Remember a couple chapters ago when I said we were in the home stretch? Yeah... not so. The story has taken on a life of its own, and I'm just gonna let it run its course – I hope you guys enjoy the ride!

Last chapter, I forgot to tell you guys that this story cracked 100 reviews! Thank you guys so much for all your wonderful comments! They really do motivate me to keep working so hard on this story.

And because someone asked: Yes, you are free to picture HTTYD2 Hiccup in this story. He's not quite as confident or daredevil, but yeah. XD

For this chapter, I'm sorry if it feels repetitive. But I wanted to be clear in case anyone still had questions about why Merida didn't tell Hiccup she was pregnant. And I wanted to show that she and Jack really are friends – when he's not her verbal punching bag...

Also, toward the end of this chapter, for Jack and Hiccup's formal clothing, picture Eugene's outfit from the end of Tangled, except in the specified colors. I'm planning to do some sketches of what the characters look like/wear in this story, and I'll post those on my tumblr (songofafreeheart, if you're interested).

Now, on to chapter 12 – i.e. the eye contact chapter! (Someone please, please, catch the reference to Sticks & Stones, the song from How To Train Your Dragon.)

Among The Stars

Chapter 12

Without the wind talking to him, his head felt strangely silent in the vastness of deep space. Or rather, his head was a chaos of screaming thoughts, but even the familiar thrum of The Night Fury's engines wasn't enough to distract or even sooth him.

Jack glared at the molten light outside the viewport, watching orange fade to white, dark red, green, yellow. He heard footsteps coming toward him, but didn't glance back.

"Ye should sleep, Frost."

"I don't feel like it," he muttered, blinking to try and banish the heaviness tugging at his eyelids. He didn't glance over at Merida as she came to sit in the chair beside him. He had to remind himself it was the copilot's chair, not Rapunzel's.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" he countered, hoping for a distraction.

She shook her head, looking out the viewport. "I ain't tired.

"I'm gonna remind you of that in nine months," Jack chuckled, though it came out darker than he had intended.

Merida chuckled, and when he glanced over he saw her hands resting on her lower belly.

He wondered idly what it was like, to have another being – another person – growing inside you.

He thought about his powers, the way they charged, surged and swelled inside him... but he imagined a pregnancy would feel completely different. It didn't move to different parts of your body, or try to explode through your skin if you didn't channel it. The two sensations were vastly different, no doubt. But he imagined it was an even more powerful sensation in its own way. How could it not be? It was another life.

Beyond that, he wondered what it was like to be a parent. Something about Hiccup and Merida had shifted, though he couldn't describe what it was – other than the grin Hiccup couldn't seem to shake every time he looked at Merida (or seemingly every time Jack glanced at his friend). What was it like to know you had created something more substantial than a layer of frost on a window – something that was literally a part of you physically as well as spiritually? Even more, a part you and the person you loved.

He wondered...

He shook his head before he could connect that thought to Rapunzel and himself. It would just hurt, so why even go there?

"I keep imaginin' what ma mum'll say if I tell her," Merida said. She had either noticed Jack's gaze, or was just lost in her own thoughts of her pregnancy.

"Have you even told her you're married?" Jack asked. The distraction from his own thoughts was a relief.

"No," she said. "I haven't talked to her since Hiccup said I had t' tell her where I was if he was gonna let me stay onboard. I didn't want t' see 'er face, since I swore I'd never marry."

Jack snorted. "And you gave me a hard time for reconsidering my stance on marriage."

They were quiet for several minutes, both looking out the ships viewport, alone in their own thoughts.

"Ye didn't have t' come, ya know," Merida said at last.

"Yes I did," Jack said. "I promised I would keep her safe until we got her home – I'm going to see it through."

"Even though it's killin' ya?"

"This from the one who accused me of using her." Jack managed to say it without snapping – but his tone was still harsh.

Another moment of silence between them, this time awkward.

"Sorry," Jack sighed.

"Nah, I know ya better than that," Merida said. She shook her head. "I just dunno how ya can let her go like this."

