Chapter Text
The isle of Berk, It's twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death. It's located solidly on the Meridian of Misery which a sturdy village has been inhabiting since seven generations ago and their food is insipid as their people. Despite everything, the exotic pest of dragons was what makes this place so unique. Even more than their charming viking demeanor.
Stoick The Vast is the chief of the tribe. A formidable, powerful, and brave man, one of the greatest chiefs in Berk's history. His principal aim: keep his village safe from those infamous pests finding the dragon's nest.
"Either we finish them, or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them! If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave" — That's what he trusts in. To achieve it, from time to time the aptest Vikings were going offshore towards a suicide mission: Find the nest.
"Chief, a group of Nadders is coming!" Warned one of the ships aside before a blaze appeared above them, almost burning many heads.
"Some monsters won't stop us! Attack with everything! They must be protecting their nest!"
They attacked altogether to every dragon who began to surround them. The earsplitting sound of metal and arrows stabbing the muscles get together with the cries of war and dragons being battered down.
Even if they used all their best weapons, nothing was useful since a huge group of many dragons detected them through the fog, attacking stronger that the Nadders.
"Backdown! We can't go on like this!" The chief finally said to beat a retreat and the ships change their direction right away to return to Berk without more losses. Still, before getting away as much as possible from the thick fog, the crying of a little child comes over to the hunter's ears making them look for its bearer.
Having a 4-year-old child triggered his father's instinct. Thus leaving in charge of the ship to someone else, jumping into the water without doubts, and seeking that crying on nearby land.
Perhaps the calls of his people, he avoid the reptiles underwater and emerged once he hit land hearing the child's cry harder than before. A flock of dragons makes him contemplate the worst when he realized that unknown crying came from there.
A huge branch on the floor was enough to use as a weapon for him. Roaring and waving his arms hysterically he get through those beings, dodging skilfully flares and fireballs until reached the little kid among the dragons. "Accursed beasts. How dare you attack a child?!"
Even if his strength was equivalent to the strength of 10 men, fighting against 20 or more dragons would only be a complete defeat. That's why he decided to escape from there with the boy in his arms, protecting him from everything until reached the ships."We must go back to Berk as soon as possible!"
The boy trembled and cried, clinging really hard to the chief, while trying to tranquilize him with sweet pats on his head and warm comforting words that he didn't understand.
"Are you alright? What's your name, little one?" The viking present tried to sound as calm and sweet as their chief so as not to scare him, but he only clung to the man while his frightened gaze danced onto all of them.
"We should take him to the elder, maybe they did something to him, Stoick" That speculation stoked the hatred in the hunter's heart about the dragons. Think about a defenseless creature being attacked by demons that made their blood boil. "May Eira protect him"
(***)
The child was brought in front of the elder of the tribe by Stoick, looking for his health being intact. According to Gothi's signs, that child was healthy and safe, but they missed an important detail that she noticed before than anyone. His features so different from the people on the Archipelago.
If his appearance from somewhere far away from Berk was not enough, when the woman tried to talk with him, that boy spoke in a language alien to the well-known Old Norse. Because of that, Stoick asked Gobber to teach the boy their language so he could communicate with them.
As the days passed, not only the people started to know a little more about the foreign boy's story, but also he was agreeably received and encouraged by all until he could master it as a second language without forgetting his own.
Once the child was able to communicate fluently at seven years old, no one could stop him. Jackson Overland was happily recognized as a completely Berkian and – who would say – a winner of Stoick's esteem.
Although the days of fighting dragons were hard, the idea of having future generations in the tribe was what made the inhabitants most happy and motivated, being more noticeable with the arrival of Jack on the village. It was like if the goddess Nanna had blessed that place with the presence of the boy with sparkling brown eyes and hair.
Of course, that mischievous boy wasn't going to stay alone for long. As soon as the little ones in the village began to grow, Jack became friends with them and they went from here to there playing or "hunting trolls".
