Hidden Fury (Astrid x Male!Reader)

[40] A Guardian's Blessing

*Astrid's POV*

The wind whistles in my ears as the cold air bites my face. The tops of tall trees pass by underneath Stormfly and I. My eyes trailing every nook and cranny I see between the branches. Lips pressed into a thin line.

I've been on the lookout for a good while now. Haven't come across any new campsites. No dragonroot or any abnormal disturbances. Only normal run of the mill wildlife in the forest wildernest.

A frustrated sigh escapes me as I glance up at the grey clouds covering the sky. Rain might be coming in the next few days, and it will be even harder to find any traces of them. Another thing working against us. At least we have the Vikings of Berk to watch the streets.

The sounds of wing beats that aren't Stormfly's interrupts my thoughts. I pat Stormfly's side to get her to stop midair. Allowing Caroline to pull up to the side of me on Tawni's back. Caroline looks more slouched than usual and has a frown on her face.

"What's wrong?" I pipe up before she can say anything. "Did you find something?"

Caroline shakes her head. "Nope, nothing. I just came over since I finished my rounds."

"They're getting better at hiding," I comment. Squinting down at some shadows through the pine needles. Just your average forest floor with dirt and grass is down there.

"We've been out for a few hours now," Caroline points out. "We should take a break."

"Give me a few more minutes." I say, now looking at a different spot of forest. "I think I can cover just a bit-"

"Astrid," Caroline cuts me off.

Confused by the interruption, I look back up at her. She shifts in the seat of her saddle. Rubbing her hands together.

"Can we talk about something, please?" Her voice is far more serious than normal.

"Okay..." I trail off. Taking a quick look around, I spot a big enough opening in the trees for us to duck into. "Let's land over there then." I point out the spot.

Caroline nods silently. With practiced ease, Stormfly dips down for the opening. I lean down in time with her closing her wings. Last second she rears back and snaps them back open, coming to a gentle landing. Tawni touches down only seconds after.

The trees stand tall around us, gently swaying with the breeze. Carrying the scent of pine and dirt. Birds chirp away up in the branches. It's peaceful down here. Nothing like how it was during the dragonroot incident.

I slide off of Stormfly and focus on Caroline. Keeping a hand on the Deadly Nadder's side. We aren't exactly close, so it's strange for her to be coming to me of all people. "What's on your mind?" I ask.

"(Y/N)," Caroline says bluntly as she dismounts Tawni.

I blink in surprise, before quickly steeling my face into a guarded expression. Crossing my arms in front of me. "What about him?"

Caroline is silent for a moment, kicking at the ground. Hands clasped behind her back as she keeps her gaze downward. She's frowning deeply to herself, brows furrowed. She opens her mouth, and closes it. Debating what to say. She looks at me. "Do you like (Y/N)?"

My eyes go wide as my mouth gapes. Heat rushing to my numb cheeks. "What in gods name gave you that idea!?"

Caroline chuckled. "That wasn't a no."

"I don't need to spell it out do I?" I throw out an arm for emphasis. I let out a huff and turn to Stormfly. "How can someone think we are even remotely compatible?"