This chapter was a bit difficult to write! I know my updates are massively uneven too, so apologies. Anyway, um yep. Here you go.

It was around 4 o'clock when Hiccup found himself meandering around the streets towards the bridge he'd said he'd meet Jack at, after texting the boy and receiving no reply he was wandering if the past day had been fake, a trick to the sharp male. It was the constant paranoia that nagged at the back of his mind constantly as to whether Jack really wanted to be his friend or not. But, he sighed, they were both technically grown-ups, despite the fact that neither of them acted that way. Hiccup estimated that Jack was around a year older than him, and about 21, whilst Hiccup was only 20. Not that it really bothered him; he'd often been the youngest of his friends anyway. Shortly, he came to a stop when he reached the desired meeting place, and he leaned against the wall and gazed up at the cloudy sky. His thoughts were disrupted however, by the sound of heavy, fast falling footsteps that seemed to be approaching, and a grin split across his face when he looked to see white hair peeking out from underneath a beanie hat.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" Jack panted as he reached Hiccup, stopping to put his hands on his knees and gasp for breath. Hiccup laughed, clapping him on the back.
"You didn't have to run, you know. I only just got here." Jack looked up and slummed down again, sighing in exhaustion.
"Okay. Let's go get you a job so you can make me some coffee." Hiccup snorted and followed him; the walk wasn't far, it turned out the café was only round the corner. They entered with the jingling of a friendly bell, and Hiccup looked around the small coffee shop and inhaled the comforting smell. Jack waltzed right up to the bar and rang the bell there a couple of times.
"Bunny~! I know you're here!" He called out in a taunting song. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed and in came a tall man, with tanned skin and grey hair.
"Alright, alright, I heard ya the first time." He growled, flicking Jack over the head.
"Aw, did somebody wake up on the wrong side of the hutch this morning?" Jack teased, earning another whack off of the other. "Anyway Bunny, is North around? Hiccup here needs a job." After this announcement, the man turned to face Hiccup for the first time, each taking in the others' appearance.
"Wow, did Jack actually make a friend for once?" teased, smirking at Jack who scowled in return. Hiccup rolled his eyes, holding out his hand to shake.
"Hi. I'm Hiccup, and as Jack stated, I'm in rather desperate need of a job."
"Nice to meet ya, Hiccup. I'm Aster, but North's the man who runs this place, but I bet'cha he'd hire ya. I'll go get him for ya." The thick Australian accent made Hiccup smile as Bunny turned and glared at Jack.
"Thank you" he replied, turning also to Jack who was swinging carelessly on a seat, and retaliated with a smirk at the tall man who passed him.
"Bunny loves me really. I've known him for ages, always used to pester him. It's kinda mutual you know? Bit sibling like."
Hiccup nodded in reply, looking around the room at all the different types of tea and coffee that were perched along the walls. They were also decorated with printed photos, all in black and white, dotted occasionally on each wall. The photos were of local places, some of which he recognised, and had a little sprawled signature in each corner. Before he could get a proper look however, a jolly voice entered.
"Jack, Jack! I missed your trip yesterday! It seems this time, you listen to my advice, no?" The man, in Hiccup's opinion, looked like Santa Claus. Perhaps that is why he's called North, Hiccup suspected. Jack seemed very fond of the man however, as he was crushed up in a big hug.
"N-North, breathing please!" He gasped out, grinning. "Anyway, I was hoping you could give my friend here a job." North turned towards Hiccup, and if he hadn't just witnessed the display of affection, he might have been intimidated by the large man with …interesting tattoos.
"You make coffee?" North questioned, his gaze focusing on Hiccup's eyes in a way that he felt like the blue eyes were really staring deep into him.
"Um, yeah I guess" He replied, shuffling a little.
"If you make Jack coffee and he likes it, you get job." North grinned, unfolding his arms. Jack laughed, patting North on the back.
"I owe you one North. Still, this is quick even for you."
"He seems trustworthy!" The man then patted his protruding belly and gave Jack and Bunny a look which left Hiccup looking confused, and departed. Bunny rolled his eyes, and tossed Hiccup and apron.
"Here you are mate. If you can spare 10 minutes, take a chance to look around and get familiar." Hiccup managed to catch it (just about) and tied it round his waist, stepping round the counter.
"So…what was that about?" He asked awkwardly. Jack laughed, turning on his stool to face him.
"North feels things in his belly. He has good or bad feelings regarding a subject by basing it on how his belly feels." Hiccup looked a bit taken a back, and Bunny rolled his eyes. "Hey Bunny, don't roll your eyes- he hasn't been wrong yet!"
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I was just taking a break, and Jack- you know how this place works like an employee. Show Hiccup how to work the stuff." He called over his retreating back.
