The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Four - Plans

Hiccup paced in the small cave, the fire casting dark shadows against the cave walls. The small, nocturnal dragon - which he was calling a night terror - was following him, stumbling around his feet.

"Come on, Hiccup, think! This is what you're supposed to be good at! How do we avoid that night fury long enough to reach the rock pools, let alone survive this stupid challenge? It was attacking me at the stream we'll be cut off from literally the entire island! Ugh! I hate this stupid place!"

Hiccup kicked at the wall, then yelped in pain. The night terror cooed and titled his head.

"Oh don't look at me like that. You're stuck on this island just as much as I am, with no other island nearby for miles. You'd never be able to fly away, you're too small."

The dragon was undeterred and snorted, sparks falling from its nostrils.

Hiccup blinked twice. "Right. Don't know what that's supposed to mean but it doesn't matter. All that matters right now is figuring a way to avoid the night fury and keeping a low profile. Alvin isn't the only one with it out for me."

The night terror stared blankly at him.

"Oh Gods it's only day one and I'm already going insane. Here I am, hiding in a cave and trying to explain myself to a dragon that acts like some kind of giant scaly puppy."

There was a brief pause before the night terror leapt at Hiccup, smothering his face with dragon saliva.

"Urgh! This stuff is never going to wash out!"

The night terror gurgled, resembling a laugh.

"Hah-hah, very funny. I'm too tired for this. We should probably call it a night," Hiccup reasoned. He pushed off the night terror and tried to get comfortable on the floor. The dragon's gaze was fixed on him. Hiccup sighed and turned over.

He shut his eyes and tried to relax.

Then two paws landed on his side.

"Ugh! Oh come on! Can't a Viking get any rest around here?" Hiccup grumbled, pushing the night terror off of him.

The dragon squawked and nudged his arm.

"What is it you want? I haven't been back to the rock pools, I don't have more food."

The night terror wagged its tail and placed a paw on Hiccup's arm.

"Me? What do you want me to do?"

The dragon made a bark-like sound.

"You really are like a dog, huh?" Hiccup scratched the dragon's chin and it purred. "Aww, you like pets? Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy yes you are!"

The night terror curled up on his lap.

"I should probably give you a name, huh? Well, how'd you like Throggsjorn?"

The dragon licked him and Hiccup chuckled. "All right, all right Throggsjorn. You must want to play now, being nocturnal and all. But I am just a mere human who needs sleep so if you would kindly-" Hiccup made a moving gesture.

Throggsjorn grumbled, but got off of Hiccup. He curled up by the fire and Hiccup watched with a small smile on his face.

Hiccup settled against the cave wall. "Yeah, some of you guys are just giant puppies."

An unfortunately familiar roar rocked the night. A purple blast lit up the other side of the island.

Hiccup's brows furrowed. "But not all dragons. I still need a plan." A yawn escaped him. "But that's tomorrow's problem."