Lost and Found - A Snotlout Love Story (HTTYD/RTTE)

4. New Clothes

Melanie erupted in laughter. When she'd calmed down, she looked at Fishlegs and corrected, "well, maybe..it's more likely he just didn't want to be bothered."

"Yeah," Ruff piped in, a look of annoyance on her face, "kind of like how you're bothering us." She frowned at Fishlegs in dissapointment.

"We were just about to do some awesome, non-deadly pranking around the village," Tuff explained.

At this, Bones gave Melanie a warning look and growled. She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I know, I know. I'll stay out of it."

"You mutton-heads better not put old fish in my closet again," another voice came from behind Melanie.

Turning around, she came face to face with Snotlout. Realizing that she wasn't moving away, he took an awkward step aside.

"Oh puh-lease," Tuffnut sounded offended, "we can't reuse pranks, otherwise well become predictable." The two blondes then scampered off.

Snotlout stared after them with a knowing look and huffed, "I'm gonna kill them if they touch my stuff."

"You shouldn't kill people, Snotlout," Melanie told him, then clarified, "not unless they did something real bad and deserving."

Recalling how she'd said she took things seriously, Snotlout sighed. He wanted to be annoyed, but he couldn't help but smile in amusement as he clarified, "joking, Melanie, I was joking."

"Oh..good," the ginger responded with a small grin. She then looked to Bones, who was still intimidating Fishlegs. "Leave him alone," she ordered with a smirk, "both of you." Fishlegs immediately stumbled away, but Bones gave her a glare and roared.

Melanie, to Snotlout's surprise, was completely unaffected, "yeah, I get it, you're in charge." The dragon then flew off.

Snotlout laughed a bit as he watched him fly away, "haha, oh Thor! Your dragon is awesome."

With a proud grin, Melanie responded, "yeah, I know." She then shot him a sly look, "monstrous nightmare, though, pretty impressive. And destructive. I like."

"Ugh, tell me about it," Snotlout sighed dramatically, "but have you ever tried to ride one? I think my butt is permanently numb from the amount of times he's burned me."

Melanie let out a giggle, making Snotlout look at her. It was much different from the manic laughter he'd only ever heard from her. Softer and kinder, it matched how innocent she looked. Snotlout smiled crookedly as goosebumps speckled his arms.

"I guess you beat me for that," Melanie admitted, "Bones would never hurt me..well, not after we bonded." She laughed, gesturing to the scar on her back again.

"Excuse me, miss," a Viking called for Melanie's attention, she turned to see a woman coming out of their hut with a small stack of clothing, "these should do for now. Come back if you ever need."

Taking the clothes, Melanie smiled wide and thanked, "how thoughtful of you." As the woman left, Melanie turned to Snotlout and exclaimed, "these people are so kind."

Snotlout was about to scoff and explain exactly why she was wrong, but stopped himself. Instead, he smirked and nudged her with his elbow and teased, "guess it beats the pitchforks you're used to."

Again, Melanie laughed, "that's right!" She then looked up at him. Although Snotlout was shorter than most of the men in Berk, he was taller than her by an inch. "You know what? You're fun," she began with a wide grin, "what do you wanna do?"

A bit surprised by the compliment, Snotlout hesitated before crossing his arms and smiling proudly, "of course I am. I've got training to go to, though. But you could watch."

"Oh, how interesting," Melanie replied happily.

Snotlout gave her a look and wondered, "does everything make you this..excited?"

"Only the exciting things," she told him before punching him in the arm with a wild smile.

Snotlout grunted a bit; for a small girl, she was quite strong. He chuckled a bit and told Melanie, "alright, go change your clothes; if you're quick enough, you might catch us before we leave the arena."

"Challenge accepted," Melanie shouted and punched the air. She then raced away, leaving Snotlout shaking his head in amusement.

• • •

By the time Snotlout had made it to the arena, he was surprised to find himself being tackled to the ground. "Ah!" He shouted as he went down, falling onto his stomach, a weight on his back.

"I was quicker that you," a familiar voice bragged.

Snotlout heaved his breath and responded sarcastically, "congratulations." His voice was strained from the extra weight on him.

With a joyful laugh, Melanie rolled off of him and stood up. Snotlout, too, came to his feet. But when his eyes landed on her he was struck speechless.

When Snotlout noticed he was staring, his mouth slightly agape, he turned away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Y-you look nice," he complimented, trying to keep his cool.

Melanie smiled brightly and twirled, "thanks." She then grabbed his arm rather roughly and began to drag him into the arena. "Now, come on."

At her touch, Snotlout felt his heart jump. It felt weird to him, normally he was so confident around pretty girls. He never had trouble flirting with Astrid back when he liked her, so what was different about Melanie? For once, he was actually nervous about it.