When Snow Meets Lightning (Httyd x Male!oc)

part 17

Ludic approached Hiccup quietly, finding him staring out over the vast sea, lost in his thoughts. "Hey, Hiccup," Ludic said softly, concern etched in his voice. Hiccup turned to him and without a word, embraced Ludic tightly. Ludic returned the hug just as earnestly, feeling the weight of everything that had transpired between them.

"You okay?" Ludic asked gently, feeling Hiccup nod against his chest. The younger Viking didn't need to say much; his actions spoke volumes about the turmoil he was experiencing.

"It's a mess. You must feel horrible. You've lost everything. Your father, your tribe, your best friend..." Astrid's voice cut through the moment, her words hanging heavy in the air as Hiccup reluctantly pulled away from Ludic to face her.

"Thank you for summing that up. Why couldn't I have killed that dragon when I found him in the woods? It would have been better for everyone," Hiccup muttered, his frustration palpable. Ludic kept a reassuring hand on Hiccup's back, silently offering his support.

"Yep. The rest of us would have done it. So why didn't you?... Why didn't you?" Astrid pressed, her gaze fixed on Hiccup with intensity.

"I don't know. I couldn't," Hiccup admitted, his voice strained with emotion.

"That's not an answer," Astrid challenged, her tone unwavering.

"Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?" Hiccup shot back, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"Because I want to remember what you say, right now," Astrid replied firmly, her determination clear.

"Oh, for the love of-- I was a coward! I was weak! I wouldn't kill a dragon!" Hiccup exclaimed, frustration and self-doubt mingling in his words.

"You said 'wouldn't' that time," Astrid noted, a small smirk tugging at her lips, mirroring Ludic's own knowing smile.

"Whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred years, and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!" Hiccup huffed, turning back towards Ludic, who instinctively wrapped an arm around his waist.

"First to ride one, though. So...?" Astrid prompted, her gaze challenging him.

"...I wouldn't kill him because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him, and I saw myself," Hiccup confessed, his voice softer now, tinged with vulnerability.

"I bet he's really frightened now. What are you going to do about it?" Astrid asked pointedly.

"Eh, probably something stupid," Hiccup replied, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"Good. But you've already done that," Ludic interjected with a grin,

"then something crazy" hiccup said giving a playful pat to ludics chest before he turned and sprinted away.

"That's more like it!" Astrid called after him, and Ludic followed suit, running alongside her, ready to face whatever crazy idea Hiccup had in mind.

As they chased after Hiccup, Ludic couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for his friend. Despite everything, Hiccup's compassion and bravery had brought them to this point. Ludic vowed silently to stand by him, no matter how reckless or daring their next move might be. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, united in their determination to make a difference, even if it meant defying centuries of Viking tradition.

Once in the dragon arena, Ludic and Hiccup stood proudly at the front, facing their fellow teens who were filled with a mix of nervous excitement and apprehension.

"If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle," Fishlegs joked nervously, his eyes darting between the dragons.

"You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon. That's me," Tuffnut boasted with a grin, puffing out his chest. Ludic couldn't help but chuckle at Tuffnut's confidence.

"I love this plan!" Snotlout declared enthusiastically, though his bravado seemed to waver slightly as he eyed the dragons around them.

"I didn't..." Hiccup started to respond, but Ruffnut leaned in close, attempting to kiss him. Ludic swiftly intervened, gently pushing her away, then looked to Hiccup.

"So? What is the plan?" Ludic asked, redirecting the attention back to Hiccup, who had already released the Monstrous Nightmare into the arena.

Hiccup approached Snotlout cautiously, who gripped a knife in fear. Astrid quickly intervened, sensing the tension.

"Uh-uh," she warned, but Hiccup gently took Snotlout's hands and guided him closer to the Nightmare's face.

"Wait! What are you--?!" Snotlout exclaimed nervously.

"Relax. It's okay... it's okay," Hiccup reassured him, orchestrating the bond between Snotlout and the formidable dragon. Snotlout's initial fear melted into amazement as he realized the dragon was now bonded to him.

As the scene unfolded, Hiccup glanced at Ludic and nodded telling him to call out his dragon, the teen nodded back and responded with a sudden, loud howling noise that echoed through the arena. The other teens flinched in surprise, but their astonishment turned to wonder as they heard a distant howling sound in response. Astrid and Hiccup exchanged knowing smiles as they watched a magnificent ice blue dragon soar gracefully above them.

"OMG, a Woolly Howl!" Fishlegs exclaimed with unabashed awe, practically trembling with excitement at the sight of the rare dragon.

The Woolly Howl bounded toward its designated rider, Ludic, tackling him playfully. Ludic laughed wholeheartedly, a rare sight that left the other teens, except for Hiccup, the other riders all momentarily stunned. They had never seen Ludic smile so genuinely.

"You're going to need something to help you hold on," Hiccup announced to all the other riders, gesturing toward the three other dragons now released from their cages. Each dragon awaited its rider, poised and ready to forge a bond that would define their future as dragon riders.

With determination and newfound camaraderie, the teens approached their dragons, their hearts brimming with anticipation and courage. Together, they were prepared to embark on a journey that would test their mettle, challenge tradition, and solidify their place in the new era of Vikings and dragons.