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clovermarigold · 1 month ago

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Daggers & Daffodils Chap.31

dagur x reader

If your name starts with k and you're my mutual (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE): do not read this

Thanks for the kind words, everyone, fortunately the data set was destroyed from the scrape! Got me in such a good mood I sped up the process on this one a little.

I haven't been this motivated and excited to write for D&d in years. To the point that I even drafted a concept for a Viggo fic. But that's for much later. This chapter has a dream sequence in the beginning so sorry if anyone gets confused. Also, this chapter is THE delulu fan service chapter.

edit: I quite literally finished the entire chapter. then had the damn draft deleted. Thankfully my beta reader saved about over half of it but sorry for the delay.

Soft.

It's the best description for the feeling of your hair wrapped in his hand. A small strand, gently stretched and curled around his index and middle fingers.

The summers of Berserk, much like her people, burned hot and shined bright. The sun fills the entirety of the room despite the early hours, casting a golden sheen onto your still peacefully resting form.

He had mentally begged for this moment. When his home would become yours. It was strange, he hadn't been home in years, but nothing could pry the pride he felt for the rough yet beautiful island. Maybe that's why he loves you so much, you remind him of home.

Dagur, careful not to tug against your scalp, unwinded the strand from his fingers, raising them to his face.

No matter how long you bathed you still smelled like your herb garden. When he was younger it used to tickle his nose. But now, just a faint whiff of basil made his mind race with you.

Dagur wasn't a humble man. So, he had no difficulty in calling it his greatest gift to you yet. It took months to finish, and it would have taken longer if Dagur hadn't put the fear of Odin into those poor builders.

But oh, did it pay off. The way you wrapped your arms around his neck and thanked him before scurrying away to play with your new collection. The way you were now more than content to spend your days within the safety of your shared home. The way you whispered sweet nothings into his ear as he laid his head in your lap on the lush grass.

It was only right that his final betrothal gift outshone all others.

Dagur's eyes dropped to the many small gold ringlets and more sentimental trinkets Heather had braided and pinned into your hair on your wedding day.

Dagur was almost confident the reason that he could never imagine the wedding itself was because it would be impossible for his unconscious mind to imitate. But this was a blessing enough.

"You're staring" your eyes didn't open, but the smirk in the corner of your mouth struggled not to reach your ear.

"Hard not to" a scoffed laugh breaks your attempt to remain at rest.

You were looking at him now. Only him. Bliss.

He made no attempts to hide the pleased sigh when your hand reached for his face. "Then I'll have to let you do it more often". The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as your fingers lightly combed and scratched the small unshaven stubble across his chin.

The way your eyes glazed over with thoughts of your own left him giddy. Would you like it if he grew it out? He loved the way your eyes roamed over him.

Your interest was apparent when he found you on the reaper. He knew you still loved him. The way your breath would hitch when he leaned in, your face would turn pink when he did anything ‘scandalous’.

"You have that stupid smile again. What are you thinking?" You chastise, slowing your movements into long smooth tracings along his jaw.

"...my wife" it was said entirely to himself. A silent reverence at the mere idea.

you gave him a look, expectant and waiting "...Yes?".

His heart stopped. Or it felt like it did.

That was it. The final straw. The crack in the wall. The bludgeon to the head. The chase was fun at times he'll admit. But not anymore, he's done playing. This was meant to be his years ago. Stolen from him because his brother decided he wasn't what was best for you anymore. Dagur wants his wife back. And by Thor, not Hiccup or any of his little riders were getting in the way of that. You were waiting for him.

Basil, mint, and something sweet invaded his senses as you pressed yourself into his chest, gold and beads jingling lightly, resting gently and cool against his skin.

"You keep leaving when things start getting good" he attempted to joke, but it came out bittersweet and tired.

"Hurry up and find me then"

A part of it drove Dagur mad. To see such a tangible and pure vision of heaven only to have it stolen from him as a sharp stabbing pain in his rib jolted him awake.

"Get up, we're here" Dagur's hand twitched violently as he woke. Though when he registered the source of his unwanted wake-up call he quickly set aside his rampant thoughts of brutal murder looking up to the crossed armed form of his sister.

"You know. You catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar" Heather scoffed as he rose slowly. Rolling his shoulder.

"Well, you're not a fly. You're a flea, who needs to hop to it and get out" she said dryly, despite how ridiculous it sounded. Dagur huffed a laugh, it was good to see he wasn't the only one in the family with a sense of humor. Hiccup was a lost cause for more reasons than one, you had your moments, and dear old mom and dad weren't exactly coming up with one liners anymore.

..... Damn it

The air tightened as the tired yet playful expression on Dagur's face dropped. Heather held her ground, finally having gotten to understand him enough to not shift uncomfortably.

Dreaming again.

Dagur had been ecstatic when Heather had approached him about reconnecting as siblings and rebuilding their tribe. She hadn't expected him to believe her so readily.

Sure, he had said he would welcome her with open arms when she came crawling back, but she didn't expect him to be there with LITERAL open arms.

But he did, even as the crew fixed her with sharp and threatening glares, he warned every. Single. One of them that anyone who so much as bothered her would answer to him.

She learned about his... Routine early on. The same recurring dream. Not his only one mind you, but the only one that mattered in his mind.

He described it like the world was giving him a vision. Warning?

It took all of Heather's willpower to keep a neutral expression as he raved about the garden thing he was planning and something about Basil.

She was becoming fairly confident that she could fairly predict her brothe- Dagur!

She really had to not make a habit of doing that.

It made the most sense that to stay undercover in his good graces it was best to feed into his delusions, as guilty as it made her feel towards you.

Though you did lie to her about being engaged with her brother. Calling it even seemed fair. And in truth, now that she was in her right mind and had time to calm down, she knew it wasn't you or any of the rider's fault.

She would have kept that detail to herself too.

It's why she was doing this. Firstly, it was to avenge her village and get close to Viggo. But knowing she could keep an eye out for the riders made her feel strong. Like she could finally keep the people she cares about safe.

"Same dream?" Dagur didn't answer, not at first.

"Are you going to be able to do this? " That finally got his attention. His face twisting in mock offence.

"Oh, ho ho I can handle myself against hiccup and his little" he cleared his throat, "riders" he said changing his voice to be higher and nasilier in a mock imitation of Hiccup.

"I'm not talking about the other riders" she presses, being stern.

"..." She thought for a moment before deciding to continue "she could get hurt if you're not careful".

"I'm always careful-"

"No, you're not" she dead panned, pushing her luck.

"Every time you make a move on Hiccup, Toothless, or the dragon eye. Something goes wrong".

Dagur kept his temper, but he was still put off by his sister's insistence. He honestly didn't get irritated with her often.

"Hiccup and his little riders will be halfway across the archipelago with that blabbermouth Johann. We just need to grab the undefended dragon eye and wait for them to come back and spring an ambush" it was said, remarkably casual despite the sinister twisted smile he wore. Likely finding amusement in how she began to pace

"You couldn't have told me that sooner?"Heather couldn't help the bubbling anger in her chest. The entire plan was last minute (to her at least), and she hadn't been given enough time to warn you all. To make things worse Ryker was always hovering, keeping a close eye on how many messengers and terrors were on hand. He didn't trust her, that was obvious.

"Hey, you're the one all stressed out about meeting Viggo, though it would do you some good to relax for a change".

Knowing Hiccup, he never would have ignored trader Johann's distress call. That means that much to her dismay, Dagur's plan was brilliant. If Ryker wouldn't listen, he was her only hope for calling the whole thing off.

"I just think this all feels off" she moved to avoid eye contact. Dagur's light demeanor dropped. Replaced with skepticism.

"You're not scared, are you?" she rolled her eyes. "Hardly, I just don't need you getting excited over little miss Haddock and screwing this all up" she went on the offensive.

She failed to notice the way pupils got deadly small, and his back straightened while she was turned away. "With the plan to double cross Viggo still so vague, maybe we should leave her and the others alone for a bit?".

"I'm bringing my wife home" he said matter of factly.

"Your wife? Dagur, stop being crazy. You're not even married. You can stand to wait a couple-" With a sharp turn her breath hitched at the imposing form of her brother.

"I'm bringing my wife home" Neither moved. Forcing herself not to swallow the thick tension and saliva in her throat she put on the best smile she could.

"Ok. Just a thought" Shit, she pushed it too far.

He stared at her like a wolf looks at a sheep. Calculating and dangerous, challenging her to look away.

"Pfft" his mouth and nose twitched as Dagur tried and failed to stiffen the bubbling laughter growing in his chest.

Heather looked at her brother mortified. She takes it back; she doesn't understand him at all.

Dagur nearly choked and cried, ribs burning as a hand clutched the side of his face like it would fall off. Thankfully this seemed to keep him from registering the abject fear, confusion, and disdain pooling from his sister, "The look on your face!".

She needed to get the Hel out of here already.

--------

Ruff is gone. Tuff is overstimulated. Astrid is entering battle mode. And Scabbard's tail is starting to make your neck itch. These are the four things you allow yourself to process at the moment, in fear of a mental breakdown.

"Ok what's the plan? We need to get my sister back" Tuff was breathless from running up the stairs. Astrid was holding herself together firmly, swiftly scanning over the map of the edge before jotting down an SOS message and handing it to you, "first thing is back-up. Scabbard is our fastest Terror so we can only hope this message reaches the auxiliary team".

You press your head against your sweet angel of terror before with a slight jostle tossed her into the air towards Berk.

"How do we know she'll get there in time?!" Tuff asks, struggling not to bounce off the walls with his jittery movements.

"We don't"

"Well, how do we know they'll get back here in time?"

"We don't"

"There is a terrible lack of clarity in those answers!" Astrid put a hand on his shoulder, grounding him.

"It's all going to be ok, Tuffnut. We're going to hold down this edge, defend this base, and we will get your sister back, okay?".

"There is no possible way we can defend the edge against an all-out attack with only one flyable dragon. But maybe we can slow them down until help gets here of, we use our spears and arrows sparingly--"

"Wait! I know an even better way to slow them down" Astrid tried to cut him off, but Tuff put his foot down, "no you need to hear this, Astrid!".

She looked at you for a moment as if looking for backup. The conversation from earlier sounded in her mind. And with a sigh she told him to continue. "Ok, well, as you know, tricking is my area of expertise. I'm kind of the official edge trickster. What if we tricked them into thinking there are more of us than there are".

Tuff began to ramble, jumping into action and listing countless inane and wild ideas. While she did wince more than twice. You could see her push down any snide comments and move to prepare.

"Would you be able to make something?!" Tuff was now right in your face, ignoring personal space.

"Like?--"

"Acid! Poison? Acidic Poison!" you tugged him out of your bubble by the ear.

"I'm a doctor, Tuff. Not an Assassin" He paused.

"I thought you were a witch. I didn't say anything about an assassin" giving you an unconvinced onceover. before slowly backing out of the clubhouse without turning his back to you.

Poison was absolutely out of the question. But maybe Tuff was on to something. Ok two things. The Ziplines he set up were a miracle on your feet.

Back in your hut you rushed to test a theory. Silver Tongue growled in a low bellow and hiss to the dreaded root.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm not supposed to have this near the huts, but I need to be sure of something". Grinding root, boiling extract, refining, you set yourself to work. The dragon root that had done this to him was a cruel and vile tactic for cowards. But something about Tuff calling you a witch that made you think.

'Hiccup does reckless things all the time when he has an idea'

Carefully, you slide the bottle towards Silver Tongue.

"So? How do you feel?" your breath hitched as he began to twitch eyelids flickering.

'nononononono---' his twitches stopped in favor of chuff-like coughs.

"I'm so sorry! I thought I did it right-" splat

Wet. And then the unmistakable sound of amusement from your dragon.

This rotten eel brain just sneezed on you, and to top it off, he also splashed the bottle contents on you.

"Ugh you're disgusting!" he mimicked your outrage with garble noises.

"You're lucky I'm just glad you're ok" it worked, a neutralized dragonroot, gods above you would be so ecstatic if you weren't so tired.

Actually, now that you were thinking of it, you weren't this tired a few moments ago. You could faintly make out the sound of concern from Silver Tongue before you hit the ground.

Why was your body so heavy? I mean, you 're supposed to get rest anyways. What was the harm in resting for a bit? Not too long, just enough to rest your hand a bit.

Freja above you thought you closed the curtains. The sun was blinding you...

The sun?

Ignoring the foggy headache, you sat up blearily. You fell asleep! A large head shoved itself into your chest.

Silver Tongue. He still smelled like salmon and sea bass.

"Sorry" it sounded pathetically drowsy and yawn-like, "I guess this can be useful too".

A sleeping drought this effective would certainly go for a good price, and you wouldn't put combat use out of the question. Especially since it seemed to be ineffective against dragons.

Dragons.... SILVER TONGUE

Fully awake you took in the gravity of your situation.

Silver Tongue wasn't going to be able to be moved to the pens. That was the harsh reality of his condition. You couldn't move him this close to a likely attack. Gods above, they probably needed you. You swiftly closed all your windows and doors, sure to lock your compost bin, shed, and garden gate.

"Tuff you genius" ignoring the slight sting from your bandaged hand you held firm on the handle of the zipline.

"Y/N! About time that you got here" Astrid yelled from the catapult. Tuff was manning the ballista taking out a ship.

"Slept in" Tuff let out a jealous huff before his eyes caught on the half empty bottle strapped to your waist.

"Acidic poison! I knew it! An assassin in our midst! Someone warn the chief!" he was cut off by a loud boom. A fiery boulder smashing into one of the hunters' ships.

"Perfect aim as always Astrid" She held back the pride you undoubtedly gave her.

"it's not over yet".

--------

First you shot down ships until you ran out of ammo, next were the fire lines. Careful not to start a forest fire, but enough to deter them from the side of the mountains with underground tunnels. You spent what must have been ages managing the south side of the island rolling logs onto hiking hunters.

Currently, you sit on the ground, cleaning and rewrapping your hand for the third time. The cut was closed still, thankfully, lightly scabbed over, but the friction from the bandages and rushing around the edge left it pink and sore. Astrid had sent you off to wait in the clubhouse while she launched her final defense.

Tuff meanwhile busied himself, carving a path into the floorboards as he listed more and more wild ideas.

Now it was his time to shine.

Some held promise, the ziplines were already amazing. But others were... on the more alternative wave of thinking. But as someone who grew up with Hiccups innovation and Dagur's mood swings you were more than trained in dealing with it.

The sun was setting. That meant limited daylight, decreased visibility, and doubtlessly another attempt to break past your defenses.

"There you are!" Tuff called as Astrid dismounted, somber and defeated, "Listen I've been thinking a lot and--".

"It's over Tuff. We tried but there's just too many of them. My plan didn't work" for a moment so one said anything. Before Tuff broke into a big smile, "I found the Dragon Eye. Someone buried it".

Astrid swiped it from his hand, "I did that, to keep it from the hunters".

"You want to be captured and tortured by crazed Dragon Hunters, or listen to plan Tuffnut?" Astrid gave a look the closest to fear you've ever seen her make.

Relenting she sighed, "What do we have to lose".

--------

For once the anxiety that had plagued you all day had been temporarily replaced. Mind you, with guilt. But also... satisfaction.

"Ropes soaked with monstrous Nightmare gel? I wouldn't have thought of that" Astrid complimented Tuff.

"I really hope this doesn't become a complex" you held back a smile at the choked and scared realization of the hunters. In one swift move, Stormfly ignited the ropes dangling down the sides of the cliffs. Sending the invaders crashing down into the water.

wait a minute, they were starting to get higher.

"What's next?" Tuff gave Astrid a sly grin.

"You're gonna love this"

Tuff was quick to rush towards the Docks. Astrid looked at you carefree and excited for the first time in weeks, "If it works, I guess" and took off after him.

Something was nagging the back of your brain.

"It's fine just pick four things to focus on", you closed your eyes;

One.

The Wind- inhale-cool against your skin, picking up speed; a sign of rain, hailing from the north

Two.

Hand Pain- exhale-stinging, constant, getting worse, probably not the best thing to focus on right now

Three

Crashing Waves-inhale- just faint enough to make out.....

Shit!

Your hut! If the hunters managed to climb this high, it wouldn't be much further until they could reach your hut. You ran to the nearest zipline as fast as you could.

Halfway down the line a sharp pain shot from your palm to your spine, sending you plummeting downwards.

Crack

Burning, your hand was burning. The bandages wrapping it were tattered and practically gone. The wound was reopened. No doubt about it; it would scar.

That wasn't what scared you most, the growing cool and wet feeling growing across your abdomen felt like a question you didn't want answered.

With shaky fingers, you dragged a hand across the damp cloth and raised it to your nose.

Met with a familiar and pungent odor you quickly took them away from your face and stripped off your coat and apron.

"Just the drought" ignoring the sting, you balanced yourself and stood.

"Can't even take your own advice. And you call yourself a doctor" you chastise trying to slow your breathing.

not now. Just a bit longer.

"Four things. Then I'm back home";

One.

Moonlight, bright enough to walk without need for a torch-inhale- you pulled yourself onto a path above you that would lead to the main path

Two.

Sweet herbal oils, scent still staining your hair and invading your senses- exhale-You swapped paths twice, finding your staircase and bracing your knees for an uphill battle, literally

Three

waves faint, but still loud enough to hear from the hut- inhale-you run up the last of the stairs, hut in plain sight now

Four

The creak of the open gate in the wind- you don't breathe- there's someone in your garden

______

Thanks for finishing the chapter. Special thanks to my two beta readers!

OK so update.

To celebrate over 40k reads across all platforms I have some oneshots planned,

Some will be cannon to D&D, others will be au's such as

Dagur x yandere/reader (role swap au)

The Summer Dagur tried to kidnap you to Berserk (canon)

Requests are open!

