"You going to put him in one of your pornos?" Ruff teased, Tuff joining in to laugh.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Just because people are naked doesn't make it porn" he groaned. "Its art." He finished setting up the video camera.
"Whatever."
"You just wish you were joining him" Tuff snickered.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "I'm not even filming him, I'm filming all of us."
"Ew. Why?"
Hiccup sighed, rubbing his temples. "I just wanted to capture a day on film." He looked through the screen, making sure it covered the whole area. Well, most of it anyway.
He walked over to one of his work benches and picked up his sketchbook and graphite.
"You gonna draw your boyfriend?" Ruff asked.
"He isn't my boyfriend-"
"Yet" the twins laughed.
"-and yes, I am going to draw him." He walked into the old staff area where there were many mattresses lay on the floor, all made up as beds. He sat next to the bed Jack slept in. The blonde tended to sleep in, perhaps it was simply because he had a safe place to sleep now.
Jack was quiet when he slept. You wouldn't even know he was breathing, except the occasional rise and fall of his chest. He rarely even moved around in his sleep.
"Hiccup?"
His eyes widened and he looked around at a confused looking Astrid.
"What are you doing?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"Sketching."
"Huh. Anyway, you just got another call. Rent is due. Well, the last three months of rent is due. What was that great plan you told me about two weeks ago? Have you even thought about it?"
"I have an exhibit on soon. I will make money there."
"Will you really? C'mon, you have to be realistic about this. Do you really think people are going to buy your sketches of Jack sleeping?"
He sighed. "It's fine. I got this, okay?"
She sighed. "You lose this place, where are you going to go? Back home? What about Jack? Does he know that you are in financial debt?"
"He doesn't have to know."
She sighed. "Well... whatever. Just... don't whinge to me when you screw up, okay?"
"Wouldn't dare."
She frowned. "I'm trusting you right now."
"I know."
She shook her head and walked out.
Hiccup sighed. He set the sketchbook down and walked out of the room.
...
Jack opened his eyes, hoping they had no idea he was awake the whole time. He slowly sat up, absorbing the information he had unintentionally received. How much money did Hiccup owe? Three months worth of debt seemed a lot. He was kicked out of the apartment he rented for not paying for six weeks. His landlord was an asshole anyway.
He stood up, stubbing his toe on one of Hiccup's sketchbooks. He picked up the book, flicking through the pages. He smiled when he realized most of them were of himself. Hiccup made him look beautiful. Living on the streets had made him feel unattractive and invisible. But Hiccup made him feel the total opposite. He set the book back down and made made his way into the studio.
"Good morning" he said tiredly.
"Uh, try afternoon" Ruff said, sitting on a bar stool. She sipped at her cup of coffee.
"Well, good afternoon."
She nodded. "Afternoon." She looked over at Hiccup. "Why was Astrid in such a bad mood before? What did you say?"
"She was just asking me about stuff. The usual."
"She acts like your mother" Ruff laughed. "Hey, so I met this person" she added quickly. "They wanna come by tomorrow and see your work. Pretty sure they are looking to make a purchase too."
"What time?"
"I dunno. Like, two?"
"Okay."
"Why? You going out or something?"
"No, just wanted to know."
"Awesome, so I'll tell 'em yeah?"
"Of course."
She nodded, pulling a phone from her bag and slipped off the stool, walking out the front door.
Jack sat next to Hiccup. "Uh... I don't mean to pry into business that isn't mine-"
"You overhead Astrid and me, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did."
He just nodded.
"It's gotta be hard. I mean, is that what you two were arguing about the day I came here?"
"Yeah."
"Well, how about I help out?"
"What?"
"Well, I live here too."
"Yeah, for two weeks. Anyway... I don't want to take your money."
"Well, I'm not homeless anymore. I am happy to help out. How much do you owe."
"Uh... almost ten thousand dollars."
"I will pay it for you."
"Why?"
Jack shrugged. "I live here to. You have been good to me Hiccup. Anyway, with all the people who live here you really need to set rent agreements."
