I must admit, this made me imagine a few times that I can't help but think it should have gone this way. XD It would have been better for everyone.

Then again…I might have made the characters too OOC so please forgive me for that.

Kuro: Introducing the chapter: Pheromone Berry!

Mii-kun: Lu-chan does not own HTTYD. She only owns the plot of this entire story.

Me: Now let's begin the torture! XD

A crowd of squealing female Vikings, an angry, jealous boyfriend and a berry that caused this mess is a recipe for disaster.

And who, by Thor's beard, has eaten said berry?

Why, even that shocked everyone. Not everyone have expected this outcome. They have expected it to be Hiccup. But the lad was nowhere near those gender-symbol berries.

Instead, it's Toothless.

But it isn't him. He was with Hiccup, flying around the islands and visiting the other dragons to see more hybrids popping up a few times at a very slow rate. So who?

Who was the person that's surrounded by screaming girls? The person is hotheaded, stubborn and very proud of his power.

One word: Hookfang.

…No, you're not reading wrong. It's really Hookfang and not Snotlout, as strange as that is. The berry he ate was shaped in the feminine symbol, a circle with a cross sign under it.

The moment he ate that berry and fly back to the village, he's surrounded by drooling females. And he relish it. He really enjoys the company and everyone would think that, without Hookfang flirting him, Snotlout would be happy and maybe make a move at one of the girls.

But he isn't. He despises it.

So there he sat, on the steps of his home, watching Hookfang talking and flirting with a few of the many females from afar. Hiccup and Toothless, sitting next to him, can only give worry glances to each other. Hiccup speaks up first.

"Snotlout, are you sure you don't need to talk to Hookfang?"

"I'm sure." Snotlout answers through gritted teeth and glares at the group after hearing a high-pitch squeal from one of the girls. Snotlout turns away from the disgusted sight and looks at Hiccup. "Have you found a cure for this mess?"

"None so far…Bork never encountered one of these before."

"At least we got Hookfang to try it." Toothless said with an elbow on his knee and his head resting on a supporting hand. "If Hiccup ate it, I don't think I can hold back from attacking the villagers."

"Then it's better if you ate it?" Snotlout laughs. "I don't think Hiccup has enough muscle to pry those girls from having more crushes on you."

"You're right but that won't stop the admirers from having accidents."

Snotlout turns to Hiccup, surprise to hear him say something like that.

"What accidents?"

Hiccup gives a nonchalant shrug. "I don't know. But it's better if we don't know, right?"

Somehow, the words escaping from Hiccup's sends a very evil shiver on Snotlout's spine. And that's saying something!

"Um…right…" Snotlout hesitantly and turns back to Hookfang, who winks at a light-headed girl. This brought a disgusting taste into the Viking's mouth and he stands up. "I got to go."

"Do you need Hookfang to-?"

"Ha! Me? Need him? Not a chance." Snotlout takes a step away from his cousin and Toothless to go on his way towards…somewhere away from Hookfang. Yes, that's where he plans to go. "Tell Hookfang to go home if he needs me. I don't need him following me everywhere."

Snotlout utterly regret those words later that day. He's staying at the beach, shining his helmet with a rag and the water to help. He lied about not needing Hookfang. No matter how much his prideful ego can grow, he will always, always need Hookfang…He just won't admit it, considering Hookfang have the same amount of ego as well.

He remember the time Hookfang got sick. Really sick. Snotlout had always train him to make Hookfang stronger but when Hookfang got sick, Snotlout realize he wasn't the one who's weak.

No. That would be Snotlout himself.

The Viking is what he is: Strong, tough, the perfect image of what Vikings should be physically. But seeing Hookfang like that made him feel weak, helpless…Scared. Snotlout can just close his eyes and he can remember the tired look in those yellow eyes, the fire within them slowly dying and the light pants that signify the horrible way that tells Hookfang is near his time. Snotlout can never forgive himself for nearly killing his dragon that day. Even if Hookfang does forgive him, Snotlout will always remind himself that training isn't always everything. And the best way to scar it into his mind is to scar his heart with the horrible memory.

Snotlout trails his eyes to the sea, the light and then the horizon, watching the dragons flying together with their roars in affectionate tones, their heads sometime nuzzling together.

His heart clenches. Snotlout knew he has always love his dragon that way, ever since the Monstrous Nightmare revive with fire anew, his roar louder and stronger than Hookfang ever hear and the glowing yellow eyes burning with that beautiful fire again.

But he kept his feelings to himself. His father has always told him rest is for the weak. If he can say something like that, Snotlout has no doubt his father would saying that love is weak as well, considering the fact Snotlout's own mother have ran off with someone else when Snotlout was only 5.

