Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The ships creaked and groaned as they made their way back to the docks of Berk, the dragons' powerful wings causing ripples across the water's surface. As the fleet neared the docks, Jack could see the villagers who remained had gathered, their faces a mixture of concern and curiosity at the sight of the battered fleet.

Perhaps one of the reasons for their astonishment could be attributed to the dragons—once sworn enemies of the Vikings—now aiding the ships' return.

Aster, though as much dumbstruck as the Berkians, was also relieved to see his godchild looking well. Yet, he did his best to mask his concern, attempting to appear as stoic as... Well, chief Stoick himself.

He couldn't help a quirk at the corner of his mouth. Seeing Jack stand comfortably beside Stoick had him thinking that, just maybe, they were no longer being banished from Berk. However, the trader was rather concerned with the grim state Hiccup seemed to be in, unconscious in his father's arms. Still, since Stoick hardly looked anguished, it was a safe bet to assume that the boy was going to make it.

Not to mention, his own godchild didn't look like he was having a breakdown. Another good sign.

The men started coming down from the ships, and some families hugged their loved ones in a heartfelt reunion. Aster stepped closely towards the ship, trying not to look like he was itching to get Jack into a hug disguised as a scolding headlock. But the trader could see the hold up.

Jack had been helping a Gronckle untangle itself from a fishing net. Meanwhile, it appeared as though Stoick was continuing an unfinished conversation.

"And Jackson? I'm sorry for not listening to you... And tying you up."

Feeling rather proud after successfully assisting the Gronckle, Jack looked up to the chief and waved a hand dismissively. "Water under the bridge, chief..." With a smirk, he added. "Almost literally, heh."

Aster almost mirrored his amusement, until his mind fully caught up to what Stoick just said. "Oi, wait up," He eyes narrowed into an almost menacing squint "Ya sayin' ye tied up my godson like sum wild critter?!"

Sensing the sudden shift in the mood, Jack's smirk morphed into a grimace as he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Riiiight, okay. Uh, I'm going there to assist the newer dragons, uh, settle in..." He quickly made his escape, leaving Stoick to face Aster's incredulous stare.

"And I, uh, well..." Gobber unceremoniously took Hiccup into his arms, "Yeah, I'll get him to the house." With that, the blacksmith hastily departed, with the Night Fury getting up and loyally following suit.

Stoick rubbed the back of his neck, looking rather chagrined. "Aster, I know how it looks, but Jack stowed away, and keep in mind he was also previously punished with banishment from Berk." His tone was as diplomatic as it can be, while still maintaining his authoritative stance. "Additionally, he tried to free the dragon we still saw as a threat. You have to understand how I did what needed to be done with what we knew at the time."

"What you reckon you knew," Aster corrected, his arms crossed. "Seems like a fair bit's changed since then... With all these... Friendly dragons, eh?" He paused, shaking his head as he watched the young recruits in the air helping the new dragons settle in, while Jack stayed on the ground lending a hand. "... Flyin' around. Yeah, that's gonna be a right job gettin' used to."

Pursing his lips, Stoick could only shrug. "Fair point."

"That said..." Aster continued, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "I'm still not over the moon about you trussin' up the lad I've had to look after since his folks bit the dust."

"I don't expect you to, but I wish you would understand." Stoick said. "A lot... Was going on."

Aster pursed his lips. He didn't forget the condition Hiccup was in upon arrival. The trader figured he ought to cut the man some slack. He may have tied him up, but at least Stoick didn't outright try to kill him. Considering the Viking way of life, that wouldn't have been something unlikely... Especially considering how angry the chief was earlier in the day.

Sighing, Aster gave in. "Alright, alright, suppose I get your stance on the matter," he said. "Just... Don't ya start makin' it into a habit or the like, aye?"

"I'll try not to." With a smirk, Stoick added. "Can you promise to keep him out of trouble in the future, though?"

Barking a laugh, Aster shook his head. "Crikey, that'd be like askin' for a miracle, mate."

As Stoick chuckled lightly, the two turned their attention back to the dragons and villagers, working together to welcome the new dragons home. 

Chapter Text

"That's it... I can't take it anymore." Hiccup declared, wiping the sweat from his brow. Beside him, Astrid shared his languid posture, her usual vigor wilted in the oppressive heat. "calling off dragon school for the day. Snotlout and the others are difficult to deal with on a regular day, I imagine they'd be insufferable in this heat."

It was a particularly hot and humid day.

A haze of heat shimmered over Berk, the air thick and still. Summer had unfurled its scorching banner just days prior, and while the islanders were grateful for the brief respite from the chill that came with the rain or hail, the relentless heat was a formidable foe. The knowledge that it would be a short-lived experience doesn't make enduring it any easier.

Hiccup had shed his winter layers for a light, sleeveless tunic of breathable linen, its green hue a tribute to Berk's verdant forests. A simple leather belt cinched the waist, and his trousers, lighter than the heavy wools of winter, allowed for movement and a whisper of a breeze. His feet, now free from the confines of fur-lined boots, were clad in sturdy leather sandals that crisscrossed up his calves.

Even for someone who was zealous in keeping up with training, Astrid didn't argue. "Way ahead of you." she replied, a hint of relief in her voice. "Aster came back last night, and Jamie said his dad bought most of the blocks of ice he brought back with him. Hitting the tavern to see what they've got up the menu with all that ice."

Hiccup's narrowed eyes regarded Toothless with envy, the dragon look none so perturbed with the limitations of human adaptability to the dry heat. As he looked after Astrid's departing back, he considered how a cold drink did sound good at the moment, but Hiccup was also starting to get peeved over how sticky he felt. 

Luckily, Jack had started to get over his aversion over water and with the lessons he gave him a year ago, Hiccup thought about how it was a good time for an impromptu swimming date.

"How 'bout a swim, bud?"

Hearing familiar words coming from his rider's lips, Toothless shook with eagerness. Being long accustomed in change of plans, it was a reflex for the dragon to go over to the trading post to seek out Hiccup's other favorite companion when it came to leisure. Chuckling at the dragon's enthusiasm, Hiccup was quick to follow Toothless down the path to the trading post.

"Jack!" Hiccup's voice echoed as he stepped over the threshold, the familiar creak of wood underfoot. Toothless lingered behind, the doorway too narrow for him. "Hey, you want to go for a swim over at the fire... Falls..."

Hiccup's words tapered off, his gaze arrested by the sight of Jack, shirtless and glistening with sweat. The young man's bare feet made sense in the heat, more so than on cooler days. He hoisted a crate atop another, muscles shifting under his skin, then grabbed a wooden mug. A gulp of water quenched his thirst before he splashed the remainder across his face, droplets scattering like diamonds in the sunlight, his tousled hair now a wilder mane.

