Chapter 35: Truth Leading to New Truths

Hiccup felt… strange to say the least. His father did a lot of things to show he cared, to show he was proud, but this wasn't one of them… usually. Big arms incased in full hug, a real hug. The motion spoke more than words would have. Stoick wasn't known for his display of affection to anyone, his son being no exception. So there the brunet stood wide eyed and frozen, until his father spoke. "I am sorry son," Stoick said and stood. He eyes glossed over and a smile that expressed nothing, but honor and pride in the young man before him.

The mayor straightened his back and nodded his head. "YOU are right. I… I should have listened. Allowed you to make your own choices in people and friends. You spent so long fighting, and I think I… forgot how hard you fight for something you believe in. Someone you believe in. This Jack… I knew his family friends Principle Moon and Mr. Black. We went to college together. My father would tell me to aspire to be like them. Both men would have been amazing politicians and leaders, but I believe they learned far younger than me that politics was not their calling. Moon became a teacher, where Mr. Black a famous musician. Both happy with their lives," He chuckled at the thought, "and it seems leading this young Jack to be same as them." Hiccup arch an eyebrow and asked, "To be like them…a teacher and musician". The mayor smile and shook his head feeling foolish, feeling even now his father was right. He sighed with a sad smile at his son, "No son… to be happy."

"Seems I forget that lesson at times in my old age… may be due to all this mayor work for so long." He face brightened looking at his son. "But I suppose it's a good thing I've got such a good reminder you being his friend all… be sure to get me some tips when you see him again. I'm sure he's gonna help turn my son into a fine mayor….of course, when said son is ready." Hiccup's eyes widened at his father's words. "Really?! I can see Jack?! And, and you won't keep pushing me?" Hiccup asked over joyed he got through to his dad. That his dad understood and was willing to give Jack a chance. The old mayor nodded with smile and Hiccup lunged at the man, giving him a big warm hug, which was greatly returned.

Jack had finished up washing the dishes when his phone rang, telling him he had a call. This was a bit confusing because he'd already talk to his mom and sister today. Punzie and Elsa left a few hours ago, it was also pretty late so… who could be calling. "Hiccup Calling," His phone rang. His eyes widened, he gulped a bit and strangely enough felt a hint of fear at answering. He released a heavy sigh and let the fear go. A few seconds of silence went on in his head, he took another deep breath calming himself and faced his phone. "Answer," He ordered.

"Hello? Jack?" Hiccup could be heard on the other end. Jack sighed and smiled at his friends voice, felt like he hadn't heard it years. "Hey, Hic… long time no talk," he responded, walking out of the kitchen, to his living room. "Yeah no kidding, it's been pretty crazy… I'm sure for the both of us..." Hiccup laughed weakly over the phone.

Jack chuckled as well, grabbing a blue hoody on the coat rack, "Yeah crazy seems to be the right word to use." Hiccup's awkward chuckling seems to falter as he responded, "I was kinda worried you wouldn't… yeah know answer… with all the crazy…" Jack placed his ear piece in and pulled up his hoodie. "Yeah. Not gonna lie, I thought about it…" he smiled as he held his staff and waited for the elevator to ding. Hiccup's sigh of relieve was clearly heard over the line, "So… what made you answer?" He asked nervously. "Well… I figured if I was gonna get kicked out of my place, I'd at least hear a car outside or something. Plus," He hung up his phone and walked out the complex doors. " My mom taught me its rude to ignore a guest that comes all the way to your home… just to see you," He smiled at his friends knowing he was right in front of him.

Hiccup stood a bit shell shocked at the smiling teen in front of him. Standing outside of his apartment complex unannounced and caught being a little creepy. He was just gonna leave if Jack didn't answer and if he did, he was going to use the "in the neighborhood" excuse to explain how he was there. But like Jack Frost fashion here his friend stood, cleaver smirk and all. The brunet sighed at being caught, "So… what gave it away?" he asked as Jack walked up to him.

Jack chuckled, "Well the double doors to the complex never really close all the way. So it always makes the soft high pitch whistle, and the phone tends to amplify sounds around someone on it. Plus you sorta did this like a few weeks ago, so I figured," He shrugged. Hiccup laughed shaking his head, "Of course you did. By the gods you never cease to surprise me… or anyone for that matter." Jack laughed, "Well I try." Hiccup cleared his throat, but kept his smile, "That you do, and succeed every time…. I know it's late, but you wanna go for a walk?" He looked at the white haired teen. Jack closed his eyes and nodded, "A late night walk sounds nice." Hiccup looked his friend up and down noticing one small thing, "Where are your shoes man," he asked.

