Well, I promised and update (which I almost forgot about) so I scrambled to finish this chapter and put it out to keep my promise! I'll be leaving for Hawaii now so there won't be any updates until after I get back...sad face lol. Plus I haven't even written the next chapter yet hehe bad me! THanks for all the reviews, favs and alerts! I love you all!

Review Replies:

Song: Thank you! When it comes to writing the chapters, I don't stop at just length, I mainly end a chapter at a place where I feel is good to end it.

ROmance: Yeah, I really wanted to develop a relationship between Toothless and Ash, something the film didn't do for Toothless and Astrid (which I think they had a really good opportunity for). And you'll see...

shootingstar: Well, I'm sure it wasn't as long as you think ;)

Grell: THanks, and who wouldn't?

Zaria: Thank you!

Janessa: It's not really an obsession, I'm just thinking realistically. It's very unlikely that someone would survive something like that completely unscratched but I don't think I'll be going with the limb loss. I kinda agree with Ayden doesn't deserve a permanent maiming and she deserves a happy ending after everything she's been through. I think I will go with the broken leg. Excellent suggestion :)

Ravenclaw: Thanks, well it's pretty much how the movie went about

Marrow: Thanks, of course she won't be completely better when she wakes up. There's no way she could be asleep for that long unless she was in a coma...which she won't be lol

Axel: Thanks

Nica: lol, the way I see it, at least I update unlike most stories I read that take MONTHS to update. But everyone does have their reasons and a real life

Gee: Yeah, I think I'll be posting estimates of when I'll next update on all my fics now

Ranger: Thanks, I wanted Toothless to solely focus on Ayden's well-being. And don't worry, Caps lock helps me get a sense of context lol

Calvary: Thank you and better than the movie? Really? I'm honored that you think so ^/^

I do not own How to Train Your Dragon, only Ayden and Ash. This fanfiction is not associated with the HTTYD series, which belongs to Cressida Cowell.

Normal POV

Weeks had passed by since Ayden's injury. Gobber postponed her final exam until she was cleared, both by healer and Stoic, to participate against the Nightmare. Ash had kept his promise to her and continued to take fish to the canyon everyday for Toothless, who was less than happy to see the Viking boy and eagerly awaiting the return of his human. Though the two boys despised each other, they went along with the temporary arrangement out of their love for Ayden. Ash had gone to visit her everyday, still greeted by a less than welcome Stoic, and reported everything back to her. Even though Ash complained to himself about having to haul pounds of fish to a hungry Dragon, it was all worth it to see that smile on her face.

Ayden finally recovered and was well enough to walk around again. She was actually well enough to walk about nearly a week ago, but Stoic wasn't going to take any chances. It wasn't until the wound was completely healed over until he allowed her to be discharged.

"Ash, you really don't have to do this," said Ayden. Ash had put her arm around his shoulder, wrapped his other arm around her waist and escorted her to the canyon to see Toothless. She was dressed in her flight gear, still intending on leaving, though she didn't mention that to Ash, hoping that he had forgotten.

"Yes, I do. It's my fault you got hurt anyway."

Ayden gave up arguing with the stubborn boy until they reached the canyon. Once they entered, Toothless jumped out of nowhere and encircled Ayden with his body, wrapping his tail around her and nuzzling her body with his head while he gave out a low, affectionate purr.

"Aw, I missed you to, Toothless. Were you nice to Ash?" she asked, cocking her eyebrow to make sure she received an honest answer.

Toothless' answer merely consisted of a blank stare and grunt at Ash, who simply stomped his foot and turned away from the Dragon and cross his arms.

"Boys…" she muttered. "Let me just get my stuff and we'll be out of here," she said.

"Wait, you're still leaving?" Ash asked, an expression of hurt on his face. "But I thought-"

"Thought what? Ash…I love you. I always have. But I can't kill a Dragon. Dad will never listen to me if I try to explain why I can't fight that Nightmare, so this is really the only other option," she said, strapping Toothless saddle on his back.

