Sequel to December 15 2013
Prompt: Assassin AU
Jack looked at the screen until it went blank, and even after that he still stared at it for a few more seconds. So, Hiccup was his next kill. He had to wonder if it was fluke or if their employer had seen that they'd met and he didn't want to risk it. Regardless, Jack had to think this one through. Did Hiccup have the same thing flashing on his screen? Would Hiccup have been given any additional information like a time or a date? Or potentially even Jack's address?
At that though Jack immediately made his way to his arms closet and opened it. He picked a couple of guns he could easily keep on his person and left the door open in case he'd need it. The more he thought the situation through, the more obvious the plan became in his head. He was going to wait for Hiccup and use his cameras to patrol the house. If Hiccup was going to come for him and take the initiative, Jack was going to take home field advantage. He had enough supplies to last a few days, so he could definitely outwait Hiccup if need be.
The first day was the worst. Jack never left his bedroom, watching the cameras non-stop on his television set. His guns were laid out around him, all cocked and at the ready. He was tense, but he managed to keep his cool. He inspected even the slightest of creaks and sounds that the walls made on their own, only to come up empty handed every time. He even went outside once and inspected all of the bushes, coming up with nothing. It was two in the morning when he decided that he needed to sleep, so he triple checked that all of the windows and doors were locked before setting the alarm and barricading his bedroom door. He left two guns ready on his night side table and slept lightly.
The second day was slightly better, but Jack was still on edge. He managed to break away from the security cameras for about fifteen minute blocks to watch some television, and he didn't inspect even the smallest creak in the walls and the floors. He managed to prepare and eat a full meal that day rather than relying on instant noodles and nuts, and he even managed to watch a few episodes on Netflix. He made two rounds of the property that day, again coming up with nothing.
It was on the third day when Jack was starting to become stir crazy. He hadn't left the house in days, he was running low on supplies, and he watched all of the episodes of television shows he was behind on. He took care of all of the housework including vacuuming, dusting, and gardening, and he even managed to take a thirty minute shower. It was eight in the evening when he decided he couldn't take it anymore, and he grabbed his car keys.
He sat in his car, keys in the ignition, when he realized that he felt like going dancing. He hadn't been to his favourite club in what felt like eons, and he was definitely in the mood for it. He realized, however, that he might be drinking, so he returned his keys to where they belonged inside and grabbed his green fare card instead. The bus stop was only a five minute walk away, and the route would take him right downtown. As he was about to leave he stopped himself once more, packing a gun in his belt loop just in case. He kept it under his shirt so security wouldn't see it.
The bus was arriving right as Jack walked up to the stop, and given the hour it wasn't very busy. It flew past many of the stops, getting Jack downtown in a near record twenty five minutes. He had to walk a block or so to get to the club, and when he did the line out front was only still forming. He got in quickly and paid his cover, breezing past security by maintaining his cool. No one suspected he had a gun, and that made his life exponentially easier. He took a moment to examine the crowd in the front two rooms before making his way to the EDM room in the back. When he looked around he didn't see anyone that attracted his eye right away, and so he made his way to the bar.
"White Freezie and a shot of vodka," Jack nearly screamed to the bartender in order to drown out the blasting music when she finally turned to him. The shot came first, which Jack quickly took before using his mixed drink as chase. He stuck around the bar as he sipped the rest of his drink, watching as the room filled up. He ended up having a third drink, then a forth, followed by another shot before he finally made it out to the dance floor. He wasn't sure if he was getting into the music or if the alcohol was getting to him, but he had no reservations about dancing on his own, and he was jumping up and down like no one was watching.
Not a few minutes later someone came up behind him and started dancing with him, placing one arm on his shoulder. Jack tried to turn around, however the male (or at least he assumed it was a male by the hands he saw) grasped his hips and kept him facing forward. Unable to rotate, Jack decided to keep dancing but press his body flush against the other man's. They started moving in unison, keeping with the beat of the song.
