Chapter Ten

Hiccup wiped his brow as he helped Fishlegs fill out a quickly written report back to Berk's science university, asking to extend the expedition period, making up some cock-and-bull story how they've managed to discover plenty of dragons to study from, telling them not to send any more expeditioners than the ones they'd already had. It was all very frustrating. Hiccup rather missed his bed, he hated the horribly humid weather, and the pesking insects that came with it. He itched for some good homemade food, and a well equip engineer to replace his chipped, and splintered wooden leg.

He sighed, and turned to look at Jack's hunched figure next to Astrid's Jack paused whatever conversation he'd been having with her, sensing his eyes on him, and smiled. He smiled back and went back to the papers. He may have been uncomfortable, sweaty, sticky, home-sick, and sleep deprived. But seeing Jack, talking and laughing, smiling at him, it made it all worth it.

"Hey, hiccup?" Fishlegs looked up from the piles of documents he'd hunched over. Fishlegs didn't look any better. He'd lost weight, and gained a noticeably red tint over his face. Unlike Hiccup, whom adapted the best he could by walking bare foot, Pants rolled up above his ankles, and a shirt with its sleeves ripped, exposing his shoulders, Fishlegs, and Astrid had opted to wear their full attire, complete with vests, and shoes, and hats, the whole shebang. Hiccup thought it was kind of ridiculous really. Why suffer in the name of 'civilization' when they'd be as far away from civilization as possible! It was all poppycock to him.

"Yes, Professor?" Hiccup sighed.

" If by some miracle, we do get the authorization for an extension of time... when it's all over.. well.. what, um, pray tell what.. um.." Fishlegs stammered and mumbled, making glances between Jack and Hiccup. "What are we going to do about Jack?" He finally asked, in what seemed to be the quietest voice he could muster, which equaled to him silently shouting. Jack looked up again at the sound of his name and jumped up, coming to slouch next to Hiccup, arm resting on Hiccups waist. " What about Jack?" Jack smiled, though noticing Hiccups sudden tense shoulders.

" Well obviously he's-" Hiccup mouth snapped shot. What were they to do one the boat arrived for them to return back to Berk? The thought of leaving Jack behind made his chest ache tortuously. The thought of leaving him behind as he were before, alone, without any other person to talk to, felt inhumane. But the thought of ripping him away from his so called family, from everything he's ever known, to take him away from the trees and shove him into concrete, also felt inhumane.

" What is wrong, Hiccup?" Hiccup snapped back from his thoughts when he heard Jack's voice near his ear, and a tightening to his waist. He flushed and took a step back, suddenly hyper aware of Jack's presence. Jack, in turn, looked confused and put off at Hiccups actions.

"Hey, Fishlegs, mind if we take a break?" Fishlegs took a handkerchief from his front pocket and dabbed his shining head, nodding and grunting a 'yes'. He stood straight and made his way to his tent, probably to either sleep, or have a drink.

"C'mon, Jack, let's go to the tree." Hiccup grasped Jack's hand on his own, and walked to the direction of the big tree they had named as their own. The one where Jack showed him the first time, and taught him how to swing on the vines.

Walking deeper into the trees, Jack held hiccup close as he swung his staff and pulled up onto the near vines, swinging them, and sliding from the moss, jumping and climbing until they reached the tree. it was the same as it was last time they were there. The sun filtered through the naturally grown roof of leaves, casting an almost otherworldly color of red and green. Birds flew here and there, their soft hums filling the air into an unknown lullaby. They lay once more on the soft moss, side by side. not a word was said, but the peaceful silence was comfortable.

After a few moments though, Hiccups mind began to raise once more. What were they to do once the boat came? Would he be able to leave Jack behind? To return to Berk, with his comfortable bed, and home, to his cold desk, and boring classes? To walk with shoes, stepping on concrete and dirt roads, and forget? Forget about Jack? To ignore every feeling he'd felt the moment they have met? The thought itself was ridiculous. Of course he would never forget. How could he forget Jack brilliant snow white hair, or perfect blue eyes? No. The real question was, would Jack forget? without anyone else to talk to. with him gone. Jack would most likely revert as how he was before. Just the dragons as company. He would forget. Forget the things he'd learn. Forget about Astrid, Forget about Fishlegs... Forget about him...

Hiccups chest tightened, and blinked away the sudden moisture from his eyes. Surely Jack would forget. There was nothing really memorial to remember. A couple of strangers taught him how to read and write, and a crippled boy kept him company. nothing else but that. Still, Hiccup reached over and took Jack's hand on his own. For a moment, he allowed himself to be selfish. if only for a short moment, Jack was here. He was here. both lay together, with no worries, and no troubles.

Jack felt the tension on Hiccups body. He felt concerned, what could be bothering his hiccup? The way His Hiccup looked at him, his chest felt strange, his insides tightened and his stomach felt hollow. it was a horrible feeling, and looking at his hiccups sad face only evoked that.