He grips on his helmet. He has always resent his mother. He hated her ever since she left her father and him. The day she ran off was the night where Snotlout had seen his father cried for the last time. Maybe his father's method on getting a new dragon was from the memory of his mother leaving him for a new man.

Snotlout scrubs his rag against the helmet, his anger boiling lightly. He hates his mother. He curses her very soul. He even considered hunting her down to slap her and humiliate her. But at the same time, he didn't want to. He curses himself for being so weak, so clingy to the remaining love he have for his mother. Whenever someone asks for his mother, he would end up saying she died. Just two words. No more, no less. No one, not even Hookfang, knows this. Stoick might have an idea but then again, the chief knows everything.

His grip on the rag loosen and he ends up stopping, letting his helmet rest on his lap and with his position shifting to a sitting one. His father has turn harsher and more cold-hearted. He sometimes drown himself in ale and get drunk once in a while. Even with all that, his father didn't harm him. Training harshly and scolding him as if Snotlout is garbage, sure. But he never hurt him like how his wife did.

But for Snotlout, he never fell in love. He flirted with some girls, sure, but he didn't think anyone would like him. Just looking at the disgust and annoyance on Astrid's face is proof that Snotlout can repel girls. It was great. To flirt freely with every girl on the island to think he's not very committed or marriage material, to have everyone think he's tough and to live knowing he won't end up like when he was 5 when his mom left him: Broken.

Until he met Hookfang. He thought that, hey, he's a dragon! There's no way they can hook up! But thanks to that stupid berry, Hookfang can be in a form that fits the Viking species. More or less. Not mention that Hookfang is very flirtatious and proud of his power. But worst of all: Snotlout still falls for him.

Maybe his dad was like this as well when he was with his mother: To fall for the wrong person, love them like they're precious and then just give them your heart willingly until they throw it down the ground and smash it to bits with a hammer.

Snotlout has tried everything to stop loving that idiot redhead. He knows Hookfang only finds him as a toy boy, something to play with and then throw away. He knows Hookfang would prefer someone more feminine and…squealy (Snotlout shudders at the thought of himself squealing). But those reasons are still not enough to prevent what he had said not long ago to Hookfang.

I love you.

Snotlout lets out a yell of frustration and throws his helmet to the sand, his eyes burning angrily at the piece of headwear before his shoulders slump and he hugs his knees, feeling like the little kid he was long ago when his own mom left him.

His heart has become too committed with Hookfang. He has given his heart to the hybrid far too willingly. It's impossible to hate the hybrid now. Not unless Hookfang breaks it into pieces that can't be mended.

He stands up to pick up his helmet, dust off the sand from it and then put it onto his head, trying to have the helmet go low enough to let his bangs cover some of his eyes that no one can see them afar.

Maybe if he's lucky, no one can see the tears glittering them.

~^.^~

"Snotlout, what's the matter?"

The boy comes back to reality from the sound of his father's voice and he looks up to face the questioning look on the older Viking's face, his hand stroking the stubble on his chin.

Snotlout shakes his head and faces his food. "It's nothing, dad."

"It wouldn't be nothing if you keep staring at your food." Spitelout notices the visible flinch from his son and sighs, closing his eyes. "What's wrong, Snotlout?"

"Dad, I told you, it's nothing."

"Does it have to do with your dragon, Kooklame?"

"His name is Hookfang!" Snotlout shouts in protest, his eyes ready to glare at his dad until he sees the confirmed smile that Spitelout has manage to set him off with the purpose mislead. Spitelout's eyes examine the now silent brute with his own discovery. Snotlout would react that way but not with that strength of anger. And compare to the Jorgenson fury eyes, Snotlout's was on a whole other level when he protested.

Hookfang has something to do with it. That hybrid has always live under his roof but Hookfang would always make so much noise in the room with Snotlout, it nearly made Spitelout go out to have a small hunt in the forest to prevent from his mind being scarred.

He's not bothered by the fact his son isn't top. It proves the hybrid is strong, the perfect attribute of the Jorgenson family. He has always thought the two always have sex due to Snotlout's hormones raging and having the hybrid as his playmate is better than a pregnant girl.

But now…

"Dad, I need to tell you something."

Spitelout stares at his son's bended head. "What is it?"

Snotlout takes a deep breath, his eyes shut tight. Knowing his father's patience isn't longer than his own, Snotlout looks eye to eye with his father and tries to muster up as much courage as he can.

"I'm…in love with Hookfang."

Snotlout can only be thankful that his hybrid isn't home to witness this confession and the wrath of his father. Snotlout closes his eyes and prepare himself for the frustrated yell, the words that would stab him ruthlessly and the incoming stare of pure fury.

But he's met with the removal of his helmet and a light pat on his head.

