Dragons Breath Chapter 8
A few reviews and a few more followers. Its slow coming but I'm glad to say I have a steady amount of followers. This story had been something of a passing fancy for me.
Its not that I'm losing interest, but the limitless worlds one can create when writing a seperate story... sometimes they can almost be more appealing. Don't worry, I still plan to write this before starting a new project. But I have new ones on the way!
Onto reviews!
Kitty.0: I thought so too! It was the comic relief for me.
FrostyOwl: I was actually watching that part in the movie when I thought that would be a perfect end for the chapter.
Sirius1696: Yes, they finally shared a mutual lip-lock. But is everything as it seems? ... meh, probobly.
Good news! I can genuinely say this chapter is rated T. So if you came here looking for a T-rating this will be a chapter for you! This chapter is more or less the calm before the storm.
Disclaimer: Dreamworks and Disney owns my fandoms, My Fandoms own me, I own a Lawyer. She says Dreamworks and Disney don't care what I own as long as its not money.
Remember to Review! It motivates me to continue!
Dragons Breath. Chapter 8. Enjoy.
This was the Third day in the forest since the duo had escaped Greede... and they certainly weren't missing sleeping on the ground as they had when they stayed in Greede... but they certainly missed it less than being strung up by wall bars in the dungeons of the Undercity dungeons.
On top of that, Hiccup's display of affection has set a small tone for their relationship. In doing so, the duo have taken to Huddling in the evenings, though Hiccup assures Jack its merely for warmth.
Which was an obvious lie considering the Ice Prince doesn't give off even a small amount of heat.
Even now, in the morning of their third day in these cursed Aspear woods, Hiccup had his back pressed into Jack's torso. Occasionally making a small noise but otherwise silent.
Jack was starring at his head and considering his confusing behavior... and he had to attribute it to Hiccup's own curiousity. He never had anyone, let alone another man, express romantic interest in him because he was already intended. Though he constantly reminded Jack that Astrid and he were better friends than lovers.
This must be his way of satiating his curious nature, that side of him that wants to forget this is happening and yet hes too caught up in the emotions and his feelings to help himself.
Hiccup grunted a bit in his sleep and shifted against Jack... it was an interesting predicament. One that Jack wasn't sure he liked or disliked. The trip to Balaster was proving... aggravating for the duo. And the other was the only person to take out said aggrivation.
Not to mention that Hiccup was being rather confusing and indecisive.
During the day, Hiccup acts like he always does, refined and silent. Not eager to discuss much of anything... especially when Jack presses him about their relationship. In fact, Hiccup denied their being a relationship at all. He insists that what they do is something they shouldn't discuss.
And that sets the tone for the day. To be taken in silence, apart from the occasional 'Hold on.' Or 'I gotta piss.'
Conversly, when night time comes, he becomes the exact opposite when they settle in for bed. His attitude becomes similar to what one considers a childlike behavior. Well, maybe not a child, but a teenager. Finally acting like one, having been deprived of the opportunity to enjoy his youth.
He hugs Jack, and demands his soul attention by peppering him with kisses and giggles and whispering sweet nothings to him in the dead of night. But when Jack attempts to press him at night... all Hiccup does is smile and chuckle at him as if asking it were a ludicris joke. Or not denying their very apparent chemistry.
Such as this morning. Hiccup had asked Jack to hold him by the waist while he snuggled under Jack's chin. Hiccup was a bit shorter then the Ice Prince so it was like a small puzzle to fit Hiccup beside him. But even more so, it was a perfect puzzle piece.
Both of them were thin and both flexible enough to fit to the other. Neither smelled too bad, Jack not needing to bath often because of his core body temperature. Hiccup merely had a very masculine scent. Like the pine forest, or the earth and its plants. Like nature manifested into a fragrence.
Despite being so strong, Hiccup was quite easy to adjust in the mornings, mostly due to his thin and lankey frame. Lithe was perhaps the better word for it. His eyes fluttering as the morning came apparent to him. He sighed, "Morning Jack." He said, untangling himself and preparing for another Journey today and not even bothering to wake up to his sleeping partner. It had been two days and Jack was trying to limit his magic use... should Pitch find them that way.
He still wasn't exactly certain how Pitch found them or what insane magic he had at used to do so. Nor was he in any mood to find out.
He figured it was best to stay close to the ground and use less Ice... not that he was useless in close combat but magic was his gift... to be limited on its use was a crutch.
Jack was certain his old Master wasn't going to give up so easily... he hoped the Guardians got away or even better, damaged the man... they were his friends and losing them would not only deal a swift blow to his emotions, but to their future support in the battles to come.
Hiccups fingers snapped in front of his face, driving him from his musings, "Come on, we have a long journey today Jack... I know Balaster can't be much farther."
But Jack just flashed him his smile, "No good morning kiss?" He said, a mocking tone to his voice and feigning a hurt attitude... he genuinely didn't care but he did like making Hiccup feel embaressed. And that was exactly the reaction he got.
