Hiccup woke up in darkness. Panicked, he sat up and looked around.

I'm in the closet? Last I remember I was in the living room. Shouldn't I still be on the living room floor? Did my father bring me up here?

Hiccup sat there for a few more minutes, trying to deduce what could have happened. There was no way his father had brought him up into the closet. Hiccup could never believe that given all the things his father had done to him. Though, maybe, this could be chalked up to one of the rare times Stoick was caring towards Hiccup. Hiccup hated that he never was awake to ever witness these events, though.

Lunchtime took forever to come. Mostly because Mr. Mildew had been an absolute jerk during class, making constant remarks about the bruises on Hiccup's face. What hurt the most was this wouldn't be the first time this sort of thing had happened and most certainly not the last. He had been hoping to not run into any of his new friends(?) because he didn't want to be questioned by them. However, having Fishelgs in the same class, it was harder than Hiccup thought especially when Fishlegs had convinced Hiccup to join the table.

So there Hiccup was, faced with his new friends(?) and some snacks provided to him by Jack. Hiccup hated this. Jack shouldn't have to be burdened by providing Hiccup food he shouldn't be having to begin with. It doesn't matter if Jack says he provided snacks to all his friends, Hiccup felt guilty. He wished he had stayed home.

Actually, that wouldn't have been a very good idea, either.

"So, Hiccup," Toothless said, being one of the first at the table to acknowledge him with words instead of a worried glance. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but what happened to your face?"

"I tripped." It was the only lie that had saved Hiccup for years. Did he enjoy telling it? Of course not. He longed for the day he no longer needed to worry about bearing a new bruise every day while still wearing all the old ones. He would love to eat food he himself didn't have to cook and didn't need to wait for permission, assuming he was even allowed to eat. He would love to have parents who would hold him when he was upset or scared. He would love a family who could treat him like a person.

But he could never have that. He didn't deserve it. Besides, didn't Soick love him just a small bit?

"You tripped?" North repeated, disbelief dripping from his voice. Hiccup still found North's Russian accent cool.

"Yep." It came out more of a squeak, but it's not like people were buying what he was selling anyway.

"You tripped?" Snotlout said. "Into someone's fist?"

"Yes- no." Hiccup hoped no one heard his slip. Not that it was true, anyway. There were two different sets of fists colliding into his face. And he didn't actually trip into them. He may as well have tripped into their fists, though.

It was at this point, that everyone must have decided to drop it as they asked him about anything else (favorite color, hobbies, birthday, and more things like that).

"Hiccup," Astrid said, her first word to him ever. She rarely ever spoke. Rumor has it she only has long conversations with Stormfly, though. But he supposed that should be reasonable. The two girls were dating, after all. "Hiccup, is everything all right for you at home?"

Silence reigned over the table.

Hiccup swallowed. He wanted to cry. He hated himself. Why was he lying to these people? Why were they so concerned about him all the time? Hiccup could feel something breaking, crumbling. The walls he had built to protect himself fell to dust.

"Heather caught me after school yesterday," Hiccup muttered quietly. And then my father beat me for it.

Arms wrapped around him and pulled him into the chest of whoever's arms they belonged to, though Hiccup had an idea of who it was based on the blue sweater with the frost designs on it. In that position, Hiccup couldn't see the storm brewing in everyone's eyes. Except for Fishlegs, who looked terrified.

Jack held him like that for a little while. It was so nice. Hiccup never wanted this to stop. Butterflies fluttered around in his body. The shame and embarrassment of the whole situation killed them, though. Hiccup had no idea why Jack was suddenly coddling him like this in the first place. Hiccup didn't deserve comfort.

"Hey," Jack said, clearly trying to change the subject. Hiccup felt Jack rubbing his hands along his back. "Did you want to watch our soccer match tonight? I can drop you off at home afterward."

Hiccup thought about it. He had the house all cleaned up and food made for his father for the next day or so. Besides, Stoick would be out late for business. It should be fine if he stays out late, just so long as it is not too late.

"Sure," Hiccup croaked out. He really didn't see a problem with hanging out with everyone, so long as no one else did either.

Jack smiled. "Awesome! But first, you need to finish your food."

A warm feeling spread through Hiccup's body. A feeling Hiccup never wanted to lose ever again, but knew he would be thrown back into the coldness of his home at some point that night.

Hiccup thought he'd be watching an actual soccer match, not a match in a park. But he supposed they wanted to have as much practice as possible as they didn't have an official practice tonight. Besides, it was still fun to watch. And a lot less loud. He was still confused as to why they wanted to play in this chilly weather, but at least Jack was kind enough to give Hiccup his jacket as Hiccup's (rather old) jacket didn't seem to be protecting him from the cold well enough.

