Runaway reader x hiccup haddock

Acceptance...kinda

You led the stunned dragon riders outside, question after question being thrown at you as you walked the dirt path. They have never expected that the Night Rider would be someone they had knew, always teased and looked down upon, let alone someone who was said to be dead.

You couldn't blame them. You have changed a lot over the years. You've grown a lot taller, your shoulders broader due to intense training and workouts. Your brown hair that used to be let down was now in a messy braid. Your slightly chubby baby face has now matured. Your eyes that were once wide with warmth and welcoming, were now cold and emotionless.

You used to be the girl who was shy and always bowed her head when someone walked past her, who avoided anyone's eye contact, someone that wanted to draw as little attention as possible. You were someone who was pushed around. You were the perfect target.

Now, you radiate an air of confidence and walked with your head held high, who would not be afraid to stare anyone down, someone that would easily gain anyone's attention if you wanted them to, but would also be able to blend back into the crowd easily. Anyone would fear for their fate if they ever dared to push you around. Now, you are the one that executes the target.

As you pass by, dragons would bow their heads with respect towards you or look at you the same way villagers would look at their beloved chief.

"Were these dragons here before you came?" Hiccup asked, after the gang finally gave up.

"Some of them, yes. But most were rescued from dragon hunters, many made this their home after I brought them here." You explained, opening your mouth for the first time since you left the prison.

"You must have been busy then." Hiccup asked, hoping to continue the conversation.

The only response he got was a nod.

You continued your journey with silence, the tension thicker than before.

Once you arrived at your destination, their jaws widened in awe. The stables was huge, they were sure it could fit two of Berk's great hall. Dragon could be seen hanging about freely, some perched on the pillar that supported the building. A few dragon parents were seen nursing their newborn babies or looking lovingly at their unhatched eggs. Two huge feeders were planted in the middle, allowing younger dragons or tired mothers to eat without fishing.

The most surprising thing, even surprised you. Midnight was playing with the riders' dragons.

Relieved smiles stretched onto their faces when the riders saw their dragons safe and sound and called their names. Their dragons bounded towards them while Midnight bounded to you.

"You seem to be having fun." You can't help but tease. The only response you got was a shy nod. You followed her gaze towards the other black dragon and smirked.

Midnight has a very similar personality with you, she had always cautious with new comers and doesn't let down her guard easily. She would always watch others with suspicion and assert dominance towards those who came close to her. The only soft interaction you witnessed were either with you or with baby dragons. Meeting one of her kind must have softened her up. Or something more.

"Is that Midnight?" You turned your head towards Hiccup's voice. You nodded while giving her a stroke on her snout. He slowly walked towards her while stretching his hand, looking at you for approval. You approved with an encouraging head tilt.

Midnight sniffed his hand carefully, and jumped happily onto him when she recognized him from the boy who played with her years ago. You lightly chuckled as Hiccup keep shouting that he was happy to see her while asking her to get off of him.

His own dragon watched with a slight jealous expression on his face. Therefore, you stretched your hand towards him. He eagerly leaned his head against your palm, happy to receive some attention. "I kept my word, every one of you may stay as my guest." You informed him.

Apparently, everyone heard you. When you look up again, you see them staring at you like you have grown three heads and furrowed your brows in confusion.

"Were you...communicating with Toothless?" Hiccup asked while getting up from the ground, eyes not leaving you.

'Ohhh' You thought. You had forgotten that you were the only one who can understand dragons.

You awkwardly nodded while watching their reaction. They seem to look at you with admiration again, though Fishlegs looked excited and the twins looked suspiciously at each other.

"You know the language of dragons? Oh my Thor!" Fishlegs with the gronkle squealed while taking papers and a pencil from his pocket. "Do you by any chance, be willing to tell me more about it?" He asked, eyes wide with excitement that is similar of an excited child.

"Sure." You agreed after a moment of shock.

"Oookkkay. Can we maybe go to the place that we are staying first before you start your nerd talk?" Snotlout quickly interfered. "And I wouldn't mind sharing your place if there weren't any more space." He added flirtatiously, winking at you. Causing the girls to scoff.

You frowned in disgust. "Do you know what happened to those who dared made a move to me in the past, Snotlout?" You asked while taking a step towards him, not giving him a chance to answer, you continued. "They ended up being found by locals the next day, one of their eyes was missing, their limbs were cut off and their necks were snapped." By then you faces were mere inches, your voice was calm but your eyes showed fury as you stared mercilessly at his fearful eyes.

He gulped nervously while slowly backed off, instantly avoiding your intense stare that was still not moving away from him. When you finally did, you swore the girls had gave you proud thumbs-ups.

"Now please, follow me." You said, containing a satisfied smirk from crawling up your lips as you swiftly mounted Midnight.

You shot up into the orange yellow sky as the sun started to set. The wind whistled into your ears as you glide along it. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath as you enjoyed the warm wind. You didn't get to enjoy a long flight today, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the last of it. Unbeknownst to you, someone was staring at you, admiring how the sunlight was framed your face perfectly.

By now, the riders were used to surprises from you, but that didn't stop their jaws from hanging open when they saw your home. Your home was a two-story mansion, built by wood, metal and stone. Vines decorated the walls that made the mansion invisible from afar. Some spots have beautiful drawings and colorful dragon scales, some dragons even made nests on the roof!

You swiftly dismounted Midnight along with the others and led all of them inside. The living room greeted them with comfortable couches and rock slabs, two book shelves beside a currently unlit fireplace that was built against the wall.

You whistled five times, gaining confused looks from your guest. Five terrible terrors came flying and landed in front you, awaiting any further orders. "Please bring our guest to the guest rooms, two of them are sharing." You ordered. The terrors nodded and you turned towards your intrigued guest. "These terrors will take you to your rooms. Feel free to treat this as your home. Dinner will be ready soon." With that, you left the riders followed by Midnight towards the door on the left.

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Sorry this took a while, been trying to come up with a good title. Hope you like this.