I'm back ;-) Cookies for everyone! (::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::)(::) So, um this Hiccup is the younger version because I just found out the the older version is 20 years kid (my childhood is ruined). I died when I found out. Like when JK Rowling made the epilogue. I was like , "NOOOO! THESE ARE MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS. THEY CAN'T GROW UP. NOT HAPPENING!" lol... anyway enjoy!
Jack and Merida were still looking into each other's eyes, Jack with a gentle smile, and Merida gawking at the winter spirit. The red head was shocked as she felt all the walls she'd built, guarding her heart from love, crumble as their heart's beat as one. She'd expected him to think her odd, weird, or beastly. Not amazing. Not strong and beautiful like she told herself she was, and like she'd thought a boy a never see her. Maybe love wasn't for the weak, but for the strong?
Jack could see Merida opening, looking at him as if it was her first time actually seeing him. He tried to brush it off, but all he could be in this moment was vulnerable.
And as Merida let herself believe that love might be an option, possible, beautiful, a feeling blossomed in her. It was glee, sadness, love, want, hunger, anger; a mess of contained feelings. She smiled, not her normal cocky grin, but a soft, dazzling smile that almost made Jack gasp.
"Really?", she asked, shy for the first time in her life, blushing like a young girl, which is what she felt like.
Jack let his feelings for her show with a simple nod, blushing as well, looking down.
The Guardians watched Jack with a new understanding. They'd known Jack was young spirit with a young heart. They'd noticed his attraction to the red head. But, in this moment, Jack was like they'd never seen. Open, like an old book that had been shut far too long. It was love, so strong that the gaze of the two teens seemed to radiate with it.
Jack and Merida took hands, Jack reaching out slowly, waiting until she too reached out. A simple gesture, unless you knew what it meant. (Review if you know :-P)
Bunny felt it awkward to see Jack like this, not the confident trickster he knew. He cleared his throat, killing the mood like winter kills spring. Jack and Merida started, whipping their heads around blindly, as if confused and lost. Rapunzel giggled at the sight. Merida, aghast at her actions, gave Jack a small punch in the arm, saying, "I'm not into staring contests." Everyone was snickering under their breath.
"The memories.", Bunny reminded the winter spirit, rolling his eyes when Jack's eyes widened in recognition and he mouthed 'oh'. This sent everyone cracking up, and Jack and Merida blushing profusely until they too couldn't contain their laughter.
"Who would like to chose the next memory?", Tooth asked, content with the way her gift was turning out.
The teens converged, discussing, then broke away, clearly in deep in thought. Jack turned to Tooth, clutching his staff tight to his chest.
"Uh, how far back are we allowed to go back with these memories.", Jack asked.
"First lost tooth.", she replied, proud of the extent of her magical power. Jack drifted back, letting the wind carry him, delving deeper into thought.
He squared his shoulders, took a breath. He had to do this.
Sandy noticed this, know puzzled and more eager to view the memory that Jack would pick.
"The day I lost my first tooth.", Jack announced out of the blue. Tooth nodded and began to conjure the memory with skilled and gentle hands.
"Sure you can go first.", Hiccup said under his breath, his voice dripping, as usual, with sarcasm. That earned him a shove. Soon the boys were laughing and Hiccup, covered in snow, was trying to shake it out of his hair. He ended up shaking it off onto Jack.
"Boys.", Merida grumbled, even though she was snickering, Rapunzel rolling on the ground beside her.
North, Sandy, and Bunny glanced at each other, taking in the relaxed stance and nature Jack showed when he was with his friends, one he never did with the Guardians. Bunny could feel he jealousy about to rear it's ugly head, and tried to push it down, remembering what had happened last time.
"Here it is.", Tooth declared.
(This gets to be T rated. I forgot to mention that this was rated T. There's violence and blood, drunkenness, and blood. And kissing, maybe little friskiness)
Jack, just a year older, sat squirming in his chair, excitement not well contained, a toothy grin on his face. Screams echoed from a room next door, muffled by the wall.
Everyone glanced at Jack with confusion. How could there be a smile on his face when the terrible screams kept sounding.
