Ah, this chapter got way shorter than I expected but... Next one will be longer! See you around.
(I still owe nothing except for the plot, kind of.)
"And you should have heard when Thomas made him say 'round and round and round'!"
The boys sat next to each other on the bed, both leaning with their backs against the wall and laughing loudly to Hiccup's stories. Jack almost burst out in tears while hearing about the Australian substitute teacher whose name was "E. Aster".
"And his name on that!" he groaned, "It sounds like Easter! What is he, an Easter-grannie?*"
The brunette wrinkled his nose til' his teeth got exposed, then started to move closer to his friend with a vicious look in his eyes. "'Ey, I'm 'Aster. Come to class! Come to class!"
"N-no, don't…" But he couldn't say more. It was simply impossible for him laughing too much and getting attacked by the other boy. They fought feverishly until Jack had begged for mercy thrice, and Hiccup finally fell over on his side. It took way longer than expected to gain breaths again…
Especially for Jack. Hiccup watched him worriedly while reaching over for the glass of water on the bedside table, then giving it to him. He took a zip and then smiled with watery eyes.
"Sorry…"
"Don't be. Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
They sat in silence for a while, until Jack spoke again.
"It's just a cold… You shouldn't worry…"
"'Just a cold' that you've been having for a couple of years now…"
White hair-locks danced as his head turned away. He couldn't dare to look him in the eyes now.
"Jack, look at me."
No. Impossible.
"Please look at me… I'm not angry with you. I shouldn't worry, I know, but… Man, come on. You've been inside for too long. I should go talk to your parents…"
"No, you can't!" Irritated, the pale boy turned around. "Don't you fucking dare. Do you know anything about them? Do you know anything about me?"
With that, Hiccup was really offended. He didn't think when he almost started to shout, waving with his arms; "Yes, I do! How many times have I come here? You know it! Aren't I your friend? Your best friend?" 'Only friend' echoed inside his head.
"Yea but… Do you know anything about… This?"
Jack swept his hand over his body.
"I'm not well, Hic. I've got an immune system disorder – do you even know what that does to me? I can't go outside. I can't face the sun, I can't… Even… Touch things. I shouldn't see you, because my parents get paranoid and think that you're just a lump of bacteria and parasite who's going to get me killed. Still I'm here with you, and what does that say about me?"
He had tears in his eyes. In any second they'd start streaming down his cheek, so he almost angrily wiped them away before it happened. He was angry – at himself for losing it this quickly, for being him, at Hiccup for not understanding, at his parents for being what they were… Parents.
"You know what? It shows that you're human. That you're healthy."
"Oh come on, healthy?!"
"YES JACK, YOU ARE HEALTHY!" he was yelling now, desperate to show what he really thought. Why his heart was beating so fast and why it felt like someone had grabbed his throat and didn't want to let go, ever. "You are one of the healthiest humans I've ever met! You're nice to everyone you meet, you do as your parents tell you to do, and you know what? You're curious! How many times have you been outside your house? Once a month?"
"Three times."
"See? It's madness! I would've been crazy!"
Jack had to take a deep breath and think about what he just had heard. It made him feel… Warm. But he didn't want to lose this discussion; he had still things to say.
"You know what? It's because you're not me. You're not used to it."
"But do you really want to stay inside all day? Really? Your whole life just these walls, just… Sit alone all day?"
"That's not what I do!"
Hiccup looked at him. He didn't open his mouth, he didn't let out a sound, but his eyes said everything just by looking.
"I'm just…"
And that's about where he lost it.
He couldn't stop the tears; they just kept on streaming down even though he wiped his cheeks time after time. Eyes got swollen and he started to sob, just like a child.
And Hiccup just reached out.
"You're an asshole…" Jack sniffled, holding the warm body as tightly as he could. Arms had never felt so comforting, so calm, and he could even hear his heartbeats rhythmical drumming.
"I know."
'I'm your asshole.'
He breathed in the scent of Jack, shampoo and newly washed clothes. Was he ever anything else than clean?
Paranoid parents, huh.
Was it just him, or was it really hot in there? Their hug was too tight. Too much.
Their bodies were so close, like glued to each other. Comforting, but… Something else?
No, impossibly.
Even though he might wished so.
"JA-ACK!" A sudden deep voice groaned from beneath the floor. "Jack, are you alright? I thought I heard you yelling…"
Thud thud. Heavy feet walking up the stairs, coming closer and closer.
As two like poles on a magnet they jumped away from each other, Hiccup quickly up on his feet and up by the window, opening it and being ready to climb out. Jack wasn't far behind helping him out on the ladder again.
"Quickly" he murmured and wiped his tears, close to cracking up in a nervous short laughter because of the rush of adrenaline. "Out, out…"
When Hiccup was stable standing outside on one of the iron rods, hands grabbing one too, they looked at each other and smiled.
"Shit…"
"I'm coming back."
"Looking forward to it."
*Easter-grannie - In Sweden when we celebrate Easter, some children dress up as Påskkärringar (Easter-Grannies), make cards and go out to knock doors and wish for a Happy Easter. A bit like Halloween but brighter and more cheerful I guess. I used that in this fanfiction because I think it's taking place in Sweden, Norway... Or any other northern-Europe country. Also, it's more of an insult to call someone Easter-grannie than Easter Bunny. Even though he actually is the Easter Bunny...
Very well! See you in a while with the next chapter!