Hiccups mouth turned into a snarl and his cheeks flared as if he were trying to say 'Don't push your luck, mage.' But he quickly caved in and knelt before him, Green meeting blue... his expression melting into a softer one. The one Jack liked... the one where he didn't look so angry anymore.
He gave him a slow smooch... placing hands on his shoulders and their lips moved together. It was a proper way to kiss someone in the morning... soft, sweet, taking no more than was needed... Hiccup let out a soft noise as Jack easily dominated him.
Then Jack's teeth sunk into Hiccup's lip, eliciting a moan from the Viking and making him reel back and give Jack a soul shattering glare, "Ugh, try that again without telling me, mage..." Hiccup said as they stood, "Do you have any idea how much longer this is going to be? I want to get to Balaster already. Its just a step closer to your home and hopefully back to Merida and Toothless." He said.
But Jack shook his head, "It would be much faster if I could fly..." he said, grabbing his staff and adjusting his hood, "But I can't... I don't want the man to track me."
"Jack, Pitch had no clue which direction you were headed... can he honestly track you from so far?" He said, grabbing his shield and sheathing his sword and Jack nodded in return, "Pitch is one of the oldest and most powerful mages around... I can't put anything beneath him." He said as Hiccup let out a low groan, "We're going to he out here forever..."
"Not quite. I know there are patroling guards who know the quickest routes to the city. If we can find one then we'll surely make it to the city soon."
Hiccup nodded as the mage stood up and took his place beside him. "Lets move."
But they froze as the shadows moved.
Kristoph looked up from his sloppily ingested coffee, most of which was on his shirt, and regarded the ladies, "So... you want me to talk with Mommy desrest to see if they'll give you a hand with... what? A battle? A war? Or something else?"
Elsa could appreciate his seriousness when it came to it. He would almost be bearable if he were like this more often.
Elsa sighed, "I can't say until an actual threat poses itself... but if The Rider Tribes or Pitch's Square make a move against us, its certainly not misplaced paranoia to have a few allies lying around, should we need them."
And she was right. All of them knew it. Having your allies at hand when battle came to you was a smart move. Sure they were strong together... they would be even stronger when Jack and Hiccup rejoined them, but alone the fight was too much.
Elsa knew in her heart something was coming... she needed to be prepared.
Kristoph nodded, "Well I can't fault you for that... but the Black Woods are pretty far from here and as you can tell, I'm not swimming in money." Which he wasn't. Any man who needed thirty locks to his home that was located in a back allyway was obviously the type trying to hide himself from those who would take what kittle he had.
"As soon as we get back, Hiccup, Merida and I could help with our Dragons... maybe cover more ground?" Astrid offered. And Merida nodded, "Still... our main priority remains in finding Jack and Hiccup."
The red head turned to Elsa, "Any ideas?" And Elsa nodded, "I'll give my empathic link another try..." she said as she shut her eyes... he eyes winced immediatly, "He's in danger... and hes very close by. As in, less than a mile away!" Her eyes shot open, looking bewildered, "He's close. And something is pursuing him." She said, the others regarding her with shock.
Astrid stood and grabbed her axe, "Well then what the hell are we waiting for?! Lets go meet up with them!" She said and the others were quick to agree, standing up and busting from the tavern, and dropping a small amount of coin for the coffee.
They charged through the streets of the city, past the oddly decorated men and women, some grunting or falling or cursing at them as they approached the gate... the guards clad in silvery armor asking them their business.
They fumble for their excuse... eventually settling on a lost family heirloom lost in the woods and it being absolutly necessesary to retrieve it...
The gate it opened and the four quickly spring out... attempting to find their lost friends and family... having not seen them in weeks.
In the meantime, Jack and Hiccup were now busied with bandits that fancied wild wolves as their pets.
Jack held his Staff upward for a quick downward strike or stab.
Hiccup had his sword out as they circled around the bandits... each of their identities a mystery as they hid behind an individual mask... some simple and others far from it.
They carried an array of weapons, none of which Jack and Hiccup haven't fought against before but were so random that finding an effective fighting style would prove to be more difficult than either of them desired.
"How do we go about this?" Hiccup asked... eager for some form of plan. He and jack had fought together several times now and they had a good idea of how the other fought... Jack was more precise with quick stabs and swings. Hiccup had a finnese and a certain dexterity that relied more on wide sweeping strikes and closing his distance with his Shield.
Jack pondered the question and offered the most simplistic answer he conjured.
"You take the ones of the left, I take the ones on the right?"
"Lets do it." He said as he suddenly threw out his shield, latching it around his unsuspecting enemy, flying forward and driving his sword through his mask.
He quickly turned the body to act as a shield while he wreched his sword from his body and collected his shield. Arrows pelted the corpse as he tossed it to the side.
Jack, on the other side, had done a quick roll forward and dodged a bolter... catching his foot in his staff and snapping the bone, sending him crashing to the earth. Jack smashed his next opponents fsce as his foot came down and stomped on his opponents throat.
It seemed the fight would end well...
Even more so when an arrow whislted through the wood and pierced an enemy.
"They got reinforcements! Lets move out!" Called the makeshift leader as the few remaining members run for their life... Hiccup recognized that arrow anywhere... and he smiled for the third time on this journey.