Jack started walking, "Inside, it's all good. I use to walk bare foot in the snow back home… this is nothing. Actually feels nice… reminds me of home ya know." Hiccup sped walked to catch up with him. "I suppose… you, you uh miss home?" He asked, and Jack nodded. His smile faltered just bit at the thought, "Yeah a lot actually. More than I realized in the past few days. I don't know what it is, but I've been wanting hear them more, more every morning." He spoke softly more to himself than to his friend. But Hiccup kept note of the words and saw the soft look on Jack's face. Reminded him of the times he misses his mother. The brunet cleared his throat, "Is your family as crazy as mine?" He asked trying to lighten the mood. Jack chuckled, "They may be crazier." Hiccup laughed lightly, "That'd be a feat for your Dad to be crazier than mine." Jack nodded his head in agreement, "That he would. I will say that he may not be as protective, but…" He stopped walking when they got to a cross walk and found himself going quite.

He motioned his head up to the sky feeling the wind on his face. Remembering the times he and his father would snowboard. Remembering when his would help him clean snowboards for the shop and assist in getting sales. Thinking of times his father would scold him for not wearing the protective eye gear, when hitting the slopes. Thinking of his then and his father now.

"He cares," Another thought made the teen chuckle. "Whenever I call my mom and sis, I can hear him in the back always telling my mom to tell me to stay out of trouble, keep up with studies, don't go chasing girls… stuff a dad is supposed to say, ya know." As they made their way past Pitch's shop he stopped again frowning now. "But it's always from a distance. He doesn't tell me himself… he just stays in the back… He did the same thing after the accident, even when I was training to get better. He didn't speak much and only did when I asked him question." Jack became silent after that and Hiccup found himself at a loss of words. Once again the teen's life story made him feel not alone in what he's been through in life. He just wish he knew what say to help Jack, like Jack helped him.

When the teen spoke again Hiccup was all ears, "I think…I know he blamed himself for what happened to me. He thinks he let me down, and he keeps his distance thinking it'll keep me safe. So I guess our dads have that in common. But hearing all the stuff you and your dad are going through, I realized… Yeah your Dad may rush to conclusions, try to control your live. But at least he's not scared to be your dad… ya know. I've really been missing my family since the move. But even before the move…I've miss my dad…" The crack in his voice was unexpected for both males. Hiccup looked up eyes wide to see Jack, equally wide eyed and crying.

To say Hiccup was surprised was an understatement. He'd seen Jack express an array of emotions, but never sadness. In a strange way it shook the teen, making him see that though Jack had the confidence to see others for who they were, this wise teen still had struggles of his own. He felt as though it shouldn't, but see this vulnerability from Jack once again gave him comfort in not being alone in his family struggles.

Hiccup clinched his fist realizing he didn't know what to do in this situation. Where Jack had all these words of wisdom for him when he was down. And here Hiccup was unable to even comprehend the fact that his friend could cry in front of him. He lifted his hand and placed it reassuringly on the teen's shoulder. Jack froze and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand roughly. He chuckled as he sniffled "Thanks man."

Once his eyes were dry he blinked a few times and ruffled his hair. "It's been a minute since I cried… I think I needed that." He nodded as Hiccup chuckled and kept the hand on his friends shoulder. "Well I mean, you were there for me. Why wouldn't I do the same?" Jack nodded at that knowledge too. The white haired teen was silent for a moment.

He felt Hiccups hand on his shoulder, could feel the teen's pulse inches from his ear. When he stepped away Hiccup's have dropped. The brunet paused and looked away for a moment, thinking his comforting wasn't enough for his wise friend. As Jack walked away from him he awkwardly reached and tried to find the words, but froze when a snowball hit him in the face. He stood wide eyed and dumbfounded at where the snow could have come from, then wiped his face to find Jack a few feet away making another. "Seriously! Real mature Jack!" He shouted dodging snow balls. Surprised at how accurate they were, he shook her head anyway at his. "We're having a serious conversation and you wanna start snowball fight? " He ducked from another throw hearing Jack laugh. "Exactly! I haven't talked to my pal in three months and first thing we do together is cry!" Jack shouted getting Hiccup directly in the face. The brunet spat, and shook snow off his face frowning with a smirk, "Alright. Now you're in for it!"

The two chased each other to the town fountain and near town square, snowballs and laughs flying left and right. Jack ran on the icy side walk like he was gliding, while Hiccup easily maneuvered with foot and leg like a professional hockey player. Jack laughed, "Come on Hic! Keep up with me!" Running through the streets in a fit of laughter and rush of adrenaline the two, found themselves at the end of the park in silence and the singing of crickets and frogs.

Jack felt the contact of the snow ball hit his face, and decided to follow the force pf throw and fell into the snow covered grass around him. He heard Hiccup's labored breaths and shoes hitting the concrete coming towards him. "You… alright man," Hiccup huffed out placing his hands on his knees, as he caught his breath. Jack just smiled and laughed, "Yeah I'm good man. Good to have you back Hic." He heard the too familiar sound crunching snow under a body. The white haired teen could practically heard his friend smiling, "It's good to be back Jack."

So I'm not dead and this story isn't either.

Also thanks for all new and old reviews over the years, and months.

I will be revising this story and it also be posted AO3, so look for me there.

Review and Read on.