The Gray Area (1/2) - A Viggo Love Story (HTTYD/RTTE)

6. Training the Eyes

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"No...wrong.....quieter...." These were the three words that Viggo heard most during the few nights that came after their settling in on the small island. It had come to Sessa's realization that not everyone could see like her. Where most people saw clearly in the sunlight, she saw clearly in the darkness. So she'd decided that, for her own safeguard, it'd be best for him to be trained.

Training someone else wasn't her strong suit; she'd never had to do it before. It was especially hard when trying to train the eyes to see when they formerly could not. And while she'd spent her entire life with this adaptation, Viggo was already in his mid-twenties. Yet every night, he followed her orders, and Sessa couldn't help growing fond of his determination. She was beginning to have hope that he would actually stay with her in her journey, unlike the people of her past who just weren't able to.

Viggo was following Sessa through the deep tunnels of their cave. And, as in most quiet situations, he felt the need to have conversation. "In no means do I intend to insult your training style, dear Sessa," he began to speak in the pitch black, "but perhaps we should go about this a different way?"

"It's Sessa," she called back to him coldy, "just, Sessa."

Hearing that she was much further ahead of him, Viggo tried to pick up his pace. Although he was getting somewhere with this woman, he wouldn't put it past her to make him find his own way out if he got lost. "But," he heard Sessa began, "..what do you suggest?"

It was the first time that she'd actually asked for his opinion on something. Viggo grinned in amusement and responded, "I don't believe my eyes will ever adjust as well as yours..but my ears may improve."

"You think you should be trained to see with your ears?" Sessa wondered. It was a good idea. She was surprised that she hadn't thought of it before. "..That may be an option."

She heard a loud thump behind her, followed by a groan. Turning around, she saw Viggo lying on the ground; he'd tripped over a ledge of stone. "A pity you couldn't hear that stone ledge," Sessa smiled in the darkness and knelt beside him. Viggo sat up and held his injured shoulder, a pained expression on his face. "Are you alright?" Sessa asked quietly.

Viggo was surprised at how close her voice was, as well as how smoothly it sounded. Was she actually beginning to care about him? The idea made his heart jump. "I'll live," he responded, gritting his teeth at the pain in his shoulder. He looked around with wide eyes in attempts to see Sessa. Finally, he found the dark outline of her body.

Surprise struck Sessa when she realized that he was looking at her. "..Can you see me?" She wondered in her usual calm tone.

"Somewhat," Viggo responded, "only because of how close you are, I presume."

Realizing that she was, in fact, quite close to Viggo, Sessa moved away a bit. Immediately he lost her outline. "We will go back now," he heard her speak, adding quietly, "...you did well today."

Viggo raised an eyebrow, grinning a bit proudly. "Don't look so pleased," Sessa spoke in an uninterested voice, which only caused him to grin wider. She sighed and stood, pulling Viggo up after her by his hand. It was warm and large around her own cold, small hand. And once he was up, she began to walk, pulling him after her.

Hands still locked, Viggo followed where Sessa led, walking slightly behind her. Unable to see, there was nothing to distract him from the heart-pounding touch. With every passing second, he felt his emotions welling up. There was no doubt that he was growing feelings for this woman. Even though he knew nearly nothing about her. Yet, perhaps, that was all the more reason he felt the way he did.

After almost twenty minutes of walking together, he was surprised that her hand remained cold in his own. They had finally reached a lighter area, and Sessa let him go. The warmth that had encased her body left as soon as Viggo's hand did. And for a moment, she felt a longing in her heart.

"Thank you," Viggo spoke wholesomely.

Sessa remained emotionless, "for what?"

Viggo thought for a moment; he wasn't quite sure why he'd thanked her. He searched his mind for some way to explain himself. Finally, he settled with, "for allowing me to be in your company. I'm afraid you and Lilith are all I have now."

Sessa felt sympathy pull in her chest. She gave him a sideways glance and responded almost shyly, "don't thank me.....I am glad to have you, as well." Before Viggo could speak, she rushed away, leaving him in a wide-eyed daze. And for the rest of that night, there was silence, as usual. But this silence was much less tense, almost even comfortable. Viggo went to sleep with thoughts of Sessa filing his head.