Chapter 34: Stop and Listen

Jack invited Elsa back to his apartment for dinner. The walk there was filled with talks of Elsa's and Periwinkle's conversation and how she felt about it. Jack didn't have much, if anything to say, but enjoyed listening to the girl talk none the less. Once they got to his apartment making their way inside, someone ran into the white haired teen. He smiled and faced down at Rapunzel, "Off in a hurry as usual huh Blondie." Elsa chuckled and smiled at her cousin, "Hey Rapunzel."

The blonde in question looked up him to with wide eyes and smiled at the older teens, "Hey Elsa! Hey Jack! What brings you to by here?" She asked smiling. Elsa shrugged, "Well I live here, and we were hanging out today." "And I invited her over for dinner since I kept her out all day," Jack explained. "Oh really!? Cool!" She answered excitingly. Taking a quick glance way she look at Jack with determination, "So Jack! I was just about to call you! Hiccup said he wanted to meet up and talk to us."

Jack arched an eyebrow and gave an unimpressed smirk, "Us or you?" She held her smile saying, "Us…" He opened his eyes giving her an unconvinced frown, "Now why would he be telling you this, right at the time of you coming out and me coming in? That seems rather convenient for you, Punzie." Her smile began to falter and a hint of sweat made itself known on the back of her neck. "Well… I mean… yeah… that, that is convenient," She stumbled with her words and gulped. Jack sighed and placed his hand on top of her head, "Nice try Punzie, I know you want me to talk to him, but now is just not the right time," He smiled sadly. She shook his hand off her head and stomped her foot, exclaiming, "Than When Is The Right Time?!"

Jack began to walk to the elevator knowing she had nowhere to go and that she and Elsa would follow. "When he and his dad talk about their issues and he's ready to confront me," Jack explained pressing the elevator button. Rapunzel rushed over getting in the elevator with them, "Jack you don't know Mr. Stoick! I mean he's a scary man, but he's like super stubborn, and doesn't listen to reason, and always thinks his way is the best way. He super hard to talk to, let alone convince he was wrong about something!" She sounded very close to begging, but Jack just shook his head smiling. "Sounds like another guy I know that helped me in fight a few weeks ago. Took me hiking and acts like push over, but I know for a fact ain't," He said opening the door to his apartment. Rapunzel sighed dramatically and fell on his couch, Elsa just smirked at her and giggled. "But it's not just his Dad! I mean Merida and him are avoid each other like the plague! It's ridiculous," The blonde groaned pulling her hair in destress. "I'm sure they just need some time to think Punz," Jack chuckled removing his jacket and taking theirs to hang them up.

Jack quickly went to the kitchen to start some hot milk, while Elsa and Rapunzel sat on the couch. Well Elsa sat on the couch and Rapunzel all but flopped on her back on the couch. "You don't get it! This standoff between them in getting out of hand! The other day I had to literally schedule time out of the day to hang out and talk with both of them. Both times just leading to them ranting about how each other doesn't understand where their coming from! I just… I Don't KNOW what to do!" She whined covering her eyes trying not cry, with her head next Elsa's lap. Elsa placed her own hand and the girl's hair covered forehead in comfort.

"Things will work out in time Rapunzel," She smiled caringly, as she sat down rubbing the girls head next to her lap. "Yeah, you just have to give them time talk, give them time." Jack stated standing above the two with two cups of coco. "Thank you, "Elsa smiled taking it, as Rapunzel looked up at the two, together. She looked at them smiling at each and felt a strange ache in her chest she hadn't felt in a long time, it confused her. "When did you two become so mature," She huffed at the two, pouting. They looked at each other with wide surprised eyes, and both began to giggle and shake, leading into a fit of laughter. Leaving Rapunzel confused and still pouting, realizing the two teens looked good together. She covered her face again sighing.

Jack sat on the arm of the couch, looking at his friend, "I wouldn't say we're mature, just experienced waiters," He smiled taking a sip of his coco. Elsa nodded, "We've still got our own baggage to deal with Rapunzel, but we know that in due time things will work out… Even I'm still having trouble believing that, but I'm getting some friendly up too," She said glancing at Jack. Rapunzel took note of it and sat up taking the mug that was left for her on the table. She looked at it, frowning, "They've never fought like this guys… and I'm worried they may never make up."

