December 19 2013
Prompt: Meet the Parents
Modern AU
Hiccup walked slowly down the stairs on his way to dinner. He was nervous for the conversation he knew he was going to have to have with his father. He had been dating Jack for three months, and both he and Jack agreed it was time that their parents met their boyfriends. That didn't make it any easier though.
Walking into the kitchen, Hiccup's heart was pounding in his ears and his palms were sweaty. He had no idea how to move forward with this, so he decided on the direct approach. He started when they were both sitting down and eating.
"Hey, dad?"
"Yes?"
"Um, well, the thing is," Hiccup started nervously. But he couldn't just back out now; he would have to do this eventually and probably better sooner rather than later. "I've been kind of dating someone for a few months now and I was thinking you should meet them."
Stoick suddenly donned a smile that looked like it was going to split his face in half. This did nothing to help Hiccup who feared what would come next.
"That's my boy!" Stoick bellowed so loud it made Hiccup flinch. "What's the lucky girl's name?"
"Uh, Jack."
"Jaclyn!" Stoick said a little too quickly. "That's a lovely name! How'd you meet?"
"We met at school, but dad…" Hiccup said, nervously playing with the food on his plate and a little annoyed his father wasn't listening again.
"Great! Why don't we have her over for dinner tomorrow night? I can't wait to meet the girl who…"
"DAD!" Hiccup yelled, finally getting his father to quiet down and stop interrupting. Stoick donned a confused look momentarily and Hiccup took that as his chance. "HIS name is JACK," Hiccup said calmly, making sure to add emphasis so that there would be no room for confusion.
It was several nerve-wracking moments before Stoick even made another sound. Hiccup supposed he was running that last sentence through his head a few times trying to process it. Hiccup was almost relieved when Stoick spoke again.
"Does he make you happy?"
"Yes."
"Does he treat you well?"
"Yes dad."
"Well then, I'd like to meet him. And his parents. Dinner tomorrow still stands if they're available," Stoick said before going back to his food. Hiccup breathed an internal sigh of relief. Dinner was silent after that, but Hiccup didn't mind at all.
Hiccup excused himself quickly after he was done eating to call Jack. After he had closed the door to his room he dialled Jack's number on his cell. It only took one ring before there was an answer.
"Well? How'd it go? Is everything ok?" Jack's voice came from the other end, bombarding him with questions. After he was finally done, Hiccup chuckled and answered.
"I think it went fine. My dad wants to meet you and your dad over dinner tomorrow. Is that ok?"
"It should be fine," Jack said. "I'm actually about to have dinner now, so I'll talk to them and text you later. Love you Hic."
Hiccup could hear the smile Jack was wearing right now. "Love you too." And with that they both hung up.
Jack fully intended to talk to his adoptive father at dinner, but he didn't realize that he had invited the neighbours over. Not wanting to bring the topic up with so many people around, he waited until they were alone doing dishes afterwards to say anything.
"Hey North?" Jack asked as he was putting the plates back into the cupboard.
"What is it my boy?" North asked in his thick accent.
"Well, do we have any plans for dinner tomorrow?"
After a moment of thinking, North responded with, "Not that I can think of. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, the truth is, I've been seeing someone for a few months now and their dad wants to meet us over dinner at their place tomorrow."
"Jack my boy! Good for you! Of course! What's the girl's name?"
"Um, his name is Hiccup."
"Well I can't wait to meet the boy that stole your heart! Is there anything I can bring?"
"I'll ask," Jack responded. He couldn't believe how easily that had gone. North hadn't event batted an eyelash. Not that he was complaining of course. Now all he had to do was message Hiccup to confirm tomorrow.
The next day flew past and Hiccup found himself pacing for the few minutes before Jack was supposed to arrive with his father. Stoick was in the kitchen cooking when there was a knock at the door, and Hiccup became so nervous at the sound he swore his heart was going to leap out of his throat. Knowing there was no point in delaying, he opened the door.
