The Fair (or: How to Be a Romantic Sap)

Hiccup's sides shook with suppressed giggles as Jack swore yet again. Who knew he could have such a foul mouth? They were at the fairgrounds playing darts; Hiccup had gone first scoring a couple bull's-eyes and landing all of his remaining darts well within the rings. Now Jack was in front of the target—failing miserably, growing increasingly frustrated with each lousy shot, and managing only to score a couple of outer rings. Hiccup watched as his companion's round ended, and he turned back towards the aubrunet with a sigh. Upon noticing Hiccup's amusement, he mock-glared at him before switching to an embarrassed smile. "I can't believe you totally creamed me at darts, obviously I'm not very good but you said you'd never even played before!" he accused. Hiccup's eyes danced, "Well, 'Mr. overly-competitive-foul-mouth', you seem to be forgetting that as an artist I have great eye-hand coordination." Jack just chuckled and laced his fingers through freckled ones, making their owner blush slightly. "I don't doubt it."

They roamed through the fairgrounds, stopping frequently to play games and go on rides. Hiccup thought it was completely adorable how Jack's face would light up every time he found a particularly exciting ride—which was often—and then he'd practically drag Hiccup over to get in line for it. They both ate way too much sugar, and shrieked loudly on the rides. Hiccup may or may not have clung to Jack during several of them, despite the fact that the safety bar was probably much sturdier. The artist and the personal trainer had just gotten off an insanely dizzying ride, still laughing and trying to catch their breath, when Jack spoke. "We should totally go on the roller-coasters next!" His grin wavered as he watched Hiccup's face flush shamefully. "I'm sorry Jack, I—I can't do roller-coasters; I turn green just watching, and the one time I actually went on one, well—" The white-haired man smiled his understanding, trying to put Hiccup at ease. "Not to worry, there are plenty of other things to do. Besides, we can't have your face going green, it would spoil all your cute freckles." As soon as the words left his mouth he groaned inwardly. Shit, did I seriously just say that? He glanced briefly at the cinnamon-haired youth, whose face looked as red as his felt. Oh well. He did think they were cute; and even though he hadn't gotten any confirmation of his companion's feelings—yet—Hiccup seemed fine with them holding hands periodically, so he couldn't have been too out of line.

Night had descended fully by the time the two friends queued up for the Ferris wheel, which Jack had been deliberately saving for last. He'd always thought a nighttime ride on one would be romantic; and now as they were slowly rising into the sky and looking down at the sparkling city lights he could confirm that it was indeed wondrous. But what really took his breath away was the beautiful little Hiccup beside him.

Sitting up there with Jack, Hiccup felt so happy and exhilarated he was half-tempted to pinch himself to make sure he was awake. Of course he'd had fun and wonderful experiences before, especially with his mother and Astrid; but he'd been enveloped by a black cloud for so long that his times with the personal trainer tended to feel a little surreal. And now, they were having a really romantic night given that nothing was official, and the little Viking was pretty sure at this point which direction Jack was leaning in. Or maybe he just desperately hoped he was right, since with every passing minute it became more difficult to restrain himself from kissing the white-haired man. He settled for leaning against him and resting his head on his shoulder, which he assured himself was still a fairly daring move. Hiccup let his breath out and smiled when he felt Jack press back against him and rest his cheek lightly on his head. He could get used to this, he really could.

Jack's chest flooded with warmth when he felt the freckled youth snuggle up to him, and he happily laid his cheek on soft cinnamon hair. Far sooner than he would have liked he forced himself to sit upright again; knowing that the ride was almost over and he didn't want to miss his chance. As Jack moved Hiccup lifted his head as well, and when azure eyes met viridian ones Jack tried hard not to gulp with how freaking close they were. Afraid he was going to lose it if he kept gazing into those beautiful orbs, Jack looked down and carefully took two freckled hands in his. "Hiccup," he spoke just above a whisper. "I, um…" His eyes shot back up to Hiccup's face when he felt a reassuring squeeze on his fingers. He took a deep breath. "I like you." Oh my God I said it, I actually finally really said it! When Hiccup could hear me anyway… Heart pounding, he watched breathlessly as Hiccup's eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly before switching to a gorgeous smile an instant later. "I like you too Jack, I have for a really long time..." Said man beamed, unconsciously holding his companion's hands tighter and pulling them towards his chest; only half aware of Hiccup's adorkable rambling as he stared at his pink lips, wondering if it was finally okay to kiss him.

