Another couple of weeks in and here we are at Chapter 4. I'm glad to say I made it here. Out of any fanfiction I have ever written, none has ever really made me think this hard about where I want to go. In fact, I was so busy thinking about it, I forgot to write quite a bit down… I probably lost a few of the gems I came up with but…

Also, apologies for this really long delay. Finals at school and Holiday's at the work have been kicking my ass.

Here we are at chapter 4! I know I already said it but it feels like a nice milestone. A Milestone for what, you ask? Well, it's a small break in the plot and it's time for something I have never really done… filler! Yes, filler. But important filler! Believe it or not, these seemingly unimportant chapters will defiantly help set the mood for this story. I want it to be Comedy and Drama. Romance and Action.

So bear with me for a few short and interesting chapters to recharge my story batteries.

Oh! And before we get to the reviews, I am going to mention the topic of Jack's dragon (Just to save time, considering most reviews mentioned the idea)

Yes, I have decided to give Jack a Dragon, despite the fact that he still has his powers. As to what it will be, that remains undecided. Along with Jack's Aqua phobia… it's an interesting prospect I hadn't considered. Hence my indecision: I never considered it and built a story without its involvement.

Now, Reviews!

Love Laugh and Live Your Life: Interesting Prospect. I was actually already planning on introductions… I mean, Jack is their age, so naturally they would be curious.

Dark Ace: I think you should like Astrid… at least in this story. She won't be a vindictive person, I promise. I still am on the fence about the others being introduced. If they were, it would be brief if anything else…

Kigan Dawn: You bet he is, but it's nothing worthy of note quite yet. I will let them remain oblivious for the moment. Also… I would prefer Jack's dragon not be too powerful. Fire and Ice sounds unfair.

Faisyah865: For now, yes he does. Sorry, I need a small bit of conflict

DestinyHoldsYou4ever: His parents were doctors… at least that's what people considered Alchemist's in those days. Also, don't hate Astrid. No Op Dragon. It wouldn't be fair.

But anyway, onto chapter 4.

I don't mean it. I mean it.

"So… Welcome to Dragon Training 101." Hiccup said for possibly the fourth time. He was busy trying to remain patient in the wake of his rather irritating student. He knew Jack hadn't exactly expressed interest in Dragon Training… but he didn't exactly say he wasn't interested either. He just hadn't been expecting him to be so… infuriating as a student.

"Jack, Toothless, can't you two continue this later? Believe it or not, I would like to get on with this." He said as he took out his pen and took a couple of notes in his book. The white haired boy smirked, "When your big dog just admits defeat, I promise to be a perfect student." He said… but even he wasn't sure he believed it. It wasn't as if he needed training to fly on the back of a Dragon… if he was really desperate, he would just fly by himself… somehow Zero's ritual hadn't taken his powers away… a fact he certainly wasn't complaining about.

"You two are insufferable. I could just call him to my side… or leap off a cliff. I guarantee he would come to my aid." Hiccup said but continued writing and muttering something under his breath. Hiccup just didn't understand the situation.

Jack sighed as he continued his starring contest with the black dragon opposite, whose tongue was busy lolling out of his mouth in an attempt to make the Winter Spirit blink, whether out of cute antic or sheer laughter, the black dragon didn't care. They were currently fifteen minutes into the lesson Hiccup was supposed to be giving them, but they were too engrossed in this match. The two had had many matches similar to this in the past week.

After Jack had been flown back to Berk, Jack was finally formally introduced to the village as a guest. He was to stay in the Haddock Barn until such a time he should decide to leave. Jack obviously preferred the comfort of Hiccup's warm bed… but the hay was clean, soft and he was fed a couple times a day. And of course… he got to see the brunette every single day. He was currently damning himself, however… considering that he hadn't made any moves on Hiccup. He needed to remember their lives were not a movie or a story. Love didn't just happen that way. Love took time and patience… something he needed to temper if he ever wanted Hiccup to be his.

