renegades, httyd

ix. Freezer Burn

renegades
chapter nine

    In the very small time Winglash has known the baby dragon, she has grown quite jealous. I stumbled a little bit beside Hiccup with the baby dragon who was yet to leave my arms and Winglash cawing, annoyed at the attention that suddenly wasn't on her. And to make it all so much better, Trader Johann decided to take this time to explain his most recent adventure with the giant squids of the East. Toothless also wasn't much of a helper. He was far too busy being intrigued by the new baby dragon, hopping up on his hind legs and sniffing at the baby in my arms, who clattered in fear and scurried deeper into my tunic. After I managed to save the dragon's life from drowning on an ice-broken ship, he had refused to leave my arms. Great, that's two clingy dragons at the moment.

    Winglash ruffled her wings, annoyed at the little ice-Gronckle in our journey up the docks and back into Berk in search for Hiccup's father. I sent her a look as Johann said, "Oh, Master Hiccup, the trouble I go through to get you your prized ink━worthy the ownership of such a kind and regal chief's son as yourself! I wrangled the squid with my very two hands," he shook his tanned fingers near Hiccup's face, and the chief's son recoiled ever-so-slightly, "and almost lost an eye in this endeavour! Only for all of my precious possessions to be lost in the vast and tormenting ocean..." he sighed sadly, gazing dramatically out towards the sea, "So many months of gathering, Master Hiccup. I had found gemstones from the far West, Berserkian flowers to please the mothers of Berk, and an axe worthy of such a mighty chief that is your father! Its iron mined in the Screaming Death's tunnels!"

    Now, I didn't believe a word he said, but I guess the man had a right to be upset. All of his gatherings lost just as he was about to arrive to a big sale from some of his most excited and eager customers. Hiccup sent me a glance that said, Gods help and I stifled a nervous smile.

    In the month that's passed, I couldn't really consider Hiccup and I friends. I don't know whether he thinks as me as his friend, but I just couldn't find myself accepting that━or letting myself allow it. For years, I looked at Hiccup with nothing but judgement and insults laced on my tongue. Mainly because that was what everyone else did. Now, everything was different, but it still felt like uncharted territory━like I wasn't supposed to be friends with him after how I treated him. It didn't seem right. And so, it was awkward. With a few smiles here and there, some hello's and goodbyes, some meetups because Toothless wanted attention. He was helping me with flying for gods sake! And yet, I just couldn't━not without feeling guilty.

    We made it to the main township of Berk, stepping up the slope towards the chieftains house. The others were most likely down by the Academy━it would be Fireball Frenzy right about now. I can imagine Speedifist and Wartihog having a full bash over who had the better accuracy and dragon flame. Revna would be in the forge, helping Gobber out with her daily errands. Forging some saddles, drawing up some designs for Hiccup to tinker with later on. And Saber would be fluttering about, helping in any way she could.