✩Smaug, Queen of Dragons✩

You reclined majestically on the crystalline throne, its cool surface providing a serene respite as you began to drift into a tranquil slumber. The ambient glow of the crystals enveloped you, casting a soft light over the scene. Suddenly, the thrum of wings announced Hookfang's arrival as he descended gracefully, landing with a gentle thud in front of you. With a proud flourish, he dropped a pile of shimmering fish onto the crystal at your feet. "Here, Your Highness. Thought you might want some food," he declared, his voice touched with a hint of playful solemnity.

A smile tugged at your lips as you stirred from your half-sleep, the luminous crystals around you casting prismatic reflections across Hookfang's vibrant, scaly form. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his wings folded neatly against his sides as he tilted his head, awaiting your reaction.

"Hookfang," you began, feigning an air of royal authority, "you know the way to my heart." You gestured grandly at the glittering fish pile, their scales catching the crystalline light in a dazzling array of colors.

The dragon puffed his chest, clearly pleased. "Of course I do! A queen—or king—needs their sustenance. And besides," he added with a sly grin, "I might have taken a nibble or two on the way back."

You laughed, the sound echoing softly through the crystalline cavern, mingling with the faint hum of energy radiating from the throne. With a graceful motion, you reached for one of the fish, its surface shimmering like molten silver. The aroma of the fresh catch was mouthwatering.

Hookfang lowered his head to peer at you closely, his warm breath ruffling your hair. "You know," he said, "if you wanted to take a day off from ruling or, uh, napping on magical thrones, I could take you for a flight. Stretch those royal wings of yours."

You raised an eyebrow, the glint of a challenge sparking in your eyes. "Stretch my wings? You'd have to keep up first."

Hookfang snorted, smoke curling playfully from his nostrils. "Is that a challenge? Because I never back down from a challenge." He lifted his head proudly, his wings unfurling to display their impressive span. "Name the time, and I'll show you who the real royal is around here."

Laughing, you leaned back on the throne, the crystals humming in time with your mirth. "You're on. But first, let's finish this feast you've so gallantly provided."

The dragon gave a contented rumble, settling down beside the throne as the two of you shared the bounty under the soft glow of the crystal realm. For a moment, time seemed to still—a tranquil reprieve shared between ruler and loyal companion, where the bonds of friendship outshone even the brightest of jewels.

The rhythmic beat of wings captured your attention, drawing your gaze upward just in time to see your mate, Toothless, gliding gracefully down to land on the crystal with elegant ease. "Hookfang, are you trying to rizz my queen?" he quipped, a playful tone coloring his words as he nudged Hookfang's side with an affectionate poke of his wing. The Monstrous Nightmare shot the Night Fury a fierce glare. "No, you arrogant fuzzball," Hookfang retorted, his voice a mix of irritation and camaraderie, "I'm merely providing her with food. She's my friend too, you know."

Toothless let out a low, rumbling chuckle, his piercing green eyes gleaming with amusement as he stretched his wings and flicked his tail with practiced nonchalance. "Friend, huh? A likely story," he teased, his tone light but laced with unmistakable affection. He bumped his snout playfully against yours, his soft scales cool to the touch. "You believe him, don't you? Or should I keep an eye on this fish thief?"

Hookfang snorted, a small puff of fire escaping his nostrils as he stepped back and flared his wings dramatically. "Fish thief? That's rich coming from someone who would hoard half the ocean if it fit in his mouth." He flicked his tail at Toothless with mock indignation before turning his attention back to you. "Go on, tell him I'm innocent! I even brought extra fish for him, just to prove I'm the better dragon."

Toothless cocked his head, eyes narrowing playfully. "Extra fish, huh? Let me guess—they're the scraggly ones you didn't want for yourself?" He gave you a knowing look, as if inviting you to share in the joke.

Caught between the two, you couldn't suppress your grin. "Now, now," you said, raising your hands in a gesture of mock diplomacy, "let's not start a war over fish. Hookfang, you've done a fine job, and Toothless, don't be jealous of his generosity."