"Ah~ That hits the spot." Jack exhaled, before walking towards Hiccup and giving him a lazy grin. "Sorry Hic, what was that?"

But Hiccup was momentarily lost, entranced by the rivulets tracing paths over Jack's skin, each droplet a tiny odyssey from brow to chin, then diverging at the collarbone. It was a map of summer's touch, one he found himself following with an intensity that bordered on reverence. He noted the contrast between them: his own skin a canvas of freckles and forge-kissed scars if not from battle wounds taken during hostile encounters, while Jack bore the whimsical marks of minor cuts and healed scabs, possibly garnered from spar matches or roughhousing with the village children during babysitting duty.

Hiccup didn't even realize when his wandering eyes finally stopped and settled on staring at Jack's nipples, rather pert from the possible coolness of the splashed water. Toothless caught the unusual stillness in his rider's stance. Instincts telling him it was out of place, he decided to snap him out of it with a flick of his tail. This nudged Hiccup back to the present, reminding him of the world beyond his lover's body.

"The heat getting to you too, babe?" Jack noted with a chuckle, going over to poke him on the nose. He would've gone for embracing him, but in this humidity, even a quick side-hug would've been too much. "Might be a good time for a swim, don't you think?"

Clearing his throat before speaking, Hiccup found that the inside mouth felt even drier than earlier after seeing Jack. Still, he managed to find the words to respond. "Sounds... Sounds good."

At the other corner of the room, Aster had been silently observing the whole thing. He could definitely tell what was going on, as Hiccup didn't even seem to remember that he was the one coming in earlier to suggest what Jack had just said right then. The trader didn't seem all too pleased, considering the new way Hiccup seemed to be looking at his godson and how he knew they were at that age and stage of their relationship to be wanting more in terms of skinship.

"Awesome," Jack grinned, "Let me grab a shirt to wear on the way, and maybe something to drink. Gotta stay hydrated, you know." He went off.

That's when Aster decided to go over to Hiccup's side, crossing his arms and regarding him sternly. "Ain't no shacking it up til you're both twenty-somethin', ya hear?"

"Huh?" Hiccup blinked owlishly, processing the man's words before it dawned on him. His cheeks felt heated, but unable to get the image of the previous state he saw Jack in, Hiccup's response to that was "Er, I mean... Maybe just a little bit wouldn't hurt?"

Aster glared at him, before turning away. "Now where's me boomerang?"

Color draining from his face, as soon as Hiccup saw Jack coming down from the stairway with a shirt on and a waterskin slung over his shoulder, he dragged him over to Toothless so they can fly off and get to that much needed swim.

"Whoa Hic, easy." Jack chuckled, bracing himself properly and placing his arms around Hiccup's waist. He smiled slightly as he noticed how their height difference was starting to get less significant. "I know it's hot, but where's the fire?"

"You are."

Jack's eyebrows shot up, "What?"

"You're hot." Hiccup elaborated, sounding bashful but still managing to look rather unabashed. "Like... Seriously."

Cheek going pink, Jack swallowed a lump in his throat before he decided to lean his face against his boyfriend's back just to avoid looking him in the eyes now. "I... Thanks, I guess."

A few days later, things became hot for a different reason.

Jack found himself walking into the forge with lunch only to see Hiccup wearing nothing under his smithing apron save for his trousers, the lower part all folded up to his knees. It was Jack's turn to have his wandering eyes regard lover's lanky frame, catching his muscle straining with effort as Hiccup pounded a forming metal on the anvil with a sizeable hammer. A brief motion was made to wipe sweat of his forehead. He paused to tie his hair back. Instead of proceeding with his work, Jack observed Hiccup pursing his lips in mild frustration, before he bent down.

Jack's mouth went dry.

Hiccup stood upright once more, hefting a sack of coal over his shoulder to bring over to the furnace. He nudged the sack to drop some coals in to keep the fire going. When he moved to return to the anvil, Hiccup finally noticed Jack standing there with lunch. He smiled tiredly, considering maybe a few bites wouldn't hurt before he continued work. He walked towards Jack, opening his mouth to greet him.

Instead, Jack moved swiftly to push his tongue down his lover's throat while his hands wandered Hiccup's body before resting on his ass.

Gobber walked in a few minutes later to see how work was doing, only to quickly depart with only enough wits to put out the furnace fire... Seeing as another fire was starting.

Hiccup and Jack didn't really wait for their twentieth birthday...

And maybe Jack's next prank involved making his godfather's boomerangs and other miscellaneous weapons go scarce.

Just to make sure Hiccup actually makes it to his twentieth birthday of course.

Chapter Text

After Jack finally managed to escape his own cell, he boarded the Grimborn hunters ship. It wasn't the first time he was captured by these villains, but it was definitely a first that everyone else and their dragons ending up getting apprehended when trying to rescue them. So far, it was only Hiccup and Fishlegs who got taken after their first attempt to rescue Jack when he was taken by the hunters the second time.

In any case, it was good Jack had the foresight to hide more than one lockpick in his person. Now that he was reunited with the group, their next goal was to find and free their dragons without being spotted. 

"Okay guys," Hiccup stood at the center of the group, his gaze sweeping over his friends with a determined glint. "time to do plan G."

Astrid, brow furrowed in confusion, interjected. "Don't you mean plan B?"

"No," Hiccup shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "We already did plan B a while back. I had to skip plan C for now because it involves the twins separating from the group to create an explosive diversion."

"Plan C.... Combustion." Fishlegs nodded in understanding, "I get it."

Hiccup blinked, "Er, that wasn't actually intentio... Huh," He smiled, "That actually works."

"C'mon!" Tuffnut threw his hands up, exasperated. "It's easy!"

Ruffnut chimed in, her voice laced with pride. "Our dragon has the firepower for explosions!"

Hiccup gave them a dry look. "And are Barf and Belch here with you now?"

The twins' usual bravado deflated.

"Well," Clearing his throat, Fishlegs ventured, "What about plan D?"

Jack, leaning casually against the cold metal wall of the ship, let out a weary sigh. "Tried that with Ryker. Now I'm on his favorite kidnap list." Slightly more sheepish, he added. "Which is actually why we're all here now."

"But... D doesn't stand for flirt?" Fishlegs noted, "Oh, maybe distracting seduction? That would be a 'DS' though...."

