Requested by ChillyLilly_sntlt, hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it :)
Word count: 1991
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A breeze swept through the thick canopy, gently flowing between the gaps in the leaves where the sun shone through. The golden glow cast dappled patches of light across the forest floor. Birdsong broke the serene silence. Terrible terrors in groups of two or three playfully skimmed about the treetops, sprouting leaves in their wake.
A stray leaf twirled through the air and landed on a white page. It was quickly swept away by a hand, who continued delicately sketching with a pencil. The teen sat cross-legged on a flat stone among the lush ferns and sages: a place where she found peace. Somewhere she could escape from all the noise, and it worked (for the most part).
A mighty flap of wings behind her made her jump, the wind nearly knocking her sketchbook out of her hands.
"Hey you!" a familiar voice called.
Y/n relaxed as a blue deadly nadder flew over her head and landed in the grass. The blonde rider quickly dismounted her dragon, smiling as she ambled through the greenery.
"You scared me," y/n muttered as she sketched.
"Everything scares you," Astrid teased, catching the amused glint in y/n's supposed glare.
"Finish training?"
"Yup," Astrid sighed, plopping down on the rock next to her. "Stormfly's so fast they won't see her coming. We are so winning tomorrow's race."
Y/n smiled at the vikings confidence. She didn't doubt her, she almost always won. The crowd certainly favored her: their cheering like a Thunderdrums roar could be heard from anywhere on the island.
Astrid tilted her head at her, glancing at her sketchbook. "I wish you raced."
Y/n scoffed. "I'd need a dragon for that."
"Then get a dragon."
Y/n sighed, already knowing where the conversation was headed. Sure, she'd been to the races before, and while part of her longed to feel the rush of wind and adrenaline, it was too much. Too much chaos and definitely too much responsibility. Riding Stormfly was one thing, but to have her own dragon?
"C'mon, you said you'd get yourself one when you were ready," Astrid pleaded enthusiastically.
"And if I'm not?"
"You are!" she assured. "Hiccup taught you everything he knows."
Astrid had a point, but y/n's doubt lingered. It always did. She didn't know if she could handle a fire-breathing beast on her own, even if it were trained. Of course she loved dragons, but they could be a lot. Toothless was definitely a big scaly dog with a lot of energy, who in turn required a lot of energy and time from Hiccup. Things she didn't know if she had.
Astrid sensed y/n's reluctance. She leaned back on both arms, pursing her lips as she idly watched her dragon squawk and roam about the clearing. Suddenly her eyes lit up. She smirked slyly at y/n.
"Besides, if it's the flying you're worried about," she shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm free."
Y/n paused and looked up. "Right now?"
"Since you asked so nicely," Astrid chirped and got to her feet. She offered her hand, but again y/n hesitated.
"Come on, I know you like the rush." She suddenly grinned. "Unless you're still afraid of heights?"
