[Hiccup]

[attr="class","iconimage"] I'll never go down your road I found my way on my own I'm never gonna fall in line, your future is not mine.

The air that hung around the pair as they flew through the quiet skies was electric, crackling with an unspoken tension, heavy and oppressive as the hard look in his mossy eyes. He'd rested up as best as he could in the days before leaving, he wanted his mind as clear and un-muddled as it could be for what he was going to do. He'd also wanted to be able to fly straight, without pause, single minded and sure in his goal. He'd never been more serious about anything in his life, and it showed in the set of his jaw and the confidence in his posture as he kept his eyes alert for the island. He wasn't wearing what he usually wore, trading in the leather armor for a much more serious attire, he wanted to show his purpose and his importance, it wasn't his island, but he was still an equal to the man who did own it, and he wanted everyone to know that. He'd promised his cousin that he wouldn't kill the man, and he intended to keep that promise, but his sword still sat fastened to his hip, and if it came down to it, he would use it. In the days that he'd taken to rest and collect himself, he'd done exactly what Snotlout had suggested he do, he paced his home for hours arguing with himself, arguing with Toothless, arguing until his voice was raw and giving out, sometimes shouting, other times whispering. He was ready for this, ready to be finished to whatever end this came to. He knew what he wanted and he knew what he needed to say, he only hoped that maybe the man would listen to him for a change, that maybe he'd get real thought out of him rather than disjointed mockery. Regardless of how the Berserker Chief responded, he needed this for his own peace of mind and closure, he refused to let himself be back into a corner and belittled this time, he was outnumbered but unafraid, and that lack of fear showed in his eyes as he spotted his destination. He could have landed outside of the town, but he wanted everyone to know he was here, he wanted Dagur to know he was here, so from the high altitude they were flying at, he let the dragon fall into a shrieking dive, feeling that heady rush of adrenaline before the dragon's wings popped open for an impressive landing, he slid off and grabbed the first servant he could find, looking the boy in the eyes with a serious expression. "Tell your chief I'm here." The boy gave a somewhat nervous nod before scurrying off to alert of Hiccup's presence. Dagur | word count | Serious Hiccup is serious

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[googlefont=Poiret One]

[Dagur]

I'm afraid of myself, of my anger

He had been utterly careless to go into battle the way he had, his emotions had gotten the better of him and the need to save his comrades had driven him to do something so stupid. He was proud of himself however, no matter how stupid he had been he had been able to save most of his soldiers lives. He hadn't given the order for celebration however, he had simply done his job as chief, his job to keep his people safe. Battle called for him as much as he did, and he'd be banished to Hel if he were to sit there and watch as his men and women were slaughtered on the battlefield due to his carelessness.

It had cost him quite a bit however, a lot more pain than he had bargained for. His left arm was now in a cast, his right ankle set in a splint, his lip split, a dark bruise that spread across his eye and the upper half of his cheek bone was more than prominent with its black and purple hues, luckily the eye wasn't completely swollen but the color certainly wasn't pleasant to look at, his neck was bandaged from a heavy cut that was placed there. Other than that he felt like he was fine, certainly he didn't look it, but he had some of the best healers in the world in his opinion. He had been feeding regularly now, being able to control himself a bit better, he did drink from animals but stopped himself from killing them. Every once in a while he drank from a human while they were asleep, but that was a little more risky.

He had been resting his broken body for a little while when a servant boy came running in with the news. His eyes widened in shock, the description of Hiccup and was completely different to the sweet man he had known. He stood, placing his walking stick beneath his broken arm, the forearm had broken so he still had mobility in his shoulder and bicep which allowed him to use a walking stick.

His left ankle had been fractured, not completely broken, but still hurt when he was on it for to long. He limped along, knowing he looked like an utter mess. From the exhaustion on his face to the multiple injuries he had sustained, he was a class A mess. When he made it to the citadel gates he got a good look at the other chief, it made his heart race. Ever since he had come to terms with what he was actually feeling he had found little things he had started to like about Hiccup even more than before. Even now, with that harsh stare and the sword at the others hip, it made his mind race with possibility. He stared, taking in the others appearance, the small crinkle in the others brow, the narrowing of the eyes, and the way his lips always seemed to pull just a bit tighter when he contemplated something out of the norm.