"Yeah, well, I knew this was how it was going to end," he said. "Even if she wasn't a princess... I can't leave Warren again. I gave Hiccup my resignation, for lack of a better word."

"Did he tell ya North offered 'im a place in the fleet?"

Jack shook his head. After the meeting in the war room he had avoided everyone, not trusting his emotions for fear they would explode. He had only told Hiccup to call him when they were leaving, then he had flown back to the ice palace.

"Would ya mind if we stayed on Warren?"

Jack glanced over. "What kind of question is that?"

Merida shrugged. "Figured I'd ask."

"Nah. I'd be glad to have you guys there, to be honest." He grinned, feeling the expression for the first time since he'd realized they were taking Rapunzel home. "You're not in contact with your brothers, so someone's gotta play uncle and spoil your kid."

Merida groaned, but when he glanced over he caught her mirroring his grin.

"Hey, Mer?"

"Hmm?"

"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked. "Or at least Hiccup. I mean, I'm just the pilot. But I've been wondering, 'cause it seems like the kind of thing you'd want to tell him right away."

"I wanted t', when I first found out," she said. "But when I thought about it, I knew the baby would change everythin'. I just didn't know how I was gonna tell Hiccup."

"Did you really think he'd fight you?"

"I dunno."

Jack looked back out the viewport. There really wasn't anything to see, though the shifting colors were more interesting than the illuminated buttons and switches, and the backlit computer screens.

"Are ya really gonna let it end like this?"

Jack's lips pressed together in a thin line. He didn't have an answer.

He tried not to think about the kiss, though it was burned onto the lips he was pressing together. For a moment, he had forgotten that she would go home. Or maybe a foolish part of him had thought, when he realized she wasn't the heir to Corona's throne, that maybe she would stay with him.

Now he wished he hadn't kissed her. It just made the situation so much more painful.

"Ya need t' at least talk to her," Merida said.

Jack still didn't respond. He didn't know what to say, either to Merida or Rapunzel.

"She was lookin' for ya after ya took off," Merida said. "I could tell she was waitin' for ya t' get back, but ya didn't even look at 'er when we were gettin' onboard. And she's too scared t' come in 'ere. I'd be mad, if I couldn't see this was tearin' ya apart."

"What am I supposed to say?" he finally asked.

Merida didn't answer right away. And when he looked over, he saw her mouth was pressed together.

She didn't have an answer.

#

Jack looked through the viewport on the green, fold and blue planet in front of him. Her home world. And, while he hated to admit it, it suited her in a way. Not as well as Warren would have, though, he thought.

Jaw clenched, he turned his gaze to the two Imperial Carriers that orbited the planet.

North had already contacted the royal family and told them they were bringing Rapunzel home, so that was taken care of at least. From what Hiccup had explained, since he had been a part of the communication, an Imperial ambassador had already arrived to make sure Corona bore no ill will for the blockade, and to begin searching for the lost princess. Apparently said ambassador now hoped to make amends to Rapunzel personally, now that she'd been found.

The comm unit chimed as they were hailed.

"Unidentified vessel, this is Corona air traffic control," said a pleasant female voice when he accepted the hail. "Please identify yourself and your purpose on Corona."

It was nothing like returning to Warren. Despite his anxiety at being kicked back into space, there had been a glimmer of joy at the sound of Nightlight's voice over the comm. Now, he was having a hard time not hating the woman speaking to him.

"Air traffic control, this is The Night Fury," Jack said, careful to keep his dislike out of his voice. "We're here to bring Princess Rapunzel home."

"We've been waiting for you, Night Fury."

The obvious smile in the woman's voice made his teeth grind. If he'd had his powers, the cockpit probably would have been an ice box. He knew his feelings were wrong, but was having a hard time squelching them.

"I'm sending you the coordinates to the royal landing pad now. Their majesties will be there to greet you."

"Thanks."

Jack tapped the screen of the computer, accepting the string of coordinates that flashed on the screen.

"Jack?"

