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Chapter Text

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Soulmates.

Jack has seen plenty of them come and go. With being invisible and bored out of his mind most of the year, his options for entertainment was limited. And that's not taking to mind the fact that he's a winter spirit and lived 300 years.

That was until he became a Guardian – though frankly everything stayed the same, except he had what adults like to call 'responsibilities'.

But Jack is thankful! He really is!

He's believed in now – almost all of Burgess' kids could see him! They wanted to play with him, to talk to him, to see him. A notion his centuries-old past-self would've scoffed at if he was told such ridiculousness.

But its true. Way too true to really wrap one's head around unless they experienced it themself. Albeit for some reason…

He wasn't happy.

No– he is happy. Happier than he's ever been since saving his sister (something he only remembered after getting his memories back). It was more of he wasn't satisfied with what he now had.

And wasn't that just selfish?

And Jack knew the cause of this dissatisfaction, its basically common knowledge among the living. (Something he didn't quite get until a century ago, where he watched a couple return to each other after years of long-distance)

No matter how successful one can be at life, it could never truly satisfy the missing piece reserved for a soulmate.

(The numbers on the right forearm is a constant reminder of that)

But Jack doesn't have a soulmate. If he did then they wouldn't be around anymore, he's long overdue. He remembered too late. Now he is too late. And nothing could ever fix it.

The numbers on his forearm is just a glitch. Its so obvious when the digits are literally in the negative, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to know its abnormal. And he's tried several times to get to Cupid to fix it, but the Spirit Of Love was always 'busy' and then he'd be kicked out when he tried to force a meeting – which inevitably got him banned from returning.

So it was either Cupid really was busy for the past three centuries, oooor the glitch was on purpose to taunt him. Could be both

So Jack forced himself to be content. He kept himself busy to forget about the ticking, anything ranging from creating snowmen or causing blizzards. But now, as a Guardian, he has more options – like playing with the kids, causing blizzards to cancel school and then play with the kids, creating early winters to play with the kids…

So yeah, a lot more options.

Until one fateful day…

Manny spoke to him.

This is bad.

Hiccup repeated those three words as if praying to the Gods for mercy. And in a way, he was.

Its only been three days. Three days since devastating winter came early. And three days since that– that THING appeared out of nowhere and started attacking Berk. His blood ran cold, and not because he was quivering from the temperature, but because the thought of IT makes him want to walk into the jaws of the Red Death instead of facing whatever existential mess was occuring.

Because who in Hel would expect Berk to be attacked by the mythical Jötunn. The same Jötunn that was used to tell scary stories to children to warn them of devastating winter.

Its. A. Myth.

Yet what he's seen cannot be fake. That hideous 10ft monster ripping through houses as if it's paper cannot be an illusion. It's figure is so deformed that it makes an average viking look gorgeous in comparison. Its pure nightmare fuel!

"RAAAAAAA!!!" Hiccup yelped as they dodged a flying roof speeding right at them, the piece of the house disappearing into the thick white fog.

"C'mon, bud!" He exclaimed as he guided Toothless through the storm. Thankfully it wasn't too bad, just very windy with snow clinging onto his armor. The least of his problem, really

There was another roar somewhere in the fog, but all he could see was the void of white threatening to consume him. There were more noises echoing; wood crashing, stone cracking, and people screaming bloody murder.

Most of the village people are in the Great Hall, the ones remaining out here were loyal warriors willing to give their life for Berk. It broke Hiccup's heart that he couldn't do anything to stop them, they needed more help and they were willing to give it. He's sure his Dad will give those they lost a proper and respectable burial.

"Hiccup!" His head snapped to the voice, catching sight of a familiar blonde and her Deadly Nadder – Toothless warbled at the sight of the other dragon, the latter giving a chirp in reply.

"Astrid!" He didn't stop the relief from escaping his voice, feeling a little bit lighter knowing she's alright. And if she's alright…

"How's everyone else?" He exclaimed as they flew together in the storm, dodging some stray wood and stone every now and then.