Fishlegs sat next to Hiccup as the two watched. The two were making small talk, just trying to get to know each other better to pass the time. Until they could no longer think about anything to talk about. So they sat in a long silence as they watch the jocks play their soccer game.

"Hey, Hiccup?" Fighlegs asked out of the blue.

"Yes?" Hiccup replied with uncertainty.

"Has Heather ever done terrible things like what she had done yesterday to you before?"

Hiccup had to think about how he should answer that question. He decided the truth was his best chance. "Every chance she gets. It's something different every day," Hiccup said. "Has she done anything to you?"

"She was making fun of my weight yesterday. And Jack had witnessed it." Fishlegs' eyes seemed to stare off way into the distance. "I watched him dump her in front of me. I have never seen someone so apologetic as Jack was that day. I have also never seen anyone as Jack that day."

Hiccup looked in Fishlegs' direction in guilt and surprise. He hated the idea that someone else was targeted by Heather. She probably went after him because he had associated himself with Hiccup. Wouldn't be the first time. Hiccup just prayed Heather didn't push Fishlegs to suicide like she did the only friend Hiccup ever had once upon a time.

"I remember feeling like the whole situation was my fault," Fishlegs continued. "Until Jack had told me that he planned on leaving her anyway. Apparently, Jack has eyes on someone else right now."

"He does?" Hiccup felt like he asked that too quickly, but it felt warranted. He just didn't know why.

"Yeah, but he wouldn't say who," Fishlegs said. "But I have a feeling I know who it is."

Fishlegs made eye contact with Hiccup awkwardly.

"Who do you think it is?" Hiccup asked in a voice full of innocence and purity. He just desperately needed to know. The idea someone could steal away his warmth-

NO. Jack is a person. If he wants to have someone else by his side, Hiccup should respect that. He should expect that. He knew this was only temporary. And yet, he allowed himself to fall into this trap. Hiccup wanted to stay in this trap. At least, until the trappers force him to leave.

"Ooh, what are we talking about?" Jack's voice came out of nowhere.

Hiccup and Fishlegs squeaked and faced forward in unison. Just to see Jack and the rest of the jocks trying their best to hold in their laughter. Fishlegs stammered, clearly trying to think of something to say.

"Nothing important," Hiccup said. Hopefully, no one would pry that much.

"That's a shame," Jack said. "Oh, hey! Look at this pretty flower I found!"

Hiccup had to admit he was impressed. While the flower was easily something someone would call a weed, it was still impressive to see how beautiful it had stayed.

"Here you go, Hiccup!" Jack put the flower in Hiccup's right hand. Hiccup could feel his face heat up. So, he attempted to cover his face, the flower still in his right hand.

"Oh my gods, that is so cute!" Stormfly shrieked.

"Are you saying you want me to get you some flowers?" Astrid asked.

"Only if you want to," Stormfly said. "Although, I was thinking I would get you the flowers."

It was Astrid's turn to blush.

"UGH!" Snoutlout cried out. "Enough with this lovey-dovey nonsense! Please!"

"Is someone jealous?" Stormfly sang out.

"Pfft- no!" Snotlout snapped. "Just... just... shut up, Stormfly."

Stormfly smiled triumphantly.

North approached Snotlout from behind, looking like a giant compared to Snotlout. He placed his hands on Snotlout's shoulders, rubbing his arms down to his elbows, and said, "You know, Babygirl, I can love your body so good tonight, if that's what you would like."

Snotlout blushed, before taking a few steps forward, doing his best to shrug North off. The group laughed, Hiccup doing so nervously. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to laugh with them.

"Well, at least make sure I'm well wined and dined, or else you ain't having this," Snotlout said, hands gesturing to his body. Everyone laughed harder. Hiccup was so caught off guard.

What is happening? Is this normal?

The group continued to mess around (even Hiccup was able to join in a few times) until everyone got ready to leave. Hiccup wished they never had to leave. He had a bad feeling about going home.

On the car ride home, the two talked about the most random of things. If it got quiet, Jack would start up some conversation. Hiccup was grateful for the distraction so he didn't have to think about home. However, Hiccup noticed something was bothering Jack like he was just itching to ask something.

And that is when Jack pulled over. Hiccup panicked.

Am I going to be murdered?

"Hiccup."

Oh, gods. I am going to be murdered. This is where he is going to tell me he never actually liked me, he just felt pity for me, he regrets feeling pity for me, he-

"Would you be willing to go out with me?"

Hiccup blinked. What?

"What?"

Jack laughed nervously. "What I mean is, I know we don't know each other very well. But I would like to get to know you. So, maybe one day, we could be boyfriends... As in the dating kind. If you would also like to do so?"