"Is that so?"

Snotlout blinks his eyes open and faces his father, who is now on one knee and patting Snotlout's head, his eyes soft and fatherly. Snotlout has never seen him look like that. Not since he was but a wee lad.

"Then why didn't you stop him from flirting with all those girls?"

Snotlout blinks again, this time to gawk at his father with questions of whether his father is drunk again.

"I…I thought you would say love is for the weak."

Spitelout sighs and takes a seat next to Snotlout. "Listen, Snotlout. Yes, I would say that. I would say love is for the weak, nothing but a distraction from training and something that will always leave you helpless. But seeing you with Hookfang…I was wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"When I saw Hookfang back to his healthy self, I was surprise to see you so happy. And even more so when you would argue me about how I shouldn't consider dragons as swords or something that can be thrown away. It took me off-guard to see you so determined, so willed to say those to me and say your dragon is someone important to you. Then when I one time saw Hookfang curling around you on your bed when you had something troubling your sleep, I realize that love isn't always bad. Your mother and I…even though it hurt when she left, she taught me not only the bad points but the good ones as well. She gave me good memories of it, the time we share when we were in love…She might have used me for all I know but I was happy, even if I was oblivious. I have moved on from the pain…

Thanks to you, I'm not afraid of committing my love to someone." Spitelout places Snotlout's helmet back where it was and looking at his son eye to eye like a father looking down his young son, Spitelout said with a smile. "Now it's your turn, son…" Snotlout stares in awe at his father, stunned by the rare tenderness in his dad before Spitelout lets him get up and shoves his son to the door. "Now go get that lizard friend of yours. I don't want to hear any more sappy stuff from one of my own blood."

"Dad?" Spitelout looks down at his son with a raised brow. "Can I just say something?" Spitelout barely nod before Snotlout nearly tackles him with a family hug. "Thanks…." Snotlout releases his father and when he grabs the doorknob, he looks back at his father and says with a smile of his own. "You're the best dad ever."

With that, Snotlout was off with the door hanging open and his feet rushing down the stairs to find his stubborn dragon. Spitelout watches at the fleeting form, smiling sadly as he does so.

"I love you too, son…You have grown so much…"

Spitelout is glad not to have two kids. Because having a son as great as Snotlout is all he needs just to have a happy family.

"Now to find a broom to sweep off all these dusts."

Spitelout walks back into his home and closes the door to be rid of the 'dusts' that have caused his eyes to water.

~^.^~

"HOOKFANG!" Snotlout looks around the snow-covered area around him, walking towards the training area. "Hookfang!" When he receives no answer, the Jorgenson lets out a small grunt. "Hookfang, where are you?"

"Hehehe! Oh, Hookfang, you tease!"

Snotlout winces at the flirtatious voice and steps inside just in time to see the horrible scene.

There stands Hookfang with a girl in his arms, one of the beautiful ones that Snotlout has once flirted in the past. The girl has dark brown hair with a busty body being hugged tight by her slightly low-cut wool shirt and a black skirt made from the popular black sheep itself. The girl was looking at Hookfang lovingly in the eyes before she leans in to steal a kiss…

Snotlout feels the world stopping around him. Time has slow down. The healed scar in his heart left by his mother has reopen, bigger and more painful. Anger fills his own being and he grabs a nearby bucket full of water and steps towards them until he dumps the content all onto the girl, shocking both her and Hookfang.

"Ekkkk!" The girl squeal in terror and with the water growing cold on her body, she rushes out of the training center, leaving Hookfang with Snotlout.

"Snotlout-"

"I hate you!" Snotlout cries out and slams the empty bucket on Hookfang's head, making his hybrid wear it like some head-covering hat. When the hybrid got the bucket out of his head, his rider is already gone.

"Snotlout!" Hookfang yells for his name and runs out of the training area to search for his rider, hoping to explain for what happened. This is bad, really bad. He thought if he starts making Snotlout jealous, he can hear those three words again in hopes to reply them in return. But because of one slut, Hookfang has flirted too far and before he knew it, he was followed by the girl and almost got kissed. He hadn't expected her to jump on him like that.

And now Snotlout is gone. "I hate you" was not the words Hookfang was planning to hear.

From dusk till night, there was no sign of Snotlout. Hookfang has search everywhere. The beach, the mess hall, Sven's farm. Everywhere. Hookfang returns home, hoping to see that stubborn boy safe and sound. He steps into the house to find Spitelout sharpening his sword, a mug of ale next to him on the table. Hookfang's face turns impassive. Spitelout isn't someone Hookfang entirely like being alone with.

"So have you two made up? Where's Snotlout?"

Hookfang's heart drops down to his stomach, his face now as pale as the white snow outside. "He…He isn't home?"

