A/N: So I am going to make this a mix of the Bioshock games and the novel. I don't really class the book as cannon, but some ideas shall still be borrowed. This is a Hijack/Frostcup fanfiction just set in Rapture. As always, thanks for reading! x
...
Jack had come from old money. Very old money. His father was a well known industrialist, and was close to Andrew Ryan. Unfortunately, his father had died, leaving him alone. His mother had died along with his younger sister during his sisters birth. Being under eighteen, he was soon-to-be-homeless and broke.
Until one day he received a letter he didn't know he would still receive. He was in the middle of packing bags when the doorbell rang. A man in his mid forties passed him a letter, saying it was for his father, and left promptly before Jack could explain his father was deceased.
Curious, he opened the letter. A letter requesting his father to move to Rapture, his old friend Andrew Ryan's-
"City?" he read aloud. He had heard nothing of this. How could Andrew Ryan just 'own' a new city? Well, the man had money, but why did it say nothing about it being within America? He frowned. Well, he had nothing to lose, could he perhaps accept his fathers offer? Of course. How would Ryan know? Did he know everyone who he was inviting personally? Perhaps, but, Jackson Overland-Frost was the son of James Frost, and Sarah Overland. They had both been well known in the Andrew Ryan circle.
Jack sat down on his father desk, finding a piece of paper that had the family letterhead on it, and wrote his response, glad for the writing lessons his father had made him take. He signed it his fathers name, under the pretext of himself also joining, and hoping for the best.
He finished by adding the address in which the letter of affirmation should be returned, which seemed odd as the letter was obliviously not delivered by someone who was from the postal service.
He swallowed thickly, walking outside to place it in the post box.
This move could be his last chance before he ended up on the streets. A place he didn't want to be. He had lived his whole life in ridiculous luxury. Maids, butlers, private tutors, chefs... he didn't even have to bathe himself if he didn't want to. Now the harsh reality of life was setting in. He had nothing.
He needed something new. A change. A fresh start.
...
His letter had been accepted. The same man in his mid-forties arrived at his place two days later to chauffeur him to the docks, where they would set sail for the Mid-Atlantic.
Jack started to feel nervous. Sure he had been on boats before, but never alone. He looked to the sky, knowing his father was in heaven,watching over him. Although not religious, it was a nice feeling knowing that his father was, and would want to believe that he would be there for his son.
"James Frost-"
He looked up at the man calling out names. "Sir!" he replied. He frowned and looked at the paper, then back at him. "Jackson Overland-Frost?"
He nodded.
"Welcome aboard."
"Thank you, Sir." He took a deep breath, inhaling the pleasant salt water of the sea, and stepped aboard, another man carrying his small suitcase. Once inside he realized just how perfect this was going to be. The boat itself was huge, no expense spared on its interior.
"This way" the man said.
Jack followed him to his suite for the journey. He stepped inside and looked around at the moderately sized room.
The man placed his belongings in the room and stood to the side, waiting for a tip.
Jack quickly pulled a few notes from his pocket, embarrassed be couldn't give more.
The man seemed pleased and nodded, thanking Jack excessively before leaving.
Jack sat down on the bed, quickly sinking into the too soft mattress. He groaned and fought his way off of it. Not pleasant. He pulled the blankets back, realizing that they were the culprit. So many blankets. Then again, they were traveling farther North than he ever thought he would. He was sure it would be freezing.
Suddenly bored, he went to leave the room when a tall, auburn haired man stopped him. "Sorry Sir, you will have to stay in the room until departure." His voice seemed so nasally for someone who looked older.
"Oh... Why is that?"
"Safety, Sir. Hope that's understandable" he added, seeming awkward with his role of 'safety enforcer'.
"Okay. Safety. Good. I get that."
The man raised a brow. "You look way too young to travel by yourself on a cruise ship."
"Oh... I am sixteen. I think I am old enough" he replied, almost cautiously . What if he wasn't allowed on here without an 'adult'? He had no one in his life who he could drag on this 'cruise'. He had to do it alone.