Taglist

~~~~

@demogorgon-master1

@mj-jabami

@alicee-carter

@amearla

@milenaester14

@jellystar-star

@generouswolfdetective

@yumeimiotsutsuki

@sp4rklinghe4rts

@finitedog

@meowcat52

@actuallyshard

@tribridd

@oldhalloweentape

@sc3ne-k1d

@angelbaby191

#dagur the deranged #httyd #httyd dagur #dagur #race to the edge #dagur x reader #daggers and daffodils

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knight-hiccup · 3 months ago

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𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐌 | Hiccup x F!Reader 10

This is Chapter 10 to book 1 to this Hiccup series -> Masterlist here. Previous Chapter : Next Chapter

Pairing: Hiccup x female! reader Genre: romance, fantasy, suspense, drama, angst, dark, vioIence, friends to lovers, dark themes, heavy Viking lore, Norse mythology, canon divergence, slow burn Word count: 12.3k Warnings: This will have the lore of the films + shows but with much darker themes. Gore/blood, mentions of death, Norse mythology, some realistic dragon themes, more realistic scenarios, and mature themes starting at the point httyd 2 ark comes in, so, ofc NSFW. Any other warnings will be properly tagged upon story progression. A/N: Reader description not described besides clothing true to Viking/httyd fashion from time to time.

CHAPTER 10

In the hours since you'd left the Great Hall's yard, word had spread like wildfire through Berk: Stoick had rallied the island to war. Every soul—man, woman, warrior, and smith—had been summoned to the ships, their faces etched with grim resolve as they obeyed the chief's command.

You and Hiccup had watched, helpless, as the docks transformed into a hive of frenzied preparation. Longships lined the water's edge, their sleek hulls carved from oak and pine, reinforced with iron rivets that glinted dully in the daylight. These were vessels of legend—drakkars, their prows crowned with snarling dragon heads, a nod to the Norse gods who watched from Valhalla.

Each boat stretched thirty paces stem to stern, their sides bristling with oars and shields hung in tight rows, painted with runes of protection: Algiz for defense, Tiwaz for victory. Barrels of dried cod and smoked mutton jerky were hoisted aboard, their wooden staves bound with iron hoops, alongside casks of mead that sloshed faintly as they were secured—provisions for a month's voyage to and from into the abyss of Helheim's Gate, the mythic threshold to the dragons' nest.

Weapons followed, a clattering arsenal hauled by sweat-slicked hands: broadswords with hilts wrapped in leather, their blades etched with serpentine patterns; axes with crescent heads honed to split bone; spears tipped with blackened iron, their shafts hewn from ash wood.

Catapults loomed among the cargo, their frames of sturdy yew lashed with rope, their arms poised to fling boulders or flaming pitch into the enemy's maw. The Vikings moved with a precision born of centuries of war, their grunts and shouts mingling with the creak of timber and the clang of metal, a symphony of impending doom.

Yet it was their eyes that cut deepest—glaring up at the cliff where you stood with Hiccup, their stares venomous, lips curling into snarls of contempt. Hiccup flinched under each one, his shoulders hunching as if to shrink from their judgment, but you squeezed his hand, your grip firm and unyielding, a silent reminder that he was more than their scorn. He steadied then, his jaw tightening, though the flicker of shame lingered in his green eyes.

The scene below grew darker, more brutal, as the Vikings turned their wrath on Toothless. The Night Fury's wails pierced the air—high, keening cries that clawed at the soul, striking a chord of anguish in any heart still soft enough to feel. They'd bound him in chains, thick iron links that rattled with every thrash, and ropes that bit into his obsidian-like black scales, leaving raw, red welts.

When he fought, rearing against his captors, they struck back—fists slamming into his jaw, boots driving into his skull with sickening thuds that echoed up the cliffs. A new head-brace followed, a cruel contraption of rough-hewn wood bolted tight around his neck, pinning his head immobile, his jaws forced shut.

The dragon's resistance faded, his body slumping as if the fight had bled out of him, his eyes—once bright with defiance—dimming with an inward weeping that no sound could convey. The sight was a dagger to the gut, a raw, visceral cruelty that laid bare the reality of your world: Vikings and dragons locked in a dance of blood and fire since the days of Odin's first breath.

Hiccup's knees buckled, the weight of it too much, and he sank to the cliff's edge, the damp grass soaking through his trousers. You dropped beside him, your arms encircling him, pulling him close as his hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening against the strain. His jaw locked, eyes squeezing shut as if he could block out the pain unfolding below—Toothless's pain, mirrored in his own chest, a wound that throbbed with every muffled whimper from the dragon.

You pressed your forehead against the side of his head, your breath mingling with his in short, ragged bursts, tears welling in your own eyes as you tried to anchor him through this. The salty streaks burned your cheeks from the already endless tears shed earlier, but this was different—sharper, laced with the helplessness of watching a creature you'd come to love brutalized before you. Your hands tightened around Hiccup, fingers digging into his gilet, a futile shield against the brutality that had always defined your people.

As the sun dipped lower, its rays bleeding crimson across the horizon, the longships began to move—one by one, their oars dipping into the water with a steady, mournful cadence. The dragon-headed prows sliced through the waves, sails unfurling like the wings of carrion birds, dyed red and black with runes stitched in gold thread: Eihwaz for resilience, Uruz for strength.

The fleet stretched across the harbor, a flotilla of war bound for the dragons' nest—a place whispered of in sagas, sought for generations by chiefs who'd fallen to its fire. Toothless was lashed to the lead ship, his chained form a dark silhouette against the fading light, his head bowed under the wooden brace.

The Vikings' chants rose, low and guttural, invoking Thor's hammer and Freyja's wrath whilst they hit their shields with their chosen weapons in beat to the drums, a battle hymn to steel them for the journey into Hel's domain. The sea swallowed their wakes, the boats drifting into the haze, and the cliff grew still, the wind carrying away the last echoes of their departure.

Hiccup remained seated, his gaze fixed on the vanishing fleet, his face a mask of numb despair. Blame gnawed at him, a relentless beast that whispered this was his doing—his secret with Toothless, his defiance in the arena, his failure to bridge the chasm between his father and the truth.

His hands rested limp in his lap, the calluses on his palms stark against the pallor of his skin, and his breath came slow, as if each inhale cost him something vital. You stayed beside him, your hand still clasped in his—the other wrapped around his shoulder, the warmth of your touch a faint tether against the void swallowing him whole.

Tears lingered in your eyes, unshed now, as you watched the horizon claim the ships, the weight of war settling over Berk like a shroud. The cliff's silence was oppressive, broken only by the distant crash of waves and the rustle of grass bending under the wind—a requiem for the dragon lost, the boy beside you, and the island teetering on the edge of its own destruction a reminder of reality.

Hiccup's mind, glimpsed through that omniscient veil, was a battlefield of its own. Guilt lashed at him, a scourge sharper than any Viking whip, each blow a memory—of Toothless's trust, of your faith, of the moment he'd chosen to reveal the dragon and unraveled everything.

He saw the nest in his mind's eye, a jagged maw of stone and flame in the pits of a volcano that revealed a beast so great like from the tales of old, a place where Níðhöggr might gnaw at the roots of Yggdrasil itself. His father led this war, driven by a fury Hiccup had sparked, and the cost—Toothless' suffering, Berk's blood—now rested on his shoulders.

Yet your hand in his, steady and warm, was a lifeline he didn't deserve but couldn't release. He'd lost so much, but you remained, and in the hollow of his chest, a flicker of resolve stirred—not enough to banish the blame, but enough to whisper that he'd fight to make this right, whatever the cost—somehow.

The sun sank fully, its last light bleeding into the sea, and the cliff grew cold, the wind sharpening as twilight draped Berk in shadow. You and Hiccup sat there, two figures etched against the darkening sky, hands entwined, no words exchanged, watching the empty seas that carried war and sail away—bound for a fate no rune could foretell.

Three days had bled into one another since the longships carved their path into the sea, leaving Berk a skeletal husk of its former self. The island's remnant souls—those too old, too young, or too broken to join the war—drifted through the village like specters, their eyes averted whenever Hiccup's shadow fell across their path.

The air hung thick with unspoken scorn, a miasma that clung to the cobblestones and thatched roofs, seeping into every corner he once called home. Mildew, that gnarled old wretch with a face like curdled milk, became a fixture of malice—his sneers sharp as a blade's edge whenever Hiccup dared venture into town. The man's yellowed teeth bared in a grimace, his staff tapping the ground with deliberate disdain and spit to the ground as Hiccup passed, head bowed, footsteps quickening to escape the weight of those venomous glares.

Hiccup had retreated from the public eye, a self-imposed exile that you watched unfold with a growing ache in your chest. He'd asked—quietly, almost ashamed—if you'd bring him food rather than force him to face the village's judgment, and you'd agreed, offering your home as a refuge after Stoick's disownment had stripped him of his own. The boy who'd once been a spark of defiance against the odds now bore the mantle of outcast, a title that settled over him like a leaden cloak, dragging him deeper into himself.

You saw it in the way his shoulders slumped, the way his hands trembled when he thought you weren't looking—depression gnawing at him, slow and relentless, breaking the spirit that had always burned bright despite the world's disdain. It was a quiet shattering, a million jagged pieces scattering before your eyes, and each day the light in him dimmed further, swallowed by a darkness you couldn't reach.

Mornings became a ritual of futile hope. You'd bring him breakfast—warm oatcakes drizzled with honey, paired with a strip of smoked herring—its scent wafting through your small home, a faint promise of comfort. But he'd only pick at it, nibbling a few reluctant bites before sliding the plate aside.

Menace, who you decided to sneak back to your home so you could care for them both—plus her lack of company in the cove—would pounce on the scraps with a gleeful yap, tail wagging as she devoured what Hiccup couldn't stomach. You'd watch, jaw tight, as the food disappeared, the act a silent testament to how far he'd fallen.

Hours stretched into bleak eternities where he wouldn't leave the bed, his lanky form curled beneath the furs, staring at the rough-hewn wall or the ceiling's cracked beams—motionless, hollow, a statue carved from despair. The worry festered in you, a coal smoldering in your gut, until it flared into something fiercer, a fury that refused to let him waste away.

On the third afternoon, you'd had enough. With a sharp yank, you tore the fur blankets from his frame, the heavy pelts thudding to the floor in a tangled heap. His protest came—a weak, rasping "Hey!"—but you ignored it, seizing his hand with a grip that brooked no argument. His skin was cool, clammy against yours, and you hauled him upright, dragging him toward the door despite his dragging feet.

The afternoon light spilled through the threshold, a harsh golden flood that stung his eyes, unaccustomed to anything but the dim shadows of your home. He squinted, flinching against the brightness, his voice a low mumble as you pulled him toward the forge.

"I'm not in the mood," he muttered, the words barely audible, but you shook your head, undeterred, your boots crunching over the gravel path.

"I refuse to watch you wilt," you said, your tone firm, cutting through the sluggish haze he'd wrapped himself in.

The forge loomed ahead, its stone walls blackened with soot, the air around it heavy with the lingering scent of charred wood and molten iron. You guided him inside and sat him on one of the cold wooden chairs, its surface worn smooth by years of use. He slouched there, a pitiful figure—lanky limbs folded in on themselves, his tunic wrinkled and askew, dark circles smudged beneath his eyes like bruises, a testament to sleepless nights and a mind gnawed raw by stress. His gaze drifted, avoiding yours, fixed on the scuffed ground as if they held answers you couldn't give.

You stepped before him, the forge's dormant hearth casting long shadows across the room, and sank to your knees, the rough stone biting into your skin through your trousers. Gently, you took both his hands in yours, their chill seeping into your palms, and lifted your eyes to meet his—a quiet plea woven into the gesture.

He resisted at first, his head turned aside, but slowly, reluctantly, he met your gaze. Those green eyes, once alight with restless curiosity, now searched yours with a dull, weary emptiness, as if seeking something he'd lost the will to find. Your thumbs brushed over his knuckles, tracing the familiar ridges and scars, a soothing rhythm that eased the tension in his fingers, though it couldn't pierce the sorrow cloaking him.

"Hiccup, talk to me," you said, your voice low but steady, cutting through the forge's stillness like a blade through fog. The words hung there, heavy with the weight of days unspoken, a lifeline tossed into the abyss he'd fallen into. The air between you thickened, laced with the faint metallic tang of the forge and the earthy musk of the damp wood around you both. He said nothing, his lips parting only to close again, but his eyes held yours—searching, questioning, a flicker of the boy he'd been struggling against the tide of what he'd become.

Hiccup's mind was that of a omniscient veil, like a storm-ravaged sea, of hitting waves of guilt and isolation crashing against the fragile hull of his resolve. The island's—his fathers—rejection had flayed him open, each sneer and turned back a lash that echoed Stoick's disownment—a wound deeper than any dragon's claw.

Toothless' absence gnawed at him the most, a constant ache that pulsed with every memory of the dragon's wails, and now, cast out by his own people, he felt the weight of his choices crush him. Your presence—your hands on his, your voice calling him back—was a beacon he didn't deserve, a warmth he feared he'd snuff out with his own darkness. Yet as your thumbs moved over his knuckles, a thread of something stirred—faint, fragile, a whisper of the fight he'd once had, buried beneath the wreckage but not yet lost.

The forge stood silent around you, its tools untouched, the fire unlit—a hollow shell mirroring the boy before you. Outside, the afternoon waned, the sun dipping behind the cliffs, casting the village in a muted glow that filtered through the open doorway. Your knees ached against the stone, but you held his gaze, unwavering, the plea in your voice a quiet anchor in the storm that threatened to swallow him whole.

The air hung so heavy, thick with the scent of cold iron and the faint char of extinguished embers in a cold stillness that pressed against you as you sat there on your knees. His voice rasped into the silence, brittle and halting.

"I—," he began, but the words snagged in his throat, dry as the dust that hung in the air.

You reached for the waterskin slung at your side—a precaution you'd carried for moments like this—and pressed it into his hands. He took it with a faint nod, sipping slowly, the leather creaking as his fingers tightened around it. Water glistened briefly on his lips before he shook his head, eyes squeezing shut, a long, weary sigh slipping from him like the last breath of a dying fire.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do," he murmured, the admission heavy, sinking into the space between you.

You tilted your head, listening—truly listening—because that was all he needed, even if it wasn't his usual spark of ingenuity lighting the way. "I think you do," you said softly, your voice a steady thread in the dimness.

"No—I don't, not this time," he countered, his tone fraying at the edges. "Everything is. . .gone. Look at the mess I created."

His hands gestured vaguely, a helpless sweep toward the unseen horizon where the longships had vanished, then fell back to his lap, limp and trembling.

"I thought I could fix things—make them see dragons aren't the enemy. But it's all gone now. The village hates me, Toothless is chained up somewhere, probably suffering—probably not eating, and I can't—." His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard, the sound rough against the quiet.

"I can't undo it. I don't even know where to start. It's like I've torn everything apart, and there's no hammer big enough to put it back together."

He paused, his breath hitching as the weight of his words settled, and then the floodgates creaked open, slow at first, then rushing forth at last—as you waited.

"My dad—Stoick—he's always had this vision of the perfect son. Someone strong, you know? A Viking who'd stand tall, swing an axe like it was part of him, and lead Berk into battle with a roar so fierce even Thor would take notice. That's what he's wanted me to be, what he's tried to shape me into ever since I could walk."

He pauses for a long moment. "But that's not me. It never has been. I'm the kid who stumbles over his own feet, who'd rather sketch gears, tinker with ideas, and sharpen blades than fight. The one who thought—naively, maybe—that I could end centuries of war with just a dragon and a crazy, half-formed plan!"

A bitter laugh escaped him, sharp and jagged, the awkward Hiccup you loved flickering through the gloom. "He disowned me. . .because I couldn't be that son. Because I messed it all up—everything—and now he's out there, sailing to that dragons nest blindly—not knowing what he's brought upon himself, fighting a war he can't win, and I'm just. . .here. Useless."

His rant spilled out, a torrent of worry and stress that had festered for days, his voice rising and falling in that familiar, stumbling cadence—earnest, raw, and painfully honest. You watched him, the boy who'd once faced down dragons with nothing but wit and a wild heart, now unraveling before you, his freckled face taut with anguish. The forge's shadows stretched long across the stone, the afternoon light filtering through the open doorway in a muted haze, catching the dust motes that danced in the air like silent witnesses to his confession.

He glanced at you then, his breath easing into a faint, weary sigh. "Just come out with it," he said, voice low, threaded with a mix of curiosity and resignation, as if he knew you held something back.

Your fingers brushed the workbench beside you, its rough edge biting into your skin as you hesitated, the words teetering on your tongue. "Do you really want to hear what I have to say?" you asked, your voice catching briefly, a tremor of uncertainty beneath the calm.

His green eyes flicked up, steady despite the shadows bruising their depths. "Pretty much all the time," he replied, the faintest quirk of his lips betraying the Hiccup buried beneath the weight.

"Alright then," you said, letting out a slow breath as you met his gaze, silently willing him to listen.

"You're not useless, Hiccup—not even close. You're the strongest person I know, something only I've had the privilege of seeing—and them? They haven't truly seen you for who you are—and they won't, not unless you let them. And I think your dad cares more for you than you realize."

The words lingered in the air, raw and honest, as you shifted closer, the chill of the stone floor seeped through your knees.

He tilted his head, brow furrowing, confusion carving lines across his face. "What makes you think that? After all he said."

You steadied yourself, the air thick with the tang of metal and the memory of his father's fury. "Look, Hiccup—it's hard to say this out loud, but when has Berk ever valued you until those trials? Not that it's a bad change, but your dad's the chief. He's got to juggle their respect, their fears, with what he feels for you—and that's a burden heavier than any longship. They've always wondered if you'd ever fill his boots, and before, that seemed impossible."

You hold his hands tighter, eyes and brow furrowing with so much emotion. "Your ideas, your inventions, they didn't match their mold of a Viking. Stoick's been caught in that bind—protecting you from their doubts while proving you're one of them. He knows you're different, not like him or them, and I think he's always seen it. He's been carving a space for you, pushing you to fit, not to change you, but because he loves you. Don't let their expectations—or his—blind you to that. But don't let them twist who you are to earn it, either."

Hiccup's eyes fluttered shut, a shaky breath rattling through him as he swallowed, the sound thick and raw in the forge's hush. Then, in a sudden, unguarded surge, he leaned forward, his forehead pressing against your neck—his warmth seeping through your skin and sleeve, his auburn hair brushing your skin like a fragile tether. The world shrank to the space between you, the villages distant hum fading into a stillness that clung to the air, heavy with the unspoken. His shoulders trembled faintly, the weight of your words sinking in, and you felt the heat of his breath against you.

"Why do you always know what I want to hear?" he whispered, voice quivering, barely more than a murmur against your skin. "Always know what I need?" His fingers twitched on his lap, hovering as if yearning to grasp this moment, to hold tighter to the lifeline you'd become.

You drew a slow, shuddering breath, your heart thudding loud and insistent against your ribs, a drumbeat urging you toward the edge of your confession that needed to be said.

"Because. . .Hiccup I lo—" you started, the words cracking under the strain, each one a step into the abyss you'd buried for too long.

But before they could spill free, a clamor erupted outside—boisterous laughter and the sharp clatter of boots on stone as a gaggle of teens stumbled past the forge, their voices slicing through the quiet like a flung axe. You faltered—all boldness leaving, the moment splintering, your breath catching as the noise yanked you both back to the world beyond the forge's walls.

Hiccup's head lifted slightly, his eyes blinking open, the spell broken but not lost. The teens' chatter faded down the path, leaving the forge steeped in silence once more, the air still tingling with the weight of what you'd almost said. His gaze lingered on you, searching, a flicker of curiosity sparking through the haze of his sorrow—a thread of the Hiccup you knew, tugging at the edges.

"I loathe the thought of you becoming some hollow version of yourself that isn't you," you said instead, redirecting the tide of your thoughts, your voice steady but laced with a quiet fervor.

The confession you'd nearly spilled retreated, buried once more beneath layers of caution, though its echo lingered in your chest, a dull ache of what might have been. You squeezed his hands, your thumbs pressing harder against his knuckles, grounding yourself in the roughness of his skin—a lifeline to tether you both to this moment.

Hiccup's brow twitched, a faint flicker of something crossing his face—disappointment, perhaps, though he couldn't name why. The shift in your words left a hollow space he didn't understand, a vague longing for something unsaid that tugged at the edges of his battered spirit. He opened his mouth, a breath of protest forming, but before it could take shape, you moved—instinct guiding you where words had failed.

Rising slightly from your knees, you leaned forward and pressed your lips to his forehead, a long, deliberate kiss that lingered against his skin. The warmth of him seeped into you, his faint scent of leather and forge-smoke filling your senses, and for a heartbeat, the world beyond him dissolved—all swallowed by the quiet intimacy of the gesture.

You pulled back slowly, standing to your full height, the stone floor cool beneath your boots as you straightened. Hiccup's eyes widened just an inch, a subtle flare of surprise that broke through the fog of his despair. His heart stuttered, then surged, a frantic beat thundering in his chest—faster than it had ever raced, even in the face of dragons or his father's wrath.

The kiss, so simple yet so uncharted, left a warmth blooming across his forehead, a mark that tingled against the cool air of the forge. He stared up at you, his breath catching, the dark circles beneath his eyes stark against the flush creeping up his freckled cheeks. For a moment, he was unguarded—raw and open, the boy you'd always known flickering back to life beneath the weight that had crushed him.

A flush crept up your neck, a warm prickle beneath his unwavering stare. He looked at you, unblinking, his eyes widening just enough to reveal a glimmer of something unguarded—surprise, maybe, or the stir of a quiet realization finally come to light. The air between you thickened, heavy with the scent of cold iron and the faint char of the unlit hearth, a stillness that hummed with the weight of what just happened. You nudged his leg with the toe of your boot, a gentle prod accompanied by a nod, urging him past the moment's fragility.

"I want you to eat something," you said, your voice firm yet soft, cutting through the silence. "You've barely eaten."

His lips twitched then, curling into the smallest smile—a fragile, fleeting thing, the first you'd seen in what felt like an endless stretch of days. It was a crack in the gloom that had cloaked him, a glimpse of the Hiccup you'd feared lost to Berk's scorn. He rose slowly, following your lead, his lanky frame unfolding from the chair with a creak of wood against stone.

You guided him out of the forge, the afternoon light spilling across the threshold in a golden wash that stung your eyes after the dark shades. The path to your shared spot wasn't far, a familiar trek over gravel and patchy grass, the wind sharpening as you climbed, carrying the briny tang of the sea and the distant cry of gulls wheeling overhead.

At the cliff's edge, you stopped, the harbor sprawling below in a restless expanse of deep blue, its waves glinting under the waning sun like shards of broken glass. Hiccup stood close, his shoulder brushing yours, a quiet tether as you reached into the pouch at your side. From it, you drew a small bundle wrapped in cloth—his favorite breakfast muffin, a creation you'd crafted just for him.

Its dense, warm blend of egg, melted cheese, and tender strips of smoked meat, its aroma rising in a faint, savory curl. You handed it to him, and his face broke into another smile—wider this time, a spark of recognition lighting his green eyes—and his stomach rumbled. He took it, his fingers brushing yours on purpose, and stepped nearer, closing the small gap until his presence was a steady warmth at your side.

You both ate in silence, standing there atop the cliff, the wind tugging at your hair and the muffin's flavors grounding you in the moment—rich yolk, sharp cheese, the faint salt of the meat melding into something comforting, something yours. The ocean stretched endless before you, its ceaseless rhythm a counterpoint to the stillness between you, and after a while, you let your head rest against his shoulder.

The fabric of his tunic was rough against your cheek, carrying the faint scent of leather and forge-smoke, and his frame steadied beneath your weight, a quiet strength you'd missed. The world felt smaller here, the village's judgment and the war's shadow fading into out of your minds but for a moment, leaving only the two of you and the cliff's unyielding embrace.

The peace held, fragile and precious, until the crunch of boots on gravel broke the spell—a deliberate, measured sound drawing nearer from behind. You turned, lifting your head from Hiccup's shoulder, and saw Astrid emerging from the path. Her blond hair caught the fading light, strands whipping in the wind, and her axe hung at her hip, its iron head glinting dully.

Her steps slowed as she approached, her sharp blue eyes flicking between you and Hiccup, assessing, calculating, a purpose brewing beneath her calm exterior. The cliff's edge grew taut with her presence, the air shifting as if the sea itself held its breath, waiting for what she'd bring to this quiet reprieve.

Hiccup saw her and tensed. Astrid's arrival tugged at the edges of that fragile calm, a reminder of the world he'd been cast out from. He felt the weight of her gaze, the unspoken questions it carried, and though your shoulder against his anchored him, a thread of tension coiled in his chest—bracing for what she'd say, what she'd demand of the outcast he'd become.

The cliff's edge trembled with the weight of the moment, the wind curling around you in sharp gusts, tugging at your hair and carrying the briny sting of the sea. Astrid stood a few paces away, her boots grinding into the gravel, her blond braid swaying as she shifted her weight. The fading sun painted the horizon in streaks of amber and shadow, casting a faint glow across her face as she broke the silence. You nodded, a subtle tilt of your head inviting her closer, and she stepped forward, closing the distance until she stood beside you both.

"Hey," she began, her voice rough-edged, faltering as if unsure where to land. "Haven't seen you around. Thought I'd come check on you." Her blue eyes darted between you and Hiccup, searching beneath her steady gaze.

You shifted slightly at Hiccups side, the grass beneath your boots slick with the day's damp. Hiccup's shoulder brushed yours, a quiet reassurance, and he spoke, his words clipped, evasive.

"Been thinking," he offered, a thin excuse that veiled the depths he'd sunk into—depths you'd only just hauled him from, though he wouldn't let that slip. His voice rasped, still dry from days of silence, a raw thread woven with the turmoil of the past several weeks.

Astrid's gaze softened, though her words cut sharp. "It's a mess," she said, her tone blunt but not unkind. "You must feel horrible. You've lost everything—your father, your tribe, your dragon."

She listed them like blows, each one landing heavy, while you tried to wave your hand to stop her and Hiccup's head snapped up, his brows furrowing in a mix of confusion and irritation. He stared at her as if she'd sprouted a second head, then lifted his brows, unamused, a faint wave of his hand punctuating his reply.

"Thank you for summing that up," he muttered, the sarcasm dry as bone, though it carried a faint tremor of exhaustion.

Astrid flinched at herself, her hand hovering awkwardly mid-air, unused to softening edges or lifting spirits. She glanced at you, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but you held steady beside Hiccup, your presence a quiet bridge between them. He turned his gaze to the sea, its restless waves glinting far below, and his voice dropped, raw and jagged.