Jack felt his cheeks go hot, "Fishlegs! Please!" He hushed groaned, "You're overthinking the titles!"

Hiccup grumbled, shaking his head, "Goes without saying, plan D? Also going to be a last resort. Maybe an 'ultimate' last resort." he looked at his boyfriend. "Especially for you."

"Noted." Jack gave a half-hearted snort, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "Also, are we seriously going alphabetically with these plans?"

Ignoring that remark, Jamie raised his hand, "And plan E?"

"Guess we are." Jack deadpanned.

Hiccup winced. "Plan E has... collateral risks. Mainly for Snotlout."

Astrid's eyes twinkled. "I think I like the sound of plan E. We'll call it... Execute."

"No." Hiccup said flatly.

At the same, Snotlout indignantly cried out a "Hey!"

Jack immediately shot his hand out to clamp it shut. With a glare, he hissed with a finger pressed on his own lips. "Shh!"

"Oy, did you hear that?" One of the Grimborn hunters was overheard nearby.

Save for Snotlout, everybody else smacked their foreheads in resignation.

"Looks like we're going for plan I instead." Hiccup sighed, shaking his head. "Improvise."

Discretion abandoned, Astrid snapped a chair leg free, brandishing it like a sword. "Personally, I always preferred plan A."

"Does it stand for 'Astrid attacks'?" Jamie quipped, smiling wearily at her way.

With an approving smirk, the blond leaned towards him to give a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Actually, it was just 'Attack', but that sounds way better." With that, she charged in first.

Hiccup and the others followed after her, save for two people.

"Wouldn't that be Plan AA?" Fishlegs frowned.

Patting his back, Jack said "Overthinking it, Fishlegs." before following after the others.

Chapter Text

There were new recruits once more, some children Jack used to babysit a lot were now of age to start their training and start their journey of becoming fine warriors. They were ready to start protecting Berk, although Hiccup and the others had to make sure they were well equipped in defending themselves first.

Contrasting Gobber's approach of having them learn on the field, Jack suggested that they should show them demonstrations on their first day. It may have something to do with how he felt slightly protective of these recruits since he did have a handle in nurturing their growth.

True, it was possible that their parents might've given them basic instructions, as McGuffin and Merida obviously did for Astrid. She had been the most prepared recruit during their early days as warrior recruits. However, there was no way of making certain that all of them had that advantage. Jack can still remember Fishlegs fearful outcries as he retreated from vicious dragons. While they've made peace and now had them as draconic allies that didn't mean there was no longer any danger. After all, it was one of his unofficial tasks to watch out for Tuffnut and Ruffnut, making sure they don't get carried away when handling weapons since they have such a penchant for battle scars. There were only so much medical bandages on hand. It was also better to caution the young warriors not to get ahead of themselves because that would also lead to unwanted injuries; Snotlout's constant bravado and the broken limbs he suffered on occasion was proof of that.

"If you have them carrying deadly weapons without showing the proper way of wielding them, I'm breaking up with you." It was mostly said in jest, but Jack hoped his message came across anyway.

Hiccup didn't want to take any chances.

In the end, the first day of their training began with weapon instruction. To keep the recruits engaged, the next item on the agenda was to have them watch a sparring match against Jack and Snotlout. Astrid argued vehemently since she wanted to be the one sparring with either of the two, however they did need someone to supervise the young warriors-to-be. They seemed to only heed the blond's stern orders to stay put, and that effectively prevented them from starting their own sparring matches. They might've listened to Jack, too, however Hiccup needed him to be the one to fight with Snotlout.

It was for the purpose of showing two sides of a coin when it came to combat: Defensive and offensive fighting styles. If it was Astrid going against Snotlout, it would boil down to complete offense eventually.

His face red with effort and frustration, Snotlout glowered. He hadn't been able to land a lot of hits on Jack due to the other's fluid maneuvers often resulting to elusive dodges. Just when he finally figured out a way to strike, Jack comes up with a new move on the spot to avoid the blow.

"Ugh, one of these days, I'm gonna kick your ass to the sun, Overland!"

The young recruits released a chorus of laughter as Jack's own rang out clear and taunting. "Ha! You want to kiss me so bad it makes you look stupid, Jorgenson!"

The air hung heavy with anticipation, waiting for Snotlout's retort. Jack arched a brow, still maintaining his defensive stance in preparation for the next assault. However, his friend has completely stopped his persistent lunges.

"Uh, this would be the part where you say something insulting back." From the sidelines, Tuffnut hollered what everyone's probably thinking.

In response to that, Snotlout's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, his mouth opening and closing without a sound. Jack's eyes widened, not expecting that to be the reaction to the words he chose to razz his friend.

"Really?!"

Snotlout, flustered, blurted out, "What?! I told you all before that I thought you had a nice smile and pretty eyes!"

The recruits cooed, teasing in their delight, as Jack's face mirrored Snotlout's crimson hue. Rubbing his temples, Hiccup looked less than please with the turn of events.

"Okay, plan E is starting to look real appealing right now." The brunette muttered under his breath.

Fortunately for Snotlout, he was saved from the possibility of being murdered by Hiccup's hand at Jamie's arrival with free lunch for both the new recruits and his friends.

Chapter Text

As the first light of dawn crept over the village of Berk, Stoick the Vast strolled through its winding paths with his old friend Gobber. The air was crisp, and the familiar sounds of the village coming to life filled the morning.

"It worked out the first time," Stoick mused, his voice a deep rumble, "but maybe I need to rethink leaving Jack in charge of watching out for Hiccup..."

Screwing on a smithing hammer on his prosthetic hand, Gobber gave Stoick a sidelong glance. "I'd rethink that, Stoick," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards.

Stoick turned to him, a question forming on his lips, "What do you mean?"

Before Gobber could elaborate, the sky above them churned with the powerful beat of dragon wings. Stoick and Gobber looked up just in time to see Jack and Hiccup swooping in for a landing with Toothless, the Night Fury. They touched down with practiced ease, though Jack's expression was less than pleased.

"I told you to stop doing that without warning, Hic!" Jack scolded, rearranging his cloak as he dismounted. It nearly strangled him at one point during the Night Fury's free fall from earlier.

Still astride Toothless, Hiccup grinned back at him and looked anything but abashed. "If I warned you, you'd try stopping me."

Jack huffed, a playful glint in his eye. "Well, next time you pull that stunt without letting me prep for it, I'm putting some turnip in your favorite stew!"

Hiccup made a face of mock horror. "Ugh, you know I hate turnips! And it won't go with the way it's supposed to taste!"

"I'll make it work." Jack retorted, crossing his arms.