"As good as can be!" Astrid grunts, "The twins got It's eyes– now's the best chance to—!" Before she could finish, an angry roar vibrated through the air. There was a screech from two dragons, and then screaming from two other people, all ending with a loud CRASH! somewhere they couldn't pinpoint.

"Or…not." Astrid muttered, looking as exhausted as a Monstrous Nightmare after labor.

"We're okay!"

"Good to know." Hiccup murmured to himself, before shaking his head to clear it. This was the twins, they'll live. Now to the matter at hand…

"We got any weak spots yet?"

"Nothing," Astrid replied grimly, caressing Stormfly after the dragon growled. "We've tried getting as close as we can, but It's built like a fortress. We can't hurt it, and asking nicely is obviously not gonna work."

Hiccup grimaced, "So we need to kill it some other way." He didn't like the thought of taking a life, but since this thing has killed a handful of his people, it's only fair. They can't loose any more.

A recent memory flashed to mind, of a bloody corpse of a mother and her weeping child. It took a lot of coaxing(force) to get the poor child to let go. It haunted Hiccup. He couldn't even begin to imagine how it'd feel to lose someone so dearly.

What if it was his Dad? What will he do? What would happen? Could he even force himself to leave his side?

"HICCUP—!"

He didn't hear it, 'cuz of course he just had to get distracted the moment a piece of a wall went flying from below them. He didn't even realize something happened until the rope keeping him and Toothless together snapped, the strong winds pushing him off the saddle and the force of the hit throwing him up.

Toothless cried for him, flapping his wings helplessly, but it was useless. Hiccup tried to reach out, to grab at anything, but it all clenched in air. The fog swallowed his dragon partner whole while he was pushed further away.

"Toothless!" He called out, even though he knew it was useless. He just kept going up and up and up…and he couldn't help but wonder how strong that hit was– or maybe he was dead and the Gods are carrying him to Valhalla.

Was he even worthy though? Berk was still under attack with a solution yet to manifest. He couldn't be done now. He couldn't. He wasn't.

Somehow resisting logic and gravity, Hiccup was turned around to face the bright shine of the moon. He didn't even realize it was night until now. The fog was so thick and surrounded Berk like a bubble that it was hard to tell night from day and vice versa. All they could do was count the hours and hope for the best. He highly doubts it's been three days– maybe it was a week, or mere hours. He wasn't sure anymore.

The moon's light pulled him back to reality, it's glow somehow brighter and even stronger than before.

"Hiccup…"

What? Who…

Even though he knew his armor was still intact, somehow…against all odds, he could see right through it. Specifically, on his right forearm.

The numbers were counting down. Rapidly.

Hiccup's eyes widened, in a state of confusion and disbelief as the numbers continued. Could you really blame him? While normal soulmate marks count down to the fated day it was time to meet your other half, Hiccup's always counted upwards. Ever since he learned what a soulmate mark is, he knew that his wasn't normal.

Now to suddenly see the abnormal go normal again, he shouldn't be at fault for thinking the worst of it. Not only could he die not protecting his tribe, but die before he could even meet his soulmate. Someone he would imagine when he was younger, alone, and desperate for some kind of relationship outside of his Dad – way before he met Toothless and made peace with his now friends.

Someone he wanted to meet, and know, and live happily with.

Somebody to love…

Now it was all flushing down the dragon manure.

Nothing else mattered anymore at that very moment. Hiccup kept his eyes on his forearm, time seemingly stopping as he felt frozen in midair. The numbers just kept going down…and down…and down…with no sign of stopping.

3…

His heart was racing.

2…

His mouth felt dry.

1…

His whole body froze.

0…

The moon suddenly swirled, someone coming out of it as a pair of icy blue eyes with specks of white met his. Air was forced out of his lungs, and Hiccup couldn't help but keep staring even as he felt gravity take hold of him once more.

The fog engulfed him, just as a pale hand reached out for him.

"Danger…Save…Learn…"

300 years.

