Hiccup looked down at the bracelet that had been left outside his door. He smiled and walked to Jack's door. "You said no. Now I really am confused."

"I say no to a lot of things. You'll really need to be more specific." Jack looked up from where he was scanning through books on his bed.

"Don't be stupid. You know what I'm talking about."

Jack sighed and closed his book. He crossed the room to shut the door for privacy, motioning for Hiccup to take a seat. "Fine. But no interrupting me, okay?"

"Okay, no interrupting. Promise."

"Good." His hands fidgeted behind his back in nervousness as he tried to decide where to start. "So clearly you know now that I have a tendency to say things before I think. I've always been this way, much to my father's annoyance." He started to pace. "When I said what I did yesterday I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just- I was so frustrated! I don't feel that anyone should have to hide who they like or be forbidden to be with them. I don't like how everyone in this world wants to control our lives. I don't think that anyone should have to give up their dream, or choose between love and home, or any of that! I know better than anyone how hard a choice like that is, and I just hated thinking that you'd have to give up your home and family and life here for even the thought of being with me. You shouldn't have to go through that. I said 'no' but it was stupid." Jack's fist slammed against his door, his anger dissipating.

Hiccup watched Jack with a smile. "If we had to leave, absolutely had to, would you come with me?"

"I don't know if I could bear the guilt." He turned and shot the dragon rider a half hearted glare. "And I said no interrupting."

"Ah, my apologies. Please continue."

"I went to the beach last night." Jack looked out his open window, staring at the horizon. "I remembered a very dear friend of mine and she helped me to sort out my feelings. I like you, Hiccup. Very much so. I didn't lie about that yesterday. My friend made me realize that you do things for people you like even if it means taking them away you. I really don't think I could bear it if you left your home just to be with me. It would crush me until I felt nothing but resentment. But I also know that I do want you in my life. I have never felt so completely understood by someone until the day I woke up here." He picked up the arm cuff and fingered each piece lovingly. "I will agree to whatever you want. If you want me to stay or leave, it's your choice. I made this out of things I found on the beach last night," he lied. "I know I cannot woo you because of my own choices, but I wanted to give this to you as a sort of wooing a friend gift. Or whatever you call making amends with a friend." He held it back out to Hiccup.

"Am I allowed to speak?"

"Sorry. Yeah. I'm done running my mouth now." Jack looked away with a blush.

Hiccup leaned over and kissed Jack's cheek. "I could be happy anywhere as long as I have you."

"I told you, Hiccup. I can't run away with you. I just can't."

"Alright, we won't. We'll build a little house up on a cliff overlooking Berk and we'll live there together."

"That's not a solution to the problem; only a bandage. If we stay then it could be as you said and your father will wed you off to some girl. Either that or we stay and are ostracized because of our feelings."

Hiccup sighed. "It won't be easy, but I think you're worth it."

Jack slumped to the floor with an exasperated breath. "You're not very good at listening, are you?" He looked up at Hiccup, an annoyed smile on his face.

"Nope. I'm terrible at listening, unless...do you want me to listen?" Hiccup looked at the cuff. "We can just say you dropped it outside my door by accident."

"You know it was no accident. And I don't think either of us could just brush it off." Jack smiled. "I spent all night planning my speech and you just ignored all of it and wouldn't take no for an answer." He stuck his tongue out at other boy. "You can consider it a wooing gift; not a wooing of a friend gift."

"I wouldn't consider it anything but." Hiccup took the cuff and slipped it on. "It was a very nice speech, and all to do what? Make me not want to be with you? Silly, you should have talked to me. I could have saved you all the trouble. You could have gotten a decent night's sleep."

"Oh, shut it, you stubborn viking. It's my own fault I suppose. I underestimated my good looks and charm." Jack grinned at him.

"I don't think so." Hiccup pulled Jack to his feet and kissed him. "You are rather good-looking."

"Back at ya." Jack rubbed over the blue gem in Hiccup's new cuff, smiling fondly. "So I'll take it I pass the first test of wooing?"

"With flying colors," Hiccup chuckled, brushing his thumb over Jack's bottom lip in a familiar gesture.

ZZ

"So when can we go flying again?" Jack looked at Hiccup over the bowl of soup he was eating.

"Soon." Hiccup smiled, looking at the small bouquet of flowers, which he had left on Jack's pillow, in a vase on the table.

Jack followed his eyes and laughed to himself about the flowers. He'd been pleasantly surprised to find these beautiful flowers on his pillow. Then he'd been very unpleasantly surprised to find out that surface flowers were very different from sea flowers and that he was actually very allergic to them. A fact he found out quickly when he buried his face in their petals to smell and then proceeded to sneeze solidly for the next ten minutes. And so his gift had been banished to a vase where he couldn't bury his face in it again.

"Sorry, I didn't know they would make you sneeze."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't either. I've never gotten flowers before."

"I guess my wooing gift is a big fail."

"Not at all!" Jack reached over to grab his hand reassuringly. "I loved them. Plus you taught me something new and very important about my nose."