The man just nodded. "You probably are."
Jack wasn't sure what the man was implying, he seemed really polite, however, and even gave Jack a genuine, lopsided smile.
Jack smiled back before retreating back into the suite. He sat on the desk chair instead of the bed, looking in the drawer to find an old, yellow newspaper. "Maybe this ship isn't used much" he muttered. He put the paper back in the drawer, and stood up. He looked around, feeling disappointed that there were no portholes in his room. He sat on the bed cross legged when he felt the ship move slightly, horns blaring so loud he covered his ears. The sudden lurch made his stomach flip, suddenly feeling sick. "Oh shit" he muttered, noticing the bucket near his bed, and promptly threw up.
...
"Are you feeling better Mr. Overland-Frost?"
He looked up at the man who was on watch outside the room earlier.
"No... Am I dying?"
"No. You're doing fine."
"Huh... Okay... is my skin green?"
"Pale-er than usual, but not yet green" the man chuckled.
"Oh god... I feel like I am dying."
The man smiled kindly and rubbed his back. "You're doing fine."
"I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"Taking you away from your guard-safety-duty."
The man laughed. "Ah, yes, I was just helping out with the crowd control. I am moving to Rapture too."
"Rapture?"
"You mustn't be feeling well."
"Andrew Ryan's city. Yeah... I know. I..." he leaned over the bucket and threw up again. "Ho-how can you stand to see me like this?"
"I am good with this sort of thing."
"Are you a doctor?"
"In engineering yes."
"Oh... Wow..."
The man chuckled. "I got invited as I was the top of all my classes. I tried really hard. What about you? You're sixteen. How did you get an invite?"
"My father is old money."
"You're old money?"
"I would be if my father waited until I was eighteen to die" he said, trying to lighten the mood, but the other man just nodded.
"My father died too in a freak accident."
"Sorry to hear-"
"Likewise. You must be brave to come alone."
"Wh- well, aren't you?"
"Yes. I am actually. I guess... I see it differently cause you are so young."
"I'm not that young."
"Really? Well, you're sixteen, I am twenty five... I think there is a bit of difference."
"You don't look that old. Guess you have to be to be a doctor though."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so."
Jack sat up, leaning against the wall. "I feel awful."
The man nodded. "I can tell."
"I didn't get your name."
"Henry Haddock."
"Huh, I like that. Haddock sounds so cool."
He laughed. "Well, you seem the total opposite of everyone else on this ship. You seem... well..."
"Relaxed? Laid back? Seasick?"
"Definitely the last one" he joked, causing Jack to giggle along. "But yeah, you seem really laid back."
"It's just nervousness" he said, his frail body shuddering. He ran his hand over his face. "Ugh... I am so sorry you're stuck in here with me."
"If I didn't want to be, I would have left already."
"Oh..."
"You seem like a really nice guy, Jack. I hope we get to see each other around more once we get there."
Jack smiled weakly. "Yeah, that would be great."
Henry smiled. "Well, uh... If you want, you can call me Hiccup. Its my nickname."
Jack smiled. "I like that. Hiccup" he chuckled softly, feeling exhausted. "How long until we get there?"
"Another few days."
"Ugh" he groaned. "I wish my dad was here" he whispered.
Henry looked at him. "You got along?"
"We were close... enough... yeah. I just wish I wasn't alone. I was way above my head. Why did I decide to do this?"
Henry chuckled. "I am sure you had a great reason. Maybe you could be a king of industry or art."
Jack groaned. "I didn't even know how to do anything by myself until last year" he admitted, rubbing his ailing stomach. "My father was disgustingly rich. I was disgustingly lazy." He lay down on his side. "I am pathetic."
The older man laughed. "Oh gods, you're hilarious Jack. I am sure you aren't half as bad as you suggest."
"Ugh..." he rolled onto his stomach, enjoying the pressure and cool of the hardwood floor on his stomach. He ran his fingers over the patterns of the floor. "I am worse than that. I was a spoiled little bitch."
"I am gonna take a wild guess and say its the seasickness talking."
