Hi guys, early update 'cause I won't be able to post tomorrow.
Chapter 9
Last night
The night was chilly and a delicious smell of roasted chicken was hanging in the air. Jack let the twins guide him, they were holding his arms as if afraid he could vanish all of a sudden. Even though they were squeezing a bit too hard, he couldn't bring himself to think it was something wrong. Both were talking excitedly and giggling, saying the others were going to be glad to see him, and that they wanted to introduce him to the artists he had not met yet.
They evoked a lot of names, including some Jack had not heard on stage. Mala, Gobber and Fishlegs. Jack held back from laughing as he heard these names. With Snotlout, Hiccup, the twins and Dagur, they had funny names. The boy ended up wondering if it really was their names, or nicknames.
When the camp was in view, Jack noticed a tall bonfire in the middle, the other artists gathered around it with a couple other persons. There was music, and a few smaller fires where full chicken were roasting, and a few silhouettes dancing. Jack smiled as he spotted Stormfly and Toothless next to a campfire, the blue and yellow tall dragon eyeing the food while Toothless was laughing at Meatlug, sprawled on a fire, rolling happily in the flames as she was extinguishing it, her tongue hanging out of her big mouth.
The twins sped up and Jack thought he was going to fall.
''Hey guys !'' Tuffnut shouted, ''look who we've found !''
The group closer to them, three persons sitting on logs around a barril, turned to look at them. Jack recognised Snotlout and Valka, along with the knife thrower Eret.
''Jack !'' The stocky dark-haired guy exclaimed as he stood.
He dropped his pint and pushed Eret to skirted the log. Not minding at all the twins, he shoved them out of his way before wrapping his thick arms around the thin boy. He hugged so hard Jack huffed before being lifted from the ground.
''Easy Snotlout,'' Valka chuckled.
The stocky guy put back down their guest. Jack chuckled despite being breathless, then smiled as he met Valka's kind eyes.
''It's really good to see you tonight, Jack. I admit that, with what happened yesterday, we were not sure you would show up.''
''You had one more show tonight,'' he replied as casual as he could and shrugged. ''I couldn't miss it.''
Valka smiled, amused, then Eret joined them, a curious look on the boy.
''So, you're the Jack ?''
The boy had to lift his head to meet the hazel eyes of this tall young man. Seriously, he was even taller than Valka, which was already a good half-head taller than Jack. Eret was about to start a conversation but Astrid erupted from thin air, grabbing his arm and leaning towards Jack as if she wanted the taller guy to stay quiet. Her ocean blue eyes were filled with curiosity and some sort of fascination.
''Oh, so this is the famous Jack ? We've been hearing about you all day long.''
''R-Really ?'' The boy hesitated.
''Hiccup says dragons like him.'' Eret explained to the blonde.
Astrid scoffed. ''Yeah, the dragons aren't the only ones liking him, if you know what I mean.''
Jack felt his face heat up. He wondered what she was meaning by that, and his heart skipped a beat as he imagined she was talking about the tamer. He didn't dare hoping he had made such a good impression, especially seeing the circumstances. The twins high-fived before Ruffnut left them, turning just to explain where she was going.
''I'll get him, he'll be soooooo happy to see you.''
She winked at Jack and skimmed away. While the others laughed, he was confused. Valka invited him to join them and he found a seat on the log, next to Snotlout, who picked up his pint before filling it again. Jack didn't recognized the golden-colored liquid, but it smelt of alcohol.
''Did you just arrived ?'' Valka inquired as she filled another pint of water to offer him.
He took it and thanked her before replying.
''No, I watched the show.''
''Oh, really ?'' Erek asked. ''Didn't you get bored ? You know, since you've already seen it yesterday.''
''Not at all ! Even if you had done exactly the same show, it would have never been boring.''
The artists in front of him smiled at that, pleased. Astrid in particular seemed proud.
''Thanks,'' she said. ''We try to change it so we don't always perform the same things. Mostly for ourselve, so we don't fed up of it.''