He was mesmerized and he leaned on his crutch just a little bit more.

He looked so haggard compared to the well composed man before him, they had luckily ended the feud between them and the pirates that had been irritating flies for the past few weeks. Seeing the chief of the people they had been fighting battle unarmed and broken slightly but able to fight with the best of them was more than enough to let others know just exactly why they were called Berserkers.

He tried to straighten himself up but winced a bit, knowing a few more bruises were scattered across his body. Zaohr had already healed and Nephthys had been no where in range for arrows to even try to hit her, he had made sure of that. Nightsong and Darkdrum were simply in charge of tracking them down and they had done a damn fine job at it.

"Very nice of you to drop by Chief Hiccup, its always a pleasure to see you but wish I was in better condition to be a little more conversational.
Come, we can speak more in the meeting hall."

He offered a gesture of follow me and walked along, using his crutch far more than he was used to. He had been up and about for the past few hours and his ankle felt like it was on fire, surely he was not helping the healing process. Once they made it to the meeting hall he sat down after pulling out a chair on the opposite side of the table for Hiccup to sit at. He winced as he finally took the weight off of his damaged body, a low sigh of relief escaping his lips.

"Judging by the look in your eyes and the sword at your hip I take it you're here to discuss business? I'll be good and listen to what you have to say, I wont speak until you're done. Then you'll listen to me, because for once I actually have my thoughts together, I hope it lasts. I'll also answer any questions you have for me." we're not ready yet to go into war.

He gave a weak lopsided smile, obvious that he was still in pain but the thought of war was not a good one in his mind at the moment. The pain killers he had been taking weren't nearly strong enough, but it was all he could take. His body needed rest but he didn't think he was going get much of it with his recent infatuation had appeared before him. He couldn't do much in the state he was in however, which made for a slight twinge of sadness but he was more than eager to see what the other Chief had to say.

| Action - "Speech" - 'Thought' |

Because my anger ends in cruelty.

► kaigra ◄

[Hiccup]

[attr="class","iconimage"] I'll never go down your road I found my way on my own I'm never gonna fall in line, your future is not mine.

His expression didn't flinch or falter when he saw the state that the other man was in, a few days ago he would have been glad to see him suffering in such a way, but that was then and he was a different person now. He felt nothing for the man, no joy for the sorry state he was in, but no remorse for the sight, he assumed it was those pirates the Berserkers had been dealing with, he'd made good on his promise to help them arm their dragons, a promise that had been made more for them than it had been for Dagur's sake. He didn't care about Dagur, but he would always care for dragons, he would always protect them, even if it meant aiding a man he hated in the process. The man's battered state at least assured him that perhaps he wouldn't be quick to attempt to make any moves on him, but he was ready even if he did. A man could only take so much before he cracked, but Hiccup was determined not to break and bend to any man's wills, no matter what curse or power he held over him. "Mmhm. Was it the pirates? I assume you solved that issue?" His tone didn't betray care, just a level curiosity, he hadn't been able to glean much about the matter on his previous stay here, only how he could help, it wasn't like he doubted that they could handle it, with an armada as big as the one Dagur held under his control, it had been foolish on the part of the pirates to try and best that in a fight. He followed the man in silence as they made their way to the meeting hall, not allowing Toothless to be ushered to the stables this time, the Night Fury wasn't so big that he couldn't fit into the vast structure, certainly not the size of a skrill or a nadder, and he wanted to have his friend by his side this time, so that he wasn't caught grounded again. "I'm here to discuss a lot of things, Dagur. It's more than just business, it's personal." His tone was soft and serious, but he gave an affirmative grunt to confirm he would listen to him in turn, he wanted to hear what he had to say, he hadn't gotten a straight answer from the man since the beginning. He didn't sit when the chair was offered, feeling more comfortable standing where he could speak with his whole body, a habit that he always seemed to have, with wide, expressive gestures with his hands and arms, his speech was as much a visual performance as it was an oral one. "I might have been willing to give you a chance, Dagur. I've thought about it before you know, in the past, before this. You challenged me, and I enjoyed showing you and everyone else that I was superior." He knew he'd never been as physically strong as Dagur or anyone really, but there'd been something gratifying and thrilling in outfoxing the man on more than one occasion, it had been a game, and there'd been a few times where he'd felt something from it, something beyond that. "I don't care how you and your people do things here. I don't care. What's right here is not right by me, and your own customs do not give you excuse to do the things that you've done to me, they do not give you sway over my body." He was pacing now, his tone a bit louder, a bit more forceful, he was almost positive none of these words mattered to Dagur, the man would excuse his actions away and continue to be convinced that he was doing no wrong. But being here and saying these things had always been more for Hiccup than they were for Dagur, he needed to say them, and Dagur needed to hear them whether they made any impact or not. "Because of you, my life has been nothing but fear and paranoia for weeks, I can't leave my island, I can't even leave my home because I worry that you'll be there. My people were losing faith in me because they were watching their chief lose his mind and that is your fault, Dagur. This sickness inside of me is your fault." He slammed his hands down hard against the table, eyes on Dagur icy and calm, he was done, done with this man's games, done with his excuses and sickeningly sweet words, done with all of this, the rage in his cold eyes was more potent than any feral glare he could have given before, he felt nothing, and he wasn't afraid anymore. "It's over Dagur. It's done. I'll hear what you have to say, but after that I am through playing your games and dancing your dance, I need you out of my head and out of my heart, because you're rotting it from the inside out and it's making me sick. I don't want this, I don't want to be used and forced into things that I never asked for. I am saying no Dagur, I have been since you cornered me on that island. I don't want you. I will never want you." When he was finished speaking, he sat calmly, folding his hands in front of him and keeping his eyes trained on Dagur, cold and unfeeling. Dagur | word count | -MIC DROP-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[googlefont=Poiret One]

