newtralize | Aefenglom Inbox

Some just believe to rule with an iron fist. [Not that he believes in such methods, obviously. It isn't unfamiliar to him though.

He chews at his bottom lip for a moment.] They consider it and call it reeducating. I can't say that I would call it such though, but it makes sense as to...as to why people think the way they do there. [He shakes his head.]

I'm not particularly, er, comfortable with most here. [And he thinks Theseus can agree that them bonding would be disastrous.

It does make him fret a bit though.]

"Re-educating." [He says it like the very word, and all that it implies, is one of the most disgusting things he's ever heard. It's ominous, and he doesn't exactly know the details, but he can guess.] They- they tried to brainwash you? [Do the horrors of Dorchacht ever end? It seems like he's hearing about something new they did in that Dream all the time.

Hiccup frowns slightly down at his hands, letting out a breath.] Yeah, it... it seems like a really personal thing to do with someone. Bonding. It... I'd want it to be a friend, at least.

[Newt doesn't reply. Doesn't even look at the other. His brows just furrow as he stares down and off to the side.] It- Well, I can't say it was particularly pleasant. [He's glad that Theseus didn't have to go through it, but it was hard on Newt; someone who was rather empathetic towards Monsters.]

I agree. I don't think I could consider someone I wasn't at least fond of at some capacity. [Newt was obviously far from being a social creature and his friendships weren't many.] Though, that's probably not many people and I have no intention of bonding with my brother. I can't say I'm very friendly with most others passed you, actually.

[Well, that's as good as a confirmation. It's nauseating, knowing what kinds of lengths they'll go to to silence dissent in the Black City. He scrubs a hand over his face, breathing out a quiet, disbelieving, humorless little laugh.] Master of understatement.

[And then he falls quiet for a few minutes, staring into his tea, listening to Newt. They have a similar problem here; Hiccup likes plenty of people, but he isn't... close, to many of them. Or they're already bonded. Or they've just never brought it up with him. But if he's feeling this way due to a lack of a bond, then Newt will eventually show symptoms too, won't he?

When he blurts it out, it's mostly due to lack of sleep and not much of a filter, but he isn't sure if he regrets it.] Maybe- Maybe we should, then. Just- It wouldn't have to be permanent, but as a- a stopgap measure, maybe it wouldn't... be so horrible...

[Newt can't help but laugh a little himself.] I've tried not to dwell much on it. It's, uhm, put me and my brother at odds for the time being. [Newt hasn't had a great time at all since the dream. The dream itself was horrendous, but fighting with Theseus was also terrible.

He is taken aback though. It isn't exactly because he's against bonding with Hiccup, but Newt was in an odd mindset where he didn't think anyone would be interested to do so with him. Perhaps self-deprecating, but he had never gotten along well with others.] Oh- I- Well, I wouldn't want to force your hand if there are others you would have preference to bonding with. [Newt. Hiccup was the one who suggested it, you dimwit.]

Somehow I can't say I blame him. [He says it with utmost fondness, if not a little exasperation too. He can only imagine how that conversation might have gone. If Theseus knows about it, it makes sense that he'd be upset.

Hiccup certainly is.

And now he's a little sheepish, a little nervous, letting out a humorless laugh and dragging a hand through his hair.] It's- That's just the thing, though? I- I don't know who else I'd be comfortable Bonding with. You're a good friend, and, I mean, so is Keith, but his Bonded - his really special Bonded - disappeared and there's no way he'd want to-

I- I think it could work. With us. We, uh, we have a lot in common.

[Aha, it was Newt taking the fall so Theseus could avoid it, so Theseus was extra upset for good reason.]

Oh. [Newt seems to be honestly surprised by that.] I mean- I- Yes. [he can't help but let out a breathless little laugh. You'd think they were confessing their love to each other or something. It's nothing like that, but the idea of Bonding was still an intimate act. At least, that's how he feels.] Yes. I think it could work. Between us.

