Archive of Our Own

ONE

Hiccup liked lots of things about having Jack around at Berk.

He liked that Jack never seemed to understand that he was allowed to sit somewhere without finding something to do with his hands—always fiddling with scraps of leather or, of all things, Hiccup's hair.

He liked the way he laughed at his own jokes, usually before he'd even finished telling them; the way his nose scrunched and his cheeks flushed this faint blue as he held back his own laughter, trying to get the words out.

He liked how easily Jack settled into Berk now, how he'd wander into Hiccup's workshop without knocking and make himself comfortable wherever there was space, as though he'd always belonged there. Jack had strangely always found it fascinating to watch Hiccup tinker, it being the only time Jack would sit still for more than twenty minutes.

Jack always had a fascination when it came to watching people; Hiccup suspected it was due to the lack of being seen during his time at the 'mainland' that Jack spoke so much about.

Hence why Hiccup has built Jack a little perch beside his desk, though Jack still prefers to sit on his staff instead—there are, however, small, rare moments where Jack puts the staff down, opting to sit on the wooden perch instead.

All those reasons aside, what Hiccup liked most of all about Jack was how easy it was to love him.

Hiccup adored his winter Vættr boyfriend and enjoyed spending time with him, whether it be long conversations by the fire and Jack stealing bites from his food (which Hiccup finds unreasonable considering Jack doesn't need to eat) or falling asleep in little hidden places like the cliffside (Hiccup has banned napping in trees or snow piles).

Now, Hiccup was perfectly content to sit beside him and do absolutely nothing if his schedule was clear.

Jack was sprawled comfortably against the side of the bench, one leg stretched out and the other bent, his staff resting across his lap. His fingers were loosely curled around it, his blue eyes following the carvings in the wood.

Hiccup had gotten used to the constant presence of the staff—Jack and the staff came together as a set. A bundle. Completely attached at the hip.

It was simply part of him, as familiar as his crooked, impish smile or the way his hair blew from his eyes when the wind picked up, giving Hiccup a perfect view of the everlasting winter in them.

Currently, Jack was talking. Hiccup wasn't entirely sure what about—something involving Toothless, or teeth, or perhaps a tale about something that happened back on the mainland. With Jack, it was difficult to tell where one story ended and another began.

But Hiccup watched Jack's lips as he spoke, and the fluttering of snowflakes as Jack used his free hand to help Hiccup visualise his story, so he wasn't listening particularly hard anyway.

There was something stupidly nice about seeing him like this, and Hiccup found himself smiling without meaning to, his hands no longer moving to continue sketching his blueprints.

Jack caught him staring, the frost of his cheeks spreading at how attentive Hiccup's gaze was, still not used to being looked at so intently. "What?"

"Mm?"

"You're smiling all dopey, and you're staring at me. It's like you're doing your Toothless impression."

Hiccup blinked. "My Toothless impression?"

"You know how they say pets look like their owners." Jack pointed at Hiccup. "That is what Toothless looks like when he looks at fish or his saddle."

"Because those are two things he likes very much."

"Right." Jack furrowed his brows, then his eyes slowly widened. His confused expression shifted into something smug. "Oh, I see. Very much like your pet dragon."

"Toothless is not my pet; he's my friend."

Jack huffed out a laugh, eyes full of mirth. "Still. You're giving me googoo eyes because you like me."

"I thought we'd already established that when I decided to court you."

"I courted you. Not the other way around."

"Believe what you will." Hiccup shrugged and reached over to brush a stray bit of hair from Jack's forehead. Jack hummed, leaning instinctively into the touch, eyes half-lidded for a second.

Hiccup smiled at that. Gods, he loved him.

The dragon rider tilted his head, and Jack followed suit, happily chasing after Hiccup's lips. The winter spirit shifted; the staff naturally came up with him—the curved end catching Hiccup squarely on the cheek.

Hiccup jolted back, confusion washing over his face as he stumbled over his feet, before looking over at the staff and then back at Jack. Jack pursed his lips as he processed what happened before biting his lip apologetically. "Whoops. Sorry."

Hiccup stared at him. "You hit me with a stick."

Jack furrowed his brows, pouting. "It is not a stick."

"You hit me with your not-stick."

Jack's mouth twitched, clearly fighting back a smile as he hugged his staff closer.

Hiccup arched a brow, crossing his arms. "Don't laugh. You just assaulted me with your staff."

"My staff has never assaulted anyone in its life! It's my stick of happiness, and it spreads joy."

"Your stick of happiness." Hiccup echoed, his eyebrows shot up, clearly unimpressed. He tried very hard to look offended, but it was difficult when Jack was looking at him like that.

His eyes were bright with amusement, the corner of his mouth still pulled upwards, and there was absolutely no remorse in his expression beyond the bare minimum required to avoid being murdered by his boyfriend.

"Can you move it? So I can kiss you?" Hiccup sighed.

Jack obediently shifted the staff to the other side of his body. "There, happy?"

"Absolutely thrilled." Hiccup leaned in again, rolling his eyes and closing the remaining distance.

Their noses brushed, and Jack's eyes fluttered shut, frosted eyelashes brushing over Hiccup's cheek briefly. The cold sensation caused Hiccup's hand to tighten slightly against his cheek.

Thunk.

The staff had slipped from where it was leaning against Jack's side—Hiccup jerked back just in time to avoid getting smacked in the mouth.

Jack opened one eye, his lips twitching again, clearly aware of what had just happened. "Hic." He chewed on his bottom lip, clearly going blue in the face from trying not to laugh again. "Hic, I'm sorry—"

Hiccup stared at him, his eyes narrowing. "No."

"That wasn't on purpose, I swear. I was distracted!"

"Distracted by what?" Hiccup huffed.

"You!" Jack gave him a deliberately slow once-over, gesturing with his hands. "I was tryna kiss you, and clearly, Twiner—"

"Twiner."

"—felt left out! I can't blame him. He and I have been together since forever, and then you come around, stealing his best friend off his feet."

Hiccup's irritation faltered. "Right, okay. Let me just reassess my position." He massaged between his brows.

"Which is?"

Hiccup glanced at the staff, then back at Jack, then back at the staff again. "My position is that I hate your stupid stick."

Jack gasped theatrically. "Blasphemy."

Hiccup gave him a flat look, before sighing—entirely too painfully fond of the idiot sitting in front of him to continue his act. He reached up and caught the staff before it could shift again, guiding it firmly away from them and tucking it against Jack's side again.

"There." He muttered, voice low. "Stay."

Jack looked down at the staff and then back at Hiccup, pressing his lips together. "Me or the staff?"

Cheeky.

"I'm talking to the problem."

"Which is me?"

"Take your pick, Frost." Hiccup whispered, his arms bracketing Jack against the bench. Jack laughed under his breath, causing Hiccup to smile.

