The Encounter (or: How to Kick Your Fears in the Crotch)

Jack drummed his fingers on the desk anxiously as he checked the clock again, waiting for Hiccup. The freckled man had called him immediately after getting the terrible news from Astrid, totally panicked. The personal trainer had driven over to his apartment as fast as possible, and spent the evening holding a trembling Hiccup and willing himself not to look as scared as he felt. Even with Jack doing everything he could think of to reassure him, Hiccup regressed to a state of fear and depression the white-haired man had hoped he would never see.

Rubbing his face tiredly, Jack glanced towards the front door of the gym, which he'd taken to keeping propped open even though he wasn't supposed to since it was freezing outside. While he was more than willing to support Hiccup, it was undeniable that the stress and anxiety of the whole situation was getting to him. After talking a great deal, they'd agreed that Hiccup would come to the gym with his homework every day Jack was there, Jack would do all of his sleeping over at Hiccup's place, and they'd be joined at the hip during the weekends. Pretty much the only time they wouldn't be in the same room was when Hiccup had class. But despite having a plan that would allow him to be with Hiccup (and therefore protect him) as much as possible, it was driving the blue-eyed man crazy that he couldn't guarantee Hiccup's safety or peace of mind. During the past week and a half since Astrid phone call, every guy Jack saw around town that appeared even potentially threatening put him on edge. Not that he actually knew what Hiccup's ex looked like beyond a brief verbal description, but still.

Jack checked the clock for the umpteenth time, and was just about to call Hiccup to make sure he was okay when he heard a faint commotion outside. Holding his breath, the white-haired man got up and made his way towards the entrance; breaking into a run as clear yells could be heard. Bursting through the doors into the chilly evening air, the personal trainer paled in fear and fury at the sight of two figures battling in the far parking lot—one of whom sported familiar auburn hair.

Hiccup's eyes were wide and his breath came in shallow bursts as he speed walked towards the gym, which unfortunately was at the far end of campus from most of his classes. I saw him, I can't believe I just saw him; oh god I hope he didn't notice me. After days without any further information regarding the maniac, Hiccup had almost run right into Dagur in front of the university library. Feigning calm, he'd instantly pulled his hood up and kept his head low, resisting the overwhelming urge to start running. He didn't want to draw any attention to himself on the off chance Dagur hadn't recognized him. Since his conversation with Astrid, Hiccup had been in a state of near-constant paranoia, and if it weren't for Jack's reassuring presence he'd have literally gone insane. It had gotten to the point where the green-eyed man almost wished Dagur would show up so the waiting game would finally be over one way or another. Well that was an exceedingly stupid thing to think, Hiccup berated himself, because now he's here and—

"HADDOCK!" Fear turned the aubrunet's stomach to lead as a rough hand grabbed the back of his hoodie and yanked. During the past few days Hiccup had been feverishly practicing self-defense techniques with Jack and Aster, and it paid off. Against all instinct, the artist moved towards his assailant, momentarily loosening the pull on his throat just enough to slide out of his hoodie and backpack; freeing himself. Jumping up and keeping his arms partially raised, Hiccup turned and faced his ex for the first time in months. It was aggravating beyond belief to have the gym—and therefore Jack—practically within spitting distance, but Hiccup knew he would never be able to outrun his tormentor. Please Jack, come looking for me.

"—are you even listening to me?" Dagur's voice had that dangerously soft tone which could have been mistaken for calmness by someone who didn't know him. "What makes you think you can just leave like that! I've told you over and over how much I need you; and you know how angry I get if you're not there." As if you aren't in control of your own emotions, not to mention angry whether I was there or not, Hiccup thought furiously. In the past, Dagur's words would have been his cue to apologize for something that wasn't his responsibility, to verbally prostrate himself and take the stance of pleading transgressor in a futile effort to prevent violence. But he was done taking false responsibility. He had had enough of being the victim.

The deranged man's voice broke through his thoughts again as he reached towards him, making Hiccup move away carefully. "You're coming home with me right now, and this time—"

"No."

It took Dagur a second to register his response, and his face contorted frighteningly. "No? What do you even think you're doing Haddock? You don't get to say—"

"No." Hiccup's voice was stronger this time, and he stared right into incensed eyes. "I am not going back with you, and I am never going to do anything with you again. You treated me horribly, and being with you was the worst mistake I've ever made by a long shot. There is no "us" anymore. It's over." The cinnamon-haired man grew increasingly tense as he finished, by some miracle Dagur hadn't hit him yet but it was bound to happen now.

Sure enough, hardly a second after finishing his proclamation a large hand flew towards him, "You're coming with me you worthless piece of—Augh!" Dagur yelled, a look of astonishment on his face as his hand was blocked by Hiccup's forearm and came away red. "What the—" He didn't get a chance to finish, as Hiccup followed up with quick jabs at his eyes, and when the larger man leaned back to evade them he got his jewels smashed. The green-eyed man felt momentary relief when his assailant hit the ground, but he knew full well that he'd only be down for a second.

