Between Waves and Clouds

13 - Can't stay, p1

Two more days later, even if Nuffink had not seen Frost again, the merman was invading his mind. The viking was less and less wanting to get back home, even if he knew it was unavoidable. Altough the freezing waters were full of fishes easy to catch for the dragons and him, he couldn't only feed with it and melted snow.

The provisions he had taken with him were almost all gone, even if he had rationed. It was only one more thing saying it was time to get back to Berk. Another one was Nuffink spending two days bedded inside of the hull because of a bad fever and cough caused by the merciless cold. It had even more dented the provisions, even though the Night Lights had made sure to gather fish.

It also reminded Nuffink he had no more Terrible Terrors, which meant no air-mail to keep his family updated. He couldn't leave them without news for too long, they would get worried. How much time had elapsed since the last letter ? Two weeks ? Three ? He didn't know, and his mushed brain couldn't work as it should.

He needed a third day of rest under the good care of his winged friends to completely recover, but once again his brain refused to leave him alone. He couldn't help but think. He felt torn between Berk and the frozen lands of the north. Or rather, torn between his family and Frost.

On one hand, he knew the necessity to get back home to get new provisions, warm up a bit, see his family and friends, giving them news and taking some from them and take what he needed so he could send them letters again.

On the other hand, he couldn't stop thinking about the merman. He would miss him, and he wondered if Frost would miss him too. He knew how lonely he was feeling and how he didn't have anyone save from Baby Tooth, the Night Lights and him.

He didn't like the idea to leave Frost alone, especially knowing how long the journey was. He had been slowed down on the go by his boat and it took him six days to arrive, it would be faster by flying on dragon's back but it was still two or three days long. Spending about twelve days away from Frost, not counting how long he was staying on Berk... it was too much for him.

Sitting on the bridge of his drakkar, wrapped up in warm furs and enjoying the embrace of Pouncer's wings, the viking was sniffing the remmins of his cold and couldn't help but sigh heavily. He was pissed off by himself. The white Night Light noticed something was bothering his viking. A muffled whirr and a gentle nudge on the knee caught Nuffink's attention and made his eyes meet the dark green ones of his best friend.

The concern in these eyes never failed to draw a smile on the young man's face. He stroked the scaly forehead, carefully avoiding the short black horns adorning it.

''You're right, pal.'' The viking said as if the dragon had really talked. ''I'm helpless, huh ? I know we have to get back home eventually, but... I can't just leave Frost alone here...''

He sighed and leant against his best friend, almost slumping on him, resting his head on his.

Pouncer could have feel crushed as the viking was not carrying his own weight at all, though it was far from enough to afflict a dragon like him. So he supported his friend and softly crooned to express his love and concern. Nuffink stroked him mindlessly, lifelessly, his thoughts drifting far away.

''I didn't think I would say that one day, but I–'' He was cut out before he could finish his sentence as Pouncer suddenly stood up, harshly pushing the viking on the floor. Said viking rubbed his chin he had hit on the woodfloor and grimaced. He was about to scold his dragon and ask him what had gotten on him when he saw said dragon rush to the railing, as well as the other two.

The threesome gathered there and started to bounce. Nuffink frowned as it didn't look like their usual reaction when the merman and the beluga were visiting them, neither when they saw a yummy fish. It worried him, and even more so when Dart looked at him and whined. He stood and joined them, hearing high pitched squeaks. Baby Tooth was there, but the way she was frantically squeaking and making splashes was foresaying something was wrong.