"Why couldn't I have killed that dragon when I found him in the woods?"

The question hung there, aimed at the horizon but meant for you both. His eyes slid to yours, and you met them with knitted brows, worry etching lines across your face—you knew exactly what he meant, the memory of that moment a shared memory between you.

"Would've been better for everyone," he went on, his words rough with self-reproach, the weight of his fathers scorn and Toothless' chains dragging them down further.

You opened your mouth to respond, a breath drawn to counter his despair, but Astrid spoke first, her voice cutting through.

"Yep! The rest of us would've done it. So, why didn't you?" She paused, watching him, then pressed again when he hesitated. "Why didn't you?"

Hiccup's jaw tightened, his hands flexing at his sides. "I don't know. I couldn't," he said, the admission quiet, almost lost to the wind.

"That's not an answer," Astrid shot back, her tone firm, unrelenting.

He rounded on her, annoyance flaring as he stepped to the side, away from both your gazes. "Why is this so important to you? And all of a sudden?" His brows furrowed, his voice rising with a brittle edge, the stress gnawing at him again.

Astrid glanced at you, and you gave her a subtle nod, an exchanged look urging her to press on. She squared her shoulders, her eyes locking onto his. "Because I want to remember what you say, right now," she said, her words deliberate, carrying a weight that stilled the air.

Hiccup threw his head back, a groan rumbling from his throat as he rubbed his face with both hands. "Oh, for the love of—"

He sighed heavily, the sound scraping against the silence. "I was a coward, okay? I was weak. I wouldn't kill a dragon!" The confession burst out, sharp as his voice cracked under the strain.

Astrid tilted her head, catching the shift. "You said wouldn't that time."

"Whatever!" Hiccup snapped, his tone spiking as the stress clawed back, but your fingers tightened on his arm, a gentle pressure to calm the tide from rising in him again. He exhaled, the fight draining as he continued, voice raw but steadier.

"I wouldn't! Three hundred years, and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!" He turned to you, his breathing slowing, his green eyes searching yours for something—forgiveness, understanding, a lifeline.

Astrid paused, letting the words settle, then spoke after a long beat. "First to ride one, though."

"And a Night Fury of all dragons," you added, a faint smile tugging at your lips—his voice trembling with awe, not despair.

Astrid nodded, her gaze sharpening as she edged him on. "So?"Hiccup's eyes flicked between you both—first to Astrid, then to you, your head tilted in quiet curiosity—before settling back on her.

"I wouldn't kill him because he looked as frightened as I was," he said, calmer now, the fire in his voice tempered by a dawning clarity. "I looked at him, and I saw myself."

You smiled then, a soft curve of your lips as those familiar words echoed back—remembering the day he'd first told you something similar himself, a memory of the boy who'd dared to see beyond Berk's bloodlust.

Astrid's brows lifted slightly, her question cutting through the stillness. "I bet he's really frightened now. What are you going to do about it?" Urging him to do something about it.

He glanced at her, then to you, your steady presence beside him a silent prompt, before returning to Astrid. A new fire flickered in his eyes, faint but growing.

"Uh—well, probably something stupid," he said, a trace of that awkward Hiccup breaking through as he began to walk, his steps purposeful now.

You and Astrid fell in behind him, matching his pace. "Good. But you've already done that," Astrid reminded him, a dry edge to her tone.

He smiled again—small, but real. "Then something crazy," he said, breaking into a run, his boots pounding the earth as the cliff stretched out behind him.

You followed, your breath catching as you ran, a grin tugging at your lips. "There you are Hiccup," you whispered to yourself, the words lost to the wind as it whipped past, unheard by either of them but settling warm in your chest. The three of you raced forward, the sea a boundless expanse at your backs.

Your boots pounded the earth, gravel crunching beneath each stride, and you shouted after Hiccup, your voice slicing through the rush of air. "So? What's the plan?"

He didn't slow, his lanky frame weaving through the path with a newfound urgency. He glanced back, breath heaving, but his words came steady and sure as you veered toward the arena, its iron gates looming in the distance.

"We're going after them," he said, his tone laced with a clarity that hadn't surfaced in days. "The longships have a four-day start, heading for the dragons' nest, and we're not letting them get there alone—not with what they're about to face."

His gaze flicked between you and Astrid, a fierce trust burning through the exhaustion. "I only trust you two right now. You—" he nodded at you, "stay with me. We'll prep the dragons here. Astrid, I need you to round up the gang—Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut. Only them."

Astrid, then back to the path ahead, the arena's gates now in sight. Her brow lifted, her pace unwavering as she processed his orders. "Why just them?" she asked, her voice sharp with curiosity.

Hiccup clenched his jaw, his eyes squinting as the wind whipped against his face. "Because they're the only ones who didn't turn their backs," he said, his voice firm. "The others—they'd smirk and whisper behind your back whenever I was nearby." He glanced at you, his expression hardening. "And ever since Stoick disowned me, they've treated me like I'm contagious, avoiding me completely. But these others? They didn't mock me still. We need people we can count on, ones who'll stick with us to the end. I trust them."

Astrid nodded, a glint of resolve in her blue eyes. "Got it," she said, peeling off toward the village without breaking stride, her boots kicking up dust as she vanished around a bend, braid bouncing and jaw set with determination.

The air grew stiller as she disappeared, the wind's howl softening, and you and Hiccup pressed on, the arena's iron gates looming closer with every step. The village faded into a muted hum behind you—empty streets, averted eyes, the weight of Berk's rejection a shadow you outran together. You reached the arena alone, the vast circle of stone and chain eerily quiet, its stands deserted under the gathering dusk. No guards, no lingering villagers—just the two of you and the faint rustle of dragons behind their prison.

The space was a hollow shell, abandoned since the war party sailed, its silence broken only by the distant crash of waves and the creak of settling timber. You moved in tandem, hands fumbling with the heavy locks, the metal cold and gritty against your palms. Together, you heaved the gates upward, scraping against their hinges as they rose and the clank of metal echoing through the empty pit.

Inside, the air thickened with the musk of burnt wood and the lingering heat of dragon breath, the cages lining the walls silent but alive with coiled potential. Hiccup turned to you, his brows furrowed, a flicker of intensity in his green eyes.

"Before they get here," he said, his voice low but firm, "we're going to need ropes. Can you grab some from the bin by the wall?" He gestured toward a weathered wooden crate nestled against the stone, its edges splintered and stained with pitch.

You nodded, starting to turn, but his hand caught yours—a sudden, warm grip that stopped you mid-step. "No matter what," he said, his tone softening, a quiet intensity threading through it, "you ride with me."

His lips curved into a small, earnest smile, the kind that crinkled the corners of his eyes, and your own smile mirrored it, a spark of warmth blooming in your chest.

"Always," you replied, squeezing his hand before slipping free, your boots scuffing the dirt as you crossed to the bin.

The ropes were there, coiled in rough, hempen loops, their fibers coarse against your fingers as you hefted them onto your shoulder. The weight settled heavy, a tangible piece of the plan taking shape, and you turned back to find Hiccup standing by the Monstrous Nightmare's cage. He waited there, his lanky frame silhouetted against the iron bars, no trace of the nervous boy who'd once faced this beast with a trembling shield.

Confidence radiated from him now, a quiet assurance born of understanding—no danger lingered here, not for him, not anymore. He stood before the gate, hands resting lightly at his sides, the dragon's low rumble vibrating through the bars as he waited.

You joined him, the ropes digging into your shoulder, their coarse fibers scratching through your tunic. He glanced over, a nod of thanks passing between you, his eyes catching the dim light filtering through the arena's high slits. The silence stretched, taut with anticipation, until the crunch of boots on stone broke it—the gang arriving, their voices a low murmur as they stepped into the pit.

Fishlegs lumbered in first, his round face creased with confusion, followed by Snotlout's swaggering bulk, then the twins—Ruffnut and Tuffnut—trailing with their usual chaotic energy, heads tilted as they took in the scene. Their eyes darted from the open gates to Hiccup, then to you, questions simmering beneath their bewilderment.

Hiccup straightened, his voice cutting through the quiet as he faced them all. "Pack a bag—something light, just what you need. We're going after the longboats. They've got a four-day start, heading for the dragons' nest, and we're not letting them get there alone." His words carried a fire, steady and unyielding, the plan unfolding with a clarity that belied the days before.

"Exactly why are we going after them?" Snotlout asked, his tone sharp with confusion.

Hiccup's face softened, the tension easing as a small smile curved his lips. "We're stopping this war," he replied, his voice steady with quiet resolve.

The arena's walls seemed to lean in with tension, the air thick with the musk of dragons and the faint tang of rust, as the gang exchanged glances—Fishlegs nodding slowly, Snotlout grunting approval, the twins smirking with a spark of mischief. The pit stood silent around you, as the gang lingered, waiting for Hiccup's next move, and you adjusted the ropes on your shoulder, your gaze steady on him—the boy who'd defied an island, now ready to defy a war.

Hiccup's plan still echoed in their minds—his voice steady with his resolve a tangible weight grounding you as the others processed his words. Fishlegs broke the quiet first, his broad frame turning toward the gates, a spark of defiance flaring in his tone.

"Well, if you're planning on getting eaten," he said, his voice edged with a rare bite as he glanced back at Hiccup, "I'd definitely go with the Gronckle." He pivoted fully then, starting for the exit, his steps heavy with doubt, his shoulders hunched as if already retreating from the fight.

A spark of anger flared within you, hot and fierce, surging through your chest like a bellows stoked to life. You stepped forward, your boots scraping the stone with a sharp, deliberate grind.

"Go then," you commanded, your voice ringing out, a clarion call that cut through the arena's stillness and halted him mid-stride. "All of you if you're too cowardly."

The others froze, their eyes snapping to you, and you drew a breath, the air sharp with the tang of rust and anticipation. "Just remember. You all watched Hiccup tame these dragons through the trials—every one of you. You saw him stand where no Viking in history has ever dared walked toward, bending fire and fury to his will with nothing but his hands and his heart."

You turned, sweeping your gaze across them—Fishlegs, wide-eyed; Snotlout, arms crossed; the twins, leaning into each other; Astrid, steady as stone. "So, why doubt him now?" you pressed, your voice rising, each word a hammer strike forging conviction from the air.

You gestured sharply toward the cages, where the dragons' deep, rumbling growls echoed through the stone walls. "Hiccup's taken chaos and spun it into peace, turning enemies into allies while the rest of Berk clutched their axes and cowered in fear. If you think turning your back on him—walking away—is the answer, then go ahead and leave. But hear this: Hiccup's no coward—Unlike others. No—He's a dragon master, forging courage in a place others only see as weakness because they fear it. Anyone who abandons him now isn't just blind—they're the real cowards, too weak to stand in the fire he's kindled for us all. And mark my words, they'll soon regret it."

Your words crashed like thunder, echoing through the pit, and you stood tall, the ropes draped over your shoulder like a cloak of determination. Hiccup hovered just a few feet away, his lean frame motionless as he gazed at you—his green eyes glowing with a quiet, growing wonder.

To him, you were a revelation, a Valkyrie emerging from the haze of his hopelessness, your voice a sharp sword slicing through the mist that had clouded his mind. His chest tightened, a fresh wave of admiration unfurling within him as he saw you in a new light—not merely his loyal companion, but a fierce presence, forged from the same untamed spirit that had tied him to Toothless.

The others stirred, their uncertainty cracking beneath the weight of your resolving conviction. Fishlegs hesitated, then turned back, his round face softening as a flicker of shame melted into quiet inspiration; he gave a slow, thoughtful nod. The twins shared a quick look—Ruffnut tilted her head with a grin of approval, while Tuffnut's eyes gleamed with reckless excitement.

Astrid's lips twitched upward, a rare glint of admiration piercing her usual composure. Snotlout unfolded his arms, staring at you with a newfound intensity, as if truly seeing you for the first time—not just the quiet figure beside Hiccup, but a woman forged of steel and flame. He nodded, deliberate and grudging, respect carving itself into his posture.

You turned to meet Hiccup's gaze, giving him a steady nod. He held your look, still reeling from the force of your words, a soft flush spreading across his freckled cheeks as awe lingered in his wide, green eyes.

Tuffnut shattered the moment, strutting forward with an exaggerated swagger, his grin twisted and shadowy as he leaned into Hiccup's face. "You were wise to enlist the world's most lethal weapon," he said, his voice sinking into a dramatic, ominous growl as he waggled his fingers between them. "It's me." With a wild, toothy grin, he stepped back, striking a pose with a flamboyant flourish.

Snotlout barreled in, shoving Tuffnut aside with his bulk, sending him stumbling as he locked eyes with you, then Hiccup. "I love this plan," he announced, his voice ringing with sudden enthusiasm, fists tightening at his sides. "I'm so ready."

Ruffnut jabbed an elbow into Snotlout's ribs, her rough laugh slicing through the air as she leaned in close, her tone gritty yet playful. "You're crazy," she said, pausing as her eyes narrowed and a smirk curled her lips, her flirtation bold and unapologetic. "I like that. . ."

Astrid stepped in then, her braid swaying as she moved with purpose, pulling Ruffnut aside with a swift, practiced flick of her arm. She faced you and Hiccup, her gaze keen and focused, cutting through the chaos. "So, what's the plan then?" she asked, her voice a firm tether, grounding the group back to the task at hand.

You shifted the ropes on your shoulder, feeling the rough fibers bite deeper into your skin, and glanced at Hiccup. He drew himself up, the spark in his green eyes igniting into a fierce blaze.

"We prep the dragons," he said, his voice solid now, rough around the edges but unwavering.

"You and me," he nodded at you. "We'll get them ready while they pack light, and after that we fly out. The longboats have a four-day lead, but since Toothless knows where they're going, he'll get them there sooner than a week, not a month—however since they're all on boats we have the advantage, these dragons are faster. We catch them before they reach the nest, free Toothless, and end this war."

He turned toward the Monstrous Nightmare's cage, as the arena thrummed with fresh momentum, the gang's voices buzzing as they split off to their tasks. Fishlegs mumbled calculations about flight ratios under his breath, Snotlout shouted commands to the air, and the twins squabbled loudly over who'd claim which dragon.

Astrid shot you a brisk, approving nod before striding off to collect supplies, the faint clink of her axe ringing at her side. You stood next to Hiccup, the weight of the ropes grounding you, your earlier words still hanging in the air—a rallying call that had forged their hesitation into unbreakable resolve.

Hiccup's mind churned with gratitude and resolve. Your speech had struck him like Mjölnir, rekindling the embers he'd thought snuffed out for a moment—your voice a beacon, your faith a shield against the abyss. A warrior—a Valkyrie—of words and will who'd rallied his fractured crew. He watched as you worked to untangle the ropes, his gaze tracing your movements before settling on your lips. Almost without thinking, his feet started moving, drawing him closer to you, step by steady step.

Before he could step in front of you, a blur of motion cut through the scene—Snotlout barreled back into the pit, his broad frame jostling the stillness, a rough-hewn sack slung over his shoulder. His wild grin stretched wide, his eyes gleaming with a manic, childlike thrill, as if he'd just unwrapped a long-awaited gift.

"Alright, I've got what I need!" he bellowed, his voice booming off the walls as he skidded to a halt beside Hiccup. "Which dragon do I get?!" He bounced on his heels, the bag thumping against his back, his excitement a stark contrast to the arena's brooding weight.

Hiccup blinked, shaken from the trance of your presence that had woven around him. His head tilted, a faint shake as if clearing a fog, and his eyes darted to you again—briefly, involuntarily—catching on your lips for a heartbeat too long. A flush of confusion, of want, flickered across his face, a pull he didn’t quite understand, before he wrenched his gaze away, flustered. He turned to Snotlout, rubbing the back of his neck with a quick, awkward motion.

"Um—we'll let the dragon decide that," he said, his voice steadying as he regained his footing, though a trace of that rattled edge lingered.

Snotlout clapped a hand on Hiccup's shoulder, grinning wider, undeterred, and stood beside him, practically vibrating with anticipation.

You caught the shift in Hiccup's demeanor—the fleeting glance, the faint hitch in his breath—and a warmth stirred in your chest, mingling with the adrenaline still coursing through you. Snotlout's eagerness buzzed beside him, a chaotic counterpoint to the quiet intensity threading between you, and the pit stood poised.

The air hangs thick with tension as the others trudge back, boots scuffing against the gritty coarse stone floor of the arena. Hiccup stands resolute, his wiry frame silhouetted against the fading amber light of dusk. He gestures sharply, a silent command, and they shuffle into a rigid line before him—shoulders tense, gazes flickering between each other, a wave of unease rolling through them like a chilling gust.

Above the pit, your hands grip the rusted iron lever, the metal biting into your palms with a chill that seeps into your bones. At Hiccup's steady nod, you wrench it upward, muscles straining against the stubborn latch of the Monstrous Nightmare's cage. A groan of hinges echoes through the cavernous space as the log rose up and the heavy door grinds open. From the shadowed depths, a pair of slit eyes glints like polished embers, cutting through the gloom. The dragon's gaze locks onto Hiccup, unblinking, its massive form coiled in the corner—a predator sizing up an enigma.

Minutes crawl by, heavy with silence. The beast remains statue-still, its scales shimmering faintly with each slow breath, a living furnace of restrained power. Hiccup shifts, reaching into a burlap sack at his side. He pulls out a glistening cod, its scales catching the last slivers of sunlight, its fishy scent of salt and sea wafting into the air. The dragon's pupils flare wide for a heartbeat, a flicker of hunger piercing its stoic mask, before narrowing again as it weighs the offering against the boy who dares to stand so close.

Hiccup's movements are deliberate, his voice a low murmur barely audible over the distant crash of waves beyond the arena walls. He extends the fish, arms steady despite the weight of the moment, his posture soft but unyielding—a quiet declaration of peace. The dragon's nostrils flare, tasting the air, its ember-like eyes tracing every nuance of the boy's intent. Fear lingers in its taut muscles, a mighty creature worn thin by captivity, yet there's a spark of curiosity too, glinting beneath the surface.

A low rumble vibrates from the dragon's chest as it shifts, claws scraping faintly against the stone. It edges forward, each step a cautious dance between instinct and trust. The arena holds its breath as the Monstrous Nightmare looms closer, its jagged silhouette towering over Hiccup. Then, with a gentleness that belies its fearsome maw, it parts its jaws and takes the fish from his hand—teeth brushing the air inches from his skin, deliberate and restrained.

The dragon retreats a step, the cod vanishing in slow, savoring bites. Scales ripple as it chews, the sound a soft crunch against the stillness. Its gaze lifts to Hiccup once more, and with a tentative nudge, its snout presses against his empty hand—warm, leathery, and insistent. A plea born of hollowed hunger, etched into the gaunt lines of its frame, speaks louder than any roar ever could. It's been too long since it last ate its fill.

A faint smile cracks Hiccup's guarded expression, softening the sharp edges of his face. His fingers hover, then settle lightly on the dragon's snout, tracing the rough texture of scales worn smooth by time.

"More very soon, I promise" he whispers, the words a vow carried on the salt-laden breeze, meant only for the creature before him.

The dragon's eyes half-close, a low hum thrumming from its throat, as if it understands the weight of that promise. Hiccup steps back, slow and measured, his boots scuffing the dirt in a rhythm that coaxes the dragon to follow. The Monstrous Nightmare hesitates, then moves, its massive form unfurling from the cage's confines.

Claws click against stone, wings twitching as they taste freedom for the first time since that match. The sunset spills across the arena, painting its scales in hues of molten gold and crimson, a breathtaking contrast to the shadows it leaves behind. Together, they cross the open space, a boy and a beast bound by something unspoken yet palpable.

From their rigid line, the others watch, breaths held tight in their chests. Awe wars with terror in their wide eyes, the sight of Hiccup guiding a dragon—a Monstrous Nightmare—too surreal to fully grasp. Snotlout trembles more than the rest, his broad shoulders quaking as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. Sweat beads on his brow, glistening in the dying light, as the pair draws nearer. His hand twitches toward the ground, fingers closing around a jagged rock small enough to conceal but sharp enough to wound.

The dragon's head tilts, oblivious to the threat, its focus tethered to Hiccup. Before Snotlout can lift the stone, Astrid's hand clamps onto his wrist. Her voice is a low hiss, cutting through his panic.

"Drop it." His jaw tightens, defiance flaring, but her grip holds until the rock slips from his grasp, clattering harmlessly to the dirt.

Hiccup stops a few paces away, his eyes flicking to his cousins' pale face. He reaches out, taking the boy's arm despite the resistance that follows.

"Wait!" Snotlout's voice cracks, sharp with fear, as he yanks back, boots skidding.

Hiccup's grip remains steady, gentle but insistent. "Shh. Relax," he soothes, the words soft as a lullaby against the chaos of Snotlout's racing pulse. "It's okay, it's okay."

With care, Hiccup guides Snotlout's trembling hand forward, pressing it to the dragon's snout. The scales are warm, almost searing, and the Monstrous Nightmare rumbles—a deep, resonant purr that vibrates through Snotlout's bones immediately taking a liking to the boy and his firm strength.

Snotlouts' breath hitches, caught between dread and wonder, as the dragon leans into the touch. In that fleeting moment, an invisible thread weaves between them, fragile yet undeniable in a connection that made the boy smile—a real smile—in awe of the new friend before him.

Hiccup steps back, his boots crunching faintly, leaving Snotlout alone with the Monstrous Nightmare. The dragon's purring fills the air, his vibrations felt through the ground, a low vibration that rattles the stillness. Snotlout's eyes stay glued to the beast, his chest heaving as a high-pitched yelp escapes him.

"Where are you going!" His voice cracks, sharp with nerves, his gaze never wavering from the creature's ember-lit eyes, as if breaking contact might shatter the fragile peace.

Hiccup doesn't answer immediately. He strides toward a neat stack of ropes you'd coiled earlier, their coarse fibers glinting faintly in the dimming light. One by one, he lifts them, the weight familiar in his hands, and passes them out to the group. Each rope thuds softly into their palms—Snotlout's fingers twitch as he takes his, the others grasping theirs with varying degrees of reluctance.

Hiccup's grin breaks through, bright and unburdened. "You're going to need something to hold on to, aren't you?" His tone carries a spark of mischief.

A metallic screech cuts through the moment as you haul open the latch to the Hideous Zippleback's cage. The air grows thick, heavy with the acrid tang of smoke that billows out, curling in tendrils across the arena. Visibility fades, the sunset's glow swallowed by the haze.

Hiccup, undeterred, presses two slick, silvery fish into the twins' hands—Ruffnut and Tuffnut exchanging a glance, their bravado a flimsy mask. He guides them to the center, arms outstretched like offerings to the unknown. Their shoulders stiffen, chins jutting out in feigned courage, but their eyes betray them—wild, flickering with panic beneath the surface.

From the smoke, a single head emerges, sinuous and deliberate, its scales glinting like oil on water. The gas head of the Zippleback slithers toward Ruffnut, its movements serpentine, hypnotic. Her head tilts slightly toward Tuffnut, seeking reassurance, but Hiccup's voice cuts through the tension, steady and calm.

"It's okay," he murmurs, his hand gently steadying her arm. "Let it come to you."

She swallows hard, obeying, her arm trembling as the dragon's snout hovers closer, nostrils flaring as it scents the fish. Its breath brushes her skin, warm and faintly sulfurous, before it dips lower, inspecting her face. Her eyes squeeze shut, a reflex against the intimacy of the moment, until its jaws part delicately, claiming the fish. A rough, long-slit tongue flicks out, grazing her hand, hungry for more as it licks her palm.

Tuffnut's attention snaps to his sister, worry etching his features, until a glint of movement draws his gaze. The spark head emerges, its eyes narrowed with a mix of anger and curiosity, locking onto him. He freezes, the fish dangling from his grip as he lifts it slightly, a hesitant peace offering.

The dragon's head rears high, scales catching the light, its stare piercing. Tuffnut mirrors it, his own eyes wide and searching, a silent question hanging between them. Slowly, the spark head descends, its scrutiny unrelenting, until it blinks—a single, deliberate motion—and snatches the fish in one swift gulp, the tension easing like a held breath released.

The gas head nudges Ruffnut again, its touch gentle now, almost affectionate, while the spark head lingers on Tuffnut. Their gazes hold, a quiet acknowledgment passing between them, a bond taking root in the shared stillness. The smoke swirls, a witness to their tentative truce, as the twins stand bound to their twin-headed companion.

Next, Fishlegs shuffles forward, his bulk betraying him with every quaking step. His legs wobble visibly, knees knocking as Hiccup raises a hand, signaling you above. The latch of the Gronckle's cage groans open, and the arena trembles with the dragon's arrival. It doesn't emerge with caution—it bursts forth, a furious buzz of wings and a snarl of defiance, slamming against the cage's edge before launching into the air. Dust kicks up in its wake, the sound of its flight a low roar that sets your teeth on edge.

The Gronckle hovers, its stubby wings beating against the smoke-laden air, its beady eyes darting between the other dragons and their newfound riders. Confusion stalls its aggression, a flicker of doubt in its bristling posture. Then its gaze lands on Hiccup, and instinct takes over.

It dives, a familiar charge aimed straight for him, its growl reverberating off the stone walls. But Hiccup only smiles, unflinching, his hands already cradling a fistful of dragonnip. The scent hits the air—earthy, pungent—and the Gronckle falters mid-flight. Its tail wags, a comical pendulum, and it crashes to the ground with a thud, belly flopping against the dirt in eager submission.

Hiccup's laughter rings out, clear with joy, as he turns to Fishlegs. The boy's hands shield his face, his frame shrinking as if he could vanish into the shadows. Hiccup steps closer, pressing the dragonnip into Fishlegs' clammy palm, and nudges him forward.

"Hold it out," he urges, voice soft but firm.

Fishlegs complies, arm trembling as the Gronckle bounds toward him, its tongue lolling out in a frenzy of delight. The dragon's rough licks coat his hand, slobber glistening in the fading light, and Fishlegs' nervous giggle escapes—tight and shaky at first, then blooming into something genuine, a burst of joy as the Gronckle's tail thumps the ground like a drumbeat.

Astrid stands apart, the last in line, her stance a careful balance of anticipation and restraint. The air feels heavier around her, tinged with the memory of a past encounter—a sharp strike she'd once landed on the Deadly Nadder's head. Her fingers flex at her sides, betraying the excitement that thrums beneath her guarded exterior, tempered by a quiet hope that the dragon's memory isn't as long as her own. She shifts her weight, the dirt crunching beneath her boots, her breath shallow but steady.

Hiccup steps closer, his presence a grounding force amid the chaos of scales and smoke. "It's alright," he says, his voice low and even, cutting through the knot of tension in her chest. "Let her come to you. Just be calm and hold the salmon out. Show her you mean no harm." His words carry a quiet certainty, as she nods once, sharply, and turns her focus forward.

Above, your hands find the final lever, the cold iron slick with the day's dampness. With a firm pull, you release the latch, the mechanism grinding open with a reluctant creak that echoes faintly across the pit. Inside the cage, the Deadly Nadder stirs, roused from a slumber so deep it might have been mistaken for a hen brooding over an unseen clutch.

Her eyes flutter open, blinking against the intrusion of light, and she stretches her wings—vibrant feathers catching the last embers of the sunset—before stepping out. Her head tilts, first one way, then the other, her vision adjusting as she surveys the unfamiliar expanse.

The scent of the salmon in Astrid's hand wafts through the air, rich and briny, drawing the Nadder's attention like a lodestone. She moves forward, talons clicking against the stone, her gait steady and unafraid. Astrid mirrors her, determination hardening the lines of her face, her wide blue eyes locking onto the dragon's yellow ones with an intensity that feels almost tangible.