[Dagur]

I'm afraid of myself, of my anger

He gave a little smile at the others comment of pirates, deciding that his ragged state spoke more than his words would. The icy calm that surrounded the other man in ways he couldn't even begin to explain put him on edge. The reason for the visit unknown, his own injured state, the violent tendencies he brought out in the other. It was a recipe for disaster. The words that came from the others mouth however, were slightly shocking.

No questions were asked, but he listened carefully to each syllable that passed the others lips. His own hand went to his mouth as he leaned in his chair, much like the way a Jarl sits before his council. When the other slammed their hands down on the table he didn't even flinch, his own stare not even icy, but simply vacant. It was the best strategy for keeping his cards close to his chest, it seemed that he wasn't the only one who had been doing some thinking the past few days.

When he heard the other speak of how he had somehow haunted the other his brow furrowed, how so? He didn't remember stalking him all that much other than the first time, the other times were pure coincidence. He released a breath he hadn't known he had been holding when the other started speaking about how things weren't done in a similar manner on Berk. He allowed himself to look as confused as he felt, were there other ways to court? He figured he could at least ask, the other seemed willing to listen to him as well. He spoke, his mind cluttered with the thoughts that had been brewing within his heart for years without him knowing. The others words having cut deeper than the wounds he had sustained.

His eyes narrowed with a slight frown on his face, a lump forming in his throat as he thought of how much he had hurt the other without even realizing it. His head tilted upwards, a grimace winding its way onto his face as his eyes seemed distant as he thought. He sighed before speaking, his voice low and calmer than any tone he had ever used before. It was timid, somewhat afraid, and utterly devoid of hope.

"I've always thought that you shouldn't trust people. People will take you to parks and monuments, kiss you in every beautiful place. Make it so that you can never go back to those places without tasting them like blood on your tongue and acid in your throat. Destroy you in the most loving way possible and when people leave you finally understand just how much people affect you, people like me."

His breathing became irregular, a pained but also nervous expression came over his features with hesitation pooling from every part of his stance. Fear tangible within his eyes, fear of screwing up more than he already had by revealing his true feelings. His hands wound their way over the fabric of the chair in a nervous habit, his brain distracted by it to let his feelings show.