"It's a very cute nose."

"Which you haven't failed to point out since I nearly sneezed my brains out," he chuckled.

"Can't help it. Would you rather I say that you have a really plain nose?"

"Would you rather I say your freckles are plain? You know the answer to that."

"No need to get snippy," Hiccup chuckled. "Finish your soup. The Dragon Games are tomorrow and I have to practice with Toothless."

"Dragon Games?" Jack instantly put his bowl and spoon down. "What are these Dragon Games? They sound like fun, and you've failed to mention them until now." He stared at his tablemate suspiciously.

"Don't give me that look! You've know about them for days! Haven't you wondered why everyone has been practicing with their dragons?"

"I've been a little distracted with the hatchlings. And someone's wooing gifts. And still not having land legs mastered."

"Jack, you are amazing sometimes."

"How so?"

"You say such odd things and you do so much and you're just...amazing."

"Well...thanks." Jack finished his soup in another two gulps with a blush.

"Come on, you can watch us train. You'd like that."

"Do you think I'll ever be able to join you guys?"

"Sure, why not?"

"But I don't have a dragon yet. And I haven't even been riding by myself yet," he sighed.

"That's your fault. You refuse to ride anyone but Toothless," Hiccup teased.

"He's the only one I've felt any connection to yet." Jack's bottom lip stuck out ever so slightly in a pout.

"Maybe you could ride a Thunderdrum or a Scauldron."

"Only if I feel something with them. I want what you and Toothless have."

"You will. Once you find that one dragon, you'll know."

"Thanks, Hiccup." Jack moved to take care of his dishes. "Now, are we going to go train or not?"

"Yeah." Hiccup took Jack's hand, tangling their fingers together.

ZZ

Jack sat on a boulder as he watched Hiccup train. It didn't matter how long he watched, he didn't think he'd ever tire of the sight.

"Hi. You're Jack, right?" Astrid plopped herself down next to Jack, leaning back and crossing her legs at the ankle. "Hiccup's friend?"

"Yeah." He moved his staff over so she'd have more space. "And you're Astrid, right?"

"If you say so." Astrid smiled. "How are the legs?"

"Finally starting to do what I want them to," Jack snorted.

"Nothing like a tail."

"No…not as good as tail." His entire demeanor changed, barely containing his panic. How did she find out? "But then again not everyone can have a dragon's tail and be so graceful, right?"

"No, I suppose not."

"So how did you come to Berk, again?"

"By dragon."

"I meant more of 'why' or 'where from.' Berk's full of stubborn vikings. Not exactly a tourist destination."

"It has its attractions. The chief's son for one," she laughed.

"I suppose so?" Jack watched her from the corner of his eye, never loosening his grip on his staff. "I'm sure there are those who find him attractive."

"Hmm, yeah." Astrid gave him a look and smiled. "I'll fight you for him."

"Wh-what?! I don't- He's not- We're just friends!"

"So then I don't have to worry about you getting in the way. Good."

"O-of course not." Jack turned back to Hiccup's training. He didn't want to but there was a tiny seed of jealousy planting itself in his heart. He was sure HIccup wouldn't betray him, but that didn't mean he liked the thought of someone else eying him.

"Jealousy isn't very attractive." Astrid stood and looked down at Jack. "Come between him and me, and I'll bury you."

"I'm not jealous," he snapped at her. "Go for him if you want, but Hiccup has better standards than to settle for someone like you."

"Oh, Jack, you think choosing me is settling? I at least know who I am. A chief's daughter, strong, able to fly a dragon. You're...just Jack." She gestured to him. "Nameless, without family, unable to even stand on his own two feet half the time."

Jack glared at the girl, fists clenching on his staff. "I'll leave it to Hiccup," he ground out. Astrid just smiled and sauntered off, joining Hiccup and the other trainees in the stadium. The prince watched after her with a frown, remaining on his rock. He leaned against the wooden staff.

After a few hours of training, Hiccup and Toothless joined Jack. "Hey, I thought we could have lunch together."

"I was thinking the same thing." He reached back with his staff and lifted a basket from behind his boulder with a smile. "That's why I snuck away and grabbed us some food."

"Smart! I'm starving!" Hiccup flopped down next to Jack, looking at the spread. "Aww, you even brought some fish for Toothless. You're so sweet."

"Awww thanks." He batted his eyes playfully. "I aim to please."

"Stop being cute when I can't kiss you," Hiccup chuckled, bumping Jack's shoulder with his own.

"Okay, okay." Jack took a few bites of his food and continued to watch the training in the ring. "So how much do you know about Astrid?"

"Not much beyond what I told you before. Apparently we're supposed to be together, but you and I both know that's bunk."

"Yeah. She told me the same thing while you were training. Very adamantly."

"You jealous?"

"No," he mumbled before stuffing his mouth with more food.

"Avoiding the question. Classic sign of jealousy," Hiccup teased.

"Shut it, Haddock. She just unnerves me. She's so odd."