All at once, the noise stopped. Jack jumped out of his chair.
"Is the baby here?", he called into the room, hopping to either foot, grin widening.
The audience's confusion melted to understanding. Jack hoped they were prepared for what was coming, but he needed to see this.
Jack ran up to the door, hesitated, then threw open the door. What greeted him turned into his elated expression in a mask of horror. The putrid smell made him wrinkle his nose, alcohol and other awful stenches made him gag. But what was worse was the sight of his mother, dead on the bed. He legs were spread and covered in puss in blood, leaking all over the bed. Her face was contorted with an expression of agony, pale and lifeless, with glassed and un-seeing eyes.
The guardians were in shock and horror themselves. This was not something a child should see. Not that young. A familiar feeling of guilt settled deep in their gut, that they couldn't prevent this. They gazed over to Jack, to see him hungrily taking in his mother's appearance. His friends were holding his hands and hugging him, but he seemed to take no notice. He almost yearned to see his mother again, even if it was like this.
Jack, wheeled around as a cough sounded, to see his father, vomiting violently. The man was holding an empty bottle of beer, others littered around the room, and he straightened up with trouble, swaying and cursing. He jumped when he found his son looking up at him, thinking he should compose himself. But his anger was great, and soon he was ranting again.
"The useless piece of junk! It ruined my life! Now my brother will have everything I don't have! The wretched abomination! I'll kill it!", the man shrieked. Jack recoiled in fear. What was making his father like this? A cry sent him swiveling again, and he looked down to see a newborn, covered in blood and pus, face scrunched up and bawling. Nevertheless, Jack gazed at it as if it were the most precious object in the world. He picked the crying creature up with the tenderness of a mother, careful yet supporting, never looking away. He peeked around to see his father full steam ahead with his rant, and began to inch towards the door, concealing the baby as best as he could.
"Jack! Where's the baby! I have to kill it!", his father screamed, causing Jack to flinch visibly,
Tooth gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, tears welling.
"Jack,", the drunken man started so softly that Jack turned, eyes wet, "GIVE ME THE BABY!"
"I…. I won't let you hurt her.", Jack stammered, trembling but standing his ground.
The Guardians marveled the courage Jack possessed. Maybe this was why Jack was a Guardian.
The drunk charged at the young boy, who shielded the baby in his arms. Jack looked up in terror as his father swung, glass bottle tight in his grip, letting it collide with his son's jaw with a sickening crack. A tooth was sent flying, and blood was now dripping out of Jack's mouth. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he screamed, "Papa!"
The guilt was almost unbearable for the Guardians. Bunny was shaking with rage. Who would did this to a kid? An innocence CHILD, who was being selfless and courageous at an extraordinarily young age. When the Guardians looked over at Jack this time, the winced at his look. Pure hatred, a searing glare. Jack was stock still, as his friends tried to console him best they could. But there was nothing but cold, hard, hate.
The child took one more look of anguish at the scene before him, before scrambling out of the room. His drunken father chased after him, only to trip and fall, cursing viciously. Jack dashed into the nearest room, set the baby down gently as he could, and hastily barred the door. He breathed a sigh of relief, letting his back slide down the door. Tears poured anew, and he was about to set his head in his hands when a loud cry rang out. Jack shot up, dashing over to his baby sister, who was once again bawling. He fumbled with the terrible wrapping, confusion riddling his face. He bit his lip, hands shaking. Suddenly, his face lit up.
"You need a bath!", he exclaimed, rushing to get a small towel and bucket of snow. He warmed it up on the fire, caressing the baby as he waited. Soon the water was warm enough, and he took it off the heat, dipped the towel, and tenderly cleaned with baby. She quieted, only making small sounds every so often. Just as Jack was finishing, he went behind her ears, like his mother would always do with him. The baby giggled, like tinkling bells, and her eyes snapped open, a warm hazel with fleck of gold. Jack breathed so slightly it was as if he wasn't breathing at all, awed by the tiny treasure in his arms.
"Hi Emma.", he whispered lovingly, "I'm Jack, your brother."