Spitelout's eyes widen. "No. Didn't he find you to tell you how he feels?"

Hookfang buries his head in his hands, shaking it with wide eyes. No. No. It couldn't be. This is all his fault. Snotlout is out there, somewhere, in danger and it's all thanks to him and his stupid plan!

"What have I done? I…I didn't even know he was going to…" Hookfang sits down and covers his eyes with one of his hands. "He…He thought I was cheating on him and ran off. A girl jumped on me and I wasn't able to recover the shock fast enough to stop her from trying to kiss me until Snotlout manage to. He ran off and I don't even know where he is!" Hookfang growls and slams a hand on the oak table. "What was I thinking?! I thought I could have Snotlout say he likes me if I make him jealous, not hate me!"

Spitelout stops sharpening and he looks up, his eyes as hard as steel and as cold as the ice outside. "As angry as I am that you sent my boy out into the fucking cold, I should let you know that plan nearly worked…"

"I know…I just…I want to hear Snotlout say those words again…" Hookfang sighs and leans his head on one hand and the other lying on his lap, his eyes swimming in worries.

Spitelout shakes his head. "Snotlout isn't the type who says those words often. Nor is he the type who would easily commit in getting close to people."

"What do you mean?"

Spitelout sharpens his sword again. "I had a wife…She was very close to my son. Love him to bits. Then when he's five…"

"She died." Hookfang states.

"No…" Spitelout examines his blade, the flames from the fire in the pits illuminating both it and Spitelout in a way that it's as if Spitelout is ready to kill. "Worse than that. She left for another family."

Hookfang's brows furrow. "But…Snotlout said she died. Why would he lie about someone he should hate?"

"Because he couldn't hate her enough. Like I said, he and his mother were close. So close, it's almost as if they were inseparable. Snotlout is a loyal guy. Too loyal, perhaps. A bleeding heart has been a small curse to the Jorgenson family. Snotlout has that said curse. And he hated it, even now. He trained every day before the alliance of dragons and Vikings and just when he manage to make his heart as strong as iron steel, he met you." Spitelout's eyes soften, the sword slowly losing its light. "And that's what scared him. When his mother left us, I was a broken man. A man without a mind or soul anymore. But I manage to heal because my son needs me. And I couldn't bear the thought of leaving him alone. I need to toughen up and I wouldn't want Snotlout to feel that way so I have to toughen him up too."

"Terrible job to raise a child like that." Hookfang mutters under his breath.

"I heard that." Spitelout narrows his eyes at the hybrid. "Thanks to my son, I gotten back to myself…more or less. But I couldn't heal him the way I want to."

"What do you mean?"

Spitelout stares at the fire pit and crosses his arms. "For him, having his mother left him like that without giving a warning or any consideration for the both of us, was too much for a 5 years old. His heart has been broken beyond repair. I decided to try to toughen him up, have him pick up the pieces himself. But I see that wasn't the solution. When he turned eight…she showed up, coming onto our doorsteps and having the guts to ask for Snotlout to come with her. I didn't know how to respond to that. I told Snotlout that if he wants to go, then just go."

"That's…a bit harsh."

"It's the only way to have him think the decision without being guilty about me being left alone." Spitelout comments and then continue. "But even with all that intense training and harsh talk, he still ask me if he can stay rather than leave. I couldn't resist the kid when he was staring at me like some crybaby." Spitelout grabs the mug and chugs down the ale. Hookfang can see Spitelout meant kid Snotlout was cute just by looking at the old man's eyes. Hookfang inwardly smile. He kinda wish he can see that. "But the woman wouldn't let it go. She asked her new husband to help get Snotlout-"

"Wait, she brought her new husband?!"

"Ha, you can imagine how stupid of her to have that husband of hers make Snotlout join their side. The heartbreaker was when Snotlout saw a kid. His half-brother." Spitelout shakes his head a little. "Snotlout cracked. For an eight-year-old, he can still manage to make a brave front. He told his mother to leave and never come back. It nearly killed him to say those words but he still said them with a brave face. When his mother tried to say Snotlout will have a family with them instead of me, Snotlout ended up shouting he hates her and say 'I only need my dad to have a family' before getting me inside and slamming the door right at her." Spitelout shakes his mug to let the remaining ale swirl a bit, his eyes darting to the moving liquid.

Hookfang decided to cut the silence. "Snotlout really loves you."

Spitelout nods and said uncharacteristically tender. "He does…I only realize that on that moment. He's a brave boy. He did cried after that but I made sure he knows he did the right thing. Ever since then, Snotlout didn't get too attached to anyone. He didn't want to get broken up like how his mother did to us. We never brought up the issue of Snotlout's mom to anyone. If they ask, we say she's dead."