"HICCUP!" Whipping his head around, said man saw Jack sprinting towards him, and his heart lifted. Moving quicker than he'd ever done in his life, Hiccup grabbed his backpack just as Dagur lunged for him, and started running towards Jack.

The personal trainer had seen the larger man fall to the ground just as he emerged from the building, and he couldn't help screaming his boyfriend's name. It seemed to take forever to reach him, though in reality probably only a few seconds passed before he got there. "Oh my god! Hiccup are you alright?" His eyes widened as he caught sight of the blood on his left wrist. "Hiccup you're bleeding!" Jack moved to take him in his arms, wanting to hug him and kiss him and examine his injury all at once, but Hiccup just grabbed his sleeve as he kept running towards the gym, dragging the white-haired man with him. "I'm fine! Hurry, we have to lock the door!" Jack glanced over his shoulder as they ran, sure enough Dagur was on his feet and closing in fast. Rage welled up inside Jack, he wanted to turn around and beat the living shit out of that monster; but the sound of Hiccup calling his name deterred him. Hiccup, I have to take care of Hiccup first. Jack slammed the doors as soon as they were inside, locking them just as Dagur crashed against the glass. Heaving for air, the personal trainer flipped him off before going to look for his boyfriend.

Hiccup sat slumped against a wall out of sight of the front doors, head in his hands as he shook and tears spilled down his face. Hearing footsteps the green-eyed man glanced up, wiping his cheeks as Jack dropped to his knees in front of him. He could see the worry in Jack's eyes as he gazed at him, cupping his face tenderly. "Hiccup." Just his name, spoken so quietly, as if Jack was trying to reassure himself he was really there, that it was over, that the auburn-haired man was okay. "Jack," the artist whispered, trying to regulate his breathing amid the waves of terror and adrenaline still coursing through him. Even though logically he knew he was safe and—thankfully—unharmed, the knowledge that his ultimate fear had just manifested was almost completely overwhelming.

As Hiccup expected, his lover leaned forward to embrace him, making the freckled man immediately place firm hands on his chest. "Don't!" He watched as Jack's eyebrows rose fearfully. "You're hurt." He stated, misinterpreting Hiccup's reaction as an effort to avoid irritating an injury. "That bastard," the older man growled, "is anything broken?"

The aubrunet shook his head. "No, no I'm not hurt, it's just—" Jack interrupted him, voice tinged with worry. "But you're bleeding, did he have a knife? Here, let me look—" Hiccup yanked his arm back just before a pale hand would have closed around it, shaking his head emphatically. "Hiccup, what—" "The blood isn't mine." The cinnamon-haired man watched as confusion played across Jack's face. Carefully, he gripped the loose sleeve at the elbow and pulled the cloth back, hearing the older man gasp as he revealed dozens of tiny yet razor-sharp spikes embedded in the leather covering most of his forearm. Repeating the process with his other arm, the artist began methodically undoing the lethal armbands. Once he tossed them to the side he looked up at the personal trainer, who was still staring at him with his mouth open. "Even with the self-defense lessons, I didn't think I'd be able to fend him off when he found me. So when he tried to hit me I just blocked him and, well…" The white-haired man glanced over at the discarded spike bands. "No wonder you didn't want me to hug you. Are you sure you aren't hurt?" Smiling weakly, Hiccup nodded and leaned forward as Jack wrapped his arms around him tightly, pulling him into his lap and burying his face in auburn hair.

"Thank god you're okay." Hiccup twisted slightly to look up when he felt the personal trainer shaking. "I was so scared," he whispered, Hiccup lifting a freckled hand to brush tears off pale cheeks even as he started crying again himself. "I know Jack, I was too, I'm still reeling a bit." He paused, then looked right into azure eyes as he continued softly. "But I stood up to him. For the first time, I said no and—and I didn't back down or apologize. I told him he was the biggest mistake I've ever made, that he'd treated me horribly, and that I was never going to be with him again." A look of awe came over Jack's face, and Hiccup couldn't help smiling as he leaned against him. "I'm not a victim anymore."

They sat on the floor of the blessedly empty gym for a long time, talking very little as they held each other. Finally, Jack told Hiccup that he needed to call North and Aster about covering the shift for him—and asked if he could also call the police. Though nervous, Hiccup agreed, and Jack got on his phone. It was going to be a long night, but the freckled man felt newfound strength now that he'd finally stood up for himself. And as Jack ended his calls and sat back down to kiss his cheek, promising to help Hiccup with his goal of getting a restraining order; the little artist felt the black cloud of fear dissolve entirely, and sunshine take its place.