''Yeah, I can imagine always repeating the same thing can be tiring, in the long run.''
The ocean blue eyes of the blonde squinted with amusement and a bit of mischief.
''We get used to it, don't worry. We develop different tricks, and traveling between two performances helps to get some rest, too.''
''I say Hiccup has th'most diversified act,'' Snotlout grunted while diging his chin in his palm. ''He has sev'ral dragons, and each can do diff'rent tricks. Easy peasy.''
''Yeah,'' Tuffnut agreed. ''Oh, remember that time when Hookfang burst in flames and ignited the whole tent ! That was awesome ! We had to stop the show and get everyone out to put out the fire !''
The group laughed at that, including Jack. He could easily imagine the auburnet's panic.
''Or that time when Meatlug jumped in th'crow 'cause she really wanted t'hug that fat boy ?'' Snotlout snorted.
''Not mentioning when Stormfly erupted in our act and imitated us by throwing her spikes to the targets.'' Eret added, laughing so hard he was clenching his sides.
''Hey !'' Astrid protested, tapping his arm. ''That was our best show !''
They laughed even more, Jack was starting to get stomach ache from it. He was trying to catch up his breath when Ruffnut came back with Hiccup, who smiled brightly as he met Jack's eyes. The boy smiled back but didn't have the time to say a word before something smashed in his face. It was so strong Jack fell backward and hit the ground. He vaguely heard yelps around him but couldn't care about it, too distracted by the small creature glued to his face, licking his cheek while chirping and warbbling happily.
''Sharpshot, it tickles !'' Jack laughed.
The small dragon didn't listen and kept on licking and nudging him, purring loudly. Jack grabbed him and hughed him, still laying on his back with his legs over the log. Looking up, he found several faces bent over him, with different degrees of worry and amusement.
''You okay, Jack ?'' Valka asked.
''Told you he would be sooooo happy.'' Ruffnut giggled.
''Ouch. Is it Sharpshot who's that strong or you who don't weight anything ?'' Tuffnut wondered.
Jack thought about it and convinced himself it was a mix of the two. After all, even if Sharpshot was the size of a cat, he did was as strong as a big watchdog. His eyes softened as he saw Hiccup's embarrassment over the tiny dragon. The tamer quickly rushed to help him back up.
''Oh gods, I'm so sorry Jack, I wasn't expecting him to tackle you like that. I didn't even notice he had left the tent.''
''Don't worry about that.''
Hiccup didn't seem convinced and gave him an apologetic look, thought he ended up smiling back. Jack then focused back on the small dragon wiggling and warbbling in his arms.
''Oh, did you miss me that much ?'' He teased, scratching the dragon's belly. ''I missed you too, little buddy.''
Sharpshot basked in the pests, then he ended up climbing on his shoulder, before slipping into his hood. The sudden weight made Jack sway backward while he heard the front button crack. Luckily, it didn't snap, and Hiccup quickly caught Jack before he could loose his balance. Once again, the boy got a bit dizzy as he felt warm arms around him and, for a second, he found himself unable to look away from the forest green eyes staring back at him.
He searched for something to say, anything, even something silly, just something to break the silence. It wasn't some ramble from him which did so, but Astrid clearing her throat to catch their attention. Both looked at her and found a teasing smile on her face.
''Do you two want to be left alone ?'' She asked as she wiggled her blond eyebrows.
Jack straightened and Hiccup quickly let go of him, taking a step sideway. Before Jack managed to find something to say, his stomach growled loudly. If he had thought he was blushing before that, now he was sure he had turned crimson red.
''You must be starving, Jack.'' Valka inquired.
He forced a smile, running a hand in his hair.
''I… I spent the day outside.''
It wasn't a lie, but it was far from implying he was also going to spend the night outside. His stomach growled again and he wrapped his arms around it, hoping to make it stop. Astrid shook her head and shifted on the log, pushing Eret a bit, so he could sit next to her.