Two songs later Jack still hadn't been able to turn around. He did, however, suddenly feel a pair of lips on an exposed patch of skin. Again, it may have been the alcohol or it may have just been the inertia of the situation, but Jack leaned his neck the other way which gave the mystery stranger greater access. A few seconds later Jack felt teeth, and he let out a subconscious moan. He allowed it to continue for a few seconds before his curiosity got the best of him, and he used as much force as he needed to break free of the man's grip and turn around.
Jack felt the man's mouth release his neck and the hands flew away out of surprise of Jack's sudden force. Jack was smiling as he turned, ready to finally introduce himself to the affectionate stranger and hoping for someone attractive. When he took in the man behind him, the man standing tall and with a grin on his own face, Jack's smile dropped. It wasn't that the man was unattractive, quite the contrary actually, it was that the man was Hiccup.
Jack immediately reached for his gun, however before he could get it out Hiccup grabbed his arm. He shook his head before thrusting his head to the side, clearly indicating that he was referring to the crowd around them. After a second Jack caught on; killing Hiccup was not worth creating mass panic and probably altering a dozen security cameras to his secret identity. Jack narrowed his eyes, and Hiccup grabbed his arm once more. As the brunet dragged him to the front door of the club, Jack made sure to double check that Hiccup hadn't somehow swiped his gun. Finding it safely in his holster he felt a little safer when Hiccup pulled him out of the main door and into the side alley beside the building.
"Let me guess, you're here to kill me?" Jack asked, not quite reaching for his gun yet. He could see both of Hiccup's hands and as long as they didn't move, neither would Jack. Besides, he was pretty good at hand-to-hand combat.
"I knew you liked this place. I figured you'd come here eventually when you got stir crazy of your own house."
"Rule 3?"
"Rule 3," Hiccup confirmed.
"I really should follow those sometime," Jack mentioned to himself, making Hiccup chuckle a little.
"Probably. But I'm not here to kill you Jack," Hiccup said, and Jack nearly had to do a double take.
"Wait, what?"
"I know that's probably why you're here…"
"How did you know?" Jack asked, pulling out his gun. Hiccup lifted his hands out of instinct, but he managed to keep talking.
"Well I figured if I got the job then so did you. But I looked at that screen until it went blank and I decided I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill you."
"Oh yeah? And why not?" Jack asked, cocking the gun. A piece of him was so ready for this, ready to exact his revenge for all of those stolen contracts, but something was stopping him from actually pulling the trigger.
"Because I have feelings for you."
Jack nearly dropped his gun. He had prepared himself for a whole series of responses, a novel of a list of excuses, but that had most definitely not been one of them. He was rendered speechless, and so Hiccup took the opportunity to explain to the clearly confused Jack.
"Think about it. I've been following your work. I'm interested in your life, and you and your work inspired me to become an assassin myself." When Jack gave him a look, he added, "I know that sounds mildly stalker-ish but hear me out. Think about that day at the movie theatre parking lot. That kiss, I realize it may not have been much to you, but it was something I had wanted to do for a while. I moved you out of harm's way instead of killing you, didn't I? And surely you haven't already forgotten what just happened."
Jack had to admit, the boy raised good points. Either he was really dedicated to this story to get his hit, or the boy actually cared for him. He lowered his gun slowly, and Hiccup's hands followed. While Hiccup was grateful that he was no longer on the wrong end of a handgun, Jack's mind was racing. He had to admit, he had felt something different during that quick kiss in the parking lot. He took a moment to seriously evaluate his feelings for Hiccup, and while he wouldn't say he had feelings for the boy, he also couldn't say that he didn't have feelings.
"So, you really like me?" Jack asked, to which Hiccup nodded. "Well, you're in luck then," Jack said as he re-holstered his gun. "I've decided not to kill you. You're welcome." As Jack said this he gave a little bow and Hiccup couldn't help but smile and let out a small laugh. "However, I've decided to give you a shot. I don't know if I have feelings for you, but I'd like to find out. So, do we have a deal?"
"Absolutely," Hiccup smiled.
"Now there's just one thing…" Jack started, but before he said anything else Hiccup finished his sentence.
"The contract."
"Exactly. One of us has to die. Or at least fake their death to make our employer happy. So, here is what I propose."
