I tried to expand the lore of Berk that I barely scraped at in the last fic's 7th chapter. Of course, HTTYD2 came out since then. I got my hands on a copy of The Art of How to train your dragon 2 in the name of research! There's a bunch of things added in from both movies to make Berk feel like a place, but I also added some stuff that isn't movie canon. Hopefully you'll feel like you're seeing Berk for the first time, just like Jack.

Not as long as I wanted. More very soon. Sorry.

Chapter: Arrival with the Haddocks

As the boat neared closer, they passed a large statue. It was a giant Viking, carved from stone hold a shield and sword. Flames erupted from the giant's mouth, lighting the seas near the island."This is Berk." Hiccup said. "It's twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of freezing to death. It's located solidly on the Meridian of Misery."

"It doesn't seem that bad. Wow." Jack exclaimed, as they passed the floating giant. "That, is amazing. How old is that thing?"

"Pretty old." Hiccup replied. "Like most things in Berk."

A long wooden staircase climbed one side of Berk, connected to a rock formation jetting out of the sea. At it's top stood a round building bound together from wood and woven fabric. Above the small building stood a proud windmill, held up by three poles. It's dragon-wing shaped blades spun slowly.

"I think I'm gonna like it then." Jack said, smiling

"Great."

Hiccup wondered about that. Jack wasn't living in the lap of luxury, but he was pretty well off. He pondered how long it would be before Jack missed the comforts of modern life. Berk didn't have wifi. Or hot showers. Cable had only been introduced twelve years ago.

They neared the docks. Proud old ships with carved serpent heads were forever docked at the port. Fishers brought in their catches, and small wooden ships went in and out of the docks. Small lanterns were lit along the shore as the sun began to set.

"Look at the work put into those ships." Jack took a few pictures with his phone. "You don't see craftsmanship like that anymore."

"You have a good eye." Valka said, standing next to Jack. "I've been all around the world and never seen anything like Berk's ships."

The boat docked. Stoick drove them up a snowy, dirt packed road and into town. Hiccup looked out the window. The familiar small statues of vikings and monsters sat on either side of the road. They weren't even in town yet, and Jack was sure he was going to like this place. Burgess was great and all, but there was no sense of history there beyond the hotel and stores. As a person, he really didn't have a sense of 'culture' either. North w took time to teach Jack about his language and heritage. Jack thought it was a nice gesture, but at the end of the day he was still...something else.

Hiccup, however, had a place he came from. And it wasn't any old sleepy american town. It was like visiting another time, altogether. The food was different, the people were different, even the animals were different. As they drove up to town, the Haddocks were welcomed by the sight of small brick houses with tall iron fences. Tall telephone and electric poles connected them, as they were all spread out.

A old woman with a sheepdog herded a flock across the sheep, slowly delaying their arrival. Jack had never seen such a thing. True, he had visited the zoo when he was younger, but it was different from seeing them so close. Stoick waved to the old woman as she passed with her sheep. "Hello, Ethel!"

The woman waved a tiny shaky hand before continuing on her way. Stoick drove on. People waved and called to the car as it continued up the road. Jack tugged on Hiccup's sleeve.

"What's that thing?"
Jack was referring to a large structure, built to resemble a tree. It was taller than all the houses near it. The majority of the structure was wood, and decorated by weapons made of metal. At it's base there were old appliances and other used items.

"That's our man tribute for the holiday, Snoggeltog. As thanks to the gods we burn our used, broken items-Originally it was our weapons used in hunting dragons. The Gods watch over us for the next year if we do this. Now it's stuff used to make life easier. Anyway, we set the whole thing on fire returning the spent energy stored in the stuff, and make way for the new stuff in big egg shells."

"So that's the thing you mentioned from last year. Egg shells?" Jack repeated.

"Well… the gods would place our 'gifts' in the broken shells of baby dragon eggs. We put them back together, and paint them."

"What's that up ahead?"

"Huh?" Hiccup chuckled "Oh, that's our house. It's the oldest standing home in Berk."

Standing out front was a larger group of people with lanterns and banners. They cheered as Stoick brought the car to a stop. As they climbed out of the car, they were swarmed by family members. Hiccup let himself be pulled into a bear hug by his uncle Spitelout.

"Good to see you you again Stoick, Hiccup." His eyes widened when he saw Valka. "Nice to see you again, Valka. As lovely as ever."

Freida fainted and snotlout rolled his eyes. "Ugh, Mom. not again."