"Lazy!" Jack called after him, but he skipped round the counter anyway and pulled on the spare apron he knew North kept under the counter. In reply to Hiccup's questioning eyebrow, he shrugged- "On busy days I help out."
"Okay, so what do I need?" Hiccup looked around with open hands, into which Jack piled a load of stuff.
"This is for making normal coffee." He gestured to a device on the left. "Coffee goes in here, water goes in here, ta-da."
"Can I like, make notes or something?" Hiccup asked, knowing he would undoubtebly forget a step or do something wrong. Jack just laughed though, and handed him a pen and an old receipt to write on.
"Okay, got that down? Cool. This machine is for the fancy coffees. Again, coffee bit here, mug goes here…and then you do this with the milk." Jack poured him a cappuccino, painting a design with the froth to show off, which Hiccup smiled at.
"Tea, you know how to make tea. Pots are there, bags are there, filters if you're using the fancy stuff are in that drawer. And…that's basically all you need to know! Questions?" Jack turned and leaned against the counter, grinning at Hiccup who was furiously scribbling down. "Don't worry though, North and Bunny'll help if you need it whenever."
Rolling his eyes at Jack's rather simple way of explaining things, Hiccup wrote down what he needed to remember. When he'd finally stopped scribbling, he pulled up the stool to perch on, and sipped the coffee.
"Thanks for doing this Jack, it's really great of you." Hiccup gave him a genuine smile, which Jack replied with his own impish grin.
"It's no problem, really. And now I can teach you how to make the best coffee, you'll be my star pupil!" He ruffled Hiccup's hair to peeve him. "How are the kittens?"
"They're totally fine! I think yours misses you though, she was crying all night."
"Do you know all their genders?"
"Yours is a girl, the other two are male. Still have absolutely no idea for names though!"
Jack looked around thoughtfully. "Why don't we name them after coffee!" He exclaimed, waving his hands excitably.
Hiccup laughed, wondering whether he was joking or not.
"I'm serious! I can have cappuccino, you can have espresso, it totally works!"
"Espresso actually kind of works for mine…" Hiccup pondered, smiling at the rather ridiculous names.
"And mine can be Cappuccino because she has a white ear!" Jack exclaimed, grinning.
"You're ridiculous." Hiccup shook his head.
"I'm fun! You're boring!"
"Hey! I didn't say no…" Hiccup shook his head at Jack's antics. "Okay, okay, we can name them after coffee you addict." Jack punched the air happily. "Honestly, you're like a five year old…" Hiccup muttered.
"Excuse, Mr Dragon obsessed, who are you to talk?" Jack retorted, grinning.
"Shut it, Snow White."
"Hey! Snow White had black hair! I'm very fond of these lovely locks thank you!" Jack managed to time it so as he was showing Hiccup just how luscious his locks were (by shoving them in Hiccup's face) Bunny walked in.
"Right… Okay, well Jack you can go in the store cupboard and stop harassing Hiccup." Bunny picked Jack up by the back of his hoodie, showing a surprising amount of strength, and literally pushed him into what Hiccup guessed was the store cupboard. "Go find some more of the good coffee!" He yelled after him, shutting the door. Hiccup could here protests from the other side, and he shook his head, laughing.
"Sorry 'bout that. " Bunny shook his head, fidgeting and retying his apron as he shifted in some new products onto the bakery shelves that were scattered with baked goods such as coffee and walnut cake, and cinnamon swirls- a personal favourite of Hiccup's.
"It's fine!" Hiccup looked amused and watched Bunny lay out everything with interest. "I took some notes so I hope I won't be too much of a trouble to you."
"Nah, you'll be totally fine mate, I appreciate the help." Bunny flashed him a smile showing off some rather incredibly white teeth that rivalled Jack's. "So how did you meet Jack anyway?" Bunny questioned, glancing up at Hiccup.
"Ah, well, it was quite an interesting meeting I suppose." Hiccup laughed nervously, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. "I was out looking for my cat when I bumped into him in the pouring rain and he offered to help-"
"Jack? Help?" Scoffing as he interrupted, he motioned for Hiccup to continue anyway.
"Yeah, we found him…with kittens. Turns out later he'd found them and decided to basically become their mother, that troublesome cat. Anyway, we were ages away from mine and they were in a pretty bad condition so Jack offered to let me stay for the night at his." Hiccup shrugged, wondering if that sounded weird to Bunny.
"And you trusted him? Hiccup, have you not realised Jack is a little buggering prankster? You put your life on the line there mate." It was said with a certain light-heartedness about it that Hiccup knew he was joking, and he let loose a small laugh in response.
"We watched a movie, and that was it. He helped me with the kittens in the morning; after all he said he wanted to adopt one himself."
"Jack? Trusted with a kitten? Keep an eye on that one will ya? Poor thing."
