Author's Note: For those who didn't see my text post on Tumblr, I was discussing this fic with a close friend of mine (whose ability to shred hearts surpasses my own by leagues), and while I originally had an idea for a fluffy/happier follow up to the story, she has very generously gifted me with a plot bunny that can devour people's souls whole. Seeing as I now have the means to take the fic in two very different directions, I have decided to combine both for the reading pleasure of the masochistic. If you want to maintain the illusion of a happy ending, I strongly suggest you read to the end of this chapter and stop there.
Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or How to Train Your Dragon.
By My Hand
Part 2
Jack sighed heavily and slumped in his seat, using a fork to push around the mashed potatoes on his tray with an idle hand. Lunchtime would be over in a few minutes, but he didn't feel like eating anything at the moment. A rough smack to the back of his head made him drop his unused utensil and turn around with a scowl.
"What?" he grumbled at the prison warden behind him, ignoring the warning glare that told him to watch his tone.
"Thought ya might want to hear some news," the Australian officer said curtly. "The kid's having his first physiotherapy session later today."
Salt and pepper eyebrows rose in surprise. "He got fitted with a prosthetic already?"
"Naw, he can't afford one. Poor bloke has to get around in a wheelchair. Can't imagine how he's gonna survive college now."
The warden's words cut into him like knives, but guilt was no stranger to Jack at that point. It gnawed at his heart whenever he thought about the green eyed brunet. He had ruined the younger teen's life all because he couldn't control his drinking, and he was lucky he hadn't been thrown out of the hospital the second he told him who he was. Apologizing for his stupidity wouldn't restore the other male's missing limb, but he had to own up to his mistakes. If his soul mate hated him for the rest of his miserable life, then it was a punishment he was going to have to live with.
"Thanks for the update," Jack murmured, turning away to pick up his tray just as a bell signaled the end of the lunch period. A large hand on his shoulder made him pause however, and he heard the officer sigh sympathetically behind him.
"Listen," he grunted roughly, "there's no point beatin' yerself up like this. What's done is done, and I hope it taught you a lesson. Best thing you can do now is move on and put yer time here to good use."
Jack gave him a skeptical look. "How?"
"There's this program we started recently..."
The silence in the room was broken by a sharp knock on the door, prompting the small circle of inmates to look up from their work.
"Overland!" barked the warden who stepped inside. "You have a visitor."
While the rest of his group returned to their previous activity, Jack frowned in confusion. His mother and younger sister had just come by last week, so why were they back so soon? Did something happen at home? He stood up hurriedly from his seat, belatedly remembering that his lap was currently being occupied. A half-finished green scarf dropped to the floor, along with a pair of knitting needles and several balls of yarn. Embarrassed, he quickly gathered the fallen materials amidst the chuckles of his fellow inmates.
"Just bring them along with you," the warden sighed impatiently, holding the door open.
Arms full, Jack obediently followed him out to the visitors' room. It wasn't very crowded that afternoon, and he was shown to an empty table with a chair at the side, taking a seat as the warden left to fetch his visitor. While waiting, he unloaded his cargo onto the table and began sorting through the tangled threads of wool, absently wondering why there was only one chair provided. So focused on his task was he that he barely registered the squeaking of wheels accompanying his visitor's arrival until he heard someone clearing their throat in front of him.
When he looked up, he nearly leapt out of his seat in shock.
"Hi Jack," Hiccup greeted him softly.
Jack found himself frozen to the spot, his mouth completely dry. The last and only memory he had of the other boy was him lying broken and lifeless on a hospital bed, and he never dreamt that he would ever lay eyes on him again after that. Seeing him in a wheelchair was like a punch to the gut, reminding him of the consequences of his careless actions. Not knowing what to say, the white-haired teen looked away in shame, unable to bring himself to even return the greeting.
"Didn't know you could knit," the brunet continued, as though he expected the silence. He gestured to the small pile of materials sitting at the side. "Is that a scarf under there?"
Nodding uncomfortably, Jack's trembling fingers picked up a ball of yarn and started to fiddle with it. "Just some program I signed up for..." he mumbled, still not meeting the other's eyes. He didn't notice the way Hiccup brightened slightly at his response, encouraging him to continue.
