A/N: Characters are property of Disney, Disney's Pixar, and Dreamworks Pictures.

Jack parked his car and walked inside to his new school. Compared to Hiccup's campus, the place merely looked like a simple building. But it was a school nonetheless and he had to hope that inside might hold more artistic value than the outside of the beige, square building.

He was not disappointed as he walked in. Not only were the walls and floor covered in colors and artwork, but he felt completely part of the crowd. He didn't know if he'd ever been in a place where everyone had the strangest hair. And if it wasn't that, they were covered in tattoos and piercings. It was definitely an artist's paradise.

Jack received thoughtful nods as he passed people, making him feel more welcome than he was used to. Perhaps his white hair was good for something after all.

He found his first class which unfortunately was just a basic beginner design course. He had a few other art classes he was taking as well, but his specialty would be design and animation. He hoped he could actually learn something and do well. He'd always wanted to try working with computers. Hiccup had introduced him to a few Photoshop programs this summer and that helped him learn how to navigate and learn basic computer programming skills just so he wouldn't feel like a complete dunce.

He sat in front of a computer and waited for the professor to walk in. He looked around and saw a few other students filing in. He decided as he waited he would read one of Hiccup's photo messages. He took one out of his wallet and looked fondly at the brunette smiling awkwardly in the photo. It was a nice headshot taken in front of a lake. He stared a minute longer as though hoping Hiccup would come out of the picture to give him encouragement. But he settled for turning the picture around and reading another message Hiccup had written him:

You're gonna do so great! I believe in you Frosty! H

Jack smiled and closed his eyes as he put his photo back into his wallet. He was stunned out of his musings when another student slammed their bag down next to his computer station. Jack looked over to see a very odd looking girl. She was cute as a button and very short. Her long hair had to be the wildest shades of tropical colors he'd ever seen; a mix of turquoise, yellow and green. It actually complimented her purple dress that was accentuated with bright green necklaces and pink stockings. Jack was so astounded at her attire he almost didn't catch her smile. He had to collect himself so he could smile back.

She had her hand out and he had to do his best not to laugh at how tiny and squeaky her voice sounded.

"I'm Baby Tooth." She smiled at him.

He raised his eyebrows a fraction and finally forced himself to stare into her bluish-purple eyes, "Seriously?" he laughed.

She giggled, "Of course not, my real name is Bertha-Louise Demetria Tooth."

"Baby Tooth it is!" Jack laughed and shook her hand, "Jack Overland."

"Nice to meet you!" she smiled, her cheeks dimpling in the sweetest way and her small, pointy nose crinkling a little, "Are you new here?"

Jack nodded and she smiled kindly, "Don't worry, I'm a second year. I just took this class a little later than I should have because I'm in the fashion department." She shrugged.

"Really?" Jack smiled, "I didn't know they offered that here."

She shrugged, "It's more of an elective really, but Mr. Manny and Mr. Bucket are working with me to make it a real degree as well. Fashion is art after all." She nodded in all seriousness.

Jack couldn't agree more.

"I really like your hair!" she gushed, holding her hand out carefully, "Can I touch it?" she asked excitedly.

Jack couldn't stop laughing as he bent forward to let her touch it.

"Wow! Just like snow! I could totally paint that!" she squealed.

"Feel free." Jack chuckled, "I really like your hair though."

"Do you?" she smiled, grabbing some of her hair happily, "It took me ages!"

"I'll bet, but it came out nice! Did you do it yourself?"

She nodded, "I had a little help, but yeah."

Jack suddenly noticed someone take the seat next to her and he looked over to see a small boy as well, only this guy had strange green spiky hair, lots of strange piercings on his ears and sharp brown eyes. He wore an old oversized red jersey spattered with paint over a long sleeve black t-shirt.

"Pascal! You made it!" Baby Tooth said happily, "I was just getting acquainted with Jack here!"

Pascal looked over and Jack had to feel a little nervous; the guy seriously stared at him as though measuring him up. He eyed Jack up and down, making Jack feel rather awkward.

Baby Tooth rolled her eyes, "Pascal, can you not…"

Pascal grinned and winked at Jack, "Just makin' sure this guy's okay."

Jack felt a little relieved when he heard the kind Spanish accent and felt a little less awkward. Almost like he'd passed some sort of test.

