Days pass and Eret has not heard nor seen Hiccup. This sort of evasion isn't peculiar and it doesn't strike Eret as something he should take too personally. Undeniably, Berk's young chief has been subjected to emotional turmoil that Eret wouldn't wish upon his worst enemies (that's not true at all, he'd wish even worse upon Drago but that's beside the point.)
Nevertheless, the rejection is still a hornet's stinger piercing his susceptible flesh. No, the rejection is a swarm of hornets attacking him all at once, rendering him immobile and agonized. Perhaps that's a bit exaggerative, but Eret can handle rejection; it was the rejection followed by Hiccup's refusal to communicate that ailed him.
Hiccup can't last long, he hopes. Eventually, he'll have to confront Eret. Eret just hopes it soon because Hiccup won't leave his thoughts, no matter how hard he tries to fight the intrusive pining. Hiccup's crooked, goofy smile, the way his green eyes light up when he's excited, the overall feeling of completeness that surrounds the young man's aura when he's one with the wind and sky, the way it brings out beautiful and forthcoming traits that qualify him to be a leader; a protector.
Today, Eret has been ordered to carry and unload supplies on the docks. Skullcrusher circles the procession of ships from above, shrieking blissfully while his body twists and turns through the heavy fog. Eret boards yet another ship in order to survey the crates and barrels filled with supplies obtained through trade (another village to the east, though Eret isn't familiar with Berk's neighboring domains).
It's odd to set foot on a boat for only a brief amount of time during the day when he had lived on a vessel for months. Nevertheless, he maneuvers the craft with ease, as if nothing has changed and he recalls the nooks and crannies of any ship's essentials. He gazes at the ship's mast, standing proud and unabashed. He notices the mast's wood is deteriorating, bits and pieces torn from the ruthless rain and winds. He'll have to explain to Hiccup about the ship's condition.
A loose rope hoisted by the mast swivels and brushes freely against the weary pole. Eret remembers that the first time he met Hiccup, the boy heroically leaped off his snarling Night Fury, jumped into the air, gripped a swinging rope from his ship's mast, and swung himself to land on the deck.
Eret would have never guessed that the tall, long-limbed rider of Berk would outsmart him. Honestly, he didn't know what to think when the supposed dragon master introduced himself but the last speculation he could offer was that the son of Stoick the Vast would be soft, pliable, and scrawny with a wild, contrasting sense of confidence, brilliance and allure.
Eret catches himself revering Hiccup again so he frowns, begins unpacking the traded goods, and hopes the menial tasks will alter his focus.
Nighttime approaches and Eret hauls his fatigued, drooping stature back to his home. Skullcrusher trots alongside him with far too much vivacity than Eret can handle at this hour. His arms are sore from lifting heavy equipment but at least he can maintain his muscular build at this rate. He can't necessarily complain when people admire his good looks, even if has earned him compromising position in the past.
When Eret reaches his destination, he nearly forgets to close the door behind him. Skullcrusher slams the front door shut with a swift whip of his broad tail.
"Thank you, boy," Eret credits his dragon. He slips off his boots, removes his shirt and drifts into a peaceful slumber but the following morning, he awakes with dampened sheets and a frantic throb between his legs.
Eret grunts in frustration
He had dreamt about Hiccup and it was a gorgeous and enticing whirl of vivid projections that he wishes hadn't ended so tersely. The next encounter he shares with Hiccup is certainly going to be a painfully discomfited one. Eret wonders if he'll be able to separate Hiccup's green eyes from dream world Hiccup's half lidded, lustful and glazed eyes.
Eret shifts restlessly under a pile of heavy blankets. It's still quite early and the sun hasn't risen yet so Eret debates whether or not he should fall asleep or take care of his pending excitement.
Detailed illustrations of Hiccup underneath his own impressive weight resonate powerfully in his drowsy state of mind. In his visions, the youthful chief had playfully tugged the fur shawl draped around Eret's shoulders, pulling him close kissing him shyly; not at all with the same force he assumed in reality.
And this time, in Eret's perfect world that had been interrupted far too soon, Eret was the one hastily mashing their greedy mouths together. Hiccup had wrapped his thin legs around Eret's waist, gasping softly when Eret carried them both towards the foot of the bed and then dropped Hiccup's clawing, entangled form atop wrinkled sheets.
Eret fumbles, tosses, and turns, trying to find a comfortable position that will allow him much needed rest. His erection swells frantically as he visualizes the boy's face pressed into the sheets, the fabrics muffling his curious moans and whimpers. His hand disappears under the wool covers and he almost lets out a sigh of relief when his hand begins to stroke his aching member. When he comes, he tries to picture the type of delicious noises that Hiccup would make in the throes of ecstasy.
"Mind if I join you, Chief?"
Ere carries two goblets he had just poured with mead, standing adjacent to Hiccup. The dining hall has cleared out since Hiccup has been here. Hiccup slouches in his seat, neck craned downwards. He jolts upright and is greeted with Eret's towering silhouette.