300 years of questions, begging, blizzards, and tears– now, when he isn't asking for anything, Manny gives him something.

"Go…"

A mission. A mission he knows absolutely NOTHING about.

"Go!"

And have no say in it, as per usual.

Before Jack could protest, Wind surrounded him and forced him toward the moon, where he could feel Manny's power increasing.

"WAI—!" He couldn't even get a word out as he hissed at the beam of light assaulting his eyes. He was blinded for a few seconds before he heard an audible whoosh! in front of him, he opened his eyes…

And saw the most beautiful emeralds he's ever seen.

It was only for a moment, but it was in that moment that he knew who he was looking at – no look at his forearm for confirmation.

Soulmate

After all these centuries, he actually found them. He didn't even expect to after the whole turning-into-spirit thing. Yet here they were, right in front of him…

And alsO FALLING—!

Jack yelped as he realized they were in the air, flying after his soulmate with Wind helping him out. Wow, he just found them and now they were falling to their death. Out of all the ways he could have met his soulmate, this was certainly not on the list.

With a swipe of his staff, Jack commanded the fog to separate as he reached out for the falling form. It seemed that his soulmate (who he could now see was a guy) knew what he was doing and reached out for him as well, as it seemed he's his only chance at surviving.

A grunt escaped him as he grabbed the leathered hand and pulled, bringing his soulmate against him as he switched course. It was a lot harder to keep balance with the two of them; unlike Jamie who was light as kids should, his soulmate was heavy like any human adult.

"Hang on!" He exclaimed when he felt the tingling of a blizzard coming up– no, there is a blizzard, and not of his doing either. This blizzard was angry, desperate, and very hungry. Which is usually not a good sign from his centuries of experience.

He was proven correct when a roar rumbled through his core, his brain literally vibrating at the bass and making him wince. It was another spirit, a very old one. What an ancient spirit is doing here, he has no clue – most of them have either disappeared or fell asleep for millennia, according to Sandy that one time they had to put down the same kind of spirit.

But this one wasn't lost and accidentally causing harm, this one was fierce and hungry– they wouldn't care how much damage they made as long as they were satiated. Which is a big no no.

Thankfully this one was a winter spirit, he could try to talk them out. And if not…

"Toothless!" The odd voice that came from his soulmate cut Jack from his thoughts, blinking at the unique sound. He's never heard such a strange voice before, but it wasn't bad. Almost– quirky?

A garble of sounds caught his attention as the fog revealed something black on the ground. At first glance it looked like a puddle (to Jack at least) but upon closer inspection…

HOLY– IS THAT A DRAGON!?

Jack couldn't help but gape at the wondrous sight of the creature.

"Get me to Toothless, please! He can't fly on his own!" Hold on– what language is he speaking? It's not familiar…

Wait– did he say the dragon couldn't fly???

Jack yelps at the piece of stone chucked at him, quickly maneuvering as his eyes flicked over to the white fog clouding his vision. He catches a pair of red orbs glowing in them, he narrowed his eyes.

Putting them both down, Jack watches warily as his soulmate ran over to the black dragon, the latter almost tackling him back with the sheer weight of it. It looked almost like a dog excited to see it's owner again.

"I know, bud. I know! Its okay, I'm alright now." His soulmate reassured the scaly creature, caressing it's head. A purr-like sound escaped the dragon, reminding Jack of a satisfied cat being spoiled.

'Its okay, I'm alright now'

Aha! No wonder he didn't recognize it, the language is of Ancient Norse. But isn't it extinct like Latin?

(All dialogue are now speaking in Norse)

"You know what's attacking you?" Jack suppressed a chuckle when his soulmate snapped to him with surprise written on his face. Now's not the time for joking around.

His soulmate seemed to realize this as the surprise was quickly morphed into seriousness, "We think its a Jötunn, but we're not sure since they aren't supposed to be—"

"Real," Jack finished for him, grimacing. "Well today's your unlucky day, 'cuz I'm here to tell you that it is real." His eyes met with those shocked emeralds – it looks to have lost it's shine too, he doesn't like it.