Hiccup had never seen anyone so nervous before, especially not Jack. Then again, he'd hardly ever seen Jack, and when he did, the guy was all smiles.

"I... I would love to," Hiccup said. It should not have come as a surprise when Jack smiled like a small child on Christmas morning. But Hiccup was still surprised by how happy Jack looked. No one was ever this happy around Hiccup, much less because of Hiccup.

"Oh, hey." Hiccup took Jack's jacket off. "Did you want this back?"

"Nah. I can get it from you tomorrow," Jack said casually.

"Are you sure?" Hiccup felt guilty Jack didn't have anything to protect him from the cold.

"Yes, I'm sure," Jack said. "Besides, I love the cold. And this hoodie does a pretty good job of keeping me safe from the worst of the cold."

Hiccup wasn't sure if he should feel convinced, but Jack was standing his ground pretty firm. So Hiccup gave up.

Jack pulled up just a ways in front of the driveway to Hiccup's house. Hiccup paled when he saw his father's car in the driveway. He didn't want to get out of Jack's car. It took so much in Hiccup to not just tell Jack to drive away.

"Thank you for the good time I had tonight," Hiccup said. "I'll see you at school tomorrow!"

If I'm even alive tomorrow.

Hiccup opened the car door, backpack in hand, and started climbing out. Before Hiccup could even get his foot out the door, he felt Jack grab his wrist. Hiccup turned to look at Jack with confusion, to see Jack's concerned look at the sight of Hiccup's wrist (Hiccup couldn't help that his wrists were vastly smaller than everyone else's). That look disappeared almost immediately as Jack looked into Hiccup's eyes, and with a cheeky grin, kissed Hiccup's hand.

"Til we meet again, Milady." Jack bowed with a wink. At least, he bowed the best he could while sitting in a car and still buckled in. Hiccup blushed as he got out of the car. As he turned to look at his house, he noticed movement from the curtain from the living room's window. The red on his face turned to white.

"Is everything alright, Hiccup?" Genuine concern was on Jack's face as he asked. The same look he had when he was looking at Hiccup's wrist.

Hiccup just smiled and waved as he ran to his house door. "See you tomorrow!"

Hiccup opened the door to his house, his excited schoolgirl act gone as if it never existed.

Stoick was standing a few feet in the doorway. Hiccup quickly closed the door. He didn't need Jack to see this. Everyone already believes Hiccup is being mistreated at home, he doesn't need them to know they are right.

"What were you doing with that boy?" Stoick questioned.

"We-we were just hanging out wi-with some of his other f-friends," Hiccup stuttered out. He was petrified.

"Is that so?" Stoick said.

Hiccup could feel himself panicking. "Yes."

"So then why did he kiss your hand? And why did you blush at whatever he said to you?"

How long have you been watching?

Hiccup couldn't think of an answer that would appease his father. Not that anything could, anyway.

"Do you like being fucked by men?"

Hiccup nearly choked on his saliva. His eyes shot up to meet his father's eyes. "W-what?"

"Did you whore yourself out to him and all of his friends?" Stoick said.

Hiccup shook his head. "No. I would never!"

A slap to the face was what he received.

"Did you let them fuck you so you can get a bite to eat?" Stoick pressed.

Hiccup let tears fall as he tried to deny everything. He had no idea why he was being asked these questions. His father never cared when Hiccup was touched by Stoick's childhood friend. He blamed Hicucp for letting it happen. Hiccup was eleven when it happened.

Stoick suddenly grabbed Hiccup off the floor.

"You didn't eat anything today, did you?" Stoick said, venom dripping from every word.

Hiccup shook his head furiously.

"Liar."

Stoick dragged Hiccup to the kitchen, one hand holding both of Hiccup's wrists, Hiccup begging for mercy the whole way there.

Stoick strode over to where all the knives were. Hiccup stopped his begging so he could just sob. Stoick released his grip on Hiccup's wrist so he could roll up Hiccup's right sleeve. Hiccup could only stare when Stoick held down that arm. His panic rose when he watched Stoick grab a knife.

"Hold still," Stoick growled.

I am working on writing more often, now that I have plenty more free time and motivation. And no writer's block. So you guys should see this being updated more frequently. Hopefully.

While I'm sure it may seem like I am moving too fast when I have Astrid ask Hiccup if everything is alright at his home, there is a very good reason why she asks. Maybe you guys can guess, but I won't say confirm nor deny until I write about the reason in a future chapter. Shouldn't be too long, so long as I can keep up this good writing. Til then, have a great one!

Author's note: I've had this chapter pretty much done for a good while. I just got distracted by something else.