The Nadder's jaws part wide, a silent invitation, and Astrid tosses the fish with a flick of her wrist. It arcs through the air and lands perfectly, swallowed in a single, graceful motion as her head tilted—like a bird swallowing its meal.

Astrid lifts her hand, palm open and waiting, the gesture fragile yet bold. The Nadder pauses, her head cocking as she studies the offered palm with a flicker of confusion. Then, slowly, she leans forward, nostrils flaring as she sniffs the air, the warmth of her breath brushing Astrid's skin.

At last, she presses her snout into the hand, scales cool and smooth against flesh. A laugh bubbles up from Astrid, bright and unguarded, and the Nadder responds with a gleeful flap of her wings, the sound a sharp rustling chirp that cuts through the arena's stillness.

Around them, the other riders meld into their new bonds—Snotlout's hesitant pats growing surer, the twins trading wary glances with their Zippleback, Fishlegs still chuckling as the Gronckle nuzzles his hand. Hiccup drifts among them, offering quiet guidance, his silhouette weaving through the haze like a thread stitching the scene together. The dragons' rumbles and chirps blend into a strange harmony, a testament to the fragile trust taking root.

Your boots hit the arena floor as you descend from the upper ledge, the impact sending a faint jolt up your legs. You weave past the burlap sack of fish, its damp fabric brushing your arm, and pluck one from the pile—its size modest, perfect for what waits ahead.

The final cage looms before you, smaller than the rest, its latch a simple bar you lift with ease. The Terrible Terror inside bursts forth, a blur of scales and speed that forces you to spin on your heels to track it. Larger than your own Menace, yet still compact, it skids to a halt, nostrils twitching as the fish's scent hooks its attention.

You sink to your knees, the stone cool beneath you, and hold the fish out, your voice a soft coo that lilts through the air. "Come on, little one, it's yours."

The Terror's eyes—bright, inquisitive—fix on the prize, and it scampers closer, claws tapping a rapid rhythm. Hiccup approaches, his steps measured, and kneels beside you, close enough that the warmth of him brushes your side. He watches as the dragon takes the fish, its tiny jaws working slowly, savoring each bite with a deliberation that belies its earlier haste.

A gentle laugh escapes you, light and unforced, as the Terror's tail flicks in contentment—much like Menace you thought. Hiccup's gaze shifts from the dragon to you, his smile softening into something deeper—fondness etching itself into the corners of his eyes, the curve of his mouth. The arena fades for a moment, the clamor of dragons and riders dimming, leaving only the quiet space between you.

Hiccup's hand finds yours, his calloused fingers wrapping around your own with a quiet urgency as he pulls you both to your feet. The dirt clings to your knees, a faint grit against your skin, as he leads you toward the others. The night has settled fully now, the last traces of sunset swallowed by a sky thick with stars and the pale glow of the moon. Shadows stretch long and jagged across the arena, the air cooling with each passing moment.

"Get ready to fly," Hiccup calls out, his voice cutting through the murmur of dragons and riders. His tone is firm, laced with purpose. "Once we're back with what we need, we're leaving."

The group shifts, their silhouettes tense against the dark—Snotlout clutching his rope a little tighter, Astrid smoothing a hand over the Nadder's scales, the twins exchanging a quick, nervous glance. Hiccup turns to you, a nod sealing the plan, and together you stride out of the arena, the crunch of gravel underfoot fading into the night.

Outside, he pauses, the moonlight catching the sharp angles of his face. "Meet me a few steps from the arena," he says, his gaze flickering with something unspoken. "I need to tell you something." Before you can respond, he's off, his lanky frame disappearing toward his house, leaving you standing in the cool, quiet dark.

You make your way to your own home, the familiar path lit only by the moon's silver sheen. Inside, the air smells of baked bread and smoked fish, a comfort you quickly set to work dismantling. Your bag lies open on the floor, and you pack with ruthless efficiency—sacrificing space for the essentials.

One spare set of clothes is all you allow yourself, the rest filled with spices and herbs tied in small bundles, extra cloths for wrapping food, the last of your dense loaves, strips of jerky, and the smoked cod you'd prepared for journeys like this. The weight of it all presses against your shoulders as you hoist your largest—full leather waterskin, its contents sloshing faintly.

Menace chirps from her perch near the hearth. You scoop her up, her scales warm against your hands, and settle her into the leather carrier you'd crafted—a snug sling that straps across your back, designed for flights with Hiccup and Toothless. She nestles in, cooing with contentment, her tiny claws flexing against the material as you shoulder your loadon the opposite shoulder and head back into the night after having put the fire in the hearth out.

Hiccup waits where he'd promised, a small bag slung over his shoulder, a pouch of dragonnip tied to his hip, its earthy scent drifting faintly on the breeze. His waterskin hangs at his side, and a spare set of clothes bulges the pack slightly.

"Hey," he says, a warm smile cutting through the dimness as he steps toward you.

"Hey," you answer, shifting the load on your back. "Brought the food since I know no one else bothered."

He chuckles, the sound bright and easy. "Did you at least pack some clothes?"

"Of course," you retort, a grin tugging at the corner of your mouth.

The walk back to the arena is quiet, the moon's glow painting the world in muted silvers and grays. Your footsteps fall in sync, a steady beat against the quiet, until Hiccup falters mid-stride, his pace slowing. His hand twitches, as if reaching for words he can't quite grasp.

You glance at him, brow furrowing. "Are you alright?"

"Oh yeah! Yeah—never better," he blurts, his voice cracking oddly as he flashes a strained smile. His eyes dart to you, then skitter away, too fleeting to linger.

"Hiccup," you say, your tone flat, unmoved by the flimsy lie.

He lets out a breath, shoulders dipping as the pretense fades. "Seriously, I am. Thanks to you more than anything. Am I nervous still? Of course. But I just—I'm starting to realize something." His glance flicks to you again, brief and searching. "And it's strange. Something I'm not really sure of yet."

Concern creases your face, and you pivot, walking backward to face him fully as you both press on. "What is it?" The question lands with weight, your eyes fixed on his, unwavering.

A flush creeps up his neck, faint but undeniable even in the moonlight's soft glow. His mind churns, tangled in the memory of earlier—the sudden, inexplicable urge to kiss you catching him off guard. His best friend. The thought twists in his chest, unfamiliar and unsteady. He rubs the back of his neck, fingers digging into the skin as he wrestles with it—too uncertain to voice, too risky to confess—dangerous to admit—especially now, with a dragon fight looming and the nagging doubt that his mind might just be messing with him.

"I just hope we all get to them before it's too late," he says instead, his voice leveling out as he steers the conversation elsewhere. "And that we'll be okay getting there."

You stop short, making him stumble to a halt mid-stride. Leaning in—closer than he's ready for—your face draws near, your breath a warm contrast to the night's chill. His pulse spikes, heat surging from his neck to his ears, his fair skin betraying him even in the dark's faint cover.

"We'll get there, Hiccup," you say, your words deliberate and firm, a smile tugging at your lips.

"And we'll get there just fine. We have the dragon master with us." You give him a light, playful nudge, stepping back with a glint of satisfaction in your eyes, clearly enjoying the chance to tease him.

His face still burns, the flush scorching beneath his collar, and he silently thanks the darkness for concealing what his skin can't hide. You turn and march off, leaving him frozen for a beat. A shaky breath slips out, one he didn't know he'd been holding until the sound of your footsteps dwindled. With a quick shake of his head, he jogs after you, falling into step as the arena's shadowed outline rises into view.

The others are ready when you arrive, their dragons shifting restlessly in the dark—wings fluttering, tails thudding against the ground, eyes flashing like scattered constellations. They nod at you both, a quiet sign they're ready, their ropes clutched firmly in hand. Hiccup steps up, his smile broad and unguarded, a flicker of thrill cutting through the haze of uncertainty.

"Alright," he says, his voice sharp and steady. "Let's fly."

This is Chapter 10 to book 1 to this Hiccup series -> Masterlist here. Previous Chapter : Next Chapter

Gifs/edits, dividers + template credit to #uservampyr my co-writer + beta reader ♡

Lovely tag list ~ @kikikittykis | @icantcryicantstopcrying | @teeesthings | @ph4nt0m19

#chapter 10 of maelstrom book 1 #hiccup haddock #httyd hiccup #hiccup and toothless #hiccup how to train your dragon #hiccup x reader #hiccup fanfic #httyd fanfic #httyd x reader #toothless #httyd #how to train your dragon #hiccup haddock x reader #dragons #race to the edge #maelstrom #rtte

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whitlocklibrary · 4 months ago

Text

The Dragon Queen~

𓉸ྀི ✩₊˚.☪︎ ⁺₊✧

🃜 pairing : Buggy × AFAB! GN! Dragonrider! Reader

🃜 fandom: one piece × reader, httyd x reader (Eryx is based off of the StormCutter Dragons (ex:Cloudjumper) from how to train your dragon.)

🃜 Summary: Reader is a dragon rider that is captured by the marines. And it just so happens a certain captain chose to raid that ship unknowingly helping the reader escape from the marine’s clutches. This is a story about how reader joined the Buggy Pirates and a few events that happened after it.

🃜 Word Count:5.7k

🃜 Warnings:cursing, marineford spoilers, fighting, Buggy is his own warning sometimes, minor ooc buggy

🃜 Requests: Open

𓉸ྀི ✩₊˚.☪︎ ⁺₊✧

You were thrown into the dank brig of a marine vessel, the force of the action enough to send you falling to the ground, your bound hands barking in pain as you tried to keep yourself upright. A small huff in the corner of the cell has you turning your head. When you turn you come face to face with your dragon, Eryx. You shuffle closer to him taking note of the muzzle on his face and the ropes binding his wings.

The two marines who had been commanded to bring you down here spat filthy insults your way. Insults you should have brushed off and forgotten about, but you have never been good at taking such things. Had always let them get under your skin--get you angry and upset. And seeing the sight of your dragon bound up like this only added more fuel.

Snapping your head around, teeth bared in a nasty snarl, you watched the door slam shut behind you.

“You fucking spoon-fed idiots!” You hissed up at the two marines who had been ready to leave before you had spoken. “You have some nerve doing this to m--” The taller one slammed his fist against the bars of your prison, causing a loud bang to ring through the metal walls.

You hardly flinched. Hardly bat an eye. A low growl is heard from Eryx as he brings his tail in front of your body.You’d dealt with some of the most terrifying big bads the East Blue had to offer. Big bads who thrived off chaos and ate babies for breakfast. These two goody-two-shoes marines would never in their wildest dreams live up to those creatures. Never utterly terrify you.

“We know everything about you. We know of your failed run as a bounty hunter with this monster. We know you killed a respected and loved member of our community--you are a criminal. Nothing but a no-good pirate.And your dragon will be so helpful for the world government.” He shot down at you in an air of superiority. Like you were nothing but the dirt under his shoes.

A criminal. A no-good pirate. And threatening your dragon. Those few words were worse than any insult one could possibly conjure and spit at you. Worse than physically getting slapped in the face.

You were by no means a good person, but a criminal--you were far from being a criminal. Not in the same sense as those you’d hunted down. Those who had done true evil in this world. Who had hurt innocent people--children. Criminals like their respected and loved community members. A, now-dead, marine commodore. A commodore who had gone too far in life without getting punished for his crimes.

Crimes you punished him for. And wanting to use your dragon to commit more crimes on innocents just boiled your blood.

Too bad they took away your swords and daggers or else you would’ve cut them down. The two marines keep taunting you, when suddenly an explosion is heard and you are thrown to the side. Before you can make impact with the wall Eryx’s tail is stopping the impact.

“Thanks boy.” You mutter as you pat his tail. The two marines quickly shake their shock off and take off towards the stairs. The sound of fighting and crazed laughter can be heard from your cell as you start to pry the muzzle off of Eryx.

“Just a little more and yes it came off.” After a bit more prying the muzzle finally breaks and it falls to the floor with a thump.

“Alright boy let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

You hold out your shackled hands and Eryx snaps them with his teeth.Once your hands are free you move and free his wings. Eryx blasts the cell open and you take off towards the stairs with him right behind you. You squint your eyes as they are assaulted with sunlight. When your eyes have adjusted you see a bunch of pirates engaged with the marines. You hold your finger up to your lips as you look at Eryx and then you quietly slip towards the crate where your weapons are. Good thing they threw them in there when you were still within sight.After prying the box open you quickly strap your sword to your back and your daggers to your thigh.

You creep back to Eryx and climb up on his back. Eryx gets ready to take off when suddenly you are being knocked off his back by a pirate with long dark hair that had alternating green stripes along one side of his hair. You couldn’t see the lower half of the man's face as it was covered by a large checkered scarf. You both land on the deck with a thump. Following that pirate is a marine with his sword drawn, the pirate is still sprawled out on the deck so you quickly draw your sword and deflect the on coming one. A small grunt leaves your lips as you push the marine back. The sound of the two swords clashing echo through the air as you continue to push the marine back. The pirate that crashed into you was now back on his feet and fighting another marine. A soft whistle leaves your mouth and Eryx’s tail swings from behind the marine. His tail makes contact with the marine and sends them flying into the wall.

“Good boy Eryx.” You sheath your sword once again and quickly climb back on his back. You give out another whistle and Eryx takes off from the deck. He circles above the ship as you look around the deck,looking for the pirate captain. Your eyes zero in on a pirate that dons a striped white and red shirt with, white gloves, a sash around his waist like many other pirates, and a pair of loose pants reaching to his calves, just above a pair of striped socks and pointy shoes. He also has a scarf around his neck. Hanging from his shoulders there is an orange, fur-lined captain's coat. On his head he has an orange hat with his jolly roger on it, over a neckerchief with the same pattern of his shirt.

‘that must be the captain’ you think to yourself as you lower Eryx down.

“Oi pirate captain.” You yell out as Eryx continues to circle. Buggy looks up from his spot when he hears a female voice yell at him. His eyes zero in on the massive dragon above him and then he notices the head poking out from the side.

“If you don’t want you or your crew at the bottom of the see leave the ship.” You yell out as you nudge Eryx’s side. He dives closer to the ship as you notice the pirate crew making their way back go the ship. Once all of them have made it you let out a sharp whistle. Eryx hears the whistle and opens his mouth, his saliva trails out over the deck as the marines scramble around the ship. He circles again and he lights the saliva he left. Once the sparks make contact the deck goes up in flames. Another sharp whistle leaves your mouth and he turns his body completely flying on his side you reach for one of your daggers and pull it out of the sheath. You pull the end of the dagger off revealing a secret compartment full of gun powder. With one tilt of the dagger the gun powder is landing on the deck and an explosion follows as Eryx straightens back up. The air is then pierced with laughter as you circle above the ship watching the marines flounder in the water.

Buggy stands on the deck of his ship looking at the dragon above him. The dragon was a woody-brown color , with a cream underbelly, and blue highlights with bright lilac and white hints on wings and underbelly. The dragon had two pairs of wings, three tail fins, head frills, and what looked like a smashed face. His eyes then go to the rider they had (h/l) (h/c). They were covered in what looked like scaled armor and had a sword strapped to their back.

“GET THEM ON THIS SHIP. I WANT THEM ON THIS CREW.” He yells out and the crew scrambles to get the dragon rider on the ship.

You continue to circle above the ships when you hear yelling from below you and you look towards the pirate ship. You saw a brightly colored ship, which imitates a circus feel. It has many circus tent designs on it. Its figurehead is an elephant with the trunk as a cannon. You notice the crew of the ship readying ropes and look at them in confusion before it dawns on you. They wanted to capture you, but you weren’t gonna let them harm Eryx after what the marines did.

“Come on boy let’s go see what these pirates want.” You nudge his side and he dives towards the brightly colored ship. The crew sees the dragon getting closer and they stop running around as the watch you get closer.

Eryx lands on the deck with a heavy thump and you stay seated on your saddle as the crew parts to let Buggy through. And man was this captain handsome up close. The first thing you noticed wasn’t the red nose on his face, it was the beautiful sea colored eyes. He had two blue triangles above his eyes, and above those were two bones crossing into an X on his forehead. His red lipstick was painted into a big smile on his face.

“Well well hello there Little Rider. What you did was pretty flashy.”

You cross your arms across your chest as he circles around Eryx.

“What do you want pirate captain. I saw your crew preparing to capture us.”

A laugh escapes his lips as he stops infront of Eryx.

“Straight to the point Little Rider. What I want is you on my crew.”

“Yeahhhh no hard pass.”

“Come on Little Rider. Join my group of freaks we don’t bite.” A menacing smile makes it away across his face. “Well not hard anyway.”

“I’m not interested. I’m a dragon rider not a pirate.”

“But aren’t ya tired of the pesky marines hunting you down. That little stunt you pulled along with killing their commodore will make you a pirate in their eyes. Hell you’re gonna get a bounty now.”

Your eyes widen slightly at this information as it fully dawns on you. Your own actions will make you become a pirate to the government. And with Eryx many people will be coming after your head.

“So join my group of freaks Little Rider.”

And that is how you became apart of the Buggy pirates. And true to what Buggy said a few days after you joined you got your first ever bounty. The News Coo delivered the paper during breakfast. The wanted posters already being looked at and cheers follow shortly at the increase of Buggy’s bounty. You were in the middle of feeding Eryx a bucket of fish when a detached hand floated in front of you with a brown piece of paper. You take the paper from the hand and look back to where Buggy was lounging on his chair at the head of the table. You look back towards the paper and your eyes widen when you realize it’s your bounty poster.

‘Wanted’

The Dragon Queen

Dead or Alive

30,000,000

And the picture was from the day you met the Buggy pirates. It captured the moment you were on Eryx’s back head tilted back in laughter as the marine ship burned below you.

The poster is taken out of your hand as Buggy stands in front of you.

“Well my freaks our Little Rider has her first bounty.” He yells out as he holds the poster in his hand. All of the crew cheers as you look up at your captain.

A few weeks go by since you’ve joined the crew. You weren’t apart of the act that Buggy put on. Instead he sent you out on missions to gather information, or to find treasure maps. And when you were on the ship you were kept by his side along with Eryx who has befriended Mohji’s lion Richie. And you’ve also befriended the pirate that crashed into you that day. His name was Cabaji, he was the swordsman of the crew. When you weren’t with Buggy or on a mission you were with Cabaji practicing sword fighting or you were knife throwing. You’ve also became great friends with Alvida, you even make her hair accessories with Eryx’s scales. She saw you working on your armor one day and was curious if the dragon scales could make jewelry.

And currently you are on the deck of the ship working on some new armor with Eryx’s shedded scales as Buggy,Mohji,and Cabaji look for treasure on the island. It’s not long before Buggy comes back empty handed and angry. You don’t catch what he’s saying but you do hear Alvida when she speaks up from her couch.

“It’s no time to horse around you guys. If you can’t find out where Luffy is, how exactly are you planning to beat him.”

‘Ah so it’s about Luffy’ You think to yourself already knowing about Buggy’s weird obsession with the Strawhat. You see Buggy lift a hand and wave her off.

“Don’t be so uptight Alvida. Nothing’s wrong with having fun for now. Right.” You shake your head with a smile on your face as Buggy laughs. You put on the last few scales of your armor when you hear a familiar voice and you lift your head up.

“Luffy you say? If you wanna see Luffy I’ll tell you where he is.”

“See. He’ll tell us Luffy’s whereabouts.” Buggy says with his usual smile on his face. That smiles falls off his face when he realizes that it wasn’t one of his crew who said it.

“Who the hell are you?!” You turn your head to where Buggy is looking already having an idea of who it is. A tall muscular young man with curly black hair and a tattoo on his back purple bones formed in a cross behind a purple skull with a white mustache the symbol of the whitebeard pirates. The other tattoo on his upper left bicep that spells "ASCE" vertically. And on top of his head was a signature orange hat. You quickly set your armor down and get up working your way through the crew to get to where Ace was standing.

“Oh sorry for interrupting your party. I was brought forth by the quite appetizing smell of food. My name is Ace nice to meet you.” He says with a small bow towards Buggy.

“Oh no need to be so formal. Nice to meet you too.” Buggy says with a smile as Ace brings a piece if meat to his mouth and takes a bite. Then Buggy’s smile falls again.

“I’m asking you what you’re doing here!!! I don’t care about your name. What a flashy insolent attitude.”

“C-Captain. This guy is… Fire Fist.Fire Fist Ace. He’s the captain of Whitebeard’s second division.” Cabaji says.

“Whitebeard!!” The crew exclaims.

“Oh you guys know my boss? That’s cool-“ Ace begins then he stops as he falls asleep.

“HE FELL ASLEEP!” You continue to push through the crew now with Eryx’s help and you catch Mohji talking to Buggy.

“No.”

“Why this is a great opportunity any way you look at it.If we defeat Fire Fist Ace we’ll become instantly famous.”

“I SAID NO!!! Listen up guys. Remember this flashily.No matter what happens never mess with the Whitebeard Pirates.WhiteBeard is a legendary monster. He’s the only one who fought neck and neck with Roger, the King of the Pirates.He’s now without a doubt the world’s strongest pirate.He’s the man closest to the secret treasure, One Piece. And above all Whitebeard never forgives the killing of one of his own.Never. He’s that kind of man.”

“ You sure know an awful lot about him.”

“Of course…Long ago I met him in person here on the Grand Line.” The crew that was gathered around Ace jump back as he sits up.

“Sorry about that.” He says with a yawn. You finally push the last crew member out of the way and see Ace.

“ACE!!!” You shout as you tackle him in a hug. He let’s out a small oof as you collide with him as the crew and Buggy stare in shock. Once Ace get’s over the surprise of you tackle he smiles.

“Little Storm! I was wondering where you ended up.” He hugs you back before giving you a smack on the head.

“Do you know how worried Pops was when we haven’t heard from you.”

“Ow Ace you didn’t have to hit me.” You say with a pout as you rub the sore spot. Buggy watches you interact with Ace and he feels an uncomfortable feeling in his chest.

“WHAT THATCH IS DEAD!” The crew all jump in surprise at your shout and they see Ace with a serious look on his face.

“Yes. Teach killed him for a devil fruit. That’s why I’m out here. I’m hunting him.” Ace says as he puts a hand on your shoulder as you look up at him in shock. Eryx senses the change in your emotions and nudges his head against your back gently.

“Don’t worry Little Storm I’m gonna make him pay.”

“I know make sure to beat that son of bitch Ace.” He smiles as he ruffles your hair and then he hands you a piece of paper.

“I will Little Storm. Here take this make sure to keep it safe for me okay.” You nod as you take the piece of paper from him. He stands up from his spot and turns to Buggy.

“Sorry for appearing on your ship out of no where. I will be going now, I’m glad you found a crew Little Storm and I know Pops will be happy to hear it.” He jumps on the rail of the ship, and before he jumps to his glider he looks at Buggy.

“Take care of Little Storm or you’ll have to deal with their brothers.” And with one final wave he jumps to his glider and takes off. Once he is out of sight everyone turns to you bombarding you with questions.

“How do you know Ace?”

“Were you really with the WhiteBeard pirates?”

“What did Ace mean by brothers.”

The crew gets closer around you as you try to take a step back from everyone.

“Oi shitdiots back it up. Now.” Buggy’s voice carry’s over the crew as he shoves the closest members away from you as he puts himself between the crew and you. Once everyone is far enough to his liking and quiet he turns to you.

“How do you know Ace and Whitebeard Little Rider.”

“I first met them a few months after Eryx and I left our island in the North Blue.” Eryx pushes his head against your hand and you stroke the spot in between his two horns.

“It was my first ever run in with the marines. They managed to injure Eryx and we fell into the sea,even with his injury Eryx was able to keep us both afloat after the marines left. They thought we would be taken out by the sea,but we weren’t we were stuck in the sea for hours. And with Eryx’s injury at the time he started to get weaker the longer we were there.”

Your hand moves to the scar the marines left by his wing as you tell your story. The crew now sitting around you like little kids.

“Luckily I was on the edge of Whitebeard’s territory and they were sailing past when they spotted me. They pulled us a board their ship and after they treated our wounds. It took a few weeks for Eryx’s wound to heal so we stayed with them. Pops tried to get me to join them once Eryx was healed but I wasn’t looking to join a crew so they let me leave. But I became an honorary WhiteBeard pirate and unfortunately gained hundreds of new brothers.” A small smile makes it way onto your face before it disappears remembering what Ace told you.

“I swear when I get my hands on Teach I’m gonna make him regret being born and I’m gonna feed him to Eryx.” Eryx let’s out a small growl of agreement as the rest of the crew take a step back from your anger.

“Well Little Rider you’ll have plenty of time to plan out what you’ll do to that traitor. We’ll make sure of that.” Buggy says with a sinister smile on his face and you mirror it back with your own.

“Now let’s party.” The crew cheers as they bring out more barrels of booze. Buggy throws his arm over you shoulder and he brings you with him to his throne like chair. He releases your shoulder to sit on his throne,and looks at you as he pats his thigh.

“Come on Little Rider you sit with the Captain today.” He says with a small smirk on his and when he sees you hesitating he detaches one of of his hands with a pop. Then suddenly you’re shoved forward and you land in his lap as he hand reconnects.

“Ahh there we go.” He brings his arm around your waist knowing that you try to scramble away.

“Now my little rider let’s discuss your next mission.”

That was the last conversation you had with your captain before he was imprisoned. It’s been about 7 months since you’ve seen him. You and Eryx met at the rendezvous point like planned,but you were met with a captainless crew. And then the paper Ace had given you started to burn.

“ERYX COME ON BUDDY ACE NEEDS OUR HELP.” You put on your armor as Eryx takes off from the deck and circles to your side of the ship. You take off running across the deck and jump over the railing landing on your saddle then Eryx shoots off from the island.

The sound of metal clashing against metal fills the air. Marines and pirates alike are spread out fighting. And Buggy is seen in a tornado of sand. Two hands grab Buggy and yank him out .

“Oh you save-“ He starts but is caught off by a blade slicing him.

“…Jet Human Shield.” Buggy’s upper body turns to Luffy as he grabs him by his vest.

“YOU! What’re you doing? Strawhat!”

“What I’m not the one who cut you.Plus you just said ‘Don’t mind me! I’m here to save you.’”

“How deluded is your hearing?”

“Gum gum human shield.” Luffy yells as he brings Buggy’s torso in front of him.

“STOP IT.” Mihawk brings his sword up again and slices Buggy into shreads.

“I CAN’T TAKE IT! You must be ‘Hawk-eye’” Buggy says as he puts himself back together. His foot shoots out a red ball and it heads towards Mihawk.

“The special Muggy Ball! Blow away.” Mihawk brings his sword in front of him and hits the ball back at Buggy. An explosion happens and Luffy uses this moment to run towards where Ace is. The battlefield stills as the two guards by Ace get ready to bring their swords down.

“ACE!!!!!” Is heard from everyone around the battle field. Before the blades make contact with Ace’s neck the guards are blasted away by sand. Sengoku turns back to the battlefield looking to see who took our his guards.

“Who did this!?” In the center of hundreds of marine soldiers stands Crocodile. His jacket flowing behind him in the wind as the soldiers raise their weapons towards him.

“You bastard! I thought it was to our advantage to have you since you hold a grudge against Whitebeard.Crocodile!”

“I can kill that old, dying buzzard later.But before that I don’t want to let you taste victory.” And with that the battle continues as Luffy still fights towards Ace.