He spent the first couple of days in the village merely reorganizing the barn to suit both him and Toothless. Over 500 bales of hay (15 of which had to be broken for their respective beddings) later, Jack had the entirety of the upper barn and the middle of the lower level clean and ready for the two to sleep. Jack had figured out how to use one of the three blankets he had and stitch it around a pile of soft hay, and made a decently comfortable mat. All in all, he had a decent little hovel for the moment.

And as he noted, he got to see Hiccup every morning, calling him for breakfast and dinner and anything else that he asked of him. He knew Hiccup and knew how he liked things done (Something he could easily thank Zero for, if nothing else) and it made it easy to please the Dragon master… a feat he adored, seeing a small smile on his face when everything was done to his specifications.

Hiccup may not be his yet, but he felt with each smile he was getting a bit closer to changing that fact. All that really stood in his way was the blonde he dallied about with… a disadvantage that not only hindered his chances of getting Hic back… but also broke his heart every time they shared a kiss or a hug.

That wasn't to say he blamed her for that fact. He couldn't certainly have expected Hiccup to ditch her right away for him. Plus, she was pretty, resourceful and intelligent. But he had his looks and his charms as well… the only thing he had to do was show Hiccup them all. But he had learned a lot in the few (Hundred) years he had been dead. He was nothing if not persistent. He was the Winter Spirit. The winter was a time when the snow itself covered the land and washed away the previous memories of long distant green summers. It represented bitter cold… but also Family and Love and Togetherness… In this sense, he would be all those things to Hiccup.

"You won't win, Lizard." Jack said, snapping from his thoughts

The only other real convenience offered to Jack was Toothless. Sure, he and Hiccup connected on an empathic level… but the likelihood that Hiccup, while a mechanical genius, could understand his Dragon telling him all about what Jack knew about him. It hadn't been an expected discovery but he just hadn't been thinking about what he had been saying. His intention wasn't to mention it to the dragon on the third morning, after Hiccup had brought him some tooth paste and hot water.

He remembered the conversation so vividly, despite the fact that it was just four days prior. He had been busy gargling when Toothless finally finished his morning meal (A large bucket of fish). He turned to the retreating figure… eyes on his hips and their gentle sway. Without thinking or a small amount of logic he let his lips fly… a bit too loosely. "How can someone be that beautiful…" He said as he caught his mouth… The Black dragon letting out a confused sound as he perked up at Jack's comment. He cursed as the dragon eyed him curiously now.

He panicked only momentarily… before realizing that there was no real way for Toothless to tell Hiccup he said that… or anything really. Jack bit his lip and sighed a bit, "Yeah, you heard me big guy." He said before washing his face with the now lukewarm water before the black dragon peered over his shoulder and grumbled a bit at him before Jack sighed and rolled his eyes, "Look… it's a bit complicated. You shouldn't be so curious. You're a dragon: Big and scary and protective."

Toothless merely grumbled a bit more in response, rolling his eyes. Jack looked at him with annoyance.

"Yes, I realize I am having a full conversation with you. I realize this looks mad to some but you do seem to have some understanding of what I am saying, don't you?" He asked more to himself than the dragon… The dragon could understand but he could never tell. What better person to confide in? Er, Dragon…

"Well Toothless, I assume you have already figured out I know more than I let on…" He said as the Dragon merely sat down as if the statement were obvious. Jack sat down opposite of him, "Well… would you believe me if I said I was Hiccup's lover once?" He asked. A question that had the black dragon sitting straight and looking at him. "That's right… There is more to this meeting than appears."

So Jack spent the day telling Toothless about his life as a Guardian… excluding the crucial detail of not explaining the space time continuum… instead he opted for saying he was just once dead and that in exchange for Hiccup's memories of him, he could come back. He even proved it by noting all of the things he knew about Hiccup, despite only knowing him a total of three days (Since his 'rebirth')

He finished by telling the Dragon that he was here to make Hiccup fall in love with him once more… the sole purpose for his return… and the world didn't fall apart. The Dragon understood him and grunted in approval. But he was still not above dangling the fact over the winter spirits head. Toothless was constantly being playful with him and having a grand time teasing Jack. Especially when Hiccup wasn't around.