The baby opened her mouth, and Jack sprang into action, expecting tears. He stopped dead when he heard the sounds she was making.
"Ja… Jac…. Jack Jack!", she squealed. Jack smiled widely, oblivious to the caked blood all over his face.
"Yeah! That's it! You're a smart one, aren't you." Jack nicked her on the nose, holding her close. Her frail arms, new and unused, reached up and grabbed his. Jack laughed.
The Guardians were astonished. They'd know that Jack was great with kids, but at such a young age. His love for her was so, remarkably strong, that even Bunny teared up, however reluctantly.
Emma shivered. The affect was momentous. Jack whipped off his cloak (If that's what it is. IDK) and wrapped her in it, cradling her. Emma quieted again, her eyes drooping. Jack began to sing softly rocking her slowly.
I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
Jack, continuing the lullaby, unbarred the door and slid into the hallway, careful to be as quiet as possible.
I remember you said don't leave me here alone,
but all that's dead and gone and past tonight
His voice was barely a whisper, but it did the trick, and the Emma went out like a light, a look of bliss overcoming her tiny features. Jack entered what could only be the nursery, and put her in the crib, tucking the covers over her. THe young boy leaned in to give her a small, tender kiss on her forehead.
The audience relaxed, expecting this to be the end, but what happened next surprised them.
Jack edged down back down the hallway, to the room where his dead mother lay, a gruesome sight and his father passed out on the floor. He had in his hand the bucket of water and a new cloth. He began to clean his mother, wiping away the blood.
Just close your eyes,
The sun is going down.
You'll be alright,
no one can hurt you now.
Come morning light,
You and I'll be safe and sound.
The Guardians could almost feel their hearts breaking. A child should not have to do this. Or see this. They looked over to Jack, expecting to see tears, but he was distant, his eyes never leaving the screen, yet not really seeing. Merida was looking at him with… frustration?
Don't' you dare look out your window,
Darlin everything's on fire.
The war outside our door keeps raging on.
Jack pulled his mother's dress over legs, after putting her legs together.
Hold on ,
To this,
Lulluby.
Even when the musics he choked back forming tears gone.
Gone.
The young boy crossed lifted his mother's arms with the utmost care, arranging them so that one hand rested on the other right on her chest.
Just close you eyes,
The sun is going down,
You'll be alright,
no one can hurt you now.
Come morning light,
You and I''ll be safe and sound.
Jack's voice became hoarse from grief as he took the small bouquet of daisies he'd picked for his mother just that morning and placed them in his mother's hands, closing her eyes and fanning out her hair, so that she no longer looked a hideous sight, but as though she could be sleeping.
Just close your eyes,
We'll be alright,
Come morning light,
She and I'll be safe and sound.
Jack finished the last note, unable to be strong anymore. He began to cry as he never had before. Sobs racked his small frame and he made small choking sounds, until his knees gave out and he fell. He weeped into the bed, his hand gripping his mother's so tight that his knuckles were white as snow.
The memory faded, leaving a shocked silence. The Guardian's were flabbergasted.
"Jack, why one earth would you choose that memory?", Bunny gasped, running his paw over his face.
"That was the last time I saw my mother.", he replied flatly until he explained, "My father cremated her that morning before I woke up."
He hated this memory, it visited him frequently in his nightmares. But his mother's face had been lost to time, and he'd needed it again. He felt raw, all emotions raging to be free, but he shoved them down. He hadn't had to do this in forever. After 300 years of alone, he barely had any feeling left.
Hiccup gripped his friends shoulder and squeezed it, trying to console him. Punzie had been sniffling, and was now burying her face into his sweatshirt. Merida yearned for Jack to cry, to open up. She could almost see parts of him dying, suppressed grief killing him at the core. He couldn't let go if he couldn't say what was wrong. Even as a human, he'd kept everything in. She rested her head on his shoulder feeling comfort in his touch. She blushed at the thought.
Punzie could feel the sorrow dampening the mood like humidity, and she perked up.
"Next memory!", she bursted out, scaring everyone out of their skins. Jack internally shook off his pain, focusing his attention on what was at hand. But he didn't move, because Merida's head on his shoulder was so comfortable, so right.