Jack sighed. "Whatever." He could feel Henry's hand rub his back in circles, comforting him.
"Even if you were, I am sure you will do great things."
He looked over his shoulder at Henry. "You think?"
Henry nodded. "Yeah, I do. Rapture is a city full of opportunity."
Jack smiled to himself. Perhaps he could do something great one day...
...
He woke up in his bed. The first thing he noticed was that he had gotten into bed. It only took a light snore from next to him to answer how he had. "Henry?" he whispered quietly.
"Jack!" he jolted upright. "Are you okay? Are you still feeling sick?" he asked, pressing his hand to Jack's forehead. "Cold" he muttered.
"Y-yeah, I am feeling better now." Of course he could tell that Jack was freezing. You'd have to be bordering on having frostbite to think Jack's skin was warm.
"I am glad. You stopped breathing... while you were sleeping. I was so scared" he admitted.
"Oh... yeah... I have that problem. Sorry."
"It's okay. I was almost going to call for a medic-"
"I am glad you didn't. I hate seeing doctors" he sighed.
"What happened to you?"
"I almost died." He sighed and sat up, rubbing his face. "Bad memories."
"I'm sorry-"
"No, its not you. I..." he sighed. "I almost drowned. Doctors said that it was by total luck that I lived. They thought I should have died." He shuddered.
"I guess it isn't just seasickness."
"Huh?"
"You were probably suffering a bout of anxiety. Being stuck in the middle of the deep blue sea... soon we will be surrounded by it."
Jack nodded, feeling his chest tense. "What?"
"A city under the sea" said Henry, leaning against the bedhead.
"Of course... that was in the letter... I think..."
"Your memory-"
"Is terrible. Side effect of what happened."
"I see. Sorry, I feel like I am prying too much."
"Don't feel that way. How do we learn if we do not ask?" he sighed rubbing his temples.
"True. True." Henry rubbed his back. "Sorry for hijacking your room by the way."
"No... I am glad I am not alone."
He smiled.
"You should live with me, when we get here" he said, looking at him seriously.
"Really?"
"Yeah. For sure."
Henry chuckled. "Okay. If you want to."
"I do."
"Not too early to be making rash decisions?"
"Obviously not" he grinned, looking even worse with his ashen skin tone from seasickness. "I mean, we are already sharing a bed."
Henry blushed lightly, accentuating his freckles. "Point taken."
Jack lay back down, feeling dizzy from exertion. "I really need to calm down." Being on this ship was killing him. "How long until we get there?"
"A little while."
"Ugh..." Jack groaned, the seasickness returning with a vengeance. "I am dying."
"No need to be so dramatic" said Henry, rubbing Jack's back while he threw up nothing but bile, stomach totally empty. "I'll go and see if I can find something for you to take."
Jack just nodded. Why did he decide to go on this adventure? This was the worst idea ever. His whole body trembled violently. He couldn't wait until they arrived. Even if it was quite some time away.
It felt like hours before Henry returned. Jack looked towards the door. "You're back."
Henry nodded, passing him two small pills. "Apparently these will help. The nurse gave them to me."
Jack nodded. He sat up and popped them in his mouth, Henry passing him a glass of water to wash them down. "Thanks" he said, swallowing the pills. "If I throw up, they won't work, will they?"
"No, they won't."
He groaned. "What if-?"
"You won't. How about you shower and clean your teeth? You might just feel a little better."
"How do you not get sick?"
He chuckled. "I am used to traveling by sea. Been doing it since I was young."
"You make it seem like its actually fun."
"Enough sarcasm. Get your clothes from your bag and your toothbrush, I'll start the shower for you."
"I like that you are so caring Hen-Hiccup" he blushed at using the nickname.
Henry smiled. "You're welcome." He walked into the en-suite, running the shower. "It amazes me that they have all this, you know?"
Jack nodded, practically crawling into the bathroom.
Henry sighed, feeling pity for the teen. Being seasick was definitely no fun.
"Whats the time?" Jack asked, looking at him.