Suddenly a deafening roar is heard through the air and everyone looks to the sky. Eryx cuts through the air as Marineford comes into sight for you. He lets out a roar as you get closer and you look around the battlefield for Ace. You finally see him chained to the platform as well as the familiar flash of blue hair on the battlefield. You stand on the saddle and unsheath your sword as you shout.

“ACE” Everyone stands still as the massive dragon gets closer.

“LITTLE RIDER”

“LITTLE STORM”

“ITS THE DRAGON QUEEN.”

“ERYX DRIFT.” You brace yourself as Eryx draws closer to the platform where Ace is. Once he is close enough Eryx turns on his side and you push your feet against the saddle using it to launch yourself to where Ace is. You bring your sword in front of you and slice through the chains that are holding Ace to the platform. You let out a sharp whistle and Eryx circles back to you dodging bullets as he goes. You pull Ace up with you,and when Eryx is close you throw the both of you off the platform.

“ERYX GO TO POPS AND GET THEM OUT OF HERE.” You yell out as you stand on the saddle as Eryx glides above the battle.

“Little Storm what are you doing.”

“Getting you and Pops out of here Fire Breath.” You give him a kiss on the cheek and quickly give Eryx a pat on the head.

“Take care of them Eryx.” You jump off the saddle and pull open your arms using the newly added wings of your armor.

“LITTLE STORM!” You hear Ace yell from behind you as Eryx continues to fly.

Eryx lands on the ground in front of Whitebeard a with deafening thump. Whitebeard looks at his childs dragon as his son scrambles off the saddle.

“They sent you to get Ace and I away huh.” Eryx lets out a huff in agreement as Whitebeard lets out a sigh.

“Of course. MY SONS GO BACK TO THE SHIP WE HAVE ACE.”

“BUT POPS WHAT ABOUT LITTLE STORM.”

“THEY’LL BE FINE MY SONS NOW HURRY WHY WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.” Marco quickly grabs Ace and begins to drag the struggling pirate to the ship as Whitebeard looks to where you are.

“Be careful my child.”

You slash through the marines wanting to give as much time as possible so Ace can escape. As you engage with another marine you don’t notice the second one slipping behind you with a sword. Before the sword can make contact with you the marine is knocked out by a gloved hand.

“DON’T TOUCH MY LITTLE RIDER.”

“CAPTAIN.” You exclaim as you hear Buggy behind you. Suddenly dozens of prisoners from Impel Down come out helping you fight off the marines.

“Miss me Little Rider.” He says with his signature smile on his face. Before your mind processes what you are doing, you launch yourself at Buggy wrapping your arms around him. He stumbles slightly before regaining his balance and bringing his arms around you holding you tightly against his chest.

You pull away slightly and look up at him with a smile.

“Ready to show them how flashy the Buggy Pirates are captain.”

“You know it Little Rider.” And with that you both spring back into the fight.

“STRAW-BOY GET OUT THE WAY.” You hear a voice yell and turn around. And you see Luffy reaching for something on the ground as one of the Admiral’s goes towards him. You’re moving before you realize and shove Luffy out of the way of the punch. You let out a scream as the magma burns through your armor.

“LITTLE STORM!!”

“LITTLE RIDER!!” You hear voices call out to you as everything becomes muffled. Another deafening roar fills the air as Eryx cuts through the air to where you lay on the ground. He crouches protectively over your body as he blasts away the marines that surrounded you.

“GET AWAY FROM THEM YOU BASTARDS.”

Explosions are heard as Buggy blasts his way through the crowd making his way to where Eryx is crouching over you. Akainu brings his fist up again preparing to strike Luffy who was looking at Eryx and you. Before his fist could make contact with him his punch is blocked by a sword. The entire battle field stills at the appearance of Shanks. And a new ship makes it way into port.

“Why is one of the four emperors from the New World here!?”

“Red Haired Shanks!” Shanks sheaths his sword as he steps between Luffy and Akainu. You feel two hands carefully lift you and begin to move you away. You open your eyes to see who it is but all you see is detached hands.

“Buggy” You murmur as your eyes slide back close knowing that you’ll be safe. Buggy’s hands continue to move you until your on the side of the battlefield beside him.

“I gotcha Sweets.” He says as he leans you against a broken wall. Buggy lets out a small whistle to Eryx who carefully picks Luffy up by the back of his vest and carries him over as Shanks stands against Akainu. Buggy carefully lifts you up and sets you on the saddle on Eryx’s back.

“Come on Strawhat climb on we need to get to Whitebeard’s ship.” Buggy climbs up onto Eryx’s saddle and puts you in his lap as Luffy climbs on behind him.

“I know I’m not Little Rider but let’s get out of here.” Eryx spreads his wings and takes off from the ground as everyone begins to retreat.

Eryx glides carefully through the air not wanting to cause you any more pain.

He starts to lower in the sky as he gets closer to Whitebeard’s ship. The crew moves on the ship making room for Eryx to land,and he lands on the ship with a thump as Buggy jumps on his back.

“Hurry Akainu burned them we need to treat it.” Marco pushes through the crowd and runs over to where Buggy is laying you on the deck as he cushions your head.

“Luffy!” Ace yells as he runs to his little brother.

“Ace!!” Luffy cries out as he wraps his arms around Ace and attaches to him like a koala. As Luffy and Ace have their little reunion Marco is carefully healing your wounds as Buggy watches with a worried filled face.

“They’ll be okay thankfully Eryx’s scales can handle that type of heat yoi.“ You slowly start to come too as Marco continues to heal you. You let out a small whimper as you feel some of the burns.

“Shh its okay Little Rider. He’s almost done.”

“C-Captain. Pops and Ace?” Before Buggy can respond another voice cuts him off.

“We’re okay Little Storm you saved us. Marco once you are done treating them bring them and the other snot nosed brat to Little Storm’s room.”

“Hey who are you calling a snot nosed brat you old man.” Buggy shouts as he carefully lifts your head off of his lap.

“THATS WHAT I’M CALLING YOU. YOU BRAT.”

Before Buggy can get any further you reach a hand out a grab his arm.

“Captain leave Pops alone.” He let’s out a huff and sits back down as you move your head back to his lap. Eryx curls up around the three of you as Luffy wrestles with Ace.

“And done Little Storm.” Marco says as he gets up.

“Come on I’ll show you where their room is. Fossa bring Eryx to his normal spot yoi.” Buggy gets up and lifts you up in his arms. He follows Marco down the hallways of the ship.

“This is their room if they need anything just ask them for directions. Oh and Buggy treat our sister good because Pops won’t hesitate to throw you over board yoi.” And with that Marco goes back down the hall and out to the deck. Buggy opens the door to the room and steps in.

“Alright Little Rider lets get you in bed you earned it.” He gently lays you on your bed and carefully pulls your armor off your shoulders and arms. He goes to take a step back but your hand on his arm stops him.

“Don’t go Captain. “ He stands there as his emotions fight each other.

“Ahh screw it.” He mutters as he takes the hat off of his head and lays the coat he was wearing on the chair. He carefully lays in the bed beside you. You don’t like how far he is from you so you move closer and lay your head on his chest. Buggy tenses up slightly at this not knowing what to do. He slowly brings his arm up and wraps it around your waist carefully as his body relaxs when you snuggle into his chest.

“Missed you captain.”

“Buggy.” He mutters

“Huh what was that.”

“Call me Buggy.”

“Okay Buggy. I missed you was worried.” You mutter as you bury your face into his chest.

“Missed you too Little Rider.” You hear him say as you feel a kiss on top of your head.

#Spotify #x reader #one piece #buggy the clown #buggy one piece #buggy x reader #op buggy #one piece x reader

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rosegrangerweasley-234 · 10 months ago

Note

Can you write a yandere Heather x Female Reader oneshot please? (From Httyd RTTE) Basically, the reader is the daughter of Viggo or Ryker (whichever you think best) but hates hunting dragons. When Heather and Daggur are brought to meet Viggo, Heather ends up talking to the reader for a while and Heather develops an unhealthy obsession over reader.

When the dragon hunters capture the Fightmare, Heather kidnaps the reader on Windshear and flies away into the night. Reader passes out and when reader wakes up, she's at a completely isolated place with just Heather and Windshear.

(If you write NSFW, can Heather send Windshear away to catch some fish or something whilst she and the reader do something. If you don't write NSFW, you can just completely ignore this part in the brackets)

(Of course WARNING KIDNAPPING SMUT SCENE IN A TENT AND LESBIANS )

Y/n’s POV I was reluctant to be next to my dad Viggo that dragon killer but he is still my dad so I had to sit down with him.He was talking to Ryker about their plans of getting rid of the dragon riders.Then the door open and one of my dad’s workers walked through the door with two others.One was a tall woman with black hair and green eyes while the other was a medium height man with red hair and blue stripes on his face.The female was very pretty while the man looked crazy.My dad got up and told Ryker and the red head “Dagger” to follow him and commanded me to stay.I nodded obediently and waited until the men left to get a better look at the woman.She had a silver shoulder gear,leather vest and a silver skirt thing that looked like dragon plates.She had gentle look on her face. “You are Viggo’s daughter right?” She said like she already knew that. “Yes Miss” I answered quietly.She smiled slightly. “You don’t have to be quiet you know.” She commented.I looked at her astonished.Nobody has ever told me that I didn’t have to stay quiet. “My name is Heather” She announced.I blinked,being startled out of my thoughts. “I’m Y/n.” I said softly still not being used to speaking out loud.She gave me a sweet smile. “I know that.” She remarked.I immediately blushed in embarrassment and stared at the ground.She giggled softly and told me that I didn’t have a reason to be embarrassed.I nodded and shook the blush off.I didn’t know how to start a conversation so I said what first came to mind. “Are you a dragon hunter or something else?” I asked curiously and looked up at her.She looked startled by the question but smiled again. “I have my own dragon but I wanted to work with my brother.” She answered.I smiled too. “Oh I really want a dragon but my dad would never allow it.” I responded bitterly with a fake smile.She nodded in understanding. “I figured that would be the case but I can show you Windshear if you want to.” Heather offered.I excitedly accepted it.She smiled and lead me to the deck where a beautiful metallic dragon was. I giggles excitedly and stood a foot away from the dragon. “She’s so pretty!!” I announced softly.Heather snickered and told me that I was allowed to touch Windshear. I was so excited because I never touched a dragon before.I hesitantly walked closer and gently put my hand on the dragon’s metallic coating. I was shocked at how the smoothness of the coating was so different than what it looked like.I kept giggling excitedly and turned to look at her.Her pupils were the basically the shape of hearts.She noticed me looking at her and shook her head. “Are you alright Heather?” I asked worryingly.She sighed softly and told me that she was alright. “I just never saw anyone that wasn’t immediately intimidated by Windshear.” She confessed. I smiled softly. “Well Windshear is very pretty and the people who got intimidated by this beauty was just jealous that a dragon was prettier than them” I remarked softly still petting Windshear.She smiled and said thank you.Later that night I was getting ready for bed thinking about that interaction. I immediately passed out on my bed.

Heather’s POV

I snuck into her bedroom through the window.I know that this is wrong but I had to keep her for myself and don’t let anyone else have her.Y/n’s hair was sprawled out and she looked so peaceful in her sleep. I walked to her bedside and picked her up gently.I carried her out the window and onto Windshear’s back. “Let’s go.” I commanded.Windshear leaped up and spread her wings and flew. I already prepared a good hiding space for Y/n in the lonely mountains where it was very inhabited and nobody knew about.Not even my brother.It took till sunrise but I finally arrived with the future wife of mine.It’s not traditional but I will make it acceptable because how are people going to judge me when there is nobody else there?I dismounted Windshear and walked into the campsite that I quickly made after meeting Y/n.She stirred a bit but she stayed asleep. I smiled softly at the sight. I went into the tent and laid her down. I laid down right beside her and stared at the wonderful sight of this sweet girl next to me.She woke up finally after a while.She sat up and stared at me in confusion. I sat up too and softly assured her that she was alright and go back to sleep. “Where am I?” She asked softly with a scared expression. “Shh it’s okay you are safe now.” I cooed softly and she relaxed slightly.That was a little bit surprising but it was a good thing that she already trusts me.She looked around and asked me if this was a tent. I nodded and went outside and she followed closely behind me.Something ran from a bush into another.Y/n yelped and jumped into my arms and I caught her.Her face was so scared that it was sort of cute?I laughed softly and caressed her back.She let out a small whine and hid her face into my neck. I immediately smirked. “Windshear go gather some fish.” I softly command.Windshear flew off to obey my command and I carried Y/n back into the tent.She gave me a confused look that quickly turned into a blush full one when I sat her down and climbed onto her.

SMUT BEYOND THIS POINT SO MDNI (anyone below 18+)

Y/n’s POV

I didn’t know what was happening is she interested in me already?Is that acceptable? I question but I knew I had a major crush on her but I barely knew her.She crashed her lips onto mine and I had to hold back a whimper.She was rough with her kisses but I wanted more even though this might be unacceptable.A woman being intimate with another woman?That was something that I never heard of.I grabbed the back of her hair and kissed her back.It was passionate.We made out for couple hours until she asked me something that made me turn a bright red mess. “Do you want to go to the next thing?” She mumbled against my lip. I immediately knew what she meant but I was too needy because of the kiss and I nodded.She smirked and took off her leather vest and the top garnet revealing her chest and muscular stomach.I took off my top clothing too.She leaned towards me and kissed me roughly.I kissed her back with the same roughness and my hands traveled everywhere on Heather’s body before resting on her chest. I blushed when I noticed what I did but I didn’t care.She broke the kiss and began marking my neck.I whimpered quietly and held on to Heather’s shoulder. I was so needy that the next out of my mouth surprised even me. “Please let me touch you more.” I begged.She smiled slightly. “You don’t have to ask.” She answered with a smirk.I immediately allowed my hands to touch all over Heather’s body.She asked if we could take the rest of the clothing off. I nodded and she stood up and took off her bottom clothing.I stared at her body it was soft but also strong at the same time.She giggled at my staring and I immediately got up too.I took off my bottom clothing.Heather looked me up and down like she was admiring the way I looked vulnerable.She grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to her.I almost groaned at the contact.She put a hand around my mouth. “We just got started but you don’t want it to end already right?” She questioned and I immediately panicked because I really needed it. “No don’t end it please..” I begged desperately behind her hand.She smiled and released my mouth.She sat down and pulled me onto her lap making me straddle her.I groaned quietly and wrapping my arms around Heather’s neck .She grabbed my waist and making my hips move against hers.I let out a string of silent whimpers. “You know that you can move on your own right?” She asked. I let out a long whine and rutted against her that made her groaned slightly.That encouraged me to go faster and that rewarded me with slightly louder groans.

*TIME SKIP* It was very intense but also very pleasurable.It lasted couple hours but when it ended We got our clothes back on and she held me until noon when Windshear finally came back with a lot of fish.We ate and after that me and Heather laid down and looked at the stars.

#yandere how to train your dragon #yan blog #yandere tendencies #obsessive love disorder #yandere httyd #lesbian smut #smut scenarios #wlw smut #smut #x reader smut #yandere smut #sapphic smut

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i-do-ships-and-stuff · 6 years ago

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Hiccup’s Surprise(Part 2)

Pairing: Hiccup x non gender specific reader

Word Count: 874

Summary: Hiccup takes Y/n to meet Toothless

Warnings: angry Toothless,

Enjoy!

“Would you like to meet him?” Hiccup’s eyes lit up as he asked the question. He had been waiting for this moment for months. The idea that he could finally share his new passion with someone made his heart swell. It took everything he had to not squeal with joy when you nodded your head.

He pushed all the air from his lungs to help calm his nerves before giving you a smile that you hadn’t seen since you told him he was your best friend.

You were so caught up in his adorable eyes that you almost forgot to speak.

“I do... but I mean this is all crazy, Hiccup.”

It was clear you shouldn’t have used that word.

“Great,” He said, throwing his arms up. “You think I’m crazy. Of course you do. I mean, I’m asking you to meet my dragon.” He said that last bit as if it were a question.

“No, Hiccup! I don’t think you’re crazy.” Unfortunately, you didn’t sound very convincing.

His shoulders fell and his head drooped as he turned away from you, ashamed of what he had done.

You forgot how careful you had to be with Hiccup. Encourage him and he feels like the strongest man alive, but if you say one wrong word you could break him back to skin and bones.

It had been about a month since you had seen him look so sad. Ever since he started kicking ass in training he had been smiling everyday. That didn’t used to happen.

“You know what, Hiccup? You are crazy. You’re absolutely insane! No, you’re more than that! You’re a lunatic... You know why I think that?”

He shrugged.

“Because only someone as crazy as you could be brave enough to befriend a dragon. Hiccup,” you began, your voice becoming more of a whisper, “you are absolutely the bravest person I know.”

He lifted his head to look at you, his eyes glittering in the sunlight that pokes through the trees. He leaned in, giving you the tightest hug.

“Let’s do this,” he said.

You made your way to the edge of the rocks and looked down at the black beauty. He was standing by the small stream in the center, his scales glistening in the sun. That’s when you noticed his eyes. They were black and inky. His pupils were wide and rectangle shaped and surrounded by a yellow sea. You’d never seen anything like it before.

Hiccup grabbed your hand to help guide you down the rockside. He went slow and carefully, ducking behind rocks.

“Are you hiding, Hiccup?” You asked.

“What? No. I just don’t want to scare him. That’s all.”

“What happens when he gets scared?”

Hiccup sounded a little nervous. “Nothing. He won’t hurt you. He may get a little defensive...”

You tried to dismiss the feeling of dread, but it rushed back to you the second your foot hit the grass. The dragon whipped his head around to face you and suddenly his pupils became slits, skinny and sharp. He saw you, and he wasn’t happy.

“Woah, Toothless. It’s okay, bud.” Hiccup spoke tenderly.

You took a step backwards and your foot hit a log. Your ankle rolled and twisted causing you to fall to the ground. Toothless pounced at you, pushing Hiccup out of the way. He stood above you, bearing his teeth.

“Hey! Toothless!” Hiccup screamed as he softly pushed the dragons side. “They’re a friend! You’re safe, bud. I promise! They’re not going to hurt you!” The dragon stared into your eyes and huffed. “Are you listening to me?”

The way Hiccup spoke to Toothless amazed you. Instead of demanding or commanding like the other Vikings would, he reasoned with the dragon and clearly worried for his safety. He didn’t get out any weapons and he didn’t use force. He just spoke, and the dragon seemed to understand, though it wasn’t yet convinced that you weren’t dangerous.

You were so focused on Hiccup that you didn’t notice how fast you were breathing. Your chest rose so high it almost touched the dragons chin. Your ankle was aching and it pained you to movie it an inch. You wanted to scream but you couldn’t. You wanted to run but you were trapped. You wanted to warn your best friend that if his new friend didn’t back off you would stab him in the heart with you dagger.

That’s it. How could you have been so blind? Toothless wasn’t looking at you. He was growling at your dagger.

Hiccup continued to try and calm the dragon.

“Toothless, listen! They won’t hurt you!”

Toothless looked back for a second at Hiccup and you took the chance to unhook your dagger from your belt and throw it to the side with all your might. It clinked as it hit a rock and landed by the stream. Everyone turned to look at it and then at you.

You were still on the ground, completely helpless, now with your hands above your head. Tears just about streamed from your eyes as you looked up at the dragon. You didn’t know what would happen next, and you weren’t sure you wanted to.

Hey! I hope you liked this! 💕🖤 Part 3 is coming soon!

#fanfiction #x reader #y/n #how to train your dragon #dragons #hiccup #toothless #nightfury #Berk #httyd #hiccup x reader #dagger #come request #request

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clovermarigold · 8 months ago

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Daggers & Daffodils Chap. 29

Dagur x Reader

Hey everyone, So quick update. Guess who's going back to school! Which as you could imagine was the culprit for the late release. I had this sitting at about 500 words for a bit while also having to balance my second fic which had been un-updated for about 5 months. As a result, I'm rotating to have longer chapters to make up for the slow-release schedule. That being said, I do currently have the next chapter already drafted, so it should be coming somewhere in the next 10 days or so (hopefully). Sorry for the wait. And again, thank you for reading my cringy little fic <3

_________

Pain is becoming a concept too common for your liking. Emotional, physical, both? You were definitely experiencing both. The following week of your run in with the hunters was easily the second worst of your life. Only topped by having to wait at your brother's bedside after he lost his leg.

Silver Tongue had always been your war horse. Your strong, brazen, and bullheaded friend who was there to be strong when you couldn't. Which was why seeing him in his current state was heart breaking.

Wincing as he moved between his food and his bed. Which in itself was saddening, seeing as his species preferred to sleep upside-down. It was a shock when you had woken as a large weight covered you in your sleep. Only to be Silver Tongue, quietly howling as the sheets brushed against his raw and recovering wings.

It infuriated you to no end, not only what had been done to your poor dragon, but how avoidable it was. Had they removed the arrows with the slightest amount of care, it would have been easily treatable.

The fact that the hunters would have so little care for a dragon's wellbeing disgusted you to no end. All they saw was faulty merchandise they could sell at a discount. 'His hides already damaged beyond worth' Ryker's words sat ill in you. Oh, you would show him damaged beyond repair. You'd leave him nothing more than a stump to be hung on a mantle. The exact same treatment he no doubt gave to other unfortunate dragons.

You sighed, pausing in your ministrations. All father above, you were starting to sound like Dagur. Looking down at her hands, covered in oil she took a step back, grabbing a cloth to wipe them with. Too aggressive, both your mindset, and your grinding. Your poor mortar and pestle would be either empty or rubble at this rate.

Hiccup had tried to talk to you about what had happened on the hunter's ship but... It didn't get anywhere productive. Heather's betrayal was heavy on everyone's mind. Though some were in higher spirits than others. Fishlegs had taken to stop mentioning her all together. Likely to preserve a feeling of willful ignorance.

Snotlout cried for a few minutes before returning to his usual annoying self. You don't doubt he took it personally, but it was a relief that he was taking it in a way that didn't seem unmanageable.

The twins were being their usual selves, making light of the situation. Something you were grateful for, watching as the group either lightened or became annoyed. Anything was better than how you and Hiccup were taking it.

Your brother has a habit when it comes to stressful and harmful actions; blame himself and repress. Pointing this out to him of course does nothing but make him more upset. But the younger sister in you makes you do it anyways. Who else was going to call him out? Astrid?

Honestly, yes. But she was taking it a lot better than you thought she would. Though the fact that she was distancing herself from Hiccup was strange. Usually, the two were always together, something you teased the both of them for.

And you... You would just have to get over it. Silver Tongue was hurt, the others could get themselves hurt at any time, and you were the only doctor on the edge. Just the other day Tuff was attacked by a wolf and was convinced that he was going to turn into a Lycan wing. And it took ages to get Snotlout back to full health after the days of venom, poison, and possible rabies that Ruff had subjected him to for punishment.

On top of that you needed to pop his nose back into place after Hiccup Knocked him out. Something you did not plan to let him live down. What could you say. The Haddocks were known for their almighty hooks.

And that was also ignoring the looming threat of the hunters finding out where your base was. The last thing they needed was you going off the deep end and losing your temper. Everyone is a mess right now. They need someone levelheaded for when things get rough. If that meant you would have to swallow your feelings and give up some sleep to avoid nightmares and anxiety bouts, so be it.

A flash in your peripherals drew your attention towards the window facing the club house. Two flashes; meeting. A groan escaped you as you stood from your hunched over spot on the floor. How long had you been working. And why did you insist on not using the desk. Regardless, ziplining over as fast as possible would be a start.

The ziplines had become necessary for you more than ever. You used them prior, but with a dragon as jealous and hovering as Silver Tongue, there wasn't much need. On the positive side, you were definitely getting muscles from the daily workout. Though it was a pain that the club house was the only place with them. The number of stairs you had walked in the past week alone was enough to make you want to sleep until winter.

"Astrid? You're back already. Is Berk that boring?" you joked, rolling your shoulder as you approached the fire. "Never made it there. Johann Flagged me down on the way to Berk to tell me that he'd seen Ryker, Heatherm and the Dragon Hunters in the Northern Markets buying all the cold weather gear they could get their hands on" she explained.

"Why would you buy winter gear in the summer?" Snotlout raised a brow. Ruff crossed her arms, "Hello. That's when you get the best prices". Tuff nodded. "Ruff is an excellent shopper. She actually got both our outfits, two for the price of one".

"No one's surprised by that" Snot rolled his eyes.

"Where would the hunters be going that would need heavy weather gear this time of year? Did Johann hear anything else?" Hiccup redirected everyone back on point.

"They needed the gear right away. And they were after something rare. A bone or a claw..." Hiccup answered for her, "Or maybe a tooth?".

"The Snowwraith of course!" Fishlegs cut in, "The dragon Hunters are after the Snowwraith to get one of its teeth".

"Yeah, good luck with that. We barely got out of there alive" Tuff deadpanned. "The dragon eye used to belong to the Hunters. They must know they need a Snowwraith tooth to make it work" hunters going after another dragon? Like Hel you were going to let that happen.

"Who cares? All it means is that they aren't coming our way" Snotlout shrugged. "Where do you think they're going after they get it Snot?" you glared at him.

"If they do get their own key, they'll be coming for us next" Hiccup looked across the group.

"Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking" Astrid tilted her head to the side and fixed your brother a look. "Oh, he's thinking. That's definitely his thinking face" the twins chided.

"We can't let that happen. Get a good night's sleep, gang. We leave tomorrow at first light" yes! Exactly what you wanted to hear.

"Time to break out the old coats again" Hiccup's eyes moved to you momentarily before turning to Astrid, who fixed him a look.

"Y/N can we talk?" A chorus of ooooos and uh-ohs came from Snotlout and the twins. Rolling your eyes you followed Hiccup outside of the club house.

"Hey, what's going on?" you asked. Hiccup avoided looking at you shifting his weight from one side to the other, "Y/N... Solver Tongue is in no condition to fly".

"I know. I'll ride on the back of Toothless with you. It's no big deal-" He cut you off. "I just-.... I just think it would be best if you stayed back on this one".

"Stay back? Hiccup, you can't be serious" Hiccup winced at your growing agitation, "Why would I stay back just because Silver tongue needs some rest. I'm not useless!".

"I never said you were! Y/N, you are the only doctor we have here. And on top of that you're my sister.... If Dagur got a hold of you agai-", "Johann didn't say anything about him being there" you argued.

"But he could be!" you looked him up and down, "You didn't care about any of this before. What changed?".

"I know when you're angry. And the last thing we need is you running off on a revenge mission. Look what that did to Heather" you didn't say anything, choosing to cross your arms and look away. "I can't lose you too. So, can you please promise me you won't leave the edge until you can act without clouded judgment? For me?".

A part of you knew he was right. You wouldn't be focused on finding the Snowwraith if you went. Your mind would be on Ryker the entire time. You would only get in the way.... "Ok. It's for the best". Hiccup pulled you into a tight embrace, "Thank you".

"I can watch the base until you get back" you plastered a fake smile. "Thats the spirit. Won't be any surprise attacks with you here waiting to rip them a new one" Hiccup pat your back before heading towards his hut.

yeah.... for the best

