Didn't See That Coming

To the boys' good fortune, it didn't take them long to find Jack's father. Or rather, it didn't take long for them to be found. They'd hardly ridden for half an hour when the sound of hunting horns were heard, and they were met by almost the entire hunting party. As Jack had predicted, Duke North was absolutely furious, but his anger gave way to curiosity once he saw that Jack wasn't alone. Hiccup and Jack quickly explained everything—minus the part about how Jack had had to kiss him to wake him up—and the aubrunet humbly asked if he could join them on their journey so as to be reunited with his family. Duke North immediately agreed, and the two youths were escorted back to the campsite, which ended up being quite close to the enchanted cottage.

Hiccup's feelings of gratitude changed to irritation the next morning, when he learned that Duke North had been planning to stay in the area for a few days before proceeding to visit Earl Stoick. The Duke wanted to take advantage of the prime hunting, which Hiccup understood, but he was anxious to see his family and find out what he'd missed. Though part of him ended up being secretly glad to have some time with his new friend before they parted ways. He hadn't actually asked anyone why they were travelling to see his father, though he assumed it was to discuss trade alliances. His father's fleet of ships were famous in this part of the country, it would make perfect sense for Duke North to be interested in forging some sort of partnership.

Jack had been avoiding telling his freckled friend the reason for their visit to his father; and he was relieved that Hiccup hadn't asked. He didn't want to have to talk about Hiccup's twin sister, the Lady Astrid, and how he was supposed to marry her, even though he'd never been attracted to a woman in his life. He just wanted to pretend that this hunting trip would go on forever, to keep enjoying Hiccup's company. Jack loved talking with the aubrunet, who was not only highly intelligent but also adventurous and funny. They learned they both felt more at ease outdoors, and enjoyed regaling each other with stories of their various adventures—out of earshot of the adults of course. Jack tried to ignore the fluttery feeling he got every time Hiccup laughed, to pretend there was nothing unusual about trying to count his freckles, or staring at his soft lips, or wanting to hold his hand.

Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, the white-haired youth couldn't handle being silent on the subject anymore. "So what's your sister like?"

Hiccup looked over at Jack. They were sitting against some boulders on the far edge of the clearing, where Duke North had been keeping the hunting party. "Astrid?"

Jack rolled his eyes, "Yes, Astrid, unless you've got another sister I don't know about?"

"Ha ha." The cinnamon-haired youth threw a pinecone at him playfully. "Well, she's definitely not a proper young lady. She pretends to be for our father, but she'd rather throw axes at trees then sit with other noblewoman and gossip over tea. She's definitely got a bit of a temper, but she's also the most loyal person I know." Cobalt eyes crinkled in a smile at the description. "Why do you ask?" Hiccup questioned.

Jack was silent for a moment, biting his lip nervously. "Because I'm supposed to marry her," he admitted at last.

Viridian eyes widened. "That's why you're going to see my father? I'd assumed it was to negotiate a trade agreement or something." There was no response. Frowning, Hiccup noted Jack's downcast demeanor and realized something. "You don't want to marry her, do you?" He asked gently.

Jack's head snapped up, and he looked at his friend anxiously. "It's nothing against your sister, I swear! I'm sure she's wonderful, I just…" he barely caught himself in time, he could not tell Hiccup; it would ruin everything.

"You're just not ready." The pale youth blew his breath out in relief as he nodded. Let Hiccup think that's the real reason. "I highly doubt she wants to marry you either," Hiccup said matter-of-factly, "she's never wanted to get married." The two were quiet again for a moment. "But this is how things are," he added sadly. I don't want Jack to marry Astrid; I don't want him to marry anyone! I just want him to be with me…