"Hey gorgeous," Jack said with his signature smile when the door opened. At least that calmed Hiccup down a little. Hiccup gave him a hug, but then looked around questioningly.
"Uh, didn't you forget someone?" Hiccup asked.
"Oh no, North is coming. He's just getting something from the car."
As if on cue, North walked up to the door holding a Tupperware container.
"Ah! You must be Hiccup!" North said. Hiccup had to take a moment to register the accent and remember that Jack was adopted. "It's a pleasure to meet you! Congrats on being able to steal Jack's heart, eh?"
"Thank you sir," Hiccup said, not really knowing how else to respond.
"Bah," North scoffed, "no need for the sir and the formalities! Call me North. Oh, and I brought something for desert. I hope your father doesn't mind. Now, would you mind directing me to the restroom? The car ride was longer than anticipated."
Hiccup pointed to the restroom door as he took the container from the man. After the bathroom door was firmly shut, he turned back to Jack who had a mildly surprised look on his face.
"Wow, most people are shocked when they see how large North is. I'm surprised you managed to keep a straight face."
"Yeah, well, come into the kitchen and meet my dad. Then you'll see," Hiccup cracked.
When they walked into the kitchen, Stoick had his back turned to them. Hiccup put the container down on the table and Jack mouthed a quick, 'Now I get it.'
"Uh, dad? This is Jack," Hiccup said, nervousness returning once more.
Wordlessly, Stoick put down the spoon he was holding, turned around, and walked right up to Jack. Jack would've been lying if he had said he wasn't a little intimidated, and he took the initiative to start the conversation.
"H-hello sir. It's nice to m-meet you," Jack said, extending his hand.
If Hiccup wasn't feeling so bad for Jack for being in this situation he may have chuckled there. He had never heard Jack stutter before; he was always so calm and confident.
Stoick took Jack's hand and shook it rather hard, making Jack wince a little. "So, you're Jack. Tell me, why do you want to date my son?" he asked, eyes narrowing a little.
Jack gulped, but before he could start to answer there was a booming voice coming from behind them that made Hiccup and Jack jump a little.
"Stoick!?" North said, eyes wide and with a massive smile on his face.
Stoick released Jack and turned around, face instantly brightening with a happy, "North? Wait are you Jack's father? I can't believe it!"
The two men gave each other a hug while Jack and Hiccup just stared at each other with confused expressions. It was Stoick that noticed this first and took the liberty of explaining.
"Hiccup, North and I were good friends in high school!" Turning back to North, he asked, "When did you move back to Berk?"
"About six months ago! I didn't realize you were still here!"
"Oh come on, you of all people should have known I could never leave this town!" Just then, Stoick noticed the container on the table. "Wait a second, is that what I think it is?" Stoick asked, smile growing even bigger (even though Hiccup didn't know HOW that was possible).
"My famous shortbread cookies I used to bake?" North asked with a knowing smile.
"Yes!" The two men shared a laugh before Stoick continued. "I'd better get back to dinner. Don't want it to burn."
"I'll help," North offered. "Besides, we all know I cook circles around you."
"Those were my high school days, North. Just you wait and see. You'll be eating more than just your words." Turning to Jack and Hiccup momentarily, Stoick added, "Why don't you two go watch television in the living room? We'll call you when dinner is done."
Neither of the boys bothered to try responding. The two older men were already off and joking about the past. Silently, they walked into the living room where Jack broke the silence.
"Um, well, that was unexpected."
"Are you complaining? I mean I thought you were going to get a full interrogation."
"I'm not complaining. But that was quite fortuitous. I don't think that possibly could have gone any easier."
"What were the odds?"
Dinner that night passed and not a single mention of Jack and Hiccup's relationship came up. Stoick and North were too busy reminiscing about their high school days and making more plans to try and catch up with each other. If it hadn't been for the introductions at the very beginning no one would have even known this was a meet the parents dinner, and neither Hiccup nor Jack found any reason to complain.