Hiccup sighed, starting to look petulant. "Oh c'mon! What's fun without a little danger?"

"Hiccup..." Jack just shook his head, a fond exasperation in his eyes. 

Finally sliding off Toothless, Hiccup gave his boyfriend a withering look. "For someone who loves fun, you can be a real killjoy at times, Jack." 

The dragon made a low growl of before nuzzling Jack's side affectionately.

"Whose side are you on?" Hiccup asked, feigning betrayal.

Toothless simply cocked his head to the side, looking between the two humans.

"Traitor." Hiccup declared decisively.

Jack chuckled, patting Toothless's snout. "He clearly knows which one of us is making him delicious, grilled fish later." He cooed at the dragon briefly, before turning his attention to pinch Hiccup's cheek, slightly patronizing him. "You'll thank me later when you understand that it reduces the risk of you getting a sprain to about twenty percent. Might even save you from losing another limb."

"Sure," Hiccup replied, rolling his eyes but with a smile tugging at his lips as he held his hand against the spot Jack left a lingering caress.

Stoick and Gobber watched the exchange, a knowing look passing between them.

"That," Gobber pointed out, "That's what I mean."

Stoick nodded, a small smile on his face. "Made your point."

Chapter Text

"You're grounded, son!" Stoick declared, his gaze fixed firmly on Hiccup.

Looking almost unaffacted, Hiccup shrugged. "But I have to teach dragon classes tomorrow?"

"Oh right." Stoick's brows furrowed as he considered this. "Well, no riding Toothless then!"

"I kinda need him for said classes, Dad," Hiccup replied, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Stoick paused, searching for a suitable punishment. Then, he catches Jack standing ever loyally behind his son, whistling a tune with a lack of anything better to do during this confrontation.

"Well then..." Unsurely, Stoick ventured. "No Jack?"

Jack did a double-take. "Wait—say again?"

"No Jack?!" Hiccup's eyes widened in disbelief.

Pleased to have his authority regained, Stoick confirmed this. "NO JACK!" His voice boomed, leaving no room for further argument.

A heavy silence fell over as Hiccup stood, mouth agape, at a loss for words.

"Yikes..." Jack winced. "So much for date night..."

Chapter Text

It was just another day.

Jack was on his way to the blacksmith to help Hiccup with an influx of saddle orders. Just when he could see his boyfriend nearing the smithy he happened to passed by Snotlout along the street. He was just going to nod in acknowledgement as a passing greeting.

However, Snotlout’s gaze traveled up and down Jack’s form, leaving him feeling slightly self-conscious.

“Uh, what’s with the scrutiny, Lout?” Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering if he had accidentally put on his poncho inside out or if his belt-tucking technique was off.

With a mischievous smirk, Snotlout responded with a question of his own. “So, are you a carpenter?”

"Uh, well... Sometimes?" Jack wasn’t entirely sure where this was going. “But right now, I’m actually—”

Snotlout cuts him off. “Because you’re building.”

"I—" Jack stared at him blankly, trying to think back if he forgot a prior arrangement where he needed to help his friend or the Jorgensons with any structural repairs. He's pretty certain he hasn't pranked the guy in a way that involved house damage. "What?"

Silence was the response this time, along with Snotlout giving him a thumbs up, and a suggestive wiggle of his brows.

"Okay, what's going on? What should I help build?"

Meanwhile, Hiccup observed the unfolding scene, looking both amused and vexed. At least he now knew what the outcome would've been if he ended up using that line he was planning to deliver upon Jack’s arrival, which he originally thought of.

Eventually, Snotlout hung his head low when he understood the failure in the pick-up line. Still rather non-plussed, Jack decided to shrug it off before continuing on his way. Smiling at Hiccup, he gave him a kiss as a greeting 

"Morning, Hic."

Smiling at Jack, Hiccup returned the greeting with a compliment. "Hey Jack. Hm, you smell especially good today." He ended that with a wink.

"Aw, stop it, you. Too early for that." Jack chided but a chuckle followed, showing his approval of the compliment. "But thanks." A light pink tinted his cheeks, as he gave him one more chaste kiss to the cheek, before entering the smithy.

Hiccup briefly took out his notebook and jotted down one statement: 'Direct approach: Most effective on Jack.'

Chapter Text

Toothless's cry tore through the sky as a bola entangled his wings, abruptly halting his flight. A net swiftly followed, ensnaring him completely. The sudden stop flung Hiccup forward, sending him tumbling toward a cliff's edge. As the Berserkers secured their captive dragon, Hiccup's screams echoed while the force of gravity claiming him.

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who was asked later, Jack threw himself from the mountain face he was hugging and did all he can to catch up to his falling boyfriend.

However, this only meant two of them were falling now.

"Jack!" Hiccup looked incredulous, "What are you doing?!"

"Saving you, what does it look like?!"

"How is that happening?! You're falling with me!"

"OH! So, when you do it, it's all good and fun! But when it's to save your life..."

"Again, HOW?!"

Before the two can make a crash landing at Berserker island's woodland, Astrid swooped by for the rescue. Hiccup's heart momentarily sank when he lost hold of Jack's hand and the older boy continued to fall, but Snotlout was already in the process of getting Hookfang to go low to catch him.

Hiccup could only sigh in relief, even if part of the result was Jack having to deal with Snotlout getting a bit handsy.

"Save the old couple banter for later, you two!" The blond rolled her eyes, directing Stormfly to return to the cliff Jack and Hiccup had previously been at.

"You landed there, princess." Snotlout drawled, unfazed as Jack whacked him while shifting his position to settle behind him. "Not my fault where my hands ended up."

Jack scowled, hitting him once more at the back for that. "Your fault for the unnecessary squeezes." he insisted, "Don't make me throw you off and start commandeering Hookfang; I don't care if it makes me ungrateful."

"Tough love." Snotlout grumbled, "Sure, give Hiccup the niceties."

With a smirk, Hiccup couldn't help sounding haughty when adding to that. "And then some."

"Well, duh!" Jack rolled his eyes, even if the guy couldn't see it. "He's my actual boyfriend, it's expected."

"Don't you guys start, too!" Astrid shook her head at their lack of urgency, "We need to regroup with the others!"

Hiccup balked, "The others? What about Toothless?!"

Upon arriving above the plateau, they see their friends pushing back on the Berserkers.  While standing on Meatlug, with Fishlegs keeping him steady, Jamie shot arrows at incoming reinforcements as the twins worked on reaching Toothless at one flank as Barf and Belch covered the other side.

