I was supposed to be cleaning but I HiJacked instead... oops

It was January third when Hiccup rolled over in bed and looked at his suit that was laid out. Val's funeral was going to be in a few hours and he needed to get dressed. Jack was at home and since Hiccup found a way to shower without his help, they decided Jack could take a break. They would see each other at the funeral anyways. So getting out of bed, he sighed and grabbed his crutches, standing slowly.

Down stairs he could hear the phone ring and his dad pick up. They had been getting angry phone calls from customers who didn't get their jewelry orders for Christmas. Stoick had to inform them that Val had passed away and that their orders weren't coming. Needless to say this ended with a lot of apologies and even a few condolence baskets of foods and gifts. It was a strange feeling for the family.

Showered and dressed, he met with the rest of his family downstairs. It was going to be a small ceremony with only close friends and family. Uncle Spitelout and Snoutlout were waiting outside in their own car. It seemed something had transpired between the two brothers and Stoick wasn't about to say anything. Instead he brought Hiccup into a hug, flowers in his hands. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah," Hiccup said. Toothless was dressed in a button down shirt and nice pants, his eyes already puffy. "Hey buddy." The younger boy looked at him and wiped his face. "You going to be okay?"

Toothless scoffed but it came out like a gurgle. "I'm fine," he muttered. Hiccup held out his hand regardless and he took it. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I don't know," he said truthfully. "I hope so." Ever since he confessed to Jack that he couldn't feel anything, he wondered if there was something wrong with him. Jack soothed him and just said he was in shock. Eventually Hiccup would be back to normal and it would all be fine. "But hey, you want to come with me when I start my therapy? You can help move my leg around and stuff." He had gotten the measurements taken and they were working on his prosthetic. It would be done a little after school started.

"Is it all gross looking and mutated?" Toothless seemed to perk up a little, a usual twelve year old attention span at work.

Hiccup grinned slightly. "Yeah and sometimes when I move it, you can see the mutated bugs crawling under my skin." He wiggled his leg in the air and laughed when Toothless moved away. "Relax; the bugs can't escape because the doctors sewed them in there." I just need to keep my mind off everything today. After the funeral I'll just relax and it'll be okay.

Stoick clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Let's get going boys. It's time." Old Wrinkly walked ahead of them and they all piled into the car. It was tough fitting Toothless and Hiccup in the back seat with his crutches. They made it work, pulling out of the drive and making their way to the church. The Haddock family wasn't a very religious one. The only time Hiccup could really remember being in a church was during his grandmother's funeral, so obviously, he didn't have a good track record with them.

He looked out his window and saw the orange sticker that read in black letters: FUNERAL. It was going to be on all their cars as they made their way through town. Just another way to tell people without actually saying anything. As they pulled into the parking lot he noticed Jack's car was already there and his stomach warmed. At least he made it.

"Remember we sit in the front pews," Stoick said as he got out. Hiccup jumped out and followed his family into the church, finding the large building to be a little menacing. When he walked in it smelled of old women and dust, his mouth suddenly dry. There was a bowl of holy water waiting for incoming guests and his father and grandfather both dipped their fingers in it, doing the cross over their bodies. Hiccup stared into the water and moved past it, finding there was no need.

Jack was sitting near the middle with his family. Tooth was wiping her eyes every other second, talking with North. He stood and came over to Hiccup without a word to anyone else. "Hey," he whispered since their voices echoed. "You look good." Hiccup looked down at his suit that was too small for him and shrugged. Jack was dressed much better than him, a dark navy suit that hugged his features nicely. And of course, his hair was doing that swoopy thing. "Are you feeling alright?" His hand cupped his cheek, fingers cool against his skin.

Hiccup smiled, jolting slightly from a loud cough. He turned and found Spitelout and Snoutlout taking their seats in the back, staring at the two of them. "I'm going to be fine, don't worry." But the way his lungs seemed to contract told him differently. "I'll talk you once everything is done and over with." Jack nodded and, due to being in such a public space, kissed his forehead and made his way back to his seat. Emma wasn't there and Hiccup could understand why, if he had a choice, he wouldn't have brought Toothless.

Continuing down the aisle, Hiccup got to the front pews and sat between his father and Toothless. Up on the stage, Hiccup guessed, was a podium and on top of that was an urn, beautifully decorated. Flowers of all sorts were scatter around it and a picture of Val with her sons was next to it. The way the light filtered through the stain glass windows set a wave of color over everything. It was almost perfect.

