A/C This chapters being split into two parts because tension and loveliness. So this is the first chapter. Also, as I'm updating this one, I'm realizing that last chapter was in the wrong point of view and should have been Rapunzel, but that doesn't really work with the chapter anyway so sorry about that.
Point of View: Jack
12/23 (first half)
The next few days obviously didn't pass in the smooth sunny happiness that we were expecting this get together. It was frightening to see Hiccup down, to all of us I do believe. There was no eye rolling smiles or sarcastic comments, just an uneasy happiness that came from him. We went through with most of what we had planned, but none of the joy we could have been having penetrated his sorrow. And I just...it destroyed me to see him so completely defeated, a grey cloud of misery surrounding him. I cared so much about him and I had never been in this sort of experience before, with a friend so completely decimated by sadness-anger and betrayal, yes, but this was something entirely different. It was nearing the end of the other's stay here, and even though I wasn't going to leave with them, I was worried about what this change would do to Hiccup.
"I'm gonna stay with him for awhile longer," I announced to Merida and Rapunzel after he had gone to bed earlier, the night before they left. "Make sure he's alright."
"I think that's wise," Rapunzel replied softly, sighing deeply from where she sat in Merida's lap. "A heart isn't something easily fixed, especially when death is involved. I wish there was something we could do to help, but I can't think of what."
"Yeah," Merida murmured, resting her chin on Rapunzel's shoulder. She eyed me carefully, her green eyes glimmering questioningly. We sat there for a few moments, before she spoke again, catching me off guard. "You like him, don't you? I mean, as more than a friend."
"Wh-what?" I sputtered, reeling back in surprise. "How do you figure that? I mean-" I paused, letting her words sink in. I mean, as more than a friend. No, but that was the problem, it made sense; it caused something to click in my head; my cheeks to flush and my head to reel. Maybe there was a good reason that his sadness impacted me so greatly, more than Rapunzel mourning over her birth mother being different from the woman who raised her, and Merida running away from her prison sentence of a fate. The pause seemed telling enough, but I still felt the need to continue. "-I don't know." No, this really wasn't fair, not to anyone, and especially not now. Hiccup was trying to get over his dead girlfriend who was probably going to be his wife! I was a strange snow creature who couldn't be seen by 99.99% of the world's population. Oh yeah, I'm sure his father would understand, Hiccup was just going out with his imaginary friend.
"You should talk to him," Merida continued, nodding at me encouragingly. "He needs to know you're so completely there for him."
"Um, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but his girlfriend just died," I hissed in response. "How the hell would it be helpful for him to know that his best friend has romantic emotions for him?"
"Maybe it wouldn't be helpful anytime soon, but for him to know that you're that unspeakably with him," Rapunzel continued her girlfriend's thought. "It's entirely your call. But you're right, that's probably the last thing he needs to hear about right now. I'm confident you'll know to do the right thing, you're very good at looking after Hiccup."
"Not...really, but thanks," I sighed, slumping over in my chair.
Rapunzel yawned widely. "We should probably head to bed ourselves, big voyage tomorrow and all."
"Right, that," Merida replied irritably, shoving Rapunzel off of her lap. "I suppose you're right, as always, sunshine. Take care, Jack."
"Right yeah, sleep well," I nodded thoughtfully, sighing deeply. I couldn't help but feel irritated towards Merida for pointing all this out at such a detestable time. It wasn't her fault, not really, she wasn't the one who made this complicated, it was me. For a few more moments, that drew into minutes, that lengthened to nearly a half an hour, I sat there after Rapunzel and Merida had left for bed. Finally, I left for Hiccup's cabin, not to sleep, but to make sure he was managing to get the rest he so desperately needed. He was, or at least appeared to be, so I sat by the window, and contented myself with watching him sleep as I tried to muddle through my own thoughts.