''The chicken is almost ready, take a plate.''
Jack smiled and nodded as a thanks, before he sat next to her. He pulled at his collar since the cape was strangling him a bit because of Sharpshot's weight. The dragon hadn't move since he had settled there but Jack wasn't worried because he could hear a calm breathing and slight snoring. Astrid's soft smile after she had glanced at his hood confirmed him the Terrible Terror had fallen asleep. That proved just how much at ease he was with Jack.
Another conversation started around the barril, good mood reigning as the artists were having fun asking tricky questions to Jack, like which of their acts was his favorite. He didn't dare answer at first, not wanting to vex them. They noticed it and laughed it off, telling him they wouldn't get offended but were curious. So Jack admitted that, the previous night, his favorite act had been Hiccup with Hookfang.
''Typical.'' Snotlout snorted. ''Who wouldn't be awed by this beast ?''
There was underlying affection in his voice. Then Jack told them that the act he had liked the most this time was Heather and Dagur. He found the mix of graceful dance and dangerous flames captivating.
''What'bout my raw strength ?'' Snotlout insisted, sounding a bit disappointed.
Jack gave him a sheepish smile as an apology, before pulling once more at his collar.
''Speaking about Heather !'' Astrid exclaimed, snapping her fingers. ''We should introduce you to the others.''
She didn't give him time to answer she grabbed his wrist and pulled him with her, gesturing for Hiccup to come along. The auburnet put down the pint he was drinking in and followed them, while the group was still chuckling. As they were getting away, Jack heard a few teasing words from Eret.
''Looks like our dragon trainer found a new one to tame.''
Snotlout and the twins giggled.
Astrid dragged Jack to the bonfire where a group of three people was dancing. He recognized the red-head fire juggler with a stubble and a long scar along the side of his face, the black-haired dancer, but it was the first time he was seeing the tall woman with short strawberry-blond hair. She was a bit taller than Dagur and the fact she wasn't batting his hand away from her hip was a clear sign of their relationship.
''Guys !'' Astrid called out, ''there's someone I want you to meet !''
The three of them stopped dancing and smiled at the approaching trio, before their eyes filled with curiosity as they landed on Jack. Heather noticed the sleeping dragon snuggled in the boy's hood, mostly because his green scaly tail was hanging over Jack's shoulder. Something shone in her bright emerald eyes and she pointed at him.
''Ah ! You, you're Jack, right ?''
''Huh… yes ?''
He didn't know what to think of the fact she already knew his name. Just how much had Snotlout, the twins and Hiccup told the others about him ? Dagur seemed to have the same awakening as her because he started and his equally green eyes widened.
''Oh, oh ! You're the boy who came to the stage with Hiccup yesterday, and who saved Snotface and the two hystericals' ass ?''
''Speaking about hysterical, I think you're number one here.'' Astrid snorted. ''Jack, these are our fire masters, Dagur and Heather, and Mala, she's in charge of providing food as well as the installation of the show tent.''
''Good evening, Jack.'' The tall blonde smiled, stretching her hand to him.
He smiled and shook it, but she quickly pulled it back after a bare touch.
''Your hands are freezing,'' she chuckled. ''You should warm them up at the fire.''
''Sorry, they're always cold.''
''Is it because of your magic ?'' Dagur asked.
Jack froze at that, both horrified and bewildered. Horrified he knew about this, but bewildered by his lack of fear. The read-head didn't seem afraid at all, actually he seemed intrigued. Jack tried to keep his composure, but thinking rumors about his strange powers could spread at Burgess wasn't comforting.
''How do you know about that ?'' Hiccup inquired, ''Valka wanted us to keep this to ourselve.''
Dagur shrugged.
''Snotface must have not heard it because he has not stopped talking about it. Usually it takes a lot to impress him, you managed a great deed here, Jack.''
The boy's shoulders tensed, and it didn't went unoticed by the five persons around him. Dagur's smile dropped.
''Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. We can talk about something else if you want.''
