There was a network error when I uploaded the last chapter, so go back and make sure you've read that one...Oh and you are all wonderful people...And I've been fighting the urge to buy How to Train Your Dragon 2's blu-ray set. Its 24.99 right now!
They returned to the table as the music died down. There was shoving and laughter as Hiccup was congratulated by his friends.
"You've got some serious guts cousin." Snoutlout said. "Obviously I coulda done that, but there are so many eligible ladies here in town and-"
Astrid elbowed him. "Good job, Hiccup."
They sat together at one end of the table.
"So.." Tuffnut addressed Jack. "Are you guys getting married, or…?"
Jack shrugged."I'm thinking an october wedding, but we have time to discuss it."
Hiccup laughed nervously and glanced down the table. Stoick was in the middle of a discussion with a few of the villagers. He didn't see his father's face during the dance. He was sure Stoick didn't approve, and wasn't looking forward to the backlash. Valka was here, so he was sure Stoick wouldn't make a scene. Hopefully.
Jack rubbed his stomach. "Man I'm stuffed. I'm ready to let the 'itis' take over and let me sleep."
"No way!" Fishlegs exclaimed. "We didn't even make it to the second course yet!"
Jack looked at Hiccup. "Second course?"
Hiccup nodded. "I told you. We're gonna have a lot of eating, dancing... and more eating."
"I thought you were exaggerating."
"Nope. Look, the next course is coming."
There was cheering as Spitelout and Stoick began grappling over a plate.
"What're they fighting over?" Jack asked.
"Smalahove."
"Riiiight. And that would be...wait. is that what I think it is?"
"Its a sheep's head."
Jack crossed his arms over his stomach. "Welp, I'm done for the evening."
By the time they left it was nearly midnight. Stoick stumbled slightly, drunk. Valka steered him towards the house as Hiccup and Jack walked behind.
Jack walked with one arm around Hiccup, who clung to him relentlessly. A cold wind was blowing through Berk, and threatening to blow the two teens away.
It was times like this Jack wished he was a little more built. Tiny icicles swatted at his face. Hiccup wobbled every now and then. His eyes met Jack's. "Don't worry. I'll talk to Gobber tomorrow about my leg."
By the time they returned to the Haddock residence, Jack was frozen. The Haddocks themselves didn't seem to bothered by the weather. Of course, all three of them had grown up in this icy wonderland. Jack tried to picture a young Hiccup trudging all through this snow. It was a funny image. Stoick was fiddling with the furnace as Valka brought down a set of blankets.
Jack sat huddled with Hiccup on the couch. Toothless was making himself comfortable in Hiccup's lap.
"Wow, Jack. You're freezing."
Jack rubbed his arms and Valka handed him a set of blankets.
"Make yerself comfortable Jack. We're gettin' up early tomorrow to divvy up the work."
Hiccup scooped Toothless up into his arms and stood."Well, have a good night."
Jack pouted. "Whaaa?"
"G'night boys." Valka said, going up the stairs.
"G'Night." Stoick said, nodding.
As the Haddocks disappeared upstairs, Jack tried to make himself comfortable. It was quiet and dark, which was usually a good setting for sleep, but the cold air made it hard. In truth Jack loved the cold. It numbed everything. Lately, however he found no need to be numbed. There was no pain he was trying to escape. There was no need for a facade. There was just Hiccup. Hiccup with his art, and his village, and his family.
Family was a difficult topic for Jack. He had renounced his parents, let their faces fade from his memory. He agreed to not speak with Sophie, though he still watched her every now and then. Sometimes he wondered if his family was bigger. Did he have an Aunt or Uncle? Was there a little grandmother somewhere? Cousins down south or across the sea?
He clutched the blanket in an effort to keep warm, then let go. Maybe there was a reason to be numb after all. He tossed and turned for an hour before giving up. 'I'm never gonna get to sleep at this rate...' He sat up and wrapped the blanket around himself. 'Hiccup's quilt looked really warm...'
Upstairs, Hiccup was already dreaming.
He was riding on the back of a magnificent Nightfury, surrounded by other dragon riders. They charged towards a dragon of immense height and girth. It was almost as big as Berk itself. Balls of flame were shot at the beast, as the vikings of Berk defended their homeland. The mighty beast opened its mouth, sucking them towards it. Hiccup tried to steer his dragon away as a icy wind sliced through him.