Jack slid down to wrap his arm around her shoulder, in a hug. "I may have not been here for the start of their relationship, but I don't think this will break them… Just give them time Punzie, you'll see." He smiled at her as she leaned into his embrace.

Hiccup stopped in front of the steps of the city hall and clinched his fist. Walking up the stairs, he felt like he was 15 again. Stoick was just finishing up a few documents for next town hall meeting when his desk attended called him. "Mayor Stoick, your son is here to see you," She spoke clearly. The old man sighed and looked at his schedule, seeing it fairly open. He pressed the intercoms button, "Send him in." He replied hoping this conversation would be about his son seeing reason. In the short time he reminisced on the talk he and Gobber had.

Gobber's place was empty for the most part, it being close to closing time gave Stoick plenty of time to sit and talk with his friend. When he took a seat at the bar, Gobber placed his usual drink next to him. The mayor sighed and took his drink. "So… Talk to him?" Gobber asked cleaning a glass. Stoick frowned, taking a gulp of his drink. "I can't even get a moment alone with him…" He replied. Gobber nodded, "Forgot how elusive the lad was, even in his own home." Stoick sighed, "Even in at dinner the boy just get his food and goes to his room, to study…"

Gobber looked at the other man, "Ah take it you didn't try to force him to eat with ya?" Stoick gave a grim chuckle, "I may be his father, but I know he's not a child…" Gobber glanced to the side with a doubtful frown, "Ah couldn't tell, to tell the truth," he said with a hint of sarcasm. The red head frowned at him, "What's that suppose ta mean?" Gobber shrugged, "Well… the boy was defindin 'is friend Stoick_" Stoick interrupted, "Oh no! Now don't you go defending his action, he'll_" Gobber interrupted in turn, "Learn what e'xactly Stoick? How tah stand up to a bully? How tah defend his man in arms? The boy has been getting pushed around, most if'not all 'is life. He saw 'is friend in trouble and put up a fight to get him out of it."

Stoick shook his head, "As heroic as his actions were, the boy need to think before he acts, he's going to be_" "A mayor in 8 years or so from now," Gobber concluded. "But now, the lads, just that a lad, and one that's use to being push around and put down. Thah fact that he fought for something, with someone, for some one, I'd say he's come a long way from the boy he used to be. But the lad is still learning who he is, where he belongs. Ya gotta give 'im that Stoick." He was at a loss of words at friends own. But still he frowned, "He has come a long way, and I'm proud of who he's become, but the boys_" Gobber cut him off, "shaping out to be a leader like another young brute I knew." Stoick looked his friend up and down, "You think he's turning out like me?"

Gobber shrugged, "In 'is own way. I mean he certainly doesn't get up to the ruckus we devils did." Stoick nodded his head, "And I don't want him to get up to those things. The boys good, I'd even say better than me, in academics, in politics, even in navigation. He has so much to offer to the town. I don't want him to blow it all with silly fights and hanging out with hooligans." Now Gobber shook his head at his old friend, "But you wouldn't be where ye are ta'day without those same mistakes. And last I checked thah only one labeled a hooligan, back in the day was meh," The blonde laughed, "And from yer father no doubt," He smirked.

Stoick grumbled looking away from his old friend. "Ya just said it yerself Stoick, the boys got talents and skills for the town. He thinks about the town, for gods sakes he's saved the town. SO why don't ya trust him to learn how ta lead it…'is own way?" His friend asked.

"His own way…" Stoick thought to himself as the door to his opened. He straightened up at the sight of his son. And what a sight it was, the boy had grown… was growing into a fine man. His chin held high and walk with a purpose… his mother would be proud. The mayor cleared his throat at the thought and spoke, "Hiccup. What can I do for you son?" The brunet was silent for a moment, but took a deep breath. "Dad. Do you trust me?" He asked clearly. Stoick was a bit taken back by the question. "Of course son… Why would you ask_" Hiccup cut him off as a flare of anger rose in his chest. "Then why are you trying to control the world around me? Even when I thought I proved to you I could stand on my own two feet." He asked looking the man in his eye.

