The cameras had just cut, and the massive green screen dragon head—basically a foam block with googly eyes—was wheeled off set. Mason Thames was still holding the fake harness, his hair a little messy from all the “flying.” You, standing just off-camera, couldn’t stop laughing.

“You looked way too serious riding that foam lizard,” you teased, crossing your arms. “Like, Oscar-worthy commitment.”

Mason glanced at you, mock-offended. “Excuse me, but I was channeling Hiccup’s soul. That’s called acting.” He puffed his chest out dramatically, then tripped over the edge of the dragon rig. Smooth.

You raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Real heroic.”

He laughed, brushing himself off. Then, lowering his voice so only you could hear, he leaned closer. “At least I didn’t laugh at your big dragon-taming moment.”

Your cheeks warmed instantly. “I wasn’t laughing—I was just… bonding with Toothless.”

“With a tennis ball on a stick?” Mason smirked, pointing at the prop stand-in. “Yeah, super emotional.”

You swatted his arm, but before you could fire back, the director called for a reset. Mason lingered for a beat, eyes still on you, and said softly:

“Hey, after this scene… wanna run lines together? I mean—unless you’d rather keep bonding with your tennis-ball dragon.”

And just like that, you had the strangest feeling this behind-the-scenes moment might turn out to be even more magical than the movie itself.