Out of the Tulgey Wood chapter 3

Out of the Tulgey Wood chapter 3

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It was no secret that Snotlout Jorgenson had a certain dislike of his cousin, Hiccup.  
Well, to put it bluntly, he had been Hiccup’s number one tormenter since they were little kids.   There was this one incident that he purposely unleashed the boar pin and had the poor lad heading for the hills in order to outrun the stampede.   He made no secret that he wanted to be the village chief because he fit the ideals of a Viking warrior:

Brawns

Muscles

And…well, brawns

Not to mention that he is responsible for daring Hiccup into slaying the Jabberwock in order to be allowed in to be “accepted”, though that is not really possible since Snotlout would be more than likely to not hold up his side of the bargain.   However, what he didn’t expect was the village outcast to bring back the fabled beast- ALIVE, mind you- and became the talk of the town.

Oh, and the possibility of Chief Stoick Haddock of giving him the Blood Eagle treatment or worse.  

Now, he is currently at the Great Hall for breakfast…watching Hiccup flirt with the fabled Jabberwock.   At least, it LOOKED like flirting.

Snotlout didn’t know what to think- another feat that he failed at- here he is, currently trying to start on his breakfast, trying to make sense of the current situation before him, and the two seemingly ignore the fact that they have an audience around them.  He watched as Toothless, that is what he heard from yesterday, kinda stupid in his opinion- stared at the roasted whole fish that he picked up from his own plateful as Hiccup lectures him about something before seeing the dark-haired man tilting his head back a bit and practically chomped the entire fish head off.  

Then he started to finish off the rest of it, bones and everything.

While it unnerved most of the people around them, Hiccup, on the other hand seemed to be surprised; intrigued him in fact, he could see the tiny shoulders shook, probably laughing, and said something else as the Jabberwock works on another one.  
Who gets intrigued at the sight of a man devouring the entire fish?!

Snotlout gave a good look around the dining room, seeing that no one made a move or a sound, even though that they all have seen the same thing.  They just went back to their own business, leaving Hiccup and that…thing…to their own world.   Scoffing at how they are not behaving the Viking way, he decided to take it into his own hands.  

He’s not a Jorgenson for nothing

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“I still don’t get why you have to cook your kill…”

Toothless studied the burnt piece of fish between his fingers before taking a whiff, grimacing that he didn’t smell any of the fresh blood and seawater.   Those are the best flavors…

Hiccup smiled as he picked up his own piece of fish.   He glanced over to Toothless’ plate and was amazed at the amount.   Compared to an average Viking appetite, he could eat three times more than the entire village combined.   But then again, he is a dragon after all…
“Well, we humans can’t eat things raw, we’ll get sick from the bacteria and such,” Hiccup explained the best he could.   “You, on the other hand, are lucky.   You seem to have been built differently than us.”

Toothless let out a hum as he took in what Hiccup have said while staring at the dried face of the dead fish.   He tilted his back a bit for leverage before lowering the fish down to bite off the entire head.   Hiccup blinked in surprise, while still holding his own piece of fish.   He found himself not able to look away as Toothless finished off the rest of his meal, not at all bothered by the tiny bones.

“Not that bad,” Toothless admitted, licking the oil and fish bits off of his fingers before picking up a whole trout.

Hiccup watched as he devoured the fish before giggling a bit.   “See? It’s like my Mom used to say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

The dragon looked over to him, with the fish’s tail dangling between his lips.   For a legendary beast, he is rather cute in his opinion.  “Is that so?” Though to Hiccup’s ears, it sounded like “id dats tho.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth is full,” it was a scolding command but still had a teasing tone to it.

Toothless ate what is remaining of his meal before licking his lips and smirked at the smaller boy.  “You think you have control over me, aren’t ya?” he purred, leering slightly at him.   He propped his elbow upon the oak wood table, resting his cheek upon his palm as Toothless gazed at him in a loving fashion.   As if taking in all the details of his face in, despite having seen it within a few days.