"Proposing already? But Jack we've barely just met!" Hiccup exclaimed jokingly, and Jack just had to smile; he couldn't have kept it in if he'd tried. Clearly the boy had a sense of humour, and Jack could definitely appreciate that.
"I propose," Jack continued, "That we go back to my place. We'll make this look like we made a truce because they're probably watching us, but when we get back to my place I'll shoot you in the side. I know where to aim so that it won't kill you and the pain will be minimal. Then I'll drag you inside to pretend like I'm disposing of your body. They'll think your dead and all will be well."
"Wait, how come I have to die?"
"Because I'm too good to fail and I was the assassin first," Jack remarked with a joking smile. "Now come on, the bus will be coming soon."
"Or I could just drive," Hiccup said, jingling a set of car keys. Jack stopped dead in his tracks, not even turning around.
"Alright fine you win."
They walked to Hiccup's car, a green Volkswagen Golf, and Jack gave Hiccup directions back to his place.
"You'll probably have to lay low inside for a few days," Jack explained to Hiccup as he drove. "To avoid any suspicion. Alright?"
"I suppose," Hiccup said as he took a corner. In a comically higher pitched voice he added, "As long as you keep me company I'll be fine."
"Oh cut the sap," Jack said, punching Hiccup's arm lightly and laughing. "Now, I assume you know where I intend to shoot you since there is only one section of the body that guarantees no damage."
"I know, but just shoot me in the chest."
"Wait, what?"
"Yeah, I have a bulletproof vest on," Hiccup explained, taking the corner onto Jack's street.
"What, you just walk around with one on?"
"Well in this profession it's not a bad idea," Hiccup pointed out. "Plus I wasn't sure if you were going to shoot me tonight."
"Yeah, well, you're still pretty lucky that I didn't," Jack said, turning his fingers into a gun and holding it to Hiccup's temple. He pretended to pull the trigger, and Hiccup made the car swerve slightly as a joke. Hiccup stopped in front of Jack's house, parking his car on the street in front of it. "Alright, you ready?"
"Hang on, I want this to be as authentic looking as possible," Hiccup said. Before Jack could ask what that meant, Hiccup planted another kiss on Jack's lips. Their lips moved in slow unison, and Jack swore he even felt a little tongue before Hiccup pulled away with a smug grin on his face. Jack had to admit, Hiccup was an amazing kisser. "Now let's go."
They got out of Hiccup's car, and it went exactly as planned. They walked side by side until they were on Jack's front walk, when Jack pulled out his gun. Hiccup's hands flew up once more, and he mustered the best panic face he could.
"Wait, Jack, I thought we had something!" Hiccup said perhaps a little too loud, but Jack could chastise the assassin's acting at a later time.
"We did," Jack responded, "a contract." Jack let loose three bullets into Hiccup's chest, and Hiccup flew backwards and into a bush. He had to admit, while the boy sucked at acting vocals he had the moves down. Jack dragged Hiccup's limp body into his house, and as soon as the door was closed Hiccup cried out in pain.
"Seriously? Did you have to do three? You know that it still hurts even with one of these vests, right?" Hiccup ripped off his shirt, which now had three distinct holes in it, before peeling off his vest. The bullets fell to the ground with small pinging sounds and Jack got a look at the bruises underneath (as well as a solid look at Hiccup's naked torso). "At least the bruising is minimal."
"Yeah, it is," Jack said as he snapped back from his mild trance. He had to admit, Hiccup looked pretty good under his shirt. "Come on, let's get you upstairs."
Jack showed Hiccup to the guest room and bathroom before fetching him some towels and something to sleep in. Jack was slightly shorter than Hiccup, and so nothing appeared like it would fit the 'former' assassin properly. He had to give him an XL tshirt and size 36 pants, which comically drowned Hiccup in fabric. Regardless Hiccup was thankful for the change of clothes.
One last goodnight was exchanged before they retired, and when Jack returned to his room he actually noticed that he still had many of the guns in his room from a couple of nights ago. He contemplated putting them back, but if Hiccup saw him walking through the house with massive guns right then it might scare him half to death. He couldn't even do it quietly, considering how much noise the arms cabinet made when it was opened. If they were going to make this whole thing work there was going to have to be some form of trust developed between the two. Jack simply placed them in his drawer or under his bed before he too turned in and fell asleep.
