''Braan ?''

''Yeah ?''

The boy started and looked at him as if the viking just put him out of a silent conversation with the dragon bitting his sleeve and pulling it.

''Why did you called her 'mommy' ?'' He asked while pointing said dragon with his finger, a bit hesitantly.

Braan blinked before looking to the dragon, then back to the viking. He shrugged.

''Because she me mommy.''

''But... you're human, and she's a dragon. It's not possible.''

''Rise me like she baby. So she me mommy.''

'' 'Rise ?' But... How long have you been with her ? Are you alone ?''

Silence suddenly fell. This time, Nukkinf couldn't feel its weight, more heavy thant any other silence before. Braan's face changed, he was sad. The white dragon squealed at him, nudging his cheek in an attempt of comfort. It made him smile even if he still looked sad, then he stroked her forehead, just below the first icy horn.

''Long time.'' He finally answered to Nuffink.

Said viking couldn't find something to say. He couldn't believe it. So much feelings and thoughts suddenly drowned his mind, but he couldn't name any of them. His look lost upon the dragons, he finally made an observation, giving him something to break the silence.

''So... you live with them... ? Unbelievable.''

He glanced hesitantly to the boy, to find a faint smile on his face, he seemed touched. Without a word, the viking answered with a smile of his own. And it was all they needed. They didn't need to talk, and it was a first for Nuffink. Never before did the silence became an ally to him, even less a friend. But with Braan, he had this feeling of rediscovering things, rediscovering himself too.

The moment lasted a while, but the magic dissipated when voices and light irrupted.

''Nuffink ! Braan !'' The voices called.

''Oh crap !'' Nuffink started. ''This must be my parents.''

Both dragons clenches their jaws with growling sound while bending in defensive position. They seemed ready to fight, the white dragon even wrapped her tail and a wing around Braan, as if she wanted to protect him.

''No mommy, calm.'' Said boy said. ''Them friends. Us fine. No problem.''

Nuffink suddenly felt bad, a sens of urge nagging his mind. Braan just reunited with his mother, and the villager's arrival seemed to push the dragons to leave. Would they really leave ? Would Braan go with them to Drakanheim ? Without coming back ? Was it good-byes ?

Braan's saddened look met his pleading one, giving him answer. Yet, to the viking's surprise, he turned to face his dragon mother and tol her to leave. She whined in clear protest, but he hugged her.

''Me fine, you no need worry. Together soon, promise.''

He was forced to push her away for her to finally leave. The night fury came to the boy, rubbing his head against his chest in good-bye, and did the same against Nuffink's arm before taking off. Only then Braan's mother followed him in the sly, but not before moaning again.

Nuffink could see her concern and love just by hearing this noices, and it was even more clear in her gaze. And that was when the vikings found the boys. They didn't seem to have seen the dragons, fortunately.

''There you are, boys !'' Astrid sighted in a mixture of anger and relief.

''Mom...''

''What were you thinking coming on the woods this late ?! It's dangerous by night, what if you came across wild animals ? Or wolves ?''

Both boys glanced at each other in a sharing thought, laughing internally : if it was the case, the dragons would have beatten the animals in a blink. On her side, Astrid was not laughing. She grabbed both boys by the scruff of the neck and pulled them on the way back, the other vikings following with torches lighting their way.

''We're going home.'' She growled. ''You are grounded to the house. Both of you.''

''But mom-''

''No, Nuffink.''

Despite the bear grab of his mother that was slightly hurting him and the upcoming scold, Nuffink couldn't help but smile. He didn't listen to the bellowing and wandered his eyes to Braan. It didn't surprised him to see the boy was smiling too, and they eyes met.

Once again, they didn't need words to understand each other : they thought the same thing. Both of they didn't care for the scolding nor the grounding, because seing the dragons, reuniting Braan with his mother, it was worth everything.

Nuffink smiled even brighter. He hadn't hoped to find the dragons this night, but he still had completed his goal : he bounded with Braan. Indeed, the boy had decided to stay with him rather than going back home with the dragons.