"Don't worry- the one he's picked out is a mischief lover too so I'm sure they'll get along just fine."
"Well, it might be good for him to have more company I guess." Bunny's smile was almost genuine, but it was quickly cleared up as he mentioned "I don't care for him or anything, definitely not. But like, then he might not bother us so much." Hiccup chuckled at the way he covered his tracks so defensively and quickly, Jack was pretty accurate in saying their relationship was like those of brothers- caring, but refusing to show it. Jack came back in at that moment anyway, strolling in with his arms full of a cardboard box. Hiccup presumed they contained the coffee Bunny wanted, although he didn't think he had wanted that much.
"Is this enough for you?" He laughed and dropped the box at Bunny's feet and jumped back on the counter; an action which Bunny scowled at.
"Get off there, you'll make a mess." He swatted Jack, who ducked and pulled a face at him. "Anyway Hiccup, North's shutting early tonight and you don't technically work here yet, so if you're fine with everything just write down your details so we can email you about shift hours."
"Okay! Do you have something I could scribble it down on…? Oh wait, I'll just do it on this napkin." It took only a second for Hiccup to sprawl his address and phone number etc., and handed it over to Bunny. "You're better off ringing or texting- I never check my email!" Hiccup rubbed his nose bashfully.
"Tah mate. Okay, now go take him away and distract him so he doesn't get in the way of my customers!" Bunny gestured to Jack, who was having fun reorganising all the sugars on the table. He turned around to look at the two behind the counter; smirking at Bunny's disapproving look and smiling back to Hiccup's amused one.
"Okay, okay! I'm gone!" Jack held up his hands in mock defeat, downing the half mug of coffee Hiccup had left on his way towards the door.
"Oi wait, go say bye to North first! You know how he worries…" Jack sighed and spun on his heels.
"Fine! God, you sound like a parent." He teased.

Jack headed back through the storeroom and knocked on the door leading to North's office, entering when an approval for entering bellowed from the other side in North's low, jolly voice.
"Jack! You go so soon?" Jack had always loved the way North's excessive arm gestures emphasised his emotions; currently they were spread in a way that suggested a hug, or as Jack knew it, an 'I want more love and attention before you leave' note.
"Sorry North, but Uni work calls, same with Hiccup."
"Yes! About him, I am very glad you have made new friend! It's great Jack, really. You see- you listened to my advice, and good came from it! A for effort!" He beamed at Jack in such a way that Jack couldn't feel patronised; North was too nice and caring.
"Aha, well okay, I do owe you one for getting him a job"
"No big deal, you help out often yes?"
"Ah, but still, thanks. I'm hoping I might be able to make more friends you know? And, I'm getting a kitten!" Jack had the genuine smile on his face that reminded North sometimes that Jack was still young, and still needed to mature. And yet, he had definitely grown up in the last few years, and could handle his excitement- he just often chose not to around people who was familiar with.
"A kitten?!" North exclaimed, "What for?"
"Well… Hiccup's cat sort of, well, kind of, didn't really have kittens but he has kittens and I said I'd take one. Besides, Tooth also suggested it a while back, and it'll help cheer me up! You know, when I have coffee-crisis times." North knew all about Jack's coffee crisis times, when the energetic male was unhappy and ran out of coffee in his flat he would come and sit moodily in North's café to people watch. An example of this was the day he met Hiccup, but the events that occurred had distracted him from his gloomy spirits, which led him into hoping he might be able to continue with these distractions for a while.
"Yes, company would be good for you I think. Okay, well come see me soon and go do work." North waved him out, and then paused to have a thought. "Don't steal too many cookies on your way out!"
Jack only laughed and waved back as he turned, thinking the man knew him too well. He returned back to the main room and made sure he had all of his belongings, turning to Hiccup who was talking to Bunny about some of the baked products they had.
"Okay, I'm off. Are you coming Hiccup?" Hiccup confirmed this with a nod, handing his apron back to Bunny with a friendly smile and grabbing his satchel to follow Jack. They both left with a wave and the cheerful tinkling of the bell on the door to see them out.
"Jack thanks for doing that. I totally owe you, okay?"
"It's fine! Just make me lots of coffee." He pretended to look hurt at the look Hiccup gave him to that. "What? I like coffee! And I do pay for it, you know!" Hiccup snorted, carrying on. They strolled along in a companionable silence for a few minutes, gazing idly at the surroundings. Jack turned to Hiccup as he paused slightly, like he was considering something.
"Oh yeah, do you want to stop by and visit the kittens?" questioned Hiccup shyly.
"Can I? Yes please! I mean, I know it's only been a day or two but I think I might already be attached." Jack rubbed his nose a little, a movement Hiccup assumed was due to mild embarrassment or self-consciousness.