"Hola." Pascal said, offering his hand.

"Hi." Jack smiled when he shook his hand.

"This is my friend Pascal Avalos." Baby Tooth said, "He's a second year as well. He works mostly with painting."

Jack smiled, "Did you do your hair as well?" he asked.

Pascal smiled proudly, "I do a different color every week. They call me the Chameleon here!" he grinned mysteriously.

Jack was impressed. It was hard enough maintaining white. He couldn't imagine having three colors, not to mention changing it every week.

"Excuse me?" another male voice came from behind Jack. He turned to see a brunette with a very gorgeous face look at him nervously. He had a brown satchel around his light blue jacket. Jack smiled at him, "Can I sit here?" the guy asked.

Jack nodded and he sat down. He removed his satchel and then smiled at Jack, feeling slightly more relaxed, "I'm Flynn. Flynn Ryder." He said, an eyebrow rose almost seductively. Jack had to wonder if that was just how he greeted people or if he had a condition.

"Jack!" Jack smiled, "And…" he turned to Baby Tooth and Pascal, "This is Baby and Pascal."

"Good thing she isn't in a corner." Flynn joked, putting on an award winning smile.

Baby Tooth nearly swooned being surrounded by such gorgeous males.

"Are you all animation and design majors too?" Flynn asked.

"I am." Jack said, "But Baby Tooth is in fashion and Pascal is in painting."

Flynn nodded, "I'm new here, just moved from Ohio."

Jack nodded, "I live here, but I'm new as well."

"We'll help you guys out!" Baby Tooth said proudly.

"Good cause I'm hopeless." Flynn groaned.

Just then a very cheerful looking bald man entered the room. He wore a casual suit, but seemed to radiate an air of happiness and relaxation.

"That's Mr. Manny." Baby Tooth whispered to Flynn and Jack, "He's the founder of this school and head of the design department."

"Good morning!" Mr. Manny said cheerfully, "I'm Manny and I am so excited to see some familiar faces and some new faces to our school! Welcome!" he smiled.

Jack listened intently to the soft and gentle voice as he began, "Now, today we'll just be getting acquainted but I do want to help you all get started on our program here. We have quite a year ahead of us, so the sooner the better. Am I right?"

A few students chuckled and nodded. Jack could tell this was an easygoing place that tried to cut everyone some slack from feeling nervous or put down, yet, the students were hard working and talented, needing no harsh motivation to do what they needed to do and wanted to do. They aimed to create and please, so that is what they did.

He looked towards Flynn who was definitely new, but very at ease with what was going on around him. He seemed confident and actually a little full of himself. Jack couldn't help but like him for it. And then he looked towards Baby Tooth and Pascal who were so outrageous and yet determined. Baby Tooth reminded him of Sandy. She was bubbly and sweet, but Jack had a feeling that once you crossed her she was a monster of a thing. He smiled and looked towards the front of the class at his new professor. It felt different from high school and he liked it.

He took a breath and decided it was time to begin his journey.

He heard his name suddenly, "Jack Overland?"

He raised his hand proudly and did his signature roll call answer, "It's Captain Jack Overland. Captain."

Everyone chuckled and even Flynn stared at him impressed.

Manny laughed and nodded, "I'll make sure to remember that Captain Overland. I love a good class clown."

Jack grinned mischievously. Oh yes, he was ready to begin his journey now.

…

Hiccup's initial happiness was officially shut down the minute he completed his first three classes. He already had three large reading assignments and two papers to write by next week. Well, guess that's college. Of course after talking briefly with Astrid it seemed she was in the same boat that he was at law school. It was going to be hard not having his best friend around, but he did his best to maintain his smile.

He heaved his books to his room and nearly collapsed onto their black and white checkered rug. Tuffnut was back on his bunk bed reading a textbook, engrossed in the material. Hiccup walked to his desk next to the door and threw his things down and trudged to his bed to collapse.

"Dude…" Tuffnut suddenly said, "I like really don't like this book."

"Why is it hard?" Hiccup groaned as he turned over onto his back and put an arm over his eyes to keep from getting a headache.

"No, the author just makes a very weak argument and I wanna punch someone." Tuff ground out.