"Right, so who's next?", Tooth continued, trying to sound cheerful, and instead sounding so fake and strained it made her cringe.
"Oh ME ME ME!", Rapunzel cried, hopping and waving her hand in a frenzy.
"Oh who should we pick?", Hiccup commented, turning to Jack.
"No idea.", Jack mirrored his friend's sarcasm.
"I don't know about you, but I think I want it more.", Hiccup stated, seemingly oblivious and yet perfectly aware of the spastic girl freaking out behind him.
"Guys!", she wailed, flinging her arms out in defeat.
By now the boys were snickering so much that the couldn't breath, and Merida was snorting like a pig.
"Of course you can go next Punzie.", Jack assured her when his lungs were functioning properly.
Rapunzel whirled to Tooth in delight, and the fairy gave her a small smile and nod.
"The one time the Big Four had a sleepover.", she gushed, immediately scurrying back to the snowdrift and plopping down in between Jack and Hiccup.
All about 12, the Big Four were crammed into a small bedroom with a young Emma. The blond and wrapped herself around Emma, shielding the young girl's ears in an odd fashion. Merida was pacing around in a huff, and Hiccup was cross-legged on the bed, looking pensive.
The Guardians were boggled. Why were the teens acting so strange, and where was Jack? They were missing something. Sure enough, what happened next let them know.
A yelp of pain, followed by a crash and a scream sounded from an other area of the house.
"GIVE ME THE KEY, JACKSON, YOU WORTHLESS SON OF A BITCH!", A guttural, screamed command.
"NEVER! YOU'LL NEVER TOUCH EMMA!", the retaliation.
Rapunzel tightened around the girl, her hair falling around them like a cocoon. Meanwhile, Merida looked about ready to heave something across the room.
"This isn't right! He shouldn't have to deal with this!", she hissed acidly, eyes darting around like she was a caged animal.
"He's doing it for Emma.", Hiccup explained, but he looked wan and the answer was half-hearted.
Then a thud and silence.
"Is it over?", Rapunzel asked, voice barely audible.
After a few more seconds, Hiccup nodded. Everyone in the room visibly relaxed, Punzie allowing Emma to crawl out of her lap. The young brunette went to a nearby dresser and pulled out a pillowcase stuffed with objects that jutted into the fabric, and other lumpy objects. She dumped them unceremoniously onto the bed, revealing medical tools. There was a variety; anything from bandages to a scalpel.
A few staggered footsteps and the door swung open to reveal Jack. He had blood dripping from a deep cut on his foorhead, bruises forming on his neck and arms. His posture was collapsed, but his face shown with glee. He leaped onto the bed to join his friends, looking at them expectantly.
"Well, let's get this party started!", he cried, punching his hand up in triumph until he saw that no one had moved. He crumpled and looked at them in shock. Wasn't it time to have fun?
"Yeah, sure, the MEDICAL party.", Hiccup retorted, rolling his eyes, eyes that had been widely observing the extent of Jack's injuries.
"I'm fine guys!", Jack groaned as he rubbed blood off his face. Seeing what he'd just done, he stabbed his hand into his pocket and gave a guilty smile.
Emma shook her head and hoped off the bed, turning to face her older brother. She crossed her arms and gave him a look so fierce that even Merida winced.
"Shirt off.", she all but growled.
Jack sighed and conceded, raising his arms to pull his shirt off. Once they reached his head, he cringed and gasped in pain, letting them fall like bricks. No sooner had they reached his legs, Hiccup was by his side, helping him pull the cloth over his head with precision and care. The relief and Jack's face was all to evident.
Jack's injuries were extensive. Bruises littered his body, along with small cuts. His rib was definitely broken, jutting out at a weird angle. HIs back was a bloody mess, and his wrist was a deep shade of plum. Not to mention that he was horribly skinny, his stomach caved in, and his skin stretched tight against his bones. His friends just stared, horrified by what they were seeing, in a deep silence, until Rapunzel broke down.
"Every day!", she screeched, diving into him, sobbing into his lap.
Jack's face melted into distress at the sight of this.