It was common to see him being "The Storyteller of the village" and illuminate the faces of the kids by acting out stories about ancient chiefs or the gods every time there was an attack by dragons and the little ones had to take shelter in The Great Hall.
Over time, the gang slowly started to dispersed when the topic of being a dragon killer was introduced as part of their future. While most of them dreamed on hunting down a Gronkle or a Monstrous Nightmare for the first time, some other didn't quite like it.
As a result, the closeness between Jackson Overland and Hiccup Haddock born. And who would say? Stoick The Vast's firstborn and future chief of Berk ended up becoming Jack's favorite because of his unconventional attitude for a Viking that caused so much abhorrence to others.
(***)
A small 11-year-old Hiccup was receiving blacksmithing classes with Gobber as a teacher. That wasn't entirely boring, but he felt somewhat excluded from the rest because the other children were training the use of weapons at that moment...Well, maybe and not all of them.
"You're watching how it's done, right? You can lose several finger if you do it wrong" Explained the blonde man to him as he removed the metal from the flames to shape it with a hammer on an anvil.
"I'm watching" Despite the reluctance in his voice, the man didn't turn to look him until he had to turn around to ask for a tool. The strange thing was seeing a hideous drawing of the freckled one stuck to the chair where the Haddock was supposed to be.
"What the...?" Gobber quickly left the smithy to see how a 13-year-old pre-adolescent was carrying his apprentice in his arms while he laughed and ran to Loki-knows-where.
"I'll give him back to you tomorrow, Gobber! Thanks!" The brown-haired yelled in the distance at the same time he dodged people with such a great agility after having escaped from múltiple scoldings for so many years.
"Jack! You little scoundrel, you should be studying! Come back here!" Gobber tried to chase him, but ended up giving up when he saw them entered into the forest.
Resigned, the man returned to his work area while smiling faintly at the previous interactions of those two. He could swear that he wasn't the only one to see some sort of special spark between those two. Both would be great, he had no doubt of that.
[...]
Once they were both away from Gobber or anyone else, Jack lowered Hiccup down with a sigh and laughing with him for that magnificent escapade.
Both knew they could get into trouble, but that didn't matter to them at all. It was more fun running around and do ice skating that hang out with the others only to learn how to decapitate a dragon barehanded or wield an axe.
A notebook with a pencil appeared on the legs of the little brunette. With a smile he took his stuff ready to draw, but a sudden helmet was left on his head distracting him.
Because of being the smallest of his generation, the accessories used to fit escepecially huge to him. With some discomfort he tried to look up, but being covered by that helmet at the slightest movement.
"It's yours?" Asked the youngest while he placed it in a certain way, so that he wouldn't interrupt him.
A happy nod was what he received from him. Sometimes he forgot that it was a tradition to give things for training to the youngest. "They gave it to me for the training. Don't you want to hear the news of the day, freckly?"
Rolling his eyes, he settled back to listen carefully to what his friend had to tell him. Jack was envy for everyone of their age, for being 2 years older he could start training in the arena before than they, but for some reason he ended up becoming the first Viking to turn down the offer in order to wait for everyone.
"Well, Fishlegs memorized the entire book of dragons in one class and Astrid's parents gave her an axe for her future training. That isn't cool? I would like a sword, what do you think?" He said between mimes that companies his narrative.
"That's great...You guys can lift weapons and the others could train with you when they grow up" Jack raised an eyebrow at his friend gloomy words. In order to erase that blue face, he began to tickle him in the first opportunity he had.
"Don't be so pessimistic, freckles! You will be put in training with us too" He tried to cheer him up after having "tortured" him enough.
"How? You know I can't even lift a rock" He replied without even eraising his smile due to the recent tickling. He didn't understand how someone could be so sure about something.
"You're still small, aren't you? In a few years you will be able to crush mountains"
Hiccup laughed as he shook his head slightly. Wishing to forget the topic, he began to draw and write down what he remembered of Gobber's class. He could feel Jack's curious gaze next to him, but compared to anyone else, he didn't mind at all.
