Silence (How To Train Your Dragon AU) (Hiccup x reader OC)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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Hiccup's P.O.V.

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I laid her on my bed, going around and putting everything identifying me away. My room was unusually bland, with few personal items around other than my sketching journals. But it was big, mostly private, and I hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign to tell the servants and my father to leave me alone.

I then lifted Silence's sleeves, realizing why she wore long sleeved shirts in the hot season. Sure, many girls wore sleeves, but most stopped over their shoulders or around the elbows. But scars littered Silence's arms. Layers of scar covered her arm, bringing fresh tears to my eyes.

She had been cutting for years. Probably before she got Harley.

And she had been alone.

I tended to them as best I could with what little supplies I had. I turned on the bathroom light to help me see without it being too bright, and that was when I noticed stains on her shirt. Uneven red lines danced across the part of the shirt that covered her stomach.

I bit my lip. Should I tend to those wounds? Was it too personal for me to treat? I didn't want to take advantage of her, but she needed to be taken care of. Should I wake her and let her tend to them herself? But she needed her sleep.

I settled with fetching a damp cloth, carefully laying it under her shirt without going too high or looking. It wasn't much, but it would have to work until morning.

Then I climbed into bed and pulled her close, falling asleep almost instantly.

The sun peaked through the curtains, and Toothless whined to be let out. Most mornings a servant woke me, but I quickly remembered last night's events and opened my eyes.

Silence was still in my arms, snuggling into my chest as she slept. Her eyes were swollen and red, slightly puffy from her crying, but she looked otherwise peaceful. Light bags had formed under her eyes, showing her exhaustion.

Toothless whined once more. He needed to be let out.

"I'm up, bud. I'm up," I whispered, sliding away from Silence. I quickly dressed and let Toothless out, noticing the time. "Shoot!"

After Toothless finished his business, I raced to the dining hall, where the girls were currently eating breakfast. All of them but Silence. I walked up to Mrs. Manning, who was usually my teacher, but I was let out of most classes so she could teach and watch over the girls.

"Morning, Mrs. Manning," I greeted, politely, like she had taught me.

"Morning, Hiccup. How are you?"

"I'm well. I'm just here to inform you, Silence is with me. She will be spending the day with me."

She blinked but had no choice but to agree. "O- Okay."

I smiled and bid her a goodbye before walking to the kitchen.

"Morning, sir," the cook greeted, stopping her work for me.

"Good morning, Alva. May I have a big breakfast this morning? Enough for two and a half."

"Two and a half?" she chuckled. "Okay, sir. As you wish. I'll have Onem bring it up to you."

"I can wait. I don't mind. I'll be in the dining hall. Just call me- by my given name- when it's done."

"Okay, sir."

I walked back out, walking up to Astrid, Heather, Camicazi, Ruffnut, and Kylie. "May I speak to you girls for a minute, in private?"

"Of course," Astrid obliged.

I looked over at Mrs. Manning, who huffed but waved us off, knowing she couldn't stop us.

They followed me out of the dining hall and waited for me to shut the door before bombarding me.

"Is Silence alright?"

"She's fine," I promised. "But she's not feeling her best. I'm going to watch over her today-"

"Is she sick?"

"Not exactly, no, but she does need rest. Last night was rough for her. It's not my place to tell, mind you, but she needs rest. She had a stressful and late night. Did Harley eat breakfast?"

"He ate a few bites of a banana, but it was difficult to get him to focus. He wanted Silence, and we barely managed to keep him from crying."

I nodded. "Okay. I'll take care of Harley, don't worry. If I need anything, I'll be sure to get one of you. But don't worry about Silence or Harley. I know you sneak your own food to him, but I will make sure they're both fed and taken care of today."

They nodded, accepting my answer.

"Okay."

"I just wanted to fill you in a bit, to ease your concerns some." I led them back in the dining hall, and they returned to their seats as Alva poked her head out of the kitchen. I smiled, taking the tray from her hands. "Thank you, Alva."

"No problem, sir. Have a good day."

"You, too."

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