''I…''
Jack hesitated, his eyes scanning the others' faces. None was giving him looks, on the contrary, they were treating him like a normal person.
''Aren't you afraid of it ?'' He asked lowly, unable to speak louder as he was too troubled.
''Are you kidding ?'' Astrid laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
The friendly touch bothered Sharpshot, who wiggled and groaled, forcing the blonde away. She rose her hands in surrender and apologized to the small creature while Jack pulled once more at his collar.
''Why would we be afraid of your magic ?'' Heather added, her voice soft and cautious, as if fearing to rush him.
'Because it's demonic magic, maybe ?' Jack thought. He couldn't tell them this, but he didn't know what else to say. Hense when he replied, he stuttered because he was making sounds without knowing what he wanted to mean nore how to phrase it.
''It's… I… At the village, they say… Huh… Let's just say it's frowned upon.''
He tensed even more and lowered his head, fidgeting with his sleeve. He felt a bit better when a warm hand touched his arm. Hiccup's hand. Jack looked up and met kind forest green eyes.
''People tend to fear and reject what they don't understand, just like with dragons.''
The auburnet smiled and squeezed gently.
''Would you say dragons are bad ?''
Jack bit his lip and shook his head no. On the contrary, he thought dragons were wonderful, but he just couldn't apply the same thought to his powers.
''Magic is rare, but it can show up anywhere. We've already met people with magical powers. There was this healer who could treat every disease with her powers.''
''Or this guy from the Southern Mountains who could shapeshift at will.'' Mala added. ''He could shift in any animal, really, and it was funny because, not mattered his shape, his tattoos would always remain.''
''Yeah, I remember that one.'' Dagur giggled.
''Do you mind showing us, Jack ?'' Heather asked.
Her tone and the way she had phrased it made it clear she was only asking, not pushing. Jack felt like she would accept if he said no, still their curiosity and complete lack of fear encouraged him. He wondered if, for once, his powers would really be met with wonder instead of the usual horror. He wanted to know.
So he took a deep breath and lifted a hand. With a swift flip, a flickering snowflake popped in his palm, sparkling shyly in the bonfire light. It swirled around his fingers and grew a bit, taking more complexed and detailed crystallized shapes. Jack focused on it but still checked the others' reaction. He only saw shining eyes, Dagur and Astrid gapping.
''Wow, incredible !'' An unknown voice suddenly exclaimed.
An imposing silhouette appeared in front of Jack, making him blench. Instantly, the snowflake exploded and Hiccup stepped back as the cloud of mist engulfed his face. Jack tensed while the others burst in laughter. Indeed, the tiny explosion had blew the auburn hair back and froze it in frosted spikes at the top of his head. Hiccup remained still for a few seconds, then opened his eyes again. Jack, gritting his teeth, gave him an apologetic look. Hiccup just smiled and rubbed his hair to chase away the ice, then the new arrival stepped between the two.
''It was wonderful, how did you do that ?''
Jack started when this large young man – more chubby than bulky – grabbed his hand to inspect it, flipping it, pushing around his fingers. Jack first only saw the large silhouette dressed in a long furred brown tunic, then a short tuft of blond hair, then a rounded nose under a pair of greyish green eyes intently staring at his pale palm. Then he noticed that his own right hand, the one that guy was holding, had dye stains on it.
He recalled running this hand in his hair and worried about his camouflage, quickly pulling back his hand and discreetly wipping it on his cape. The chubby blond rose his in peace and quickly apologized, his round cheeks tainted a dark pink.
''Oh, sorry, I tend to get carried away when I'm enthusiastic ! It's not everyday you can witness true magic ! It really was extraordinary ! So you have ice powers ? Can you make ice sculptures ? Some snow, maybe ? And can you-''
''Slow down, Fishlegs.'' Hiccup cut him.
''Sorry, sorry !'' The chubby blond replied, hiding his blushing face in his hands.
''Aye, Fishlegs' right, t'was somethin', lad.''