"Then why tell me?" Spitelout raises a brow at Hookfang. "Your son hates me now. Why tell me all this, the very thing you two don't want to let out?"

Spitelout stares at the fire again, his eyes unreadable. "You still have a chance to fix things before it's too late, don't you? I have seen how Snotlout act between those girls he flirted before and you and I can say he's more attached to you than anyone in the village. And it wouldn't be because of the berry…" Spitelout finally turns to Hookfang. "So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get him home." Spitelout glares and stabs his newly sharpened sword onto the table, malice visible in his voice. "Or else."

Hookfang would've gone out without him threatening so. He needs to find the misunderstood kid.

Before it's too late.

~^.^~

The forest is coated in white snow, the wind is blowing strongly in the night sky and the light blizzard isn't really helping with the sightseeing.

Snotlout lets out a breath, white smoke escaping his lips. If he hadn't gone to Hiccup's house to let him leave a note for his dad, he would've freeze to death by now. But now, he's halfway there. It wouldn't made much difference.

Snotlout shivers in cold and his fingers have start to turn pale. He doesn't even know where he's going. He's just going around the forest with no destination in mind.

He needs to find shelter. He has to. He tries to look through the snowy blizzard but all he sees are blurry silhouettes.

He can feel his teeth clattering against teeth and his lips are slightly blue. The cold is seeping into his skin and his hands attempting to warm his bare arms are no longer hot. They have begun shaking and shivering.

But the coldest part is his broken heart, forever buried in the snow. Now he knows why his dad would drown himself in alcohol when he has a chance. Drowning his sorrow in something strong enough to kill your senses is something anyone who's hurt enough would do. For Spitelout, its alcohol.

For Snotlout, it's the blizzard. It's just as cold as the day he faced his own mother, his stepfather and his new-born half-brother. Snotlout grips lightly on his biceps. He lets out a shivering breath and tries to keep his mind active by chanting something to motivate himself.

"I-I'm a Viking. I'm s-strong. I'm t-t-t-t-tough. I'm a Jor-orgenson. S-S-Snotlout, S-Snotlout, O-Oy O-O-Oy Oy-"

He tripped on a snowy rock before he can finish his usual cheer, letting out a grunt when he lands on the icy snow. He lifts himself up with his arms for a moment but when his head is just barely an inch from the snow, he lets himself collapse, his helmet falling off of his head. His skin has turn nearly white, his eyes barely open and his lungs slowly getting chilled in the icy air. It's no use. Snotlout can feel the icy grip of death calling for his soul, ready to claim him the moment his eyes close. And horribly, that's what he feel. The coldness has put his nerves to sleep and his mind on a shut down.

Maybe it's for the best. After all, his father will be free to have a new family…Hiccup wouldn't have a competition for the position for Chief of Hairy Hooligan…The girls won't be worried about being flirted all the time…and Hookfang…

Snotlout lets the tears fall from the corner of his eyes, the water slowly becoming ice against his cheek. He never even got to hear Hookfang's answer. All thanks to the stubbornness of the Jorgenson clan. Even if Hookfang's answer would kill him, Snotlout should've listen to the answer like a man. Not run away like a cowardly. What happen to the Snotlout who stood up against his own mother? The Snotlout who won't run away? The same Snotlout who fought alongside the other dragon riders in the fight against Red Death?

Where's that guy?

His vision starts to disappear. He tried, he really did, but he just couldn't stay awake…

The only thing he sees through the snow is a shadow coated in red hot flames, calling out his name.

"Hook…fang…"

When the name escapes his lips, Snotlout finds himself surrounded in darkness as his mind slowly lose consciousness.

~^.^~

"…Snotlout.

Snotlout, get up!

Snotlout. Come on, you knucklehead, wake up!

You can't do this to me! I'm not letting you die just like that!"

Snotlout lets out a small groan. Heat radiates on his body like he's hugging flames. And considering he's been burnt a few times, this one is familiarly hot…

"Snotlout, wake up! Wake up!" He can feel himself being shaken, his temperature slowly growing higher and higher with those hands on his arms gripping him tightly in their grip. "Shit…" Someone curses and the warmth is gone but only for a moment. The sound of someone pacing made Snotlout open his eyes slowly, his chest rumbling a groan. At first, the vision is blurry but as Snotlout's eyesight adjust, he finds himself looking at a rocky ceiling. Wasn't he supposed to be in Valhalla? Didn't he die in the snowstorm?

No…he remembered now…He saw Hookfang…

Snotlout turns his head a little to the sound of someone sitting down next to him, their back facing him. A familiar red tail lays lifelessly on the ground while the owner stares into the bright flames, the back of his red-haired head only shown to the recently awaken Viking.

