Chapter 1

It had become routine for him. Every day after school Hiccup would wander down town, choosing to spend the remaining daylight hours in the expanse library, hidden away among the rows of books and comforted by the worn pages that greeted him like old friends. It was there he would wait until his dad got off work, and would then drive him to his cello lessons. The library at school seemed like a joke compared to the old red brick building that had ivy crawling up the sides. Not to mention, there was one spot tucked away between the mystery section and the scifi that had a window seat that, in Hiccup's opinion, let in just enough light, and offered a perfect view of little garden patch that the community center had set up just outside.
It was here that Hiccup could spend hours in blissful solitude, opening his mind to new stories and adventures, and completely lose himself in lands where he was not an awkward, stuttering, stumbling 96 pound ball of teenage hormones.
It had been a fairly normal day so far for the boy. The sun shone high in the sky as Hiccup hopped off the c93 bus, barely escaping a puddle that sat right in front of the bus' doors. It had been raining horribly for the past week, not that Hiccup particularly cared, as he spent most of his days indoors anyway. But he had to admit, the warm sun was a nice change, and reminded him that spring was just around the corner. It wasn't a long walk to the library, a short cut through the ally behind Gobber's body shop cut Hiccup's usual walking time in half, and every other day or so he would stop to chat with Gobber himself, that is, if the burly man could spare the time. Today however was not a day like that, and although Hiccup felt a little guilty for feeling so, he was secretly happy that the man was no where in sight. Being half way through a new mystery, Hiccup was itching to crawl up into his perch and continue reading.
Finally the aging stone steps came into view, and Hiccup couldn't hide the grin that took over his freckled face as he climbed up the familiar stairs, and into his home away from home. Wasting no time, he passed the front desk, offering a soft 'hello' to the elderly woman who sat behind the counter in passing, and scurried off to the mystery section. However, when he made it passed the third row, just before the scifi section began, Hiccup noticed something.
There was another boy sitting in his window seat. He sat in the corner across from where Hiccup usually did, his knees pulled up, and a note book delicately perched upon his lap. His head was bowed, curious silver hair making it difficult to place the boy's exact age.
Hiccup pursed his lips. This wasn't a part of his routine, but not one to give up something that was rightfully his so easily, Hiccup advanced, a dog eared copy of an obscure novel in his hand. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Hiccup moved forward in slow shuffling steps until he was no more than an arms length away.
"Excuse me.." He said in a soft voice, his fingers worriedly drumming against the spine of his book. Up close he could see the damaged ends of the boy's hair, and came to the conclusion that the white was a little more than bleach, or some sort of dye. This calmed him some, now realizing that the mystery boy must have been around his age, perhaps a year or two older at most. "Excuse me." Hiccup repeated, a little louder when he got no response. The boy stared intently at his paper, completely engrossed in his work. Deciding not to waste his breath on another attempt, he tapped the boy on the shoulder, and wasn't surprised when the other jumped at the touch. Confused chocolate brown eyes locked onto his, a pencil still poised between long, nimble fingers. The boy said nothing, but his eyes spoke for him.
"I... Was wondering if I could sit there." Hiccup asked, pointing to the other end of the window seat. The boy glanced over to where Hiccup pointed, then back to him and gave a small shrug. Satisfied with that answer, Hiccup thanked him and clambered into his favored seat. It was odd having someone else there, but the soft pencil scratching that came from the boy's note pad was oddly soothing. Soon enough Hiccup felt comfortable again, and dove into his book.
Hours passed, and soon enough Hiccup felt his pocket vibrate, alerting him of a message from his father saying that it was time to go. When Hiccup looked up, he saw that the boy was still there, although this time he had his pencil clenched between his teeth as he peered out the window. Gross, but not an uncommon habit. Hiccup brushed it off as he slid out of his seat and scurried back to the library's front entrance.
Strangely enough, when he returned the next day, he saw that the boy was still there. Same white hair and dirty sneakers and well used notebook, the only noticeable difference was today his jacket was grey instead of blue.
