They, with the Dragon Wings • HTTYD

Chapter 5 | flight

You'd admit, you were a little scared.

Sure you'd been flying your whole life, but after such a close brush with death, things tend to be put into perspective. You hadn't flown in weeks because of your condition. And even though you were back to a healthy weight now, and you felt strong enough to run around again, you still hasn't flown. But you needed to bite the sword and try, you'd be a pretty useless hybrida if you couldn't even fly. So, Hiccup has directed you to the cliffs overlooking the sea on the island. That was where he'd gotten Toothless to fly again after loosing his tail fin. The wind blowing in from the sea and up the face of the cliff created a push that would allow you to glide.

And so, you stood at the edge facing the open ocean, anxious. Wrapped up in your woollen Toga you'd tied it up in a different way than usual. Tighter and closer to the body to suit flight better. The wind was cold on your face, sea breeze usually was. It would be easier to handle when you had a helmet again, one Hiccup was working on for you.

"This is ridiculous, I've been flying my whole life! Why am I suddenly nervous..?" You muttered.

"After everything you went through I think it's reasonable" Hiccup replied.

Perched atop Toothless, he offered a hand for you to climb up onto the dragons back to get a higher angle. You took it, hesitantly, but stepped up regardless.

"Here I'll hold onto you so the wind current doesn't hit you too hard" Hiccup said.

He took each of your hands into his, linking his fingers with yours in a hook like position. You took a breath, spread your wings, and let the wind slowly begin to pick you up. Feet off the ground, you hovered just above Hiccup and Toothless.

"You're steady, I've got you" Hiccup assured.

Focused on balance, you allowed your wings to angle with the flow of the wind and tilt your body to a horizontal position, keeping your hands gripped tight with Hiccups. But the longer you stayed in the air, the more the instinct started to come back to you and your wings flapped to stay steady between gusts of wind.

"Ok... let's do it" you said.

"Are you sure? You don't feel too weak?" Hiccup asked.

"I can do it... I know I can. Plus, you'll catch me if a fall right?"

"Of course. Let's get you flying again alright? Ok Toothless, gently now"

Toothless spread his wings letting them air pick him up too. And off the ground you all were, starting slowly at first and keeping in a level glide over the sea. You flapped your wings along with Toothless', getting used to the motion again. Hiccup kept his hold on you like you were a kite, dragging you along.

"You got this (y/n), let the instinct take over" Hiccup assured.

"It's coming back to me, it feels good to be in the air again" you replied.

Hiccup looked up at you, a gentle smile on his face. Proud of you for recovering so quickly and being brave enough to start flying again so soon. You looked down at him, smiling back. Huh... he had a gap in his teeth, that was kinda cute.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Throw me" you replied.

"On 3... 1..."

He pulled his arms back so you were positioned slightly behind them, ready to push you forward.

"2..."

You kept your eyes focused on the skyline above you, tail straight, wings spread.

"3!"

You felt him push you forward, as you flapped your wings deeply and his fingers let go of yours. You shot forward, and it was like a switch went off in your brain and everything came back to you in an instant. You glided on the wind, using your arms to keep steady like you were swimming. A smile broke on your face, this was it. This was truly living. Instinct was a powerful thing. You laughed in joy, swirling through the clouds in victory at your full recovery.

"YEEAHHH! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!" Hiccup called out after you.

He quickly grabbed the saddle handle and steered Toothless up to follow you through the clouds, keeping you in his sights just in case something happened and you needed to be caught. Although it seemed you definitely wouldn't be needing anymore help with how well you were going.

"WOOOOO! I MISSED THIS!" You cheered.

"GO (Y/N)! BEST HYBRIDA FLYER THERE IS!" Hiccup called out to you.

Clearly proud and happy for you, Hiccup beamed watching you do loops and flips in the air, the technical part of his mind studying your aerodynamics. Maybe he could use your flight patterns to tweak his flight suit.

Hang on... his flight suit.

"Stand by Toothless" he said.

Toothless gave him a rowl, rolling his eyes as if to say 'this dangerous thing again? All I do is catch you'.

"Shush you, it'll be fine" Hiccup replied.

He placed Toothless fin into position and unhooked his leg from the gears, and unlatched his harness saddle. Carefully he stood on his feet on the saddle, keeping position by holding the handles.

"(Y/N)!" Hiccup called out.

You looked down, finding him literally standing up.

"HICCUP YOU MANIAC!" You laughed.

"FLY WITH ME!" He called out, launching himself off Toothless.

For a moment you almost had a heart attack, but he pulled the wings of his suit out, and the wind picked him up to glide along with you and Toothless. You just laughed in amazement, the mad genius actually managed to fly without real wings. Although unlike the tale of Icarus it seemed he knew his limits and wouldn't fly too close to the sun.

"WOAH!!" You smiled.

You flew down to his level, grabbing his shoulders to use your own wings and pull him along faster, to launch him like he did to you. His exited laughter was enough to make your heart flutter, it was so sweet seeing people so enthusiastic about things they loved. Toothless gave you a growl, and concerned look.

"Don't worry buddy, I'll be careful" you assured.

Pushing Hiccup forward, he cried out in joy at the sheer speed he was getting. Something he'd only been able to achieve on the back of Toothless.

You weren't sure how long you spent flying around out there, messing with flight suit techniques, racing Toothless. But it felt like hours, and by the time you'd landed back on Berk your hair was a windswept mess and you were cold. But it was so worth it. Jumping around in joy you'd managed to heal up quick and strong enough to fly again, Hiccup chuckled at your reaction as he reeled his flight suit wings back in.

"Pretty impressive, you gotta give me flying tips" he said.

You rushed up to him, pulling him into a tight hug. It caught him off guard for a moment, but he was glad to return the affections.

"Thank you for everything, I'd be dead without your help" you said.

"I couldn't just leave you there, I'm proud of your progress (y/n), you're so much stronger than you think you are" he replied.

And of course because there can't be any hugs without Toothless, the sudden weight of the dragon on your shoulders almost made you stumble. You moved one arm from Hiccup to Toothless, including him too.

"And thank YOU Toothless for all your warm cuddles when I was still hurt" you giggled.

"I'm starting to think he likes you more than me" Hiccup joked.

"No one could ever replace you to him, I just smell more dragon to him. Probably thinks I'm a weird looking dragon baby he needs to protect"

In a way you were like a part of both worlds. Hiccups and Toothless'. Human and dragon. Both rider and dragon could relate to and find comfort in you. And in return for everything they'd done for you, that's all you really wanted. To be of comfort to them, someone they could trust and love.