"So I thought, but...instead I find its you filling that role instead of me, you have made me start to trust you. I can trust in you to always find some new way to bring a form of humanity in me. Bring my mind back from wherever it decides to wander. I...I just can't figure out how on earth you do it, it frustrates me to no end. You haven't left my mind either, I keep seeing you around me like a ghost. You think you've been driven insane? I can't even go out into the woods without longing for your company. It's maddening and when paired with my mental state it becomes dangerous. I have no solace, no where to be left alone to my own thoughts without you worming your way in and making my throat burn and my heart clench. I thought you had cast some sort of hex on me for the longest time, because this has been happening to me since we were younger, ever since I noticed you for you."

He ran his hands through his hair, voice thick and eyes full of full of regret from not saying this before. He drew in a shaky breath, unable to pull his body up from the chair to pull the other into a hug. Instead he sat there, gazing down to the floor with a hand clutching his hair as if it the slight twinge of pain was grounding him. His eyes watered slightly, emotion over running him. He had always felt deeply but was good at hiding it, vikings weren't allowed to show emotion after all.

"So..I-I....denied it, denied myself the ability to think about it. Made it seem like you were just something I wanted to possess, but the more I tried to do that the more it came back to bite me. I started noticing little things about you, things that made me start to realize. Its been like this since we were kids, but I never gave it much thought. Was never taught to give it much thought. It was never my intention to hurt you, not once did I actually want to harm you in any way possible. I just...I don't even know what I wanted, I just wanted to be by your side as an equal in your eyes. In those clever eyes that always seemed to best me at my own games, the one who knew he could prove himself far better than anyone could have imagined. Finally, far to late I realize, is that I'm able to...admit..that I-I really do"

He allowed himself to look defeated, scared, and absolutely saddened by his own bed that he had made. His voice was quiet and he looked at the other with utmost uncertainty.

"love you...."

He pulled himself from his chair with a pained expression, pain running like liquid fire through his veins. He sunk down to one knee, bowing his head in defeat but still looking up at the other from underneath his lashes with the emotion of pure adoration. He was putting himself through as much pain as he could to prove himself, unsure of what else to do. He had opened the floodgates to his emotions and was going to let them all free right at this moment. His voice was nothing more than a pained whisper, the lump in his throat no easier to swallow.

"more than I ever thought possible."

He rested he broken arm on his bent leg, breathing a bit ragged as he had to ask one question, the one thing that just didn't make sense in his mind.

"I never meant or even wanted to put you through that, to make you fear me. I have to ask one question if you'll answer it for me.

Why?

Why were you so afraid of me? Its obvious that you can outsmart me in my games, that you can always figure out a way to beat me and use my weaknesses against me. You fear is something I can't bring myself to understand just yet."

He swallowed thickly, finally realizing just what he could say that would let him die with a clear heart.

"You once asked me why I chose you and I finally, finally have an answer. Its not simply because I think I'm in love with you, its never going to be that simple. It's the fact that you are the only one I find interesting. Someone who can always surprise me with a new crazy plan or amazing invention. A man I can look up to as more than my equal in so many aspects of life. Even when we were young, I was always amazed by your talents at art and bringing what you put on paper to life in a forge. When I heard you defeated the red death...I thought you were greater than me in most aspects but instead of feeling hatred or jealousy all I felt was pride for you and it made my heart warm at the thought of you returning home as a hero. When I saw you on the nightfury of course I was upset, but that was before dragons were more widely accepted and before... well.. imprisonment. Now I see your bond, something I can never hope to achieve with anything and that simply makes me think more about you. Think about the fact that you, Hiccup, is the one who had stolen my soul and my thoughts. That...that is why."

He gave a light choked laugh, the struggle to hold back the overflow of emotions becoming more difficult by the minute.

"And now as I kneel before you I ask for a favor I don't deserve."

He looked up to meet the others eyes, tears almost overflowing in his own emerald irises.

"Teach me, teach me how to treat you, teach me how to treat the one I care for more than myself and the world since I don't know how, help me heal my mind with my body."

His head bowed once more, body screaming at him to stop and relax. He couldn't bring himself to rise unless ordered to, it would simply ruin what he was trying to get across. All he could do was feel the sickening feeling in his stomach that this might be the last time he would ever be able to view those beautiful mossy green eyes.

| Action - "Speech" - 'Thought' |

Because my anger ends in cruelty.