"Aw, Punzie, it's okay. I'm used to it.", he said truthfully. To his dismay, it just made her wail even more.
"Punzie please. I'm okay with it. Please don't cry. I'm sorry.", he gushed, trying frantically to get the blond to stop crying.
"SORRY!", Merida bellowed, about ready to tear out her hair, "You have NOTHING to be SORRY for!"
"Rapunzel, calm down. Crying about it won't help.", Hiccup soothed, rubbing small circles into the girl's tense back. She sat up, tears no longer running down her cheeks.
"Thanks Hic,", Jack sighed, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Behind him, Hiccup shot up, looking at Jack with astonishment.
"Wh-what?", he stuttered, eyes as large as saucers.
Completely oblivious to his friend's shock, Jack continued, "Yeah. You're the smartest person I know. I seriously can't believe how they treat you in Berk. YOU ARE SO NOT USELESS!", Jack vented, all the things he'd wanted to say spilling out.
Hiccup then scared the crap out of Jack by barreling into his back with a hug so strong it caused Jack to wheeze.
"No one's ever said that to me in my life.", Hiccup whispered into Jack's back, bitter tears trickling down his cheeks.
After watching this, Punzie burst into tears again. She flung herself into Jack, swinging her arms around his neck.
"You came to my tower day after day when no one else would. You showed me the world!", she cried gratefully.
Jack looked up at Merida with a grin as she came up to him and wrapped her arms around his middle. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes to allow a few small tears to fall.
"You loved as I was, and told me I didn't need to change. But you still see me as a girl.", she breathed.
"Well you guys deserve it!", Jack cried incredulously.
"Well, what a lovely moment,", Emma mused until her face melted to a look that could only be described as utter sarcasm, "But I need to finish Jack's stitches."
The three friends all said oh and jumped back, causing the siblings in the room to burst into laughter.
Emma worked on her brother for a while longer, while his friends cast him watery glances until she announced she was finished and began to gather her tools. Jack helped her until she slapped his hand.
"Ow!", he yelled in shock, "What was that all about?!"
"No work on your birthday.", the seven year old answered, her voice all business.
"Yes boss.", Jack replied with a mock salut so that she giggled.
She put the sack back where she'd found it and dunked her hands into a basin of water to wash off the blood. Jack's face darkened at this.
"Time for bed for a little princess I know.", he announced suddenly, pulling his shirt back on and rolling off his bed.
"Princess?", Emma asked, her innocent eyes wide and sparkling with hope.
"Yup", Jack chirped, "And this princess is about to be attacked by the big bad wolf."
"Oh no!", Emma gasped, backing away and Jack kneeled down and began to slink towards her, an evil grin on his face.
"OH yes. Do you know what he does to little princesses?", Jack asked. Emma shook her head, eyes wide now with fright.
He lunged and caught her, causing her to scream, first with fear but then with delight as he began to tickle her. She squirmed and squealed as turned her upside down, running his fingers along her stomach and up the soles of her feet. Her laughed was like the tinkling of little bells and it lit Jack's face right up. Finally he stop and set her gently on her bed, rolling up her covers. He began to sing her a lullaby, stroking her hair.
I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed you light.
I remember you said don't leave me hear alone,
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight.
Emma's eyes began to droop as she leaned into her brother's touch. But just as she was about to drift off, her eyes snapped open and she launched forward into sitting position.
"Your present!", she shrieked, quite delirious from exhaustion. Jack soothed her back onto her pillow, continuing the lullaby.
"I'll give it to him.", Hiccup assured her. Comforted by his words, Emma once again relaxed.
Just close your eyes,
the sun is going down.
You'll be alright,
No one can hurt you now.
Come morning light,
You and I'll be safe, and sound.
She finally fell asleep, but Jack continued to absentmindedly to stroke her face. It was such a loving scene that no one wanted it to stop, but at the same time, it was almost strange to see such a strong, intense form of affection.
Jack snapped out his reverie, giving his company a sheepish grin as an apology. He trudged over to the water barrel, carrying it over to the window to toss out the dirty water. HIs expression and body were growing increasingly more tense as he watched the red tinted water sloshing around. When he reached the window, instead of dumping out the water, he broke. He hurled the basin out of the window with rage, breathing heavy and raking his hands trough his hair. He screamed soflty in frustration.
