The Missing Pieces to a Night Fury's Heart

Chapter 5

Creaaaak.

Nudging the door to his and his rider's home, the black dragon stared around for anything suspicious. He was already having a difficult time working against the clock. He shook out his wings, feeling hail clatter off of him and tumble to the ground. Once ridding himself of most of the frozen rain, he slunk inside.

Almost immediately, warm amber eyes greeted him.

"Your back!" Cloudjumper said in an excited tone, though it quickly melted into worry. "What happened? And your foot!" He sprang to his paws, knocking his head on the roof creating a fairly loud bang.

Toothless hissed a quiet 'shush.'

"I'm alright," the Night Fury said, though a stern look from the Stormcutter made him sigh.

"Really!" he insisted, looking around for any signs of Valka or Hiccup awakening after Cloudjumper's unfortunate noise.

"You looked nervous," he went on as Toothless peered into the kitchen. He'd have to wait for tomorrow morning for fish.

"I'll tell you later," he promised in a soft whisper, climbing the stairs.

"But your foot-"

"I'm fine!" Toothless snapped, interrupting the bigger dragon. He drew back his ears, his gaze softened when he looked into Cloudjumper's worried eyes.

He knew the dragon only wanted him safe.

"Really," he added. "I need to attend to a dragon."

"Very well, Alpha."

Toothless's heart twisted at his title. He dipped his head nonetheless, creeping into his human's room.

Lowering his head, he whispered a small apology as he came up to Hiccup's bed. He leaned down lower and plucked the first layer-the thickest-of his rider's covers.

He suddenly froze, hearing Hiccup shift in his sleep. He groaned something before laying on his other side.

His eyes rolled in amusement and he wondered how the human hadn't awoken to the howling wind and the lightning flashing outside.

Maybe the pounding hail on the roof was lulling him to sleep. After all, this house had been designed to prevent hail from entering in any way.

The scent of human abruptly tickled at his nose as he grasped it firmly in his maw. Having what he came for, he slunk back down the stairs, his yellow green eyes glinting with satisfaction.

Again, Cloudjumper waited for him, the way he cocked his head signaling his curiosity and puzzlement.

"Where are you going with that?" he prodded, but the Night Fury refused to reply.

"Do we have any fish?" he asked instead, scolding himself for not asking when he had checked.

"No," the Stormcutter said with a shake of his head. "We do not."

Toothless grunted with disappointment. He could have bundled the fish inside the covers so he had twice the things. The black dragon knew he didn't have much more time. The longer he stayed here, the better chance she could die. If she hadn't already.

The thought made him shudder.

"When are they to get more?" he inquired, already backing up toward the door.

"In the morning." The sentence confirmed what he had thought earlier.

"Alright, thank you," the black dragon said with a hesitant smile. He looked down at the trailing blanket, wondering how in Odin's name was he suppose to hold it without it getting wet.