His brows furrow, "Uh, what do you mean by 'we'?"

After Hiccup told his maybe– probably– surely– soulmate that they were at Berk and his people were being attacked by Jötunn, the stakes seem to have risen for the white-haired boy.

At first he thought the guy didn't speak Norse, since he was speaking a different language when he caught him. Though somehow, someway, he started speaking fluent Norse, except he had an odd accent that gave away he's foreign.

Actually, scratch that– EVERYTHING was foreign about his soulmate. From the snow-white hair to the fact that he could FLY ON HIS OWN AND MAKE THE FOG DISSIPATE—

Hiccup ducked as pieces of wood went flying above them with pieces of snow, Toothless taking initiative to cover him with his wing. His dragon-partner growled protectively while he tried to peak through the wing, catching sight of his flying soulmate swaying his hooked staff in the air.

A roar echoed through the wind and his soulmate let out a loud laugh in response, striking his staff down just as the fog was pushed away – sunlight shone through and embraced them once more. Hiccup couldn't help his jaw going slack at the sudden sight of the village coming out of the clouds, the utter destruction horrifying him but at the same time amazed at what just happened.

His soulmate just commanded the blizzard like it was nothing!

And now Jötunn was visible.

The mythical monster was actually just as horrifying without the ominous fog surrounding it. The glowing red eyes Hiccup knew, but the antlers he didn't noticed even though they were long enough to pierce through the island, tangled white beard thick enough to suffocate a whole village, and frostbite skin that really shows that this thing is not human.

"Hiccup!" He hears Astrid call from above, and he quickly mounted Toothless to meet her halfway. With the fog clear, he could now see the rest of their friends with utter confusion etched on their faces.

"Astrid, are you seeing this!?" He couldn't help a grin forming, "The fog is all gone!"

The blonde, however, was the complete opposite of his mood. "Yeah, I can see that! Who in Hel is that guy!?" She exclaimed just as his soulmate and Jötunn came into view.

It was a loosing battle for the mythical monster, getting a hit after hit by sharp shards of ice forming from thin air. It pierced through It's skin, but nothing came out but the pained roars ripping through It's throat.

"Our savour!" Was all Hiccup managed before he went flying over to the battle field, coming close to his soulmate's side despite the calls for him.

"Is there anything you want us to do?" He exclaimed through the clashes of destruction, looking toward his soulmate who adorned a powerful grin.

"You have dragons!" It wasn't a question, but a statement. His soulmate looked back at him with a playful gleam in his gorgeous blue eyes.

"Let's bring up the heat!"

That was all Hiccup needed to know before flying off to get the rest of the Riders.

Jack was having the best time of his life.

One hit here, one hit there, do a twirl, and boom! Start it all over again. It was predictable– or as predictable as a Winter Spirit can be, known for their mischief and unpredictability.

Though despite that fact, the Jötunn still couldn't keep up. The big spirit was running on emotions, so his movements were violent at worst but sloppy at best. So it wasn't really a challenge.

Except maybe for the fact that he has no idea how to finish this fight. Letting the spirit go will only cause chaos elsewhere, and putting him to sleep is Sandy's thing. So the only other way he could think of is…

"Is there anything you want us to do?" The unique voice of his soulmate called out, a flash of black entering his peripherals. Immediately, Jack got an idea.

"You have dragons!" He realized, grin widening. He looked to his soulmate with the greatest (or worst, if you're Bunny) idea he's ever had.

"Let's bring up the heat!"

Yup, best idea ever if you're a Winter Spirit.

-

It took awhile, maybe a minute or two of dragons flying about, but finally, his soulmate came back with the best news.

"Can you get Jötunn to follow you? They're waiting at the plaza!" He exclaimed while keeping a good distance away – at this point the big spirit was so tired that he's just swinging anything from his arms to whole houses that surprisingly remained intact, until they were chucked at him like a plastic ball that is.