Rapunzel voice caused his hands to tighten around the ship's yolk.

"We're getting ready to land," he said, throat tight. "You should get ready."

He didn't glance back, but he heard her retreating footsteps.

Brushing her off was not going to help, he knew. If anything, it would make things worse – especially with her feelings of inadequacy. But he still didn't know what he could say.

#

Before they had left Warren, Toothiana had brought him another blue hoodie to replace the one Black's shot had ruined. He wore the new one now, and the familiarity gave some comfort despite the situation. It was extremely casual for meeting royalty – but he had a hard time caring as he buckled on his utility belt.

He rounded the corner to the ship's loading area and his eyes locked with Rapunzel – something he had avoided the entire trip. The pain in her wide eyes made his heart clench, and he wanted to say something. There had to be a right thing to say in this situation. But he didn't have any idea what it might be, or how to find.

"Jack."

He looked back at her, hoping...

She opened her mouth to say something, but didn't get a chance, as the ramp had reached the ground, and they could see the welcome party approaching them across the landing pad.

"Rapunzel!"

Her green eyes widened and she looked down the ramp to a brunette woman who had broken from the party and was running toward the ship.

"Mother!" Rapunzel's face brightened and she ran to meet the woman.

Someone must have shoved one of Merida's more vicious knives into his heart. That was how it felt, at least.

"And the ironic part is ya didn't wanna admit anythin' was wrong when we were back in the tower," Merida said.

"Not helping," Jack muttered. He crossed his arms, hoping that if he held his chest together it would ease some of the pain... but the pain wasn't physical, so there was nothing he could do to alleviate it.

"Guys."

They looked at Hiccup, who nodded down the ramp.

Merida accepted the hand her husband held out to her (Jack didn't miss his friend's grin), and the three descended the ramp into the bright Corona sunlight.

A man, probably King Thomas, had joined mother and daughter, hugging them both with visible relief.

Jack felt like an absolute jerk.

"I'm fine," he heard Rapunzel assure her parents as they got closer.

King Thomas looked up as The Night Fury's crew approached.

"Thank you," he said, his voice breaking as he looked between them. "All of you. I- I can't—"

Jack looked away, wishing he was anywhere else. Being locked in the ice palace with Isolfr would be better than this (if the palace actually had doors, let alone locks – but that was beside the point). The dagger in his heart was twisted viciously by the father's gratitude.

His head was starting to ache as well.

At least Hiccup was taking care of the formalities.

"We're glad we could help," Hiccup said, and Jack thought he heard a note of reluctance in his friend's voice. "This is my wife, Merida. And Jack Frost, of Warren."

And like that, he wasn't the pilot of The Night Fury. He didn't really mind – he had shed the position mentally. But if he were just a pilot, maybe he could have stayed here with Rapunzel.

Right, he thought bitterly. Because she would ever be allowed to marry a pilot.

His left hand flexed, missing the wind, as his throat tightened.

This was the worst experience he had ever endured – even more so than being kicked off Warren; then being homeless after he'd been kicked out of the Academy. Both paled in comparison to this.

Queen Adela finally looked at them, still holding onto her daughter. "Please, join us for dinner. Let us thank you somehow."

"We would be honored," Hiccup said.

Jack's gaze landed on Rapunzel – exactly where he had been trying not to look – and their eyes met.

He felt as though he was going to be sick.

They followed the royal family to the edge of the landing pad where three men waited. One, a brunette like both the kind and queen (where had Rapunzel's golden hair come from?), in an embroidered jacket similar to the king's, was probably her brother – Augustus, according to the information he had finally looked up in the nav computer.

Another – in an Imperial military uniform – seemed to be there only as a guard to the third man, who was dressed in a formal outfit Jack recognized as the current trend for higher ranking officials on Pallash. The Imperial ambassador, he guessed.

Augustus hugged his sister (Jack wasn't sure what to think of him), murmuring something Jack couldn't hear.