~~~~~~

(Astrid POV)

"Hey, can I ask a stupid question?" Tuff called fro the air, "You sure can. Better than anyone I know" Ruff bumped him with her elbow, "Thank you sister".

"Hiccup, are we really trying to protect a dragon that the last time we saw it. tried to kill us, from Dragon Hunters, who every time we see them try to kill us? And Heather and her dragon. Don't forget them. They like to try and kill us, too" the twins ask.

"Heather won't be a problem" Astrid said, almost out of reflex.

Fishlegs looked at her confused, "Why wouldn't Heather be a problem?". Astrid fumbled for a moment. Looking between her hands and the sky beneath her, anywhere but the others. "Just that we... We outnumber her, right?".

"Look, Heather or no Heather, all we have to do is find the Snowwraith first and relocate it to an island where the Hunters won't find him".

Astrid tuned out of the rest of the conversation, everything was ok, everything was going to plan. She got the group here without any suspicion, now all they had to do was get the Snowwraith somewhere safe. But first... she had to get away from the others.

Diving down into the storm of the island where the Snowwraith was last, no sign of the was found.

"This is summer on Glacier island? No wonder they don't get any tourists," said Ruff. "What would their slogan be? If the Snowwraith doesn't kill you, the weather will" Ruff nodded in agreement at her brother.

"That's a terrible slogan, but the good news is, if we run into any Dragon Hunters, they won't have any luck with those dragon root arrows in this weather" Hiccup smiled.

"And the bad news is" Astrid turned over to see Snotlout covered by the shaking twins, latched onto him for warmth, "What are you doing?".

"It's called body heat management. Also known as the Thorston sandwich, served cold" they said as though it were obvious.

"That's horrifying. Why don't you set up camp. Astrid and I will scout the island" She released some of the grip on her arms she hadn't realized was there. With the weather as bad as it was, and Hiccup offering to go off on their own, sneaking off would be easier than she thought initially.

"See anything down there?" Hiccup asked over the roaring winds. "I can barely see you half the time" it wasn't a lie, the snow fell like knives in buckets, almost waterboarding them, she just also happened to be nudging in the other direction at an undetectable rate. "Maybe we should split up, cover more ground?" she offered.

"No. Stick together. It's safer. Ok?" she didn't respond, pretending not to hear over the storm.

'Sorry Hiccup' she thought, before diving downwards as the next thrum of the storm blinded them both enough for a swift exit.

Stormfly squawked towards the ground. Looking down at the barely perceivable ridges of the mountain she was able to just make out the faint glow of a campfire. "Easy girl. I see 'em. Let's go in another way" she couldn't be too careful, there was a chance it could be rogue hunters.

Approaching from the ground confirmed her first thought as they approached on foot, seeing the back of a silver frosted dragon, wings spread wide to protect its rider from the cold.

"Well well well. Heather. Fancy seeing you here. Surprised to see us?" She taunted, having snuck up on them.

"Surprised?" Heather stood, unsheathing her axe, "not really, I've been listening to you stomp around in the snow for the past five minutes".

"What took you so long" Heather lowered her mask and hood, running into a hug that Astrid was all too eager to respond in kind "Hiccup isn't the easiest person to sneak away from".

"Yeah, Ryker thinks I'm out scouting. How did you get him to come down here. anyways?" the two of them sat next to the fire. "I just told him what you told me but let him think it was coming from Trader Johann. Any problems on your end?".

"Well, Ryker doesn't trust anyone, and Dagur is paranoid, but so far I think I'm okay" that was a relief, "You took care of Dagur?".

"I sent him on a fool's errand, looking for a second Dragon Eye" she laughed. "That should keep him busy. So, fill me in" Heather reached into her side bag to pull out a map of the island, "We've been here two days searching pretty methodically. According to Ryker, the Snowwraith Digs an ice cave to hibernate in during the summer".

"That explains the rush to get out here. Probably to get a tooth from a hibernating Snowwraith", "Exactly" Heather nodded.

"Too bad we don't know where the cave is" Heather looked at her with a snarky grin, telling her that she already did. "Windshear and I spotted a cave on a plateau about halfway up that mountain" she pointed, "You find a way to get Hiccup to check it out. Meanwhile, I'll tell Ryker I didn't find anything and try to keep him as far away as possible".

It was a solid plan but.... "What?" Heather must have been able to read the obvious confliction on her face. "We should tell Hiccup what we're doing, this doesn't feel right" Heather put a hand on her forearm, "No we agreed". Astrid pulled away, holding her elbow, "I've never lied to him before".

"I know. But this is the best way to take the Dragon Hunters down, from the inside". Astrid wasn't fully convinced, as reasonable as Heather was being, leaving Hiccup in the dark felt unnatural, "Hiccup could help us. He's really good at this stuff".

"He also cares too much. If we told Hiccup that I was spying on the Hunters, we both know he would try to pull me out of there. I'm this close to getting to Viggo. I can't quit now" Astrid tried to argue but she wasn't wrong. Just the idea that you would do a fraction of what Heather did was enough for Hiccup to bench you. Something that made Astrid feel guilt to no end over.

Here you were being told to stay home because Hiccup was afraid of you going off on your own, putting yourself and others in danger, and lying. Yet here she was doing exactly that.

"I really hope your right, because if any of the riders got hurt, or you got hurt because I held something back--" Heather put an arm around her shoulders, "Nothing will go wrong. Trust me".

"Just... Please be careful. Hiccup is overwhelmed now as it is. And with no doctor with us--". "No doctor?" Heather asked, "Y/N isn't with you?".

"Hiccup held her back because he's afraid she'll do what you did to Dagur with Ryker" Heather shifted uncomfortably at the idea "How's Silver Tongue?". Astrid's hand subconsciously drifted to Stormfly, "Not great. Hunter's left him in pretty bad shape. She's barely sleeping with him in this shape".

"You know...Cooping her up in the edge isn't going to do anything for her either" said Heather, "I may not like him any better, but being able to get a few swings at Dagur put me in less of a rush to bury him". Astrid huffed a laugh, "careful, it's starting to sound like you think he gives good advice".

"I'm just saying he's not always wrong. Ugh, ew. Never mind that felt wrong to say. Just get out of here and save that Snowwraith before I say anything else gross" the two laughed.

~~~~~~

Bored..... bored bored bored bored. You laid on your back, feet against the wall, and upper body hanging up-side-down off the bed. Silver Tongue was busy hogging the majority of it. While Scabbard was busy trying to eat your dangling hair.

You weren't used to having this much time to yourself. A few weeks ago, you would have begged for this, but now...

Knowing that your own emotions were responsible for you being benched. Why couldn't you just not take things personally. Screw Dagur and his 'you need to express your emotions' ideologies. That train of logic is why you were stuck with a lazy injured lump and mischievous rat while the others were at risk without a doctor.

Maybe you should take up meditation. No, all that would do is leave you either asleep or daydreaming of strangling Ryker. The only reason you weren't imagining it now was Scabbards sharp tugs against your scalp.

Silver Tongue would be better in a few days, the others would be back in a few hours, and dinner would be finished in a few minutes. All great and positive things, why couldn't you just enjoy that and move on. Be the great pillar of patience and sarcasm the group expected you to be. Like your father. Like your brother.

Instead, here you were moping, covered in dragon drool, and an ache in your head. "You understand. Right, girl?" Scabbard paused her gummy gnawing on the band of your hair. Blank and thoughtless eyes staring up at you as if you were her world and nothing else mattered.

With a grunt you sat up, shaking away the light headedness and moved to the club house zip line. You admit, holding on for dear life immediately after being up-side-down wasn't the best idea, but you were able to hold on long enough not to plummet down into what likely would be a sprained ankle.

Cooking was a skill you were mediocre at. You knew how to season, arguably the bast in the group thanks to your knowledge of herbs, but that didn't mean you never burnt or undercooked your meats before.

Scabbard took her place at your feet, licking her lips as she waited for the inevitable scraps that would come her way. Your nose crinkled at the unmissable black char covering nearly half the mutton. "If they didn't want burnt food, they shouldn't have left me alone to do it" you reasoned, throwing a large chunk onto the floor where your ravenous dragon was quick to inhale and link the floor clean.

The unmistakable sound of wings beating alerted you that the others were no doubt back sooner than you anticipated. "Ugh, what caught fire in here" Tuff complained, fanning the residual smoke away. "Suck it " you glared at him. "No thank you, I prefer medium rare".

"How did it go?" you asked watching as the others filed in, unreadable expressions plastering them all. All except for Hiccup and Astrid that is. "I don't know why don't you tell me Astrid?" Your brother asked, betrayal and hurt evident.

Astrid crossed her arms as she looked across the room, guilt clear, "Heather pretended to join Dagur to get close to him to avenge her family. When she found out about his alliance with the Dragon Hunters, she decided to get closer to him to find out more".

"Wait, Heather is a spy?" you asked incredulously to no reply.

"But when Ryker captured us on the ship you and Heather were fighting all the time" Ruff pointed out, confused.

"That's what we wanted you to think" Snotlout interrupted. "Heather's not evil? There goes that dream". Fishlegs clasped his hands together and cooed, "Aw, I knew she had a good heart".

"Hiccup, would you say something? Please" Astrid asked as he avoided eye contact, "We're supposed to be a team Astrid".

"I know. I should've told you. I wanted to. I really did-","But you didn't" the others pursed their lips, drowning in secondhand embarrassment. "I'm sorry. But without Heather, the Dragon Hunters would have a key to the Dragon Eye right now and those Snowwraiths would not be safely hidden on another island".

"That still doesn't explain why you wouldn't let me take her and Ryker down. We could have captured the head of the Dragon Hunters" Hiccup argued.

"Hiccup, Ryker isn't the head of the Dragon Hunters" you all looked at her caught off guard, "According to Heather, their real leader is somebody named Viggo Grimborn".

"Awesome name. Scary, but awesome" Ruff shook her head in thought. "I don't know Viggo Grimdeath would be cooker. Or how about Gore Grimskull. Grimskull!~" Tuff sang out before you elbowed him in the ribs to get him to shut up.

"He lives in the shadows. Everyone's afraid of him, even Ryker. Heather hasn't met him yet, but she's our best shot at drawing him out" to Astrid's and admittedly your chagrin, Hiccup turned away. After a moment of thought, "Well, I hope she knows what she's doing. For all our sake".

The group let out a silent breath of relief that they wouldn't be stuck with grumpy stick up the rear Hiccup and began to eat dinner or file into their rooms.

"Great. Astrid keeps secrets and gets a slap on the wrist, meanwhile I get grounded" you said to yourself, intending to be joking, but hurt still evident.

"You're not grounded Y/N" Hiccup said, having eaves dropped on your conversation with yourself.

"I just didn't want you going after Ryker by yourself in the snow without a dragon" you rolled your eyes, "Like I'd be that dumb". Your brother side eyed you.

You smirked, "I'd steal your dragon and go after him" you joked, turning away from him as he mocked offence.

For the best, you told yourself. For the best.

Taglist

~~~~

@demogorgon-master1

@mj-jabami

@alicee-carter

@amearla

@milenaester14

#httyd dagur #httyd #daggers and daffodils #dagur x reader #dagur the deranged #dagur

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clovermarigold · 3 months ago

Text

Daggers & Daffodils Chap.30

Dagur x Reader

I liiiiiiive!!! So, a "little" over 10 days, but hey, that's just how my brain works, I guess. I had to split this one because it would have been too long. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME

Also, I can't believe I didn't realize the chapters on Wattpad have been out of order for who knows how long. So, I'd like to apologize for anyone who was confused by that (it has been fixed).

This is my first ever fanfic, but seeing as we've reached, I believe 3 years on it now, it's painful to reread it and see how many writing styles it's lived through. Maybe one day when its finished and my brain can handle it, I'll do rewrites and fixes.

On the other hand, for my Tumblr users, I am so sorry for whatever is going on with my masterlist. I'm not sure which one, but it seems like one of the chapters is missing from it. Here are the links for the Wattpad and ao3 versions of the story for you to read until the problem is resolved. If you happen to know which chapter is missing, PLEASE I BEG OF YOU TELL ME. My brain is too tired for this shit lol.

_____

Being 'not grounded' was a lot less terrible than you had initially thought. Though you were pretty sure that was due to the fact that for once the group stayed on the edge for more than a week before Dagur or some other problem decided to ruin your day. Mind you there had been a few times that the others rushed someone towards you due to a dragon burn, fractured wrist or other injury. But in all fairness, it was comforting. It reminded you of being back on Berk, and taking care of your sick patients, but without all of the stress. Fishlegs in particular has been so sweet and considerate as far in helping take over smaller injuries.

As much as you wanted to get back out there with the others and Silver Tongue, the amount of care the others showed you was enough to keep you sane.

What wasn't keeping you sane however, was the egregious number of stairs plaguing the edge. As the resident 'doctor' of the edge you had hoped that you telling the others hiking a marathon to get to the clubhouse, with a history of concussions, was in no one's best interest, would have a little more weight.

"Ugh" you groaned. Damn it, why did you have to think of the word weight. Every step felt like lugging around a basket of Meatlug's quartzite. Luckly you were currently walking downhill, craving the sweet break you had so perfectly crafted.

You had to hand it to Fishlegs, his Zen Garden was without a doubt the most peaceful and quiet place on the edge. But your brain found it nearly impossible to relax in silence doing nothing. It just stung you wrong. Not being active.

"eugh" you shuddered at the thought. Yeah. Unnatural.

No. Your sanctuary was the small flat grass beds next to your hut that you had turned into a lovely little garden. Your perfect patch of land you had managed to sca-.... haggle, from Snotlout was perfect for this unwilling sentence you had been given.

It also had to be the best smelling place on the edge. Lush with lavender, thyme sprouts, and an assortment of flowers. Some of them were medicinal, but others were purely aesthetic. The daffodils were a personal favorite. Exclusive to early spring, but so bright and colorful.

Being the lowest elevated of the huts, you were just able to make out the sound of the waves breaking in the shore while you worked outside. As well as gifting you a superb view of the shoreline stretching around the island in a bowl shape. It also had the unwanted effect of being the farthest from the pens and the clubhouse. But hey, who was keeping track?

You....

It was always going to be you.

You flopped onto the large sunbathing body strewn about in your yard. "Can you get better faster? I think my feet are going to get abs at this rate". Silver Tongue let out a sour huff before he did a quick jolt, sending you and Scabbard rolling off.

You sighed, shifting to face the now turned away form of your dragon, "Not a morning guy huh?".

The gang took turns when it came to cooking, today was yours. Both Fishlegs and Hiccup had offered to take over for you while Silver Tongue was recovering, but that was the last thing you needed. Unfortunately, that did leave you getting up at ungodly hours just to walk to the clubhouse, cook, eat, and walk back down.

Thank Thor you didn't have to worry about it until next week as of now. Mutton was simple. And not necessarily a breakfast food, but you were able to make enough for everyone. And now you could rest.

Closing your eyes you listened to the soft lapping of the waves beneath you, enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun on your back.

You liked doing this, the water felt so close. Honestly, in all actuality that probably wasn't a good thing. Being lower to the ground meant you were the most likely to have your hut stormed in an invasion. Then again, you doubted anyone would willingly climb up a cliff just to land in front of a temperamental ass of a dragon.

Dagur would

You hissed out your nose... well, there went your peace. You sat up quickly, walking over to your garden.

Dagur...

That stupid man.

You grumbled as you plopped down onto your stool, muttering to yourself as you began to whittle posts for your cherry gourds to grow on. The mere thought of him managed to sour your entire mood. Sensing the turn in energy, Scabbard began to rub herself against your shins, letting out a purr sweet enough to lift the corners of your dour frown.

Maybe blaming it all on Dagur was a little unfair, it had been weeks of repeating the same routine all the while having to deal with a grumpy sick dragon, and the incessant nagging at the back of your head that your brother didn't trust you.

Though, it was wrong to say that when you didn't even trust yourself. You dreamt of that day on the Hunters ship. Nightmare was the more appropriate term. Hiccup would ask you how you were feeling and what he could do to help. You knew it wouldn't help.

Bringing it up would only make the feeling fresh and strong. Moral in the group was back to normal now that everyone knew they could trust Heather again. You didn't want to destroy that because of your own problems.

Heather was behind enemy lines, Viggo had yet to be revealed, and Dagur was on the loose. It was too risky to make things personal.

"Ow" a sharp pain stung your hand as the knife slid along the wood in a strange angle, cutting into your palm. Wincing, you looked down at your now bleeding hand. Well, that was certainly a metaphor for something. Scabbard began to squirm from her spot at your feet. Climbing your legs to perch on your shoulder, all but shoving her massive head into your hand to get a better look.

"This is what you get for complaining" you scolded yourself, pushing Scabbard away with your uncut hand "Positives! Positives!".

Astrid had been one of your main sources of entertainment. Taking you on patrol with her so you could spend some time in the air. You never realized how dependent you were on Silver Tongue until now.

Wait no! That turned into a negative. You groaned, grabbing a clean cloth to wrap your hand, careful not to get blood on your finished post.

You had also realized how much you missed spending time with your best friend. Sure, you spent time together and had fun every once and a while. But it was nice to have some, one on one. Silver Tongue was less than amused at being left out, but when wasn't he. It was funny to say the least. As much as he sulked when you were gone, what really set him off was Scabbard bonding with Stormfly. The big oaf loved to pretend she was a nuisance and a chore, but the moment she makes new friends he gets jealous.

Being trapped on the Edge was so boring you actually caught yourself enjoying Astrid's morning fly's, or in other words, 'totally not a patrol'. Usually, the idea of getting up to move fast in the cold and misty morning air would make you gag. But you were growing in appreciation for the ability to be back in the air.

A loud thud sounded as if on cue, Stormfly landed not far from your garden.

"I can't believe those two" Astrid complained as she entered your room.

"They left two dummies to guard the entire Edge!" she began to march back and forward once she passed the small stone wall that lined the garden, "Seriously, could you imagine what could have happened if the hunters had been there last night?".

"Uh huh" you said, not looking away from your hands. Astrid huffed, "You're not even listening to me, are you?".

"I am. But you did just trample my celery, so you're not very high on my list right now" you smile at the groan of annoyance she let out when she looked down to see that you were not in fact joking. "Well, if you don't wanna listen, I'm going to tell Hiccup" Putting down your post you turn to her, "Oh, could you grab me some fish from the pens for Silver Tongue?".

"Sorry, you're not very high on my list right now" Astrid tried to sound angry, but the cynical smile she failed to hide gave her away. And you watched as your chance of avoiding the stairs moved to close the door behind her.

An added weight to your head followed by a tail blocking your vision with a low purr told you well enough that someone else was happy at the idea of you being forced to have some alone time. "Don't think I'm carrying you" Scabbard let out a cough of fire in disapproval.

-------------------

"Dummies, you say?" you heard Tuff ask as you made it to the clubhouse's ledge, embarrassingly out of breath with a perked-up Scabbard on your head.

"She does. Poor confused thing" Ruff shook her head with a look of pity. Scabbard quickly leapt into action, lunging at another terror that seemed to have given Hiccup a message, into a playful tackle.

"What you fail to realize in your foggy morning state, is that those are not dummies. They are scare ships" Astrid pressed a hand against her head, likely to aid the oncoming headache, "Scare ships? You're serious?".

"You didn't see any ships near the island. Did you? I think not. And why? They were appropriately scared away. By the appropriately named, Scare ships"

Astrid turned to the two of you, mainly Hiccup, "Are you following any of this?".

"Not super closely. I'm actually reading this" he gestured to the note in his hands, "It's from Johann, he's in trouble". You exchanged worried looks.

"Right, Fishlegs, Snotlout, we're heading out" he called to the two still inside enjoying their breakfast.

"Oh no. You are not leaving me with these two mutton heads" Astrid semi-whispered. Much to the offended twin's annoyance, "She knows we're standing right here, right?".