"Now." He said, reaching up to settle his hand back against Jack's jaw. "Can I kiss my boyfriend without being attacked?"

Jack considered this with exaggerated seriousness, looking up at the ceiling in thought. "I make no promises."

"Jack." Hiccup rolled his eyes again, leaning in. Jack stayed perfectly still, and so did the staff.

"You keep rolling your eyes, and they'll get stuck back there." Jack smiled against Hiccup's lips. When Hiccup didn't press back, he opened one eye. "Are you checking it?"

"Yes. It's behaving so far."

"We're both behaving, Hic, hurry upppp." Jack pressed again with a soft whine, and Hiccup pressed back, finally closing his eyes.

TWO

By the time Hiccup finally made it home, he'd reached the point where he was fairly certain he never wanted to hear the words chiefly responsibility again.

It had been a short meeting—at least, that was what Stoick had promised him, anyway.

Just a little discussion about Berk, a few things that needed deciding, some preparations for the coming weeks, and a conversation about the sort of chief Hiccup wanted to be once the role was properly his.

Short meeting. Short. In what world was two hours short?

Not that Hiccup wanted to become chief; he was much more content sitting by and helping on the sides.

Hiccup had listened to arguments about fishing territories and trading times. He loved Berk and his people, and he liked talking about the future of the village.

He did not, however, love sitting in a chair while his father looked at him with these big expectations when all Hiccup wanted was to go home.

Specifically, home to Jack.

The dragon rider pushed the door open, tired enough that he didn't bother taking off his boot properly—stubbornly announcing his presence at home and trying to kick his shoe off.

When he didn't receive an answer, he frowned. "Jack?"

Hiccup grumbled quietly to himself as he was met with silence again, stumbling as he tugged his boot off whilst hopping up the stairs.

"Jack—" He paused, his eyes landing on his boyfriend.

Jack was curled up at the end of Hiccup's bed, asleep. Of course he was.

His staff was tucked securely against his chest, one arm wrapped around it, his cheek resting against the pale wood. His legs were half tangled in the blankets, wrapped around the bottom half of the staff, and his hair was everywhere.

Hiccup stopped by the doorway; the exhaustion in his shoulders seemed to loosen all at once.

There he was, his Vættr.

Hiccup smiled and quietly crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking over Jack—letting the silence settle over him.

He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Jack's face.

"You know." Hiccup mumbled. "I spent two hours being told I need to think about my future, but I think I've decided. I want to lie down and cling to you until you melt from my body heat."

Jack's mouth twitched, and Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "You're awake."

"Nu-uh," Jack mumbled.

"I can see you smiling, Jack."

"Mmm, no, I'm dreaming."

"About me?" Hiccup teased.

"Obviously."

Hiccup laughed quietly, leaning down and nosing Jack's neck. His expression softened, gently mouthing at his skin. "Move over."

Jack whined. "Nooo. I'll fall off."

"C'mon, Jack. I don't take up that much space. Move. Over." Hiccup huffed, tugging his prosthetic off and placing it neatly beside the bed—massaging the stump.

He climbed onto the mattress and carefully shifted closer. Jack immediately rolled towards him, arm slipping around his waist.

Hiccup let out a long breath of contentment, tucking his face into Jack's neck.

There. This was all he wanted… Just Hiccup in bed with Jack, the moon seeping through the windows, the blanket between them, the staff b—

"…Jack."

Hiccup stared at the staff, then slowly looked down at the staff lying between them. Jack had his eyes closed.

"You brought that to bed." Hiccup kept staring daggers at it.

"Mhm."

Hiccup sighed; he really should have expected this. He'd been hoping that after that long treacherous meeting with his father, the universe might give him one small victory.

Apparently not.

He carefully tried to shift the staff out of the way; Jack's arm tightened around it.

"Jack, your staff is in the way." Hiccup scowled slightly. "I've had a long day; can I be held…please?"

"I am holding you."

"You're holding your staff."

"I'm holding bothhhh."

Hiccup looked down. Jack had, in fact, managed to wrap one arm around Hiccup and the other around the staff. When Jack didn't hear any response from Hiccup, he cracked one eye open, taking in Hiccup's defeated expression.

"Jealous?" Jack's lips curled slightly.

"Of a stick?"

"Staff."

Hiccup scrunched his nose. "I'm not jealous."

Jack smiled sleepily, reaching down and trailing his fingers up Hiccup's leg, pulling his thigh up to reach his stump—gently massaging the swollen and irritated skin. "You sound jealous."

The dragon rider let out a soft groan at the cool touch, his shoulders relaxing out of relief. "I spent the entire evening discussing my future as chief, and the moment I come home, I'm forced to compete with a piece of wood for cuddling space."

Jack's smile widened. "You came home to cuddle with me?"

"Shut up." Hiccup grumbled, pressing his face into the pillow.

Jack tugged Hiccup closer, and the staff shifted with him. The spirit pressed a sleepy kiss to Hiccup's forehead. "You can just cuddle around it."

"That's not the point."

"What is the point, Haddock?"

"The point is that I am your boyfriend and I'd like to be cuddled…which I specifically came home for."

"You are being cuddled."

"Am I?" Hiccup raised his brows in faux surprise, looking down at the staff and then back at Jack.

"Yeah."

Hiccup huffed, trying to settle again and make the necessary adjustments until he could fit comfortably around the staff. It most definitely wasn't ideal; the staff still took up far more space than Hiccup thought a piece of wood had any right to, but Jack's fingers idly traced patterns against Hiccup's back, and his brain forfeited any right to think.

Hiccup felt himself relax.

"Tomorrow." He began. "I'm going to become chief."

Jack hummed. "Yeah? And?"

"And my first course of action is to ban your staff."

Jack laughed softly, playfully hugging his staff tighter. "You can't do that; Twiner will get upset."

Hiccup stared for a few moments before laughing, quiet and helpless, dropping his head back onto Jack's chest. "Odin, you're annoying."

"Oh, I know. I pride myself on it."

Hiccup smiled against him. "Mm. Goodnight, Jack."

"Night, Hiccup." Jack buried his nose into the other's hair.

Hiccup sighed, letting himself relax. He was so ready to finally sleep and forget about today, feeling himself drift off and—

Something prodded his chin, his brows furrowing in confusion before cracking his eyes slightly open to look down. Jack was pressing the staff against him.

"You forgot someone."

Jack was wearing the most unbearably pleased little smile, holding up his staff with happy patience.

Hiccup paused, before sighing. "Goodnight, Twiner."

He watched Jack beam, satisfied before putting the staff back in its original position.

"Happy?" Hiccup grumbled, rubbing at his chin before trying to get himself comfortable again.

"Very."

