Another request, this time from ninjagofangirlrb Who requested that I explain Jack's reaction to Hiccup in their first meeting in a oneshot spotlighting the two. This takes place after Horrendous Heat.

Jack and Hiccup had grown close in the days following the heat wave. On one of their outings, the Viking worked up the courage to ask the winter king a question that had been bugging him since his introduction. His curiosity was also due to the fact that during their numerous encounters, Jack had shown an aversion to being touched, and had even flinched when the Viking made gestures in his direction, or near his person. Hiccup hated the haunted, frightened looks Jack gave him on these occasions, and his stubborn streak demanded that he get answers.

So he would.

The two were enjoying each other's company while Hiccup spread summer over the valley town that was below them. Summer had turned down his heat considerably, and Jack was in a tree above him, frosting over himself to keep cool. The tree gave sufficient shade, and the group of branches he lounged on provided a hammock of frigidness that he could easily keep maintained. Toothless was curled up under the tree, surprisingly comfortable on the border of cool and hot that dwelled there, his rider leaning against his side as he continued his work boredly.

"So, Jack." Hiccup started "Why are you so nervous around me?"

"Hmm?" the winter sprite's voice was a relaxed drawl.

"Well I'm just noticing that you get a weirdly whipped look in your eyes if I so much as point at you. I keep telling you that I won't hurt you, so I was just curious why you keep giving me those looks."

"It isn't personal." Came the reply. "Summer and I don't mix."

"It isn't just that, is it?" Hiccup said softly, pausing in his work to look up. "Something happened didn't it? I would think it was just because we're opposite seasons, Jack, except for one thing."

"What 'thing' is that?" The voice was curious. Jack Frost wasn't angry with the prodding, so Hiccup felt more inclined to answer.

"I had been captured several times by Alvin the Treacherous, an old enemy and friend of my father, and taken to Outcast Island because Alvin wanted me to train the dragons he had there. Those poor beasts were underfed, dehydrated, and beaten daily to keep them in line. Several of them had lost the will to live. Others lost their fight instinct."

Hiccup met Jack's eyes before continuing pointedly, "Others shied away, their eyes betraying the abuse they had been put through. When I met you, and you cringed at the handshake, your eyes mirrored theirs, Jack. You didn't shy away because of my heat. You shied away because you thought I was going to strike you."

Jack was silent for a moment, and the Viking wondered if he had struck a bad cord with his friend.

"Yes." Came the whisper "I did."

Hiccup was silent then, afraid to ask the question but needing to. "Why?"

"Because I didn't want you to hit me. I didn't want to be hurt again. Whenever a Summer lifted their hand to me, it always came down hard and hot. I didn't want..." his voice cracked, and he fell silent.

"You didn't want to be abused again." Hiccup said softly.

"I have suffered more injuries due to Summer's wrath than from anything else. It leaves an impression. Nothing personal, and nothing I will get over very fast. I've been beaten, left to burn in a desert surrounded by flames, drowned and boiled in hotsprings, whipped by flamewhips, charred, roasted, used as a candle and as firewood. You imagine it, I've most likely been exposed to it. So yes, I will shy away if you lift a finger towards me."

Hiccup gulped "I don't blame you."

Jack stood and stretched. "So." He said in a voice light and rested, "You promised me something that breathes ice and snow. Any luck?"

The Viking laughed

"I...I did tell you I was working on that didn't I?"

"Yes you did, and old wounds heal faster when trust is found. I trust you to find me a companion that won't cook me. Redeem your season, young Haddock!"

The boys flew off to their next destination, laughing and cracking jokes at each other the whole way.

Hiccup noticed that ever so slowly, Jack Frost inched closer, and did not jerk away when the brown haired boy reached up to feel his Wind. Baby steps. Establish stronger trust. At least it's an improvement.

A large one, in Hiccup's opinion, but he wasn't about to tell that to Jack.