"Your highness." The ambassador bowed, drawing Rapunzel's attention to him. Jack grimaced when he kissed the back of her hand. "On behalf of the New Empire, I would like to extend my deepest apologies for what you have been through in the past months. We are eager to do all within our power to make up for your experience.

How did they plan to make up for mental torture? Jack wondered. He had to look away and shove his hands in the pocket of his hoodie before anyone realized they were clenched to the point of shaking.

"Rapunzel, your hair!" Queen Adela gasped, finally seeing the long trail of gold behind her daughter.

"Oh, I-" Rapunzel bit her lower lip. "It-" She looked at Jack, silently asking for his help in explaining.

"It's Warren," Jack said. He was amazed he could actually form the words. "Certain people develop special abilities when exposed to Warren's atmosphere. Rapunzel had the ability to heal with her hair."

"Had?" Thomas asked warily.

"The powers fade as soon as you leave Warren," Jack explained. "I don't know why her hair grew. But other than that, there's no physical side effects."

"Are you sure?" Adela asked. He saw her arm tighten around her daughter's shoulder.

"I'm fine, Mother," Rapunzel tried to assure. But her parents were looking at Jack.

"Yes," he said. "I left Warren for four years and I was fine."

"You have an ability?" the queen asked.

"Jack is the Governor of the Winter territory," Rapunzel said. "He controls ice and snow. And the wind."

"I don't control the wind," he corrected, lips twitching in a smile. "She's more of an ally."

"You can talk to the wolves, though."

It was the first time they had spoken since their kiss. Her eyes pleaded with him. For what, Jack didn't know.

"Only the Winter pack," he said.

He didn't look away from her eyes, in the hope he would see what she wanted him to do or say.

"You're still amazing, Jack," she said. It was a near whisper, but he heard it clearly.

Tsar Lunar, help me, Jack thought. Now he had to look away.

But not before he saw the way her parents glanced between them.

Everyone was still for a moment, and Jack wished again that he was anywhere else.

Then the king cleared his throat and they continued to the speeders that would take them to the palace.

#

The palace of Corona was all towers and spires, built from off white stones and blue shingles. The air was saturated with the smell of flowers, fresh air and salt water. It was actually a beautiful sight – if Jack had been in a mood to appreciate it.

A suite of rooms, as well as formal clothing in the Corona style, were provided for them, and they were left alone for a couple hours to get ready for dinner.

As Rapunzel followed her parents to the royal wing, Jack was reminded of their arrival on Warren (not even three days earlier). Only their situations were reversed. She didn't need his comfort over their separation because she was with her family again. And the dynamic between them had completely shifted.

Maybe Pitch had been right, Jack thought, as he stood under the jet of water coming from the shower head in his bathroom.

The thought of Rapunzel's blush when he had hidden her in his shower unit on The Night Fury – the way she refused to look at him in his boxers – made him smile faintly. But the amusement soon turned painful and he had to push the thought away.

Maybe Pitch had hit on something Jack had wondered, but hadn't wanted to consider.

Maybe Rapunzel's feelings for him hadn't really been love. Maybe it was just gratitude to him for saving her. Maybe he had mistaken his desire to protect her as more than it really was.

Maybe there wasn't really a difference between her and the fairy, and the snow fox, and all the other animals and children he had saved or helped over the years. Maybe he'd just gotten confused because she was the first human female in his age range – and there was no denying she was beautiful.

That didn't make sense, though. Because he had rescued other women his age in his time on The Night Fury – they had a habit of rescuing people and then running for their lives because of it. And a few had expressed interest in him.

But he had never been interested in return. (Actually, he had liked Baby Tooth and the snow fox more than some of them.)

And if this wasn't love, why did he feel as though his spirit was being ripped in two?

Jack pressed his forehead against the tiled wall of the shower in an attempt to alleviate the confusion induced pressure mounting in his head.

Hot water streamed through his hair, his neck, his back, his legs, before spiraling down the drain.

He couldn't deny his feelings were genuine.

But maybe Rapunzel's weren't. Maybe the whole cliché of the princess falling in love with the hero was a cliché because love had nothing to do with it – maybe it was gratitude masquerading as something stronger.