What could Hookfang want with him? How did he find him through the storm? Hookfang wasn't supposed to find him…right?

"Stupid…dragon…" Snotlout's words are barely a whisper but Hookfang heard them loud and clear. His head perks up like a dog lifting its ears and he turns around, the yellow eyes suddenly gleaming with light towards Snotlout.

The Viking continues to stare at them, unable to move away from his hybrid's face.

"Snotlout!" Hookfang moves towards his rider and reaches out to touch his forehead. "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried I-your dad was?!" Hookfang shifts uncomfortably. "You nearly died out there! Your body gotten too cold and you look like Meatlug covered in snow! What were you thinking?!"

Snotlout resists the urge to be crestfallen. Of course his dad would send Hookfang. It's the only explanation. His dad is a strong Viking after all. If Hookfang didn't listen, he could be chopped off by Spitelout.

He tries to sit up and, even though Hookfang is pretty much trying to glue him to the bed of leaves and twigs, Snotlout sent him a glare.

"Yeah, well, no one asked you to be my babysitter. Now that you found me, you can tell dad I'm fine. Thanks for the help." But Hookfang grabs him firmly by the upper arms and looks straight at Snotlout's face.

"Stop being stubborn! You're still cold from the blizzard." Hookfang looks back at the fireplace, staring at the fish being roasted on it. "You're lucky I caught some fishes. I bet you haven't even eaten a single meat."

"So?"

Hookfang turns back to Snotlout swiftly. "So?! So?! You'll starve! Have you hit your head on something or did the cold kill your brain?!"

"Why would you care if I starve?" Snotlout leans his left side against the smooth wall, noticing the slight twitch on his hybrid's left eye.

"Because you're my rider! Of course I would care!"

"Then you don't need to anymore."

An uncomfortable pause fills the air. "What do you mean?"

Snotlout stops himself from making a scoff and tries to ignore the stabbing pain in his heart. "I won't be your rider anymore." Hookfang's expression changes to that of horror. But Snotlout was too hurt to notice. "I mean it! Now you can let some other fling ride you. Hey, with that berry you'd ate, I bet you don't need to worry about a short line." He keeps a straight face on his hybrid, his brave front unwavering. For one sick moment, Snotlout expects him to leave and never come back.

But instead, Hookfang's eyes turn broken and pained, his grip weakening.

"You thought this was all a fling? Every fight, every argument, every adventure we've been through…Those were just so I could have a fling with you?"

Snotlout didn't answer. He didn't need to. The answer sinks into Hookfang's mind and the Monstrous Nightmare shakes his head.

"No…it's never like that. I would never do that to you!" Hookfang protests strongly on Snotlout's view on their time together. He pulls Snotlout close, his grip strong but comfortable. "What you saw back there, that meant nothing! She came onto me!"

"And who's to say you don't like that?!" Hookfang reels back a bit but Snotlout lets out a frustrated growl. "What if something like this happens again and it won't end up with us like this?! I won't ever be your rider anymore if I'm just a fling or some back up in case you have no one to screw with! I-!" Snotlout stops himself and lets out a disapproving grunt, staring at the ground. Those words he has know but never say out loud almost escaped him.

Hookfang's eyes soften, his loyalty for his rider stinging from being questioned. It doesn't make sense to him. Spitelout said Snotlout loves him and he's always loyal to the people he love but this just seem farfetched. Especially when Snotlout said he won't ever be his ri-

His head cracked like a brick has fallen on it. Of course…What has he been thinking?

"Are you saying…I won't consider you as my perfect rider?"

The Viking flinches but Hookfang can see the heat rising up his rider's cheeks. He resists the urge to smirk.

"Then being cheated on wasn't the only thing you're worried about…You're even worried about-!"

"Shut up!" Snotlout's command echoes through the walls of the cave and Hookfang sits still at where he is. "That's not it!"

"Then what is it?! I don't get it! I have been trying to understand you but you just keep pushing me back!" Hookfang grabs Snotlout by the arms and forces him into look at him eye-to-eye. "I know about your mom, Snotlout. About how she left you and your dad for another family." Seeing the pain-filled eyes of his Viking made Hookfang wish he burn that bitch to crisp. But he tightens his grip a bit to keep the Viking focused. "But she's gone now. I don't know what I can do to make up for what happened but you have to trust me on this! I won't leave you! You'll always be my rider!"

"Are your ears broken, lizard brain?! I told you, I won't be your rider anymore!"

"Yes, you will!"

"No! I won't! I won't!"

"And why not?!"

"Like hell I'll tell you!"

"Snotlout, stop being stubborn! You're still my rider and unless you have a good reason, I won't leave you!"

