Chapter 8

It was him! I jumped back about three feet, scanning the streets for any sign of his red-headed companions. "My satchel!" Flynn screeched. Huh? Why was he yelling at Punzie? Rapunzel hid the light brown bag behind her dress. "I don't know what you're talking about Flynn Rider." "Yes you do you-!" Before he could get all the words out, Punzie threw the satchel back to me. "Eh?!" I screeched, almost dropping it. "And you!" Rider hissed. "M-m-me...?" I stammered, stepping backward until I my back met Jack's chest. Jack's face was pulled tight, ready for a fight. He put a hand on my shoulder and stepped in front of me. "So where are those ginger dunderheads that were dragging you around?" He asked. Flynn snarled, "I stole the money we made off the little prince's kidnapping and ditched them. Only then blondie here stole it from me! And I'm going to get it back now if you don't mind." Flynn said, a dangerous lopsided grin on his face. I peeked out from behind Jack, watching as Rapunzel moved her arm ever so slowly… Was that a pocket? Oh Rapunzel you tricky, tricky girl.

Flynn made a move as if he were going to grab at the satchel, but as he lunged forward, out from Rapunzel's dress came a… frying pan. Manning it with both hands, she lifted the pan high and brought it down hard onto Rider's crown. The thief froze up for a moment, his mind and body stunned temporarily before collapsing onto the ground. "Oh ho ho! Hiccup, we might just have to keep this girl!" Jack said, laughing at the scene. The man who owned the fruit stand stood wide-mouthed gaping at the mangled Flynn that Punzie had brought to the ground. "Well, we can't just leave him here." I said. As much as I would have liked to, I didn't want the fruit stand man to have to deal with the limp body. He looked too high-strung as it was without a man passed out in front of his stand. Jack looked disappointed by the comment, but didn't fight it. Rapunzel, however, had a thing or two to say. "Oh just let him lay there! He doesn't deserve any kindness after…."

And here she trailed off and the largest blush I'd ever seen on her crossed her cheeks all the way up to her ears. I tilted an eyebrow up, a small grin on my face. "After what?" I asked her. Punzie pursed her lips and looked away. "N-none of your business!" She said, her voice giving away the fact that she had something to hide. I laughed under my breath "Mhmm. I'm sure. Well we can't leave him here, this poor man's about to have a fit. Let's just put him in the forest or something." I told them, coming out from behind Jack. "Well if we're going to do something, it might as well be funny. Hic, how about we get a little bit of revenge too?" He asked. Rapunzel cocked her head to the side, "Wait, you both know him too? What has he done to you?" Jack looked at me as if asking permission to tell her. I shrugged my shoulder, only just realizing that I probably should've been embarrassed by the whole thing. "Hic- er, Horrendous was kidnapped by him and two red-headed ruffians about a week back. We just got away from them yesterday. So technically, that money in your hands is Flynn's pay for stealing the prince."

Rapunzel looked at the bag in her hands, then back up, and back down again. "So, um, would you like-" I shook my head, "No, no, no. It was never my money in the first place, and you need it more than I ever woould." I told her, turning back to Toothless. After digging around in a bag, I brought out a length of rope. "So, about revenge. Let's see how he likes sleeping tied to a tree, hmm?" I said while handing the rope to Jack. He smiled, "I like that plan."

We found a relatively remote place in the woods and proceeded to tie Flynn to a tree. Hiccup and Rapunzel continued to chat about things that had happened years ago while I made a fire and listened. We had been there for maybe five hours, talking our way through the night, before Flynn woke up with a loud groan. "Rise and shine, sleeping ugly. You've got some explaining to do." I said, poking him in the forehead with a stick I'd been messing with. It took a minute for Fynn to realize his situation. He glanced around him, his eyes finally coming to land on the ropes that held him to the tree. "Haha…haa… Funny. Explaining?" He said, looking up to meet my gaze. "First, who was it?" I asked, using the stick to draw scribbles in the dirt. Flynn sighed and flipped his hair to the side. "This is gonna land me in prison, isn't it? I can't believe you're a knight now. You… traitor." He said. I looked downward, giving my own sigh and tightening my lips. "I'm not a knight. Answer the question or I might bring you back in for the reward money though."