"Have I already told you that you'd make an awesome Second-in-Command?" Hiccup remarked.

Astrid smirked, grabbing her axe already. "You could mention it more to the chief, but yes."

Chapter Text

In the privacy of his room, Hiccup laid still, his breaths steady but shallow. The battle had taken its toll, and all of Berk waited, hoping for their hero to awaken. Outside, the village carried on, but inside the smithy, two figures huddled over a set of old scrolls and leatherwork, their minds focused on a task that might change everything.

Gobber, with his blacksmith's hands calloused and strong, spread out the schematics on a sturdy wooden table. Jack stood beside him, his eyes tracing the lines and curves of the drawings, a frown of concentration etched on his face.

"We need to make it perfect," Jack murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "When Hiccup wakes up, I want him to have no doubt that he can fly as much as he can walk."

Gobber nodded, his one good eye meeting Jack's determined gaze. "Aye, lad. We'll make it so. You... Got a good head for this, thinking of ways to adjust for his... New situation."

Of course, when the man said 'you', he really meant that he himself did.

In truth, Gobber knew he would be able to handle it all himself. He just finished crafting the prosthetic Hiccup would have to get acquainted with as his new foot. After a rough start with examining the Night Fury, which only improved when Jack soothed Toothless, Gobber understood what he needed to do. The man knew what was necessary to fit the saddle and modify it to navigate the dragon.

Still, he also knew that Jack was buzzing with nerves and was probably as anxious as Stoick was to when the young boy will wake again, if not more so. If it helped Jack keep his mind busy, especially with the project something to specifically help the unconscious boy, Gobber wouldn't refuse his assistance.

Together, they worked through the nights, measuring and cutting, fitting and refitting. Since the design was something new for the Viking; something that was meant to help a dragon and, daresay, its human rider. The pioneering venture required Gobber to declare errors and a need to start over.

However, a Viking was nothing if not stubborn. Considering who this was for, Jack was just as determined as well.

Either Aster and Stoick would come over while they were hard at work to make sure they were getting meals and refreshments. The trader once offered to take over since he did have some experience in crafting weapons, even if it wasn't the same extent as Gobber's.

"You two need to eat," Stoick said, his voice carrying the authority of a chief and the concern of a father.

Aster hummed in agreement. "How 'bout we let a bloke with a fair bit of know-how have a crack at it, eh?" he suggested, eyeing the tools on the table.

Jack had been holding a hammer. With his patience stretched thin due to weariness and stress, he turned sharply. "Well then," he retorted, his grip tightening. "Let's see if you know how to catch this!" With that, he lobbed the hammer in Aster's direction.

With reflexes honed by years of dodging foes, Aster ducked, and the hammer sailed over his head, embedding itself into the wall with a thud. The room fell silent, save for the hammer's handle, which wobbled at the impact.

Stoick's eyebrows shot up, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face. "Well, that's one way to hammer your point home, lad." he chuckled, unable to help himself.

Gobber, who had been watching the exchange, burst into laughter, his booming voice filling the room. "Ha! Nice throw, Jack! But next time, aim for the anvil, not the trader. We need him for bartering, not target practice!"

Now standing upright, Aster brushed off his tunic, a smirk playing on his lips. "I reckon that's a 'bugger off' to lendin' a hand, eh?" he said, his tone light. "But crikey, showpony, you might wanna fine-tune your aim, or Toothless will be sidesteppin' more than just woolly jumpers."

"Er..." Jack had the grace to look sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry about that, Aster. It's just... I want to do this. For Hiccup."

Aster raised his hands in a placating gesture. "No worries, mate. Just remember, we're all here for Hiccup. And for you too, champ."

"Right, right, you got it, Aster." Jack smiled at his godfather's understanding. "I guess I... hammered my feelings a bit too literally."

The tension broken, they all shared a laugh before Aster and Stoick left them to their work. Needless to say, that was the first and last time Aster attempted to make the offer.

Certainly, it was the first project Jack had to do much more than just passing equipment needed, which gave him a newfound respect to the craft as well as both Gobber's and Hiccup's skill in it. 

The saddle would have a harness system that allowed Hiccup to secure himself with ease, even with limited mobility. The stirrups were adjustable, designed to accommodate Hiccup's prosthetic leg. Every strap, buckle, and piece of padding was placed with careful thought, ensuring comfort and safety for both rider and dragon.

Whenever Jack thought too hard about how and why they needed to do this for the boy he loved, it became too much at times. He needed time to reset, even when they were hard at work, to shed some tears.

It's almost a week, and Hiccup have yet to come out of his slumber.

If this was any day, Gobber might've given him a real scolding for slacking off. However, the man was not unaware with how much Hiccup meant to Jack. The feelings he has for Stoick may be different from what the boy felt for his friend's son, but Gobber would be beside himself if his best friend was in a similar state no matter how much belief he had in the man being able to pull through.

"Jack," Gobber said, his voice low and steady. "I've seen many a storm in my days, and I've watched Berk stand tall against them all. This... this is just another tempest we've got to weather."

Jack looked at the blacksmith, his eyes glassy. "I, yeah, you're... You're probably right, Gobber." he conceded, his voice cracking a bit. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "I, just... Wish it was just another storm. Like... Literally one, you know."

"I know." The man answered curtly, "gods know I do, lad. But chin up now," The blacksmith let out a chuckle, a warm sound that filled the space between them. "They say a sad mug makes ya face uglier. Wouldn't want Hiccup kissing that, right?"

The remark had the desired effect of Jack snorting, his mouth curving into a small smile before he made a weak attempt to shove a man four times his size. Gobber ruffled his hair fondly, before pushing him a tad roughly to maintain the reputation of being a hardened Viking.

"Now, let's get back to work. These wings won't forge themselves, and I've got a feeling green eyes are opening and would be wanting to see 'em sooner rather than later!"

With a final smile directed at the man, and renewed determination, Jack followed his lead.

Chapter Text

Hiccup Haddock was hunched over, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was sketching out a new schematic for a dragon saddle, his pencil moving swiftly across the parchment. His auburn hair fell into his eyes, and he absentmindedly brushed it away, his mind completely absorbed in his work.

In the kitchen, Jack was busy preparing supper. He moved with a practiced ease, chopping vegetables and stirring pots. His brown hair glinting in the fading light, still wet from his quick bath. 

"Hey, Hiccup," Jack called over his shoulder, his voice light and teasing. "How many times do I have to tell you? No work on the table so close to dinner."

Hiccup looked up from his schematic, blinking as if he had just been pulled from a trance. "Sorry, Jack," he said, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "I just wanted to finish this one last detail."