He opened his eyes, gasping. Jack was lying next to him, shivering. Hiccup sighed. He touched Jack's forehead. 'He's ice cold...' He put his arms around Jack. 'Like Niflheim's tundra...'
Jack inhaled deeply then, and latched on to Hiccup's shirt. "So warm..." His voice vibrated through Hiccup's shoulder, causing his heart to race. He patted Jack's head. "Go to sleep."
"Help me. " Jack replied nuzzling him.
"What do you me to do, Jack?"
Jack laughed. "That's a long list, Hic. Let's start with this."
He pulled Hiccup even closer, burying his face in the crook of Hiccup's neck.
Hiccup woke up hours later with Jack still in his arms. He smiled. Jack's usually perfect hair was messed up, and his lips were parted, as if he were talking in his sleep. Hiccup ruffled his hair. 'He's such a doofus.' He released Jack slowly and removed Jack's fingers from his shirt. Sitting up, Hiccup reached for his phone.
"It's already six..."
His parents would be up any minute. He shook Hack gently. "Hey."
Jack mumbled something, but didn't move.
"Jack..." He tried for a different approach. Hiccup moved the hair away from Jack's forehead. He kissed him there, lightly. "Hey."
"Try again." Jack mumbled.
Hiccup shook him again. "Wake up Jack, its Christmas."
Jack opened his eyes then. He looked yanked on Hiccup's shirt, pulling him back down. With a little pushing , he managed to get on top of Hiccup. There was a dangerous look in his eye.
"Can I open my present now?"
Hiccup swallowed hard. 'I forgot who I was dealing with.'
"We have to get up soon...Sunrise is in two hours."
"Sunrise?" Jack shifted slightly.
Hiccup tried to keep his composure. "Yeah...Sunrise."
"What time is it?"
"Six, which means Dad and Mom will be up soon."
Jack squinted and looked at the curtain. The room was still dark with exception of the light of Hiccup's phone.
"A lot can happen between now and soon, Hic."
Hiccup looked off to the side. "I suppose..."
Jack started with Hiccup's neck, kissing it repeatedly. Hiccup shivered, trying to come up with a solution to the situation. Of course thinking was a little difficult at the moment, given Jack's...skill.
Jack's tongue trailed over his collarbone. Hiccup's breath hitched. No. No. This wasn't good. "J-Jack..."
"Yeah?" He replied, his hands wandering under Hiccup's shirt.
"You...can't..."
Jack's laughter vibrated through him. "Can't what?"
"I mean...My parents…"
The floor creaked. Jack stopped his onslaught.
"Right.."Jack whispered. He scooted away, got off the bed, and headed for the closet.
"Heccup! Are you awake!?" Valka called from beyond the curtain.
"Yes!" Hiccup replied. "Just..give me a minute!"
"SO, what's the plan for today?" Jack asked.
"Work." Hiccup replied. "As the family of the chief of Berk, we do odd jobs around town. We'll stop by noon, which is why we get up so early. There's a board with request sat Uncle Spitelout's. We'll divvy up the work there."
"Work" Jack cringed at the word. "You'd think being in the chief's family would have better perks."
Hiccup shook his head. "
Nope. You become responsible for all the little problems of Berk."
"Hic, there's a pink lake in Australia."
"Jack...You really missed the internet, didn't you?"
They were down by the docks again. After stopping at Spitelout's for breakfast, it had been decided that Hiccup would have fishing duty for the day. Jack had already called North with wishes for the new year,l as well as Rapunzel and Merida. Each of them seemed to be having a fun time on their respected vacations. Down by the docks Jack's wireless connection was a lot stronger, so he had been bombarded with a bunch of texts when they set foot on the dock.
Jack had never gone fishing before, so the idea of doing so didn't' bother him as much. Berk's number one export, as it turned out, was fish. The air was salty, and the seas looked promising. 'Not a standard christmas, but I think I'm going to love this.'
itis is a word. Don't start with me. Look it up.
This fic is getting longer and longer. It's so hard writing about Christmas in September. I'm torn. Not sure if I want to write about Hiccup and Jack in high school or college next. You decide. College? High School? College. High School. Por que no los dos?