6 months later

The huge workshop was charged with the familiar tension of two best friends who couldn't stop arguing, even when it was over the most ridiculous things. Tools were scattered across the floor, blueprints half-finished, as Jack paced back and forth, every step measured and sharp. His jaw clenched with irritation, and his hands were jammed into his pockets as if trying to physically prevent himself from losing his cool. He didn't want to go to this damn event!

No, he didn't want to go at all!

"Jack, for the love of Thor, will you ever listen?" Hiccup's frustration was palpable; his voice strained with the anger only close friends could bring out in one another. The engineer's face was flushed, and his ordinarily calm composure was lost in a mess of red-faced frustration. His long, lean fingers jabbed the air as he threw his arms up in the air, his disheveled hair sticking out in odd angles.

Jack spun to face him, his piercing gaze sharp. "For the thousandth time, hell no," he growled, throwing his hands in the air. "And isn't this a Haddock-owned company? You go!"

Hiccup stomped towards him, his boots making heavy, purposeful thuds against the floor, the frustration evident in his every movement. His eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't give up quickly, and Jack knew it too well.

"Listen, jackass," Hiccup said, his voice low and simmering with annoyance. "You just started here and moved to Berk. It makes sense you go now more than ever. Get to meet the professionals. Do something with your life!"

Jack sighed dramatically, running his hand through his messy, snowy hair. "But I've got you for that. My scrawny, ugly best friend. So why do I have to? Isn't that what you're paid for? To network for the company?" He flashed a mocking grin, brushing Hiccup's sweater as if trying to push him further into giving in.

"That was not flattering at all, quite the opposite, actually." Hiccup wasn't having any of it. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his voice dropped to a sharp tone. "If you don't, I'll fire you."

Jack scoffed, leaning back against the workbench and crossing his arms smugly. "I know you're not gonna do that."

Hiccup raised a finger in Jack's face, his voice stern with warning. "I can get you kicked out of the town."

Jack only raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Yeah, you won't do that either."

For the next twenty minutes, Hiccup rattled off every possible consequence for Jack refusing to go, listing them off like an angry teacher lecturing. He pulled out every threat in his arsenal: losing pay, being removed from projects, even being tossed out of Berk itself, but Jack barely flinched. The game was old; he knew Hiccup's tricks. He'd heard all of them before.

Finally, with a frustrated growl, Hiccup snapped. "Fuck you!" His hand flew out, landing a sharp punch on Jack's nose. The force of it made Jack stumble backward, and the unexpected hit made his nostrils flare.

"What the hell was that for, you asshole?" Jack yelped, holding his nose, feeling the blood start to pool inside. "Damn, I think you broke it! What, have you been taking lessons from Astrid now? You muscleless stick."

Without missing a beat, Hiccup landed another blow, this time on Jack's shoulder. "That was rude, muttonhead!"

Jack growled in response, his frustration boiling over. In an instant, the two were on the floor, tackling each other like children, fists flying and laughter mixed with genuine punches. It was the most ridiculous fight, one of the many they'd had over the years, but it was theirs. No one else would understand it.

Their feet tangled as they rolled, both too stubborn to back down, too proud to let the other have the last word. The floor echoed with the sound of punches landing and bodies colliding, but despite the brawling, there was an odd sense of comfort in it. It was their way of venting; loud, messy, and entirely too childish for two grown men, but neither of them cared. The years of being friends had left this routine more like a language neither of them could resist. And this was the only thing that Jack had kept of his old self.

Suddenly, a commanding voice broke through the chaos, sharper than the ruckus they were making.

"Quit it!"

Both men froze mid-struggle, the words reverberating in the air like a sharp crack of thunder. They both straightened up with matching expressions of wide-eyed innocence, their muscles still tense, but their fighting stopped, the reality of who had just entered the room sinking in.

"Hello, mummy!" Hiccup grinned sheepishly, his face already sporting a freshly bleeding nose and a black eye. His voice was exaggerated, an over-the-top attempt at charm, but it only made his appearance more ridiculous.