Flynn frowned and blew some hair out of his eyes. "Fine. We were hired by Duke Pitch." He said. I looked back at Hiccup to see if he had any idea as to who that was. "I already knew, Jack. It was my uncle… though I'd not call him that ever again. I'd wager he was also the one behind my mother's… poisoning. Gods only know if he's gotten to my father by now as well." Hiccup said. Rapunzel's eyes popped wide open. "Your mother was poisoned?!" She asked, her eyes near tears. Hiccup gave her an encouraging smile, "Unfortunately so, gods rest her soul." Rapunzel let a tear escape out of the side of her eye, "Oh… Auntie Val…" She sobbed into her hands. Hiccup rubbed her back gently. I mouthed, "Auntie?" to Hiccup. He sent back, "No. Just good friends." I nodded, turning back towards Flynn. Rapunzel dried her tears with the skirt of her dress and straightened up. "But… why?" She asked. Hiccup shrugged. "He's always felt slighted that his brother got the kingdom. Jealousy I suppose. If he gets rid of the three, er… two of us, he'll become king."

"Well, in that case we'd better hurry and get you back to the castle." I said, breaking the stick in half. "So if you're not taking me to prison, what are you going to do?" Flynn asked, squirming against his bonds. "Oh, I don't know…" Hic started, "The way I'm thinking, it would be a waste to kill him right? I mean, he's obviously not educated but he's pretty tough so he'll make a good slave. Then there's also the… market. He's got a nice face, that'll get us a pretty penny or two apart from what we've already reclaimed." He continued, staring pointedly at Flynn, who seemed to grow more and more uncomfortable with each word. "Ah… suppose I sort of deserved that." He said, looking down guiltily. Hiccup stood, arching his back. "What do you think, Jack? You probably know what you're doing better than me." He asked.

I shrugged, "Well I guess there's always what you said, but knowing Flynn, he'd get out right away. We only have one horse… How about we just leave him here?" I proposed, leaning my back on the tree behind me. Hiccup nodded, but Rapunzel squirmed. "Hey Endy… would you allow me to take him?" She asked. Both of our jaws dropped, "What?!" Rapunzel bit her lower lip, "It's just… I have a proposal for him." She said. Flynn looked up, intrigued. "What kind of proposal?" Rapunzel looked away, back towards the satchel that sat idly on the ground beside her. "Um… There's really no need to go into the specifics…" She said, shying away from the question. "Punzie…" Hiccup began. "Endy. I've been fine on my own for twelve years, I'll be fine dealing with someone as thick as him." She said, shooting him an earnest eye. Hiccup sighed and looked at her for a few moments before replying. "…Fine."

Rapunzel gave a small smile before looking up. "It's gotten terribly late. I believe I'll go to sleep now. You two should get some rest as well if you're to be travelling tomorrow. And as for you... I hope you stay up all night with a headache. That will just make it easier for me." She said, a conspirator's smile on her lips. Flynn pouted. "Ah thank you, how kind. Have horrible dreams~." He replied. Rapunzel rolled her eyes before pulling out a blanket. I stood up before moving to get some bedding for us as well. I had scooped up a large summertime sheet made of a light, slick material earlier in the day and proceeded spread it upon the ground. The neglected fire was little more than embers at that point, but it wouldn't be needed in the warm summer air anyway. Rapunzel laid herself down, her horse already settled in beside her. Flynn hadn't taken her wish and was sawing logs before too long. Hiccup walked over to my side. "Would you, um, like to accompany me for a walk?" He asked, his signature blush gracing his cheeks. I smiled, "Always."

