Jack could not sleep that night. After running out of Hiccup's house he had ran straight back to his room. In his bed, he constantly tossed and turn, his mind bent on thinking of Hiccup's hurt face. Stupid, Jack thought bitterly, it's too late to take it back. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut? He thought angrily, everything was going so well. A tear slid down his face.
The next morning, a loud thud shook him. "Boy, wake up." Paul shouted from outside. Jack stiffened, his eyes widening. His mind had been thinking nonstop for many hours and the loud sound jolted him out of his trance. Slowly he got out of his bed and stretched, groaning softly. All night, he had curled himself up into a ball and was stiff as a board now.
Still groaning he walked out of his room into the kitchen. "Boy! Where's my breakfast? Hurry up!" Paul barked as he glared at Jack from the top of his newspaper. Jack nodded mutely and proceeded to spread butter on a slice of bread.
Hiccup must hate me now, Jack thought with sickening realization. I don't think I can face him anymore. Jack passed the toast to Paul silently and stumbled back into his room. He glanced out of the window. The curtains in Hiccup's room were shut and the window closed. Jack's eyes widened in shock. Since the day Hiccup and Jack became good friends and subsequently started dating, Hiccup had always left his window slightly ajar. It was so that Jack could slip in in the middle of the night to curl up beside Hiccup. By closing the window, it was such a simple act but to Jack it meant rejection. He staggered back and sank gratefully down to rest on his bed. Hiccup, he thought wildly, how can I ever make it up to you. Seeing your window shut, are you truly intent on rejecting me for the rest of my life?
The next few days passed agonizingly slow and only on the fourth day did Jack see Hiccup. Jack was on his way to pick up Paul's mail outside his house. He stopped short when he saw Hiccup standing outside. Hiccup turned slightly to look at him. Jack smiled at him hesitantly but the only response he got was a slight nod. A lump caught up in Jack's throat. Stupid stupid, he thought angrily as he wiped away the moisture filling up in his eyes, Hiccup refuses to talk to me. My stepfather continues to beat me up, why can't I ever do anything right!
With surprising ferocity, Jack wrenched the letters out of the mail box and stalked back to his house. Just then, a hand grabbed him from behind. He gave a shout of alarm but then his mouth was clamped shut. He looked up afraid. "Follow me," Hiccup said quietly before dragging Jack up to his room.
It was silent when Hiccup closed the door. Jack bit his lip nervously as he stared at Hiccup's blank expression. "Why did you pull me up here for?" Jack asked harshly, nervousness making him sound rude," Are you ready to scold me some more for keeping quiet about my wounds-" Hiccup laughed coldly and turned to stare at his own shoes.
"I wanted to," he said quietly. "But then," he looked up and stared at Jack," I realized I didn't have the right to. I was too focused on the fact that I had finally found you that I didn't realize that you were still hurting." Jack opened his mouth to retort but Hiccup beat him to it. "I saw how you were sometimes so tired and quiet but I just shook it off lightly and blamed it on your homework. I should have been more observant. I should have been more caring. I should have been less selfish."
Jack shook his head and replied angrily," It isn't your fault Hiccup! I refused to tell you, don't blame yourself!" Hiccup smiled and continued," It's okay Jack. What's over is over. I shouldn't have overreacted. I was just so mad, so so mad." Hiccup sighed and tears started forming in his eyes. "Oh Hiccup, please don't cry," Jack pleaded his hand outstretched slightly. Hiccup smiled slightly and sniffled. "I'm not mad anymore Jack. I forgive you."
Jack stared at him blankly. "You…you forgive me," he said slowly in disbelief. Hiccup smiled and replied softly," Yes, I forgive you. I want you back in my life Jack." "It…it has been torture for me the past few days," Hiccup admitted, "Trying to act as if I didn't care about you at all and as if seeing your smile falter when you look at me does not hurt at all. I need you Jack." Hiccup ended by taking Jack's hand into his.
Jack smiled slightly and stared at Hiccup. "I am blessed to have you by my side," he whispered, "to actually have someone who understands me and comes back even though I have hurt them countless of times." Hiccup smiled and hugged Jack tightly. Jack gasped as Hiccup's hand came into contact with his bruise. Hiccup released him immediately and glanced at him worriedly. "Did I hurt you again," he asked sheepishly. Jack chuckled and grinned," If getting hurt is what it takes to get you back, I'll do it a thousand times more." Hiccup smiled and buried himself in Jack's arms.
That night, Hiccup left his window open and Jack was able to slip into Hiccup's room again. And to think that a few months ago, Jack would have never thought that he would ever have a happy ending in his life. Life truly worked in strange ways.