"Honestly Jack? I think they have become attached a little too." His smile spread as Jack's did, and they both headed towards Hiccup's place chatting in an enjoyable carefree manner.

"Cappuccino!" Jack cried out as he entered the flat, receiving a rather loud meow as a response cry and a tiny blob of fur bounded up to him. Hiccup sighed as he dumped his stuff on the table and was greeted in a more dignified way by Toothless.
"You're seriously going to call her that?"
"What? It's a great name! Look, her white patch is getting bigger too." It was true, Hiccup looked and discovered what had started out as just a white ear had become the beginning of white fur that spread down to part of her face.
"I can hear her purring from here" he commented, smiling at Jack's ecstatic expression.
"If you don't call yours Espresso I will be severely disappointed okay" Jack said seriously, giving Hiccup a pouting look. Hiccup averted his eyes to avoid the look that closely resembled puppy dog eyes- Jack was the kind of person who knew how to get what he wanted and Hiccup was wary of this fact. He sighed, still avoiding Jack's eyes.
"Maybe."
"That means yes, right?!"
"No, it means maybe!" Hiccup exclaimed, exasperated.
"It totally means yes."
Hiccup sighed and turned to look at Toothless, who gave him a Toothless 'look'. It also meant that he was hungry. Hiccup ignored Jack who whispered to the kitten 'it means yes' in a carrying voice, and rustled to pull out the cat food. He put out Toothless's, then turned to Jack.
"Do you want to feed her?"
"Can I?"
"Sure I guess. The food isn't very pleasant, you know."
Jack shrugged, unperturbed by this. He accepted the packet off of Hiccup and tore it across, following the instructions to give her half and save the rest for later. Leaning back and smiling as the small blob chewed away, he turned to smile at the cuteness displayed by Hiccup feeding the other two, who were both meowing pitifully at his feet. Jack's smile widened as he listened to Hiccup's way of reassuring the cats that they were in fact also being fed, chuckling at his exasperated tone.
When he was done, Hiccup joined Jack in watching, also smiling at them.
"Do you want a coffee?" Hiccup asked Jack, already guessing the answer as he made his way to the kettle.
"You already know me too well." Jack chuckled, grabbing a mug and gesturing to Hiccup if he wanted one too, confirmed with a nod. "I better be off soon, early lecture tomorrow and all."
They sat on the stools whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, which happened with a surprising speed, something Jack found himself to be dismayed at, which he thought about with wonder. He concluded he enjoyed the company of Hiccup, and didn't want to go back to his lonely apartment. He knew he had to however, and hoped he would still see Hiccup soon. Nervous about asking him about this, he turned the mug containing his favourite steaming beverage and debated how to word it.
"So, do you want to meet up soon? I mean, I don't want to sound desperate, but I know some really cool places and you said you hadn't really explored the area and-"Jack rambled, making Hiccup smile. Jack stopped, looking down with a somewhat unexpected shyness in comparison to the usual outright boy Hiccup had started to know. He poked Jack playfully on the arm, and Jack raised his head.
"That sounds great to me, idiot." Hiccup could have sworn Jack's cheeks grew a little pinker as he rubbed his nose again. Hiccup wondered if he did that a lot, and wondered if he himself did anything similar when he was bashful. They grinned at each other as they finished the coffee, and Jack collected himself.
"Argh, I don't want to leave." He knelt down next to the kitten who was basking in the pleasant feeling of being full. "I'll try to see you soon okay? I'll miss you!" Jack cried emotionally at the cat whilst Hiccup snorted. "Hey! I'll have you know we mean a lot to each other okay?"
"I don't need reminding, she told me so herself at 2 in the morning when she decided she wasn't getting enough love." He retorted sarcastically. Jack scoffed and held the kitten, whispering to her.
"Don't worry; I'll love you all the time when you're mine. Ignore Mr grumpy face, he's just boring." Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'll see if you say that when you wake up with claws in your chest half way through your sleep." Jack stood up, opening the door and looking out. He grinned ruefully at Hiccup.
"So I guess I'll see you soon then?"
"Yeah, I guess." Hiccup smiled awkwardly back.
"Okay. 'Later!" Jack called as he made his way down the steps. Hiccup held his hand up in a half-wave to say goodbye, before heading inside where Toothless awaited him.
"Who knows with him eh Toothless? Who knows?"

I know, who the hell would name kittens that?! I don't even know. If it's too ridiculous, I may change it later as it's not decided so yeah aha... this chapter didn't really go anywhere did it? But yeah um. I'm bad at writing romance, which I'm hoping this will eventually be so... I'll try my best?

Anyway, I'd just like to thank everyone for all the support I've had already- the reviews and follows/etc. already means a lot to me so thank you so much for your interest.