LOST BETWEEN TIMELINES: HTTYD (HICCUP x READER)

Chapter 20

Y/n stood with the crowd, her gaze fixed on the distant arena where the semi-finals were about to take place. Leo approached her, "I can't believe we're all out of the league. Only Hiccup and Astrid are facing that Gronckle," he said, trying to break the tension.

Y/n sighed, not responding immediately. She purposely made up faults to get disqualified and Leo was too tired after becoming Astrid's target stand which later disqualified him too. Y/n felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach, knowing what was at stake.

"Hey, what's wrong? You look worried," Leo pressed, his brow furrowing.

She shook her head, her expression pensive. "I just hope everything turns out to be okay," she replied quietly.

Leo nodded in understanding. "I get it. This is about Hiccup, right? If he wins, he'll have to take on the Nightmare... which I don't think he really wants."

"Exactly, Leo. We can only support him from a distance, I guess," Y/n admitted, her voice heavy with concern. "I have to think of something before it's too late, but what?..."

They stood together in silence, both lost in thought.

The Gronckle hovered ominously above the ring, scanning for its next victim as the teen recruits scrambled to find cover. Astrid ducked behind a barrier, only to find Hiccup already there. Without hesitation, she thrust her axe toward his throat.

"Stay out of my way! I'm winning this thing," she warned, her determination palpable.

"Please, by all means," Hiccup replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as she darted off, closing in on the dragon. The crowd roared in support, cheering her on.

"You got it, Astrid!" a Viking in the crowd shouted, his enthusiasm echoing through the arena.

Hiccup stood in the chaos, scanning the crowd. Among the sea of onlookers, he spotted Stoick, his father, watching intently with a proud smile. Stoick locked eyes with Hiccup and gave him a nod of encouragement. Hiccup adjusted his new helmet, forcing a half-hearted smile in response.

Unbeknownst to him, the Gronckle had zeroed in on his position, making a beeline straight toward him.

Cutting back to Astrid, she caught her breath behind a barrier, her expression fierce and focused. "This time. This time for sure," she muttered to herself, determination etched on her face.

"Aaaaaaaaaa..." Astrid screamed as she cleared the barriers, only to find that Hiccup had already taken down the Gronckle.

"...aaaaaaauGGGGGHHHHHHHH! No! No!" she exclaimed in frustration.

Hiccup shrugged, equally unhappy with the situation.

"NO! NO! SON OF HALFTROLL RAT EATING MUNGE BUCKET!" she shouted, her anger rising.

A loud CLACK rang out as Gothi, the village elder, stepped forward from the crowd, tapping her staff. Excitement buzzed through the onlookers.

"Wait! Wait!" Stoick called, raising his hands to quiet the crowd.

"So, later," Hiccup said, attempting to slip away.

Gobber snagged Hiccup before he could leave. "Not so fast."

"I'm kinda late for—" Hiccup began, but Astrid cut him off, livid.

"What? Late for what exactly?" she demanded.

Stoick held up his hands to silence the jabbering crowd. "Okay, quiet down. The elder has decided."

Thrilled, Gobber stood behind Hiccup and Astrid, pointing to Astrid as the crowd awaited the decision in silent anticipation. Gothi shook her head 'no,' and the crowd collectively 'Oooohd.' Gobber then pointed to Hiccup, and the elder nodded an affirmative 'yes.' The crowd erupted in cheers, while Astrid shot Hiccup a seething, deadly glare.