Thanks to harrypanther, yesthenlucky9, and guest for the reviews!
The hardest chapter for me to write thus far, hope you guys enjoy!
Please don't side with Snotlout in this chapter, OK?
Enjoy!
Another round of Dragon Training with Gobber, this time; weapons. And, unfortunately, Hiccup was paired with Snotlout, which meant a lot of bullying.
After the third stomp to Hiccup's stomach, Snotlout felt himself get thrown across the arena. He spun around to see Astrid helping Hiccup up, and couldn't help himself.
"Seriously, Astrid? You're helping Useless up?"
She turned to him, pure fury on her face. "First of all, he has a name, and second, what were you doing to him?"
"It's just Useless. Why does it matter?"
"Uh, maybe because Hiccup is a person? What gives you the right to beat on him?"
She turned back to Hiccup. "C'mon. Let's get out of here."
As they headed to the cove, Astrid was helping Hiccup along.
She glanced at him. "Are you OK?"
Hiccup sighed. "Fine. Just, sore."
"Hiccup, we shouldn't be here. Let's head back."
"I've been up all night thinking; what if we can train dragons?"
"Seriously? You're injured! And you want to see if you can train a NIGHT FURY?"
"I have nothing else. My Dad disowned me, and I'm being bullied in the village. This is all I can do."
Astrid's gaze softened. "I'm sorry, Hiccup. You don't deserve to be treated like this."
He sighed. "Maybe I do. You'd be surprised at how much stuff I get blamed with. A bad dragon attack, lightning storms, must be Useless's fault."
"I hate that name."
"Maybe I deserve it. Astrid, what have I done that is actually right? I just keep messing up over and over again! So, maybe I deserve everything that is being thrown at me."
Astrid stopped. "Hiccup. First of all; you aren't useless. Second, you got me, so you did something right. And I will stand by you 'till the end."
"I don't want to bring dishonour to your family by you being an outcast, loving an outcast."
"I'll deal with it. So, what's your plan?"
Hiccup grinned. "I brought a fish."
She smirked. "Oh, good. I thought you were getting hungry."
"Not for me, for the dragon. If I can gain it's trust, I can maybe train it."
She raised an eyebrow. "And if you get eaten?"
Hiccup sighed. "Then either way, the dragon isn't going to be hungry."
They slowly stepped into the cove. "Where is he?"
Astrid gasped. "Hiccup, look!"
Hiccup turned and his eyes widened. The dragon was slowly advancing towards them, having smelt the fish. The Night Fury actually looked happy, until he spotted Hiccup's knife, which the boy promptly threw into the lake.
The dragon opened his mouth, showing off his gums.
"Huh. Toothless. I could of sworn you had-"
The dragon's teeth came into view, snatching the fish, and startling the two teens.
Astrid finished the sentence. "Teeth."
The Night Fury slowly advanced in Hiccup's direction, who panicked and stumbled against a rock.
The dragon regurgitated the fish's head onto Hiccup's lap, prompting a comment from Astrid.
"That's disgusting."
"I think he wants me to eat it."
"I take it back. THAT'S disgusting."
Hiccup grimaced, and slowly lifted the fish to his mouth, gagging when he bit into it.
The dragon made a swallowing motion, making it clear Hiccup was to swallow the bite.
Hiccup swallowed it and smiled. The Night Fury looked confused, and mimicked the smile, prompting Astrid to giggle.
"Ok. Maybe you can train a dragon."
Hiccup raised his hand, trying to touch the dragon, who snarled and flew a few feet away.
Astrid looked at Hiccup. "So, now what? It doesn't really seem to like you."
He sighed. "I just need time to think. I think we'll be here a while."
When the dragon decided to get up, Hiccup was working on a picture of it, with Astrid just staring at the dragon, still wondering if it was friendly. It hadn't killed them yet, so that was good.
When the Night Fury saw what Hiccup was working on, he immediately pulled up a small tree, and attempted to make his own drawing. Hiccup sighed and looked at Astrid.
"Any ideas?"
She shook her head. "None."
The dragon stopped and surveyed it's work, apparently finding it suitable. Hiccup shrugged and moved a foot, stepping on one of the lines the dragon had drawn.
The dragon snarled, prompting Hiccup to move his foot back. He did it several more times, and Astrid figured out that the dragon wanted Hiccup to get out without stepping on any lines.
"Hiccup, it's some sort of test."
He immediately stepped over the line, earning a coo from the Night Fury. Hiccup smiled at Astrid.
"Thanks."
He proceeded to slowly make his way through the maze, eventually stopping directly in front of the dragon. He slowly reached out his hand, turning his face away when the dragon growled.
Astrid was startled to see the fearsome, black Night Fury slowly move his head forward, directly onto Hiccup's outstretched hand. After a moment, the dragon flew away, and Hiccup looked at Astrid.
"Maybe I'm not so useless after all."
"I told you. All you needed was some encouragement."
He smiled. "Funny how my only friends are the most beautiful girl on the island, and the most fearsome dragon on the island. A girl and a Night Fury. That's all I got."
Astrid slipped her hand into Hiccup's. "Well, you have me. Not too sure about the Night Fury."
"All I have to do now is come up with a name."
Astrid smiled. "And survive Dragon Training."
"Yeah. Hey, tomorrow, could you pretend to be mad at me?"
She frowned. "Why?"
"Well, Snotlout has probably figured out that he's the new Heir. Which means he'll be coming after you. If it appears that there's problems between you and me, you may be able to convince him that you like him, and maybe, just maybe, he'll stop bullying me."
"That's your plan?"
"That's all I got. I'm really not sure my ribs can take anymore of this."
"Well, it's supper time, so be prepared for the jeers."
Hiccup groaned. "I can't wait."
Neither can I. I hope you guys are enjoying this, you seem to be, which is good.
If you have any suggestions that might improve this story, I'm all ears!
Until next time, thanks for reading!