Toothless purred, brushing his head against your shoulder. "Jealous? Me? Never." But the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement. He turned to Hookfang with a smirk. "But you're right about one thing—I will take some of that extra fish. Wouldn't want it to go to waste."

Hookfang groaned, his tail flicking in annoyance, but there was a playful warmth behind his facade. "Fine, but only because I'm feeling generous. Don't think I'm doing this for you, fuzzball."

As the two dragons settled into their banter, you leaned back on the crystalline throne, the laughter and easy camaraderie filling the space with a warmth that outshone even the crystals' ambient glow. In that moment, you knew you were exactly where you belonged—among friends, with bonds as unbreakable as dragonfire.

As they exchanged playful jabs, you gracefully interposed a wing between them. "Boys, boys, please behave," you chuckled richly, your laughter weaving warmth into the air as your tail lashed with amusement. "Yes, love," Toothless replied, flicking his tail with a playful response. "Would you like to go to the crater's edge? I've heard there's going to be a lovely sunset tonight."

You folded your wings elegantly, the shimmering glow of the crystalline throne casting soft rainbows across your scales as you turned your gaze to Toothless. A small, affectionate smile graced your lips as you considered his offer. "A sunset at the crater's edge, you say?" you mused, your tail curling with interest. "That does sound delightful. And," you added with a teasing glance at Hookfang, "it'll give us a chance to escape a certain someone's dramatic generosity."

Hookfang puffed up indignantly, his wings flaring for emphasis. "Oh, please! As if I'd want to follow you two lovebirds around." He tossed his head with mock disdain, but the glint in his eye betrayed his amusement. "Go on, enjoy your romantic sunset. I've got better things to do, like—like finding more fish. For myself!"

Toothless laughed, a rich, rolling sound that vibrated pleasantly in the air. "Good. You've got your priorities straight for once." He turned back to you, extending a wing gallantly. "Shall we, my queen?"

You nodded, rising with the grace of a monarch as your wings spread wide, catching the soft glow of the crystals. With a powerful leap, you took to the air, Toothless close behind, his sleek form cutting effortlessly through the shimmering light. Together, you soared upward, leaving behind the playful grumbles of Hookfang, who muttered something about "show-offs" before curling up contentedly beside his pile of fish.

The flight was serene, the cool wind carrying the scent of the distant ocean as the crystal cavern faded below. The two of you climbed higher, the world opening up around you in a panorama of rugged cliffs and verdant forests. The crater's edge soon came into view—a vast, rocky rim encircling a valley bathed in golden light.

As you landed side by side, the sun was already dipping low, painting the sky with a cascade of colors: fiery oranges, dusky purples, and soft pinks blending seamlessly into one another. Toothless sidled closer, his wing brushing against yours as the two of you gazed out over the breathtaking scene.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he murmured, his voice softer now, touched with awe.

You nodded, your gaze fixed on the horizon. "It is," you agreed, your tone equally hushed. Then, with a sly glance his way, you added, "But not quite as beautiful as the company."

Toothless grinned, his ears twitching with delight. "Careful, your highness. Flattery will get you everywhere." He bumped his head affectionately against yours, the gesture full of warmth and love.

Together, you sat at the crater's edge, wings tucked around each other as the sun sank below the horizon, leaving the sky awash in the soft glow of twilight. It was a moment of perfect peace, a reminder of the bond you shared—a love as vast and enduring as the sky itself.

✩

✩Izuku Midoriya✩

It had been a week since you left U.A., and Izuku's spirits had sunk to new lows. A constant churn seized his stomach, leaving him restless and unable to concentrate during training sessions. His usual determination seemed to falter. All Might had grown increasingly worried about his protégé, and concern mirrored in the eyes of his friends—Uraraka and Iida. Even Bakugo, though reluctant to show it, found himself anxious for his favorite rival, the one he jokingly referred to as his "toy."