Hiccup chuckled. He was slowly getting used to Tuffnut. The guy was mostly quiet but ever since they both found out they were legacies to the Theta's they were becoming a little closer. Sure Hiccup had to wonder sometimes why Tuff acted and spoke the way he did, but for the most part, he was just a nice guy. Hiccup also got to know his sister throughout the week and for her brawny attitude, she was courteous to Hiccup and actually included him in things.

Little by little, he was beginning to meet other students on campus, but the only people he really talked to were Heather and the twins. He had yet to meet anyone from the Theta's and he wondered if he would make a good impression on them. He wished he knew what kind of a fraternity they were so he knew what to prepare himself for when Rush time came around.

"Are you doing anything this weekend?" Hiccup asked Tuff as he removed his dress shirt and made an attempt to get lazy.

Tuff shrugged, "My sis has a soccer game tomorrow. It's an away game so I'm going to see her."

"That's cool." Hiccup smiled.

"You going home?" Tuff asked.

"Why would I do that?" Hiccup laughed as he donned a black hoodie, "I just moved in!"

Tuff shrugged again, a habit of his, "Lots of people do that cause they get bored. I take it you don't get easily bored then."

Hiccup thought about that as he changed into some comfortable jeans. He wasn't really involved in any clubs or anything yet, but he did have some homework…and he did have to Skype Jack.

"I'll find something to do." He smiled in spite of himself.

"Cool." Tuff said.

Hiccup walked to his desk and looked up at the pictures on his corkboard. Sure there were papers and reminders as well as his schedule covering the thing, but he managed to get a picture of Merida, his parents, Astrid, Toothless, the triplets, and of course, Jack on there as well. His favorite senior picture of Jack smiled down at him. It was the greatest pose and worthy of Jack. All smiles and laid back on a tree branch. Hiccup yearned to put up his favorite picture of them both, but he kept those hidden.

He put his head in his hands as the picture he was thinking of came into his mind. It was one of the best days he'd had with Jack, and he'd had many. But this picture always made him glow inside. It was a picture they'd taken that summer when Hiccup and Jack had gone to an amusement park. It was in the evening when all the rides lit up with bright colors and everything seemed more vibrant and exciting. They'd had a full day of riding every single roller coaster that they could, both loving the thrill of practically flying through the air and posing like idiots for the camera (one such occasion they both pretended to be asleep and very bored). But now, they were just enjoying the night life and checking out the arcades instead. Jack had just won a random game Hiccup couldn't even remember now because he was too busy laughing at how badly Jack was doing. But Jack kept going and eventually won Hiccup a small black stuffed dragon. It was pretty cheap and odd looking, but Hiccup's eyes lit up when he'd gotten it and Jack took that moment to take a selfie of them both grinning happily. It was the one picture Hiccup felt his smile really reached his eyes and didn't feel awkward; because he was truly happy.

After that, they sat on a bench and just watched the night life go by; almost as if they were trying their hardest not to let the day be done. Jack relaxed lazily on the bench, his arms resting on the back of it. While Hiccup lay on the bench and leaned against Jack, holding his dragon and peeking glances at Jack's face. He knew Jack was doing the same when he turned away. But neither felt it necessary to poke fun at the other, because truthfully they enjoyed it.

Hiccup looked on his desk and grinned when he saw the stuffed dragon just sitting there. He used it for decoration and as a reminder of how much Jack did for him.

Tuff suddenly did a signature roll and flip off of the bed and righted himself quickly, "I gotta go to class, are you coming to dinner?" he asked as he grabbed a bag and shouldered it.

Hiccup nodded, "I'll come down when you get off." He promised.

Although Tuff seemed like he could handle his own, Hiccup got the feeling that he preferred to be around people he felt comfortable with. It probably had something to do with growing up as a twin. He was used to being with someone and liked it that way.

Tuff nodded and walked off without another word, leaving Hiccup to his memories. He took that time he had of privacy to find that picture he was thinking of and as he did, he pulled out a few more. Some were from prom, some were from that Halloween when they'd gone as Woody and Buzz, some were from Graduation, some from their spring break trip, and then finally, he found one where he and Jack were kissing. Jack had snuck the picture to be silly and Hiccup hadn't noticed. Jack was grinning as he kissed Hiccup, his eye's squinting slightly. Hiccup however, had his eyes closed and was truly engrossed in Jack. When he'd heard the snap of the photo his eyes had shot open to see Jack grinning like a pariah and checking out his masterpiece. Hiccup chuckled as he remembered how annoyed he was with Jack and how Jack practically taunted him with his camera, keeping it away from Hiccup who was determined to delete the darn thing. But in the end, Hiccup had asked for a copy and kept it all this time.