The thoughts made the knife in his heart twist again. But if Rapunzel felt the same, wouldn't she want to stay with him?

Or maybe...

Maybe.

He was sick of maybe.

He wished he hadn't come to Corona. Like Merida had said, it wasn't necessary.

He wished he had never left Warren in the first place. That he had just accepted his responsibility instead of running like a coward. Then he never would have had to endure this hell.

But that would mean he never would have met Hiccup.

Without him, Hiccup probably wouldn't have been hired to deliver supplies to DunBroch (as he had told Rapunzel, no one had been willing to hire Hiccup before he'd been able to say he had a crew member).

And if Hiccup hadn't gone to BunBroch, Merida would have either been stuck there in an arranged marriage, or would have stowed away on another ship. Jack tried not to think how easily that latter option could have turned into a nightmare for his friend.

But if they hadn't met, and married, their child would never have been created. And that felt... wrong.

Jack shook his head, wondering if it was strange he already felt so protective of his friends' unborn child. But then, he had always liked kids.

He couldn't regret his time with The Night Fury. And meeting Rapunzel was what had gotten him back to Warren, so he couldn't regret meeting her.

"It still hurts," he muttered, shutting off the stream of water.

He realized he was talking to himself and shook his head, droplets of water splattering across the white tiles of the shower.

The outfit he'd been provided was clean-cut and formal, simple compared to what the royal family wore (for which Jack was extremely grateful). A pair of simple black slacks, a dark blue shirt with cuffed sleeves and a black leather vest.

Jack swallowed a grimace. He hated formal clothing, especially when it was fitted, as these obviously would be. And he couldn't say he was fond of the style. But he knew forgoing it would be an insult to his hosts. And his ears were still ringing with Bunnymund's reminder that he was a representative of Warren while he was on Corona.

He rolled his eyes at the memory of that conversation. Diplomacy had never been one of his strengths. A broken heart certainly wasn't going to change that. It would make it even worse, if anything.

His hands froze on the zipper of the slacks he had just pulled on.

Was that what this was? A broken heart?

That explained why his body felt fine... but the pain was almost debilitating.

Jack was shrugging into a formal black vest on over the dark blue shirt he'd been provided with when there was a knock on his door.

"Come in."

For a moment he hoped it was Rapunzel. But he knew the knock was too strong. And when he looked back, Merida was in the doorway, wearing an aqua colored dress that matched her eyes.

"I don't want to hear it," he said as he started on the buckles of the vest.

Merida raised her hands in defense. "I just wanted t' make sure ye were all right."

It was almost laughable, really. He had assured Rapunzel that he was fine every time she asked that question. But the answer changed as soon as someone else asked.

"No, I'm not," he admitted.

He felt like he was dying, actually.

But he finished the last buckle of his vest and turned to face her. "But I have to be."

Merida frowned, and Jack guessed the uncharacteristic kindness in her eyes was maternal instinct starting to kick in. "We could make yer excuses."

"Careful, Princess – your tiara is showing." Jack chuckled as he slipped past her through the door, into the common room that connected the apartments they'd been given. He was going through the motions, and his voice was flat even to his own ears. But playing at normalcy helped.

He stretched his arms above his head, cringing as the heavy fabric of the vest constricted his ribcage.

"I'm just sayin'," Merida shrugged. "Ya clearly ain't handlin' this well."

"She's right," Hiccup said, coming out of his and Merida's room. The formal outfit he had been provided with was the same cut as Jack's, but the shirt was green while the vest was dark brown. "We can cover for you."

"And what happens if Merida's morning sickness hits again and you both have to leave?" Jack glanced over at the red head, who had left his doorway to sit on the couch next to Hiccup while he pulled his boots on. "No offense."

Merida rolled her eyes. Not offended, but clearly exasperated.

"Besides, I kinda owe Cottontail – I can't mess up again."

"Ye are gonna wear boots, right?"

Jack grimaced as he looked down at his bare feet.