Hiccup felt something was off though. He understood that her body couldn't be recovered but she deserved such a better burial. She deserved to have her gorgeous wild hair set about her face with flowers ensnared in the tangles. Her face pale and lovely as he remembered. He would have had her dressed in the best dress she had with no makeup since she didn't need any. All in his head, he planned a picture of how she would look and he almost bolted out of the room. It was a sudden urge. He needed to get the image down before he would forget, but there was no way he was going to leave the funeral.

So he waited. Soon the rest of the guests came in and they could barely fill one side of the pews. The Hoffersons came and Astrid waved to Hiccup who nodded back, good leg bouncing erratically. And so the service began, a priest speaking at first. When they asked for everyone to rise, Stoick had to hold him up since it took a while with his crutches. There was a moment of silence and Stoick went up to speak, halfway through his speech he was blubbering. It was horrible to sit there and watch his father struggle with his words as he motioned to the urn. At some point Toothless started crying again, hiccupping and sniffling all over the place.

Hiccup wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pressed his face into his chest. He didn't care if his suit got dirty, he never liked it anyways. Stoick came back down and Old Wrinkly went up, gripping the sides of the podium with his thin fingers.

"Now you all listen to me," he started off. "Val wouldn't want any of you crying at this thing so I want everyone to dry their faces off and put on a smile." He waited a moment and a few people actually wiped their faces clean. "Good, now I'm not going to stand here and say what a lovely daughter I had. No. I am not going to refer to her in past tense because she is still here." He waved his arms through the air and Hiccup almost thought it was comical. "Her body may be gone but her soul, what her being was made of, is still here around us. She is watching us right now probably saying to herself how dreadful this place looks. It would need a lot more color and flowers." This got a few laughs and he smiled. "Val is standing with us all and trying to tell us that she's here. So everyone, listen to her and make sure you notice, this girl has a temper when she gets angry. And you don't want her mad at you now." He walked off and Hiccup started clapping. A few others joined in and soon everyone was cheering. Not just for Old Wrinkly, but for Val, trying to show her they were all still listening.

Once everyone quieted and the rest of the ceremony went on, they all stood and went to their cars. It was time to go bury Val in the nearby cemetery, right next to her mother. Old Wrinkly was going to drive them since Stoick was going to be with the urn. It was a jerky and bumpy ride on the way there, but things seemed lighter after Old Wrinkly's speech, and even Hiccup was beginning to feel better. He still wanted to leave though, there was going to be a small lunch afterwards but he was actually thinking of skipping it so he could finally get the image out of his head. They pulled into the cemetery and drove down the thin lanes to the grave. He hobbled out and struggled due to the uneven grass. When he did make it, the others were gathered around the small hole in the ground.

The skies were a little clear and patches of sunlight were filtering through. It seemed like the perfect weather for Val considering her personality. The air was cold and bitter but it didn't seem to be bothering anyone since they stuck so close together. Stoick put the urn in the ground and grabbed the shovel; putting some of the dirt on top. Old Wrinkly went next, shoveling another scoop of dirt on. Hiccup went next with a small struggle and then Toothless who was shaking so hard most of the dirt fell off before he made it over the hole. Everyone else went next until the whole thing was covered and prayers were said again. Some people left flowers and others hugged each other.

Astrid came over and hugged him. "How are you feeling?" She smoothed out his hair and made a noise. "You look sick?" He shook his head.

"No, there's just something I need to do. Like, right now." He went over to Jack, tugging on his sleeve since he was discussing something with North. When he got his attention he nodded towards his car. "Can you take me home?"

"You mean right now? What about the lunch?" Jack gave him a worried look. "Don't you want to stay with your family?"

Hiccup bit his lip and looked around. "I just really need to get something out of my head. It's fine if you can't. I just needed a ride home." He glanced over at his dad and wondered if he would give him a ride home.

Jack shook his head, kissing his cheek. "No, it's alright, I'll drive you. But I'll have to make a stop at home and change first." Hiccup smiled and he just wagged a finger in his face. "But you should tell your dad. I don't want them thinking I kidnapped you or anything."

Stoick was with Old Wrinkly when Hiccup came over. "Dad, Jack is going to take me home. Is that okay?"

"Why? Is something wrong? Hamish if there is something wrong-"

"No, no, I just really want to do something right now before I forget." He waited for Stoick to finish thinking. His emerald eyes flicked over to Jack who was going to his car, starting the engine. "It's for Mom," he said quietly.