Jack turned his head towards this unknown voice with a thick accent, and spotted a man making his way towards them. He was older than the troupe, he seemed in his fifties like Valka, even a bit older than her, and his appearance was far from usual. Built with as much fat than muscles, his asymetrical jaw was adorned by a stone teeth popping out of his mouth. He was bald with a long braided blond mustache hanging down to his belt. He also had a hook replacing his left hand, along with a piece of wood as right foot.
Jack barely had time to wonder who this man was before Astrid wrapped again her arm around his shoulder – once more bothering Sharpshot who ended up leaving the hood to instead take shelter in the boy's arms – and the blonde made the presentations.
''Jack, let me introduce you to the last members of our troupe : Fishlegs and Gobber. They're in charge of our advertisement, our trip itinerary and, with Valka and Mala, they also negociate with the places we stop by to find a place to stay and price the entry according to local wherewithal.''
''I'm also the accounts keeper.'' Fishlegs corrected, trying to make himself sound important.
''Aye,'' Gobber agreed. His thick accent was completely foreign to Jack but still melodic to listen to. ''The circus' well-going is on us and Valka. We're like the puppet-players in the shadow, but it's our artists attracting the public. Speaking of this, I have ta say a talent like yer would be a great advertising, lad.''
''Huh…''
Jack glanced towards Hiccup, the only one in this group to know the events of the previous night. But the auburnet didn't seem wanting to help as he just smiled at him, as if expecting Jack to accept. The boy had already denied the offer but, visibly, the dragon tamer had not given up on changing his mind.
''Valka already offered me to join yesterday, but I declined…'' Jack admitted.
''Arf, what a shame.'' Gobber huffed. ''Would have been refreshing ta have a new head around. Well, I suppose ya have good reasons.''
Jack didn't reply. He did have reasons, but he couldn't describe them as good reasons. While Gobber moved on a new topic, complaining that no one was dancing or listening to the music he was playing, Jack checked Hiccup's reaction to his new refusal. He met his eyes because the auburnet was staring at him, looking disappointed and thoughtful.
''Food's ready !'' Ruffnut yelled.
''Finally, I'm starving !'' Dagur exclaimed.
He let out a loud, hysterical giggle that sounded inhuman before running at top speed to the closer campfire where he found a skewer of three fat chickens, along with Eret and the twins trying to keep Stormfly away from it. The others followed and took a share, Snotlout and Dagur each taking a full chicken for themselve, one biting directly in it and the other using a dagger. All the others took smaller parts. When Jack had filled his own plate with a chicken leg and wing with a pint of water to go with, he found a sit on a log, next to Hiccup, both of them facing Eret and the twins who were having fun listing the incidents during Hiccup's act with dragons. Jack listened to them and laughed while slowly eating, letting Sharpshot steal his chicken wing.
Soon, Eret and the twins were so engulfed in their conversation and laughter nothing else seemed to matter for them, leaving Jack and Hiccup in silence. It lasted a moment, and Jack wondered if he should start another conversation, just with him. The tales being told in front of him rose a question.
''Looks like it's rare for you to have volunteers on stage.''
Hiccup sighed and lowered his head, tightening his grip on his pint.
''Yeah. Like I told you, people tend to fear and reject what they don't understand. They see dragons as ferocious and extremely dangerous beasts. As long as it's a professional tamer making tricks on stage, they can watch and be fascinated, but once it's their turn to come closer… they just pass.''
''Now I see why you're so surprised each time someone actually volunteer. I mean, you looked astounded when I did, yesterday.''
He met the tamer's eyes, and a smile.
''What astounded me was your excitement. You looked like a kid whose dream came true.''
Jack grinned at that, then shrugged.
''It kind of did, actually. I've heard so many stories about dragons, but up until yesterday I thought it was just that, stories. It was a shock to see Hookfang on stage, but a good shock. So when you offered to come and pet him, I couldn't miss that chance.''