"Merida!" He said as his sister came dashing through the brush and tackled her brother to the ground. She couldn't be happier to see him... he was alive and well. Elsa had been right. They were soon joined by the others and Jack hugged his sister close and the Riders reunited.
They parted and smiled, the six of them relieved to find their respective friends and family.
"When did you three decide to... come after us?" Hiccup asked, Astrid and Merida on either side, the trio not even considering sepersting until it was absolutly needed.
"Elsa said we needed to reunite so we could finally discuss... everything." Astrid said, suddenly relaxing for the first time in... weeks.
Elsa nodded, "We have a lot to discuss. Come, I have a room at the local inn... we can discuss our findings and plans there." She said as they slowly returned to the city... Hiccup telling in almost perfect detail what had happened while they were gone... leaving out he and Jack's romantic details.
Not that Jack minded considering they still had no established relstionship. He felt much more powerful with his sister nearby... their power almost dependent on the other.
They quietly made their way back to the inn... but the groups had been so together they went off in respective groups. Kristoph and Elsa went with Jack. Merida and Astrid went with Hiccup.
Merida sat and tolf her brother of everything she had seen... and Hiccup believed her... but their questions remained unanswered.
"Why would father let a grudge continue after so long? They were utilizing a once useless land and expanding it..." Merida said as she remembered that small utopia. Hiccup sat back and eyes his sister and friend, "We're Vikings and if we hadn't met these two... would we feel much different? We fought for honor but what honer is there in letting old wounds fester? He's not strengthening us by letting a grudge dictate us."
Astrid spoke up, "Do you think he would listen to us? After we lost everyone else at the battle... he may suspect us of some primitive indoctrination. I mean... we're the only survivors of that battle. And all three of us think the mages are our allies? We may know better but he doesn't."
Merida nodded at Hiccup, who pondered the thoughts, "You're right... we merely have to convince him otherwise... but for now we shouldn't be worrying about that, rather we should be worried about Pitch... hes the real threat."
"Elsa told us about him, but you actually met him? Whats he like?"
Hiccup swallowed hard and said, "He's no better than a-"
"A demon Elsa. Hes become something else in the years we've been gone... his magic is more than double its strength. We made in known in Greede... we can only hope the Priest in the area can see that he is getting out of control."
"But we can't offer much hope." Elsa said, "He was a danger before... if hes worse tjan we have a real problem on our hands. Its imperitive we get back and round up the others. We have allies we need to call on. And so do the others..." she said, with a hopeful tone.
Kristoph sat forward now, "Look, I can't guarentee they'll be all for it. I mean... they haven't left the wood in centuries. I'll do my best... but for now I think it's best I tag along."
Jack smjled, obviously not willing to turn his old pranking buddy away. "Are you sure its not an inconvenience?"
Kristoph smiled, "What? I'm living the life of luxary here." He said sarcastically, before adding, "I'm better off with you guys than here."
Elsa nodded, not willing to turn away an extra ally when it offered itself.
"So... whats the first order of business, Elsa?" Jack asked, looking at his sister. She met his gaze, "We need to get back. We need Rapunzel and Flynn... and Anna would probably want to know we were alive."
To this, Kristoph got an eager look... and Elsa glared, "I'll still do not approve of your relationship with my sister, Kristoph.."
But that was the end of their discussion...
Evening came and Hiccup starred out the window as Kristoph snored from his room and Jack read on his own bed. "Hiccup? Its late... don't you want to sleep?" Jack asked, standing up and walking over to him. But the brunette declined with a shake of his head. Jack sat on the opposite side of the window.
"Do you want to discuss anything?" He asked and Hiccup regarded the blue eyed mage softly.
"I'm happy to be reunited with my sister... but I feel like everything about my life is changing slowly... pushing me towards this inevitable pit where I have to chose between what I care about and what I thought I cared about."
"And what are those?" Jack asked him and the Viking sat back, "I care about the future... where I end up... my family, my friends... I'm even starting to care about you... but how do you throw away everything you knew for something else?" He asked
And Jack looked at his face and sighed, "Because after its done, you look into what you have changed and know you made the right choice... in the end, your happiness is something only you determine. Would killing me and my sister really make you happy?"
He shook his head.
Jack took his hand, "Then what would make you happy?" He asked as Hiccup spoke no more and instead kissed Jack. All his intensity and fury was behind it. In an odd sense he was angry... this mage... this man made him change. Made him question everything he believed... and yet... his desire continued to grow.
Hiccups hands were tangled in his snow white locks as Jacks hands roamed all over where he could get his hands.
Until he felt the drops. He assumed it was raining until he pulled away... to see Hiccups eyes shining with tears.
Jack hugged him to his chest as Hiccup sobbed into it... "I don't want to lose my father to this..." he said. Jack stroked his hair... "Shhh, I know Hiccup. And we'll do everything we can to prevent it." He promised him.
Hiccup cried softly as Jack took him to his... no, their, bed... and laid him next to him as if he were a child.
"Please don't let go..." Hiccup asked...
And he didn't.