► kaigra ◄

[Hiccup]

[attr="class","iconimage"] I'll never go down your road I found my way on my own I'm never gonna fall in line, your future is not mine.

His expression was neutral as he watched that deep frown cross the man's face, trying to gauge what might be going through his mind as he pondered his words, he hated that he couldn't seem to read it, to read the man's body language and tone. It was a soft one, contemplative and thoughtful, surprising from a man that up until now had only ever spoken to him with mockery and sensual purrs, but it made him hope that perhaps he'd taken the words he'd said, wishful thinking, but he'd seen stranger things happen. He wanted to tune out his words, words that felt far too flowery and dramatic for the severe conversation he was trying to have, Dagur spoke too much and too cryptically for his taste most of the time, but a promise was a promise, so he listened and considered. His eyes remained neutral as he took in everything the man was saying, half surprised by how nervous he looked, he couldn't imagine what he was afraid of, but then again being held accountable for your crimes was never a pleasant experience. He didn't interrupt as Dagur went on, that look in his mossy eyes inquisitive and thinking now that he had so much to chew on, he couldn't feel terribly sorry for the man who had laid his own bed of nails, he'd never asked for things to be this way, he'd never done a damn thing to intentionally make Dagur feel this way. He supposed though, that Dagur had never asked to feel this way either, and the humanity in his words made him feel uncomfortable and shifty, the feeling in his words made him doubly so, it was harder to keep a neutral expression when all his face wanted to do was draw itself in pity, he did though, he kept his expression stony for the moment, but his eyes flickered with that thoughtful intelligence that told that he was considering the words. It was strange to be the one perfectly in control for once, lately he'd gotten so used to spiraling in the wind with no way to know where he was going, but for once he felt clear and sure of what he intended to do, his eyes were still intent as he watched him speak, but his breath hitched a little when he admitted what Hiccup had feared all this time, the two words that shook him harder than anything else, it was his turn to grip his chair tightly, looking uncomfortable when he sunk to a knee, eyes flicking to the door like he half considered running, but he'd resolved to see this through to whatever closure it came to. He needed this. They needed this. He didn't answer the question just yet, he left it until Dagur was finished speaking, afraid that he might break the flow of thoughts and never get this kind of clarity from him again, he realized he needed to hear this from him as much as Dagur had needed to hear what he had to say. Hiccup would give him his answer when he was finished speaking, for now he only continued to listen. He couldn't place the feelings that his words made him feel, he'd made his decision, he didn't want this with Dagur, he didn't know if he wanted this with anyone anymore, but there was something admirable in the words and praises that the man was speaking, something honest, something he realized he'd needed to hear for a long time. He got to his feet when he finished speaking, looking down at him with an unreadable expression, he didn't order him to stand yet, just considering what he needed to say with careful thought as he watched the man plead his case. "Get up. You asked me why I feared you, so I'll tell you. I feared you because you made me feel helpless, to made me feel like nothing more than prey that you intended to bat around until it killed me." He didn't pace, but gestured expressively as he spoke. "You violated me, Dagur, I don't care what's right in your eyes, what you did to me was wrong, I will never forget that, and I'll never forgive it." His expression finally softened, and it was his turn to look every so slightly unsure. He knew that what he was doing could very well end up a mistake, but his own humanity wouldn't allow him to turn away from someone so genuinely pleading for help, even if the situation was one he wanted nothing to do with. He sighed, stepping forwards and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know if I can ever feel for you how you feel for me, not after what you've done. I don't trust you, but I want to help." His tone was careful as he spoke, agonizingly methodical and delicate, he didn't want his words to be construed in any wrong way, he needed Dagur to understand what he was saying. "Let me be your friend. Just your friend." His expression was deadly serious now, but not hardened, much softer than it had been previously. "If you can't place value on my friendship alone, then you don't deserve my love." He pulled away at this, watching carefully for the man's reactions. Dagur | word count | other things

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[googlefont=Poiret One]

[Dagur]

I'm afraid of myself, of my anger

He listened, standing when instructed painfully slowly. His body was screaming in protest and he looked upon the other with a defeated gaze. No longer did he have any control over his emotions and was unsure on how to actually deal with them. It was no longer an option to shove them beneath fourteen layers of silence. He wore his heart on his sleeve for the very first time, allowing regret to lay upon his features as the other spoke of why they feared him. He let his eyes close, allowing his face to show all the things he couldn't form into words.