"Four in the morning. Not pregnant are you Jack? Morning sickness and all?"
Jack actually managed a laugh. "Ah, funny. You should get a job as a comedian."
"Stop being so sarcastic." He walked out of the room, smiling.
Jack undressed and crawled into the shower, sitting on the floor. He took deep breaths, attempting to relax. Being under the water was scary, but there was no bath on board. It would be so much easier for him if there was. He hated being submerged. He hated the feeling of water falling over his head. He started crying. He couldn't help it. He was scared, and he felt alone. Even though his father wasn't always there for him, he knew that his father did love him. He only wanted what was best for Jack. He wished his father hadn't died. Life was big and scary outside of the comfort of their home.
He shivered, feeling the same coldness that escaped him when he was lonely cover the floor. "Oh no" he shivered, watching the ice cover the floor and start creeping up the tiles. "No" he crawled out of the shower, embarrassed by his difference. He couldn't let Hiccup know. He turned the shower off and leaned on the vanity, using it to prop himself up. In his fear, the ice covered the basin, causing him to slip and hit his shoulder on the floor. "Ow!" he hissed.
"Jack? Are you okay in there?"
"Y-yeah" he replied, feeling his anxiety swelling in his chest. His airway felt constricted and he gasped for breath, feeling everything go black.
...
"Jack... Jack... Jackson! Jack!"
His eyes snapped opened. "Wh-what?" he coughed. "What happened?"
"You passed out. Are you okay?"
Jack's eyes widened. "You... you saw me?"
Henry blushed. "Uh... A little. I was worried when I heard the thud and... You were just lying there... surrounded by ice."
"Oh god no" he groaned. "I didn't do it. I didn't mean to."
"What are you talking about? I guess the room was cold and you slipped."
"Oh... yeah, for sure." Jack rubbed his shoulder, feeling a strange warmth he wasn't used to. He looked at the bruise; a deep purple.
"How is it feeling?"
"Really sore." He looked at Henry. "Um.. thanks for checking on me."
"I was worried."
"I know. I just feel like I am causing all this hassle."
"Not at all. Promise."
Jack smiled. '"Thank you."
"I was going to check your room and the pipes... but the ice was gone... its weird."
"You can say that again" Jack sighed.
Henry looked at him.
"I mean, we are only heading further north, you'd think it'd spread. Huh?"
Henry nodded. "Yeah. Closer to my home..."
"Wait, you're not American?"
"No."
"Huh. But the accent-?"
"I've been studying on the mainland since I was fourteen. Over ten years to perfect the accent" he joked.
Jack smiled. "Hey, I don't feel seasick anymore!" he grinned.
"Good. The tablets must be working."
"I didn't throw up. Awesome. I'm gonna clean my teeth."
"Will you be okay?"
"Yep." He walked into the bathroom, his discarded toiletries on the floor. He picked up the toothbrush and paste and cleaned his teeth, checking they were still perfectly white. He nodded, content and walked back out, flopping his tired body onto the bed. "I am going to sleep until we get there."
"So, for two more days? I will keep track of that" Henry chuckled.
"Don't be like that" Jack pouted.
Henry smirked and leaned back against the headboard. "Seriously, you sleep for two days and I would probably worry about you."
"I would probably worry too." He sighed and curled up against the pillow. "I want to know more about you."
"Yeah?"
He nodded tiredly. "I do."
"I am from a small island called Berk. I wanted a new life, to get away from my past... so I stayed in America... before accepting the invite here.
Jack nodded. "Do you have siblings?"
"No. I have no family."
"Sorry."
"No, don't be."
Jack rolled over to face him. "I'm sorry for prying."
"No, ask whatever you want. You opened up so much about yourself."
There is a lot to me you don't know.
"Yeah... I guess I did."
Henry looked at him, brows furrowed. "You seem so unsure. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
Jack nodded. "Great. Just tired."
Henry nodded. "I think you should get some shut eye."
Jack nodded. "Too much adventure for one day."
He could hear Henry chuckling as he drifted off to sleep.
