Astrid Hofferson x Male Reader

Chapter 8

Berk - Training Grounds

(The grounds have been transformed. Banners and flags flap inthe morning sun. Surrounding the ring, a festive crowd had gathered. All of Berk has turned out for the event)

Stoick: Well, I can show my face in public again.

(The crowd laugh and applause)

Stoick: If someone had told me that in a few short weeks, Hiccup would go from being, well... Hiccup, to placing first in dragon training... I would've tied him to a mast and shipped him off for fear he'd gone mad. Yes! And you know it! But here we are. And no one's more surprised...

(Hiccup is standing at the entrance to the ring, listening, looking burdened)

Stoick: ...or more proud than I am. Today, my boy becomes a Viking. TODAY, HE BECOMES ONE OF US!

(The crowd cheers and roars as Hilda approaches Hiccup with Y/n and Astrid)

Hilda: Be careful with that dragon.

Hiccup: It's not the dragon I'm worried about.

Hilda: What are you going to do?

Hiccup: Put an end to this.

(Hilda eyes him, dubious)

Hiccup: I have to try. If something goes wrong... just make sure they don't find them.

Astrid: We will.

Hilda: Just promise me it won't gowrong.

(Gobber approaches them)

Gobber: It's time, Hiccup. Knock him dead.

Y/n: Be careful, Hiccup.

(Hiccup puts his helmet on and enters the ring. The teens are hooting and hollering from the stands)

Tuffnut: Show'em how it's done, my man!

(Hiccup locks eyes with Stoick. Stoick nods with a smile. Hiccup returns a half-smile. Takes a deep breath. He hoists a shield onto his forearm and selects his weapon froma rack of many, a small dagger)

Stoick: Hrmph. I would've gone for the hammer.

(Hiccup turns to face a bolted, heavy door. Takes a deep breath)

Hiccup: I'm ready.

(The door bolt is raised. The crowd grows quiet. BOOM! The doors blast open with a stream of sticky fire. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, coated in flames. It tears out of its cave like an irate bull, as the crowd roars and jeers. It climbs the walls and chain enclosure like a bat, hissing at the provoking crowd and blasting fire. It spots Hiccup and descends, leering and licking the flaming drool from its lips. The crowd grows silent, bracing for the big fight. With the Monstrous Nightmare's eyes locked upon him, Hiccup deliberately drops his shield and dagger stepping away from them. The dragon pauses, confused. Stoick looks on, also confused)

Stoick: What is he doing?

(The dragon presses closer, snorting. Hiccup extends his open hand. It snarls)

Hiccup: It's okay. It's okay.

(The dragon continues to pace, focused on Hiccup's helmet. Hiccup realizes, then reaches up and removes it. Taking a breath to acknowledge the point of no return, he tosses the helmet aside. It hits the ground)

Hiccup: I'm not one of them.

(Gasps and murmurs race through the crowd. All eyes turn to him. Stoick is welling with upset. Hiccup avoids Stoick's glare and remains focused on the Nightmare, holding his hand out. It paces around him, calming down)