It's been the first time in days since he's been graced with Hiccup's attendance. He wants to be angry but that desire diminishes almost immediately. He's just too damn happy to see the bumbling idiot. Thoughts of Hiccup naked, writhing, sweating, and groaning are put to rest in the meantime. It's a sacrifice he's willing to make.
"Oh," Hiccup squeaks.
Eret's wrist hits the end of the table and he slides the glass of mead across the table. It parks flawlessly at Hiccup's fingertips, not a drip or spill to be seen. Eret is quite proud of his impeccable reflexes (and this was just one of his many suave maneuvers.)
"I'm not here to argue," Eret says, positioning himself opposite of the table, "You can talk when you want to. I just thought you could use a drink."
"I'm sorry," Hiccup blubbers erratically, "I know I should have said something sooner but- I mean—where do I even begin? Oh gods, what a mess."
He buries his heads in his folded arms.
"This is certainly taking a toll on your conscience," Eret snorts.
"Gee, how perceptive of you."
"Now that you mention my perceptiveness, where is your scaly friend? I almost didn't recognize you without your dragon hovering about."
"Asleep," Hiccup mumbles, his head rising faintly, chin resting glumly on his wrists. "Like I should be."
Eret lifts the mug of mead and takes a long, hearty gulp. He smacks the goblet atop the wooden table's surface with a loud thwack. Luckily, it's enough to encourage Hiccup to mimic his gesticulations. Hiccup swallows a mouthful of the tasty liquid and he spills a bit on the tabletop and on his chest. Sleep deprivation does not make for a nimble demonstration, much to Hiccup's dismay. Eret chews at the top of his lip to thwart himself from snickering.
"You can't isolate yourself from everyone, Hiccup," Eret rebukes. "Especially Toothless. It's not like you."
Hiccup's narrows his eyes in dissent until he decides that resentment takes up far too much of his already dwindling energy.
"In my defense," Hiccup retorts, "Do you really know me well enough to know that I'm doing something that's not 'like me'?"
"You raise an excellent point," Eret responds. "But I think I've had an idea about the kind of person you are, ever since the day you forced your way onto my ship, waving around that strange, fiery sword of yours."
"It's not a sword, it's a- never mind, I've explained it to you before and I'm not going to waste my time. You're hopeless."
Hiccup is straightening his posture, his now illuminated features producing a glimpse of bewilderment and a vague, reddish flush that signals his intoxication from the mead. It's just enough to render him tipsy and it's probably for the best if he doesn't indulge unless he wants to pass out right here in the dining hall.
Hiccup continues, "What exactly did you think about me when you first met me? I know you weren't exactly pleased with my entrance. Personally, I thought it was rather dashing but hey—" Hiccup shrugs immodestly- "that's just me."
"I thought you were a smug brat for daring to set foot on my ship with the guarantee that you could change Drago's mind about dragons."
"Again with the name calling."
"You never did change his mind but you certainly changed mine. I'm grateful for that."
Hiccup's is beaming enough to brighten the otherwise dimly lit atmosphere of the silenced hall. Eret fixates on the striking lad's crooked teeth. They're adorable, though Hiccup might disagree.
"I'm sorry I blew up at you like that," Hiccup apologizes, abruptly. The yearning to make amends must have been bubbling uncontrollably, just as deeply as it was for Eret. "The whole thing was stupid. You were only trying to help me and I took out my anger on you."
"You're forgiven. I don't suppose you'll tell me what you were so angry about. Whatever it is, it's eating you at your insides. And I'm still waiting on an explanation about—" Eret lowers his voice just to be cautious –"Your decision to fling yourself at me like that."
Hiccup puffs out his chest in protest. "I'm not one hundred percent falling in love with your tone, Eret son of Eret."
Eret guffaws which only causes more indignation to surface from Hiccup's defensive temper.
"I'm serious! You have no business striking that that kind of tone with your Chief, as if he's one of your conquests or…wanton strumpets."
Eret rolls his eyes and stuffs his knuckles in his mouth to stifle his laughter.
"Anyhow, I digress. I'll explain, I promise," Hiccup pledges. He idly twirls his index finger around the rim of his mug. "I've had a long day and I'd rather just worry about it later. I haven't gotten a lot of sleep lately."
Well, that much is glaringly apparent, but Eret politely turns a blind eye to that observation.
"I'm going to hold you to that," Eret warns.
"Yes sir," Hiccup jeers sarcastically.
"Get up, I'll walk you home. And don't trip over yourself like last time. There's no need to embarrass yourself."
Hiccup parts his mouth in protest but Eret shushes him before he gets the chance to speak. He hauls Hiccup's arm around his shoulder and they make their way towards Hiccup's home.
Eret expects Valka's presence when they enter Hiccup's residence.
"My mom is meeting with the other women. Someone in the group is expecting a child soon," Hiccup explains, kicking off his boots. Hiccup's jaw clenches at the term 'child.' "In case you were wondering where she was."
"Something wrong?" Eret asks, stepping into Hiccup's den to find Toothles snoozing by the fireplace. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps and maybe a little endearing, too, but Eret won't verbalize that.
"What?"
"You tensed up when you said 'child.'"
"Oh."