The tamer's face softened and Jack recognized that tender smile making him feel like melting inside. He still had troubles grasping how Hiccup was doing this.
''I have to admit I secretly hoped you would spring up from nowhere and volunteer too, tonight.'' The tamer added before taking a sip of his pint.
''Nah, I rathered letting someone else enjoy it. Amelie took profit of it, right ?''
Hiccup choked in his drink, coughing before staring wide eyed at the boy.
''You were there ?''
Jack grinned and nodded.
''Yep, I saw the whole show.''
The auburnet coughed once more, then smiled.
''She didn't enjoy seeing a dragon from that close, not as much as you did. She was still scared and, unlike you, she didn't feel this connexion.''
''Stormfly wasn't helping, she seemed more bored than anything.''
Jack wanted to laughed at it, but Hiccup's gaze tuned him off.
''You noticed.'' He smiled.
The boy swallowed hard, trying all his might not to blush. He could feel his face heat up and the air seemed to get hotter suddenly. Averting his eyes, fidgeting with his pint, he tried to remember what joke he wanted to say.
''You really pay attention to them.''
Jack could hear in Hiccup's voice how much he was impressed and glad of it. It made him even more embarrassed and didn't know what to do, what to say. Luckily, he got saved from that awkward silence as he felt something pull at the bottom of his pants. Looking down, he found Sharpshot chewing on it.
''Shoo, it's not eatable, you know.'' He tried to scold him but still sounded amused.
The small dragon stopped and sat, looking intently at him with big puppy eyes. Jack shook his head and threw him a piece of chicken, which the Terror caught mid-air and devoured happily.
The rest of the diner went on like this, in good mood and companionship, especially when Toothless joined them and tried to hog Jack's attention by resting his large, heavy head on his lap. That earned him Sharpshot's jealousy and, soon, it was getting really hard for Jack to eat or chat with Hiccup with two dragons snuggling against him.
Jack found extremely funny to tease the tamer about the incidents the others were talking about, Hiccup's embarrassed face and stutter were priceless. It was the most entertaining and cute thing Jack knew. There was a kind, soft and slightly awkward person behind the imposing title of dragon tamer.
Once Gobber had emptied his plate, he went back to his rebec and played a new song. Heather beamed and got up, dragging Dagur and Mala along to go back dancing by the bonfire. Toothless chirped and left Jack's lap to follow them, bouncing, joining Stormfly as she was taking giant steps in try to imitate them. The twins found it funny and imitated her as well, which produced a particularly ridiculous dance.
Snotlout and Astrid burst in laughter while Valka and Eret clapped in rythm as cheers for the dancers. Fishlegs ended up joining the twins, presenting his hand to Ruffnut while it was obvious it was asking all his might and bravery to invite her for a dance. She didn't wait to accept and left her brother behind. Tuffnut pouted for a moment before fetching Snotlout, who gladly joined the imitation of Stormfly. He was even more ridiculous than Ruffnut and Jack swore he would die of laughing.
He wiped a tear of laughter and calmed as Hiccup got up and outstretched his hand to him.
''May I have this dance ?'' The auburnet asked.
Jack hesitated and looked back to the dancers. Appart from Tuffnut and Snotlout playing dumb, the others looked like they were dancing a specific choregraphy, surely according to the music.
''Huh… I don't know this dance.''
''Do you really think they do ? Come on, you can't possibly be a worst dancer than me.''
He chuckled and gestured to his left leg. Jack's eyes followed to land on the peg leg he had noticed when on stage with him. From up close, it really was nothing like a foot. It looked like a sophisticated device. Hiccup's smile dropped all of a sudden, as if he was fearing dragging attention to his missing limb had been a mistake. Jack suspected he must be self-conscious about it, and maybe even be worried about the boy's reaction. Though said boy was aiming to surprise him. After all, if Jack was never going to do something, it was judge someone. With everything he was himself going through, he wasn't going to reject someone because of something that unimportant.
''You're right, I'm pretty good at it, actually. You're just going to make a fool of yourself.''