Jack was awoken to the sound of the house alarm going off. It was in alert mode rather than panic mode, so he assumed that Hiccup had probably gone downstairs and triggered one of the motion detectors by accident. He reached over and pressed the button on his remote to deactivate it before crawling out of bed and to his bedroom door. He figured he should probably explain to Hiccup what was going on.
"Jack? What's with the noise?" Hiccup asked as soon as Jack entered the hallway, appearing from the door immediately beside his.
"You must've triggered one of the motion detectors downstairs," Jack explained, but Hiccup gave him a confused look.
"Jack, I haven't left this room all night."
Both boys jumped aside when a bullet hole suddenly appeared in the wall between them, and looking over they found a masked gunman coming up the stairs. Acting on instinct, Jack grabbed Hiccup and jumped into his bedroom before closing the door. He rushed over to his bedside table, throwing open the drawer.
"Jack what the hell is going on?" Hiccup demanded as a bullet hit the door, although it made a sound as if hitting metal. Hiccup could only assume Jack had bulletproofed his door, which was actually quite intelligent. Perhaps it would hold out their assailant for a while.
"I'm going to go with our little charade wasn't as convincing as we needed it to be," Jack guessed, passing Hiccup a semi-automatic gun. He himself took a handgun and an AK-47 before giving them each a couple of hand grenades.
"You were keeping these in your room? Wow you really must not trust me."
"That's actually not why they were here, but can you blame me for not trusting an assassin right away?" Jack asked, but before Hiccup could answer there was an explosion. The bedroom door flew inwards, narrowly avoiding Hiccup. His assassin instincts kicked in right away, however, and as soon as the gunman entered the room Hiccup had two bullets in the man's head. "Impressive," Jack complemented, and Hiccup gave a slight bow. "Now come on, something tells me that there won't just be one of them."
The upstairs was clear so they slowly made their way downstairs. Without talking Jack signalled Hiccup to avoid the third step from the top; it was squeaky and he didn't want to give away their location. Jack poked his head around the wall that separated the stairs from the main room and immediately pulled it back, a bullet hole in the wall right where his head had just been. Jack knew that the wall protecting had been reinforced, and so he held their position there while the barrage of bullets assaulted the general vicinity. It became clear that there was more than one person in the other room.
Jack reached to his belt, taking one of his grenades. Looking at it he realized he had actually grabbed a flash bang, which was quite fortuitous for the situation. He tossed it around the corner and when the assassins cried out in pain, he and Hiccup jumped out from around the corner. It took ten shots to kill the six men and one woman in the room, but as soon as they were dead more bullets came from the door leading into the kitchen.
The pair dove behind the couch and Hiccup almost immediately tossed a grenade over the couch. It was a Hail Mary toss, however after the explosion the gunshots ceased. Hiccup had a smug grin on his face and all Jack could think was, 'Fluke'.
Neither said anything before they heard several windows smash upstairs, and Jack realized there was only one solution. They needed to get these people off their backs, and the only way to do that was to make them think that they were dead.
"Hiccup, I know I said I didn't entirely trust you and I don't know how you think of me at the moment, but I have an idea. Do you trust me?"
"Five minutes ago it was questionable, but fighting for your life with someone can build trust real quick."
"Alright we need to get to the basement."
"But we'll be trapped!" Hiccup exclaimed, and as he said that footsteps could be heard on the stairs. Jack decided there was no more time to delay and dragged Hiccup up and to the basement with him.
"Just trust me!" Jack led Hiccup without much resistance down the stairs and around the corner, but Hiccup came to a dead stop when he saw the vault like container that Jack was about to ask him to get inside of.
"Oh hell no, I am not getting in that thing," Hiccup said, ripping his arm back.
"Hiccup please, it's the only way."
"How do I know that this isn't just some plan to lure me in there and then kill me? Maybe this was all a part of your plan all along," Hiccup accused.