"Besides..." Talked again the Haddock. "The hateful Snoutloud will be bothering me" He added as he remembered with a frown all those times that the Jorgerson called him "twink" and made fun of his lack of strength every time he wanted to help.
The chuckles of his friend make his frown more hard and giving him a several look was the solution to calm him down.
" Hey...Didn't I stopped him?" The silence was fun to receive as an answer, but the soft gaze make it better. "I'll be there to stop him, I'll always be there, okay?"
That security in his voice made Hiccup's heartbeat hard and increased his smile when he felt a sudden hug from the brunette, complaining about the forced exerted against his weak body.
"You're amazing, Hiccup. Don't forget it"
The older brown-haired remained pressed to the flecked one while he watched how he drew something completely different from the ones before, it looked like some kind of suit.
Faced by his curious look, Hiccup moved on his place as he blushed with embarrassment. He didn't know how to explain to Jack what he had been thinking for years since his stories fascinated him completely.
" Oh...I-I just thought that it would be a great idea make you a costume...Uh, you know, just to improve your storytelling" Trying to ignore the other's presence, he went on with his business, still feeling the other's smile next to him.
"It looks incredible! Gobber taught you how to sew?"
"Yesterday...he only taught me the basics, but I can try"
Another strong hug made the brunette lose his breath for a few seconds, groaning once he was free and causing Jack to laugh because his face was redder than before. He'll be probably dead soon if Jackson keep giving him those kind of hugs.
Once night came, both boys returned to the village with their usual happy vibe. Even if Stoick scolded them for getting into trouble, Jack quickly brushed away Hiccup's sad aura to return to joy.
As soon as they set a foot in the Haddocks house, the door opened revealing a huge Viking with a long beard and reddish hair in front of them both. Giving them a stern look, he stay in silent, trying to remain patient. "Where were you? "
"Hello, dad..."
"Hey, Chief!"
Before they could both run away, the man grabbed them by the collar of their shirts like puppies in order to separate them from the ground and take them to the smithy despite their desperate explanations.
Gobber was waiting for them with a slacker face on the threshold of the place. He wasn't as strict and overprotective as Stoick, which is why Jack and Hiccup referred to him as "Uncle Gobber" at times like this.
"Apologize. Now" The chief demanded as he gave both of them a little push to get them closer to the one with the blond mustache. If it hadn't been for Jack, Hiccup would have stumbled as usual.
"I'm very sorry for not going back to class, Uncle Gobber" The youngest responded while moving his shoulders somewhat exaggeratedly. That strange mania almost broke the older brown-haired calm countenance.
"I'm sorry for taking Hiccup away, Uncle Gobber" the Overland said this time as he looked at the man, he knew the meaning of the gesture he was making at him."I swear I won't do it again!"
More satisfied, Gobber gave them a light hit on the head with his hook, letting out a laugh at the attitude of those two." It's okay, guys. You remind me of Stoick and I when we were young, always getting into trouble".
The two smiled slightly as they felt the more pleasant environment, but fleeing away when the chief's cough was heard around the place.
"Don't forgive them easily, Gobber. They won't learn anything like this" Said the one with the beard while he ignored the long faces of both children who wanted to run away at the slightest opportunity.
"Well, since the chief want to sanction both of you" The two had to catch buckets of water, Jack being the only one who could hold him in his arms."You must clean the smithy"
"Leave it shiny or there won't be any dinner for you two," Stoick warned before leaving with Gobber, who was trying to convince him not to be so severe with them.
Letting out a sigh, they got to work, annoying themselves from time to time by throwing water at each other.
It was all peace and fun until a sudden creak was heard near the smithy.
"Did you heard that, right?" Hiccup received a nod from Jack and, suddenly, several flutters went above their heads as they left the smithy to confirm their theories. " Oh gods... "
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" The war cry of a Viking triggered one of the many spectacles of everyday. And without wasting time, Jack grab Hiccup by the wrist to head as quickly as possible to The great hall, gathering The gang on the way as usual.