[He can't help feeling nervous for some reason. It's stupid, it's not like when he asked Astrid to be his betrothed. A Bond isn't a wedding and doesn't have to be romantic - he's heard of plenty of platonic Bonds between friends, it's not uncommon in Aefenglom. And he and Newt are friends, good friends even, he'd say. They have similar interests, their morals are generally aligned, and Hiccup, at least, thinks Newt is easy company, even when he doesn't want to be around people.

It makes sense for them to Bond, but he's still anxious about possible rejection anyway. It's stupid.

But- he doesn't. Even though it is an intimate thing, something that isn't meant for just casual acquaintances, he agrees, and Hiccup lets out a startled little laugh of his own, delighted.] You think? I- I mean, I think it could- And, and if it didn't, it's not like it's permanent. I know they don't, uh, recommend witch and witch bonds so much, but... We both have really strong bonds with animals, and familiars count to some degree, I think, so- It should be fine.

[For Newt, it was the matter of just any amount of intimacy with others. He struggled to make fairly close bonds with others and he only had a handful of friends that he would consider friends and not merely colleagues or acquaintances. Hiccup was most definitely a friend though and someone whom he cherished their company.

It was a lot for someone who strayed a bit from being close to his brethren.]

Well, it's still probably better than not having a bond and it sounds like neither of us are any closer about it with anyone else. [He laughs nervously.] Yes. I- Bonding. I'll accept a bond with you.

[Hiccup laughs too, in something like relief and nerves all at the same time. The sleeplessness is getting to him, and he hopes this will help. Hopefully it will help both of them. It can't be terrible, at least.

His smile is the most genuine it's been all afternoon. Hiccup isn't used to being on his own so much anymore; this proof that he's connected to someone here, it's- it's a weight off. A comfort.] Great! That's- yeah, this- this will be good. There's, uh, there's no one else I'd rather do this with, I think.

Do-... Do you have any idea how we, uh, go about this?

I need to point out how utterly embarrassing what you just said was. [Those are things you say to someone you fancy, he thinks. Than again, this was a certain level of intimacy that they were suddenly breaching. It's a little awkward.]

Hiccup, I am absolutely the worst person to ask that. I didn't really pay much attention at all about the bonds and how to establish them.

What? No, that's not- It's not embarrassing, we're friends! We're good friends! [And there really isn't anyone (currently here in Aefenglom, at least) that he'd rather give this a go with. He's all by himself except for Toothless, and Newt is the closest friend he's made, besides Keith.] This is- [He drags a hand down his face.] -okay, maybe it's a little weird.

I guess we, uh, head to the Coven and ask someone, then? I know there's... some kind of ceremony.

[Newt just laughs.] I can't say that I can take this as casually as the natives here probably take it. [Because this is odd to him. The idea of bonding and to consider it something more casual when it sounded so intimate. It'll take him a bit to get used to.]

Ceremony? Merlin. [Ceremonies definitely makes this harder to take casually.] Well, we don't have a choice do we. Neither of us know how to go about this. [The idea of having to ask though. Perhaps they should have paid attention.]

I- I don't want you to feel like you have to do this with me, if it's a big deal to you. [He frowns slightly, knowing that Newt has already agreed, but he's sleepless and overthinking everything, his thoughts running too quickly ahead and overanalyzing every word.]

Yeah, it's- I mean, I don't think it has to be huge. There's an officiator and a spell, or something. [And vows but he doesn't remember that part of the Bonding process. He's just going to wind up winging those.]

It's- [He wrings his hands for a moment.] I just always struggled with, er, socializing. Being around others. Most found me annoying more than anything, so- [It's odd. For someone to want his company.] This. It's- I suppose it's a little surprising for me.

I would hope it doesn't have to be huge. This is something fairly common for them, isn't it? [It's much less of an event than getting married, right?]

[Hiccup smiles ruefully.] Believe me, I- I get it. But I don't think you're annoying at all. [And hopefully Newt feels the same about him. Well, if they go through with this, he'll find out. Just like Newt will find out that not only does Hiccup not think he's annoying, he thinks Newt is smart and interesting and easy to be around.

The smile he offers is tired and hopeful and relieved and happy at the same time.] It is, at least in the Coven, so- It shouldn't take too long, if you want to head over there now?