"You think?"
"Um, yes. I'll help you write them up. Seriously. If they don't want to pay rent, they probably shouldn't be here."
"I think that is a fair point."
"I mean, I'm not trying to manage your life, but... I just know what its like to screw it up."
"Yeah, you wouldn't want to manage his life. That's Astrid's job" Tuff laughed, sitting down next to them. "So, why are we talking about managers?"
"Rent money" Jack said bluntly.
Hiccup shook his head. He leaned close to Jack's ear. "You will have to ease them into the idea" he whispered.
Jack nodded. "Okay."
"Seriously, this is going to be the most boring movie ever" Tuff groaned.
"What movie?" Jack asked, brows furrowed.
"Oh, that" Hiccup pointed at the set up camera.
Jack nodded." Cool. It will be like a study in economics."
"Look, I am so confused right now-"
Hiccup shook his head. "Don't worry about it Tuff."
"Okay." He lay on the ground. "We totally need more seat things. Maybe like bean bags."
"No way. If they burst they are the worst to clean up."
"How would you know Jack?"
"I've had some shit jobs before. I'm older than you think I am."
"How old are you?
"Twenty five."
"Really?" Tuff grinned. "You look like your a seventeen year old hipster."
Jack couldn't help but snort at Tuff, who chuckled.
"I thought you were only like eighteen" Hiccup admitted.
"Really?"
"You look young."
"Well, only seven years over eighteen, right?"
Tuff nodded. "Saying that sounds old."
Jack shook his head.
The doors opened and an older lady walked in, followed by Astrid. Astrid was talking enthusiastically about Hiccup's art.
Hiccup stood up and walked over to the lady. "Hi, how are you?" he smiled.
Jack smiled. Hiccup was so ridiculously charming.
Tuff rolled his eyes. "You guys are so in love."
Jack rolled his eyes. "No... we have never spoke about it."
"Huh. There you go." He stood up. "I'm going to get a burger, want one?"
"Sure, I'll go with you" he nodded.
He nodded and they walked to the door.
"Oh, so this is Jack?" the lady asked.
Jack looked around at her.
Astrid frowned at Jack as he approached, so he stopped walking about eight foot from them. Hiccup beckoned him over. "Don't be shy."
Jack walked closer, standing next to Hiccup.
"So, you're the man in all these sketches?"
"Yes. That is me" he smiled.
Seeing that smile, Hiccup fell in love again. There was something so beautiful about Jack's face. He just smiled stupidly at Jack, watching him talk to Mrs. Jacobson.
"So, I just try to capture that youthfulness I was so used to seeing every day in my classroom" Jack finished. "I only taught for a year, but it was the best year of my life. I would love to teach again" he smiled. "But for now, I will be glad to make ends meet."
Jack was a teacher? He was just full of surprises.
Mrs. Jacobson looked at the artworks again, ending up with two landscape photographs.
Hiccup opened his laptop and printed a receipt as she handed over cash. "Thank you" he smiled.
"More than welcome Hiccup. It was nice talking to you Jack."
"Likewise" he smiled, bowing his head a little out of habit.
She smiled and took her leave.
"So, you just have people coming in randomly?"
"Astrid takes it seriously. She tends to find people who are art inclined and looking for a piece or two and brings them back here." He leaned against the bench. "So, you're a teacher, huh?"
"Yeah. Yeah I was."
"Was?"
"I filled in for maternity leave two years ago, and then when she came back I didn't have a job. I was sure I would find another, but I didn't. I tried to look for another job and I just... It's a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be, so I just cut my losses." He shrugged.
"And twenty five. I didn't realize."
"I'm too old to be attractive now, aren't I" he said, putting on a mock sad face.
Hiccup laughed and shook his head. "No."
He smiled. "You mean it?"
"I sure do." He leaned against the bench. "So... You really like this place, huh?"
"Yeah, I do. The rent has risen considerably since I first started renting. This area used to be considered the... not so great part of town. Then people with money started buying up places and before I knew it the rent had almost tripled over the last few years."