THREE

Jack had been complaining that his hair was getting in the way.

"My hair is getting too long." Jack grumbled, tugging at the white strands and inspecting the ends with an expression of deep personal betrayal.

Hiccup didn't quite understand—how could a spirit's physical appearance keep changing, or how could Jack keep growing hair even though he wasn't human?

Hiccup glanced at the hair and then back at Jack. "You're a spirit, you don't age. How is your hair growing?"

Jack shrugged. "Not sure—did you just call me old, Hic?" He playfully pouted.

Hiccup snorted. "No. Well, yes. But point still stands, why is your hair growing?"

"Dunno, I don't make the rules, Hiccy."

So Hiccup, much like he did for much of his and Jack's relationship, decided to take charge of Jack's hair, as he had with his clothing when they first.

Not that Jack couldn't dress himself, he definitely could, he simply had very little interest in doing so when Hiccup was around.

Hiccup had become the person who picked out Jack's clothes, adjusted his belts, and occasionally informed him that wearing the shirt three days in a row was not technically a fashion choice.

Jack complained that he was a spirit and therefore did not need to change clothes… and then proceeded to do exactly what Hiccup suggested.

So when Jack eventually announced, "I think I want it cut," Hiccup wasn't particularly surprised.

Hiccup sat Jack down onto a stool as he got a pair of scissors ready, with a spray filled with cold water. Just as Hiccup was spraying Jack's hair down, he heard him mumble under his breath.

"Huh?" Hiccup looked over.

"Nothing." Jack mumbled, hugging onto his staff slightly tighter.

"You need to speak up, Snowflake." The dragon rider leaned over, frowning slightly as he took in Jack's pout.

"…I want a braid."

Hiccup paused. "A braid?"

"Like, yeah. A braid."

There was a little more weight behind that than Jack was pretending. Hiccup had noticed, of course. How Jack had been watching the people of Berk for a long while and picked up on their habits; the way they celebrated, marked important occasions.

Jack liked fitting in. Especially because the people of Berk could see him and he finally had a place where he could roam around as one of them. He liked being included.

But braids were… well, commonly seen as an intimate thing—something courting couples did.

Hiccup swallowed. "You know what that means, right?"

Jack tilted his head, looking back at him. "Yeah?"

"I'm not quite sure you do."

Jack frowned and shifted to face Hiccup, looking up at him. "It's for couples right?"

"It's seen as something really personal and intimate, yeah." Hiccup nodded. "For courting couples."

"You're courting me." Jack furrowed his brows, pressing his lips together with his nose slightly scrunched. "Yeah?"

Hiccup's cheeks bloomed a bright red, looking into Jack's eyes. He swallowed. "Y-Yeah."

"I want to belong here." Jack reached up and touched the ends of Hiccup's hair. "And I want one from you. A braid, that is."

Hiccup's heart gave an embarrassing little kick. "Oh."

Jack gave a cheeky smile, clearly aware of what affect he was having on the other. "Is that a problem?"

"No, no. Definitely not. Gods, Jack." Hiccup reached for the comb. "Not even slightly. I'd love to do that for you."

Hiccup carefully began working through his hair, separating the sections that needed trimming from one he would leave long enough to braid.

Jack watched the strands fall and listened to the snips. "How's it going back there? Am I still handsome?"

"Oh yeah, enjoy it while it lasts. I'm giving you a buzzcut after this."

Jack gasped, "No!" Which lead to Hiccup chuckling, continuing with his trimming.

The staff was comfortably tucked in one hand, resting across his shoulder: the curved end sweeping up behind his head.

Hiccup was making the clear effort to work around it. "Jack. Can you hold that somewhere else?"

Jack looked over his shoulder. "Why?"

"Snowflake, I can't cut your hair if it keeps threatening to hit me." Jack huffed and adjusted his grip, the curved end moved slightly. "Thank you."

Hiccup leaned around Jack again to even out the sides, when the stick hit him square in the nose. He jerked from the impact, his eyes shutting tight.

He slowly opened them, groaning softly as he rubbed at his nose—looking over at Jack who was currently staring straight ahead with his lips pressed tightly together.

"Jack. Don't laugh."

"I'm not laughing. I'm just…"

"Don't play stupid with me, I can see you shaking."

"I'm cold."

"You're cold." Hiccup deadpanned, clearly looking unimpressed. "Sure, let's just go with that. Should I get a fire started?"

Jack broke and started laughing, ducking his head—hugging the staff closer. Hiccup sighed so deeply it was practically a groan.

"I know my nose is an easy target but let's maybe avoid battering it?" The brunette grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'm trying to give you a nice haircut over here."

The winter spirit looked over, causing the staff to move and smack Hiccup on the nose again, causing the other to let out a yelp.

"Sorry!" Jack gasped, reaching out and pressing his cool hands against the irritated skin. "Shit—He didn't hit you too hard, did he? That time was really an accident, I swear! Scouts honour!"

"It's happened way too many times to be accidental, I'm starting to think that the stick—"

"Twiner." Jack quickly corrects.

"—the stick, whatever, has a personal vendetta against me!"

"Nooo, he'd never! Twiner is friendly, he likes everyone."

"Everyone except Hiccup." Hiccup grumbled, closing his eyes and enjoying the sensation of Jack's fingers against him. "Now sit straight so I can finish cutting your hair."

"But your nose! I really like your nose, what if it falls off?" Jack says, continuing his mini massage.

"I think it's more likely to fall off from frostbite right now than getting battered in by your emotional support stick."

"Twiner. He's sensitive."

"My nose is sensitive!" Hiccup huffed, gesturing Jack to turn around with his hand. "Now turn! The left side of your head looks like you've roughhoused with a night fury."

"I do roughhouse with Toothless, so you wouldn't exactly be wrong." Jack grinned, turning around so that Hiccup could access his hair.

Hiccup snipped a few more locks; eventually, most of Jack's hair was neatly trimmed whilst one strand remained long for the braid.

Hiccup combed through it carefully. "This is where the braid will be."

"Don't you guys use beads to hold them together?"

"Mhm. I have just the one, wait." He smiled, rummaging through the scattered items on his workspace until he found a small pouch, taking out a small bead with intricate fern-like carvings on the exterior. "I've had this one made off to the side for a bit."

"Ohhh, so you were waiting to give it to me?"

Hiccup couldn't see his face, but he could absolutely hear the mirth in the shorter male's voice. He decided not to entertain him, instead choosing to divide the section into three strands.

Jack notably went quiet. The action was rather domestic; it felt strangely intimate.

His fingertips brushed Jack's neck as he gently folded the strands over each other, creating the braid-like pattern.

Eventually, he finished the braid and tied it off, letting his fingers rest against it for a moment.

"There." Hiccup mumbled, twirling the braid between his fingers.

