Torn [Hiccup x Reader x Jack]

Chapter 10

*A/N: the picture is official Dreamworks concept art for the Dragon Stables. I thought it was pretty cool!*

"Did you have any idea how worried we were?" Hiccup paced back and forth in front of you, eyebrows furrowed, seemingly struggling between relief and anger. "We just rescued you from the dragon trappers, and you go running off again?" The rest of the dragon riders stood behind him in a semicircle, some glaring, some looking at you with relief. Toothless paced in a circle around all of you, a faint purple glow dancing through his scales. At times he called out in squawks and roars to dragons flying overhead, acting out his role as the Alpha. Astrid stood to the side, calmly studying the sky. Hiccup turned to you, his expression pained. "I thought you had been captured again, or hurt, or- or- something!" He shook his head, searching for words. Eventually he just stopped trying to speak, simply holding your gaze with a plaintive look on his face.

"Look, (y/n)..." Hiccup stayed silent for a few beats, averting his eyes to the ground. "I know you may feel out of place here, or maybe you don't want to stay on Berk, but as Chief of this island and as you are under our care for the moment, I ask you to tell us before you decide to disappear." He looked back up at you, the conflicting emotions that previously ran rampant over his features now hidden. He knows how to hide his thoughts, you note, meeting his gaze. As a chief should.

After a few seconds of maintaining his emerald stare you had to look away, your cheeks burning with shame.

The dragon riders began to disperse, mumbling various excuses and going on their way. Astrid eyed the two of you, something flashing across her eyes that made you think she didn't like you being alone with Hiccup. The picture from her vision flashed through your mind and you flinched, barely holding back a grimace. You sent an apologetic look towards Astrid, and her face softened. "I gotta go give Stormfly a bath, 'kay? Don't burn down the village," she said. Her voice carried a joking tone to anyone who didn't know about her vision, but you could tell that she meant it quite literally. Astrid even shot a pointed look in your direction, and you laughed nervously. Astrid jogged off further into the village, leaving you and Hiccup alone. You bowed your head slightly, biting your lip.

"I understand, I'm sorry I worried you," you said, speaking softly in a voice so small and quiet that you were surprised it was your own. You really did understand his situation, though. Hiccup was clearly stressed enough. What with daily activities on the island and the possible threat of dragon hunters hanging over his head, another mishap with you was not what he needed. "I'm just a little shaken, I suppose." Your face grew thoughtful and you looked up at him again. "I was at that cove in the woods. If it isn't too much trouble, could I go there with (d/n) for the rest of the afternoon?"

Hiccup gave a terse nod, back in chief mode again. "Of course you can. We put (d/n) in the dragon stables, ask any one of the villagers and they'll direct you." He turned away, whistling for Toothless, and smoothly jumped on his back, taking off and calling to people walking by, "Call off the search! We found her!"

You looked up at him admiringly, wondering how he could carry the weight of the island on his shoulders and manage it so well. Looking around you, you gathered your bearings and decided to ask the first friendly-looking villager you saw. You were at the edge of the woods, about a hundred fifty meters away from the first house. Behind you was the sprawling forest, and in front of you was a beautiful meadow, dotted with sheep pastures and gardens. You looked around, smiling at the beautiful sight, and your smile widened as dirt gave way to bricks beneath your feet and the grass was replaced with buildings.

You walked through the village, slowly taking in everything around you. Every building you passed was intricately built, painted with any color imaginable in whimsical designs. Dragons of every shape and size flew through the air and perched on houses near you. You flinched as a blue and white Hideous Zippleback weaves in front of you, one of its heads turning back to hiss at you for interrupting its flight path. A smile broke out onto your face, lighting up your tired eyes.