Ash grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "If you leave, I'm going to tell your dad about him," he said, referring to Toothless.

"You wouldn't!" she cried.

"Of course I would. As much as I love you Ayden, you've put the entire village in jeopardy by befriending him. Chief's daughter or not, the needs of the village outweigh the needs of the few."

"Ash, please, I'm begging you. Don't tell him!"

"Then don't leave! Stay here…with me," he said, taking her hand gently into his.

Ayden cast her eyes down and hesitantly spoke softly. "I'm sorry, Ash…but I can't."

Ash abruptly dropped her hand, causing Ayden to look up into a serious face. "Ayden, you've asked me to do a lot for you: to not press issues, to not follow you into the woods and to help take care of your Dragon when you couldn't. But this is one thing that I'm going to do, whether you like it or not." Before Ayden could respond or stop him, Ash dashed off out of the canyon and back to Berk.

Ayden looked down sadly. She had just turned down the boy she'd been in love with since she was a little girl in favor for a Dragon she had only known for several months. Ayden looked at Toothless, hoping to find some reassurance for her choice. She certainly found it when Toothless looked back at her with his big black pupils. He was her one and only true friend. They understood each other. They needed each other. They were one. If she had to sacrifice a chance at love in order to keep Toothless safe, then she was willing to make that risk.

Toothless sensed her sadness and came up next to her body so that her hand rested on his head. "Hey Toothless…looks like the cat will be out of the bag. Ash's going to tell everyone about us," she said sadly.

Toothless' ears suddenly shot up, apparently taking in the severity of the situation that Ayden had not been able to register herself. Toothless suddenly jumped around, darting his head back and forth between Ayden and where Ash had just left from.

"Toothless, what's wrong?" Ayden asked confused by his jumping around. Toothless rolled his eyes in annoyance, unable to properly communicate his point with her and sighed. With an irritated grunt, he ran behind Ayden, and stuck his head between her legs, swooping her onto his back.

"Whoa!" cried Ayden as she was lurched forward by Toothless' sudden movement. She frantically grabbed onto Toothless' saddle and attached her safety hooks to secure herself. "Toothless! What are you doing?" Toothless didn't answer as he opened his wings and launched himself into the air, forcing Ayden to quickly react and open his prosthetic tail in order to keep him airborne. He flew over the trees and suddenly swooped down. Ayden wasn't sure what he was trying to do, but realized what Toothless was after once she saw Ash running through the woods directly below them. Without hesitation, Toothless swooped down through the trees and grabbed Ash's arm with his claw just as he jumped over a large log.

"Ahh!" he cried, when he felt himself suddenly lifted into the air. He tried to shake himself free, but Toothless' grip was far stronger. He desperately resorted to clawing at Toothless' claw, which still had no effect. "Oh great Odin's ghost-aahh!" he shouted out as Toothless soared higher into the air while Ash dangled his feet helplessly at the ground below him, wishing he was safely back on it. Toothless flew up to the highest tree and carelessly dropped Ash onto one of the branches. Ash clung to the branch for dear life as Toothless landed on the top of the tree, bending the tip over.

"Ash, I'm really sorry, this was all his idea!" Ayden cried, pointing at Toothless who gave Ash a smirk, gladly taking credit for the kidnapping.

"Ayden! Get me down from here!" Ash yelled over the loud wind. He tried to lift his leg onto the branch and secure his grip, but it slipped right off.

"Ash, please just listen to me for one second…"Ayden pleaded with her hands together.

"I am not listening to ANYTHING you have to say!" he shouted back at her.

Ayden looked at the angry boy below her as the worried expression on her face was quickly replaced with a glare. "Fine, I'm done being nice. Good luck getting down from this tree. Come on, Toothless," she said, patting Toothless' head, who gladly nodded in agreement and opened his wings, ready to take off.

"Wait, wait!" Ash cried, earning him a few more seconds of Ayden and Toothless' time.

Ayden looked at Ash with sincere eyes as he clung to the branch and dangled over the forest. "You don't have to listen…just let me show you," she said, holding out her hand.

