"Do you think we're going to last while I'm gone?"

"What?" Jack was fully awake now, and his arm dropped back down to the bed to keep himself propped up as he looked down at his boyfriend. "Wh-why would you ask me that?"

Hiccup opened his eyes and looked at him. He seemed hesitant... There was something in those emerald irises that screamed regret and concern...something that scared Jack - did Hiccup...not want them to last? He wasn't...answering the question...

Jack swallowed and shifted until he was straddling Hiccup's thighs. "Hey...come up here..." He took Hiccup's hands and helped the brunet sit up so that they could be face to face. "...Are you worried we won't?" he asked quietly, wrapping his arms around the other's shoulders. "Or are you...suggesting..."

"What?" It was Hiccup's turn now, to look shocked and surprised and fully awake, and it took Jack aback when Hiccup took hold of his face. "No, no, I'm not suggesting that! Not at all!" Thankfully, Hiccup was only whisper shouting at him, but Jack's eyes still shifted to the door for a moment, half expecting Emma or his mother to come barging in wondering why they were up so late, before Hiccup's voice drew his attention back to the conversation at hand. "Jack, I'm seriously worried about this... I'm going to be gone for four months, with little to no chance of talking to you most of that time. I'm going to be on a deserted island in the middle of the Greenland Sea!"

"Aren't you guys going to be staying in Sva-"

"Sometimes, yeah, but most of the time we're going to be like three hundred miles off the coast, in a giant ice cave. I won't exactly get internet or cell service."

Jack's shoulders dropped - he hadn't even realized how much tension they'd held since this conversation started - in relief. That was it? He sighed quietly and slumped, putting his head down on Hiccup's shoulder, nuzzling affectionately into his neck.

"You know something? You're the smartest guy I've ever met...but you're pretty stupid."

"I-...what? Hey!"

"Hiccup... Is that really what's been bothering you? You think because we can't talk a lot while you're gone we're gonna drift apart?" He could see from his position Hiccup trying to turn his head to look at his face. He felt Hiccup swallow and nod. Jack smiled reassuringly, even if all Hiccup could see of him was his chin right now. "Dude...people do this all the time. My parents did it when my dad was in the Marines. My friend Ana is dating some dude from Australia and they've never even met. Hell, my friend Lee also lives in Australia too, and they're dating someone in Rhode Island. Hic, you're only going away for like four months. It's not like you're moving back to Norway right now."

Hiccup didn't say anything at first, only sat there with his hands absently rubbing at Jack's hips, just holding him lightly. Then, quite suddenly, he flopped back down onto the bed, bringing Jack with him, causing the shorter of the two to flail before landing solidly on Hiccup's chest. Jack felt a little bit of satisfaction when the impact made Hiccup wheeze. Serves him right for jerking him around like that. He was smug for all of ten seconds while Hiccup caught his breath, before the brunet spoke up.

"What if something happens to me out there?" he asked quietly.

That shut Jack up for a long moment. He stayed very still and tried to keep his breathing even. He definitely did not want to think about the possibility of something happening to him.

"...Jack..."

"Don't." Jack's tone was sharp, but it softened. "Don't even suggest that, Hiccup, okay? That's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about us staying together. I'm telling you we'll just have to work at it. We'll do our best to stay together. That's what we'll do. There's nothing to worry about." A pause, and then, "A-and you'll be fine. You're interning at an official, government-funded archaeological dig. I trust you'll be okay. You'll be safe. The government's looking out for you. Okay?"

Hiccup was quiet for a solid minute, and Jack started to get worried that he had said something wrong. Had he been too short? Too desperate? Jack slowly pushed his way back up to look down at Hiccup, but the brunet's eyes locked on his...and then he smiled.

"I never thought I'd hear you say 'the government's looking out for you' in a positive tone."

"Jesus fucking christ."

For the next two days, the topic kept coming up in conversation, like a case of heartburn that no amount of Prilosec could save them from. Would they be okay when Hiccup left? But the more they kept talking about it, the more Hiccup seemed to be at ease with Jack's stance on it. To last, it was simple - they had to decide to work for it. They had to make that conscious decision to talk whenever they could and keep in mind that they may have to work to reconnect again when Hiccup returned for school. Jack insisted they could do it, because...well, he really believed they could. He really wanted them to, and he hoped Hiccup did, too.

Finally, it was time to send Hiccup off. Jack wasn't actually allowed to go in and see him off at the gate - boyfriends of legal adults didn't exactly qualify for a pass. So, it was in front of the airport where they stood now. Jack had insisted on getting out of the car... He wanted to give Hiccup a hug before he went in to wait for his flight - a real, proper, romantic hug before they didn't get to see each other for four months. But he hadn't yet, because it was hitting him now that they wouldn't see each other for four whole months, and it was hitting him hard. They had barely been apart since they got together two months ago. Jack had almost forgotten what it felt like to wake up without Hiccup next to him. As much as Jack preached that they could stay together, it didn't take away the sudden sting of realization that he was going to really, really miss Hiccup while he was gone.

And then, arms were around him, bringing him in close to Hiccup's chest. He didn't realize he was crying until he was completely enveloped in his boyfriend's arms and he hiccuped, then let out a quiet sob. "Fuck..."

"I know..." Hiccup mumbled, sounding a little more nasal than usual. Jack realized they were both crying. "Fuck, I'm gonna miss you, Jack. But it's only four months. You're right, it's not that much time. I'll be back in four months."

Jack's arms wrapped around Hiccup's waist and he pulled him tighter against him, burying his face into Hiccup's shirt. "I know... I know that. I just..."

"I know...it's okay. It's going to be okay."

They couldn't stay like that for long. Hiccup didn't want to have to run to his gate. So when they pulled away, Hiccup took Jack's face into his hands, caressing his cheeks. Jack closed his eyes to enjoy the affectionate touch.

"I'll call you as soon as I land, okay?" he assured him.

Jack smiled. "Good... I won't be able to sleep tonight until I know you've at least landed safely."

Hiccup let out a soft chuckle and leaned in, kissing his forehead. That was Jack's favorite place to be kissed, and Hiccup knew it. It always made him smile, and that's how Hiccup's lips found Jack's next - in a big, wide grin. The kiss wasn't perfect. They were both gross from crying. Neither of them really wanted to let go. But it was enough. It was what they needed. Finally, after a few more goodbyes, each one stalling, trying to preserve their time in each other's arms, Hiccup finally headed inside to find his gate and get settled in on his flight.

Jack slid back into the car in the front seat, buckling his seatbelt and leaning his head on the window. Quietly, he watched the airport shift and shrink in his vision, then in the mirror, as his mom started to drive away.

"He's going to be fine, Jack..." Sarah said gently, glancing at Jack with a reassuring smile.

"I know," Jack said quietly, nose still a little stuffy. He grabbed a tissue from the compartment between the seats and blew his nose. He knew Hiccup would be okay. Just...now he just wasn't so sure about himself.