Jack reached back carefully and felt the braid, his smile softening.

"I like it." He turned to face Hiccup, looking up at him. "Do I look like a real Berkian?"

Hiccup huffed out a laugh. "That much hasn't changed—we vikings already consider you one of us."

"Yeah?" He felt his heart go light. "Do I look nice, then?"

"Yeah." Hiccup whispered, reaching out to cradle Jack's cheek in his palm. "You look beautifully courted."

"Ew, sap." Jack scrunched his nose up in mock disgust.

"You know what I mean, shut up." Hiccup's cheeks flushed.

"I do, Hic. Thank you." Jack's face became unbearably smug. "But you can't hog me all to yourself!"

"Har-har."

Jack giggled, leaning back against him, still holding Twiner. Hiccup sighed in defeat, wrapping his arms around his shoulders—doing his best to avoid the curved end of the staff, almost failing spectacularly as he caught it before it could reach his nose again.

Hiccup sighed, "I'm really starting to think this is personal."

"Nah. If I love you, then Twiner loves you. We're interlinked."

"Sure." The Viking grumbled, clearly unconvinced as he leaned in, pressing his lips against the braid. "I'll try my best to believe in that."

FOUR

"Again."

Jack looked over at Hiccup with a grin. "You sure?"

Hiccup had woken up and decided to try and get Jack to train with him for weeks—Jack, knowing this, had been successfully avoiding the subject for weeks.

Hiccup would briefly mention it over breakfast, and Jack would suddenly find something fascinating outside the window. He'd bring it up while they were walking through the village, and Jack would develop a sudden and entirely unnecessary interest in whatever one of the dragons were doing.

Luckily for the viking, he'd found Jack near the training grounds and dragged him in by the wrist with the promise of making him a pair of ice skates.

So here they were.

"Yes, come on, hit me with it." Hiccup gestured for him to come forward, holding an unlit inferno in his left hand.

"See. You say to hit you with it and then get grumpy when I actually do." Jack passed his staff between his hands, giggling.

"Again, Jack. Unless you're too scared of doing actual damage?"

Jack gasped. "You did not just say that. Watch out, Haddock, I'm hitting that nose clean off!"

"And again with my nose."

"It's Twiner's favourite target." He teased, beginning to circle Hiccup across the training grounds.

"I quite like my nose, I'd appreciate it if he let it be." Hiccup retorted.

Jack looked entirely way too relaxed, which Hiccup found rather frustrating. He wasn't even properly holding a fighting stance—his staff rested casually in one hand while he watched Hiccup with that irritatingly bright expression.

Hiccup didn't know whether he wanted to hit or kiss it off of him.

Astrid stopped at the edge of the training yard and watched them for a moment. "What exactly am I interrupting?"

"Nothing." Hiccup said immediately.

Jack raised a hand. "Hiccup's losing."

"I am not."

"You were on the ground!"

"Doesn't mean I'm losing."

Astrid folded her arms, arching a brow. "Usually does."

Hiccup looked, glaring at her. "Whose side are you on?"

"The side that's currently not covered in dirt, which just so happens to be Jack's." Astrid smirked. Jack laughed, running his hand over Twiner's carvings.

Before Hiccup could process it, Jack moved—a flick of his wrist and a quick step sideways nearly knocked Hiccup's sword neatly from his hand. Before Hiccup could recover, Twiner hooked behind his ankle and his feet went out from under him. He landed flat on his back.

Jack stood over him with a smug smile. "Again, yeah?"

Hiccup glared at him softly. "You're cheating. Twiner is not a registered Berkian weapon, use something else."

Jack's expression fell. "What, why?"

"Because if you're going to learn to fight properly, you need to know how to use proper weapons."

"No, absolutely not. Twiner is not my weapon, he's my friend." Jack says, hugging Twiner closer. "That's like me asking you to replace Toothless."

"I want you to at least experiment with something else."

"Why? Because you keep losing?"

Hiccup's eye twitched. "No. The point is that you can't rely on one weapon—what if Twiner isn't there?"

"Why would he not be there?" Jack pouts. "I have ice powers, Hic, and I've never lost a fight."

"You've definitely lost fights."

"Against you, though?"

Hiccup scowled slightly, getting up and patting himself off. Jack's smile became positively wicked. "…No."

"That's what I thought!" He held the staff behind his neck, walking backwards to create some distance between them again.

The two fought a bit more—Hiccup lunging forward whilst Jack floated around him, staying as close to the ground as possible so Hiccup wouldn't call him out on cheating again.

Astrid continued to watch them, leaning against the wooden fence. There was something almost entertaining about watching Hiccup have to account for the staff as much as he did Jack.

They moved around one another in a loose circle, boots scuffing (well, boot. Jack didn't wear shoes and Hiccup only had one) against the earth.

Jack raised Twiner and Hiccup immediately ducked, the curved end sweeping harmlessly through the space where his head had been a moment ago. "What about a sword?"

Astrid, still leaning against the fence, lifted an eyebrow.

One swing.

"Nope!"

"I think he'd look ridiculous with a sword." Astrid chimed in, grinning.

Jack brightened. "See?"

Hiccup pointed between them. "Don't encourage him. I'm trying to wean him off his stick." He grumbled. "Okay. An axe?"

Jack swung again. "Definitely not, though that sounds super cool. I don't want to steal Astrid's brand. Maybe a hammer?"

Astrid tilted her head. "Why a hammer?"

Jack looked at her as though the answer was obvious. "Because it's a hammer. They're super cool."

"Like Thor?" Hiccup furrowed his brows. "That's your reasoning?"

"Yeah! You can make me a recreation of Mjölnir, can't you?"

"Sure, just without the powers that come with it."

"Mjölnir's icy cousin!" Jack reached forward and Hiccup dodged another swing. "Actually, on second thought, I wouldn't want to cheat on Twinetender."

"Jack!"

Jack was laughing now, floating around his boyfriend playfully. Hiccup lunged forward and caught Twiner halfway through another gesture—he grabbed the shaft with both hands and forced it downwards. "There! Gotcha."

Jack looked at him, then grinned. "Now we're talking. You finally managed to—" He tried tugging Twiner back, pausing as he noticed the firm grip that Hiccup had on it. "Are you going to confiscate it?"

"For the duration of training, yes."

"No!"

"Do you want those skates?"

"Nuh-uh! No way." Jack tugged slightly. "You'll break him with your brutish viking strength, let it go."

"So you don't want the skates?"

"That feels like blackmail!"

"I've seen you pull people over ledges and use it as a hook, among other things. We both know that stick—"

"Twiner."

"—is ridiculously strong."

And it really was. Hiccup had watched Jack disarm people with it. He'd watched him trip people with it and swing the around his shoulders to catch it without even looking back. It really was like the two were interlinked.

