Fog (reader x httyd)

4

I gripped my makeshift spear as the dragon paused, fish in its mouth. My brain was running a thousand miles an hour as I tried to plan my course of action. Of course running away was the smart thing to do and is what I should be doing but- I couldn't give up only my home. If I was going to live on this god forsaken island with a god forsaken dragon, I was not going to let it boss me around. So I stood my ground and made eye contact with the beast.

In the daylight and without the hindrance of fog I was easily able to tell apart its features. 2 massive wings sprawled out across its scaly, sharp back and a dangerously long tail adorned with multiple razor sharp fins swayed behind the animal. Its 4 legs were short compared to its body but were strong and muscled as well as armed with a set of glistening, silver slicing claws in each paw. It slowly opened its mouth, dropping another 4 fish onto the ground, baring rows of long and carnivorous teeth.

Suddenly it struck me- the fish I had found at the front of my cave this morning was brought by this dragon?! But why? It glared at me as if ready to tear my muscles from bones but it had yet again arrived with food even though it had already attempted at my life before. Was it intelligent enough to try to trick me with trust? I wasn't falling for that. Tightening my grip on my shitty spear, I took a step forward but to my surprise, the beast let out a roar and quickly darted away with a powerful flap of its wings, disappearing into the clouds. The sight was horrific, blood curdling, terrifying yet majestic and beautiful at the same time. The conflict caused by that experience was quickly interrupted though. By a growl from my needy stomach which probably hadn't been fed for days. I silently prayed a thank you to the colossal beast and began the process of grinding 2 sticks together to generate heat to start a fire with the dry leaves. Minutes later, an angry red flame cracked on the logs as I spun a few fish crucified with some arm-length twigs. The smell of the perfectly cooked meat almost made me drool as I brought the hot food towards my face, allowing it to cool slightly before digging into my first meal in FOREVER. As I ate a small voice at the back of my head warned me about small fish bones and splinters but the burning pit which was my stomach caused me to completely ignore any subconscious warning as I devoured the fish.
As I started on my third fish, the pit in my stomach was starting to fill up, allowing me to slow down and observe my surroundings. Apparently, a long time had passed since I woke up as a sunset was already adorning the sky with beautiful shades of yellow orange and red. My heart ached at the jaw dropping view accompanied by the delicious taste and smell of crispy sea bass. Throwing away the ravaged skeletons, I wrapped the other fish which that dragon had brought earlier with a stray leaf from a plant growing along the steep wall above the cave entrance. Finally, I decided to lay by head down on a bundle of greenery which I had scrunched together to resemble a pillow. Of course it wasn't very luxurious but if it helped with the extreme neck pain I had woken up with, it didn't matter. Subconsciously, as I drifted to sleep, I thought of what kind of name I should give to that dragon's species.

~timeskip~

Over the course of a week, I repeated the cycle of exploring the island to collect provisions as well as encountering my dragon fish delivery from the sweet little fog striker. Yes I named the dragon species. Who cares if it's already been named. It wasn't in the dragon encyclopaedia and if someone had already named it, the existing name probably wasn't as cool as fog striker. There were a couple time when I was attacked my a smaller dragon only to be protected by the fog of my little helper, allowing me to quickly make my escape.

I had managed to learn a multitude of skills during my short time on this foggy island. I was now very used to the constant visual barrier which settled in the early morning allowing me to greatly improve my senses as well as fighting capabilities. I also taught myself how to weave with a couple vines after it became clear that I desperately needed something more comfortable than a rock to sleep on. I even managed to fashion a small dagger from a conveniently shaped flint and some vines! There were even a couple moments when I got close to the fog striker. It was incredibly shy. And often was spooked if I simply took a step towards it but there was one moment when I had offered it a coked fish where I was close enough to feel its breath in my face. I desperately wanted to reach out to my only 'friend'. I really wanted to know how those shiny scales felt. Were they cold? Soft? Sharp? I needed to know! But before I could reach my hand out, the skittish creature had already flown off towards a mountain, which I had discovered, was its main home. Or at least where it slept.

As I weaved a couple vines together to fashion yet another mat which I could use as a blanket, I heard a hush of wind outside of my cave as well as scratching on the rock. It seems my fog striker had landed with dinner ready! As I stepped outside, I made eye contact with the beautiful animal. No matter how many time I saw it, it continued to stupefy me with its gorgeous looks. As it carefully placed the fish down, 'cod and some pike' I thought offhandedly, it watched me wearily but it didn't fly away. Could it me curiosity? I questioned, looking straight into its hesitant eyes. I stepped back, allowing the dragon to become accustomed as to not spook it off and I crouched down to take a sizzling cooked fish off of the fire pit. Anxiously, I slid the seabass off of the stick and held it out towards the dragon, as a peace offering and slowly, the dragon crept forward, nipping the fish and jolting backwards, flipping the fish into its mouth with a satisfying crunch.
'God you're playing so hard to get yaknow-' I mumbled and the dragon tilted its head, clearly not understanding. My curiosity from my previous encounter still lingered though, so I experimentally shifted my arm, and slowly stuck my hand out, towards the dragons face. It growled lightly and I prayed it didn't rip my arm off, turning away and scrunching my eyes shut, terrified of ending up like the old city farmer who had lost an arm while protecting his crop from a sizzling fiery nightmare.

To my surprise, I felt a soft sigh along with smooth, cold and slightly damp scales brushing against my hand instead of teeth. Relief flooded my veins as I opened my eyes to see the dragon pressing its snout against my hand. Does this mean I earned its trust? Who knows. It didn't matter. I patted the dragons snout and moved my arm to scratch under its chin and something similar to a purr erupted from the massive beasts throat. I was shocked to see a pair of blue eyes looking back at me, previously slitted pupils were now rounder and less apprehensive. It sat down in front of me and I sat with it.
'Gods you're so cute!' I cooed, scratching its neck as it leaned into the affection. ' I feel as if I'm petting a kitty! Not a massive dragon...'I mumbled to myself, indulging the dragon with more scratches behind its horns. As I stroked the docile creature. I observed its front from a much closer perspective. Some areas seemed to be uneven and some had no scales growing at all. Scars. And not just from fighting dragons. Scaled which looks to be crushed from a force such as a chain and smaller sharper injuries which looked to be from spears and arrows. This dragon had been attacked and possibly capture at some point by humans. Dragon hunters most likely. Even if dragons haven't always been kind to me I never believed in hunting them and especially using their skins, claws and horns to make accessories like boots or jewellery. It was disgusting to say the least and that feeling expressed itself in my face very clearly as I traced the healed injuries with my forefinger.

A slight croon from the dragon brought me out of my melancholy thoughts as I watched the dragon carefully fold its wings onto its back and curl up around the fire, looking ready to sleep. I buzzed at the idea of being able to sleep near a dragon and immediately brought over my shitty vine mat  to sleep in between the dragon and the fire pit. That night I dreamt of nothing but peaceful clouds and flying. 'Gods I wish I could fly like my fog stalker could'