"Oh, hi, sweet Aunt Valka!" Jack responded with a deep, mocking bow, his puffy cheek swollen and his nose red from the blow. His attempt at levity wasn't much better.

Valka stood in the doorway, a storm of anger in the form of a woman. Her arms were crossed tightly, her stance wide, her eyes narrowing on the two of them like an eagle hunting its prey. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and it was clear the situation was not amusing her. With a swift motion, she threw the lunchboxes she had been holding onto the table, the plastic containers clattering loudly.

"I came here to surprise you with lunch," she began, her voice a low rumble, filled with growing frustration. "And I walk in to see two adults fighting like animals on the ground. And now I find you both standing here, covered in blood and bruises."

Hiccup and Jack exchanged looks, knowing the storm that was coming. They didn't even bother to offer an excuse because there wasn't one. They both knew they were in trouble.

"Now, both of you, get your asses on the ground," Valka ordered, her voice so commanding, so no-nonsense that it was impossible to ignore.

With a heavy sigh, Hiccup dropped to the floor first, his hand on his nose to stem the blood flow. Jack followed, doing his best to sit cross-legged on the floor despite the painful twinges in his cheek. There was no use resisting. They both knew this was coming and were far too used to it by now to argue.

Valka, no stranger to chaos, sat in front of them with an open medical kit. She wasted no time, immediately getting to work on cleaning the wounds. There was no sympathy in her touch, just efficiency. She worked with the precision of someone who had seen far too many injuries in her life...animals or anyone foolish enough to fight like animals.

"I can treat animals," she muttered as she wiped the blood from Jack's nose, "I can treat you animals too."

Jack winced, his face twisting in mild pain. "That was mean, Aun-" he gasped as she pressed harder against the injury.

"Shut it," she snapped. "I'm not here to listen to your whining."

As she continued her work, she hardly kicked Hiccup's knee, and his giggle deepened her frown. "Shut up, both of you. Now tell me, what was that about?"

Hiccup and Jack exchanged guilty glances, trying hard not to laugh in the face of their severe punishment. Neither answered immediately, instead sitting in the awkward silence that filled the space between them. Valka didn't budge, her eyes sharp as she waited for an explanation.

Jack finally broke the silence, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You know," he said with a crooked grin, clearly planning to lie, "I think we both just got so used to bickering we forgot we were grown-ups."

"Right," Hiccup added, rubbing the back of his neck, looking as sheepish as possible. "It's…an old habit."

Valka only sighed deeply, shaking her head as she finished patching them up. She had seen this routine too many times already these past few months, and no matter how often she tried to teach them a lesson, they always found a way to slip back into their ridiculous antics.

Valka's fingers worked efficiently, dabbing at the wounds with antiseptic, but her gaze never wavered from the two of them. Her patience was wearing thin, and yet, she couldn't entirely suppress the edge of amusement that tugged at the corners of her mouth.

These two would never change.

"Well?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the thick silence between them. "Are you going to explain yourself, or do I need to develop my theories?"

Jack glanced at Hiccup, who was carefully inspecting his now bandaged nose, trying to avoid making eye contact with Valka. The guilt was written all over their faces, but neither seemed ready to come clean. They'd been through too many of these moments together to be anything but stubborn.

Jack leaned back slightly, his arms resting behind him as he stretched his legs out, deliberately avoiding the question. "It's simple," he said with a nonchalant shrug despite the red swelling around his nose and the ache in his jaw. "Hiccup wanted me to attend a networking event and meet many professionals. But I wasn't feeling it. So, he got all...persuasive."

"Persuasive?" Valka's voice was laced with disbelief as she patched up his nose. "If by persuasive, you mean trying to blackmail you into going-"

"Not blackmail," Hiccup interjected quickly, his hands raised in defense, though he winced at the pain in his ribs from the earlier tussle. "Just…making sure he didn't hide in his office forever. You've seen how he gets." He shot Jack a sideways glance, his tone both defensive and apologetic.

