Hidden Night (Hiccup x Fem!Reader)

[36] No Pain, No Gain

*Second Person's POV*

        "Don't you worry your head, (Y/N)! Hookfang and I will take excellent care of you," Snotlout smugly stated, leaning against his dragon. Hookfang lets out a snort and walks off, causing Snotlout to fall to the ground with a oof. "Hey!"

        You let out a laugh as Snotlout glares at the back of his monstrous nightmare. Today is certainly going to be interesting, you think to yourself.

        As was planned the night you and Astrid discovered the dragonroot, the dragon riders of Berk are taking shifts to watch over you. Snotlout insisted he was to take the second shift, and seeing that only the twins were the only other ones wanting to really do it, they let him have his way. You didn't mind staying with the egoistical viking, actually, you found you really don't mind much of anything right now. Ever since last night, when you finally let out all your bottled up emotions, you've been in a pleasant mood.

        A small frown comes over your face. Well, almost nothing bothers you. You look to your side, where only Skyler stands loyally beside you. She notices you looking and gives you a fang-filled grin. You return the gesture with a small forced smile. The absence of another presence nags at you.

        An arm hooks your own and drags you forward, causing a yelp to be torn from your lips. You stumble to regain your footing as Snotlout now drags you along. "Come on, I know Hiccup is Chief and all, but I'll show you how amazing Jorgensons can be," he declares.

        You laugh nervously, not comfortable with the physical contact. The village Vikings you pass by look at the two of you strangely. One woman even murmurs to the other beside her as you two pass. You were only able to pick up the word's "Chief's girl" and her friend's reply of "I thought she was". You frowned after them, confused as to whatever that meant.

        "Don't listen to their gossip," Snotlout said, noticing you staring after them. "They're just jealous you're hanging out with me and they aren't."

        "Right," you dragged out the word. "Um, you don't need to hook arms with me, I can follow you just fine."

        "I know," he said, still keeping my arm in his grasp. "I'm just making sure you arrive at my place safe and sound. Can't have the Agirifa snatching you up."

        "I really don't think this is necessary," you try to discretely pull free. "We're surrounded by people in broad daylight."

        Snotlout shrugs, "You never know. They could try."

        You appreciate the gesture, but you really would rather he didn't go to these extreme lengths. "I understand that but-"

        Skyler, having enough of you trying to politely tell Snotlout to bug off, shoved her way right between you two. Forcing him to unhook his arm with yours and put herself between you two. Snotlout looks at the Woolly Howl as if she ruined a master plan of his. Skyler smiles proudly at herself and sends you a look that says "you're welcome".

        A rumbling dragon laugh sounds from Hookfang ahead, his head bouncing with each laugh. Snotlout glares at the back of his dragon.

        You find yourself muffling a laugh of your own, which makes the stout viking turn a frown to you. "Sorry," you apologize, "I do appreciate your concern, but I think I'll do just fine with someone watching my back. I'm not helpless you know."

        He lets out of huff, but you can tell he actually isn't upset with you. If anything, he sounds a bit disappointed. You decide to lift the mood.

        "So, Hiccup does Chief duties. What is it that you do all day?" You asked casually.

        "Ah, well, you know, the usual stuff," Snotlout regains his cocky composure. "A little workout here, dragon training there, maybe help out a bit if I have the time," he boasted.