"Oh.. You again.." Hiccup whispered, slipping back into his seat. He hadn't expected the boy to be there, but didn't protest to his company. He went back to his book, while the boy busied himself with his writing, or drawing, or whatever it was that he was doing.
The next day continued like this, and the day after that. Eventually, Hiccup grew used to seeing the boy, and began to count it as another reason to hurry to the library each day.
"Hello again." He said quietly, offering a smile to the boy who didn't look up right away. Once Hiccup settled, the plush seat shifting with his weight, warm chocolate brown eyes glanced over to him, straight white teeth showing with a playful grin. The boy rose his hand and gave a tiny wave, greeting Hiccup silently, then looking back down at the dirty pages of his notebook.
"You know," Hiccup began, his fingers trailing along the cover of a dated medical text book. The feeling of the glossy cover brought comfort to him as he struggled to make conversation. "I guess since I see you every day, It'd be nice to know your name." The corners of his lips twitched upwards an an awkward attempt of a smile, a dull hope pounding in him that perhaps it would hide nervousness that seeped from his every pore. Thankfully, the boy didn't seem to notice. In fact, he didn't even look up at all. Frowning a tad, Hiccup went back to his book, feeling foolish for even attempting. In his mind he began to list off excuses, mentally fighting with himself to try again. 'He didn't hear you, idiot. Whatever he's doing, its obviously important. Don't bug him!' Were only a few of the things he told himself. None the less, he decided to try again, not wanting to quit just yet.
Leaning forward, he gently tapped the boy's knee, causing him to jolt in surprise. Hiccup felt a twinge of guilt for frightening him, but that feeling was washed away when a soft smile greeted him. He returned the action, clearing his throat before opening his mouth to speak. However, before a single sound passed his lips, the boy rose a finger to his mouth and made a dull 'shushing noise. Of course. They were in a library. They had to be quiet. But this rose another problem. Settling back into his seat, Hiccup worried his lower lip between his teeth as he pondered how to communicate with the boy if he could not speak. But before he could figure how to handle this delema for himself, the sound of rustling paper brought him back to reality, just as a note book was thrust into his lap.
Hiccup looked at the book, then back up at the boy who continued to smile, a pencil held in his outstretched hand. Excitement coursed through Hiccup as he accepted the pencil, pleased that at last he could at last hold a conversation. It was better this way, in Hiccup's opinion at least. He had never really been too fond of talking, finding the trouble of searching for the correct words and common interests horribly awkward. At least through the written word, he could see his thoughts before anyone else, and a few swipes of an eraser could eradicate any stupidity from the paper.
He handed the note book back to the the boy along with a short list of questions, only to get an amused look and a raised eyebrow in return, along with the book shortly after.
Beneath his neat cursive writing, were a series of replies written in small, cartoonish block letters.
-Since I see you every day pretty much, you mind telling me your name?
Jack. Whats yours? C:
-Also, how old are you?
I'm 17, and I'm going to guess you're about 14-15.
-What are you always doing in that book?
You mean the one you're writing in, and holding in your hands right now? ;P Well thats a secret mister nosey.
Hiccup read over Jack's answers, and tried not to flush in embarrassment. Now that he had the book back, his questions seemed rather.. Childish. Never the less Hiccup took back the pencil and began to write once more.
-I'd tell you my name, but you'd never be able to pronounce it. But ever since I moved here, people started calling by my nickname, Hiccup. And I'm sixteen actually.
He handed the book back to Jack, whose shoulders shook as he tried to hold back a chuckle.
Hiccup, eh? Alright. I'll accept that for now. Where are you from?
-Iceland.
The next hour or so passed like this, the two boys innocently asking each other questions, and quizzing each other. Hiccup found it surprisingly easy to talk to Jack, although, that could have very well been due to the fact that there was no talking to be had. Whatever the case may have been, Hiccup was disappointed when he got his father's usual message that it was time to go. With an exaggerated sigh, he wrote a quick note to Jack saying he had to leave. The boy frowned a bit, and actually seemed a little down trodden.
Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow?
Hiccup smiled a bit and nodded.
-Same place, same time.