[Newt’s smile is shy. Relieved even.] It’s nice. To hear that. I mean I didn't doubt that you didn't enjoy my company, but hearing it- [He doesn't hear it often.] You’re my friend after all.

Yes. I believe there's no reason to dilly dally. [Other than Newt knows he was probably dragging his feet a bit from nervousness.]

[His smile only grows wider at that.] You're my friend too. Probably the best friend I have here. [He appreciates Keith too, of course, but... He and Newt have so much in common that it's hard not to want to be friends.

He seems a little sheepish, a little awkward, when he stands up from the table. There's an energy practically buzzing under his skin borne of insomnia and going Bond-less for so long; he's eager to ease some of it, but also nervous, and maybe a little excited to see what it's going to be like.]

Okay. Okay, yeah, let's- Let's go, then.

[It's such a foreign thing for him to hear. Best friend. He didn't have many friends. It didn't exactly bother him. Hearing the other say that left a fluttering in his chest. A certain warmness that couldn't be replicated by fire. He can't help the bashful smile on his face.] I feel the same.

[Newt is no less awkward about it all as he kind of bumbles getting the door open to let the other out first.] We're both overthinking this aren't we? [He's pretty sure they're both being kind of silly.]

[A laugh bubbles out of him at that admission, and he stutters-] Good, I mean- that's. That's great. [This will work, won't it? He wants to think it will. That this will solve problems they didn't really know they'd have and they'd be able to do it together.

He exits first, casting a sheepish smile of his own back at Newt.] We probably are. By a lot. We're being ridiculous. This is- people Bond every day here. [Toothless bounds up to them, looking from Newt to Hiccup questioningly, wondering what happened to put his human in a better mood.] Hey, bud. It's- everything's fine. We're fine. You wanna stay here for a little while? I'll be back soon.

[He closes the door after them and walks side by side with the other.] It's too bad that I've never fit in with the norm then. Nice to see that it hasn't changed even in a different world completely.

[Greg sits up and watches them curiously before settling back down to bask in the sun. It didn't seem like Newt was leaving the city, so Greg wasn't interested.] I'm taking him for a little bit. Sorry, Toothless.

Yeah, well- normal's... normal's overrated. [He leans down to scruff at the sides of Toothless' face playfully, getting a big gummy smile out of the dragon. The way he puts their foreheads together and scratches over his scales and speaks to him is more like he's interacting with a dog than a dangerous beast.] Yeah, I know you've been worried, haven't you? [Crooning in response.] You just stick around and hang out. I'll be back before you know it.

[The Night Fury licks Hiccup roughly, and then bumps Newt affectionately with his nose on his way back over to where Greg is. Hiccup just laughs and starts wiping dragon spit off on his pant leg.]

I guess we have permission.

[Newt watches them fondly. Seeing the two interact was something he enjoyed, honestly. It reminds him of his friends from America in his case interacting with his creatures. There's an ache in his heart as he remembers how much he misses them.

He ignores the looming uncertainty of the future.

The magizoologist laughs a little.] Let's not take too long. Shall we?

[He shoots a smile back at Newt.] Yeah, let's go. [The walk to the Coven isn't a long one, nor does it take too long to find someone there who can perform a Bonding ceremony. There are several Witches who have trained to be officiants, so they manage to get set up with a middle aged woman with a pair of half-moon spectacles, who... admittedly gives them a little bit of a strange look. She seems kind enough, not judgmental, just a little concerned.]

Two Witches Bonding isn't exactly recommended these days. Only a Monster can siphon off your excess magics.

Yeah, uh, we know, but- We don't- really want to Bond with anyone else right now. [He looks at Newt again, still upbeat, but a little more nervous.]

[Newt is honestly the image of awkward. Just the way he stands there with his shoulders hunched and the way he keeps himself small. That, and his gaze is down and to the side and not at the officiant.

He keeps his hands clasped together in front of him.]

I, uhm, who I know is limited. Most of them are Witches... [He knew a few Monsters, but he knows that many he had spoken to were Witches. It had nothing to do with not wanting to be around them, but just where he had spent much of his time.] We use our magic daily. Quite often. I don't think it'll be of much issue.

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