His joke aimed right because Hiccup's smile returned. The tamer's eyes glinted as he offered his hand once again.
''I'm willing to take the risk.''
Jack rolled his eyes good-naturedly and took his hand, following him towards the bonfire. They didn't let go as they faced each other, then started to dance. Jack had no idea how he was supposed to move on this music, but it soon completely slipped his mind. He took some malicious delight at dragging Hiccup into unpredictable steps, not holding from laughing whenever his dancing partner was loosing his balance or tripping on his own feet. At first, Hiccup seemed a bit abashed first, but then he joined in and tried to trip Jack too.
The young boy laughed harder, it was really uplifting after so long, and the last time he had danced had been with Emma. The both of them also used to make a fool of the other like this. Jack could almost feel like going back through time to that mariage when he had play-danced with his sister all party long, but the young man in front of him was nothing like the eleven years old girl.
Jack came out of his thoughts and memories when Hiccup took a step backward, pulling at his hands to drag him along. The boy tripped on his own feet and fell forward, but he could count on the tamer to catch him. Hiccup kept his pale hand in his own, his other arm wrapping around the boy's waist while said boy's face pressed against his shoulder. Jack's chuckle was muffled by the brown tunic and leather, and despite how nice that warmth was, he quickly straightened.
Hiccup had a large amused smile on his face, while Jack pouted as he noticed some darker stains on the auburnet's collar and neck, coming from the dye. Without thinking, the boy tried to wipe it, startling Hiccup. Realising how intimate that touch might have seemed, Jack quickly pulled back his hand, his cheeks turning pink. It took a moment for him to find the guts to look back at Hiccup, only to find out the tamer had not looked away.
This forest green gaze was staring intently at him, as if he could scan his very soul, and Jack found himself completely helpless, lost in this spell. As he was diving into this forest, his body stopped dancing, slowing down to a simple swinging movement following Hiccup's lead. They stared at each other for a long time, without a word, until the auburnet started to lean in.
Jack was dying to just close the gap between them, but he couldn't forget the troupe was going to leave, and that he had to go back face his fate. Giving in to this urge was a terrible idea, as tempting as it was. Hiccup seemed to read his reluctance in his eyes, for the only touch they shared was the tip of their nose brushing. Jack, not used to physical touch, tensed by reflex. He then felt the hand resting on his back starting to rub gently, as reassurance, making shivers run down his spine. His mind fogged and resisting suddenly became harder.
His remaining thoughts asked him to drop his project, to give up going back to the frozen abyss calling him, so he could instead remain in this soothing, wonderful warmth. He had hoped seeing Hiccup and the dragons again would give him the strength he lacked to face his fate and death, but suddenly, he realised it had had the opposite effect. He had wanted to have a better memory of this warmth so he could face the cold, but tasting it again gave him the need to stay forever in the warmth.
As his eyes laboured to remain open, the urge to feel warm lips pressed upon his own growing stronger and stronger, his thoughts getting louder and louder, he ended up voicing them. He did it in a whisper, afraid the slightest sound could break the spell.
''You really meant it when you said you wanted to change my mind ?''
Hiccup smiled at that.
''Is it working ?''
''I'd like to.''
''We always have the choice, Jack. What's holding you back ? What's keeping you here ?''
Nothing. Nothing was keeping him at Burgess, and that's what was making it even worst.
''It's not what keeps me here, it's what keeps me away from the circus. I can't come with you, or rather… you can't take me with you.''
Silence fell as the two kept on swinging slowly. Then Hiccup smiled again.
''That case, it means I'll have to stay.''
Jack froze and even backed. The mist fogging his mind suddenly lifted, chased away by a splash of freezing water. Hiccup closed his mouth and pressed his lips, seemingly holding back inner panic, as if fearing he had went too far, if he had made a mistake. Jack stared in silence, shocked and confused, before he shook his head. Why would Hiccup want to stay ? Leaving the circus, the troupe who was his family, even leaving the dragons ? No, that couldn't happen. Especially if he was staying for Jack, for Jack was not going to stay.