Hiccup blushed a bit at the implications behind those words, not to mention how tender he sounded.   Growing up in Berk, there was an unwritten rule among Vikings that showing emotion is the same as showing weakness.   He was amazed that he didn’t end up a mopey kid who constantly whines over the littlest of things just because he didn’t get enough hugs from his Dad.   And that was saying something.   But Toothless here, he wasn’t afraid to show his interest, and two nights ago, they’re quite evident of it.
 
Cliché as it sound, Hiccup honestly never felt this way with anyone in his fourteen years.   Even though he could be shameless at times, Toothless kept his (unspoken) word to not bring harm to the village.   And so far, he never hurt him as well.   Especially whenever they are alone…maybe it was just him, but whenever Toothless spoke to him, there was a slight tenderness in both his voice and his gaze.   While he doesn’t know the exact nature of their relationship, he has a feeling in his gut that he could trust him.   Perhaps…maybe…even lo-

His train of thought suddenly stopped when Hiccup noticed Toothless shifting his gaze shifted over his shoulder, tenderness is now replaced by annoyance and what seemed to be disdain.   Someone’s behind him…

“Morning, Useless,” came the familiar arrogant voice behind him.  

Oh, of course…his dear cousin, Snotlout.  

A sigh escaped from his lips as he glanced over to the taller teen with disinterest.   “Oh, hey, Snotlout…” already his morning was shot.  Will it kill this guy to give him at least 30 minutes of peace?

…

Whom was he trying to kid? They’re Vikings.   Peace and quiet are worse than death to them.   (Except for treaty signings, but those aren’t important at the moment).  Hiccup sighed through his nose, and turned back to his breakfast, hoping (fruitlessly) that his cousin would take a hint, have a few words, and just leave.

“I see that we have this so-called Jabberwock having breakfast with ya.”

Gee, when did he notice? When he and Toothless went in, got their food, and sit down?
“Uh, who are you supposed to be?” The dark-haired man finally spoke up, sounding a bit disinterested.  He stared up at the teen with cool electric-green eyes.  

Like the patrons of the Great Hall, he is quite muscular, even though he is somewhere around Hiccup’s age.   From the looks of him, he doesn’t seem to be well equipped in the brains department.    In fact…he doesn’t LOOK smart.   At all…

Toothless resisted the urge to tract his claws when the brunet smirked hideously.   He doesn’t know why, but something about him just screamed out “maul me”!

“The name’s Snotlout Jorgenson, Berk’s future chief!” he gloated, flexing both of his arms to indicate that he is the strongest.   Already he have an urge to rip his face off, there is something about him that Toothless really wanted to flay him alive.  

“He’s also my cousin.”

That alone made Toothless double take on Hiccup, lifting his face off of his palm to look at him.  

“Wait WHAT?!” he takes a look at Snotlout, and then Hiccup.   Then back to Snotlout again.   Then to Hiccup once more…

“I can’t see the resemblance.”

Hiccup was about to say something but Snotlout already beat him to it.
“I know! I have no idea how I’m related to this weakling. I mean, look at him! It’s understandable that he’s a pathetic example of a Viking, but he’s nothing compared to you.”

That is when Hiccup’s heart stopped for a minute.  Oh dear Gods…he wasn’t…

“You’re the Jabberwock that everyone is afraid of?” A scoff followed before he continues.   “I always thought that you’re some fearsome beast! I guess I was wrong.  From what I see if just some weakling pretty boy.   And what kind of a name is Toothless anyway? That is so sad…”

…He did.

The memories of the encounter from last night emerge as he looked over to Toothless on the corner of his eye.   He seemed calm, which is an impressive feat for a powerful creature.  However the atmosphere around within the building suddenly grew tense, Hiccup moved his eyes around within his field of vision, seeing everyone that have turned in their seats and stared directly at them.   Watching…waiting…

To see how the fabled Jabberwock react to such prideful jest and what the outcome would be.

What they didn’t except was Toothless was throwing his head back and laugh, and due to the silence, it echoed throughout the building.

Hiccup stared at him with shock before looking over and found the exact same expression on his cousin’s face.   Apparently he didn’t expect that kind of reaction.   After a moment, Toothless finally calmed down and let out an exaggerated sigh as he fluidly stood up from his seat.  