"And Jack is going to be with you?" He eyed him carefully.

"Yeah."

"And he's not going to leave you alone?"

"Dad I'm not suicidal I just want to paint," he sighed.

Stoick pursed his lips. "Alright, just keep in touch if anything happens." Hiccup hugged him briefly. "I love you."

"Love you too Dad." He limped off to Jack's car. In his hurry he almost fell since one of his crutches got caught in a hole in the ground. Luckily he stayed up and managed to pull himself into Jack's passenger seat.

Jack started to drive. "Alright?"

Hiccup nodded. "Alright."

With a quick stop at Jack's house and a less than ten minute drive, Hiccup was in his room, throwing off his suit. He pulled on some boxers and a t-shirt, not caring what he looked like since he was probably going to make a mess anyways. Jack dropped his stuff on his floor; he brought a bag with him packed with clothes since he knew there was something going on. He trailed behind Hiccup as he maneuvered down the stairs and into Val's work room.

It was dark and almost suffocating as Hiccup moved through it. Unfinished jewelry was spread on her desk, her tools right where she left them. Everything about it made his heart hurt but there was something he needed to get. He pointed to the storage closet and Jack opened it. "Can you grab the large canvas in there? It's should be almost to your stomach." There was a crashing noise and multiple grunts before Jack came out with a blank canvas, exactly the height he had described it as. "Now can you please bring it upstairs?"

Without a word Jack went upstairs. Hiccup took some time to look around the work room, his chest constricting. She'll never be able to work in here again. The image flashed through his head and he grit his teeth. I'll make sure she gets the proper image she deserves to be seen in. He went back out of the room and shut the door tightly. Going upstairs, he found Jack had leaned the canvas against his bed and he thanked him. "You can go home now; I just needed someone to carry this for me." Jack didn't move from where he was standing. "What?"

"I'm going to stay here. Until this-" He motioned to Hiccup. "-is all over." He took a seat on the bed and watched as Hiccup just shrugged, taking out a painting tarp from his art supplies. Laying it out on the floor, he took the canvas and propped it against the wall, making sure the tarp was underneath so there wouldn't be a mess. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, I got the rest." Hiccup stuck his tongue out as he gathered all the rest of his supplies. He set out his oil paints and cloth to wipe his brushes with. He looked around and finally settled himself on the floor, picking up his brush and tapping it against his knee for a moment. "Actually, can you play some music?"

Jack took out his phone. "What kind?"

He shook his head, not even looking. "Whatever is fine."

"Roger that." Jack flipped through his playlist and pressed shuffle. Some generic song came on but Hiccup wasn't paying attention to the lyrics, he just needed a rhythm to paint to. He took a tube of paint and squirted some onto his pallet, spreading it around before adding some other colors. After a while of mixing and staring, he finally began to paint, stretching his body.

Jack watched in utter fascination. He leaned forward at one point, eyes glued to Hiccup's body as he moved. His languid movements and simple brush strokes were like something out of a ballet. It was so enticing to watch his back stretch and his muscles work under his freckled skin, showing he wasn't as weak as everyone thought. Jack had to keep back all the guttural noises that were trying to break out from his throat. Never in his life would he have thought that just watching someone paint would turn him on so much. Damn, he thought, it's completely different than how he usually is. This Hiccup was sexy just by doing something he loved. His movements were sensual; his delicate fingers working were eye candy. And it wasn't even a completely sexual attraction; it was like an intellectual discovery. Oh hey, guess what, your boyfriend is hotter than you ever thought he was. Look at him paint.

All in all, it was pretty much breathtaking.

The only thing to break Hiccup's concentration was when Taylor Swift suddenly started playing. His brush stuttered and he turned to Jack, cracking a small smile. "Really? Love Story?"

"Don't judge my music," he said defensively.

Hiccup raised an eyebrow, laughing. He had some paint splatter across his cheeks and over the ridge of his nose. His fingers were completely stained but he didn't see the need to clean them just yet. "You can listen to whatever sappy love songs you want," he said, "I just can't let anyone know I'm dating a Taylor Swift fan."

Jack faked like he was hurt. "Well I never!" They both laughed and he looked at the time, surprised to find that three hours had passed without even feeling like it. "Hey, are you hungry? You haven't eaten anything all day."

