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[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.

[Hiccup on the other hand, is practically bouncing on the balls of his feet with restless energy, looking antsy as anything. The officiant can probably recognize that he's gone too long without.

Her demeanor turns warm and almost fondly exasperated, as if they were a pair of schoolboys afraid they'll get in trouble with the teacher. Look at these awkward trees.] Well, alright then, as long as you're both aware. Is this the first Bond for both of you?

Um, yeah- it. Well, it is for me. I've never even- you know, the temporary ones.

It's not so scary as you might think. Alright then, here you are, write your full names on this paper for me, and we'll get started, yes? [She produces a scroll and a pen out of thin air, quite literally, and awkwardly, Hiccup writes his name down first.]

I've had temporary ones. [He had done it purely for the pursuit of knowledge even, since apparently that was going to be the only way someone could get him to bond.

That also meant that he wasn't as badly off as Hiccup because of it though.]

It's- [He knows why he was so nervous. It's scary because it was being closer with someone than he's used to. Even the temporary bonds have been somewhat awkward. He tries not to think too much about the particulars of Bonding though as he writes his name down after.]

You'll have some vague idea of how it feels, then. Except a solid, meant to last Bond is quite a bit more intense, I think. You'll have to get used to it, nurture it. [After they've both put their names down on the paper, she takes it into her hand and the pen disappears.] Thank you, thank you. Come along, boys, follow me.

[Hiccup shares a nervous look with Newt as he follows the officiant down a short hallway to a room, inside of which the floor is painted with an elaborate spell circle, each brush stroke obviously, painstakingly, precisely laid.]

Now, you'll both stand in the center right there, and hold hands - don't be shy now, lads. Have you got your vows all prepared?

Uh- v-vows?

[Newt can't help but smile. Even temporary, it wasn't something he got used to. He doesn't think he did at least, so he isn't sure how to feel at the idea that this one would be more intense. It was a tad overwhelming to begin with even as something temporary.

Newt's attention is distracted by the circle and all the intricacies of it that what she says doesn't sink in right away.

When it does though-] I-I beg your pardon?

[The officiant tsks, shaking her head.] You really aren't prepared, are you, dears? It's alright, you can wing it. It only has to be something from your heart, something sincere, it needn't be long. You must enjoy each other's company else you wouldn't be Bonding. [She directs them with a sort of fussy precision, getting them stood exactly in the center, clasping each other's hands; she's done a thousand of these, but each one is a little bit different, and each one requires a certain care. Magic dealing with the soul, after all, must be very precise.

Standing there, his hands curled around Newt's, Hiccup is looking very wide-eyed and a little overwhelmed. Being sleepless and frazzled from his lack of a Bond is not helping him take any of this in.] Uh- I- yeah, we- we're friends, so-

Good, good. Just, say a few words on your friendship then! Now, are we ready?

I- I don't know-

Splendid, let's get started then!

[What.

They. What. Help.

Newt is thinking that maybe they shouldn't be Bonding. Not because he doesn't want to Bond with the other, but because this was just, well, A Lot to take in. And so, of course, he kind of just probably blurts some words out. He's so very flustered and what are they even supposed to say?]

I, er, I hope to stand by Hiccup's side for as long as we're Bonded! T-Through better or worse. [She said vows, right? Though, that it sounds kind of what one would say during a wedding ceremony. Oh well.]

[She's not listening to them now, letting them sort out their own vows without prompting, apparently. She seems busy preparing some other aspect of the spell, walking the perimeter of the circle, the lines and runes on the ground beginning to light up. They flash and pulse gently as Newt speaks his vows, and Hiccup can feel his ears turning red, he's so flustered by all of it.]

I- uh, I'll stand by your side too, for- for as long as we're both- here, because you're my best friend here and- [This is coming out a mess. They're a disaster. What is going on. The lights are changing colors. The officiant seems to think that's a good sign, though.] For better or worse and- I promise I'll also protect you! Because, because that's what friends do. [Oh that was lame. He's embarrassed.

Their officiant is holding in her laughter nicely. She finishes sweeping the circle, and glances down at the little scroll she'd had them write their names on.] I thee Bond... [A pause. Some staring.] Newton Artemis Fido Scamander and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock The Third? You're kidding me...

Protect me? Isn't that a smidge dramatic? [Newt laughs nervously. He doesn't mean it in a bad way, but he also doesn't want Hiccup to think he needs protecting (~~:^)~~). He appreciate the thought though.

This really was a mess of a Bond wasn't? From rather lackluster vows to even their names being said out loud and together...

At least she'll have a good story to tell her friends tonight.]

I- I couldn't think of anything else to say! [He hisses, squeezing his hands a little tighter, starting to turn a little red around the ears with embarrassment. He can definitely hear the officiant boggling over their names over there too.] I didn't know there would be vows-

[She finishes the spell with a flourish, shaking her head at the pair in the center of the circle. Magic surges around them in something like an aurora borealis, like what Hiccup knows as Aurvandil's Fire, and he feels it opening up between them. The Bond. It's a tether and an open door all at once and his eyes widen with the feeling - and the relief it brings, easing his symptoms of going without. He's still tired from so much time spent sleepless, but the restlessness goes away, and a tension bleeds out of him.] Oh. Oh wow.

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