I'm sorry, I never wanted you to feel that way, I love you.

Those thoughts echoed around within his mind as he listened to the other, eyes opening and a hope flickered to life within his eyes. The other was giving him a chance, was giving him a way to fix what broken relationship they did have. He let out a shuddering breath and allowed his eyes to close as the others hand came to rest on his shoulder. He was given a chance, and he was determined not to let it slip past his fingers. He watched as the other pulled away, he studied the face he had adored for so long and spoke, voice cracking from the emotion and relief that was flowing through him.

"I will never ask for your forgiveness, because this is more than enough for me. This chance, I can't, I wont waste it."

He looked into the others eyes with utmost certainty, his gaze fiery with a passion to make things better than before strong in his heart.

"I promise you this much."

He took a breath, memorizing the others scent from his enhanced senses, the thought of blood making his throat burn softly. His mind was on overdrive and suddenly he felt exhausted, who knew emotions could take such a toll on someone? He figured they could at least try, at least try their friendship before he would press for more. What better way than to drink and have fun at a cafe or bar? Certainly alcohol would help with the pain his body was in at the moment. He leaned onto his crutch, unsure of how to change the subject as he couldn't bring himself to look into the others eyes. He didn't deserve it yet, not after realizing just what he had put the other through. He ran a hand through his hair, a breath being taken as he thought for a moment.

"You wouldn't want to stay for a drink would you? I can have a few bottles of wine brought here.."

He paused for a moment before going to sit down, allowing his body to rest a bit after the abuse he had just put it through. He was in a bit more pain than he realized, a good soak with some wine and painkillers would be heaven to him.

| Action - "Speech" - 'Thought' |

Because my anger ends in cruelty.

► kaigra ◄

[Hiccup]

[attr="class","iconimage"] I'll never go down your road I found my way on my own I'm never gonna fall in line, your future is not mine.

The regret in the man's eyes was enough to melt the rest of the ice that he'd built up, it wasn't enough to turn his mind away from the resolve he'd put into every word, but it was enough to take the edge and the unfeeling sting out of his eyes, his expression returning to something a bit more like himself, and he quirked a smirk at him, rolling his eyes a little bit. "You really are an absolute and complete wreck, you know." He let out a heavy sigh, but it was as much a freeing sound as it was a contemplative one, it felt like a thousand tons of pressure was being released from his head, and even though he was almost certain he would come to regret his decision, it felt like the right one to make. He'd never been a spiteful or vengeful man, he'd never been the type to look at someone in need and turn his back on them, and there was no way he could look at the pathetic man before him and not offer some hand of help, it was just a part of his nature, his empathy was as ingrained in who he was as his passion for learning, his love for dragons, and what kind of person would he be to kick a man when he was down? A smart one, probably. "We'll see, Dagur. But this is all the chance you get, I refuse to be yanked around and demeaned, the little stunt you tried to pull to parade me through your market like some prize was too far. If you respect me, truly, then show me. I've suffered enough demeaning and disrespect all through my life, I earned my place." He relaxed after saying his final piece, the humor coming back to his eyes as he sat back at the table, chuckling softly, it sounded like a nice idea, and he was so wound up tight a few drinks to relax would be nice. "Sure, Dagur, I've got time, I can stay for a few drinks." He eyed him thoughtfully as he sat, taking in all of his injuries, trying to piece together what had happened and assess what the outcome might have been. He leaned forward after a moment, leaning a chin on his hand. "How did the armor hold up? Are there any repairs needed? I arrived early, Berk wont be expecting me back for another two or three days." He was glad that the tidal wave had crashed and the surf had calmed, at least for the most part, into easy conversation, it felt better to be speaking this way, and the air between them felt distinctively easier to breath, less suffocating than before. Dagur | word count | other things

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[googlefont=Poiret One]