I took his hand, assuming that Flynn's loud snoring meant he wasn't watching. We walked together for a while, neither of us wanting to say anything until we were completely out of hearing range. Crickets chirped around us as we came to a stopping point on a small hill. I sat on a boulder that had been worn smooth with age and patted the space beside me. Hiccup climbed up, our hips touching, and set his head upon my shoulder. "What a day…" He said, sighing contentedly. I fiddled around with his fingers entwined in mine. "It was a good day though, right?" I asked. He nodded his head into my shoulder, "Unlike any other… Did you always live like this?" He inquired, looking up at me through his lashes. I shook my head, "No, not all the time anyway. I didn't usually like to stay in the same place for more than five hours unless I was sleeping… and even then it was risky." I told him, before leaning forward to get off the rock and sitting down in the grass. "It was a good, though. Kept me feeling very… alive? I suppose the same can be said for the hard work Aster keeps me at as well. Two entirely different experiences, they are."

Hiccup nodded, following me to the ground. "Thank you by the way." He said. I looked up, brushing the bangs out of his eyes. "For?" I asked. He grabbed my hand beside his face, holding to his cheek. "For showing me the good side." He said, placing a quick kiss to the side of my thumb. I smirked, "Glad to be of service, your highness." I told him, bringing our joined hands forward to kiss the back of his. He blew a sigh. "Haahhh… you always know just how to ruin a moment, don't you?" He accused, a small smile playing on the corners of his lips. "Ruin? Noooo… I make them better." I told him. Hiccup scoffed, "I don't see how." I pulled him closer, throwing his arm over my shoulder and leaving our faces only inches apart. "By distracting you." I said, closing the distance between us. Hiccup's eyes widened for a moment, and I took the opportunity to stare into them. Our lips had met, but I was concentrating on his eyes, making him feel each part of me more as our gazes met.

It was definitely having the desired effect on my counterpart. Before long Hiccup couldn't keep his eyes open and was gasping for air. I let him breathe for a few seconds as I shifted him up to where he was straddling my lap. He pulled his fingers through my hair, tugging lightly as I worked on his neck. Feeling audacious, I sucked down harder than normal, leaving a mark. Hiccup let out a muffled whimper. I trailed my lips back up to his ear. "Nobody's here this time. Let me hear you." I told him, dragging my fingers along his spine. He gave a delicious shiver as my hands travelled lower to the rim of his trousers. "J-Jack!" He cried, biting into his lip. "Hmm?" I asked, pressing another small kiss to his collarbone. "W-we're in a- ha-ah! haa- a forest…" He gasped, clinging onto me. I snickered, slipping a finger underneath the cloth. "And…?" I prodded. Hiccup, growing ever more out of breath, moved his hands to my shoulders. "N-not… here…"

OH GODS NOT AGAIN.

Jack's hands flopped to the side rather unceremoniously, and even though I'd been protesting so much earlier… I didn't quite like it. "Jack?" I asked, trying to steal back lost breaths. He pushed his forehead into my chest, a sigh escaping him. "A-are you alright?" I asked, terribly confused. Jack just stayed quiet for a few moments, testing my nerves. The silence grew uncomfortable, but I didn't know what to do. Finally he spoke. "I'm… fine." He said, staying there. "Would you like me to, um," "Yes." He interrupted, forcing himself to get the word out. "A-Alright." I said, sliding off of his lap as he then continued to fall onto his side. "You… go ahead and go on to sleep first. I'll be there soon…" He told me, his voice heavy. The statement sent a pang through my chest, and I visibly winced, but he wouldn't have seen it curled up on his side like he was. I left without another word, walking back the way we had come. "What did I do?" I whispered to myself, hugging my sides. I bit at my lip again and rested my shoulder against a tree. In the distance I could see the softly glowing remnants of the fire, but they didn't feel welcoming.

Tears pooled behind my eyes, but I refused to set them free. It was all I could do to just prop myself up for a little while and calm my thundering heartbeat. All the while I stood wondering what had made him upset. It wasn't that I couldn't guess, but I didn't understand why it had made him that angry. I had only said no because I thought… I just… wanted it to be special. I pulled myself from the tree, pushing off of it and letting my hand fall exhaustedly to my side. I trudged forward before landing heavily on the sheet and curling myself into it, tugging the fabric over my ears. Behind me the sound of Flynn's snores drifted as a welcome distraction to my ears. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to force sleep into coming. It seemed like I laid there for hours with the same thoughts rolling though my head and sleep evading me. Eventually, though, Jack did come back. I pretended to sleep. What could I even say if he knew I was awake? He climbed in beside me, and I could feel the new distance between us.