"Hiccup that makes no sense. Why wouldn't I have killed you at the club? Or heck in your sleep or when we were hiding behind the couch together?" Hiccup hated to admit his momentary lapse in common sense, but Jack was right. He would have had multiple far less extravagant methods. The boys turned to the sound of steps coming down the basement stairs, and that was all the motivation Hiccup decided he needed.
Jack climbed in after the brunet and sealed the door. Hiccup looked around, seeing they were in some sort of fortified panic room. It was a plain metal square with a keyboard and some screens showing different parts of the house on one side. Jack made his way to the keyboard and started typing.
"I suggest you brace yourself; this might get a little bumpy," Jack said, sitting himself in a corner of the room.
"What are you talking…" Hiccup started, but he was interrupted by an insanely loud bang that knocked him off of his feet. The metal around them creaked and groaned while objects banged on the outside, but then there was a sudden deathly quiet. "Ok, what just happened?"
"I blew my house up."
"I'm sorry what?"
"Think about it. Everyone will think we're dead and we just got rid of any threats that were still inside the house. I had the house outfitted with a self-destruct feature."
"Impressive," Hiccup admitted. Jack said nothing, instead opening the door a crack to take in their surroundings. The house was non-existent, save some debris covering the vault. It was nothing Jack wouldn't be able to push off, and the neighbours' houses looked like they suffered nothing worse than a few shattered windows.
"Come on, let's…" Jack started before he suddenly slammed the door shut once more and sealed it.
"What's going on?" Hiccup asked, concerned at Jack's sudden change of behaviour. The white haired assassin shushed him, and he listened to see what Jack was hearing.
"Well we lost a few men and women sir but there is no way the targets survived this," came a female voice.
"Excellent," came a raspy male voice that almost made Hiccup cringe. "I will not have two of my employees engaged in any form of relationship. That takes care of that then."
"Hiccup come on that's our employer! He tried to kill us! This is our chance to get him," Jack said, but Hiccup quickly pulled him away from the door and restrained him.
"Jack don't be stupid," Hiccup said as Jack attempted to break free. "Think about it. What if we fail? He'll know we're still alive and we'll never be able to get away. If he thinks we're dead then this is our chance to escape and never have to worry about any of this ever again. You heard what he said, there's no way he'd ever forgive either of us."
Jack stopped fighting when Hiccup raised his point. As much as Jack didn't want to admit it, Hiccup was right. It wasn't a chance he should take, even if he did want to murder the man (or at least see his face).
"You're right," Jack conceded. When he heard the cars drive off he said, "Now come on, we need to get out of here before anyone else comes and finds us. We can go to my safe house and then plan how to leave the country from there. Ready?"
Hiccup nodded. He was ready for everything: to leave this job, to leave this life, and to leave this country; especially if he was with Jack.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Jack sighed as he readjusted himself on the beach chair, waiting for Hiccup to return with their drinks. He looked out over the ocean, taking in the view from their Oceanside villa. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the breeze was so gently you might not even notice it was there, and the sun was the perfect temperature.
Getting up, Jack decided to jump into the pool. He had been sitting in the sun for over an hour and he was ready to cool off slightly. The Jamaican sun kept their outdoor pool at the perfect temperature year round, and after a graceful dive Jack allowed himself to float along the surface with his eyes closed. He was rudely disturbed by a sudden splash of water, and he spun himself into an upright position. Hiccup emerged right in front of him and placed a kiss on his lips before he could react, then made his way to the side of the pool to grab their drinks.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist," Hiccup smirked, giving Jack his glass and clinking it against his own. Jack took a sip and laughed it off, moving towards the side of the pool. "Happy three monthiversary by the way."
"And here I was thinking you'd forgotten," Jack joked.
"You know, if I'd've known our savings could set us up for life in a place like this in a country like this, I would've faked my death years ago."
"But then you wouldn't have met me," Jack faux-pouted, and Hiccup had to laugh.
"Actually that sounds like an improvement," Hiccup remarked, earning a splash from Jack. He hurried to cover his drink, not wanting it ruined by the saltwater in the pool. "I'm just kidding," Hiccup assured, "I wouldn't give up you, or any of this, for the world."
"Neither would I," Jack smiled. "Love you."
"Love you too."