He put his pictures away and rubbed his face, hoping he could keep it together.

He decided he couldn't just sit here and mope, missing his boyfriend. He needed to get out and do something. He changed into some jeans and put on a light jacket and decided to walk around campus to kill time before Tuff got out of class.

...

Jack sighed as he did the dishes. It was his least favorite chore, but it was the only thing his mom had asked him to do for her that day. He figured since he wasn't exactly paying rent he might as well do something useful. He couldn't help but feel awesome that he was already making friends at his school. Sure he didn't feel as talented as most of the students there, but he had to stay confident that he'd get better as time went on. At least he hoped so. Mr. Manny seemed to really like him. Though Jack was a jokester, he made sure not to be rude about it. And he could tell that Mr. Manny enjoyed the break of monotony, rather than get pissed at him.

Punzie came twirling into the kitchen, dancing with one of her dolls. She was humming a tune and Jack smiled at her. Her surgery was a success and she hadn't been sick in months now. She seemed much more energetic and happy. Merida came barreling in after her, "My date is being bossy!" she complained.

Rapunzel gasped and both ran to the living room to get after the stuffed frog that apparently refused to dance with Merida.

Jack laughed and shook his head. He sometimes forgot that Elinor had asked if Jack could watch Merida after school for her because the twins were really becoming a handful and Merida was starting to get into things she shouldn't. Since she paid him to watch her for a few hours every day, he couldn't complain. It was a fairly easy job considering the girls actually listened to him.

"Jaaaaaack!" Punzie suddenly shrieked.

"Whaaaaaat?" he shot back as he rinsed the final pan.

"Merida's bleeding!"

Jack dropped what he was doing and ran to the living room.

Merida was staring at a gash in her finger.

"What happened?" Jack gasped as he grabbed her and took her to the kitchen to clean her finger off.

"It's okay." Merida said, "I got a paper cut today and my Band-Aid came off."

Jack breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't his fault. He turned to Punzie, "Go get the Band-Aid's sis."

She nodded and ran to the closet.

Jack held her finger under the water for a few moments then grabbed a paper towel to wipe off the blood carefully.

"Do you miss Hiccup too?" Merida asked him suddenly.

Jack stared at her and realized how sad she looked. He hadn't really asked her how she was feeling about Hiccup being gone; he knew it was hard on everyone. Come to think of it, school hadn't been in session for the girls for more than two weeks and already Merida was getting a lot of notes home. Whenever Jack picked her up after school, the teacher would hand him a damn legal pad of Merida's bad days acting out in class. He wondered if it was because of the changes at home. Her mother had her hands full with the triplets, Fergus was planning on traveling a lot this year to make some major changes in his company, and now Hiccup was gone. Shoot, even Toothless acted different.

He nodded and put her to sit on the counter, "Yeah, I miss him." He admitted.

"I wish Hiccup was home." She said sadly, "Then maybe Mommy would stop yelling at me and Toothless would stop howling at night."

"He what?" Jack laughed.

Merida glared at him, "All he does is howl and it keeps everyone up at night."

Jack frowned.

"Mommy said if he keeps doing it she has to get rid of him." Merida sighed.

Jack rubbed the back of his head. He knew how much that would break Hiccup's heart if they did that.

"Here Merida!" Punzie said cheerfully, brandishing a box of princess Band-Aids.

Jack took one and put it on her and kissed her finger, "Don't worry, Merida, things are gonna get better." He smiled.

She grinned half-heartedly and hopped down to go finish playing with Punzie.

Jack leaned against the counter and thought about how only a week could go by and things could change drastically for so many people. All because Hiccup was gone. He didn't know if he could broach this topic with Hiccup tomorrow when they Skyped, he didn't want to worry him. He'd just have to play it by ear.

As the girls giggled in the next room he smiled to himself. He really needed to stop moping. He was already enjoying school and he didn't even need a job because he was getting paid to just chill at home with his sister and her friend. He really had it easy…and yet…it just didn't feel that way.