Ash managed to climb up the branch and hesitantly took it and earned a glare and low growl from Toothless. Despite all those weeks of Ash coming to their secret canyon to feed him, Toothless still remained distrustful to him. Ash expected as much since he didn't fully trust Toothless either. His eyes moved from Toothless' glare to Ayden, the simple look in her eyes giving him the reassurance he needed. He took her hand put his foot on Toothless' body to hoist himself onto the saddle right behind Ayden.

"Ok, now get me down from here," he said. This was the first time he had ever been on top of a dragon. He had been opposing one and under one but never riding one! This situation was completely new to him! He didn't trust Toothless to drop him into the ocean, but he trusted Ayden to keep Toothless from trying.

"Toothless, down…gently," she added, patting his neck. Toothless opened his wings, causing him and the bent tree to slowly rise as the wind flew under them. "See? Nothing to worry about," she said calmly.

Toothless however, had another idea. He quietly smirked to himself and leapt into the air without warning. Ayden was the quickest to react, having grown accustomed to Toothless' spontaneous jumps to get them airborne. She quickly grabbed onto the saddle and pressed her body against Toothless'. "Toothless! What are you doing?" she shouted. Right behind her, Ash was screaming his head off struggling to stay on the racing Dragon. His arms flailed but he managed to grab onto Ayden's shoulders and pulled himself onto her. She laughed nervously as Toothless came to a steady position and gently coasted along. "See? Nothing to be afraid of-oh no," she quickly added as Toothless suddenly dived towards the ocean, earning a loud shriek from Ash, who had wrapped his arms securely around Ayden's waist as there was nothing else for him to hold on to.

Toothless dove into the water but resurfaced quickly enough to continue flying. He purposely splashed into the water several more times despite Ayden's protesting and Ash's screaming. "Toothless what are you doing? We need him to like us, more importantly you!" Toothless rose into the air and began spinning. "And now the spinning…thank you for nothing, you useless reptile," she added.

"Ok! Ok, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he shouted. Toothless looked back at the screaming boy. "I'm sorry, just get me off of this thing!" Toothless stopped spinning and opened his wings without warning.

Ash felt the wind move past him calmer than it did before and slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't help but feel so tranquil as they steadily coasted through the sky. The sun was setting, dying the sky a beautiful orange and pink. He relaxed his grip and marveled at the wonder before him. Here he was, sitting atop of Dragon that gently coasted through the sky. Toothless flew up to the clouds, a height that Ash could only ever dream of reaching. Ash hesitated at first, but then stuck out one arm and ran his hand through the clouds. He put both arms above his head and closed his eyes, taking in a deep and satisfying breath. Ayden peeked back at him and saw that he was enjoying the flight and silently smiled to herself. Within minutes, the sun disappeared over the horizon and the sky turned dark but was almost instantly lit by the stars and the full moon. It was so much brighter than Ash had ever seen it, but then again he had never been so close to it before. He wrapped his arms around Ayden's waist and snuggled close to her, causing her to blush and quietly return to steering Toothless even though he had already taking care of it.

"Well, I'll admit it, this is pretty amazing," Ash said. "He's amazing," he added with an affectionate pat.

"Yeah, see they're not so bad after all," said Ayden. While she spoke, Toothless' eyes suddenly went wide as his ears twitched. He suddenly flew down into rocky pillars in the ocean. The fog was heavy and they could barely see where they were going. "Toothless! What's wrong?" she cried. Toothless gave her no answer and continued to lead them down an unknown path. As he flew, Ash and Ayden could hear flapping wings and low growls in the distance getting louder.

I hope you liked this chapter. I didn't want to go right into the Dragon's Nest chapter because I wanted to separate that the and Romantic Flight one.

Next Chapter: Approx Early-Mid September. Ayden and Ash are suddenly pulled into the Dragon's world far differently than they ever expected and learn something dire to their understanding of the Dragons.

Review! ~ZP