Jack muttered under his breath, "I don't need to be paraded around like some show pony at an event."

"Oh, but you do," Valka countered, giving him a pointed look as she moved to Hiccup. "You're new here, Jack. You just started. People don't know you. And whether you like it or not, you need those connections to make something of yourself here."

Jack rolled his eyes, his gaze flickering to the side, unwilling to meet her gaze. He hated it when people made sense, especially when it was Valka. "I'm fine, really. I'm doing my job. That's all I need."

Valka gave a short, humorless laugh. "Fine? Sure, you're fine. But you're also hiding." Her voice softened, the sharp edge of frustration still there but mixed with something gentler. "And if you keep hiding, Jack, you won't ever get the life you want. Not here. Not anywhere. And definitely not with your nose buried in a blueprint all day."

The silence in the room thickened, and Jack could feel his chest tightening. It was as if the weight of her words pressed down on him. He hated admitting it, but she was right. He was hiding. Ever since the move to Berk, ever since the start of a new chapter, he'd kept his distance, locked himself away in the office where he felt safe. But deep down, he knew it wasn't healthy. It wasn't living.

"I know," he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for them to hear. "But…things aren't always as easy as they sound."

Valka's gaze softened, her tone turning more understanding now, though still firm. "I know. But running away from it won't make it go away. The world isn't going to wait for you, Jack."

Hiccup, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice quieter this time. "You don't have to do everything at once…take it one step at a time. And maybe start with the damn networking event?"

Jack looked over at him, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. Hiccup, the optimist and the one who seemed to know how to push through the complex parts of life, was exemplary. It wouldn't be easy, but it might not have to be a battle. Maybe...just maybe...there was room to take that step.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly in surrender. "Fine. I'll go. But I'm not making any promises about 'networking' or whatever people do there."

Hiccup grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You'll figure it out. In the worst-case scenario, I'll be there to bail you out. You know, the usual."

Valka chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "At least you two still know how to make me laugh." She finished tending to Hiccup's wounds, standing up and stretching, glancing at the clock on the wall. "But if you two keep getting into fights like this, I might just have to start charging you for the medical supplies."

Jack snorted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sure you'd make a killing off us, Aunt Valka."

She gave them both a half-smile, the corners of her lips twitching upwards despite herself. "You'd better watch yourselves. I'm not going to keep fixing you up forever."

Hiccup, always the one to lighten the mood, picked up one of the lunch boxes from the table and opened it, immediately digging into the food. "Well, that's a conversation for another day. For now…lunch?"

Jack's stomach growled at the mention of food, and despite the morning's chaos, he found himself smiling for the first time in what felt like ages. "Lunch sounds good."

Valka watched the two of them, the hint of a smile still playing at the corners of her mouth. "Alright, eat up, you fools. You're going to need the energy to work."

Valka's gaze flicked between them. "Once again. You will attend that event in a few days and talk to people. Jack, you need to network. Hiccup, you must stop hiding behind your machines and get out there too."

"I hate those things," Jack muttered, setting his sandwich down, the taste now gone from his mouth. "And I don't need to meet anyone, especially not her."

Valka raised an eyebrow. "Especially not her? What does that mean?"

Jack's gaze flickered briefly, but he shook his head, not wanting to explain more. "Nothing."

She stared at him momentarily, her sharp Viking eyes seeing more than he wanted her to. But she didn't press further; Valka took a deep breath. "You both are going. End of story."

The room was silent once more, heavy with the weight of her words. Hiccup, still nursing his wounded pride, reached for the last bite of his sandwich.

"Fine," Jack finally muttered, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine. But I'm not enjoying it."

Hiccup nodded. "Same"

Valka gave a slight smirk. "I don't care; you are still going muttonheads."

And with that, the two of them knew the battle had been won.