With that, he gathered his things, and gave Jack a wave as he hurried out, not wanting to keep his father waiting any longer.

Over the next few weeks Hiccup began to include Jack when he thought of his daily routine, and at school thoughts of the boy often came to mind. He had picked up on many of Jack's interests, and his off beat Spence of humor, and when certain things he saw through out the day reminded him of the boy, Hiccup would be sure to tell him later on.
He entered the library feeling significantly lighter than he did three weeks ago. Not even the usual jeers of his class mates bothered him as much. It felt good to have someone to talk to for once. A friend that wasn't trapped between sheets of paper or written in ink, and would respond to his calls. He found that Jack had a shared problem, and had a hard time making friends. Although, Hiccup wasn't entirely sure why. Although he had never heard the boy speak, Jack seemed to be rather outgoing and cheerful for the most part. Then again, stories of his misadventures made Hiccup question if Jack's mischeivious nature had anything to do with it.
Whatever the reason, Hiccup enjoyed his company none the less, and felt relaxed in his presence and free to let his guard down.
He greeted Jack with a playful smack on the knee, a gentle teasing action to alert the other boy that he was there. Jack grinned and tried to swat Hiccup with his note book as he passed, a weak revenge for making causing his pencil to slip.
Wow. Rude. :c Jack complained, turning to a new page in his note book before he handed it to Hiccup, who rolled his eyes at the words.
-Hello to you too snowball. Hiccup replied with a teasing smirk. He delighted in the way Jack's face scrunched up when he read the all too familiar nickname.
Again with the hair. I repeat. RUDE. ಠ_ಠ
Hiccup snickered and rolled his eyes once more. It was much too easy to tease the boy, even if Jack did take the jibes with good nature. It was something he liked about Jack. He was so.. Easy going. It was a pleasant change of pace.
-Yeah yeah, I'm rude and you're a snowflake. Live with it. Any way, I have to leave early today, so be nice.
Jack's face turned into a tell tale frown as he read this, and looked at Hiccup quizzically.
Sick of me already? ;0; You're breaking my heart!
-Cute Jack. But I have to bus all the way down to east 49th.
Why?
-My dad is working late tonight, and can't drive me to my cello class.
Ah. So that explained it. Jack nodded in understanding, although, he would be lying if he said it wasn't disappointed.
Fine, fine. Leave me rot my 'frend!' See if I care.
-You spelled 'friend' wrong.
SHUT UP BUTT MUNCH. I'M IN DISTRESS. ,A,
That made Hiccup giggle, and he had to press a hand to his mouth to suppress the sounds he made.
-Well, I'm sure you are. But I'm afraid I have to go.
Yes, thats right. Laugh at me. Its not like I have feelings!
-Yes yes, I know. You're a delicate flower in the heat of May. Now do you want to come with me or not?
The joking smile Jack had been donning wilted as his brows creased in confusion. Was Hiccup really asking him to hang out outside of the library?
You want me to go with you?
-Well, if you want. I've only bussed there once before, and I'd be nice to actually talk instead of write.
Hiccup watched Jack read, and felt a rock settle in his stomach as he watched Jack's face morph into an expression of real distress. Had he said something wrong? Too straight forward? He almost didn't notice when the notebook was thrust back into his lap.
I'd love to. C:
Those three words calmed Hiccup's nerves, and brought a smile to his face. However, when he realized there was more to the message, he felt the dread return.
I'd love to. C: But... I think I wanna come clean about something..
Hiccup looked up at Jack, taking note of how the boy's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and how his fingers quivered ever so slightly. He handed the notebook back, nodding as silent conformation to go on. Jack obliged, but took a little longer than he should have to write out his reply.
Honestly.. I would love to hang out with you. You're a great guy.. But I haven't really been honest with you. I don't know how great of a conversation I can hold up with out my note book.
Jack hung his head as Hiccup read, feeling ashamed for not coming clean earlier. Meanwhile, Hiccup felt his heart race, his jaw falling slack as the next four words he read made his chest clench.
Because Hiccup.. I'm deaf.