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[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.

[Newt is distracted by the array of colors around them.

The feeling that surges through him is overwhelming, yet almost light. It's an array of feelings that he can't quite put his finger on. It's something beautiful. Breathtaking. He can't help but breathe out a breath he had been holding.]

Oh. It... [His chest flutters some. Some of what he was feeling. It wasn't all his, was it?]

[The lights fade slowly, gently, and Hiccup can't help but look at the colors dancing across Newt's face. His Bonded, now. His friend. They're Bonded. He can feel that little flutter coming from Newt, or at least, he's fairly sure it's not coming from him. Who knows right now, really.

Hiccup can't help the little laugh that bubbles out of him, overwhelmed and happy and relieved. He'd been nervous about it, but it- it feels good? It feels strange, but not in a bad way at all.] Wow, that's- I can feel you? That's amazing.

[Newt can't help but press a hand to his chest. It wasn't a bad feeling or anything. It was just...

Strange? Was he uncomfortable with it? He wasn't sure.] It's... [He didn't really know how to describe it.] This will certainly take some time to get used to. [The other laughs though and he can feel how the other feel and Newt finds that he can't help but smile. Feeling Hiccup's relief and happiness.

Maybe it helps assuage his nervousness somewhat.]

[It's definitely strange. It'll take some getting used to, but Hiccup hopes he doesn't want to go back on this decision. Hopes he doesn't regret it. Hiccup doesn't think he does. Anyway, who else would there even be besides Newt?

Unconsciously, he reaches up to put a hand on his own chest, over his heart, mirroring the gesture.] Yeah, yeah definitely, but- Wow. I wasn't really expecting this.

[Their officiant stifles a smile, the scroll in her hands vanishing.] First-time Bonds are always so cute. Keep in mind, boys, that touch will help you strengthen the Bond so it isn't quite... so much. It'll be a bit intense while it's still new, but you'll settle into it.

A bit intense. I feel like that's an understatement. [This was more intense than a lot of anything he has felt.]

So this- That's it then? [Well, it was longer than he expected, but also still rather short somehow.] Uhm. Thank you. [He shuffles from one foot to the other a little sheepishly. Not sure what else to do now that it was done.]

Don't worry, lads, you'll settle into it and it won't be quite so at the forefront. I did say it wasn't quite like a temporary Bond, or perhaps you're both just extra-compatible!

[Hiccup's eyes widen slightly. Are they extra-compatible?] Oh. Uh. Yeah, thank you, I'm- I'm sure we'll get used to it.

[The officiant ushers them out of the room, smiling knowingly.] That's it. Congratulations. Time to go celebrate your new Bond together.

[Hiccup lets out a helpless laugh, halfway reaching out for Newt's hand before he stops himself.] Well, if- if that's traditional. What should we do to celebrate?

[Extra-compatible. He's going to mull over that for quite a bit.]

Right. Yes, thank you. For your time. [Newt glances down at their hands. Oh. This was...nice.]

I think we should push back celebrating until you've rested some, honestly. You seemed quite tired, Hiccup. Celebrating can come later and we have plenty of time in the future to do so. [A soft smile.] I think we could both do with a bit of rest, really.

[The officiant sends them off with a smile and a pat to each of their shoulders. On their way out of the Coven, Hiccup smiles sheepishly, not really wanting to admit that Newt is right. He's gone too long without sleep, and now that the jitteriness is fading, it's probably just a matter of time before he crashes out somewhere.]

Celebratory naps, then. Sure. Later, though- when, when everything isn't so crazy. [When the thought of going to Dorchacht isn't looming over them and they've both gotten some rest.]

Yes, let's get back. Toothless is waiting for you and I imagine he'll be happy for you to get rest. We can do something when time permits. Consider it an IOU even. [Newt thinks he would like some proper rest too. His sleep had been far from peaceful and perhaps he is feeling more at peace than he had been since then. He really isn't sure how the bond works and why that would be, but he wasn't going to complain about it either if it was going to help like this.]

That obvious he's been worried? [Hiccup's distress pre-Bond was probably insanely obvious. A quiet laugh.] Okay. An IOU. It'll my treat, whatever we do. I- I owe you one. For agreeing to this.

[He gives him a smile as they start to head back toward the barracks, the backs of his knuckles just brushing Newt's.] Thank you. I feel... a lot better, now.

I wouldn't say it's obvious, but perhaps obvious to me. [Newt has always been good at noticing a change in behavior and he has seen Toothless enough to make a decent assessment.]

You don't owe me anything, Hiccup. As far as I'm concerned, this is a mutual agreement and it benefits us mutually. You have no need to feel indebted to me in anyway. [He offers the other a soft smile.] It works out for the both of us. I can't say that I've quite gotten along with others as I have with you.

You- you know us better than anybody here, I guess. [Him and Toothless. It makes sense since they spend time together relatively often, more often than Hiccup spends time with anyone else, save maybe Keith.]

I'm- glad you feel that way. I'd hate to have, uh, roped you into anything... [He seems a little embarrassed, a little tired, and a little young all at once, but also... like a weight has been lifted. The improvement was immediate. After a good night's sleep, maybe he'll even be feeling normal again.]

[Newt smiles a little and hesitantly gives a gentle pat on his shoulder.] Let's get back and get some rest. [There's no need for him to deny something so obvious. While apprehensive, he had agreed regardless. Newt doesn't make light of such decisions that were so intimate.]

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