Which really was why, this morning, Hiccup had decided that Twiner was definitely sitting this one out.

His boyfriend very clearly had other plans.

Jack pouted, wiggling the staff between their hands. "Hiccccc."

"Give me the staff, Jack."

"No."

"I'm your boyfriend, and your future-chief, you're supposed to listen to me."

"Nottt when you're wrong." Jack huffed, intensifying the little pleading look on his face. "Hiccccyy."

"Hiccy." Astrid echoed, snorting as she picked her axe back up and started making her way to the exit.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "You're going to train with a sword."

"Make me." Jack smiled sweetly. "You can do that, can't you, chief?"

Hiccup froze, his eyes widening as he processed the challenge; red dusting his cheeks. Jack clearly noticed the expression, his grin widening.

"Ooh, that got your attention." Jack teased.

"You're enjoying this far too much." Hiccup huffed, releasing the staff abruptly which resulted in Jack stumbling backwards. "Fine. But I will one day teach you how to use a sword, or a bow, maybe."

"I'll hold you to that!" Jack giggled, hugging Twiner to his chest. "Maybe if you make me a little contraption that lets me hold Twiner on my back? Like a backpack."

"Like a holster?"

"Yeah! A holster."

"Wouldn't that make your weight uneven?"

"Gasp, are you calling me heavy, Haddock?"

"No, I'm calling Twiner heavy."

"Even worse!" Jack dramatically floated over, holding Twiner out. "Apologise! He's sensitive, that definitely hurt his feelings."

"No way. I'll be six foot under by the time I give out any sort of apology to him." Hiccup had already turned on his heel (singular), making his way out of the training grounds to follow Astrid.

"Apologise! Hic! Come back!" He chased after him. "Don't go! What about my skates?!"

FIVE

After days of Jack whining and begging, Hiccup had finally made him a pair of skates.

And a pair for himself.

However, there were a few problems with this. Problem one: Hiccup had never skated before. Problem two was that Jack, despite being the one who had demanded the skates in the first place, volunteered to be Hiccup's teacher.

This led to their current predicament: Hiccup gripping onto Jack's forearms while trying to balance on his personalised ice-skates…skate, singular.

It had been difficult trying to figure out how to add blades to his prosthetic, so Jack simply opted to frost it over instead, adding to its height so they balanced each other.

Jack bit down on his smile at how tightly Hiccup was holding onto him.

Hiccup glared at him from where he was standing very carefully. "Don't laugh."

"Laugh? Me? I'd never." Jack huffed, gliding backwards slightly and watching Hiccup slip and stumble to follow him. "Come on, we've been standing in the same place for five minutes."

"I was thinking!"

"In the middle of a frozen pond? Yeah, lovely thinking space, Hic."

"What if the ice cracks? I didn't measure the depth or how strong it is; what if it breaks under our weight—"

"Hic, love, breathe." Jack smiled reassuringly. "I'm keeping it frozen. Drowning a second time is not something on my bucket list."

Hiccup frowned, looking at him with understanding. The vættr was deathly afraid of water, his aquaphobia making it difficult for him to go near large bodies of water even if he could easily freeze them over.

After that one time Jack caught a cold and lost control of his abilities, he never quite learnt to trust their permanence again.

'Hic, what if it breaks again? What if my powers are gone and I drown and you lose me—'

Thor, he never wanted to see his boyfriend like that again. Yet here Jack was, teaching Hiccup how to skate over this large body of water of his own accord. He was so proud of him.

Hiccup took another cautious step, and the blade slid sideways, his arms windmilling. Jack immediately caught him around the waist.

"Whoa! Got you."

Hiccup grabbed onto Jack's shoulders. "Don't let go."

"Wasn't planning to, don't worry." Jack smiled; his hand remained securely around his waist while his other hand guided Hiccup's wrist, helping him find his balance. "Just keep your knees bent."

"Like this?" Hiccup tried to follow Jack's instructions.

"Just a little more."

Hiccup frowned, holding on tighter as he bent his knees a little more.

"That's good." Jack hummed in approval. "Let's continue at this pace for a little bit; try following me."

"Wait, follow?—"

Jack already began skating backwards at a leisurely pace, keeping it slow enough for Hiccup to mimic his movements. The winter spirit gently pulled Hiccup with him. "Jack, move slowly." Hiccup said.

"I am!"

"Move slower, then!"

Jack laughed, carefully increasing the distance between them. "You're doing fine! You're literally skating."

"I'm not doing fine; I'm being dragged across a huge body of ice by my boyfriend. This hardly counts as skating."

"Oh? There's a difference?"

"Yes!"

Jack laughed again, and Hiccup couldn't help smiling.

After a few more careful steps, Hiccup finally found the rhythm of it—the blades and ice stopped feeling like foreign territory beneath his feet foot. He found the confidence to push forward once, then again.

Jack's hand remained at his waist. "See? There you go."

Hiccup looked down at his feet, then up at Jack, his cheeks flushed with awe. "I did that."

"You did." Jack's expression grew fond. "I mean, you've ridden dragons and done far more impressive things, the adrenaline junkie that you are, but…"

Jack's voice drifted off, noticing how close Hiccup had leaned in, his breath catching. Their faces were only inches apart, and Hiccup could feel the coolness of Jack's lips brush against his, and fuck, it'd been a hot minute since Jack had his mouth on him and—

A curved wooden end bumped Hiccup directly in the chest. Twiner had been held carefully beneath Jack's arm the entire time, resting directly between Hiccup's side and Jack's hip.

Hiccup huffed in frustration. "You're holding that while teaching me to skate?"

Jack shrugged. "It's my staff; he gets lonely."

Hiccup looked at him incredulously. "Jack."

"Actually!" Jack gasped, his eyes bright in the way it usually gets when he has an idea, snowflakes swirling atop his head. "I know a way to involve him."

"Gods." Hiccup groaned. "Right, go on. Enlighten me."

"I hold onto one end, and you hold onto the other; that way you're independently skating, but I'm still there to catch you if you fall."

"Absolutely not, I'm not doing that. You may trust your stick with your life, but I sure as..." Was Jack insane?

Despite Hiccup's clear refusal, Jack had already pushed off backwards, gliding several feet away with effortless ease before turning to face him. He held Twiner horizontally between them.

Hiccup stared at the offered end. "You're serious."

"Very."

"You want me to skate…while holding onto that?"

"It'll give you something to balance against without me holding you." Jack tried to convince him. "C'monnn, Hic. Put your differences with Twiner aside, just this once."

Hiccup considered it. It was, annoyingly, a good idea. He carefully shuffled forward, the blades scraping softly against the ice as he scrambled to grab hold of the staff. He wrapped his fingers around the curved end Jack had offered him.