Hiccup found himself in front of Snoutlout and his unconscious aunt. "Hey, Snotulout."
Snoutlout glanced downward. "Hey..Nice uh, leg…"

Hiccup rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Uh..Yeah. Oh, Jack this is my Uncle Spitelout, Aunt Frieda, cousin Snoutlout…"

Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut pushed their way to the front of the crowd.

"Don't forget about us." Astrid said, smiling. "Nice to see you again, Hiccup." She offered her hand to Jack. "Astrid Hofferson, nice to meet you."
Jack took her hand hand, smiling. "Jack Overland."

Fishlegs looked between. them,"Oh wow, that must be weird huh., Hiccup. Your boyfriend and your first crush meeting for the first time."

Hiccup froze.

Stoick and Valka were busy talking with the others.

Jack locked eyes with Astrid, who looked at Hiccup, who slowly turned to Fishlegs.

Hiccup stared at Fishlegs. 'Why do you hate me? This is 'cause I would LARP with you, isn't it?'

"First crush, huh?" Jack gave Astrid a second look as she released his hand.

"Apparently." Astrid said, shrugging.

"And they have so much in common." Fishlegs continued. "They're both athletic, and tall, and built and-"

'The Gods have forsaken me, haven't they?' Hiccup's eye twitched.

"I'm Ruffnut." Ruffnut said, offering Jack her hand and winking, thus interrupting Fishlegs.

"Name's Tuffnut." Tuffnut said, crossing his arms and looking smug.

Hiccup felt a heavy tap on the shoulder. He turned to see Gobber.

"Heccup, look at you back in Berk. Not all in one piece but enough of ye."

Hiccup smiled. "Hey. Oh, Jack this is Gobber."

Jack turned his attention away from Astrid to the blonde giant. So this was Gobber, the one who Valka and Hiccup used to back up their arguments. He was somewhat intimidating, but Jack recognized him from a few of Stoick's matches. He offered Jack a hook, which Jack jumped back from.

"Oh, er whoops.'Gobber offered him the other hand. "Sorry about that." He offered Gobber his hand. "Here, less pointy."
Jack laughed, shaking his hand. "Nice meeting you Gobber."

"Let's move the festivities to the food." Valka said, patting her husband's arm.

"Yer right dear." Stoick nodded, raising his voice. "Alright, give us some space. We'll see you all the feast!"

They entered the Haddock home. It wasn't as warm as Jack hoped, but much more impressive. Just like their home in Burgess, it was full of knick knacks and wrestling memorabilia. Stoick started fiddling with the furnace and Valka plopped onto a couch covered in animal let Toothless out of his cage, and the small cat ran for the stairs. Hiccup followed behind him, bags weighing him down. The large wooden stairs hardly creaked. The house was like some cross between a studio apartment and a hut. The living room and kitchen were connected. The second landing had two bedrooms divided by a wall and hidden from view by curtains instead of doors.

Jack followed Hiccup and Toothless to the second bedroom. Hiccup's room was set up the same way it was in Burgess, if not smaller. There were drawings plastered on the walls, obviously done by a much younger Hiccup. A wooden desk sat in one corner. The bed was covered in a large quit, depicting vikings, dragons, boats, and stormy seas.

"Wow...This is amazing." Jack said, tracing a large wave.

Hiccup set his bags done and looked in a small fabric closet by the curtain. "What, the quilt?" Jack handed him his coat.

"Yeah."

"Great Gran-Gran made that for Grandpa when he was a kid. He gave it to Mom, and she gave it to me."

"So its basically a heirloom."

"Yeah, basically."

"Are your grandparents still alive?"

"No. Well Dad's parents are dead, but Mom's mom is alive. She lives with a aunt somewhere in Missouri."

"Do you ever see her?"

"Nope. We don't. But they send cards for Christmas."

"Hm..." Jack sat on the edge of the bed. Toothless nudged him, and he pet his head.

Hiccup stopped putting his things away and looked at Jack. "Jack?"

Jack was staring at the floor.

"Jack?". Hiccup called again, louder this time.

"Huh?"

"Are you...tired?"

Jack rubbed his eyes. "No. Well, I guess."

"We have a little time before the feast starts. Why don't you take a nap or something?"

Jack flopped back onto the bed. "Great idea, Mom."

He covered his face with one arm and mumbled something.

"What was that?" Hiccup said, coming closer to the bed. Jack repeated the mumble and Hiccup came closer. "What-"

Jack grabbed Hiccup by his wrist and pulled him down onto the bed.

"Ah! Jack!"