Hiccup gasped and forgot what he was saying when a gentle hand cupped his cheek and Jack looked at him with a question in his eyes. The aubrunet closed his own in answer, and a second later he felt warm breath followed by warmer lips.

Jack was kissing and holding him so gently—not like he was fragile, but like he was precious. It was an entirely new feeling for the auburn-haired man, and he couldn't help the slight wetness at the corners of his eyes. Actually, the tiny tears had started when Jack had said he liked him and then waited respectfully for a response; no one had ever done that. Dagur had just gone ahead and crushed their lips together, and things went downhill from there. Hiccup was no virgin to intimate acts, yet his experiences with the blue-eyed man were so different and new that he almost felt like one. The tenderness pervading Jack's relating with him meant everything; and as their lips continued to caress softly Hiccup couldn't believe how lucky he was to have this kind and loving person in his life, to have a chance at a real relationship based on mutual caring and affection.

They shared one last sweet kiss before separating, panting slightly as they looked at each other. As he sat there just drinking in the sight of Hiccup—with his eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed—Jack was so happy he felt like his heart might burst. The Ferris wheel jolted suddenly and came to a stop, reminding the boys where they were. Grinning, Jack took Hiccup's hand and helped him off of the ride, not letting go as he leaned down slightly to whisper "Come with me" before leading him out of the fairgrounds.

They walked in silence for several minutes, clasped hands swinging as they entered the park adjacent to the fairgrounds—the same one they'd visited several weeks ago. Spotting a bench, Jack moved to occupy it and gestured for Hiccup to sit with him. As the aubrunet complied Jack could see a tinge of nervousness in his face along with the smile. Well that won't do. Setting aside his own worries, the personal trainer lifted Hiccup's hands and pecked them gently; smiling when the action earned him a blush. Heroically resisting the urge to kiss him again, Jack swallowed slightly and spoke instead, looking Hiccup right in the eye.

"So," Shit, why did his voice have to go all quiet and squeaky now? "I was wondering what you're thinking, and if we could, um, talk about—well, how we feel?" Man, what happened to being a smooth talker? It's not like you don't know each other! Get a grip Jack… But he was anxious, and he felt like he had to get it all out at once so things were perfectly clear; he didn't want to risk hurting Hiccup in any way. "As I said on the Ferris wheel, I like you Hiccup, I like you so much, and—I really want to be in a relationship with you; I've wanted to tell you how I feel for ages, and I'm afraid because I don't want you to feel at all pressured or…or coerced or anything, since, well—" Jack hadn't even realized he was rambling horribly until he felt Hiccup cup his face tenderly, his gaze soft as he ran a thumb along the blue-eyed man's cheek. A second later he pulled Jack into a kiss, effectively shutting him up. Instantly Jack relaxed, winding his arms around the freckled youth's waist as he happily received the gesture of acceptance.

He still wanted words though, and thankfully Hiccup obliged him right away, pulling back to look at him quite seriously. "It's okay Jack, I really appreciate that you want to talk about these things. That you waited for my response before kissing me, I—you are being respectful, and I've never felt pressured by you about anything." Hiccup smirked slightly. "And yes, when I said I liked you I totally meant it romantically." Jack could feel his face reddening at the statement, but he forgot all about that with Hiccup's next declaration. "I want to be in a relationship with you too."

Face lighting up in a dazzling smile, the white-haired man just stared at his beautiful companion before giving him a quick kiss. They separated only barely, and Jack could feel the freckled man's breath as he asked the all-so-important question. "So, I get to be your boyfriend then?" Hiccup nodded vigorously, and there was barely enough time for 'yes' to leave his lips before Jack captured them with his own.

He could feel Hiccup leaning into the kiss, smiling slightly Jack wound one arm around his lover's back while bringing the other up to cup the back of his head; lips meeting over and over. The personal trainer couldn't help the soft keening sound he emitted when he felt Hiccup's hands on his chest; Jack responded by tilting the other's head back slightly and flicking his tongue against pink lips. Hiccup eagerly gave access, both moaning deeply as their tongues met fiercely. Jack hardly noticed that his sweater was being clenched in freckled hands as he explored the green-eyed man's sweet mouth, the latter making noises that only spurred Jack further. He groaned as Hiccup's lips moved to trail along his jaw and onto his neck, sucking gently. Shuddering, Jack lifted Hiccup's face insistently to claim his mouth again. He tasted so wonderful, the personal trainer felt even dizzier than he'd been on the worst rides as their bodies pressed together and they made out on a cold park bench under the stars.