The morning came, and with it an unfamiliar awkward air. Rapunzel immediately noticed, her senses as sharp as ever. She pulled me to the side as we prepared the horses, "Something's wrong, isn't it?" She asked, holding the sides of my face and looking into my eyes. I might've be able to trick the girls… but Rapunzel was an entirely different story. "Punzie… I can't really tell you." I was getting so tired of keeping it a secret, even though I knew it had to be done. Even Rapunzel… It was just too risky. Toothless bent his head down to nibble on some last-minute grass before we set off again. Rapunzel eyed me sadly. "He didn't do anything did he? I could always whip out the frying pan while he's not looking, you know…" She said, smirking. I laughed, "No need. A maiden shouldn't dirty her hands anyway." I said, nudging her side. She flipped on her large hat, "Maiden! You can me maiden?! Scoundrel!" She shouted, lowering her voice to a comical growl. I took off the hat "But the prettiest maiden in the kingdom my dear Sir." I said, plopping the hat on my own head.

She pouted, but couldn't hold it as giggles poured forth from her mouth. I joined her, temporarily forgetting the events of the previous night. "Are you all set?" I asked. She nodded, "I should be good for about three days." She said. I eyed the man still tied to the tree. "…And you're absolutely positive you can handle him?" I asked, looking for any sort of worry in her appearance. She gave a small smile. "I'll be fine, Endy. Never met a man I couldn't handle." She said, winking as she reined her horse. I sighed, still unsure. "Fine… And this time, Rapunzel, don't you dare take thirteen years to visit." I told her, giving a stern look. She rolled her eyes, "Yes your royal majesty ma'am." I just laughed as we walked back to where Flynn still sat on the ground. We untied him from the tree, but kept him bound as he was deposited onto Punzie's horse. We said our goodbyes, and I hugged her before she climbed onto the large animal. Jack stood talking to Flynn. "You're still an ass, Frost." He said, spitting at him. "Old news," Jack said, dodging the attack. "…and you're still an idiot." He finished. Flynn smiled lopsidedly, "Ahh, I'll see you again, I'm sure. You'll never get tired of this life." He said.

Jack's face fell, even if only for a second, before the joking façade was back on again. "You're right… you'll see me again. Just when you're being hauled to jail." He said, laughing, but there was the faintest trace of sadness in his eyes.

That sadness was the only thing I could think about for three days afterwards. We had made it halfway back to the kingdom, and were staying at a small inn (our first since the journey had begun). I could take it no longer. "Jack?" I asked, sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. He looked up from his place on the side of the bed, "Hmm?" The dim light in the room only covered us lightly, for which I was grateful. "I can tell you've been upset these past few days with… what Flynn said and… me." I told him, finally getting the topic out in the open. Jack let out a shaky sigh, "Hiccup, it's late. Let's just go to sleep." He said. I scowled, "Jack. We need to talk about this and you know it. I can't stand to see you look so hurt… and know it's my fault." I said. He turned around to look at me and his face softened, "It's not your fault, Horrendous."

I frowned, walking over to the side of the bed to sit with him. "I already know you don't like being stuck at the castle. Don't try to lie to me." I said, looking at him from the side. Jack took a deep breath. "That's… I'm going to be honest, that's true. But…" He trailed off. "But..?" I asked, inching closer to him. Jack ran a hand through his hair, "But I know you're a prince, and if I ever wanted to go back to this life… it would mean leaving you and I… don't want that." He said. The words made my heart flutter. "Oh…" I said, looking down. "That's easily fixed, Jack." I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. "You see, it's because I'm a prince that makes this all so very simple. And if by the time I return, my Uncle has succeeded… I'd be a king. I could grant you anything you wanted." I told him, but quickly added, "I don't mean to sound arrogant. It's just that I want you to be happy… and I have the means to give you that."

