Symphony of Shadows

6. Dream

Hiccup was startled awake by a loud crashing sound that felt like his skull had suffered an earthquake.
"What in Odin's..." Hiccup mumbled sleepily, turning his back to the noise, which, thankfully, seemed to be coming from outside of his tent. He opened one eye lazily to figure out the time of day, which he surmised was about midday given the bright sun that was illuminating the roof of his tent.

Last night's raid had been quite the event, and Hiccup was more than exhausted from lack of sleep and utter exertion. He had spent a larger portion of the night trying to decipher his feelings about Berk, about his father, and, well, about Astrid. While the first two he had much more determined opinions about, he just couldn't sort his feelings out when it came to his former crush. Was she a dragon-killer ... yes ... but she was also an ambitious woman in a situation that she had made the best of. Hiccup couldn't help but admire her tenacity and courage, even though she was fighting for the wrong side. Even before he left Berk, he had recognized Astrid's all-consuming willpower and fearless attitude, which he couldn't deny had always been his favorite of her traits. There was also her stunning eyes that reminded him of the strong sea that surrounded Berk, and her attractive figure—not to mention her round ass that was undoubtedly firm from years of training...

Hiccup was spiraling again. He smacked himself on the head and made a mental note to visit the Eastern Markets and make good on his previous idea to get laid. Thor knew he didn't need a distraction as big as Astrid Hofferson right now. No, what Hiccup needed was to make sure the flock was healthy and happy, and to keep his vow to Toothless to find another Night Fury. Hels, just because Hiccup had to be alone didn't mean his best friend had to suffer alongside him. You wouldn't be alone if you were with Astrid... a voice in his head whispered rather persuasively and he sat up straight in bed as thinking about Astrid while naked was not a good idea.

Throwing on his clothes and armor, he grabbed his helmet and left his tent in search of Toothless, who apparently was not nearly as tired as Hiccup as the dragon was busy stealing a giant stick away from a blue Nadder.
"Hey there brave girl. How's the leg? Is it feeling better?" Hiccup scratched the Nadders chin and examined the almost-healed gash on her right leg. It seemed to be healing just fine, no infection he could visibly see, so he assumed the healing salve he had stolen from an unlucky merchant had done its job. The Nadder cooed and nuzzled his hand with her head, seeking more affection and attention.

"I'm so sorry they did this to you, they don't deserve you. You're so sweet. How could anyone ever see you as a monster? I just don't understand. You're just trying to survive in a world that has been against you since you hatched, right girl? I can relate to that." Hiccup stopped himself before he could dig any further into his anger and frustration.

"You ready for a flight, Toothless? Of course you are, you love feeling the sun on your wings, don't you, big boy?" Hiccup wrestled with the Night Fury—and lost to a flood of dragon slobber—something he knew from experience would take a long soak in the lagoon to properly wash off.

"Agghh, Toothless, you know that doesn't wash off." He mounted the dragon and lightly tapped Toothless' side. "How about we take a quick flight, Bud?"

Toothless immediately sprang in the air and flapped his wings so they were flying upwards at a rapid pace. Hiccup put on his helmet and crouched down close to his friend's back, which he had figured out made them more aerodynamic—real speed demons. They had raced half of the flock and so far, Toothless had come in first every time, beating out even the fastest Nadders, Nightmares, and Zipplebacks. The pair had even managed to outrun a whole horde of Whispering Deaths when they had accidentally landed on an infested island, which made them the undisputed flying champions. The only dragon that had even come close had been the blue Nadder and that had been after her leg had been injured, so she had a lot of potential.

They flew higher and higher until they were above the clouds and could see Toothless' shadow on the mist below them. Hiccup shifted the gears on Toothless' tail into glide and detached himself from the saddle, squatting on his friend's back while holding the handles on his saddle.
"Ready, Bud?"

"Mroowww," Toothless warned, shaking his head in a disapproving manner at Hiccup's plan.

"Come on, we've done this many times, it's so much fun! You worry too much, Toothless," he chuckled lightly at the dragon's nervousness that was apparent every time Hiccup flew solo.
"See you on the way down!"

Hiccup jumped and opened his 'wings', making sure to keep his legs together for a faster speed. He was gliding through the clouds and soon was flying in open air, the frigid, blue sea below him.

"Yeah, baby!" Hiccup shouted, feeling ultimate freedom. In these moments, he felt like he could do anything.

"Arguuhh" Toothless complained behind him, apparently remembering all of the mishaps of Hiccup's first flight suit. Yet, the dragon knew Hiccup was dropping nearer to the sea and the wind below would not be able to support him. So, Toothless burst forward and angled himself directly under the stubborn rider.

"Good catch, bud," Hiccup said. He, having gotten lost in the moment, appreciatively scratched the Night Fury's chin for his quick thinking.

Looking out into the freezing sea below, he couldn't help but entertain his earlier thought, what IF he could be with Astrid? Yet, reality hit him in the face like a dead trout, literally. Toothless cooed in apology, but Hiccup was too entranced in his thoughts to register the fish-smack. Why would Astrid ever want to be with him? He was her godsforsaken enemy, the big bad dragon rider who, to her, senselessly raided her village and had no morals. Surely, she had long forgotten all about the Hiccup from Berk, which was probably for the best—he was nothing like that boy anymore. No, he was stronger and smarter. He needed to focus on the dragons right now; they needed him. Plus, he could never be with a Viking like Astrid who just followed orders without asking questions. His fantasy with Astrid was just that, an unrealistic dream. Hels, if Astrid figured out it was him that was behind the raids—and that he was the so-called Svikari—she would surely kill him without hesitation.