"I actually think she's quite nice. She had a lot to say about you, all good."

"You've talked to her?" His eyes snapped up to Hiccup. "What did she say about me?"

"That you're nice and funny. She said you were being very friendly." Hiccup smiled over at him. "And don't think I didn't notice that little flash of jealousy."

"I don't trust her." Jack returned his attention to his food, suddenly finding it fascinating.

"But I trust you. If you don't like her, I'll be careful." Hiccup slid his hand over and covered Jack's.

"Thanks, Hiccup." He smiled shyly. "So how is your training going? It all looks great from up here."

"I'll probably win. We usually do when we decide to show up. Although Astrid is really good."

"So what's the point of the Games? What do you do?"

"The point is to have fun. We capture sheep and toss them into baskets for points. That's about it. Catch the black sheep and you win."

"So it's a race of sorts? What are the rules?"

"Catch as many sheep as possible for points. You can steal sheep, but not from a person's basket. If they're loose, they're free game. The black sheep is an automatic win, but it's released near the end of the Games."

"It sounds like it would be fun." Jack watched the training wistfully. "Is there any way I could help? Besides moral support, of course."

"Kiss me when I win?"

He turned to Hiccup with a flat face. "That still sounds like moral support."

"What would you like? I could ride with you, but I think I'd lose."

"I understand. I just want to help. I feel useless sitting up here all day," he sighed.

"I know what will make you feel better."

"What?"

"Let's go flying this afternoon. The Timberjacks should be breeding, so there'll be a lot of them around."

"Really? But won't you guys be tired after training?"

"Toothless would do anything for you. Wouldn't you, bud?" He patted Toothless, who gave Jack a lopsided grin.

Jack returned the smile and put his arms around them both. "Thanks, guys." He snuck a quick kiss to Hiccup's cheek before pulling back.

Hiccup smiled. "I'll expect more of those later."

"Demands on how many dragons we see."

"Probably dozens."

"A kiss per dragon then." He smirked.

"Then I hope we see hundreds."

"Now get back to training, my stubborn viking." Jack gave Hiccup a playful shove back towards the arena.

Hiccup looked around and, feeling the coast was clear enough, leaned over and gave Jack a quick kiss. "See you later then." Jack stayed on his comfortable boulder and continued enjoying the fighting below.

ZZ

"So, my count was 23 Timberjacks, 5 Scauldrons, a Thunderdrum, and one Night Fury." Toothless' head shot up from where it had been buried in a pile of fish. "Yeah, that's you, bud." He looked over at Jack and smiled. "A kiss per dragon, if I recall correctly."

"Nice try. Toothless doesn't count. It was wild dragons I hadn't already seen before," he laughed.

"Hey, you didn't mention that before! That's cheating. You owe me 30 kisses."

"I'd say it's perfectly fair. If Toothless counted, I'd be giving too many kisses to count every day."

"I could always ask Astrid. She seems willing to oblige."

"Don't you dare." Jack's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Well, what are you going to do about it?"

"This." Jack pinned his viking to the ground, this time easily holding him in place. His icy lips instantly sought Hiccup's warmth and molded to his in a smoldering kiss.

Hiccup gasped when he could breathe again. "Wow. I should make you jealous more often."

"Not jealous."

"Oh no, of course not."

"That's a good attitude for someone who wants so many kisses."

"I apologize. More kisses please."

"That's more like it." Jack settled down to lay beside Hiccup before drawing him in for more kisses.

Hiccup smiled and held Jack close. "You don't have to be jealous. I like you; not her."

"Even if I was jealous, which I'm not, it's not like I could just stop. That's not how emotions work."

"What can I do to reassure you?" Hiccup smiled and kissed Jack's knuckles. "I don't like her. I like you. A lot. I want to kiss you, not her. I want to spend the night with you, not her. I want to be your friend, not hers."

"I don't know, Hiccup. Don't you think I've tried everything myself?" A content smile appeared as he relaxed more with each kiss.

"Then I suppose I'll have to do more wooing." Hiccup pulled Jack close and kissed him, his fingers brushing down the back of Jack's neck.

"I do enjoy wooing…" He smirked against Hiccup's lips when a shiver shot down his spine. "You're pretty good at it."

"Then shall I keep going?"

"What more is there to do? We've done flowers, gifts, picnics, rides at sunset, and spontaneous kisses. There is more to wooing?"

"There can be. As you said, I have my secrets, and I'd like to share them with you."

"Secrets are nice. I like it when you share your secrets with me. It makes me feel special."

"You are special. That's why, tomorrow night, you're gonna sneak out and meet me behind Gobber's."

"What's behind Gobber's? Isn't that where he keeps his scraps and things?" Jack's eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Yes, but that's where you're going to meet me. It's not the surprise."

"I don't even get a hint? Not even a teeny one?"

"Not at all. I do promise that you'll love it."

"Fine then," he whined and stuck his tongue out. "Doesn't mean I'm happy about a surprise though."

"You'll like this one." Hiccup chuckled and kissed Jack's cheek.