Snotlout grinds his teeth together. "You don't know what you're talking about! Why can't you get your thick head get the fact I won't be your rider?!"

"And why can't you get the fact you will?!"

"BECAUSE YOU'RE MY DRAGON!"

Hookfang blinks perplexedly at the outburst. With frustrated but tired pants, Snotlout runs a hand through his hair.

"Because, no matter how much I try, no matter how much I stay away, you're always there in my mind. I can't get rid of you. Even when dad told me to get rid of you that time, I couldn't do it!" He starts to bring his knees to his chest and grips his hair, bending his head low to cover his face. "When someone asks who my favorite dragon is, I say you. When someone asks who the strongest dragon is, I say you. And when I ask myself who is the only dragon suitable for me, I answered you!" A choked sob stops him from talking for a moment and he shakes his head. "Not matter how much I try to think differently…you're always my dragon…But I'm not your rider…I never will be!" Snotlout shuts his eyes tightly and with a sickening sob, tears start to overflow and fall onto his lap. The silence and darkness in the cave has made Snotlout feel like he was that little boy again, the boy who saw his own mother walk out of the door with a slam and the ten-year-old who saw his own father wept with a broken heart.

The sound of movement didn't reach Snotlout's ears until a pair of arms wrap around his curled body, making the Viking release his hair and raise his head. Hookfang places his chin on the brown-haired head.

"I love you…" The Monstrous Nightmare whispers and rubs his nose against the brown hair. "Monstrous Nightmares don't express love so much. But when they do, they mean it. Even the words 'I love you' can mean a promise of a lifetime. You'll always be my rider, Snotlout. Nothing can change that." Hookfang lets Snotlout reluctantly wrap his own arms around the torso, burying his face against the slightly muscular chest. Hookfang closes his eyes when he heard a shaky sob form his rider. Finally, the stubborn brat give in. Took a hell of a while.

"I can't handle being thrown away and left alone again…I just can't…" Snotlout said against his chest, his voice broken and barely a whisper. Something he would do as he bare all his pain, his weakness and his heart to his own hybrid. Hookfang pulls him tighter against his body, his skin hot and comforting for the cold winter air in the cave.

"I know, Snotlout…I know…" Hookfang places a kiss on the top of his rider's head and strokes his back. "And you won't feel that way…Not with me…"

Snotlout slowly closes his eyes and even when he's slowly falling into slumber, he can still hear the soft beating of Hookfang's heart and the alluring, hummed tune from the hybrid against him. The last thing Snotlout can think of was the time when he and his father sat down in the winter day like this, sleeping next to the fire pit with him snuggling in his father's arms. The only warmth they have was the fire and the fact that they're a family…Together.

Just Snotlout, his dad…and his symbol of fire, his hybrid. His love.

A sweet smile appears on Snotlout's face.

~^.^~

"Well, it looks like the berry effect is gone now! Judging from the lack of fans, it's safe to say you're good to go for roaming around the village."

Gobber nods affirmatively after checking for any other side effects on Hookfang, who took the news with a light wag of his tail. Snotlout nods firmly.

"Good. I don't want my dragon to get distracted during his training." Gobber raises a brow at that and Snotlout turns to Hookfang. "You ready to go?"

Hookfang grins in a way that Gobber can see from Toothless when that Night Fury is facing his dear apprentice. "I was born ready."

Hookfang gets off the desk and walks side by side with his chosen rider. Gobber strokes his beard. Those two are much closer than before. Especially when the word 'training' brought a lusty glint in those yellow, reptilian eyes and Snotlout didn't shiver whenever it appears. In fact, it only brought a very light blush on that brute's face and his eyes even darted away.

Coincidence? Gobber doesn't think that's the case. Especially when Hookfang wraps his tail around Snotlout's waist and pulls the usually stubborn Viking to him.

And Snotlout did nothing to push him away.

With a small gruff, Gobber decided to focus on his next patient. With the alliance, he shoulder give Stoick a new rule: Never wonder what a human and a dragon could be doing! That could scar the mind of kids everywhere…If they haven't seen Mildew's butt that is. A cold shiver runs up and down Gobber's spine when he remembers the time he has to extract Scauldron venom.*

Yep. Nothing worse than the arse of the villager's own Mildew.

As the couple heads down to the beach, they sit together at the beautiful glow of the sunset. Considering the event of yesterday, Snotlout decided that going around in circles through the village, being chased by new fans, going around the village again and then go Snotlout-finding in a freaking blizzard to drag his (Cute, says Hookfang) ass into a slightly damp cave is enough training for his dragon. So the two took the day to enjoy the beautiful scenery, where the sky is brightly orange like flames and the sun coloring the sea with all its light.

