Living with Hiccup as his neighbour has been a truly blissful experience that Jack never wanted to go away. Waking up every day knowing that Hiccup would be there for him put a smile on Jack's face. Unfortunately, this also caught the attention of Paul. "What you smiling at boy?" he barked, glancing at the starry-eyed Jack warily. Jack broke out of his reverie. "Nothing," he stuttered before bending down to mutter," that would interest you." "What did you say?" Paul growled before grabbing a fistful of Jack's shirt and pulling him up to his eye level. "You want to repeat what you just said so I can give you another beating?" he whispered softly. Jack flinched back as he thought of the number of beatings he had received since Hiccup came to his neighbourhood. Paul wasn't at all happy that Jack was becoming more lively and happy. So to let out his anger, he would beat up Jack for every single microscopic error that Jack committed.
Just then the bell rang. Paul released Jack abruptly and Jack stumbled back, his back hitting the cupboard. "Come on in!" Paul shouted, his voice sounding a hundred times friendlier than a second before. The door opened and Hiccup came in. "I'm sorry if I was bothering you Mr Black, but I have a project to finish with Jack." Hiccup said politely as he cast a worried gaze at Jack. Paul broke into a forced smile and replied," Well of course you can! Jack, go over to Hiccup's house and finish the project now." Jack stood up shakily and followed Hiccup out without a word.
"What happened over there?" Hiccup demanded once they were out of earshot in his bedroom. "Nothing Hiccup," Jack smiled wanly, hoping to reassure Hiccup. Hiccup's eyebrows creased with worry as he glanced at Jack worriedly. Sensing that Jack was attempting to brush it off Hiccup decided that it wasn't worth trying to make Jack confess. He smiled and started walking towards Jack, his hands outstretched. "What are you doing?" Jack asked uncertainly. Hiccup grinned mischievously before pouncing on top of him. His hands came to Jack's stomach before tickling him mercilessly. Jack chuckled before flinching violently, making Hiccup's hand hover uncertainly over Jack.
"Did I hurt you?" Hiccup asked worriedly. "No," Jack replied quickly," It's nothing." Not to be fooled, Hiccup pulled Jack's shirt up before gasping. His pale white skin was covered with bruises. "When did this start?" Hiccup asked shakily. "You should know considering you have had dreams too," Jack replied dryly. Hiccup shook his head dazed and continued stiffly," You know what I mean Jack. You told me that the beatings have stopped. When did it start again?"
Jack sensed that it was no use beating around the bush and proceeded to reply heavily," Since you came into this neighbourhood." Hiccup closed his eyes. That meant that the beatings had never stopped. "I didn't want to tell you because if you knew, you would do something and… I might lose you." Jack said weakly when Hiccup didn't reply.
"You could have told me," Hiccup answered, his voice cracking," That's why I'm here. That's why I spend time with you. Not just because I like being with you but because I thought if I spent more time with me you would confide with me. But… All this time you have been hiding your wounds, acting as if nothing ever happened." He took a shuddering breath in.
"Get out."
Jack stared at him in shock. "You can't possibly mean that," he said weakly. "I did this for your sake. I didn't want you to feel hurt so I kept it a secret-"he babbled but Hiccup cut him off. "Get out," Hiccup replied, his voice dead. Jack stood up, his knees wobbling. "Bye Hiccup," he whispered before running off.
Upon reaching his house, he ran to his room slamming the door shut. Tears poured down his face as he thought of Hiccup's hurt face. "I'm sorry," Jack gasped, clutching his chest. It hurt tremendously. "I'm sorry Hiccup. I never should have done all of this and now-"
"I don't think I can ever take it back."