Toothless roared, a sound of heartbreak and fury, and lunged. He pinned Hiccup to the wet stone, one massive paw on the human’s chest. The claws pressed into the leather tunic, dimpling the skin beneath. Jaws snapped inches from Hiccup’s face, hot breath smelling of sulfur and raw fish.
One of the most poignant ironies of this scene is that Hiccup tries to reach Toothless through eye contact. In human psychology, direct eye contact is intimacy. In dragon psychology—specifically the traumatized, controlled psychology of a bewitched Night Fury—direct eye contact from an unarmed human might be perceived as a challenge. why didn't toothless recognize hiccup
What he got was a roar that sounded like tearing metal. Toothless roared, a sound of heartbreak and fury, and lunged
Hiccup gasped, opening his eyes.