"You come here a lot, Snotlout. Especially when its sunset." Hookfang looks down at his rider, who's resting on his lap after Hookfang's stubborn insistence to have Snotlout on his lap. The Viking looks at his hybrid over his shoulder.

"Got a problem with it?"

"No." The Monstrous Nightmare chuckles. "I'm just wondering. You're not the type who sits down and looks at the scenery."

Snotlout looks back at the view. "I'm not. I'm more of the type who looks at something and be remembered of all the good memories that reminds me of."

Hookfang removes the helmet to place it next to them. "And what does the sunset remind you of?"

Snotlout's eyelids lowered slightly. "…It reminds me of you…It's pretty obvious, lizard breath."

Hookfang chuckles lightly and wraps his arms around the buff Viking's waist. "I just like hearing you say it though."

The Viking scoffs but did nothing to discourage the hybrid's statement. The two sit on the quiet beach, the waves clashing back and forth against the sand with the dragons flying back from their fishing hunt soaring through the sky. Hookfang places his head on Snotlout's shoulder and he whispers lovingly against his ear, a smile evident in his voice.

"I love you."

Snotlout turns away from his hybrid and Hookfang grins widely at the sight of red ears.

"I love you too…Stupid dragon."

Hiding behind a rocky pillar is a girl cloaked in a purple robe with black rose markings on it. Her lips curl to a mischievous smile and she looks at her right, staring at what most people would think its air.

"Thanks for the blizzard, Jack."

A boy with white hair and crystal blue eyes lays on a wooden staff, floating in midair with a trickster's grin. He gets off his staff and twirls it in his hand, walking as if the air is his ground, gravity being defied by his spirit.

"You're just lucky I'm in the area. And that I love a good plan."

"Mm, you are the Guardian of Fun after all."

"Anything more mischievous coming along?"

The woman shakes her head. "None whatsoever. I believe your little bunny boy is waiting for you."

A light dusting of frost covers Jack's cheeks and he mumbles. "Your fault for kidnapping me."

The girl lets out a laugh and her eyes gleam amusingly in the dark, twinkling with mirth. "Now, Jack, you know how we authors have a skill in kidnapping."

"But setting a trap with a Baby Tooth dummy in danger? That's a low blow."

"No, the low blow would be having you trap in a room along with Bunnymund in a rut." She sticks her tongue out at the frosting Guardian and leans against the pillar. "You best get going before I get ideas on you."

With a chuckle, Jack shakes his head. "You are too easily bored." He flies up onto the bright sky and with an inaudible voice, the wind blew him off for his home.

Coming up to the side of the girl are two figures that reach till her knees. One wears a black coat while the other is a dark blue one.

"So, Lu-chan, what's next?"

A secretive smile spreads across her face and she raises her hand, palm up. A swirl of dark purple flames form around on top of it and landing right in her palm is a dark red berry with the symbol of a black angry skull.

"I think you know what's next…" The smile turns to a grin and she inspect the berry to the light, letting the berry glow with an ominous aura.

The black cloaked one sighs and removes his hood, revealing black cat ears and face with a white muzzle. "Toothless is going to kill you for this."

"Something like that is horrible. And an understatement, since it's going to involve his mate."

"Hiccup?" The blue cloaked one removes his hood as well to reveal himself as a robotic cat where instead of a mouth is a metal plate of some kind. "You're joking!" Alarm is visible in his voice. "You can't be serious! That berry isn't for someone as delicate as him."

"Hiccup is far from delicate and you both know it." The girl chides and rolls the berry in her index finger and thumb. "It's time everyone sees how Hiccup gets eaten up." She lowers it to the two cats and hands them the berry. "Whether they'll like it or not. Kuro, Mii-kun, you know what to do."

The cats sigh but pull their hoods up and take the fruit their mistress have made. As fast as a ninja, they head up to the village to leave the mastermind to her duties. She looks at a nearby cliff above her and smiles lightly at the sight of Toothless chatting and sitting side by side with Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.

A slow, creeping, dangerous smile takes over her mouth.

Let the games begin, shall we?

Next Berry: No, I won't inform the next berry! XD Mwahaha!

And…um…yeah, I included myself and these two cats into the chapter. XD as third POV.

Kuro: NOW OFF TO STUDYING! *Drags me to a dark room with only a desk*

Me: AHH! D; NO NO NO!

Mii-kun: It's for your own good, Lu-chan. You need to stop procrastinating!

Me: T.T …Help me…

*A reference to the episode Dragon Flower in Riders of Berk. WATCH IT IF U HAVEN'T! I DARE YA! D8

-Jack Frost, Baby Tooth and Bunnymund belongs to the Rise of the Guardians. And they only appear in this chapter so, I don't think this needs to be a crossover-