Stoick blinked and frowned, "What's this about son?" He asked. Hiccup squared his shoulders, "About you, threatening Jack to stay away from me or you'll kick him out of town?!" Stoick sighed, he knew the word would get out. Mainly Gobber telling him what happened. He knew those words would come back to his son and back to him. In all honesty the man was merely trying to scare the teen into leaving his son alone for a while. He was aware of the repercussions of that threat, just surprised at who brought them to light. Stoick sighed and stood to confront his son about the issue, "Hiccup, you have to understand that, some people, though good at heart, may not have the best intention, when being your friend. This Jack fellow has put you in complicated position, after complicated position and I don't want you dragged down by_" He was stopped by Hiccup's shout. "JACK IS THE LAST PERSON TO DRAG ME DOWN!" Never hearing his son shout or really raise his voice to that extreme, shook the man.

Hiccup clinched his fits, "Jack came to this town looking for acceptance. He came looking for freedom to prove that he was not his disability. He can't see the world around him, but he can see people like day and night. He saw me and saw no power with my name, no specialty with my leg. He just saw a guy like him. Trying to prove to the people around him that he's fine on his own and that he can help people just the way he is. I've been wanting to that since I was 15, when no one saw use in me, when I had to almost die to prove myself, my worth to my own father and my home. And once I got that acceptance I believed that my purpose was found… I was wrong. Everyone around here acknowledges me… but still doesn't see my worth. Do you know how it feels to finally meet someone, who knows nothing about me and can see who I am, by what I do? Not by my name, not by what I have done, but by what I am doing every day. I found a fiend that knows how to wait things out like me. Someone who is strong and weak and accepts those traits to develop who he is. You want me to be stronger, you want me to be a better leader, but I'm not there yet. And I wanna be stronger! But I can't do that with you and the town monitoring me and telling who should and shouldn't be in my life. I determine that…so just trust me to make the right choice on who. Jack, Punzie, and Merida are my friends and I'm not gonna change that and I won't let you do it either. I'd fight by for and any of them all over again regardless of the "image I create". You taught me to stand up for what I believe in, to stand up for my town, for my people and my friends. While Jack is a good friend and a good man and I know if someone like him can learn from me, I can learn from him… " The brunet finished out of breath and huff. He's never told his dad off or even ranted that much to anyone, but Gobber…What had he just done? He felt a bit of color drain from his face as he looked at his Dad staring wide eyes and silent.

What could Stoick say… Hiccup… his son had never spoken so passionately since he was 15 and saved Berk. He blinked at the young man in front of him.

Young man, his son was becoming a man. And a smart, strong brave one at that. This Jack boy had really brought a fire out of him.

He didn't know much about the boy, but knew he was family friends with Moon, and Mr. Black. Both outstanding gentlemen and retired politicians. He remembers seeing them out rank higher and richer students in same political, fields back in their college days. His father once telling him to be more like them. But even now the older man knows they were nothing alike and never would be. But the younger men saw past that difference back in the day and helped him in his time of need, when he least expected. Yet here he was being mayor of his home, while these two brilliant men went off to pursue their dreams as artist and educators. He held in a chuckle at the different roads they each took, but still ended up in the same spot. Proud of who'd they become, working to achieve what they dreamed and preparing the next generation to do the same.

The silence seemed to stretch on for what felt like hours. Stoick looked at his son and couldn't understand how he was at a loss of words. However, he did understand that the son standing before him was… a man and he had to make his own choices and friends. So from one man to another the Mayor stood and walked over to his son, to the Berk heir and stood before him. Hiccup looked at his dad in the eye. He was prepared for the disappointed scowl, and argument and held his chin high ready to defend and deflected it. What he received was, needless to say unexpected.

And Cliffhanger.

But not really you see where i'm going with this. Any way here you all enjoy

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