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Chapter: Dancing with the Haddocks

Jack followed Hiccup into the hall. Most of Berk's residents were already inside. A small band played folk music that somehow seemed to echo throughout the wide open space. Two long tables sat on one side of the hall, with food piled high.

As the Haddocks +1 one took their seats, Spitelout banged on the table with his fists, causing the noise to recede. "Tonight we celebrate the return of Stoick and his kin, and the beginning of Snoggletog!" There was cheering and shouting. Hiccup sighed. He could tell by the look on Stoick's face that he wanted to be here more than anything. As Spitelout wrapped up his speech, everyone was seated. Gotti broke the first piece of bread, signifying it was time to eat.

Food was snatched and goblets were grabbed as Jack realized manners weren't on the menu tonight. Each time he reached for something, someone else took it. "Uhhh...Hic..."

Hiccup jabbed his fork into a large piece of meat and yanked it away from from another plate. "Here, Jack." He dropped it on Jack's plate. "You have to be quick or you won't get any."

"I don't think quick is the word. Ruthless or determined maybe..." Jack replied.

Hiccup laughed and shoved someone's hand away, securing two squares of food. He offered one to Jack.

"Thanks...what is this?"

"Potato and anchovy casserole. Oh, don't shudder like that. It's better than it sounds, I promise."

"If you say so..."

Hiccup was correct of course. It was delicious.

The next thing he knew Hiccup was sticking more things onto his plate. "Whoa, there. What's this stuff?"

"Pinnekjøtt-uh...smoked mutton ribs, Rakfisk...Salmon and baked Haddock."

"Ohhh. I knew Haddock was a fish, but I never tried it before. Well I never tried any of this-"

Hiccup smacked Snoulout's fork away with his knife. "That's not fair, Snoutlout."

Snoutlout snorted. " Nothing is fair on the battlefield. Living on the mainland has made you soft."

Astrid stole a piece of baked salmon from Snoutlout. "watch your own plate."

"Wha? Hey! Babe I would've shared if you just asked-"

"I suggest you eat what you can." Hiccup said.

Jack pulled his plate closer. "Riiiight."

After the meal was finished the tables were pushed aside for dancing. Partners swung each other around, arm in arm, enclosed by a circle of onlookers. Occasionally, a new dancer was pulled in from the circle. Valka and Stoick danced in one corner, not letting go of eachother.

Jack and Hiccup stood in the circle, watching.

"That was some feast. I don't think I've eaten so much." Jack patted his stomach. "And I never saw your Dad smile so much either. Who knew the Hairy Hooligan was such a good dancer?"

Hiccup nodded. "Dad is a man of many talents."

Jack looked at Hiccup. He had a seen a different side of him today, that was for sure. He could definitely see where the Dragon obsession came from. Everywhere he looked there were vikings and dragons. It was nothing short of amazing to see a place like this still existed.

Jack was caught off guard when Tuffnut grabbed him from the circle. He found himself arm and arm with Astrid.

"Oh, hey there...Jack."

They spun around.

"Having fun?" She asked.

Jack smiled. "A blast. This place is awesome."

Astrid smiled back. "Glad to hear it."

A sense of dread came over Hiccup when he saw them together. It was bad enough that Fishlegs had announced his former crush to all of Berk. He wasn't sure if Jack was serious or not. Jack had been a little fragile when he first woke up at the hospital.

It would probably be some time for him to get back to being his old self. The current Jack was a little smaller, jumpier, and even less then there were the nightmares. According to North, Jack had them often. That bothered Hiccup. As much as Jack was told it wasn't his fault, he knew Jack still thought it was. Hiccup hoped sometime away from Burgess would help Jack relax.

So far, he seemed to be having a good time.

Jack let himself be swung from partner to partner until the music suddenly became softer, and most of the villagers left the dance floor. Hiccup was pulling him away suddenly, as a few couples began slowdancing.

"This song is For the dancing and the dreaming."

"What's that mean?" They were back in the crowd.

Hiccup rubbed his arm. "Its kind of like a declaration. You dance with the person you like...The first time you do it, you recite it."

"Recite what? I don't-"

" I'll swim and sail on savage seas... with ne'er a fear of gladly ride the waves of life if you will marry me... "

Just saying it made Hiccup turn slightly red. He continued:

" No scorching sun, nor freezing cold will stop me on my journey...

If you will promise me your heart, and love for all eternity...And...uh..."

"Go on." Jack said, smirking.

Hiccup could tell he was being baited. "Your partner says: My dearest one, my darling dear,your mighty words astound me...But I've no need of mighty deeds when I feel your arms around me."

"But I would bring you rings of gold,I'd even sing you poetry-" The next thing Hiccup knew, he was being shoved back into the dance.

"If yer going to do it, y'hafta be in the circle." A man told him.

"No, wait! I wasn't-" Hiccup began to protest, but the crowd was egging him on.

" And I would keep you from all harm if you would stay beside me! I have no use for rings of gold,I care not for your poetry...

I only want your hand to hold-" Valka sang.

"Go on Heccup!" Gobber yelled. "Tell 'em!"

Jack took his hand. "I'm all ears."

"Ugh..." Hiccup sighed. " I only want you near me-"

"To love and kiss, to sweetly hold!For the dancing and the dreaming!" The couples chorused. "Through all life's sorrows and delights,I'll keep your love inside me!"

" I'll swim and sail on savage seas with ne'er a fear of drowning!And gladly ride the waves of life If you will marry meeee!"

"Eeeeeeeeeeeee!" Gobber bellowed. "I'm still goiiiiiiiing-"

There was laughter and more dancing as the song came to an end. Hiccup ignored the slaps on his back and cheers from the crowd. Fishlegs' loud declaration had been enough. He could feel his face burning.

Jack hugged him then. "Sorry, Hic. Your Mom already told me what that song was. I only wanted to see if you would sing it."

"You're such a jerk." Came Hiccup's muffled reply from Jack's jacket.

Short? Yes. However, this a mini fic. This and the previous chapter were one, but I broke them apart. See you soon. Very soon.