Once Jack taked care of closing the doors of The great hall — just in time to avoid the attack of a Gronkle — he laughed before sit next to Hiccup at one of the tables.
"This is boring! We're big now, we can fight dragons" Snoutloud complained as he crossed his arms in bother.
"You're still children, you may die in the attempt" Jack said as he went up to the table to start the custom he had created. "Don't you prefer a story than kill dragons?"
Despite Snoutloud's — very false — denial, everyone else smiled excitedly as Jack began to get into character.
But before the first sentence were said, the door of The great hall was opened, drawing everyone's attention to the incessant shouting in the background and the fire lighting up the scene.
"Jack, it's your time to shine! They need your help to put out the fire" It was Gobber who called him. And seeing the scene, he couldn't help but feel bad for having interrupted a fun moment for the children. "Sorry for interrupting the story, guys. You can continue later"
Once the young Vikings reached the age of 13, it was usual for them to begin to be integrated into dragon attacks. And since Jack had already fulfilled them, he was finally called to help.
"Oh... Okay" Not as excited by the news (as the blond expected) Jackson had to get down from the table apologizing to the others, promising that the show would continue soon.
Before the boy could go with Gobber, slim hands on his wrist pulled him back. Turning around, he could see Hiccup's face full of concern in a kind of internal battle, not wanting to let him go despite how important that moment was for a Viking.
"It's dangerous, can't he stay here with us?" Asked the freckled boy while he looked pleadingly at the one with the mustache, not wanting to see the boy in danger.
"It's necessary, Hiccup. Let him go," The blond said softly, feeling some pity for the kids. All of them loved Jack very much, and especially Hiccup, he understood that he won't let him go so easily.
"Yes, Hiccup. Let him go" Snoutloud put pressure despite, like everyone else, deep down was worried like the rest. "I-it's his moment..."
A few small caresses in her hair retained his words. He couldn't believe the calm on Jack's face at a moment like this, he knew he was strong and could help put out fires, but he was afraid that Jack would be attacked by a dragon. After all, it was his first call.
"Everything will be fine, freckles. If I don't do it, we're going to run out of houses and I don't wanna sleep with the yaks" The joking tone was always present, calming the minor's nerves a bit enough to get free. "I'll be back in a bit, guys!"
With that usual relaxed smile, Jack ended up leaving the great room, closing the door well to leave his precious friends safe.
"H-He's going to be fine...it's Jack after all," Astrid said. She rarely spoke to them, so the concern in her was palpable.
"Yeah...he dodges very well...a Gronkle would lose sight of him quickly," Fishlegs added, giving the others a sheepish smile and receiving a nod from the girl.
"Very agile but not as agile as a Nadder, they could catch him in an instant" Tuffnut spoke this time while moving his hands according to his words.
"Or a Scauldron could melt his face," Ruffnut added as he ran his hands over his face as if his face melted.
"Of course not, dumb. Those are in the water"
"Dumb?! You're face is dumb!" That was how a common fight between the Thorston twins unfolded, causing the others to roll their eyes and put the topic aside for a while.
When they least expected it, the door of The great hall was opened with notorious difficulty and barely Fishlegs together with Astrid reached to call Hiccup when the door was completely closed.
It was very surprising for Hiccup that a dragon passed over him as soon as he stepped outside and that it was knocked down in a matter of seconds.
He quickened his pace as soon as he saw someone approaching the prone beast, hoping he wouldn't bump into more of the sort.
"Oh gods, AH! JACK!" He tried to find his friend among so many people that came and went with different weapons in hand made by Gobber. "Jack!"
"Hiccup?! What are you doing here?"
"Go to The great hall!"
"Get away from here!"
Against the advice of the adults, Hiccup kept running around while calling out to Jackson through the crowd, occasionally bumping into people but avoiding falling to the ground. If he saw him complete he would return to The great hall without excuse, he just needed to see that he was okay.