Jack breathed a sigh. "…Wouldn't you be alone, though?" He asked.

I gulped, "Well, you'd have to visit me frequently, then. Very frequently." I told him. Jack's face slowly turned to mine. "You're doing it again." He said. I looked up at him, "What?" I asked. He looked into my eyes, "Faking." He said. The word stabbed right into me as I looked down. "I do not-" "You do." He interrupted, taking my hand from the side of the bed. "Why won't you ever let me see your real face? Why do you put your guard up even for me?" He asked, pulling me forward. I looked down at the ground, "Because I…" I bit my lip. Jack looked at me earnestly, "Because you what?" He asked, his eyes burning into my cheeks. "…Because it's easier to be perfect when you're not yourself." I said, turning away ashamed. Jack let go off my hand before placing his on my shoulder. He leaned in close, "Hiccup, you are perfect. Not your act. You." He said.

It was as if his words set me free from a cage of my own design. I didn't know how to respond. Jack planted a kiss on the nape of my neck, sliding his hands down the sides of my arms. I stayed quiet. Jack left small kisses all the way down my neck to my collar bone, then back up again. The cycle continued as he moved his hands to my torso, around my chest. He kissed up to my ear, biting down lightly on my earlobe. It sent a sweet shiver down my spine. "Jack…" I sighed. He silenced me by pulling his hand to the waist of my trousers. "Shhh…" He whispered into my ear. I bit my lip as his hand travelled lower, touching me. "Jack!" I called, flipping my head around. I was met with Jack's lips, he kissed me softly but intensely, his breaths uneven. I turned my body towards him, sitting on my knees on the bed.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as his free hand caressed my chest. "Nn… Jack?" His hand stopped and pulled out from my pants. He kissed me excruciatingly slow as his hands grabbed my hips, then felt behind me. Jack pulled himself closer to me, our chests touching, as his hands roamed over my backside. "Mmm!" He began his advance on my lips again, his tongue swirling against mine. While one hand groped at me, the other went lower, a long finger running in between my legs. I moaned into the kiss, the two sensations making my head go fuzzy. "Mmmm! Jack you-" I couldn't finish the thought as Jack suddenly moved his hips forward, grinding into me. "A-ah!" I called, unable to hold out the noise. I dug into his back with the pads of my fingers. Jack stopped, bringing one hand up to cup my chin. "Hiccup… let me touch you." He said, his eyes dark with lust. I paused for a moment, unsure. Jack pulled my face closer, "Please, Hiccup. I want to see behind the mask for once." He pressed. I took a deep breath, steeling myself.

"…Alright."

Jack smiled, kissing down my jawline to my chin and back up to my lips. While one hand held my head firmly in place, the other snaked down into the front of my trousers again before pulling me out. Jack's fingers glided over it almost teasingly as he bit at my lips. I twisted my hands into his hair as his fingers wrapped around me, moving slowly. The hand that had been on my chin earlier disappeared under my shirt. His cold fingers gave me goosebumps, inching upward until they found what they were looking for. "Mm!" The feeling of Jack's hands moving around me was so exquisite. I let out small gasps each time his hand would move around me. I pulled myself closer to him, using him as support and as a blind for my blushing cheeks. I was growing closer by the second, but all too soon his hand fell away. "Hmm?" I asked, confused and unhappy. He placed some calming kisses on my warm cheek before pulling himself out.

I gasped. It was fully erect, and his breathing heavy. He pressed against my own member, and I unwillingly bucked against him. The hand on my chest pulled my shirt up and over my head before returning to its earlier activity. Jack wrapped his other hand around both of us, the sensation driving me wild. He kissed me roughly this time, his entire body revealing his need. I moved against him, nearing my breaking point. "Ahh! Nnn…" Moans seemed escape my lips as if they were a spring. They combined with the wet noises resounding around the room. Jack's lips left mine, his tongue trailing down the front of my neck to my chest, where his mouth began the job of his hand. My head rolled back as the feelings collided. "J-Ah-Nn…!" He started pumping faster and harder. He rolled his tongue over my nipple, biting and sucking but in such an unpredictable order. I gripped his hair, "Oh…! Gods, Jack!" My body burning, I came hard with a silent cry. Jack rode me out through my orgasm, coming himself seconds after.