He had already made up his mind. This night was just suspended sentence. He was going to throw himself in the pond as soon as he was going back, but Hiccup was making things so complicated. Why was he making this farewell so hard ? He was crambling Jack's resolve, he was making him want to stay, rather the warmth to the cold claiming him. Jack had to resist, he had to leave while he still could. Shaking his head again, clenching his fists, he did the only thing he could. He ran away.
''I have to go,'' he muttered before taking off.
''Jack, wait !'' Hiccup called out.
But Jack didn't. He ran away in the night, without looking back, without a goodbye, not even a greeting to the others, nore for the dragons, nore for Sharpshot. He let them all behind, because he knew it was better this way. He had to protect them while he could. He had to protect them from White the Cursed. He didn't want to hurt them like he had hurt his own family. His curse had lasted long enough, and hurt enough people.
He ran breathlessly, not minding his surroundings, the tree branches whiping him on the way, the stitch forming on his side, not noticing the frosted path he was leaving on his wake, not wondering if the wind blowing around him, seemingly pushing him so he could flee even faster, was natural or not.
Soon he lost himself in the heart of the forest and reached this cursed place which had ironically became his last shelter, and would be the last place he was going to see. The water was unbelievably calm and clear, reflecting the shy light from the stars and moon. It looked like a veil made of satin. Soft, welcoming, calming. Jack had stopped by the treeline of this small glade, and walked slowly towards the pond.
He was still panting from the running, each breath out turning into mist in the chilly night air. His hands were sweaty and shaking as he closed the distance between him and the dark but shiny water. Once his bare feet reached the wet and soft dirt of the shore, he stopped again, eyes focused on the water.
The water calling him. The water demanding what belonged to it. The water which had consumed the life of the one person he had cherished the most in his short life. The water which had tried to consume his own life. The water left hungry since its food had been taken from it. For almost four years, it had been waiting. For almost four years, it had been demanding the life promised to it. But as Jack was about to finally give it its due, he hesitated.
His thoughts were swirling, thundering in his head, turning into a raging storm. Multiple memories emerged and mixed together, memories from two completely different lives. A colorful one, happy, warm, with his sister by his side, with his parents looking at him with love and proud. An empty one, drowned in cold and darkness, rythmed with distance, looks, hurtful words, mean names, fear, and reject, and unbearable loneliness.
He closed his eyes as a lone tear rolled down his cheek, so cold it seemed to burn his skin. He couldn't chase Hiccup from his mind. Hiccup smiling at him, offering his hand, holding his, looking at him with those intense, colorful, caring eyes… And that smile… And the warmth of his hands and arms… Hiccup who seemed to do everything he could to drag him towards this fireplace while the deadly, freezing winter kept on calling him.
Hiccup was really making it hard, having gone back to see him had been a terrible mistake. Still Jack couldn't bring himself to regret it. Still it hurt so bad. In the morning, he had convinced himself it would be better for everyone if he could just disappear in this pond, like he had been supposed too almost four years prior. Now, he was thinking about Hiccup, the dragons, and the other artists of the circus. They all had been so nice to him, to the extend of saying his magic was wonderful, not something wicked.
He couldn't help but think about them. If they learnt about his death, they wouldn't understand. Jack convinced himself that, if they were to ask around, searching for answers, the villagers would make them see. They would tell them the story of Jackson and Emma Overland, drowned in that merciless pond, the story of the ice demon who brought them to their death and then possessed the boy's corpse to wander this earth like a frozen ghost. And how the demon had just returned where he came from, in the depth of the pond.
Jack could already picture that his death would give back to his body its original appearance, slightly tanned, freckled skin, chestnut brown hair, chocolate eyes thought they would be dull.
One last teardrop and he took a deep, shuddering breath, closing his eyes, lifting his feet forward.
''I'm coming, Emma.''
He stepped into the water.