Ten minutes after Hiccup started writing quietly, Toothless finally conceded and blinked. The Black Dragon grumbled as Jack let out a whooping sound and laughed in victory. Hiccup closed his book and rolled his eyes, "You done with your games?" He said before standing up again and crossing his arms, hip slightly cocked to the side as Jack finally sat down and nodded, "Sorry Hiccup… I'm not really sure how to go about this type of thing." He said as Hiccup nodded, "And that is why I am here, Jack. I am here to help you with it. I know you are a bit averse to learning this but I promise you that it's a skill that anyone this day and age can learn." He said, petting the Night fury.

"Make a dragon your friend, and I guarantee there is nothing he wouldn't do for you." He said, as Jack nodded at the gravity of his words. Hiccup eyed the dragon that clearly held as much adoration for his master as he held for the Dragon. "That was poetic, Hiccup." Jack said as he tickled the Dragon's chin.

Hiccup smiled and grabbed some basic dragon care tools before chuckling, "Everyone around here has heard it enough so they tend to ignore my ramblings unless they have a more dire meaning." He said as Jack suddenly swiped a brush from his grasp and gave him a toothy grin, "Well, I hardly count myself as everyone. And I happen to really enjoy your ramblings." He said before observing the thick bristles that were almost sharp to the touch.

Hiccup swallowed a bit, "You don't really strike me as the poetic person Jack…" He said as he began instructing Jack on how to properly clean a Dragons neck scales. The process was slow and took great care… but Jack seemed to catch onto it quickly. In fact, Jack seemed to catch onto his people's customs quite well. He had to admire his astuteness… It was something he respected in him. He always appeared to pay no attention to anything but he really way always listening… which was probably why he had a 15 minute starring contest. He was probably well aware that Hiccup was annoyed by it.

The blue eyed boy smirked and cleared his throat as he removed a bit of unidentifiable things from behind the dragon's scales (at which Toothless groaned in pleasure), "I can do many things that would surprise you Hiccup." He said as Hiccup paused in his brushing for a moment before resuming.

"So do you write poetry or something?" he asked, sounding a bit curious.

Jack cleared his throat and let out a brief breath.

"Winter has come with it's bitter frost.

Where all Autumn leaves lie fallen and lost.

Above all I wish that you and I

Could hold on this day that I am to die.

To imagine me the love that you know

Like leaves now fallen like leaves in winter snow

Please paint me, my lad.

A picture of love

A picture of love without flowers or lace.

It would have you touching me, holding my face

In swirling meadows of soft weathered space

Of babes we could have

All sweet and so fair

Born to be free

Without tribute to bear

Weep not when I leave you, just say your goodbyes…

Look to our star, no tears in your eyes.

And please picture me the love that we are

Etches in the heavens on the very same star.

Oh love on your river that ever does flow…

Bring us both home to you, whiter than snow."

Jack suddenly inhaled and took a deep breath. Jack hadn't actually written the poem but… he had heard many things over the years and considering the situation he was in, he felt it suited the situation incredibly well. Hiccup and he had both stopped to consider his words. But in this case, only Jack would truly understand the depth it held for him… Nor would he likely ever.

"Jack… that was beautiful." He said as he sat back, "Where did you hear it? Did you write it?" He asked with earnest curiosity. Jack shook his head, "As you can probably imagine, I've been around awhile. Learned a lot of things. That poem I heard a long time ago but it's always remained fresh in my memory, as well as others. I have a pretty vast repertoire." Jack as he inspected Toothless' Scales. They looked relatively clean now.

"Maybe you could tell me some more while I show you how to clean a Dragon's teeth?" Hiccup said, happy to meet someone who shared a semblance of things that interested him. This boy may be odd but he was odd in a good way.

"You know Jack," Hiccup said as they sat down to their evening meal, "I want you to know you could talk to me about where you come from. Or your family." He offered, "I understand if it's painful now but if you need an ear, well, I certainly have talked yours off enough today." He said as Jack quickly swallowed his soup, which was a bit rough for his liking but tasted okay. Jack shook his head, "I would prefer to not discuss my past yet… if that's okay. But… I could tell you about my… family."