Jack immediately pulled the staff taut between them. "There."

Hiccup looked down at his hands, scrunching his nose up. "This feels ridiculous."

Even now, the staff was between them. Hiccup decided that if he was going to learn how to skate, it'd be with Jack's arms wrapped around him while they kissed amongst the snowflakes. But no.

Of course Twiner wasn't going to let that happen. He felt ridiculous.

"You're the one who needed lessons." Jack grinned, beginning to skate backwards. Hiccup tried his best to move with him.

Hiccup tightened his grip on Twiner when Jack increased his speed, and the vættr immediately noticed. "Relax, Haddock. You'll break him with that strength of yours." He teased.

Hiccup gently glared at him, pushing his foot out slightly, causing his left skate to slide outwards. He gasped, wobbling.

Jack instinctively tightened his grip on Twiner, gently tugging until Hiccup regained his balance.

"I almost fell." Hiccup said, staring down at the ice beneath his feet.

"But you didn't. You can thank Twiner for that; go on, say 'Thank you, Twiner'." Jack looked ridiculously smug.

Hiccup gave him a look. "Sure. It seems your stick has proven itself useful."

"He's always been useful."

Jack continued backwards, keeping the staff stretched between them. Hiccup started to grow more confident with his movements, feeling a smile make its way onto his face.

"Jack." The Viking beamed, looking up from the ice to his boyfriend. "I'm doing i—" The distance between them had increased; Hiccup's brows furrowed. "Why are you all the way over there?"

"I'm increasing distance."

Hiccup frowned, looking down at the staff and then back at Jack. "Can you maybe decrease said distance?"

Jack's smile widened, a giggle bubbling out of his throat. "But you're actually skating."

Hiccup looked down again. Oh, he was.

His feet were moving beneath him without immediately trying to betray him. He was still clinging to Twiner, but he wasn't relying on it quite as heavily anymore.

Jack slowly began loosening his grip, and Hiccup quickly noticed. "Don't."

Jack laughed. "I just want you to try by yourself."

"You're going to let go."

"Just for a second! Trust me, you trust me, right?"

"Jack."

"Hiccup." Jack smiled, gently wiggling Twiner between them. Hiccup hesitated for a moment before hesitantly nodding.

Jack's fingers slowly loosened around Twiner, and for one terrifying second, Hiccup was skating completely on his own. No support, no Jack. Just him and his homemade skates.

His eyes widened as he pushed forward. Once, twice. His balance held.

Hiccup laughed, startled and breathless at this new progress. "I'm doing it! Odin, this is incredible."

Jack beamed, skating towards him. "You're doing it!"

"I'm doing it!" Hiccup echoed back, laughing quietly. "With my leg!"

"With your leg!" Jack laughed back, gliding forwards to envelope Hiccup in his arms.

Hiccup gasped, barely having time to register the sudden weight against him before his skates slipped sideways, his arms windmilling as he immediately lost balance and tumbled backwards, dragging Jack down with him.

"Jack!"

"I'm so proud of you!"

"We're falling!"

"Haha, I know!" They both hit the ice together—Hiccup landing on his back with a startled grunt; Jack sprawling across him. Twiner went skittering across the ice beside them.

Hiccup lay there, catching his breath. Jack lifted his head from the other's chest. "Are you okay?"

Hiccup stared at him, biting his lip at the concerned look in Jack's expression. He started laughing, and Jack's mouth twitched at the sight. "I take that as a yes?"

"You tackled me on ice, Jack."

"I got excited, couldn't help it." Jack grinned, resting his cheek against Hiccup's left pectoral. "Sorry."

"You nearly killed us."

"Can't die twice." Jack quickly quipped back, preening as Hiccup wrapped an arm around him. He shifted slightly, still smiling. "I'm still really proud of you."

"Mm. I did good, didn't I?"

"Real good." Jack agreed, reaching out to pull Twiner towards them, tucking it against his chest as he settled back down.

Hiccup looked down at him. "I'm literally hugging you; most people would just hug me back, you know?"

"He looked lonely."

The Viking sighed, shaking his head and pulling Jack closer. "And I'm feeling lonely; come here."

Jack happily settled against him, enjoying the feeling of Hiccup's lips against his temple.

"So."

Jack hummed, still enjoying the subtle heat radiating off his boyfriend.

"I assume you're going to teach me how to get back up."

Jack went still, opening his eyes and pursing his lips in thought. "Oh. I hadn't…exactly thought that far ahead."

"Brilliant." Hiccup closed his eyes. "I suppose I'm stuck here. Maybe I'll fossilise."

Jack laughed into his shoulder. "I can teach you here, hold on." He shifted, still clutching onto Twiner. "On three?"

"Mm."

"Onee…two…" Jack carefully stood, holding onto Hiccup's hands and then tugging. "Three—"

They both slipped again, Hiccup hitting the back of his head on the ice and groaning. Jack burst into laughter. "Oh my god, Hic, I'm sorry. Is your head okay?"

"It's been through worse; I'll recover. If not, let Toothless know I love him."

"Oh? What about your super handsome, charming boyfriend? Any message for him?"

"That I hate his dumb stick."

Jack gasped, feigning offence. "He helped you skate today!"

"He also stopped me from kissing you, so he's still not in my okay book."

PLUS ONE

Hiccup had gotten used to ducking when Jack gestured too enthusiastically, to catching the staff before it could smack him in the face, to finding it wedged between them whenever they sat together.

He'd even learned how to kiss Jack around it, a skill he had to pick up after accidentally kissing the staff instead of his boyfriend a couple of times.

As much as he'd learnt to accept Twiner, Hiccup really wanted Jack to himself—just Jack.

Just Jack and him together, maybe cuddling, maybe something more. No training, no arguments, no interruptions and most importantly, no Twiner.

The Great Hall was loud enough that Hiccup could barely hear himself think. Which, admittedly, was probably part of why he liked it.

Vikings shouted across tables, mugs slammed down hard enough to make the benches shake, and someone at the far end of the hall tried to sing a song that had already lost whatever melody it started with.

Currently, Hiccup's main problem was that Jack was sitting beside him with the staff tucked comfortably against his side. The two were sitting next to each other, one leg stretched beneath the table, his shoulder pressed against Jack's.

Every so often, when Jack gestured while talking, the staff came up with him—Hiccup had already been smacked in the elbow twice.

He was choosing to be mature about it…mostly, choosing to focus on his mead instead.

Hiccup felt something jab into his side again, looking down to see Twiner pressing against him. "It just hit me."

"Oh." Jack blinked down at where the staff was. "Well, maybe you were in its way."

"Oh, so I can't sit next to you?"

"Nope. That's Twiner's space."