"What kind of program?"
"They'd teach us how to knit so we can make stuff for the city's orphanages. Like, scarves and hats for the children during winter."
"That's very thoughtful of you."
Unable to take the false pretenses any longer, Jack dropped the yarn and glared weakly at him. "Why are you here?" he demanded, even though there was no real heat in his voice.
"You came to see me after the operation. I wanted to return the favor." Hiccup shrugged before shooting him a knowing look. "One of the wardens said that you asked him to keep tabs on me. Is that true?"
Cringing, Jack mentally cursed the Australian officer and covered his eyes in mortification. "Oh God, I sound like such a creep when you put it like that," he groaned, trying to fight the blush working its way up his cheeks. In an attempt to justify himself, he quickly added, "I'm not a stalker, I swear! I just wanted to know how you were doing - like, if you were recovering well and moving on with your life and -"
A foreign sound reached his ears, prompting him to peek through his fingers and stare at the brunet in astonishment. The freckled teen's laugh was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, and his heart started to melt from the lopsided smile he was giving him.
"Wow, that makes me feel a whole lot better," Hiccup snorted with an eye roll. "But you're right, in a way. You can't be a stalker if you don't even know my name."
Jack paused and lowered his hands, the words just resting at the tip of his tongue. He wanted so badly to know, but he didn't think he deserved the privilege and it took everything to restrain himself from asking. It was all he could do to shrug carelessly, pretending to be nonchalant about the whole issue. He leaned back when Hiccup suddenly thrust his hand in front of him, and he stared at it in confusion. "What's this for?" he asked.
"I know you haven't been outside lately, but don't tell me you've forgotten what a handshake looks like." Hiccup watched as Jack hesitantly took the offered appendage, feeling a spark when their fingers touched. "My name is Hiccup." The brunet smiled as he grasped the other boy's hand and shook it firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Jack."
All of a sudden, it was too much for the white-haired teen to handle. Hiccup coming to see him, giving him his name, even going as far as shaking his hand after what he'd done to him... It was far from forgiveness, but then again he'd assume that Hiccup wouldn't have wanted anything to do with him after that night in the hospital. Deeply moved, the tears spilled over his cheeks before he could stop them.. "T-thank you..." Jack cried, bowing his head in gratitude as his hand began to tremble in the other's grip. "Thank you... And I'm s-sorry..."
"I know..." Hiccup murmured sadly. "I wish our first meeting could have gone better, but hey, we wouldn't have found each other otherwise, right?"
And it was true. In the strange world they lived in, it was rare for soul mates to live out the rest of their lives with each other. There was no real way to search for them, and many wondered if it was really worth meeting them at all. Tragically for most, by the time they discovered their other half, it was already too late for one or both of them. Hiccup and Jack were lucky to both be still alive, and it was a gift not to be taken for granted.
From that point onwards, the hours flew by as they talked, getting to know more about each other. Jack found himself smiling for the first time in months, and Hiccup forgot all about the apprehension he felt when he had first decided to pay the other teen a visit. It seemed almost as if they had known each other for years, and they would have continued talking through the night if not for visitor hours ending before either of them knew it.
"Thank you for coming," Jack said with a sincere smile. "I didn't think you'd want to see me ever again, but I'm glad you're here, even if it's just for today."
"Not at all. I had fun talking to you." The brunet paused before turning away, blushing shyly. "So... next month, same time?"
Jack's heart could have exploded from happiness. "Yes! I mean - I'd like that..."
Hiccup grinned at his enthusiasm. "Well, see you then."
With a parting wave, Jack watched as the brunet wheeled himself away. His gaze fell to the pile of knitting materials at the side after Hiccup had disappeared through the glass doors.
The next time Hiccup came to visit, Jack gave him the completed scarf, saying how much the color brought out his eyes.
When winter arrived a few months later, the brunet brought along two cups of hot chocolate with the handmade garment wrapped securely around his neck.
And after Hiccup graduated from college one and a half years later, Jack was there to accompany him to the ceremony before taking him out on their first official date.
Author's Note: Friendly reminder - if you want a happy ending to this story, do NOT read the last part which I will upload later. Don't blame me if reverse psychology tells you to do otherwise. You have been warned.