Even in his anger he was aware of his sister. Even in his pain, anguish, hurt, she was first on his mind. The Guardians, past shock, began to worry about the healthiness of this. Did he properly take care of himself?
His friends starred at him, eyes wide but mouth shut, lacking the required words. Jack tromped over to the small bed and plopped down on it, head in his hands. Punzie was the first to break the horrible silence, reaching a small hand out to tentatively touch his shoulder.
"She shouldn't have to see this."
Jack's voice was weary and strained from exhaustion.
Scratch that! The Guardians were terribly alarmed at the situation. The amount of stress they were seeing from a boy his age was , well, alarming.
"Jack-"
"She shouldn't have to see this! I can't even keep my goddamn screams in, and then low and behold I find that it's a brilliant idea to just come flouncing in her with no attempt to clean up!"
Jack was taking heaving breaths again, wringing his hands madly.
Merida was done. She shot up from her position on the couch and marched up to Jack. She caught his hands and held them tightly in her own. To Jack's surprise, there were tears in the girl's eyes.
"Mer-"
"Stop! Jack, please stop beating yourself up. Your so stupid. You going crazy blaming yourself for something THAT ISN'T YOUR FAULT! How can you be a terrible brother when you take BEATINGS for your sister! PLEASE! Break down if you need to! You don't have to be strong every moment of your life!"
"Well', Jack sputtered, flustered and unable to process Merida's screaming, "Why do you even care?"
"CAUSE YOUR THE MOST AMAZING PERSON I KNOW, AN' YOU DON'T DESERVE THIS AT ALL! I see you hurting, see you keepin' it all in, and all I want to do is take all that pain and make it go away. I care Jack!"
Merida, who'd lost her steam, crossed her arms and gave Jack a glare that read, "So?"
Jack simply curled his knees up to his chest and began to look off into space. Merida was about to start another go when Jack began to speak words she'd remember for the rest of her life.
"Merida, I can't let this out. It would hurt to bad. I thought things would get easier as time went on, but I've learned that it doesn't really work that way. I think, if I broke down now I would really break. And I need to be Okay for Emma, who still has some innocence and happiness left. But Mer, ' he said turning to her, eyes sparkling with unshed tears, "thank you for caring. You can't possibly know how much it means to me, but it means a whole lot. You can't change this, that's impossible, but the best you can give is caring. Thank you."
Merida shuffled slowly over to Jack, who now had his back up against his head board. She curled up right beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. He then rested his head on hers, and the two felt as though nothing in the world could ever keep them apart. It was a new sort of feeling. They'd always felt comfortable grabbing hands and hugging, but in this moment it was absolutely necessary.
It was late into the night, and the four teens had spent the hours having fun, Jack's utmost specialty. But the strain of Jack's hard day started to take its toll. The friends began to notice Jack's eyes droop, and as if that wasn't enough evidence of his exhaustion, then his lion-like yawn was the convincing factor. Unpleased to be ending the fun, Hiccup was hesitant.
"I think its time for bed."
Though he'd been expecting it, he still winced at his friend's dramatic sigh.
"BED!?"
"Yeah… its really late Jack." Punzie said, picking up on the tired state of Jack.
Jack looked at them helplessly. But Merida just gave him and others a grin.
Everyone looked at her with confusion and suspicion. Until she began singing in a soft voice.
Dancing Bears
Painted wings
Things I almost remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a december.
Punzie and Hiccup caught along quickly, and the blond joined with an upper harmony. Jack rolled his eyes, but those same eyes widened as he gave another glorious yawn. Hiccup chuckled at Jack's blush. Jack expressed clear doubt that his friends plan would work. But soon enough his head fell into Hiccup's shoulder, eyes sliding closed. The four slowly drifted off as the snow fell, and frost covered the window panes.
So… I'm so sorry that this was so short and took so long to get to you, but high school is… making my life a mess. Hope you enjoy! Rate and Review please!