Hiccup stared at him, gently glaring. Jack's mouth twitched, then he broke into a grin. Hiccup tried to hold onto the look; he really did; it lasted approximately three seconds.

He snorted into his drink, and Jack immediately started laughing, giggling into his own cup.

Hiccup shook his head, taking another drink. He was beginning to suspect they'd both had slightly more mead than they should have. The two were more giggly than usual.

They hadn't drunk enough to make either of them properly drunk, but enough that everything seemed funnier than it normally would. Jack's cheeks were more frosty than usual, his hair falling messily around his face, and he kept smiling at Hiccup for no apparent reason… well, actually, that wasn't any different than usual.

Hiccup caught him doing it again. "What?"

"Mmm? Nothing."

"You're staring."

Jack grinned, resting a cheek on his forearm as he shamelessly continued to stare. "I j's realllyyyy like lookin' at you. And your nose. You have a reaaall nice nose."

Hiccup nearly choked. "Oh."

"Oohh, now who's embarrassed?" Jack teased, leaning into his face.

"I'm not."

"But you're blushing. Your face is this really cute red, and I can practically see the steam leaving your—" Hiccup reached over and pinched Jack lightly on the side, causing Jack to yelp and nearly drop his cup. "Hey!"

"Stop staring, it's getting me anxious."

"I can't help being irresistibly charming, Hic." Jack laughed and leaned into him, his shoulder pressing more firmly against Hiccup's, Twiner caught between his side.

Hiccup looked at the staff, then at Jack with a raised brow. Jack deliberately settled more heavily against him. The Viking rolled his eyes; his arm slipped around Jack's shoulders anyway.

Eventually Jack leaned closer. "Hic."

"Mm?"

He lifted Twiner slightly. "Look." He pointed towards the opposite side of the hall with the staff; Hiccup followed the direction.

One of the younger Vikings was attempting to balance a cup on his forehead. Ruffnut and Tuffnut were standing behind him—Ruffnut had one hand on his shoulder, and Tuffnut was attempting to add a plate on top of the wooden cup.

The entire stack wobbled, and the younger Viking squeezed his eyes shut. Jack slapped a hand over his mouth, about to stand up and float over to help the twins in their mischief.

"No, don't go over there. You'll make it worse." Hiccup whispered.

"I'm not."

"You definitely are; I recognise that look."

Jack made a strangled noise while Hiccup bit down on the inside of his cheek, both of their eyes fixed on the sight of Tuffnut adding another cup.

"This." Hiccup said solemnly, "is why we can't have nice things."

Jack snorted. "You have nice things."

"Not for long if they keep doing that." Hiccup mumbled, watching as Ruffnut stepped back and told the kid to walk to see if he could keep his balance.

Jack had completely lost it, laughing against Hiccup's, trying to stay quiet and failing miserably. Hiccup looked at him and started laughing too.

"Stop encouraging them!" Hiccup gasped.

"You're laughing, too! You're not exactly innocent either!" Jack raised Twiner, pointing it toward the chaos. "I totally think he can do it."

Hiccup caught the staff and pointed it back down before Jack could accidentally hit someone with it. "Let's wait and see."

They watched as the younger Viking took one extremely careful step; the tower wobbled.

The cups tilted, the plates shifted and after a few more moments of wobbling…they stilled.

The hall erupted, and Jack grabbed Hiccup's arm. "He did it! Hic, did you see that?!"

Hiccup laughed so hard he had to put his cup down. "He did."

Jack leaned into him, still giggling. "I bet I could do that."

"How about we don't test that theory out, okay? You can barely hold your drink without laughing."

Jack looked down at the cup in his hand. He had, in fact, managed to spill some of it down his own sleeve. He stared at the stain, blinking owlishly at it before slowly looking back up at Hiccup.

"That was intentional."

"Of course it was. Let me guess, you were experimenting with something."

"Yeah, just checking if the cup works."

"By spilling it all over yourself?"

Jack narrowed his eyes, pressing his lips thinly together. "…Yes."

Hiccup covered his face with one hand, huffing out a fond laugh. Jack dissolved into laughter again, resting his head against Hiccup's shoulder, still smiling.

Hiccup glanced towards the twins again; Ruffnut had apparently decided the first attempt hadn't been ambitious enough, and there were now several plates balanced on the younger Viking's head.

He shook his head. "Idiots."

Jack hummed. "Entertaining idiots, I love them."

The two made eye contact, and suddenly they were both laughing again. Hiccup rested his forehead against Jack's temple, trying to catch his breath.

Jack's fingers found his sleeve and curled around it. "You're fun when you're tipsy," Jack murmured.

"So are you."

"I'm the Guardian of Fun. I'm always fun."

"Debatable."

Jack nudged him, and Hiccup nudged him back. Twiner shifted across Jack's lap, and Hiccup quickly caught the curved end before it could smack him again.

"Y'know, I think it just really likes you." Jack grinned, burying his face into the crook of Hiccup's neck.

"Your stick has assaulted me twelve times tonight."

"Ten. But yeah, no, that's called affection."

"That's called attempted murder." Hiccup argued, rolling his eyes.

Jack giggled, leaning over and pressing a quick kiss to Hiccup's cheek. "There."

Hiccup smiled. "What was that for?"

"It's a demonstration of what affection looks like—Twiner has been doing that a lot with you."

"I mean, if we're demonstrating what affection looks like…" Hiccup took another drink, trying very hard to look innocent. "I'd like to see more."

"Oh?" A slow grin spread across Jack's face.

Hiccup sighed, leaning in and brushing their noses together. "Come on."

"Where?"

"My place."

Jack's grin widened as he placed his drink down off to the side. "Now? That's awfully bold of you, Haddock."

"Unless you'd rather stay here and let Ruffnut use you as the next plate stand."

Jack glanced across the hall—Ruffnut and Tuffnut were already attempting to convince another unfortunate Viking to participate. "I mean…I wouldn't mind, but I'd much rather go with you."

They slipped out of the Great Hall not long afterwards, saying their goodbyes, still laughing quietly to themselves.

The walk back was slower than usual, mostly because they were both slightly tipsy. Toothless was ambling along behind them, probably making sure the two didn't pass out or go off somewhere else.

Hiccup opened the door, watching the dragon pad inside and settle himself near the hearth.

Jack looked around the room before turning back to Hiccup, having been here hundreds of times before. "Soooo."

"So?" Hiccup echoed.

Jack stepped closer, Twiner remaining tucked securely against his chest. Hiccup wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him in, kissing him.

It was slow and warm, without the distraction of the Great Hall around them. Hiccup smiled against his mouth, one hand settling at Jack's back as the vættr giggled at the sensation.

When they separated, Jack stayed close. "Was that the affection you wanted?"

"Mm. Maybe a little more."

