They had been walking all morning. The teens all were weary and on guard, as well as running on only a few hours of sleep, due to staying up all night. Any small growl or distant roar would have any one of them wide eyed, tensed and coiled in their cobbled shelters. Today, all their feet hurt, but everyone was too tired to complain.
After the Zippleback incident, and Astrid's ominous, awestruck exclamation of 'Nightfury' at the fire last night, the little group had come to a grim agreement. While it was important that they try their best to find Hiccup, it was also important that they survive to the best of their ability. As Gobber taught them, only the strong can belong. Only rely on your shield brother or sister to have your back, otherwise a dragon will be chewing on it (and more assortments of wonderful, uplifting quotes aplenty).
It wouldn't do if none of them returned alive...though coming back with out the heir of Berk could be just as problematic. Astrid had to talk down Snotlout all morning when they voted on where they would turn back. For all his thick skulled, ego-pumped mirages of pure Viking annoyingness, he was proving to be quite the honorable man.
Of course, honourable for Snotlout (he had broken Ruffnut's nose in a fit of rage and almost tried to fight with Astrid. With Astrid). She just wished such an extreme situation wasn't the only time he behaved semi-decently. He hadn't flirted at all since the run in with the Nadder, which seemed to be the only silver lining in this downwards spiral of an adventure.
Blinking against the bright light of the sun through the canopy, Astrid surveyed the skies. So far only a few dragons had flown above them, but none had stopped for a visit, so that was fortunate. She knew walking in the direction a Nightfury flew wasn't the best of ideas, but it was the direction they agreed may hold some answers (or some Hiccups). Earlier they had found a pile of animal bones which was disturbing, though a little promising. They were close to a den, or a busy dragon. She was also on the look out for signs of Nadders, as the creature may have stalked an injured Hiccup. Though so far they were fruitless in finding any signs of other dragon activity.
It was odd. This place seemed unnervingly empty. While dragons flew over, they never stopped. They were nearing the foot of a looming mountain, and she expected a bigger concentration of dragons or at least signs of them being there. But no, it was mostly deserted. Yet her guard was still up. Something wasn't right.
/:/
Hiccup winced a little as his head ache spiked, pounding relentlessly behind his eyes. He felt nauseous- and his forehead was clammy in what felt like a cold sweat. He was certainly not ok, that's for sure. Swallowing down the urge to throw up, he sat up on trembling arms. Toothless was gone, probably catching more fish for himself. Scooting up to lean against the cool stone, he let out a sharp breath through gritted teeth. Where he could feel his leg, it burned, so bad. If he moved it, the pain would increase tenfold.
He bit his lip, hard, as something shifted under his skin. He must've been in serious shock for awhile; he had no idea how else he didn't feel the irregular movement of bone. Taking deep breaths, he let himself recover from the stifling, breath hitching discomfort. Not being able to keep it back much longer, hot tears quietly ran down his cheeks. This was much worse than any burn he got in the forge, or any cut or scrape he got from his clumsiness. He didn't know how much more he could suffer alone. He hoped Toothless would be back soon, as the dragon could be quite comforting when he wasn't being a dork.
Messily wiping away tears, he sighed and looked out the mouth of the cave. Beautiful green leaves ruffled in the wind, some yellow from the approaching autumn. The sky was a soft, gentle blue in the distance, with thin wisps of clouds stretched along the horizon. Slowly his eyelids fell, weighed down from exhaustion. Even the heavy distress settled in his gut couldn't battle his need and want to just sleep, just leave it all behind as he drifted off. He released his worried lip, letting out a long, calming breath. He felt like he was about to doze, but a sudden cold breeze of wind made his eyes snap back open.
He quickly settled, seeing it was just Toothless. The dragon padded in, snuffling the air until his wide green eyes locked on Hiccup. He crooned at the boy, who smiled weakly and reached out for the midnight black creature. Toothless quickly scuttled over, a worried rumble coming from his chest. Hiccup ran his cold fingers along his friends smooth, warm scales on his head. He kindly scratched behind his ear flaps, knowing the dragon was a big fan of that spot. Though the dragon pulled away, to stare him down with a concerned expression.
"I'm not doing all that well." Hiccup confessed, crumbling under that soulful gaze. Even his voice sounded weaker. Toothless's ear flaps flattened against his head. Hiccup frowned and ran his thumb along the dragons brow. "I think it may be my..." He shakily pointed out, looking down at his foot. Toothless snorted, then crooned and rested his head on Hiccups lap, weary of his injury. Hiccup sniffled, then swiped away tears gathering in his eyes.
It was quiet for a moment, with Hiccup ignoring the torment of his frazzled nerves. Toothless was eerily silent and tense, and not meeting Hiccup's watery eyes.
Then the dragon rose to his full height, circling back from the boy. Hiccup's spine went a little rigid from the foreboding way Toothless suddenly carried himself. The dragon crept closer. Hiccup noticed with widening eyes that the dragons piercing, acidic stare was on his leg.
"T-Toothless?" Hiccup called, pushing himself up against the wall harder. He winced as he saw the dragons teeth snap forth from his gums. "Toothless! What's wrong?" He yelled, voice cracking from a build up of fear. Toothless shook his head, as if steeling himself, then lunged.
/:/
"Another one." Astrid spat, picking up a round black scale. The other teens had varying looks of worry on their faces as they saw the scale.
"Another what?" Fishlegs squeaked, pointing timidly at it. Astrid's cold blue eyes locked with his own unwaveringly. He felt a shiver race down his back. Maybe he didn't want to know why she looked so grim.
"Night Fury" she said, tucking the scale in a pouch on her belt. She spun her ax in clever hands, while she stared ahead at the mountain peak in the distance. "And I think I have an idea of where to find it."
/:/
Whoopsie, stuff got a little intense there...haha. This story might have a happy ending, so there's that! Also, again, I would like to thank all of you for your helpful and thoughtful reviews! They're flattering and most go very in depth, and I enjoy reading them a whole bunch! You guys are also helpful with catching little mistakes, so thanks for that! Keep em rolling in, they're so inspiring :3
I'm working on another fic idea, where I'm trying to combine a good amount of this fandom's common tropes and put my own spin on them. I kind of do it in this one- mostly with the teens behaviours?
Anyways, have a nice day/night!