Hiccup nodded in understanding and even a little sympathy. He understood how difficult talking about oneself can be… especially in a world where no one listened to you before. "That sounds nice." He said, taking a quick bite of his soup, slurping a little loudly before a flush set on his cheek. Jack merely chuckled at it and said, "Well, considering your only company besides me is your Dragon, I assume you desire some more… human interaction at night. Well, where should I start? My Guardians?"

So, he was bending the truth a bit. But honestly, North and the Gang were more like a family than the family he lost. He honored their memory but… The Guardians really were his family. And until mentioned, he hadn't realized how much he missed them. So, he figured he could honor their memory now in this world, assuming they weren't the same in this dimension.

Hiccup nodded, leaning forward to listen as Jack drained his bowl before beginning. "Well, I had a Mother, Father, 3 brothers and a grumpy old Uncle." He said as Hiccup chuckled and stirred his bowl.

"So, I guess I should start with my Dad. They called him… Nicolas." He said, thinking hard on name choices. He didn't want to say too much but he wanted to say enough. "He was defiantly a real go-getter. He was wise and kind. But also realistic and willing to throw himself into danger for anyone." He said as Hiccup nodded, "He sounds like a great man." He said as Jack nodded before continue… It felt odd to the white-haired boy.

Hiccup never broke eye contact as the Winter spirit talked absentmindedly about his family and their wild lives. He bent the truth a bit to suit the situation but Jack's eyes spoke nothing but adoration for these people… and that made it all the more heartbreaking for him. The likelihood these people will ever play a role in his life again is so unlikely it was hard. It was like they really were dead. Well… they were technically dead already but it was like losing them again.

The white haired boy bit his lip as he finished describing Sandy, describing him as a man who was so profoundly understanding despite never speaking. Those who know most, speak least, he surmised. Hiccup just watched as Jack finished speaking of his family, eyes heavy with sadness as their memories played. He gave them up for this boy and he was sitting across from him but… he was still so far from his goal. If Hiccup only knew what Jack had given up for him… for the chance to lean across the table and kiss this green eyed boy again… loving him wouldn't be so tough. And his family would get over it. He wouldn't fail him again. He wouldn't die until he was an old man. Older than Zero… He would give Hiccup the life he deserved.

"Umm, anyway… I think I am done discussing that for the evening…" Jack said as he stood to wash his bowl in the basin across the room. Hiccup stood to hand him his, "I didn't mean to pry into your life too soon Jack… you just fascinate me like you do the others… outsiders aren't common here." He said as the two locked gazes. Jack felt the urge to slip as the eyes burned into his body, making warmth spread through his body. Jack wanted to kiss him so badly… but at the expense of ruining everything he had been working so hard for… he held his emotions back, opting to tempt the brunette with one sentence… one that was hopefully a step in the right direction.

"Hiccup, for you… I could ramble forever. I could do it, and do it gladly."

He merely blinked and nodded at the boy before grabbing his staff and returning to his barn, where Toothless was sleeping already. He climbed onto the upper level and promptly passed out the moment his head hit the pillow, shades of green dancing behind his eyelids.

As I said, I apologize for this horrifyingly late delay.

Anyway, Here is your update!

I appreciate the 30+ Followers who are now enjoying this story! And to all my reviews, I thank you. I planned on getting this chapter out way sooner, and in fact had it typed a while ago but School and Work have been kicking my ass with Finals and Holiday shopping.

Good news is that I bought my Fiancé a ring and I plan to propose on Dec. 24th. My Birthday. Silver with set Sapphires. Let's hope he says yes!

Now, story question: How should I end Hiccup and Astrid's relationship? On a good note or a bad one? Because clearly it will have to end. I like Astrid, so I don't like painting her badly, but I know plenty of people would love that. So, opinions?

Remember,

Reviews = Motivation = Chapters.

Until Next Time.