"Of course, not" Hiccup said, making Astrid let out a sigh of relief. "I'm leaving you with these three mutton heads" he smiled while gesturing to you, "Hey, what did I do!?".

"Look, Johann is surrounded by Dragon Hunters, and his ship is taking on water. We have to get out there and help him".

"Then, let me saddle up Stormfly, I'll be there in-" Hiccup cut her off. "Astrid, you need to stay here and hold down the Edge. And make sure nothing happens to the Dragon Eye" he held out the spy glass, to be begrudgingly accepted.

"Welcome to team grounded" you say, propping your head on your hand with a sarcastic hooray. "Y/N, come on, you know you're not grounded" Hiccup argued.

"Then can you ground me, because being 'not grounded' sucks" Astrid looked to your brother with a near pleading expression, using your case as an example," I can't believe what's happening. This may actually be the worst day in history".

"Astrid, Snotlout and I have the only working dragon armor, and Meatlug is immune to the Dragon Hunters' arrows" Fishlegs bristled giddily, showering her in praises for being such a good boulder class dragon.

"Hiccup, please! For all that is sacred in Thor's world you cannot leave me alone with these two-"

"What do you say? Simpletons? Blockheads?" Tuff. "I was always partial to dimwit myself. it rolls trippingly off the tongue" Ruff. "Oh yeah. Watch this. What wit dim, would the twins dim wit, id dim wits could wit dim? Say that five times fast" the two laughed as Astrid dragged her hand down her face, "You see what I'm talking about, right?".

"Hey, it's not like we woke up this morning hoping to spend 24/7 with you either, Astrid. I mean you are not exactly a picnic. And I think you know what I'm saying. You have not ever been a blanket on a grassy knoll with delicious food" Hiccup groaned at the turn in direction the conversation had taken.

"But we are team players. We will do what in necessary for the good of the group. Hence, we shall remain behind and enjoy your good company, my fair Astrid" Tuff gave an exaggerated bow, "even if you have no blankets, or grassy knolls to offer".

"We'll be back by tomorrow at the latest. Just do the best you can. Okay?" Hiccup put a hand on Astrids shoulder comfortingly. "Aw no speech or encouragement for me to stay?" you ask.

"You don't need to be convinced, you just like to complain" sad and hurtful, but true. You huff a pout and mumble mockingly at your brother as he walks away.

"Bye we'll miss you. Write home often" Tuff waved, "Okay, I think the first team building exercise we should perform is that of going back to sleep. I mean, as a team, of course".

"I have to go hide this" she shook the Dragon Eye, "And when I get back, I expect both of you to be sweating profusely from hard work". The two made faces, turning away.

"You know that's not gonna happen" Astrid turns to you. "Please tell me that you're going to help me with those two".

"I prefer to stay away from drama" you crossed your arms with a smile. "Since when?" Astrid yelled as you turned to walk away towards the kitchen. "Since now" you giggled, the look of horror plastered on Astrid's face having made your day.

-------------------

It took an embarrassingly long time to finish your chores, leaving you sweating in the son at the top of the club house stairs. Hiccup really needed to come up with a plan for getting around the edge easier. You were beginning to feel your ankle buckle, it was fine for now, but you made sure to be extra careful not to slip, a harsh landing may just finish you off at this rate.

"Ok. Yak face is fed. Posts are done. And the rat is moisturized" Scabbard squirmed lazily against the wood stairs with a grumble at the insult.

After being forced to trek the distance back and forth between your hut and the others you were scared to even look at the winding path again. No, you weren't going back down those steps until there was absolutely zero chance you would be needed back here.

Looking to the sky it was starting to get dark, the sun struggling to peak beyond the horizon. A multitude of heavy and light thuds clued you in to the hulking shadow of Stormfly.

Her rider strut close by, arms crossed in a sign of her mood.

"What's wrong?" you sat up to turn to her, an uncomfortable feeling in your gut when she avoided eye contact.

"You guys know I respect you, right?" the question caught you off guard. "Well... You hold yourself to a very high standard. Which is admirable" you held your hands up when she gave you a pointed stare, "You just.... also happen to hold everyone else to the same impossible standard". Astrid groaned, whether it was from annoyance with you or herself remained to be seen.

"Astrid!" the two of you turned towards the screaming and running Tuff. "Tuffnut, breathe. What's going on?" Astrid put a hand on his back as he hunched over gasping.

"You have got to do something about those stairs. I mean there must be hundreds of then, there's over ten at least. Honestly, Y/N, I don't know how you do it".

"That's it? The stairs?" Tuff shook his head, "No it's Ruffnut. They got Ruffnut".

"Who did?" You were quick to ask.

"Dragon hunters"

Taglist

~~~~

@demogorgon-master1

@mj-jabami

@alicee-carter

@amearla

@milenaester14

@jellystar-star

@generouswolfdetective

@yumeimiotsutsuki

@sp4rklinghe4rts

Ask if you'd like to join the tag list

#httyd #dagur the deranged #httyd dagur #dagur #dagur x reader #daggers and daffodils

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clovermarigold · 3 months ago

Note

Just caught up with Daggers & Daffodils and my httyd phase is fully back!! Could you add me to the taglist? :p

Of Course!

comment or ask if you'd like to be added

Taglist

~~~~

demogorgon-master1

mj-jabami

alicee-carter

amearla

milenaester14

jellystar-star

generouswolfdetective

yumeimiotsutsuki

sp4rklinghe4rts

finitedog

Actuallyshard

Tribridd

Oldhalloweentape

sc3ne-k1d

masterlist

#daggers and daffodils #dagur x reader #dagur #httyd dagur #dagur the deranged #httyd #race to the edge #taglist

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clovermarigold · 2 years ago

Text

Daggers & Daffodils Master List

NOTE: I am aware that there is actively a chapter missing. I'm just struggling to figure out which one, don't worry it will be fixed

Dagur x Reader

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

[More chapters coming soon]

Taglist

~~~~

@demogorgon-master1

@mj-jabami

@alicee-carter

@amearla

@milenaester14

@jellystar-star

@generouswolfdetective

@yumeimiotsutsuki

@sp4rklinghe4rts

@finitedog

@meowcat52

@actuallyshard

@tribridd

@oldhalloweentape

@sc3ne-k1d

@angelbaby191

#dagur the deranged #httyd #httyd dagur #dagur #dagur x reader #race to the edge #riders of berk #daggers and daffodils

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clovermarigold · 2 years ago

Text

Daggers & Daffodils Chap.27

Dagur x Reader

Heads

You stood looking up at Dagur, who was eerily serious. Now painfully aware of how alone you were with Heather now gone. Taking his hand off your mouth he grabbed both of your shoulders, turning you around to face the door, "Open it".

Slowly you opened the door, to be met with an assault of bouquets, laid about the room. "I didn't know if your favorites changed so I got the old ones, but I figured I would splurge a little". "Umm-", "Do you like it?" he pressed, walking the two of you inside.

"I know you and I got into a little.... couples quarrel. And your brother stole you away before we could make up, buuuut, we're here now" he said, uncomfortably chipper. "You understand I ran away, right? It's important to me that you can comprehend that" Dagur's expression lost some of its intensity, a mask over what you would assume was irritation and annoyance. "I do" his arm wrapped around you pushing the both of you in, closing the door, "It's only natural that you wouldn't wat to see me after our first argument".

"First?" Dagur continued to push you forward ignoring your relentless sarcasm. "You should have seen the look on Heather's face when I told her we were engaged" he laughed, "She was all like; You tried to kill her! Didn't she throw you in prison?!".

"It works out perfectly don't you think? You always wanted a sister, and I've always wanted a brother". You drag a hand down your face, frustrated, "Dagur, we've done this, had this conversation, countless times. I am not going to marry you". Dagur sat on the bed with a huff looking at you "And I've told you not to say that unless you mean it" Odin's beard, he was thick. How many times were you going to have to drill it into him that unless he were to make some serious changes, namely, stop trying to kill your brother, you were never going to marry him.

Wait, no. No, you were never going to, no ifs and or buts. You have no idea why your brain kept holding out hope for him. He certainly didn't deserve it. Not after everything he did to Berk, dragons, and your friends. "Couples are supposed to have rough patches. What matters is that we make it through them".

"We are not a couple" Dagur's nostrils flare, "And if you care half as much as you say you do, you'll let me g--". "Let you go? The last time I saw you with them you were stuck against a wall unable to breathe, with no one to help you because they were too distracted by Heather".

"They wouldn't have been distracted if you hadn't destroyed her village" you retorted. "A sibling matter that they had no right to intervene in" Dagur crossed his arms. "She was going to kill you!".

"And why didn't you let her, it would have solved your issue, and you would never have to worry about marrying you again" you couldn't believe that this was his argument. You stopped Heather from killing him because you didn't want her to have to live with killing her brother and only living relative on her conscious, "I did it for her! Not you!".

"Well, she doesn't seem so mad at me now does she?" it was said almost like a jab at you. Oh, you wanted to hit him in the face. "You are the most infuriating, deranged, delusional, man I have ever met". Dagur's smile returned full force at your insult.

Tails

Dagur was ecstatic when he saw you caught by the dragon hunters. First his sister returns to his side and tells him she wants to be a family and rebuild their tribe. Then he finds out that not only you, but your annoying friends fell directly into their trap. It was too good to be true. Dagur had been reeling over the last time you had had spoken. Sure, you had briefly talked on the ship when Heather was trying to kill him, but you were a bit preoccupied with your panic attack.

Gods he wanted to strangle Hiccup for that. He took his heart, world, and very purpose of existence into a battle that very well could have killed her. And chose to prioritize the life of his enemy over his own sister. It didn't matter if her life wasn't immediately or directly being threatened, the fat that he chose to barter with Heather instead of rushing to your side had him steaming.

He was honestly lucky that Heather had chosen to come to him after he had managed to calm down, or he might have done something he would regret. It wasn't her fault; it was in their Berserker nature to seek revenge and act deranged and unhinged. Besides, she didn't end up doing it, a true testament to their sibling bond.

Seeing you outside of that cell talking with his sister- no. Your sister was euphoric. He was finally going to get his ideal family. You had left off on a rather sour note, when Hiccup took you away before you could talk it out. So, he had every intention of doing damage control as quickly as possible.

He had made sure not to hold back any punches, flooding your shared room with your favorite flowers, he knew it wouldn't fix the problem or erase the issue, but it showed that he cared. After all, this was his goal. To be able to work out this little argument in a healthy and normal way. Couples fight all the time, he thought. So, it's good that they learn to work through it now.

He had seen his parents fight when he was younger, and before he met you, he had thought that it was stupid to fall in love if it was all fighting and touching faces, ah how young and naive he was. He had been a gentleman in your argument so far. He hadn't yelled at you when you called him crazy and swore you would never be with him. In fact, he had been considerate enough to give the both of you space and time to cool off. And it was working, Dagur had calmed down and was fully ready to find common ground with you when, Hiccup happened. But never mind that. The past is the past and he was fully ready to make up for it.

"You understand I ran away, right? It's important to me that you can comprehend that" Did it insult him that you thought him so oblivious and blinded by obsession to know to your emotions and feelings? A little.

"It's only natural that you wouldn't wat to see me after our first argument" he led you away from the door, he attempted to get you to sit, but it was clear that you were too worked up. Choosing to sit down and let you follow when you felt like it he let you lead the conversation. Dagur had gotten his chance to let out his frustrations with the situation, and he could imagine that you were stuck stewing over it all. Besides, knowing his temper, it was only a matter of time before he got to that point too.

"Dagur, we've done this, had this conversation, countless times. I am not going to marry you" Dagur held back a wince as he felt a vein somewhere in his body burst. Gods, he hated it when you said that. The very topic that started the argument. "And I've told you not to say that unless you mean it" he knew you didn't. The first time you had said it was with far more conviction, and each time you did was with less and less.

Dagur watched as your face twisted, irritated and spiteful. Before it began to subside, no doubt our mind either self-directing or reasoning, perhaps both. "Couples are supposed to have rough patches. What matters is that we make it through them".

"We are not a couple" Dagur felt his face twitch. You know what, he didn't have to yell at you to get his point across. He may be known for being deranged, but he's also smart. Why not put it to good use.

"And if you care half as much as you say you do, you'll let me g--". "Let you go? The last time I saw you with them you were stuck against a wall unable to breathe, with no one to help you because they were too distracted by Heather". He almost felt bad as he watched your eyes and widen in shock and embarrassment. Almost.

"They wouldn't have been distracted if you hadn't destroyed her village" there she was, his spitfire. He was hoping that this wouldn't be one-sided, "A sibling matter that they had no right to intervene in".

Your eyes narrowed; he loved it when you got like this. When your eyes were focused on him and only him. Was it healthy, absolutely not. But nothing about him was.

"She was going to kill you!" gods you were cute when you were mad, if he had known it would be so much fun to go back and forth with you, he would have escalated it sooner. Besides, what was a more Berserker way of ending a lovers quarrel than venting until you were exhausted. Odin knows you needed it. Stuck on Berk and wherever your little hideout was, unable to so much as raise your voice, too concerned with others. He'd fix that. You would be the perfect Berserker queen. Unafraid of speaking your mind and never forced to hold back any anger you had.

"And why didn't you let her, it would have solved your issue, and you would never have to worry about marrying you again" a bit below the belt considering how torn up you were visibly about constantly having your morals split between him and your 'friends'. "I did it for her! Not you!".

Noble as ever, putting others before yourself. Never allowing yourself to be happy. It was the reason you continued to relent against being with him. Conditioned by your family and friends to prioritize your people, friends, strangers, and even beastly dragons over yourself.

"Well, she doesn't seem so mad at me now does she?" that's when he saw it, your tipping point, you were livid, looking at him with years of pent-up self-loathing, grief, anger, everything. You looked ready to strike him, by the gods he would let you. He loved it when you got determined, especially when it was demanding in some way. Huh, he should probably look into that and make sure it's some sort of psychological defect instead of anything.....else.

"You are the most infuriating, deranged, delusional, man I have ever met". Dagur's smile returned full force at your insult. You snapped, you got an inch from his face and finally said everything you felt about him. "Took you long enough!" Dagur launched up from the bed wrapping you in a bear hug and spinning you around once. Both knocking the anger out of you and replacing it with bewilderment and confusion.

And leaving you to wonder what the hell just happened.

Taglist

~~~~~~~

@demogorgon-master1

@mj-jabami

@alicee-carter

#httyd #dagur the deranged #httyd dagur #dagur #dagur x reader #race to the edge #daggers and daffodils

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clovermarigold · 2 years ago

Text

Daggers & Daffodils Chap.26

Dagur x reader

Lotta jump cuts in this one, but don't blame me, that's just how the episode was.

It had been rough since the incident with Dagur. Heather left the edge, claiming she needed time to think. Snotlout nearly got killed by a pack of speed stingers. And Astrid nearly left the edge, had it not been for the A team, she likely would have. Overall, you had been going through it. It was embarrassing enough, having Dagur need to teach you how to breath in the middle of a negotiation of life or death. But having Heather no longer trust you was really the knife in the back.

Scabbard cooed as you scratched her underside, stretching with a high yawn. "Good morning to you too, girl". 'Mornings' if they could be called that, were your one escape from the chaos that tended to ensue. Being able to laze about in your warm sheets for hours before getting up to do small chores. You had been strategic enough to wrangle yourself the late evening patrol of every other day, allowing you to stay up and sleep in as late as you wanted.

And boy did you sleep in. Currently it was a few hours from sun set, you really should fix your sleep schedule. But alas, the night calls for you. Truly, you are creature of the night. Dragging yourself out of bed and smoothing out the wrinkle left from your sheet on your face, you stretch and leave your hut.

Exiting after your heavenly nap only to be met with your friends on edge and visibly worried left you with a moment of confusion before your mood dropped. Ah, you understood. It had been too good. In no world would you be allowed a gift of rest, solitude, or peace. "Ok what happened?" You groaned, pinching your brow. "Astrid didn't come back from her morning patrol" Fishlegs said. "What? But it's almost sunset?", "We know, that's why we're worried. Alright gang, saddle up" Hiccup said, the group jumping into action.

"We'll all head in different directions. I'll take the south--" Snotlout interrupted, "No. I should head south". "And why is that?" Hiccup asked. "Because Astrid likes to fly south, and she'll obviously be expecting me to rescue her" Hiccup rolled his eyes, "Like I said, I'll go south".

"Rain, wind, all of us splitting up. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a rogue sea beast to leap from the depths of the ocean and pick us off. One. By. One." Tuff said, waving his hands as if it were the so-called beast, "Tuff can you be serious for once" you asked, though it was more of a threat. "Alright gang, let's go find her" Hiccup said, making you all disband in search of your friend.

"She is going to be so sad when you rescue her instead of me" Snotlout said, reluctantly turning his dragon north. "Oh, don't worry. I'll tell her it was all you" he said, voice laced with sarcasm. But, apparently not enough for Snotlout to clock, "You'd do that for me?", "No. No, of course I wouldn't".

You searched for hours, combing the banks of stray, small, islands that she could have washed up on. While your brother searched the open ocean. Luckly, he managed to find her just in time, her arms finally giving out, the waves pulling her underwater. "Y/N!" you heard him scream, flying towards you on Toothless, her unconscious body limp in his arms, "Is she breathing?!".

"Yes, but she's freezing" he held her tighter. "We need to get her back to the edge, and out of this storm, now" with a nod the two of you took off, Toothless shooting a recall blast into the air to signal the others.

"Stormfly!" Astrid yelled, shooting up from bed with everyone surrounding her. "Hey, hey, it's ok" Hiccup soothed, placing a hand on her arm. "Try to relax, you had a rough night, you're exhausted" you said, checking her temperature, which was still colder than you would have liked. "No, no,no. You don't understand. They were all in cages. And they have Stormfly!".

"Whoa, whoa, wait, slow down. Cages? What are you talking about? What happened out there?" Hiccup asked. "Dragon hunters" the group gasped, stomachs dropping, "A whole fleet of them". "And they have Stormfly" Hiccup said worried. "Yeah, this big ugly one... --oh when I get my hands on him..." she clenched her fists tight enough for her knuckles to pop. "Come on! Let's mount up!" She jumped out of the covers and ran towards the pens. "Stormfly!.... Oh" she stopped when she remembered. "You can ride with me" Hiccup said, the group springing into action.

"Urgh, there has to be some clues here somewhere. Something" Astrid huffed as you combed the beach. "How many cages were there?" Hiccup asked. "Remember all the cages on the Reaper?" he nodded, "Double it". "We got nothing. Just a bunch of trash. Looks like these Dragon Hunters are also litter bugs" Ruff says shaking her head. "Yeah, there should be some kind of penalty or fine for littering. I mean, am I wrong people? What if everyone were this careless and inconsiderate? What then? Where would we be then?" Tuff said, shaking his sister before breaking into dramatic, questionable sobs.

"I knew coming here was a bad idea. What did we hope to find anyway?" Snotlout said annoyed, walking away from an empty chest before screaming at the feeling of something sharp stabbing his foot. "Ow! Something bit me! I'm allergic to sand crabs!" he yelled as he fell back onto his bottom, lifting his hurt foot into the air. Grabbing his foot to inspect the wound, instead of a crab there was a green arrowhead lodged in his foot. You pulled the arrowhead out, making Snotlout scream, and catching Astrids attention. "Ow, aren't you supposed to leave blades inside you when you're stabbed!?" Snotlout asked frantically. "No, leaving it in will only get it stuck there" you obviously lied to placate the boy, with a snide smile. "Now you and I both know that's not true" he said grumbling with narrowed eyes.

"This is a Dragon Hunter arrow. Stormfly, was hit by one of these right before she was caught. I've never seen her act so out of control" rubbing your finger against it, a green oil residue was left on your finger, "It might be some sort of refined dragon root. It's the only thing I can think of that has that effect on dragons. In high doses it can overwhelm a dragon's senses completely, to the point they can't control their wings".

"That's exactly what happened to Stormfly" Astrid said. "Think of it" Fishlegs worried, "Just one quiver of these arrows could decimate an entire flock of dragons". "How are we going to find her? We have no idea where they're going". "Maybe not. But we know where they've been." he drew her attention to the hunter's sigil engraved on the arrowhead.

"Yep, this place it still super creepy" even with the fog dispersed, the Reaper still left you on edge. "There's nothing here. Someone totally looted this boat" Tuff pouted. "This ship gives me the creeps" Ruff told her brother. "Sunken ship, Dragon Hunters, the creeps. I bet this thing is crawling with ghosts and other such spirits planning on dragging us down into the dark Viking underworld where they will torture us by tickling us for eternity!" he grabbed the horns of his helmet. Ruff gasped, "Niflheim?". Tuff looked at his sister like she was crazy, "Gesundheit".

"Niflheim! I knew coming here was a bad idea" Snotlout threw down the piece of paper he was inspecting. "Don't be dramatic guys, I'm sure if there were spirit on this ship, the most they'd be angry at us for is Snotlout's body odor" said boy turned to you sourly and stuck his tongue out. Sticking your tongue back at him the two of you started to make multiple faces at one another, prompting Hiccup to intervene, "Can you two stop acting like five-year-olds and help".

"Fine!" Snotlout yelled walking over to the post, "What did we hope to find here anyway?" Kicking the mast in frustration he let out a surprised scream as the floor beneath him, falling to the floor of the hull. "Guys get over here" your brother called. In a fit of rage, Astrid had swung her axe into the wall and hit an old shield fastened there. And in doing so, reveled the dragon eye lens hidden inside it. "Well, none of our dragons work with this new lens" Hiccup said when Toothless' light did nothing to activate the lens. "If we can't figure out what kind of dragon we need--""-- I know, I know I'm thinking".

"Hmm, yep. It's either the inside of a yak, or a Changewing in a cage" Tuff said, inspecting the strange, patterned shield. "Tuff! You're a genius!" Hiccup exclaimed, to Tuff's confusion, "Looks like we're going to Changewing Island".

Said visit to Changewing Island went about how you expected. You got the Changewing acid, though not without a number of near misses, injuries, and snotlout nearly having a bald spot burned into his head from the acid on his helmet. "Ughh" Snotlout groaned, holding back the urge to touch his head. "Would you just hold still, Snotlout" Hiccup said, trying to angle the acids glow into the dragon eye.

"Easy for you to say. You don't have Changewing acid burning though your skull!". "If we take of the helmet, we'll spill the acid. Hold still" Astrid said with no room for negotiation. "Just a little longer Snotlout, you can hold Scabbard if it helps" you offered. "Wait really?" he said touched, looking to the small dragon wrapped resting on your shoulder. Scabbard lifted her head and turned to look at him with her right eye, before giving a gag like sneeze and nuzzling back into your neck. "I don't like you" Snotlout said narrowing his eyes at her.

"This doesn't help. We've seen this map before" Fishlegs examined the familiar landscape cast onto the wall. "It must be a hunter port. And it's the closest to the beach where Stormfly was captured. Odds are, that's where they're headed. After that who knows?" Astrid didn't like the open-endedness of Hiccups conclusion, "Than we have to hurry!". "Yes please. Let's hurry!" Snotlout yelled tossing the stinging helmet onto the floor.

"Uh, but how are we going to avoid being shot by those dragon root arrows?" Fishlegs asked. "Funny you should ask, Fishlegs. For my plan to work, someone's gonna have to get shot," Fishlegs shifted uncomfortable at Hiccups in

Following Hiccups plan, the six of you approached the expanse of Dragon hunter ships. Toothless let out a high whistle and shot just off of the head hunter ship. "I'm here for my dragon!" Astrid yelled at the man you assumed was Ryker. "Holy Thor, is that Ryker? He's like if you were to stack two Fishlegs together", "Not really helpful, Y/N!". Snotlout yelled at you.

"A Nightfury" Ryker laughed in disbelief, "Fire!". At his command, ballistas began to launch at you. "Hookfang!" Snotlout screamed at his dragon when he was grazed, "A warning next time?". Silver Tongue despite his given his agility from his four wings, provided a larger target, and struggled to dodge, the barrage. "You are sure your plan's gonna work? That was pretty close" Astrid asked at Toothless barrel rolled underneath a particularly dense bolt. "Fishlegs, you're up".

"Ok, girl, let's give it all we got!" Fishlegs drove Meatlugs forward, nearly diving towards the ship. You winced as you saw an arrow pierce Meatlug's leg and the two began to spiral downwards. "They got Fishlegs and Meatlug!" Astrit yelled, only half feigning concern. Odin, please let this all go according to plan.