Jack chuckled and turned his face to see Hiccup's. He was not amused.

"Don't look so pouty."

Hiccup sighed as Jack let go of his wrist. "Idiot."

"If you're going to give me a nickname, Hic you have to be more creative."

"Fine." Jack was close. Close enough to make Hiccup feel a little nervous. "How about nutcase?"

"Nah. Try again." Jack moved a little closer, closing the space between them.

"Uh..."Hiccup looked up at the ceiling. "What's wrong with Jack?"

"Nothing." Jack replied, frowning. "What's wrong with Astrid?"

Hiccup scooted away. "W-what!?"

Jack turned on his side, facing Hiccup. "You never really mentioned her before."

Hiccup sat up. "That's...There was no reason to!"

"Really? You sure you don't still like her?"

"Of course I don't!" Hiccup was getting more flustered by the second.

"Hm...She seemed pretty surprised when she heard you liked her. How come you never asked her out?"

"I had a crush on her when I was eight! Plus, I was pretty sure nothing was going to happen between us, and then we moved away-"

"But you're here now." Jack rolled over onto his stomach. "If I wasn't here...If you left me back in Burgess...would you ask her out?"

"N-No..."

"I heard some hesitation there."

"I would NOT ask her out."

"Why?"

"Because..."

Jack rolled back over and looked at Hiccup. "Because...?"

"You're important to me." Hiccup said, looking him in the eye. "I would never do something like that to you."

Jack smiled. "Promise."

Hiccup nodded. "Promise."

Jack frowned. "Hiccup..."

"Wh-Hey!"

Jack yanked Hiccup down again, knocking the air out of him. Jack laughed, straddling him. "You better keep that promise."

Hiccup blushed. "I will."

Valka slowly climbed the stairs. She cleared her throat as she stood in front of the curtain to Hiccup's room. "Boys, we're getting ready to go to the great hall."

Jack sighed. "Well, looks like our festivities will have to wait."

As he rolled off of Hiccup, the smaller boy shuddered. The last thing he needed was his

mother walking in on them. Maybe sharing a room with Jack wasn't such a good idea...Jack winked at him as he pushed the curtain away. Then again...Maybe it was a great idea.

Valka pushed the curtain aside. "There y'are. Ready to head out?"

Hiccup sat up. "Oh, uh...yup. Heading out sounds, great."

Jack retrieved his coat from the closet. "So, what's happening at the Great Hall, exactly?"

Hiccup handed Jack a pair of gloves. "Well, since we came back it's time for a hero's welcome, plus...Snoggeltog. So a lot of eating, dancing...more eating...drinking...Half of Berk's gonna have a hangover tomorrow. Of course the party won't stop for three days."

'The more I hear, the more I'm glad I came.' Jack thought.

They headed back down into town on foot. Berk seemed to built upward towards the mountain. The air was cold, and the snow they walked on hid a layer of solid ice. A layer the Hiccup slipped on as soon as they left the house. Jack tried to grab him in vain, as he too tumbled down into the snow. Luckily he hit the ground first, acting as a cushion for HIccup. The added weight made him hit the ice. Hard.

Jack hissed in pain. "Damn…"
"Ah!"Hiccup tried to sit up. "Jack! Are you okay?"

Jack sucked air in through his clenched teeth. "Man...That's some hard ice…"

He looked at Hiccup's worried, trembling form. "Aw...Don't make that face, Hic. At least not when I can't take a picture."

Valka helped Hiccup to his feet, and Stoick pulled Jack up from the ice.

Hiccup checked his prosthetic. "I have a feeling I'll be falling a lot. I have to see Gobber tomorrow."

Valka dusted the snow off of Jack's back. "You'll be needing better boats, dear. Berk turns into a block of ice this time of year. You'll be sliding all over the island without the proper gear."

"Yes Ma'am." Jack said, sighing. He back stung, but he wasn't about to worry Hiccup more by announcing it. "Definitely." He took Hiccup's arm. "Shall we?"

They slowly walked to the large oval building by the town square. A tall totem pole stood outside, carved with the faces of arctic monsters.

"Well, that's impressive." Jack said, resisting the urge to touch his back.

Hiccup looked him in the eye. "Are you sure you're okay Jack?"

Jack blinked. "What? Listen cuddleface, I'm glad you're concerned about me, but you're the one having a hard time walking."

Hiccup loosened his grip on Jack's arm. "I've fallen on this ice more times than I care to admit. I'll be fine."

Valka patted her son on the arm. "Of course son. Now let's go in."