LOST BETWEEN TIMELINES: HTTYD (HICCUP x READER)

Chapter: 12

Hiccup, battered after another disastrous day in the ring, studies the remnants of the discarded bola. He's back at the scene of the crime, determined to find the Night Fury. Unbeknownst to him, Y/n has been quietly following, watching his every move.

Hiccup mutters to himself, "So... why didn't you?"

"Looks like you're looking for someone. Hm?" Y/n, standing behind him, speaks up, startling him.

Hiccup drops the bola in surprise. "You scared me," and whispered, "but I'm glad it's you."

Y/n smiles as Hiccup drops into a rocky crevice and follows it to an isolated cove complete with a pristine spring pool, Y/n following him. He scans the high stone walls and then notices a single black scale on the ground. He crouches and picks it up, studying it.

"Well, this was stupid," Hiccup mutters again, adjusting his grip on the scale.

Y/n shrugs and murmurs, "Nah, you are too lucky to be stupid."

Suddenly, the Night Fury blasts past them. Hiccup recoils, watching the massive beast struggle to climb the walls. Whereas, Y/n stands there, not even flinching, but watching the Night Fury in awe struggling. It flaps violently, then peels away to a rough landing. The dragon is trapped.

Hiccup grins, excited to see it again, and slips closer. They watch as the dragon, exhausted and frustrated, leaps into the air, beating its wings furiously. Again and again, it rolls uncontrolled and crashes heavily.

As if remembering to snap a photo, Hiccup pulls a leather-bound book and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the image. As Hiccup sketches, he steals glances at Y/n, who is focused on the dragon. His eyes soften a hint of admiration and gratitude showing when she isn't looking. He feels a protective instinct rising. Then looks back at the dragon.

The Fury claws at the steep rock walls, trying to climb out of the cove. It slips and falls hard, crushing several saplings. The Fury rolls back to its feet and slowly crawls to the water's edge. It spots fish in the shallow water and snaps at them but comes up empty. It lowers its head, looking weakened.

"Why don't you just... fly away?" Hiccup mutters again.

"Look, he's missing a fin over there," Y/n whispers.

Hiccup hears her and spots the problem and adjusts his drawing, carefully erasing one-half of the dragon's tail. He accidentally drops his charcoal stick. It rolls off the rock outcropping that hides him from view and bounces into the cove. TINK. TINK. TINK. The Night Fury raises its head, spotting Hiccup and Y/n. They exchange a profound, unflinching stare.

The dragon's intense stare makes Y/n take a step closer to Hiccup. She feels his eyes on her, and a reassuring calm settles over her.

"Hey, we should get going. Gobber has called us to the Great Hall for something important," Y/n nudges Hiccup gently.

Hiccup gives a quick glance at the cove and nods. "Yeah, sure, let's go." He starts to head back, with Y/n following close behind. As they walk, Hiccup looks towards the Night Fury one last time and casts another silent, thoughtful look her way, grateful for her presence and support.

---

As the sky darkened and stormy winds began to blow, Hiccup and Y/n hurried back towards the village. Soon, the rain started pouring down, and they both rushed towards the Great Hall, laughing and racing each other despite the downpour. As they climbed towards the hall, Y/n couldn't help but think about how the gang would treat Hiccup soon.