"Get up, girl! You'll be okay!" Fishlegs soothed as hunters surrounded them and wrapped Meatlug in chains. "You monster!" Fishlegs said with disgust to Ryker, who only gave a sadistic grin. "Take em bellow and toss em in a cell". The five if you continued with the plan, dodging the hunters attack, that was until they switched methods. "Hiccup!" a catapult launched from the side of the ship, sending a boulder towards Astrid and your brother. Toothless only narrowly managed to dodge it, diving backwards. However, doing this so suddenly sent Astrid falling odd.

"Astrid! Come on, bud, dive!" Hiccup's hand reached for Astrid's, an arm's distance away, before a hunter's chain wrapped around her torso and pulled her down. Toothless pulled up despite his rider's cries. "Stick to the plan! Fishlegs will get her out of there! Right!?" you say frantically, more pleading than asking.

"Hey! Let me go!" Astrid struggled as she was hoisted out of the water, still gripping her axe. "Oh, feisty one, aren't you?" Ryker goaded, as two hunters grabbed each of her arms. Shoving the two off of her, Astrid charged at Ryker, only to have the axe grabbed by him and backhanded into the hunters, "I like her spirit. Throw her in a cell".

"You're gonna be sorry!" She threatened, "You're messing with the wrong Vikings!". Ryker scowled, "Well so are you". As the hunters began to drag Astrid across the deck, the doors to the hull bursted open, Stormfly sprinting to her rider, followed by Fishlegs and Meatlug. Knocking off the hunters Astrid leaped onto her back. You watched as Astrid and Fishlegs began to knock over hunters and charge at Ryker.

"Now!" Hiccup signals, and the five of you still in the sky charge as well from behind, pinning Ryker. "Fire" Ryker calls to his hunters, who launch a grapple that wraps around Stormfly and Meatug's feet, making them fall and slide across the deck.

You pull back on Silver Tongue stopping along with your brother and the others. "It didn't work" Hiccup said astonished and caught off guard. A large wave of arrows shot off from the ship was sent towards you sending you all to struggle to maneuver around them. "Evasive actions!" Hiccup called. But it was too late.

The twins began to spiral, Their dragons getting shot in the chest, "Not good!", Tuff, "Getting worse!", Ruff. "Were going down!" they called before the four of them crashed into the water, the hunters casting a chain around them and lifting the onboard. "We're hit! Hookfang!"Snotlout screamed as an arrow pierced underneath his wing. Thankfully, Toothless managed to grab onto Hookfangs tail and hold the two in the air.

"Up! Up!" you tried to steer Silver Tongue out of the archers' range, however, as Silver Tongue veered upwards and exposed his underbelly, he let out a howl as his chest was shot by an arrow. "Y/N!" Hiccup called as you plunged underneath the water. A heavy chain wrapped around your torso, trapping you against Silver Tongue. You struggled to hold your breath, trapped under water by the heavy chains, until you were hoisted out.

"Scabbard! Home!" The small dragon growled in-between wheezes of small bouts of water, "Now". Reluctantly, Scabbard pushed off of you, jumping back into the water to avoid the attention of the hunters. Hissing at the pressure of the chains as they brought you over the edge of the ship and onto the deck, next to Astrid, Fishlegs, and the twins. "Your pathetic tricks won't work on me. I'm a dragon hunter! I know that Gronkles are immune to dragon root" Ryker chastised, mostly aimed at Astrid who was steaming, "I used your worthless escape plan to lure your friends in closer". The five of you glared at Ryker, who only huffed a laugh, "Toss em in a cell".

"You'll pay for this" Astrid warned as a guard shoved her into the cell. Turning to you next, he wrapped a hand around your upper arm to shove you in when Ryker stopped him, "Not that one". The others looked back concerned. "If you lay so much as a finger on her I'll--" Ryker cut Astrid off, "You'll what? Besides, she's not mine to rough up" he looked down at you, "Too small for my tastes". Astrid looked at him, confused and angry before she looked past you at someone else, "Heather?".

"No way" Tuff's jaw dropped, and you pulled against Ryker's grip enough to see her, and the person... behind her--

"Surprise!" Dagur shot into view of the others dangerously enthusiastic, Heathers face twisting into an eerily similar grin. "Did ya miss me? Of course, you did!" he said laughing at your friends, "Oh! Do you know my sister? Wait a minute, sure you do! You guys were little pals and buddy buddies" he bent over slightly, laughing loudly. "Hey, family is family" Heather said crossing her arms with a smile. "I can't believe this" Astrid said full of denial. "I know it's not Dragon's Edge, but it'll have to do," the door of the cell slammed shut and Heather walked up to grip its metal gate, "Enjoy your new home, Astrid. You're gonna be here a while".

"Heather, what are you doing?!" she turned to you with sour look before smiling, "Nothing, sis. Just keeping our family safe". Dagur beamed as he looked past his sister at you. "It's this great, we can all be a happy family now! That is, once Hiccup decides to come back for his friends" he laughs, "I mean really, I would never leave my family in the hands of a psychopathic dragon killer".

Ryker snarls at Dagur, who remains unfazed. "I get it, I get it" he leans closer to whisper, "Guy is pretty self-conscious". "Enough" Ryker scowls at you, "get out of my sight" he turns and walks to the captain's quarters. Dagur is quick to wrap an arm around your waist and pull you in the opposite direction. "Sister, could you leave me to speak with my future wife alone?" Dagur asked dramatically, exaggerating each familiar title. Heather nodded, turning to walk away as you and Dagur stood outside of a room you assumed was his.

"I don't know what you said for her to turn her back on us, but I swear--" Dagur put a palm over your mouth, face flat and free of any previous ostentation and humor. "Stop talking. And go in the room".

Sorry for the long wait! Been studying for a major test coming up, between that and my other series, I've been having some writer's block.

Thanks for reading <3

@demogorgon-master1

#httyd #dagur the deranged #httyd dagur #dagur #dagur x reader #race to the edge #daggers and daffodils

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clovermarigold · 2 years ago

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Daggers & Daffodils Chap.25

Dagur x Reader

Sorry for the wait guys! As recompence I give you an extra-long chapter! Enjoy!

"So, this is your workshop?" Heather looked around your room and the pile of papers, herbs, and pestles covering your desk. "Somewhat. Sorry for the mess, I didn't exactly have time to clean up" you said, gathering things off your desk. "It's nothing, really" she held up her hands with a smile, "I've been living camp to camp for these past few years, this is nothing".

After convincing Heather to come back to the edge you had thought everything was going great. The others fawned over Windshear and Heathers newfound intensity. Or as Astrid liked to put it, 'hardcore'. Regardless, however, Hiccup insisted that he would still have to address why she was attacking ships.

"Heather, we should probably talk" Hiccup approached her in the dragon pen, nearing sunset, "Sure. about what?". "About the ship that you and Windshear destroyed" Heather pet her dragon with a guilty expression, "Oh... That ship". "Heather, what are you doing out there?" your brother pushed. "I'm just taking care of business. It's nothing you need to worry about--" Hiccup interrupted, "Yeah, but I do worry about it, Heather. If dragons are attacking ships, I worry".

"Look, Hiccup, a lot has happened in the last few years. We're not kids anymore. Everything's. changed". Hiccup walked closer, "This can't be you, it can't be". Heather crossed her arms and avoided eye contact, "Well, it is now. The last time you saw me, I-- Never mind. If, if you want me to leave--", "I didn't say that. No, whatever it is you're going through, we can help. All of us. There's always another way". Heather pulled Hiccup into a hug, "You're so sweet. Thank you Hiccup. You've always been a great friend to me".

A sharp stabbing followed by large weight on your stomach stole you from your peaceful sleep. "OW what the--" blearing your eyes open you are met with large yellow eyes. "Silver Tongue, what are you doing?" you sigh, partly from relief as he steps down from your stomach. The sound of yelling from the clubhouse tells you enough. "Ugh, we can't have one normal day where nothing happens, can we?" You hop on one foot, struggling to put a boot on the other.

"We trusted you" Snotlout says, not yelling, but irritation present on his tone. "Look, I'm sorry I locked up your dragons. I just didn't trust that you guys would let me go after Dagur" Locking your wide eyes with Hiccup at the mention of your fianc-- Dagur, "I'll fill you in later".

"Trust does need to be earned with people and dragons" Fishlegs says sympathetically. "Thanks for understanding Fishlegs" Heather says tucking her hair behind her earning a fake gag from Tuff. "I don't really trust these guys either, Heather" Snotlout chimes in.

"You know we can hear you" Astrid says with a hand on her hip. "Jealousy in an ugly quality, Astrid. But clearly, I understand where it comes from" he says snidely, causing both you and Astrid to roll your eyes. "The point is, we have your back, Heather. You're one of us" Hiccup places a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I stocked Windshear's stable with buckets of sea slugs" Fishlegs said, Snotlout quick to put a handout Infront of him. "And I made room for you in my hut". Both you and Astrid groaned in disgust at the thought of having to share a hut with Snotlout. "And I've made it clear to Snotlout that you're not staying in his hut" Heather gave a smile of relief.

"Even though YOU were the rogue dragon rider, and YOU sabotaged our dragons, and YOU snuck away in the dark of the night. Wait, why do we like you again" Tuff said with his hands on his hips. Heather put a hand to her chest, face sullen, "I'm truly sorry, Tuffnut".

"Woah! That was... sincere. What am I supposed to do with that?" he began to breathe heavily, "I'm feeling a bit flushed and overwhelmed. Little help here? People!". "And if you need any help with Windshear--" Snotlout was quick to interrupt Fishlegs, "Why don't I show you around the Edge? I'm basically chief". You roll your eyes at Snotlouts poor attempt at showboating.

"Ok!" Astrid quickly grabs both yours and Heathers arms, "Let's go have some girl time". "Thank Thor, yes" you close your eyes with a breath.

"Ha!" the two axes were wedged in their targets at nearly the exact same spot. "I don't know it's cutting it kind of close. Y/N, you judge. Which is closer?" Inspecting the two, your answer was only inconclusive. though it made you create a mental note not to get on their bad sides when an axe was within reach.

"Hmm, well. Two axes are better than one" Astrid held up two fingers. "True", Heather agreed, "Unless you have one of these" she held up her double-sided blade made from Windshear's scales. "You really have to show me how you made that" Heather smiled. "Sure, but I prefer close combat to throwing. So, I can stare my enemy in the eye". "Not a bad tactic" you hummed, "Buuuut" you threw three of your daggers at the tree behind her, perfectly missing her sides. "The element of Suprise. I like that" you laughed. "It's one of Hiccups favorite tactics, those two are way too alike" Astrid said retrieving her axe.

"So, you two are a thing, right?" She asked causing you to snort and nearly double over when you were trying to pull your knife from the tree. You turned quick to see Astrid with a near invisible sheen of pink tinging her face, and if you hadn't known her for so long, no doubt would have missed. Similar to her axe, which widely missed her next target, almost hitting a night terror. "What? No, just friends" she waved her hands fast. "Pfft" she shot you a steely glare, though it did nothing to stop the wide smile that had taken control of you.

"What? Is he not good enough for you, Astrid?" you asked in mock offence. "He's kind of cute" Heather said, stoking the flames. "I guess. If you like that unassuming, heroic, dragon rider type". You gasped, "Astrid! That is my brother you're talking about. Think of the girl code! Platonic thoughts only!" she punched your side making you clutch your ribs, both from pain and laughter. "Wow, Astrid. I thought you were better than that" Heather put her hand on her hip with fake disappointment.

"Huh... Now, you and Snotlout, that's a match made in Valhalla" the three of you broke out into laughter. "I don't know whether to thank you or to feel sorry for you". "I can handle Snotlout" she said, "And besides, I'm not into the macho Viking type. I like a little smarts. Like Fishlegs".

"Fishlegs?" Astrids voice was humorous, "Seriously?". "What? I think he's funny and cute". "We're talking about Fishlegs, right? The guy with the Gronkle?". "And rock collection he alphabetized" you added. "Okay, all right. Enough boy talk. what else do you do for fun around here?" the three of you began to walk towards the cliffs, you and Astrid sharing a look, and the same thought.

"Keep up!" Astrid yelled as the two of you ran past Heather, jumping off the cliff. The two of you fell through the air, basking in the freedom before grabbing onto your dragon's tails. "Wahoo!" the sound of Heather's cheers was unfortunately short as Windshears wiry and thin tail slipped through her fingers. Thankfully, however, her dragon's quick reaction speed made up for it, grabbing onto her shoe, just before she could hit the rocky floor.

"Wanna go two out of three?" Astrid asked, still adrenaline high. "Um, no" Heather said, gracefully still in a good mood, despite nearly being flattened. "I want to show you guys something. If you can keep up" Windshear took off into a soar. "Get 'em Stormfly". "Oh no" you were quick to grip onto your saddle, just before, Silver Tongue, ever the competitive dragon, rushed to catch up, nearly throwing you off in the process.

"What are we doing back at your campsite?" the three of you landed on the familiar small island, "Did you forget something". "Nope." Heather said, in a more serious tone, walking confidently through the site. "Oh, it must be here" you and Astrid shared a look.

"You gonna clue us in on what we're doing here?" Astrid asked, watching as heather searched. "I'm looking for something" the slight rustling sound that came from the bush to your right tipped you off. "Looking for something like--" in a swift move you grabbed whatever was in the push and pulled it out. "Trader Johann?" Astrid asked looking down on him, with her axe pointed his chest. "Miss Astrid! Miss Y/N! So lovely to see you again. Would you mind, please, lowering your axe so my frightened soul might be granted safe passage back to my body?".

"Johann! Thank Thor" Heather was quick to help him back up. "Oh, Miss Heather! I'm overjoyed you're not dead. When the terrible Terror returned with the message I sent you, I was sick with worry. Then, when I arrived here and saw your campsite had been abandoned, I feared the worst".

"Alright! Someone needs to tell me what's going on" Astrid spun the axe in her hand once. "You see, Miss Astrid, if you need exotic spices from a foreign land, or one-of-a-kind cured leathers, or incredibly-difficult-to-obtain information detailing the exact whereabouts of a certain dastardly Berserker, " He pulled out a map with a number of red x's, one of which was circled, "Trader Johann is your man".

"Dagur" the two of you said in sync, albeit yours more worried than Astrid. "And if you need a warrior to take care of that dastardly Berserker..." with a flourish she swung her double-sided axe into the ground, "I'm your girl". You swallowed, "So he's got the info and you've got the axe. Now what?" Astrid asked.

"Dagur is set to purchase a fleet of new ships from a group of salty undesirables in the Sea of Despair. But be wary. These new ships for his armada are outfitted with powerful anti-dragon winches and catapults! After the deal is done, I won't be able to find him again. Dagur will be back in the wind. Adrift, like a leaf in a stream. And I've used my last grapevine, so I won't be able to offer my invaluable, yet expensive information".

"Got it. Thanks, Johann. Come on, guys" Heather nodded with a smile to the man. "Wait, were not actually considering this, are we?" you asked Astrid when Heather turned away. "If we leave Heather to do this by herself, she could get seriously hurt" She was right, based on what Hiccup had told you happened last time, she had nearly gotten caught. You could barely stomach the thought of what would have happened to her, and worse, Windshear. "I don't like going behind Hiccup's back" Astrid nodded, "It's just to keep her safe".

The idea of you flying into a growing armada without your brother, led by your crazy ex-fiancé was definitely not comfortable. But you would most certainly be less comfortable with the idea of Heather and Windshear doing it alone. "Ok, but no killing. It's one thing to go after Dagur alone. Killing him without giving anyone else a say is too much" Astrid nodded.

Flying back to the edge, where your brother was still gone, the others were standoffish to the idea of going after Dagur. "We gotta go now. Dagur won't be out in the open for long" Heather reasoned. "Wait a minute, you wat us to battle Dagur and the Berserkers without Hiccup and Toothless?" Fishlegs asked.

"Guys, I wish Hiccup and Toothless were here, trust me. But they're not. And we can't wait. Dagur's ships have dragon-proof chains and grappling hooks. And the ships he's buying are even more powerful. But with all of us attacking at once, Dagur won't know what hit him".

Fishlegs rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable "Uh any arial assault of this magnitude would be foolish without Toothless. He's the most powerful dragon in our arsenal" a number of the dragons, Silver Tongue and Hookfang namely, let out a growl of disapproval. "And I mean... Y/N, you of all people should feel the most uncomfortable with this righ--" you shook your head quickly to cut him off. "What does he mean by that?" Heather asked.

"I'm just not used to not telling my brother about things like this" you lied. The last thing you needed was for Heather to know about your engagement. Previous engagement! "Well it's not like we need Hiccup and Toothless" Snotlout interjected. His obnoxiousness for the first time being useful and taking attention away from you.

"You heard Johann, Astrid. This is our last chance. Tell them" She looked from you back to Heather. "Well... Look Heather--" Heather's face dropped before twisting into hurt. "You too? Just forget it. All that stuff about trust and having my back, I guess that was just talk" she turned and walked away. "....Akwar--" you elbowed Snotlout un the stomach making him keel over.

"Looks like it's just you and me Windshear" heather saddled her dragon outside the clubhouse, now packed and ready to take off. "Hey" Astrid called the rest of you and your dragons included. "If we're gonna do this, it has to be a capture mission, not a kill mission. Agreed?". "Agreed" she smiled, "We'll sink Dagur's armada, drag him back to Outcast Island. Let him rot there". "Okay, then we're with you--".

"You can thank me!" Snotlout said boisterously, "I was the one who rallied these guys". "Thats not how I remember it" you say. "As soon as she left, your lips started to do that cute little quiver thing" Fishlegs mocked. "Quiet fish face! Thats a tic!". "So, what's your plan" Astrid asks, "Hit him when he least expects it".

Dagur sighed enjoyment as he stretched in the sun. "Ah, it's a good day to strengthen my armada. Then again, it's always a good day to strengthen my armada". Savage approached his chief warily, "The gold is ready for the exchange sir. Should we move it to the deck--".

"Leave it down below" he said with finality, barely attempting to even look at the thin man. "But. sir, when they arrive with the ships, they'll be expecting our gold". "YES--" he screamed before stopping himself, putting a hand up like an annoyed father would, "And instead of our gold, we'll give them our steel". A wicked smile grew on the old Outcast soldier.

You looked down at Dagur's ships, "There he is". "Alright let me guess" Tuff said to Heather, "You want to attack like the rogue dragon rider that you are. A full-frontal assault!". "No" Heather said, turning to you, "Element of surprise?".

"Dragon's incoming!" one of the Berserkers called as they spotted Snotlout, Ruff, Tuff, and Fishlegs flying towards them from the front. "Prepare the grappling hooks!" Dagur called. He looked at the four laughing, "It's hunting season".

Team diversion stayed just high enough out of reach that the Berserker's weaponry couldn't reach them, every so often taking a quick shot that would miss. This of course infuriating Dagur to no end, "What are they doing up there?" you almost found it cute, with how he sounded genuinely confused. You, Astrid, and Heather, along with your dragons had crept up the sides of the ship and snuck into the deck of the ship Dagur was currently on. One by one, you singled out and knocked out each of the Berserkers on board.

A large rock in the ship from the ripples of one of the others missed shots was the tipping point for Dagur who grabbed one of the chains to throw himself. As Dagur threw the chain back, Astrid interrupted its path with her axe, allowing her to pull him back. You were quick to tie him by his wrists, using the full weight of your body pressed against him to hold him down long enough, and to keep him from thrashing. "What the--" he looked up to see Astrid and Heather standing smugly in front of him. "Ugh, you two" he grimaced. "Surprise, Dagur" Heather pointed his axe at his head. " Two axes are better than one".

"And twelve ships trumps two axes." the shrieks of your dragons were quick to change his mind. "Heh, should've seen that coming" it came out almost child-like before his eyes locked on Silver Tongue which made the realization pop into his head. "Y/N" he smiles, struggling to angle his head back to see you. You got off him quick, just long enough to flip him onto his back and cover his mouth before he could say anything. Though his eyes were saying more than enough, and you were thankful that Heather was angry enough to not notice the wide puppy love excitement he had in them. "Windshear finish it".

"No!", "Heather, don't. You promised us a capture mission" Astrid pleaded, while you looked up at your friend whose narrowed eyes were scorched in rage at the man beneath you. "Sorry. I changed my mind. Dagur didn't 'capture' my village. So this ends here" she wielded her axe and swung it towards him, but paused as you were still in the way, and on top of him.

Dagur began to break out into laughter, "If you kill me Heather, you'll never know--" you covered his mouth again. "Y/N, get out of the way!" Windshear screeched to your left. "Heather, I can't let you do that" you were panicking, Windshear, having heard the call of her rider was trigger happy. And at this point, Heather was too. "You know what he did to my village! Yours too! Why are you defending him!?", "I just can't let you do this!" sensing your distress Silver Tongue became tense, now screeching at Windshear as if to tell her to back off. The two dragons were similar to their riders.

"I trusted you!" Heather shouted, in tandem with the howls and snaps of your dragons. This was too much. Your anxiety spiked, the yelling, the dragons, the squirming of the man beneath you... you were going to have another panic attack. Your realization of this fact however was too slow, your brain throbbing as the world began to become too fast. Dagur's movements stopped entirely as he felt your hand loosen. In an instant he threw you off, flipping you over so you were in front of him while he supported your frame from behind., the two of you still on your knees. "Dagur! Don't you touch her!" Heather yelled at him brandishing her axe.

"Deep breathes" The world was still spinning, and you struggled to make out what was happening. Choosing to listen to the voice you focused on your breathing, though in hindsight you should have recognized Dagur's voice relatively easy. Dagur continued to hold you up and rub your sides.

"Heather don't!" Astrid yelled as Heather went to strike the Berserker before a purple blast knocked it out of her hand. "Stop! Heather stop" It was Hiccup, landed and quickly jumped off of Toothless to rush in-between you, Dagur, and Heather. "Move Hiccup" she picked up her axe "You promised me there would be another time, and this is it!".

"Look, you told me your father gave you this" he held up a horn, "Yeah. he did but what--", "This is my father's Chief Seal". Her face twisted in confusion as she took the horn out of Hiccups hand, lowering her axe. "Stoick's seal is carved in my horn? What are you saying?". Your breathing leveled out and your vision began to focus, Dagur still focusing all his attention on you.

"Years ago, Stoick gave this horn to the Chief of the Berserker Tribe, Oswald the Agreeable as a gift for his newborn daughter. You were that newborn, Heather. Oswald the Agreeable is your father. And he is also Dagur's father". Heathers face dropped as she looked at him, "no". Dagur shrugged as if it were common knowledge. "Heather, Dagur is your brother. You can't kill him" she was shocked turning to you then Astrid. "I--" a rock in the boat interrupted, as the rest of Dagur's ships had learned the truth of their deception.

"Heather, we have to go!" the other ships boxed you in, beginning to plank over. She dropped her axe wordlessly. Dagur, having learned you were cognitive, had finally broken out of his ties and stood up completely, after propping you up against the ship.

"I have to admit, you never disappoint, brother. Or maybe you're actually my uncle. Who knows in this crazy world?" he broke out into a deranged laugh. The Berserkers began to board the ship and your brother called out to Heather "Heather, we have to go!".

"Heather, I'm the only family you've got left." Toothless was quick to jump in front of her, keeping him from getting any closer. "Join me sister. Don't fight destiny. I know you feel the Berserker blood flowing through your veins". Heather gave a twisted smile, eerily similar to that of Dagur, psyching him to believe she would consider his offer before leaping over him and pulling you up from the ground and helping you onto your dragon. The two of you took off, leaving Dagur to call out to you, "Come back, sis! Heather the Unhinged has a nice ring to it, no?", "Y/N, come on! You'll have a sister-in-law!".

Heather turned to look at you, confused. One look at you was enough, however as she pieced everything together. Her face twisted, and instead of saying anything she chose to speed up, flying past you. "You'll be back, and I will welcome you with open arms" Dagur finally called. And you looked back at him with a glare. Dagur watched as the two of you flew off. "We'll have to wait on that reunion, pity" a whistle from behind him caused him to turn only to be knocked to the ground by Toothless. "I should've seen that one coming, too". "Alright gang, back to the edge" Hiccup said.

Well, there went any chance of Heather teaching you how to make an axe.

#httyd #dagur the deranged #httyd dagur #dagur #dagur x reader #race to the edge #riders of berk #daggers and daffodils

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