“I gotta admit…that is pretty impressive…walking up and say that in my face,” then he faced Snotlout, who visibly flinched when he noticed a relaxed smile on his face.   Probably too relaxed…

“And I have no idea that I’m quite infamous around this town, even though I didn’t get out much.” He let out a dramatic sigh as he shrugged.   “It’s quite sad, really.  I mean, a few years as a recluse and already you got rumors flying around you.  But hey, what can you do? Kept the imagination flowing like water and the girls swooning,” Toothless looked over and spotted a small group of young girls and flirtatiously winked at them.   The result was in his favor as they swoon.  

Snotlout scowled at this, he really tried to impress the girls with his muscles for years! Mostly Astrid, since she’s the most beautiful girl in the village…but this guy, it just comes naturally to him, and he wasn’t even human…
Or so he had heard.

“HOWEVER…” Snotlout blinked as he regained his attention on the other man.   Wait…when he got in front of him!? “As much as I am amazed on how much balls you have, there is one thing that I won’t stand…”

Before he could even react, Snotlout felt nothing underneath his feet as Toothless effortlessly lifted him off of the ground, just by holding him by the collar with an amazing strength that he could only witness from either the Chief or his own father.   He felt something twist in his stomach by the way that the dark-haired man glared at him with pure viciousness that he had never seen before.  

“…is an arrogant prick like you insulting MY Hiccup in front of me.” He sneered at him, revealing sharp looking canines.   “And I don’t take that very kindly.”

He barely made notice of scrapping chairs (and an occasional thud) and the metal scrapping as every man and woman whipped out their weapon.   He doesn’t care…they’re nothing but mere toys to him.   Besides, this irritating little hatchling should learn a lesson.  
His sensitive ears picked up a sigh behind him, Toothless glanced over a bit to find Hiccup staring up at him, undisturbed by the fact that he is threatening his cousin.  Or that everyone was their weapons drawn out.  

“Please drop him…it’s not worth the effort.”

Snotlout was shocked at how relaxed Hiccup sounded, not even the fact that he is in danger fazed him! What surprised him even further is the response.

“Don’t worry, I’m still holding up my promise…” he reassured him, he could almost hear a sound of tenderness in his voice.   Tender? For the Useless?!   “Besides…someone needs to put him in his place.”

Then Toothless turned back to him, his electric green eyes narrowed at him.   Daring to let him see what happens if he makes a witty retort.

“Now listen here, Snotface…” he growled, his threatening tone was different from the one he used for Hiccup.   The latter was too busy trying not to soil his pants to correct him, something inside of his head was telling him that it would be a bad idea.   “If I find you trying to mess with Hiccup again, I will find out where.  You.  LIVE.” He spoke each word as if they’re separate sentences, but managed to get the point across.   Toothless pulled him closer, revealing his sharp teeth.   Snotlout could only do so much to inch his head away, afraid that he might bite his nose off.   “You got it through your thick skull?”
A gulp was heard as Snotlout rapidly nodded, showing that he understood.  He was hoping that the other teen will show a bit of mercy.  

Thankfully, he seemed satisfied.   “Good…” then he released his hold on his collar, allowing gravity do its wonders and bring Snotlout down on his ass.   A grunt of pain was heard but Toothless ignored him.  The dark-haired man turned back to Hiccup, a loving smile adorn back on his lips.  

“Now…where were we?” there was a purr in the way he spoke as Toothless took his seat next to Hiccup once more.  

The redhead smiled back as he wordlessly scooted closer to him, not before bringing their breakfast.   They tuned out the world around them while Toothless took out a piece of fish and brought it to Hiccup’s lips, to which that the accepted the piece.   Embarrassed by the open act of affection between the two, everyone in the building awkwardly placed their weapons away as they went back to what they’re previously doing.   All the while trying to ignore the sight of Snoutlout pathetically crawls away from Toothless’ and Hiccup’s table, slowly as possible, hoping that he wouldn’t anger the dragon any further.  
This has become an interesting morning for Berk…

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