Jack rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his gaze as he looked at Hiccup. "You always say that," he said, shaking his head. "But you know the rules. Bulk down and get loose. Work stays in the workshop."

Hiccup sighed, but he couldn't help but smile. He knew better than to argue with Jack when he gets fussy over these kinds of things. One time he tried pressing to finish just one more thing, he found his potato mush being more lumpy than smooth.

"Alright, alright," Hiccup relented, setting his pencil down and stretching his arms above his head. "I'll put it away." He promised, rolling up his schematic and tucking it under his arm.

After placing it down on another vacant surface, he went about removing his armor shirt and the braces around his arms.

Jack nodded in approval, turning back to the stove. "Good." He smiled, petting Toothless who was returning into the house after finishing his own meal from outside the house. "Wash up, and the dinner will be ready when you get back."

"Yes, dear~" Hiccup called playfully.

Jack rolled his eyes, "None of that," he huffed. "Just get."

True to his word, by the time Hiccup returned from the washroom, hands washed and with a change of tunic, the young rider could see Jack placing serving portions into bowls. He walked over to the kitchen, his steps light and quick. "What are we having tonight?" he asked, peering over Jack's shoulder.

"Vegetable stew," Jack replied, stirring the pot and throwing Hiccup a slight chiding look as he snatched an entire Icelandic cod to throw towards a delighted Toothless. He rolled his eyes but allowed it. The reason why it was just them tonight was because Stoick and some other men were out fishing because it's the season for an abundant flow of it and they're hauling in as much as they can. It wasn't like they're going to run out of stock, in that case. "And some fresh bread. I thought we'd keep it simple tonight."

Hiccup nodded, his stomach rumbling at the thought of food. "Sounds perfect," he said, grabbing a stack of plates from the cupboard. He set the table with practiced ease, the routine familiar and comforting.

Content and having his fill of fish for the evening, Toothless settled out back once more to rejoin Skullcrusher. As Jack and Hiccup worked together, the house filled with the sounds of clinking dishes and bubbling pots, the atmosphere warm and inviting. It was a simple, domestic moment, but it was one that Hiccup cherished. 

Once the table was set, Hiccup took a seat, watching as Jack ladled the stew into bowls. "Hey," he spoke softly, leaning against his lover side briefly while being careful not to jostle his hand. "you really would make a great homemaker someday, you know."

"You think so?" Jack smiled at him, caressing his cheek briefly. He remembered how that a remark like that would leave both of them fumbling, flustered and all.

Now, it was something he would look forward to in the foreseeable future. 

Chocolate brown eyes softened as Hiccup took Jack's hand and pressed his lips against each knuckles meaningfully. "You know it."

“Well," Jack chuckled, his cheeks flushed pink, as he poked the other's nose playfully. "I guess we’ll just have to wait and see to find out for sure, won't we?” he said, his voice filled with warmth.

Hiccup chuckled, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. “Yeah, I guess we will.”

They shared a quiet moment, the bond between them stronger than ever. The simple act of sharing a meal together, surrounded by the familiar comforts of home, was a reminder of how far they had come and how much they had to look forward to.

As they began to eat, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared memories. The future was uncertain, but in that moment, everything felt right.

Outside, Toothless and Skullcrusher settled down for the night, the sounds of the village fading into the background. Inside, the warmth of the hearth and the company of loved ones made the world feel safe and full of promise.

And so, they enjoyed their meal, savoring not just the food, but the companionship and the love that had brought them together. It was a simple, perfect evening, one that they would cherish for years to come.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"Sweet Mercy, Jackson." Kozmotis exasperated, placing a hand to his forehead. "Talented as you are, not to mention quite the quick learner, magic is a complex craft. I am trying to help you but I need you to cooperate; asking relevant questions fall under that."

Jack raised his hands placating, as if in surrender. "Okay, okay," he drawled, "I have a good question this time; I promise."

Kozmotis narrowed his eyes, before interjecting a word Jack missed. "A good 'magic-related' question, I hope?"

"Definitely," Jack grinned. He cleared his throat, pausing for effect before finally asking. "Are dragons just very intelligent felines that were transformed into giant reptiles?"

Kozmotis held both his hands up to cover his face in complete resignation.

"Fishlegs and I saw a tiny black lizard the other day, I think he said it was a Niger." Jack added, "Maybe we can bring it in here, find a cat, merged them to turn them into a new Night Fury companion for Toothless. Oh, or would a black cat be enough?"

"Aster!" Kozmotis hollered irately, "Say your last words to this boy because I am about to murder him!"

"Empty threat, luv. You were the one who brought him back to life, remember?"

"Come on, it's a fair question!" Jack insisted, "Plus, both dragons and cats love fish!"

Kozmotis raised his staff, ready to use it the old fashion way.

That's when Aster moved to intervene.

Chapter Text

The sky over New Berk was a perfect shade of blue, the crisp ocean wind sweeping through the cliffs as dragons danced overhead. From below, it looked like an ordinary training session—just another day in the land of dragons and Vikings.

But no.

What was happening up there was chaos.

"By Odin’s beard—what in Hel is that woman doing?" Stoick’s voice echoed across the cliffs as he stood with his arms crossed, glaring skyward.

Jack stood next to him, watching the spectacle unfold with a mix of horror and exasperation. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That would be your wife."

"Aye. I know that."

"And that,” Jack continued, as Hiccup flung himself backward off Toothless mid-air, “is your son."

Stoick let out a long, suffering groan. "And your lover, lad."

"True enough." Jack intoned drily.

Up in the sky, Valka and Cloudjumper executed a sharp barrel roll, twisting through the air like they were born for it. Hiccup, of course, had to try and keep up. He and Toothless had been following her lead all morning, copying her stunts and gradually getting more daring.

And now, of course, he was falling.

Jack scowled. "And this is why we don’t let you two fly together."

Hiccup was in a freefall, arms outstretched, completely unbothered as the wind howled past him. This was all part of the plan.

Toothless, as trained, was supposed to dip beneath him, gliding just low enough so Hiccup could land on his back in one smooth motion. They’d practiced this before—risky, but calculated.

Except this time, Toothless never arrived.

Instead—

WHAM.

A blur of blue and red wings came crashing into the Night Fury mid-dive.

Toothless yelped, wings flaring out as he tumbled sideways, narrowly avoiding a full-on collision with a cliffside. His attacker—a young, overeager Scuttleclaw—squawked in surprise, its wings flapping wildly as it realized it had just intercepted the most important part of Hiccup’s stunt.