He was pleasantly surprised when his Hiccup suggested they lay on the nest he'd made many moon's ago, in the hopes of when he'd find a suitable mate, they'd nest there, bare their hatchlings, before moving back to the colony. But long were those thoughts gone once he looked at his hiccups beautiful green eyes. new hopes and desires rose from within him whenever they lay on the nest. Jack could almost see the small figures running about, his Hiccup smiling and taking care of their young, while he go out hunting every day, protecting them, cherishing them. It all made Jack feel warm inside. A pleasant feeling.

He was pulled back from his thoughts when he felt Hiccups hand in his. Eyes closed, and his other hand resting behind his head, he smiled and relished in the feeling of his Hiccups smooth and warm hands.

"Jack?" Hiccup whispered, Jack turned and looked at Hiccups troubled face. He frowned, and tightened his hold on Hiccups hand.

"Jack.. There will probably be a boat coming.." He started. Hiccup seemed to hesitate, His eyes wouldn't look at Jack, and it made Jack worry all the more. What was wrong with a boat coming? Did this particular boat be dangerous?

"This boat to come and take us home.. To Berk, and.." Hiccup fidgeted with his hands, running his fingers slowly over Jack forearm. The gesture made Jacks skin tingle. "A-and we were wondering-Well, I was wondering if.." Hiccups mouth closed and stopped breathing for a moment. "If..." His voice soft, a low whisper. Jack didn't know what to do. What was so important about this boat? Going back?

"Back.. To Berk?" Jack didn't know how to feel. "What does Hiccup mean?"

" It, uh, means that, Its taking me back... home.." Hiccup kept his gaze low. " But, Hiccup is supposed to stay with Jack" Jack sat up, and pulled Hiccup to sit next to him. His hand still intertwined with his, he opened both their palms, pressing them together, just like the first time he'd done on that fateful day. Hiccup watched, still mute, unable to say anything. Jack looked into his eyes, contemplating, as their hands rested together, how perfectly they fit. His big calloused hand against Hiccups smaller smoother ones. perfect. they fit together like those puzzles He and Hiccup played with.

"Come with me!" Hiccup blurted out quickly. He gazed at Jack firmly, before turning a violent shade of red. "What I mean is, come with me, back to Berk...?" Jack considered it for a moment and smiled.

"Go to Berk one day, come back the next?" It seemed reasonable.

Was this what his Hiccup had worried about the whole time? Had he been worried that Jack would somehow not accept the invitation to visit his home? Jack laughed, that was a rather strange thing to worry over. But then he looked at Hiccups face once more, and frowned. His Hiccup's face was forlorn, he was frowning, and his eyes lowered.

" Jack.. it-it wouldn't work that way... Once the boat leaves, we never come back."

Like a shock of lighting, Jacks hand ripped away from Hiccups. He looked incredibly at Hiccup. Not come back? What did he mean not come back?

" I know it sounds terrible! But the thing is, you belong with me! with people! and-"

" I belong with my family. I belong here.." Jack pinched Hiccups chin and made him look at his eyes. "You belong here.. with me." Hiccup closed his eyes and jerked away.

" No, Jack, I don't. Please. come with me.." Hiccup backed away some, and Jack looked at him shocked, hurt and confused. Had he not understood? He's told him where he belonged. He'd told him that he belonged with his family. He would not be going anywhere, and neither would Hiccup.

"Jack stays here." He said firmly.

"Jack, please-" Hiccup tried.

"No"

" Jack-" Hiccup said once more, sounding exasperated. Still Jack was not swayed

" My place is here, with my family-"

" YOU'RE NOT A DRAGON!" Hiccup bellowed.

The sound of his voice boomed in the trees. everything was quiet. all except for his and Hiccups breathing. Jack sat, wide eyed, unable to say anything, to just stare.

" Jack, please, you're not a dragon. You're a person, a human. You belong with society, please.." Hiccup reached his hand forward, but Jack jumped up. Still gob smacked at what Hiccup had said.

In a moment, Jack being was suddenly filled with heat. Not the pleasant heat he'd feel when around Hiccup. No, this one was different. He felt it before. Rage. Big uncontrollable rage. The last time he'd felt this was when his mother died. and the thought of his mother only made his feel more of the sickening feeling from within his core. Suddenly Hiccups eyes were no longer as beautiful as he's though, suddenly those freckles were nothing but ugly marks on his face, suddenly his teeth were abnormally large, and disgusting. Suddenly everything he'd ever thought of Hiccup... No, Hiccup was a smart, beautiful being, this... Thing was erased. How dare it say such things? About him, about his family.

" You're wrong." He said with clenched teeth. The thing stood and tried to approach, Jack hissed and grabbed his staff. No longer caring about this thing, he swung, and fell downwards, into the vines, making taking himself as far away as he could of the being. he ran and swung, ignoring the painful tightening of his chest, and ignoring the sound of the thing, calling out his name.

AN: Here you go guys! wow! earlier than usual! I honestly had to go to the library to finish this up on Yahoo drafts. it was horrible! but regardless, wow, I'm a terrible person aren't I? giving my babies angst! please review, and if you have any other questions, please PM me or send me a question on my Tumblr, ichigo23-love.