Reality Bites
When the group came within sight of Earl Stoick's castle Jack's mouth went dry, and he couldn't help clenching his fists around the reins. There it is, he thought, now I'll have to marry Astrid and spend the rest of my life pretending to love her. Hiccup will be my brother-in-law, which means I'll have to see him from time to time, but we'll never be able to be more than friends. Not that Hiccup felt the same way about him, Jack was sure. He'd hate me if he knew the truth.
The herald nearly fell over in shock when he saw Hiccup, but at the aubrunet's command he dutifully announced their arrival and ushered them inside. The party had barely stepped through the heavy doors into the great hall when a voice boomed, Jack glancing up to see an enormous man rise from his seat. "Welcome, Duke North and—" the words ended in a choked gasp as he noticed the little freckled figure accompanying them.
"HICCUP!" A streak of blond flew towards them, as the lady Astrid—who must have been standing near Earl Stoick—ran across the room and tackled her brother; their gigantic father not far behind. Utter mayhem ensued, between Earl Stoick's joyful bellows and Astrid's frantic questioning as she alternated between hugging, hitting, and shaking Hiccup.
"Where have you been? What happened? Two years, two godforsaken years and we heard NOTHING! Do you have any idea what we went through when your horse came back without you?" Hiccup blinked rapidly as he was practically passed back and forth between his father and his sister, trying to process all the questions. "Oh, I'm just so glad you're alright!" Astrid sounded out of breath as she embraced him again.
He hugged the blond girl back tightly, face buried in her shoulder for a moment before pulling away. "It's a long story, and we still don't fully understand what happened, but Jack and I can tell you what we know," The Earl and Astrid looked curiously over at the pale youth. "He's the one who rescued me." Hiccup explained. A moment later the blue-eyed youth had his hand nearly detached from his arm as Earl Stoick shook it enthusiastically, thanking him. Astrid was more reserved, which was fine by Jack, but her voice clearly conveyed her gratitude. Her father turned to Duke North.
"Forgive my lack of formality, it is so good to see my son again, we'd lost hope…thank you for helping him, for returning him to us." Jack's father smiled his understanding as the Earl continued, "Tonight we will celebrate!" He threw his arms in the air animatedly. "We shall have a feast to welcome Duke North and his son Jack, and give thanks for the safe return of my son!" As everyone was led from the great hall, viridian eyes briefly met cobalt. Hiccup could see that Jack was happy for him, but he wondered if he was imagining the look of sadness in his eyes. The aubrunet himself was such a jangle of mixed thoughts and emotions he barely heard his sister talking a mile a minute in his ear. Two years, his mind whirled, I can't believe I was gone for two years, how much I've missed. My twin sister is older than me now, she must be. He glanced behind his father to see Jack, who was staring resolutely ahead, and Hiccup already missed him.
The feast was terrible. At least for the two boys, Jack especially. They had of course recounted the tale of Hiccup's rescue, leaving out the part about the kiss in an unspoken agreement. Soon everyone in the room was chatting and laughing and having a grand time, but Jack could hardly make himself eat more than a few bites. And Hiccup enjoyed his family's company, but not quite as much as he'd envisioned when he first woke in the cottage. Both knew what tomorrow would bring.