Jack’s stomach dropped. "Oh, son of a—"

Hiccup, still midair, was now actually in trouble.

Stoick groaned. "Eret, why is your dragon ruining my son’s already terrible decisions?"

Eret, standing off to the side, looked absolutely mortified. "I—I don’t—Shorthorn, what in Hel are you doing?!"

Shorthorn, Eret’s young Scuttleclaw, let out a shrill, delighted chirp, completely unaware of what he had just done.

Hiccup, meanwhile, was plummeting toward the ground.

Up above, Hiccup was twisting his body, trying to stabilize himself, but there was only so much he could do.

Jack gritted his teeth and started to fly over. "I swear, Hiccup, if I have to save your reckless hide one more time—"

"THIS WASN'T THE PLAN!" he shouted.

"YOU THINK?!" Jack bellowed back.

Jack picked up the pace, the rush of wind deafening. They were getting close.

He reached out—

And swooped Hiccup into his arms just before he hit the water.

For a moment, all they could hear was the wind rushing past them.

Then—

"Ow," Hiccup groaned.

Jack exhaled, long and slow, staring blankly ahead. "'Ow' he says now. Next time it's nothing. Next time, it's just the cold arms of death."

"Not if you have anything to say about it," Hiccup grinned, throwing his arms around his lover and giving a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

Jack gave him a deadpan glare. "Don’t push it. I can drop you."

"But you won't~"

Meanwhile, Valka had been watching the entire fiasco from Cloudjumper’s back, and instead of worrying like a normal person, she was laughing.

"Well, that was exciting!" the woman called as she swooped down to join them.

From the ground, Stoick threw his arms up. "YOU! You’re encouraging this nonsense!"

Valka only smiled innocently. "Oh, Stoick, don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy a little recklessness in your youth."

Stoick looked like he was about to explode.

Eret, meanwhile, had his face buried in his hands. "Might be reconsidering letting Shorthorn fly freely after this." he muttered.

Jack sighed. "Good idea. I like my heart inside my chest, thanks."

Up above, Toothless and Shorthorn had finally disentangled themselves. The Night Fury shot his rider the most unimpressed look possible.

Hiccup sat up properly and winced. "Okay, okay, maybe we should tweak that trick."

Jack scoffed. "Or—and hear me out—never do it again?"

Hiccup waved him off. "We’ll get it next time."

The mageborn groaned and once reaching the relative safety of New Berk's grounds, he dropped his lover before flying off.

"I need to sit down." Stoick, now completely done with this, turned and stormed off. 

Chapter Text

It was that time again—Aster had to leave the island to restock his wares. He’d put it off as long as he could, stretching his supplies thin, but there was only so much he could do before his stock ran dry. Selling off the odd trinkets he’d received in barter from his Berkian customers wasn’t an option, either. That felt like cheating.

Still, there were some perks to trading.

Like the handcrafted boomerang Merida had given him.

She didn’t have the coin to buy the bow he’d earned from a mercenary job in Dyflin, so she offered a barter instead. Aster had been skeptical at first, but the moment he held the boomerang, he knew she knew her craft. The weight was right, the balance just as sharp as the one he used. He could actually use this, not just hang it up for decoration.

He remembered the exchange well.

"Ah had ma wee lassie lift yer boomerang fur a wee keek, I'm hopin' it daes whit ye want it tae dae."

Aster had blinked, staring blankly at Merida before turning to Astrid, who stood beside him with a knowing smirk.

"She had me take your boomerang so she could use it as a reference," Astrid translated. "Remember when I borrowed it? Anyway, Mom hopes it works the way it's supposed to."

Aster had accepted the trade without argument. Even if it had turned out to be a dud, he liked the craftsmanship. But Merida had done a damn fine job—she’d paid attention to the wood, the weight, the thinness. It was a weapon he could actually use.

He was turning it over in his hands now, mentally checking off his supply list, when a very excited voice interrupted his thoughts.

"So, when are you leaving?"

Aster turned to see Jack practically bouncing on his heels, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Not that I'm eager to get rid of you," Jack continued, failing spectacularly at sounding innocent, "but, y'know, I do have to plan for my extended stay at the Haddocks’ while you're gone."

Aster narrowed his eyes. "Extended stay?"

Jack wiggled his eyebrows. "It's tradition, remember?"

Yeah. A tradition from back when Jack was younger and arguably less of a pain in Aster’s ass. But now? Now Jack had a boyfriend. A Haddock boyfriend. And Aster wasn’t sure he liked where this was going.

Jack clapped a hand on Aster’s shoulder. "C'mon, don't look so grumpy. It's not like anything’s gonna happen."

Aster scowled.

Jack grinned wider.

Aster sighed. "Fine. But if I come back and find out you two got up to anything—"

Jack threw his hands up. "I get it, I get it! You worry too much, old man."

Aster muttered something about damn troublesome kids under his breath, but deep down, he knew he’d already lost this fight.

Aster had expected the worst.

When he left Berk for his usual trading trip, Jack had all but bounced on his heels at the news, grinning ear to ear about his extended stay at the Haddock household. Aster knew that look. It was the same look Jack got when he was up to no good, and with Hiccup as his boyfriend now, Aster had plenty of reason to be suspicious.

He’d even prepared for it—mentally drafted a speech about boundaries, respect, and why if he came back to so much as a whisper of impropriety, Jack would find himself learning how to swim with an anchor tied to his feet.

And yet…

Nothing happened.

Absolutely nothing.

Aster had braced himself for awkward stammering, guilty expressions, anything that hinted at mischief. Instead, he returned to something far worse.

Hiccup and Jack were sickeningly, painfully sweet.

Jack was clearly in his element, draping himself lazily over Hiccup’s shoulders, tossing out flirtations with a lopsided grin, watching with barely disguised amusement as Hiccup turned an impossible shade of red.

"Y’know, if you keep looking at me like that, I might just have to steal a kiss."

Hiccup nearly choked on air. "I—I wasn’t looking at you!"

Jack’s grin widened. "Oh? So you were staring at my lips instead? Naughty, naughty, Hiccup—"

"JACK—!"

Cue Hiccup shoving him away with a yelp and practically bolting from the conversation, his ears burning red. Jack, of course, just laughed, the very picture of smug satisfaction.

Aster had to physically stop himself from groaning out loud.

This. This was what he’d been worried about? He’d spent days preparing for trouble, and instead, he returned to puppy love so innocent it made his teeth ache.

A frustrated sigh left his lips as he rubbed his temples. This is worse. This is so much worse.