"Have you thought of looking for an alternative?"
"No, he hasn't" said Astrid.
Jack looked away. She really did intimidate him.
"So, how much?"
"Five hundred and eighty."
"I'll deposit it at the bank."
He nodded.
Jack watched her curiously.
"What do you want Frost?" she asked.
His eyes widened in surprise. "Nothing" he shook his head. "Its nothing."
She raised a brow.
"Seriously Astrid, so you have a problem with me?" he asked, feeling anxious.
"Not yet." She placed the money in her bag and walked out.
"Hiccup, do you really trust her with your money?" Jack asked curiously.
"I do. Why?"
Jack shook his head. "It's nothing."
Hiccup frowned. "Jack-"
"I didn't mean anything by it."
"Okay. I was just curious."
Jack sat up on the bench, looking down a few inches at Hiccup. He smiled. "I know you two are close. I just... I think she is intimidating" he shrugged.
"I don't want you to feel intimidated."
"She is like, the alpha around here. She bosses you around."
"I don't think Jack is wrong" said Tuff, passing him the coffee. "Y'know, I got you one even though you ditched me."
"Sorry Tuff" Jack said, shoulders shrugging in apology. He took a sip.
Tuff nodded, accepting it. "So, did Mrs. Jacobson want to sleep with you?"
Jack looked at his wide -eyed. "What?"
"Heard she likes the twink look" he sniggered.
"Yeah, she does" said Hiccup. "I am surrpised she didn't buy any pictures of you."
"Um... but 'Mrs'-" Jack started, only to be cut off by Hiccup.
"Oh, she just goes by that. Her husband died... Three years ago I think. She is old money who hires cute twink rent boys to go with her to art gallery openings, opera nights... anything old money does as entertainment she takes one."
"Thought she'd make an offer on you" Tuff chuckled.
"Is that why you invited me for coffee?"
"Yep. Save you from her."
Jack laughed. "Sorry. Didn't know that was the plan. I wonder how old money she is. I have never met her."
"Why would you know?" Tuff asked confused.
"Oh, its nothing" Jack shrugged. "Just... yeah" he sighed. "I have no idea where I was going with that."
Astrid walked back in. "Hiccup."
"Yeah?"
"Saw your landlord at the bank so I transferred some money over, is that okay?"
"Of course. Thanks."
"Wait, Astrid has permission to do that. With your money? Your account?" Jack asked, horrified.
"Well, we were engaged for two years, and we thought we would get married, so we shared accounts. That is the only shared account now."
"You two were engaged?"
Astrid smirked. "Jealous, Frost?"
"Um, not really. I'm sure he can do better."
"Oh shit. You're so fucking dead" Tuff warned, but instead Astrid just laughed. "Oh yeah? Someone who looks like they walked the streets-"
"I didn't, actually, I just wanted to get away from my controlling, abusive father. Anywhere was better than New York."
"You're from New York?" Hiccup asked, staring at the platinum blonde.
"I sure am. Glad I'm not going back." He walked out to the old storeroom cum bedroom and slammed the door.
Tuff bit his lip. "Wow. You two both fucked up."
Hiccup looked at Astrid. "Okay, I get it. You don't like him. But you're the one who moved on, not me. Why do you hate him?"
"He is like a little leech. he is just going to suck-"
"Your dick" Tuff snickered.
Astrid ignored him. "-all the life and money out of you and he will leave you washed up and you will wish you never, ever spoke to him. You think he is so cute and can do no wrong. Well, let's see how long it lasts before he fucks you over." She turned and walked out of the building.
Tuff looked at Hiccup. "All this cause you brought a twink home. Well shit, still a better reaction than what your father'd give you huh?"
"Yeah, can't fault that logic" he sighed.
"Um... You want me to talk to Jack?"
"Think it might be better to leave him alone for a while. I don't want to make the tension worse in here."
Tuff nodded. He looked at the coffee cup that Jack had set down and picked it up. "Um... you want it? Still full."
Hiccup nodded. "Yeah, I think I need it after all this."