"No, I'm fine." He went back to working and Jack stood, coming up behind him. "Jack, you're blocking my light," he complained.

"I'll make you some soup, how about that?" He bent over so their faces were close together when Hiccup looked up. "You need to eat something," he pointed out.

"Chicken noodle."

He smiled. "Chicken noodle it is." They kissed and he went down stairs and into the kitchen. He fumbled around until he found a pot and then he hunted some more until he found the soup. Somehow he figured out how to turn the stove top on while pushing random buttons. But when he was opening the can he managed to spill some soup on the counter. Cursing he dumped the rest into the pot, putting it on the stove as he groped around for a towel or anything to clean up.

The front door opened and the Haddock family came in, all looking tired, but better than they did in the morning. Toothless came up to Jack and he smiled, ruffling his hair. "Hey there Toothless how was lunch?"

"I had a sandwich," he said with a shrug. "What are you doing?" Glancing behind Jack, he looked to the pot.

"Making soup for your brother since he's busy." Stoick came in, loosening his tie. "I hope you don't mind Mr. Haddock."

"No, not at all." He pulled the tie off and threw it on the counter, sitting down. "Furvus, why don't you go keep your grandfather busy, I think he might have had a little too much to drink." Toothless made a snorting noise and went to go find Old Wrinkly. Now it was only the two of them and Jack crossed his arms, trying to look anywhere else. "So Hamish is doing alright?"

"Yup, just painting."

"That's good."

"Yeah."

Stoick cleared his throat and folded his hands on the counter top, playing with his thumbs like a child. "Might I ask," he coughed, "how exactly your parents deal with…" Now he closed his mouth and tried to think of what to say. "How to deal with you being…" He stopped again, jaw tight.

Jack leaned against the counter next to the stove. "You mean me being gay?"

"Yes, yes, that's what I meant." He nodded rapidly. "How do they deal with it?"

He tilted his head, roots showing under his white hair. "Well Mr. Haddock, for one thing, they don't 'deal with it' they accept it." Stoick flushed slightly and averted his eyes. Jack softened his voice and tapped his foot. "Listen, my mom sometimes goes to this LGBT support group for parents, if you want you're welcome to come."

"But, I'm not-" Stoick furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't think they would allow me there. Isn't it already parents who understand this-this sort of thing?"

"No see, new people come in and they learn. That's why they make these groups, so that parents like-well, parents like you can learn." Jack shrugged. "I'll ask my mom for the meeting schedule and I'll give it to you if you'd like. I'm not saying it's going to make everything sunshine and rainbows, but it can help a lot."

Stoick paused then slowly, he nodded. "Yes, that'd be nice." Jack smiled brightly and Stoick frowned at him. For a moment he thought he was going to change his mind but he just pointed to the stove, soup boiling over. "Jack, you're burning it."

"Damn it!"

"I can't believe you managed to burn soup," Hiccup snorted. They were sitting on the floor, facing each other as they ate. "You would at least think you of all people would be able to make soup without messing it up." He took another spoonful of soup into his mouth (a whole new can Stoick made).

"Shut up, it was a romantic gesture." Jack flushed slightly and ate his food hunched over. "So what exactly are you painting?" He looked over to the canvas, a face coming into form in the center. Most of the details hadn't been painted on yet, but Hiccup was getting there slowly, he wanted it to be perfect.

He glanced at the canvas as well. "You'll find out when I'm done." Jack groaned and he only laughed some more.

Jack put down his bowl for a moment and really looked at Hiccup. "You know," he said quietly, "I'm happy you're getting better."

"The doctors said I was healing perfectly fine-"

"No, like, you're being you," he murmured. "I really missed you." Hiccup squinted at him, trying not to blush. "I think this whole painting thing is just your way of getting your emotions out. Instead of crying or being overly emotional, you need to get it out like this." He pointed to the canvas. "You need to show your emotions through art."

Hiccup tilted his head. "Well thank you for that diagnosis Dr. Overland."

"I'm not kidding Hiccup," he said seriously. "It's really beautiful and I think it's really helping you. I've seen you smile more and more since you've started this painting, so don't tell me it's not helping you."

Hiccup finished off the rest of his soup and sighed. "I'm sorry I'm so emotionally constipated."

Jack chuckled now. "Does that mean I'm your laxative?"

"Can we stop referring to our relationship with crap jokes? I just finished eating." He smiled and Jack kissed him softly. "You taste like sodium saturated chicken byproduct. Yummy."