We collapsed on the bed, our arms and legs tangled in each other's. As we were catching our breaths, Jack kissed me lightly on the forehead, cupping my cheek. He looked into my eyes, now half-open in my sated state. "I love you, Hic." He said, a look of satisfaction on his face. If it were possible, I would've blushed more. I curled into him, my arm wrapping around his side. "…I love you too." I told him. Jack ran a hand through my hair, and the dim light and his heartbeat slowly lulled me to sleep.

The rest of the journey was bliss.

The trip would last only three days after, and they passed by so quickly. I loved having Hiccup by my side while simultaneously having my old life back for a little while.

Eventually, though, we reached the castle city. Hiccup instructed me that I was absolutely not to put the armor back on going into the castle. People were sure to pay attention to the rescuer of the prince, he said, but that doesn't make me immune to law. We decided we'd tell them the truth, but with some alterations such as "He befriended me in the castle" and "I stole past the guards" which were all technically true. Finally, we reached the castle walls.

As soon as the guards noticed that it was the prince who sat on the back of my horse, they yelled to the others. Hiccup sat up tall behind me. "All of you quiet!" He commanded. They immediately fell silent, confused by the order. Hiccup pointed towards his home, "The one responsible for my disappearance is in the castle at this very moment. I should require no more than three of you to apprehend him. Not a word of my arrival is to leave your lips before I send a messenger to ring the bells. Is that understood?" He called. Internally, I applauded him. I never understood where his princely assertiveness came from when he was normally so quiet. He pointed out three knights to accompany us inside.

We entered the castle without making much of a fuss. None of the servants were outside, and Aster must've been in a garden out of view. We went in uneventfully, the girls (thankfully) nowhere to be seen. Hiccup then led us all the way to the dining hall, pausing at the door to take a steadying breath before pushing it open.

The room went quiet for a moment as the King, Duke Pitch, and Earl Sand all looked up, not believing who it was. Pitch's eyes went wide, his mouth tightening into a frightened, angry scowl. Hiccup turned to the knights without a moment's pause. "Capture Duke Pitch."

The said Duke rose from his chair in a panic, "W-What is the meaning of this, Horrendous?" He yelled, running himself into a wall as the knights advanced. Hiccup's eyes turned to slits. "Don't… You… Dare say another word!" He roared, crossing halfway through the room. The knights grabbed Pitch by each arm as he fought against them. Hiccup grabbed ahold of his collar, "You killed my mother!" Hiccup spat into his uncle's face, the anger in his eyes burning into the murderer. Pitch continued to struggle against the knights, eventually knocking one of them hard against the wall, shoving Hiccup off. A metal glint sparked my attention as he lunged forward.

"HICCUP!"

Sorry this one was late, I'm breaking my "no post's on weekdays rule" just this once because I actually had it ready but then my computer went wonky so boo.

Lots of kissy scenes in this one *throws sparkles everywhere* During the first kissy scene in the woods I forgot I had my caps lock on after a roleplay I was doing, so I typed out the whole scene in shouty capitals and then when I looked up all I noticed were the words "I SUCKED DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL, LEAVING A MARK." and I about died from my laughter. So go read that scene in shouty capitals and make yourself happy. Another thing that happens is each time I write about Jack and kissing and I'm sort of tied all I can seem to think of is Jack thinking "Mmmm yes virgin lips." and that just makes me smile. A lot.

Anywhoo... I had forgotten how much I loved roleplaying as Hiccup, so if any of you are ever in need of a Hiccup (or whatever) RP buddy PM me and we will do great things.

See you lovelies later, *rolls around in the mess of glitter I have made* "Haha... virgin lips..." *Gigglesnort*