Jack kissed him again, leaning inwards as Hiccup stepped backwards until his knees hit a chair. He sat, and Jack followed him without hesitation, settling sideways across his lap to accommodate Twiner.

Hiccup pulled away, looking down at him. "You know, I really think you're doing this on purpose." He mumbled.

"Doing what?" Jack blinked innocently.

"Bringing that staff everywhere. Putting it in between us." Hiccup stared at Twiner for another second. Then, he looked at Jack with the most deeply aggrieved expression he could manage. "Jack."

"Mm?"

"Please."

Jack's mouth twitched, pressing his lips against Hiccup's jawline. "Please what?"

"Just—" Hiccup gestured helplessly at the staff. "Can you put it down?"

Jack looked at Twiner, then at Hiccup. Hiccup leaned forward, resting his forehead against Jack's shoulder. "Please."

Jack started laughing. "You're whining."

"I'm not; I'm asking you nicely."

The winter spirit gently poked his cheek; Hiccup caught his hand, keeping it there. "I just want your attention."

That softened Jack's expression immediately "You have my attention."

"Not all of it." Jack glanced down at Twiner at the implication.

"Ah."

"Exactly." There was a pause, then Hiccup sighed dramatically. "I want one evening where I don't have to compete with a piece of wood."

Jack burst out laughing. "You're jealous of my staff?"

"I'm not jealous; I clearly have no issues sharing with him."

"And what is it that you're sharing, pray tell?" Hiccup's boyfriend was clearly amused.

"Your attention." Hiccup looked at him, watching Jack's grin widen. "But I don't feel like sharing it tonight. Please?"

Jack sighed, shifting Twiner in his arms. "Fine."

Hiccup immediately brightened. "Really?"

"Mhm. One hundred percent sure, here." Jack handed the staff over to him—Hiccup barely gave it a second glance, turning toward Toothless, who was lounging nearby, and tossed Twiner toward him.

Toothless caught it neatly between his claws. Hiccup pointed at him. "Keep that; don't let him have it back."

Hiccup turned back towards Jack, who was already laughing. "You just threw Twiner at your dragon."

"Yeah, I did. Toothless can keep it safe, can't you, bud?" Toothless warbled a response, and Hiccup opened his arms to Jack. "Now you have to give me your full attention."

"All of it?" Jack smiled.

"One hundred percent."

Jack considered him for a moment before deliberately leaning forward until their noses touched. "Okay, one hundred percent." He agreed, kissing him.

Hiccup immediately relaxed, arms wrapping around his waist as Jack settled more comfortably across his lap.

"I love Twiner, you know that," Jack mumbled into Hiccup's mouth, receiving a groan in response. "But I like you more."

Hiccup hummed, digging his fingers into the fabric of Jack's tunic, pulling him closer, desperate to erase every millimetre of space left between them.

As the intensity increased, Jack felt his control waver—his tipsiness making his coordination sloppy. With a soft, subconscious exhale, Jack began to lift.

Hiccup let out a startled noise as he felt his centre of gravity shift. Jack wasn't just sitting on his lap anymore; he was floating, drifting upward while still locked in the kiss.

"Jack—" Hiccup managed to breathe out, though he didn't pull away, cupping Jack's face. "You're…You're floating away again."

"Mmm." Jack hummed, his eyes fluttering shut. He wrapped his legs tighter around Hiccup's waist, using the momentum to drag Hiccup towards the stairs.

Jack was a complete whirlwind of motion, pressing soft, fluttering kisses to Hiccup's cheek and forehead, his movements slow and swaying.

"C'mon, you can carry me upstairs, right?" Jack whispered, a mischievous but sleepy grin on his face.

Hiccup grinned back, guiding him up the stairs and into Hiccup's room, the two collapsing on the bed in a tangle of limbs and laughter, the momentum sending them across the mattress.

Just the two of them. No Twiner. Hiccup calls that a win for tonight.

Morning came slowly; Hiccup woke to the warmth and weight of another body. Someone was breathing against his neck.

Hiccup stayed perfectly still for a moment, eyes still closed, letting himself register the weight draped over him. An arm was tucked around his waist, and a leg was tangled with his beneath the blankets.

His prosthetic sat neatly on the floor, and his left leg felt pleasantly not-sore. His head, on the other hand, was killing him.

He smiled, shifting slightly, just enough to get comfortable, and Jack made a quiet noise in his sleep before instinctively pulling him closer.

Hiccup looked down: Jack was sprawled half across him, cheek pressed against Hiccup's shoulder, one arm wrapped securely around his middle. Hiccup's own arms were around Jack, one hand resting between his shoulder blades while the other was buried loosely in his snow-white hair.

And between them? Nothing.

Hiccup blinked, carefully rubbed his eyes and looked again.

Still nothing.

No pale wood pressed against his stomach, no curved end digging into his ribs, no staff wedged awkwardly between their bodies. No Twiner.

Hiccup's face lit up; he actually had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing. He had done it!

He looked toward the side of the room. Twiner was lying safely where they'd left it, tucked beneath Toothless' foreleg.

Hiccup smiled to himself and pressed a kiss into Jack's hair. Jack stirred.

"Morning." He mumbled, sighing happily and burrowing closer.

"Morning." Hiccup happily responded.

Jack opened his eyes; his gaze found Hiccup's face. "You're staring at me. Why are you staring at me?" He smiled, eyes still drowsy.

"I'm happy." Hiccup grinned.

"Mm…good." Jack's smile widened, sleepily.

Hiccup laughed quietly. "You don't even want to know why?"

"Probably because I'm gorgeous."

"Oh, that too." Hiccup ran his fingers slowly through his hair. "It's mostly because…" He glanced toward the other side of the room.

"Mm." Jack hummed, tucking his face back against Hiccup's neck. "I missed it."

Hiccup immediately tightened his arms. "Nuh-uh, no. Don't you dare."

Jack laughed. "I just said I missed it. It looks lonely over there."

"It's a piece of wood, and it's with Toothless. Toothless is great company."

Jack glanced toward Toothless—the dragon remained completely asleep, one foreleg draped possessively over Twiner. Jack smiled. "Looks comfortable; I'm almost jealous."

"Sure. But you're staying here." Hiccup looked down at him.

Jack's smile turned soft. "Yeah. I've got nothing better to do anyway."

Hiccup settled back into the pillows, pulling the blankets a little higher around them and tucking Jack closer against his chest. "Maybe we should leave Twiner with Toothless more often."

Jack immediately lifted his head. "Absolutely not."

Hiccup kissed his forehead. "Why not?"

"I'm scared Toothless will turn it into a chew toy. Besides, Twiner would miss me."

"Right, sure. But what about me, won't I miss you? I share you with it all the time."

"You'll survive." Jack grinned.

"Sure. I'll survive."