"And you taste like a snarky little asshole, delicious." He grinned and kissed him again. "You going to keep painting?"

"Mmhhm." He stacked their bowls and moved back over to his work area. "I hope you don't mind. I'm sorry if this is super boring."

"Nope not one bit. I think you're sexy when you paint," he said. Hiccup gave him a doubtful look and he held up his hands. "Fine don't believe me. But I'll be staring at your sexy ass paint so watch yourself." Now he got a pout and he laughed, climbing on the bed. "Alright fine, I'll do some homework."

He turned the music back on and Hiccup went back into his trance-like state. Jack tried to concentrate on his work since he did bring it to actually do it. It was too bad Hiccup was so distracting that every minute or so his eyes would flick to the younger boy and trace his shape. Eventually he just gave up and watched him completely, chin propped on his hand.

Hiccup was too focused to notice Jack coming from behind. He jumped when the blue eyed teen sat down, pulling him into his lap. "Jack, what are you doing? I thought you were studying?"

"Can't pay attention with you being this cute," he mumbled into his shoulder so he blushed. "Can I help you paint?" His fingers crawled over Hiccup's hands, rolling over his skin gently. "Or am I not allowed to?"

"No, it's alright. Here." He put the paint brush in Jack's hand and switched so his was on top, holding Jack's. He brought it up to the canvas and moved both of their hands. Jack was grinning, one arm wrapped around Hiccup's waist as he let his hand be controlled. They painted together for a while until Jack was becoming tired, leaning his head against the back of Hiccup's neck. It was already close to twelve at night. "Go to sleep if you're tired, I'm not going to drown in paint if you close your eyes."

"But what about you?" Jack yawned and nuzzled him.

"I'll be fine. I really just want to finish this now."

"And you promise you'll wake me up if anything happens?"

"Promise."

"Can I get a goodnight kiss?"

"You're so needy." But he shifted so their lips met. "All good now?"

"All good." He stood and went over to Hiccup's bed, spreading himself out. "Goodnight Hiccy."

"Goodnight Jack."

He closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly. The only thing that woke him was Hiccup shaking his shoulder. Groaning he opened his eyes and looked at the clock, finding it was now eight the next morning. "Holy shit, I slept for that long?" But it felt like he had only closed his eyes for a second. He sat up and Hiccup was standing with his crutches, eagerly waiting for Jack to look at his finished work. "Did you really stay up the whole night finishing this thing?"

"Just shut up and tell me what you think!" Hiccup moved out his way so his painting was fully visible.

Jack opened his mouth, unable to speak. It was absolutely gorgeous. Val was lying with her hair splayed out around her, curling around her temple and jaw. It was only a head shot but there was a small portion of a beautiful white dress wrapping around her shoulders. Somehow Hiccup had managed to get her freckles almost seemingly perfectly, her eyes closed in a peaceful sleep. In her tangled hair were the flowers Jack had given him. They had long since dried out and he cut the stems off, gluing them down in her fiery red hair. There was no other way to describe it but as the most angelic picture Jack had ever seen.

"Crap Hiccup," he stood going to get a better look, "it's perfect." He wanted to touch it to see if the hair felt real but obviously the paint was still wet. "Damn, how are you this amazing?"

Now Hiccup was suddenly modest, looking away. "I'm not amazing," he mumbled.

Jack took him into his arms and their lips were together instantly. "No, you're amazing," he insisted. "Now let's get you to sleep. I don't think staying up all night like this is healthy." They both fell into the bed and Hiccup put his crutches down on the floor.

"What about the paint? I'm covered in it." He looked at his hands and shirt; it was going to get on his bed and on Jack.

"Shower later, sleep now." Jack tugged his arm so he was lying with his face pressed against Jack's chest. "I'll by you rocket ship bed sheets if you get these dirty, how about that?"

"Make it cowboys and we got a deal." He didn't realize how tired he was until he was nestled in Jack's arms, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Within minutes he was snoring.

"Darn," Jack whispered, kissing his head, "and I didn't even get the chance to make a Brokeback Mountain joke." Somehow he also managed to fall back asleep, both of them holding each other peacefully. Hiccup seemed to sleep easier with Jack around him, but it was also the fact that his finished painting was still leaning against the wall. Val was still watching over him it seemed. Just like Old Wrinkly had said.

Yay for emotional outlets.

Kisses and unicorns

~Shi