middaeg | Intro Overflow: May

Yeah, something like that. It doesn't have to be history. [He doesn't believe that any society has to be steeped in old prejudices, even this one. If something happens to show them differently, he has faith that they can change.

The question makes him smile over at Toothless, who mimics the expression, 'smiling' a big ole gummy smile.] Because he saved me. Well, most of me. [The leg notwithstanding.] He showed them that their assumptions were all wrong.

Maybe the people here just need to see that their assumptions are wrong, too.

It doesn't. [He likes the way Hiccup thinks, even if he almost can't stand how optimistic it is. That's the sort of thing that grinds his gears when it makes more sense to be pragmatic, but Mikleo's self-aware enough to understand that even he can take it too far sometimes.

And anyway, it's hard to be a wet blanket when he sees the way Toothless grins. Toothless indeed. Didn't he have... teeth? Huh. Mikleo's charmed, regardless.]

... Maybe. I don't know if you can change everyone's mind, but... [He smiles a little.] I admit he's charming.

[That's Hiccup for you. Even in grief and loss, he hasn't completely lost his optimism in the last year. He's only worked harder to make his dream a reality and create a place where humans and dragons live in harmony.] Things can always be made better. Always.

[Hiccup scratches under the dragon's chin, and the grin only widens as he thumps one of his scaly legs.] By myself? Probably not. But maybe we can all show them together. [His grin turns knowing. Toothless is a pretty incredible dragon.] You can pet him if you want. He likes being scratched under the chin.

[Yeah... humanity needs people like him.

Mikleo watches this whole scritchy exchange with curiosity and fascination in equal parts. He's aware Toothless is a dragon, even a different kind than the ones that he's familiar with. And that... intimidates him, a little. He's worried that he'll touch Toothless and suddenly feel himself overflowing with malevolence. And then--

Okay, okay, breathe, it's fine. It's fine. There's nothing to be afraid of when it comes to this giant scaly catdog.]

Are you sure it's okay? [He holds his left hand close to himself, as if he wants to reach out but he's afraid he'll get bitten.] He won't really won't mind a stranger?

[He bites his bottom lip, glancing from Hiccup to Toothless' cute green eyes and then back. At last he edges closer with his hand held out for the dragon to sniff. Please please please don't take his hand.]

Yeah, just- yes, offer him your hand first, like that. [He keeps his tone encouraging and bright; the hesitation is normal and not really surprising, especially after his reaction earlier.] Let him come to you. [Not that Toothless would lash out and hurt someone unprovoked, but not all dragons are as used to people.

Toothless tilts his head to the side a little, watching Mikleo for a moment. After a minute or so, he steps forward, nudges his nose against his palm, and... licks across his hand and probably part of his arm with a large forked tongue, sitting back after and 'smiling' a big gummy smile.

Hiccup tries hard not to laugh.] I don't think he minds.

[Mikleo doesn't realize he's holding his breath until Toothless presses into his hand, and it all comes out in a rush. He only gets to enjoy that moment for, well, a moment, until the tongue comes out and leaves his arm sticky and wet. He's so shocked he doesn't even register that he should be offended.

He got licked by a dragon. Imagine Sorey's face when he finds out.]

He--

[... Wait, he got licked. By a dragon. He looks down at his hand and his expression twists into one of disgust.]

Ugh! What's with all the drool?! [Time to do a (probably familiar) wave of his arm as he tries to shake it off in a direction that isn't towards somebody else.]

Does he do that to everybody?

[Hiccup can't help it anymore, he bursts out laughing, which gets Toothless 'laughing' - short, delighted little barks of sound, settling back on his haunches and looking pretty pleased with himself.]

It means he likes you! You get used to the drool. He's pretty incredible, right? [He's grinning widely here, knowing exactly what's probably going through his head.]

[He can't believe he's being made fun of by a dragon. This is... crazy, but it's crazy in a way that makes complete sense with Hiccup involved. They're like peas in a pod.]

I don't think I can get used to drool, sorry. I draw the line at bodily fluids.

[Once he's mostly free of the drool, though, he settles down enough to give Hiccup a little smile.]

He's amazing. But-- so are you. I didn't think I'd ever meet anything like a dragon rider, yet seeing the bond between you two...

It's really something else.

Fair enough. [Hiccup laughs, unbothered. He's pretty aware he's like the only person in the world who gets used to Night Fury spit being on everything he owns.]

What, me? No, it's- it's all him. I wouldn't be here like this without him. [Toothless thumps back onto all fours, and wedges his head under Hiccup's arm, until his rider is stroking his scales.]

This is- this is what dragons are like, though. If you earn a dragon's loyalty, you have it for life.

Intro Overflow: May

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