were not any easier for Toothless. Following a small talk in which Stoick showed some genuine interest in Toothless' welfare and his allergy issues, once the man confirmed the boy wasn't sick anymore, he'd promised hell. And he worked hard on keeping that promise. Every now and then you could hear a heartfelt complain, followed by a "ya knew ya'd have t'make it up som'how". Stoick was enjoying this way too much. He'd missed having someone his level to match against. Toothless, on the other hand, didn't seem as thrilled, but he held on, and that's what Stoick praised the most.
Fifteen minutes later, since Stoick knew they were on a tight schedule, he gave them the freedom to use their last ten minutes of class training by themselves with the punching sacks. Hiccup bade farewell to Hammerhead, and he and Toothless gratefully headed towards the opposite corner of the gym. They walked past the pros, who stared at them with resentment, but Hiccup was wise enough to ignore them and to hold Toothless' hand back before he flipped his finger at them. Toothless was done with bulky bullies, but this was decidedly not the time to get even.
They finally reached the punching sacks, and Toothless stopped to drink a sip of water.
- You first, Hiccup. I need a break.
The brown-haired boy hesitated for a moment.
- What do I do?
- Whatever you think is right to do. You'll do fine.
Hiccup started practicing jabs and hooks and upper cuts, and truth is he did look like he knew what he was doing. But watching him punch by himself, and not in response to an opponent's attacks, Toothless realized something he hadn't noticed before, something that Hiccup needed to stop doing asap if he dreamed of ever standing in Toothless' defense for real.
- Ok, stop! – Toothless interfered, stepping forward to pull Hiccup away from the punching back.
- What? Why? Is something wrong? – wondered Hiccup, his voice high-pitching slightly.
- Kinda – Toothless mumbled, then he went extremely serious and fixed his bright green eyes on the Haddock boy's -. Hiccup, answer me this: are you tall like your father?
- What? – Toothless repeated the question. Hiccup shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortable - …No.
- Are you strong like your father?
- …No…
- Ok. Are you tough like your father?
- Why are you saying this? – now Hiccup was uncomfortable for real. Fine, so he wasn't anything remotely close to intimidating, but there was no need for Toothless to remind him. And yet, the dragon-boy insisted.
- Are you?
- NO! – snapped Hiccup, hurt in the deepest of his ego.
- Then stop trying to fight like him! – exclaimed Toothless, his eyes sparkling - It may look like fighting is all about punching hard, but it's not. That's your dad's style, not yours. Just be yourself. Know yourself, accept yourself, and find your own style.
Hiccup just stood there, mildly confused. So what was Toothless trying to say again? Had that been an insult or was he misunderstanding the whole thing?
Seeing the numbness in his boyfriend's eyes, Toothless drew a solacing smile.
- You are not your father and that is perfectly fine, you don't have to be.
Finally Hiccup could see through the originally harsh-seeming questions, and understood the point Toothless was trying to make.
- And what does that mean for my training? – he hesitated, reaching for the bottle of water the other boy still held in his hand.
- Maybe we should cut the boxing and try something else – considered Toothless -. Martial arts perhaps? You're more about the speed, about outsmarting your opponent's movements. I seriously don't think your dad's training style suits you anymore, now that you're fit.
Well, that made sense when Toothless said it. And it was actually really good that he were so committed to this, because it meant he at least wasn't thinking of Green Death, or Evelyn, or the Hunters. Right then he was obviously focused only on the present, and Hiccup was happy for that, so he decided to join in.
- So… who's gonna tell my dad about this new training thing…?
Toothless snorted.
- You, obviously.
- Oh, right… Nope. Hell, no. Not really, no – Hiccup showed off the best of his sarcasm, causing a smile to dance on the other's boy expression.
- Give it a thought, I really think you should talk to him about that – the taller boy placed his hands on Hiccup's shoulders, reassuring -. I don't think he'll take it the wrong way anyways. He's a professional, I'm sure he understands everybody fights differently.
- Yeah, well, maybe I'll bring it up during dinner tomorrow – half-promised Hiccup. Then he glanced at the clock on the wall behind Toothless and realized it was getting late -. We should be leaving for Sunstone.
- Ok, go get your stuff. If we hurry we can shower over there before the others arrive.
Backpacks on their shoulder, they walked out of the gym after saying goodbye to Stoick, and hauled the first cab that crossed their path.
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Since Sunstone was a very big manor, it had plenty of bathrooms to spare, so as soon as they reached the house Hiccup ran to a guest bathroom and Toothless to his own room. Naturally, the dragon boy was faster, and he waited for Hiccup at the living room.
While he did so, however, someone he wasn't expecting to be home at that time of the day crossed the door and greeted him. Toothless basically jumped off the couch when he saw her.
- Evelyn! You're home early.
- You look surprised – she smiled mischievously as she left her purse and keys on the table by the main door -. I asked for permission at the hospital. There's something you and I need to talk about, Dean. Sit, it's alright. You are not in trouble.
- Good to know – Toothless pretended to be relieved as he sat back down, but truth is a drop of sweat still went down his forehead.
Evelyn took place across the room, sitting right in front of him. She removed her silk gloves as she spoke.
- To be honest, I've been giving a lot of thought to his whole "getting your friends involved issue", and, well… – she placed the gloves in her pocket - What you said about this being too big for us… It's been echoing in my head for days. So I made a choice: I will accompany you and your friends to see the dragons.
- You're kidding – was Toothless' first impression and immediate reaction.
The lady frowned, indignant.
- Dean, I would not joke about something as serious as this.
- So you mean it? Just like that? – the dragon-boy was absolutely shocked - You decided on your own? No need for me to beg or insist- - -?
- Oh, you have insisted – she interfered -, a little bit every day for the past two weeks.
- Yeah, but usually I have to relentlessly insist for a whole day before you say yes.
- Dean, I've grown up. You should do that too – was that an actual joke? Because that would mean that she was doing this in good faith. Toothless stared fixedly at her, and Evelyn simply smiled, condescending -. I will do this because I hope I can see firsthand what is it that makes you trust those kids so blindly – she stood up, authoritative and beautiful as only she -. So I will now go upstairs, dress accordingly, and when your friends arrive I want you to tell them that I will not take anything less than their very best. Deal?
- Deal – agreed Toothless, a wide yet cautious smile curling his mouth.
- Alright, then.
Evelyn walked out, stopping a moment at the bottom of the stairs to salute Hiccup, then she continued on towards her bedroom. Baffled the most, Hiccup ran into the living room and took seat next to Toothless. His brown hair was still wrapped in a pale blue towel.
- What is Evelyn doing here? – he inquired to his boyfriend.
- You are not gonna believe what she just told me…
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Another note: This chapter is basically build up for the big things to come in following chapters. And YOU CAN WAIT FOR CHAPTER 35 NEXT WEEK I SWEAR! The file is already edited and uploaded, but you know how I respect my friday schedule.
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I will burn in hell, I know, but you… you guys… You all will go to the brightest heaven because you are all angels with holy patience and I love you for it.
Thanks for insisting and reminding me I must keep this alive!
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I still do not deserve your love...
By the way, I'm on tumblr, so you can follow me there and spam my askbox demanding for more chapters. You can find me also as Sinattea. Link's on my profile. :-)
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