Izuku sat on the edge of his bed in the dorms, staring blankly at his notebook. The once-crammed pages of battle strategies, Quirk analyses, and motivational scribbles now felt weightless, like hollow echoes of his former drive. He absently thumbed through the pages, but his mind wasn't absorbing any of it. His thoughts kept circling back to you—how you had left without much explanation, how the void you'd left in your absence seemed to grow wider each day.

The quiet knock at his door broke him out of his reverie. He blinked, hastily shoving the notebook aside. "Come in," he called, his voice hoarse.

The door creaked open, revealing All Might, his towering figure dimmed slightly by the gentle concern in his expression. Even in his skeletal form, his presence filled the room with a sense of warmth and care. "Young Midoriya," All Might said softly, stepping inside. "May I have a word?"

Izuku straightened, his fingers twisting nervously in his lap. "Of course, All Might."

The older man sank into the desk chair with a heavy sigh, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied his protégé. "You've been... distant. During training, your focus isn't there. In class, you're quieter than usual. It's unlike you."

Izuku's gaze dropped to the floor. He tried to speak but found his throat tightening. After a long pause, he finally managed, "I'm sorry, All Might. I just... I can't stop thinking about—"

"Her?" All Might finished gently. Izuku's wide-eyed reaction was all the confirmation he needed. All Might smiled faintly, his voice kind but firm. "You care deeply about her, don't you?"

Izuku nodded, his fists clenching. "It's not just that she left, it's—" He struggled to find the words. "I feel like I should've done more. Said something. Anything to make her stay."

All Might leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Young Midoriya, you have a heart larger than most, and with that comes the weight of feeling deeply. But you must remember—everyone has their reasons for the paths they choose. It's not always about what you could have done."

Izuku's eyes welled with unshed tears. "But it feels like I failed her, All Might. And if I can't help the people closest to me, how can I become the Symbol of Peace? How can I save anyone?"

All Might's grip on his shoulder tightened slightly. "Being the Symbol of Peace doesn't mean carrying the world's burdens alone. It means having the strength to keep going, even when things feel hopeless. It means trusting the bonds you've built—and letting others help you, too."

Before Izuku could respond, there was another knock at the door. This time, it was louder, more insistent. The door swung open without waiting for permission, and Bakugo stomped in, his scowl sharper than usual. "Oi, Deku," he barked, folding his arms. "You're sulking so hard that it's throwing everyone else off. What the hell's your problem?"

"Bakugo, perhaps this isn't the—" All Might began, but Bakugo cut him off with a sharp glare.

"Stay out of this, old man. Deku's my problem." He turned his fiery gaze back to Izuku. "So spill it. What's got you moping like a damn loser?"

Izuku hesitated, his hands trembling slightly. "It's... it's about her," he admitted quietly.

Bakugo's eyes narrowed, but his tone softened, just a fraction. "Yeah? So what? She's gone, and you're sitting here feeling sorry for yourself. You think that's what she'd want? You think she left so you could stop training and wallow like some useless extra?"

Izuku flinched, but the words struck a chord deep within him. Bakugo continued, his voice lower but no less intense. "You're my rival, Deku. You're supposed to be better than this. So stop acting like you've already lost her, and start being the guy who'd make her proud to come back."

The room fell silent, Bakugo's words lingering in the air like a challenge. All Might nodded slowly, his approval evident in the small smile tugging at his lips. "Wise words, young Bakugo," he said.

Izuku took a shaky breath, his chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and determination. He wiped at his eyes and looked up at his mentor and his rival. "You're right," he said, his voice steadier than before. "I don't know when—or if—she'll come back. But if she does, I want to be ready. I want to be someone she can rely on."

Bakugo smirked, stepping back toward the door. "Damn right. Now quit whining and meet me in the training room. You've got catching up to do."

As Bakugo stormed out, All Might clapped Izuku on the back. "You'll find your way, young Midoriya. And remember, you're never alone."

Izuku nodded, the faint spark of his old determination rekindling in his chest. He would carry the weight of his feelings, but he wouldn't let them hold him back. If anything, they'd make him stronger—just like she always believed he could be.