Promises, Promises (HTTYD × Reader)

Meeting the Bewilderbeast

Hiccup's POV

Mom.

Gods when Y/n said she was going to bring us together, she wasn't kidding. Then again she always kept her promises. And somehow I knew she would, but I never expected this.

In awe, I studied my surroundings. This was Vanir, I thought I heard her say. If this was what was left of her home, I didn't blame her for wanting to return to it instead of staying at the Edge with us - with me.

And then there was Mom. Instantly all of my questions about myself were pushed aside, replaced with a need to know more about this crazy, feral, vigilante dragon lady. There was too much to ask, too much to learn. I need to know everything, but I was having trouble absorbing it all.

Mom explained what happened the night she left. Cloudjumper was curious. It was in a dragon's nature to want to explore, just like it was in mine. I understood, after all I had contemplated leaving Berk myself, especially after I met Toothless. But then everything - everyone - changed. Y/n was holding my hand as Mom told her story. I figured she wanted to make sure that my curiosity wouldn't carry me off like it would've done to her if our roles were reversed.

"You and your father nearly died that night. All because I couldn't kill a dragon." Mom said as she looked away sadly.

"Runs in the family." I replied, smiling reassuringly.

Y/n smiled too, though it didn't reach her eyes, as she muttered "Ain't that the truth" under her breath. I squeezed her hand once then let go. Her touch didn't feel the same as it used to. It wasn't as easy-going and there wasn't that spark that I felt when I was with Astrid. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind, deciding to examine it later.

"It broke my heart to stay away, but I thought you'd be safer if I did. And then I found Y/n's family. They took me in for a while until..." Mom stopped and looked past me to y/n's sad face. I could tell that she still hadn't gotten past her grief. Over two years and the wound to her heart was still fresh as ever.

"Then once she found me again, I returned the favor. We've been here ever since. Going on rescue missions and helping the way that her people used to. The Hairy Hooligan and the Fierce Fiena (pronounced FEE-ena) tribes haven't always been the best of friends since the Fiena sided with the dragons, but she's never let me down." Mom explained as she beamed with pride.

"And now you're here." Y/n whispered in my ear. I swatted her away. I expected her to laugh, but the bell-like sound never came.

"But... How did you survive?" I asked overwhelmed by the truth.

"Hiccup, if you don't know that by now, the last five years have been for nothing." Y/n teased, still she didn't laugh. What's wrong, y/n? What happened to you?

Some hidden part of me could tell that she was hiding something. Something bigger than feelings of guilt from abandoning Dad when he was hurt. After all, she had waited until help had arrived before she was called away. No, it had to be something else. I was ripped from my thoughts as Mom defended me.

"No, it's a valid question, y/n!" Mom scolded, but I smiled. She was right, I should've known the answer.

"Come on! Show him! Please!" Y/n begged as she bounced up and down, a mask of infectious excitement covering her pain.

That was the thing about y/n. If she was trying to hide something, she forced her emotions in the complete opposite end of the spectrum, almost overdoing it. It was my biggest clue, but I forced that to the back of my mind as well.

Mom started to walk to the edge of the cliff. I followed but turned to look at y/n when I noticed she wasn't coming too. She flicked her left hand at me in a sign that seemed to say go on as she smiled smugly. Come on, y/n. Talk to me! I have things that I need to share too. I thought as I followed. Then I realized that I had missed Mom's answer to my question.

"The home of the Great Bewilderbeast. The alpha species. One of the very few that still exist." She proclaimed as she gestured to a giant white mass at the center of the encased mountain.

For a moment, I was transported back to that week I spent locked up at the dragon fights with y/n and our dragons. We had traded stories to pass the time. One of hers was about the first time she met this particular species of dragon, but at the time I couldn't imagine just what she had been talking about. Was this the same one she had met?

Then a couple of months ago, the gang and I had been in a race against the Dragon Hunters to find the King of Dragons. I had found an egg and an enormous white mass that had ended Trader Johann with its cold breath. That was one death that I hadn't mourned, the trader had played me for almost five years before I figured out his schemes. But I never got a good look at the dragon that killed him... Until now.

My eyes widened in shock and my mouth hung open enough for a Gronckle to fly through without hitting my teeth. Before me was a white Class 10 Tidal behemoth with long ivory tusks, enormous blue eyes almost the same color as Astrid's, and spikes across its head like a crown. I followed Mom closer, past a group of babies who decided that Toothless needed a little play time.

"Every nest has its queen, but this is the King of all dragons!" Mom said grandly. Oh, so that's where my dramatic flair comes from. Sweeping her staff upward in a long arc that made me examine all of the icy details overhead, she added, "With his icy breath, this graceful giant rebuilt our nest. A safe haven for dragons everywhere."

"Wait..." Recognition slapped me upside the head as I gazed upon the spiky green ice that held the mountain together. This was the same ice that destroyed the trappers' fort. I thought, though I had to be sure.

"That's the ice-spitter? He's responsible for all that destruction?" I asked, concern and bewilderment edging my voice.

"He protects us. We all live under his care. And his command." Mom explained. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw y/n trying to scoop a couple of baby dragons away from Toothless. I heard Cloudjumper growl, which must have spooked them because they flew over to the Bewilderbeast.

"All but the babies, of course..." Mom added, chuckling.

I watched as the sleeping behemoth huffed like a grumpy grandfather. He gave a little puff of air and the babies flew off.

"Who listen to no one. No matter how hard I try." Y/n grumbled exasperated as she lowered herself to a kneeling position. The dragons followed suit, even Toothless, though I could feel his eyes on my back.

I was too transfixed by the Bewilderbeast's big blue eyes to move. Quietly, we studied each other. Then he blew a gust of frost in my face, making my wild tousled auburn locks turn white. Y/n and Mom exploded into a fit of laughter. Finally! If this what takes to get that beautiful tinkling sound, I'll gladly freeze my hair daily. I thought as I shook the frosty coating off. Y/n laid her left hand on my right shoulder as she pulled herself together. Her laugh was so contagious that I couldn't help but to smile back.

I gave her a lopsided grin as she said, "He likes you!"

"Wow..." I gasped.

How? How could something so big care about something as small as me? I was flummoxed. So I stood there dumbfounded - speechless is not an ailment that I'm accustomed to - with y/n's hand still on my shoulder. I was trapped in her eyes just as much as the dragon's and I didn't want to stop looking.

Eventually, it was Mom's voice and my growling stomach that broke me out of my reverie.

"You must be hungry." She said smiling broadly.

"Uh yeah. I could eat." I replied, trying to cover my embarassment as my stomach rumbled again.

"Good. It's feeding time." Y/n said as she pulled me towards Toothless.

A/N: Today I learned the difference between revelry: loud noises including alcohol, and reverie: being lost in thought.

What is a word that you thought meant one thing, but it actually meant something else?

Thanks for reading! Have a great whatever time of day it is!