After a while circling and dodging fire, he managed to see in the distance how a group of people along with Jackson carried heavy buckets of water towards one of the houses on fire.
The view was enough to calm his nerves. He was not alone and, although somewhat tired, he continue helping others from a safe place.
With that mental image Hiccup could released the breath he was holding to turn around towards The great hall having accomplished his goal. The only problem was a boiling snort on the back of his neck that froze his blood for a few minutes without the possibility of moving.
He slowly turned around with a bead of cold sweat running down his forehead. One of the Zippleback heads was staring at him with sharp eyes and a not very friendly countenance.
"Hey...Were you also looking for Jack? Hope not"
The scream of the brunette caught the attention of a few when they saw how that two-headed lizard was chasing the weak son of the chief who, for some reason, was outside the safe zone.
"Hiccup!" Jack was the first to react, throwing the first thing he found at one of the Zippleback's heads, causing a brief fight between them in order to gain time.
Not being very good at aiming, he borrowed a few slingshots, thus managing to catch the troublesome heads by their paws. That gave him a bad taste in his mouth when he heard the animal's moan, but knowing that Hiccup was already far from danger made him ignore it.
By that time, the dragons were already leaving with only a couple of sheep to the luck of the inhabitants. And being safer, Stoick decidedly approached his son to reprimand him, but he was taken by surprise to see how the cheerful boy was ahead of him on his way to the freckled boy.
Ignoring any kind of compliment for the good maneuver, Jack approached Hiccup grabbing his shoulders with obvious anger.
"What the hell were you doing outside?! I told you to stay inside! They could have killed you, fool!"
"Well...but nothing bad happened, right?" It was very contradictory to hear how a roof collapsed in the background.
"Hiccup! It's your life, for the love of the gods!" Before the minor could continue speaking, Jack was already dragging him by the arm towards The great hall under the gaze of the surprised adults who never saw him get angry.
"It seems that someone stole your job" Gobber joked next to Stoick, who was looking at the scene with shock.
As much as he wanted to explain himself, the brunette was always silenced by another scolding from Overland and he even pinched his nose and cheek with some force for having done something so dangerous.
"Alright! I'm sorry! But I worried about you and wanted to see if you were okay!"
"I told you it was going to be fine." His tone of voice made it clear how angry he felt. "I can't believe you're so impulsive for Thor's sake"
"I know and I'm sorry, but I really wanted to see that you were in one piece"
The grip disappeared in front of the huge door, the brown-haired boy sighed as he looked as calmly as possible at the freckled brunette in front of him, who was looking everywhere but at his face and swaying slightly from front to back.
"Thanks for the concern, but DON'T ever do that again, Deal?"
"..." Forming a line with his lips, he waited for his major to give up, but in the end he ended up accepting. "Fine! I won't do it again!"
That anger subsided as soon as a sudden hug made him lose his breath again, even so, it felt like the most comforting in his short life. He had never felt such concern as a few moments ago.
"Okay, now come in. I owe you a story," He said with his typical smile as he opened the door to The great hall for him to go first.
It was a pure joy for all the minors to see how Jack entered with his typical aura in him, ready to start the pending story.
It didn't take long for him to get into character and start with the tale of one of the gods: Baldur . Contrary to his tragic story, the young man could tell it with a certain comedy that made those present laugh.
At first it was only the youngest who listened to it, but then people began to enter in the place to have dinner and little by little there began to be more public than at the beginning.
"Unfortunately, Loki find out that the mistletoe was the only one who did not swear to harm Baldur. So, he created an arrow with it, convinced a blind man to shoot it and..." After pretending to shoot an arrow, he brought his hands to his chest while cartoonishly writhing on the table pretending his death.
Everyone present laughed at Overland's interpretation and how he made an effort to change his voice depending on the character he was playing.
It was a fact that no one said out loud, thanks to those moments of fun adults could feel like children once again and the bond between everyone was strengthened as a big family.
The presence of that boy was very important in Berk, but you don't realize what you have got till it's gone.