Hiccup exhales deafeningly as he unclasps his armor and peels off his leather coating. The room is murky and dark save for a few candles in Hiccup's bedroom. Valka must have lit them before she left for the night. It was sweet of her to consider her son at all times, not just when he was present. Part of Eret is nipped with a twinge of displeasure directed towards Hiccup. He was lucky to have her as a mother and Hiccup's animosity didn't seem reasonable.
"It's weird to watch everyone grow up around you and see them begin families of their own. And I—" Hiccup pauses his ministrations and chews anxiously on his tongue—" I don't know I guess it's a reminder of what I have ahead of me."
"You're scared of your future," Eret states.
"Well, yeah," Hiccup says. "Aren't you?"
"You're expected to start your own family," Eret drawls, piecing together the enigma that was Hiccup's chaotic turmoil.
Hiccup ducks his head.
"Yeah," he whispers.
"I'm sorry," Eret splutters, "I shouldn't have asked. I didn't mean to—"
"No," Hiccup reassures. "No, it's alright. You really are perceptive! Where would I be without your impeccable talents?"
"Dead, most likely."
Hiccup's affectionate laughter radiates Eret's senses. Eret feels a hollow, nervous flutter in his belly and it isn't at all unwelcome.
"Hiccup," He announces.
"Yeah?"
Hiccup now stands in the room, barefoot, in his green tunic and pants. Eret doesn't often see him in this state of undress and for some reason it's more vulnerable than in he were naked And Eret had seen Hiccup naked, at least in his dreams, which he wouldn't be opposed to revisitng.
"You alright over there, pal?" Hiccup jokes.
Eret doesn't respond. Alternatively, he strides forward, grazes the bottom of Hiccup's chin with his palm, and aligns their lips so they fit together perfectly, like missing pieces to a puzzle. Both men didn't drink much earlier, not as much as they often do, but Eret can still taste the delectable silky tang from the mead on Hiccup's tongue. The intoxication from the flavor dizzies his vision and dries his throat. He wants so much of this young man, it's surreal.
Eret's heartbeats palpitate when the smaller man—before tensing from surprise—hastily grab at his biceps. They both seize their intimate exchange to look into one another's eyes for permission to carry on.
"I, um," Hiccup stammers, a series of explanations unleashing from his gaping mouth—" I know this is kind of unexpected and, in recent discovery, also not unexpected."
Hiccup's tightens his grip on Eret's biceps, as if squeezing him will keep him closer; to ensure that neither will run away from what they're craving so badly.
"I mean, when you put it into perspective, it's—hrmmff."
Hiccup's sentence halts when Eret swallows his sounds with his own hungry and desperate mouth. Hiccup doesn't leave room for protest. There's an ambitious struggle over who domineers the kiss; a fraught and prying skirmish of tongues rutting against one another and teeth clashing vehemently.
Ultimately, Eret's experienced mouth wins. He sucks lightly at Hiccup's tongue—this rewards him with a delightful whimper. If he doesn't stop now, there's a chance they'll go farther and he wants that, more than anything, but he's not ready. Not yet.
Eret swears he hears a whine of protest when he pulls away from Hiccup's warmth. Hiccup clears his throat.
"Eret, I—"
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm not entirely sure what this is."
"It's aright," Eret whispers. "Neither do I."
"I like, though," Hiccup affirms. His endearing grin lights a fluttering tenderness in Eret's chest.
Eret inhales quickly, preparing the right words to attribute to the unease and spontaneity of their affair.
Thank you, Hiccup. You've shown me so much. You've given me a new home. You've given me new friends. You've changed me and without you I wouldn't be the man I am today.
There's an anxious knot stretched in the back of his throat that impedes his ability to speak. Internally, he curses himself for not gathering the courage to be forthright. It may take time, he thinks, to disseminate the nature and purpose of their bond. For now, he can wait.
"Goodnight, Hiccup."
Vague traces of disappointment cloud Hiccup's temperament but his satisfaction returns when Eret places a chaste kiss to the scar on Hiccup's chin.
Eret sees his way out, or begins to, when Hiccup replies, "Goodnight to you, too," and he yields his pace.
"I'll see you around, I guess. I mean, obviously, it's hard not to bump into each other. Small town, right? Regardless I—"
"Hiccup."
"Right. Sorry."
Hiccup grins sheepishly and waves his hand. Eret passes Toothless, still curled up by the fireplace, unaltered by Eret's departure.
Eret closes the door quietly as he exits.
Hi. Thank you all so much for your reviews and your feedback. I really appreciate it so much! It means a lot to me and it encourages me to continue writing. You're all lovely and beautiful, every single one of you.
Ty not to get to impatient with me, these two will get cozier with one another. There will be smut, maybe in the next chapter. I thought about writing it in this chapter but I thought it was too soon for them to fool around. Idk.
Originally, I wanted this to be a two-parter. Hahha nope not anymore. At the very least, maybe 3 or 4 chapters. Not sure. Anyhow, stay tuned! If I'm slow to update, it's because of shool because sadly, I take summer classes and finals are approaching soon. Ugh.
On a somewhat related note, I may or may not be drawing some fanart inspired by my fic. Hon hon hon.