Jack lingered at the edge of the hall, his posture rigid against the cool evening breeze. His black suit fit him well, the crisp lines of the jacket doing little to hide the tension in his frame. Beneath his shirt, the necklace Elsa had bought him in Iceland lay hidden, the metal cool against his skin. He squeezed his eyes shut, drawing a deep breath as if the air might steel his resolve. His foot hovered over the green carpet that rolled out like a moss river into the bustling hall. "I hate this," he muttered, the words swallowed by the hum of conversation inside.

The hall was brimming with life. People clustered around tall tables, their glasses clinking and laughter spilling over. Practically all of Berk was here, except for the Nutts, who were still banned from these events ever since their kitchen explosion prank two years ago. The room buzzed with familiarity, a tapestry of faces and voices woven into the fabric of this tight-knit town. Jack drifted through the sea of people, his movements stiff and deliberate.

He caught sight of Hiccup and Astrid sitting at a table near the back. Hiccup's expression was a mix of guilt and discomfort while Astrid nudged him, her own face a mask of disapproval. They were not alone. The Haddocks, Finn Hofferson, Gobber, his friends, and other familiar faces filled the room. Yet, despite the warmth and history, Jack felt adrift. He had been here for months and grown close to everyone, but that did not stop the gnawing feeling that he did not quite belong. Maybe it was his ridiculous attempt at remaking himself, the façade he wore like ill-fitting clothes. Ever since Hiccup's drunken confession had spread through the town, everyone knew, and the pity in their eyes only deepened the ache inside him.

They didn't know why Jack was changing himself, but they knew he was, and there was definitely something deep there, but they didn't ask.

And then, amidst the shifting crowd, he saw her. Elsa stood near a cluster of town officials, her posture straight and poised. She wore a navy dress that moved like water with every step, a perfect blend of elegance and professionalism. Her platinum hair framed her face, the soft curls resting on her shoulders, and her lips curled into a practiced but genuine smile. She moved through conversations gracefully, her voice a smooth melody that barely rose above the din but still commanded attention.

Jack's heart thudded against his ribs, a drumbeat of longing and nerves.

He wanted to go to her. Not to unravel their past or plead for her love, but just to talk. To exchange simple words, share the same space, and hear her voice directed at him. His fingers tightened around the glass in his hand, the cool condensation biting into his skin. It had been eight months since he had arrived in Berk and eight months since he had last spoken to her. That awkward exchange at his welcome party had been their last real conversation, and he craved more, even if it was just a few ordinary words.

He steadied himself, each breath drawing him closer to his decision. He could do this. He would walk over, ask about her work, talk about the weather, anything to bridge the canyon that had opened up between them. But before he could move, a figure stepped into view. Tall, with shiny hair and an easy, confident stride, the man approached Elsa with a familiarity that sent a spike of dread through Jack's chest. He reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder, and Elsa turned to him, her face lighting up with a warm smile that nearly hurt to watch.

Even over the crowd's murmur, Jack could hear her voice, soft and inviting. "Oh, hi, Dylan."

So this was him. Dylan. The man who had filled the space Jack had left behind. Jack's pulse roared in his ears, drowning out everything else. His feet felt rooted to the spot, every muscle in his body stiff and unwilling to obey. She was smiling.

The ache in his chest deepened, spreading like frostbite. He tore his gaze away, the room around him blurring into a wash of colours and sounds. His movements became mechanical as he drifted into conversations, the words spilling from his mouth without thought or purpose. He shook hands, nodded at stories he did not hear, and smiled on cue. His mind was elsewhere, tangled in the image of her and the man who made her smile.

After an hour, Jack could not take it anymore. The hall walls seemed to close in on him, every friendly face a reminder of everything he had lost. He slipped out through a side door, the night air biting against his skin as he left the crowd behind. No one noticed his departure, the hum of voices and laughter continuing without him. He was the first to leave a space where he had stood.

Outside, the world felt vast and uncaring. His breath clouded the air, each exhale a ghostly reminder of his solitude. Jack wandered down the dimly lit street, the sound of his footsteps swallowed by the quiet.

Jack did not know where to go or what to do.

Thanks for reading as usual and for all the lovely comments. I am so glad it's nearing the end now!