Across the forge, Gobber was chuckling, clearly enjoying Aster’s misery. "Oh aye, it’s awful, ain’t it? All that moon-eyed nonsense? Makes ya wanna gag."

Aster scowled. "I was ready for a problem. Not... this. Whatever this disgustingly adorable nonsense is."

Gobber clapped a hand on his shoulder, grinning. "At least they ain't sneakin' off to do anythin' troublesome yet!"

Yet.

Aster didn’t like the yet.

And sure enough, years later—when Jack stopped just flirting and actually started kissing that boy—Aster realized he should have cherished the days when the worst thing he had to suffer through was Hiccup blushing himself into an early grave.

Because now? Now he actually did have something to worry about.

Then after some years or so, it finally happened.

Aster had lived through a lot. He’d fought raiders, crossed dangerous seas, faced down mercenaries, and somehow survived raising Jack Frost.

None of it—not a single moment—prepared him for this.

The moment they walked into the trading post, he barely spared them a glance. Just Hiccup and Jack, coming in from the forge like usual. Nothing suspicious about that.

But then he noticed—the way Hiccup was helping Jack walk. Not carrying him, not supporting an injured ankle, but guiding him along with a hand at his back.

Jack wasn’t limping. Wasn’t wincing.

And yet—his hand.

His hand was resting very deliberately on his own damn ass.

Aster froze.

Jack was doing everything in his power to not look at him, which only made it more obvious. Hiccup, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to sink into the ground and never return.

They knew.

They knew he knew.

Slowly, very slowly, Aster folded his arms over his chest, fixing them with the kind of stare that could make a full-grown Berserker reconsider his life choices.

Hiccup let out a nervous cough, gaze darting anywhere but at him. "Uh—hi, Aster. We just—uh—needed some more nails for the forge. Y'know, since—uh—things break and, um... yeah."

Jack, to his credit, tried to hold onto his usual confidence. It failed spectacularly. "Hey, Bun—" He coughed, winced, and immediately regretted everything. "I mean—Aster! Hey, how's it going?"

Aster said nothing.

Jack swallowed. "So, uh, yeah. Nails. We just need some of those and we'll be—"

"Jack."

Jack flinched. Visibly. Hiccup made a strangled noise in the back of his throat.

Aster took a slow, deliberate step forward. "Tell me somethin', Jack-o. Why’re you walkin’ like that?"

"Like what?" Jack’s voice was too high.

"Like you just got kicked by a yak."

Jack’s face turned red.

Hiccup looked like he was weighing the pros and cons of running out of the shop alone.

Aster’s gaze flickered between the two of them. "…Don’t tell me."

Neither of them moved.

"Oh, for fuck’s sake." Aster groaned and immediately regretted it, because the next thing that happened was Gobber wheezing with laughter from across the shop.

"I told ya, Aster!" Gobber howled. "Ya left ‘em alone long enough, an’ now they’re bein’ improper!"

Jack groaned in agony, burying his face in his hands.

"Oh my gods, Gobber—" Hiccup audibly whimpered.

Aster ran a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. "Alright. New arrangement."

Both of them stiffened.

"From now on, when I’m off-island? You sleep at the Bennettes."

"Wha—" Jack’s head shot up. "No, come on, that’s not necessary—"

"Not negotiable."

"Wait, what?"

All three of them turned.

Jamie had just wandered in, completely unaware of the situation, scanning the wares for anything that might be useful for the tavern. He blinked at them. "What are we talking about?"

Jack’s soul left his body. "No."

"No, no, no, no," Hiccup muttered, looking everywhere but at Jamie.

"Oh, nothin’ much," Gobber grinned. "Just the part where Aster figured out they’ve been up to—"

"GOBBER, I SWEAR TO THE GODS—" Jack lunged, only to immediately regret it with a pained noise and a hand to his lower back.

Jamie’s eyes widened. "Wait."

He looked at Jack, then at Hiccup, then back at Jack. His brain caught up.

"Oh. OH."

A beat of silence. Then Jamie recoiled, hands flying up as if physically warding off the situation.

"Nope. Nope. I am not getting involved in this."

Aster groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. "An’ another thing—"

The trader launched into another round of scolding, his voice growing fainter as he stormed off to check inventory, still muttering under his breath. Only once he was safely out of earshot did Jamie finally speak up.

"So, uh…" He rocked back on his heels, glancing between the two with exaggerated caution. "Since Jack’s apparently going to be crashing at my place whenever Aster's off-island—and we’ll, you know, inevitably be rooming together—just to be absolutely clear, Hiccup…" He paused for effect, holding up a finger. "No, I don't like Jack and I'm working on earning Astrid's affections, okay?"

Jack and Hiccup groaned in unison.

Chapter Text

The early morning mist still clung to the cliffs of New Berk, curling over rooftops and slipping between the wooden beams of the bustling village. The Bennette home was quiet, the usual clatter of mugs and chatter of patrons still hours away. Inside, bathed in the soft glow of the hearth, Jamie sat at a sturdy wooden table, cradling a small wooden spoon in one hand and balancing a bowl of warm porridge in the other.

Across from him, Dimitri, his two-year-old son, sat perched on a makeshift booster seat. His brown locks stuck up in every direction, and his little fists had long abandoned the effort of holding his own spoon. Sleep clung to him like a heavy cloak, his eyelids fluttering as he leaned against Jamie’s arm with all the weight of a dragon settling in for a nap.

Jamie chuckled under his breath, scooping up a bit of porridge. "Come on, son. One more bite, and then you can nap all you want."

Dimitri blinked slowly, mouth opening just enough for Jamie to slip the spoon in. He chewed with the absentminded effort of someone only halfway aware of what they were doing. Jamie watched as his son’s head began to tip forward again, his tiny body swaying like a ship in calm waters.

"Hey, hey, stay with me, sport," Jamie teased, adjusting him upright. "You gotta eat before you—"

Thud. Dimitri’s forehead landed square against Jamie’s forearm. A deep, contented sigh escaped him, his small fingers curling into Jamie’s sleeve. He was out cold.

Jamie sighed, shaking his head fondly. "Well, that’s that." Carefully, he set the bowl aside and shifted his grip to scoop Dimitri into his arms. The little one barely stirred, only nestling closer against Jamie’s chest.

With a soft chuckle, Jamie leaned back in his chair, rubbing small circles on his son's back. "Guess lunch can wait."

It's good that it was Eret's turn to help out at their dad's tavern.

The archer didn't notice his wife returning to get something for a training session, only to clutch her chest at the scene before her.

Astrid wished she could marry this man all over again.