"Easy peasy!" Jack replied with a swift sway of his staff, cold fog surrounding the big spirit with the help of Wind.

He cupped his mouth with one hand and yelled at the top of his lungs, staff swaying to get the spirit's attention. "OVER HERE YOU UGLY ICICLE BEARD!"

He would've laughed at the horrified/awed expression his soulmate gave him, but right now he's gotta make sure he and his people of this 'Berk' lives.

"Lead the way!"

It was a quick flight over to the plaza, only took awhile because Jötunn is so very slow and would hit anything in his way, so they had to adjust to make sure nothing else (if there was anything else) gets destroyed.

"I'm gonna flashbang him!" Jack exclaimed, switching to English for a second. "Wait for my signal and be prepared!" He finished as he took to the skies, trusting his soulmate to not question it. 'Cuz while things have been going smoothly until now, you never know when some Twist Of Fate will occur. He's seen enough of them to know.

Jötunn roared (couldn't he do anything else?) As he reached out to try and grab Jack, keyword on try because he was quick to maneuver and dodge the giant hand.

Spreading his arms, Jack closed his eyes and focused his energy into the clouds, feeling the familiar sparks in them resonating with his powers. He smirks, leaping back into the air to face the big guy, pushing his staff toward Jötunn as he focused all that connected energy into it.

"TIME TO GO!"

With the help of Wind, Jack went full speed into Jötunn's open palm while thrusting his staff against the callous greyish-blue skin. There was a miniscule of a second when nothing happened and that palm was about to close until—

KABOOM!

For once, Jötunn made a different sound. It was still a roar, but a high pitched one that was near bloodcurdling. The big spirit quickly clutched his wrist where the smoking hand twitched, black and looked almost like the skin was cracking.

With that second of distraction…

"NOW!" His voice echoed like a thunderous blizzard, physically seeing Wind engulf the giant spirit like ropes.

On the sound of Jack's order, his soulmate and everyone else fired their dragons at Jötunn. All of the same color of fire except for the scaly black one that blasted a blue wave of fire stronger than he's ever felt before – and he was all the way up in the sky!

Jötunn screamed this time, now truly in agonizing pain as the spirit physically melted like ice cream in the summer heat – just in a very ugly and gory way. Steam seeped out of his bulky form as he melted more and more…becoming shorter by the second as the dragons continued their assault until the spirit was nothing but steam.

Jack watched as a big hulk of a man with red bushy hair walked toward the the spot where Jötunn once stood, finding nothing but a puddle of water.

"Jötunn is gone!" He heard the yell echo from up here, "We have prevailed once more!"

The cheers were almost instantaneous at the man's declaration, giving him the hint that this guy must be the leader, or akin to one – would explain the brown fur cape.

As the people cheered, Jack found himself sweeping the area. Now that he's actually taking things in with a clearer mindset, the island he was at was very small compared to other islands he'd been in– a vast ocean surrounding the land with no sight of anything nearby, it was like they were in the middle of nowhere.

Whatever's left of the structures looked oddly historical, maybe even ancient. He's seen similar styles from around Norway to some parts of the UK, but this specifically reminded him of a particular Era Jamie was learning in History class…

What was it again?

As Jack looked around, his eyes met with familiar beautiful emeralds once more. They were wide and looking at him as if he was the best thing those gems have ever set eyes on.

It made something warm bloom in his dead, cold heart.

"Yeah, good work everybody! And your dragons too." Jack exclaimed as he floated down to the plaza, the cheers dying down almost immediately as all eyes were on him—

…They could see him.

The surprise lasted for only a few seconds before he was distracted by his soulmate– again. Geez, this is embarrassing. They've only just met yet he's absolutely smitten.

Before he knew it, Jack was walking towards him with words spilling on their own.

"You…also did a great job. I couldn't have done it without you."

His soulmate smiled awkwardly, and it was the most angelic thing he's seen in all his immortal life.

"Pretty sure you did most of the hard work though, we just went along." Jack let out a chuckle at those words, tilting his head. Now that he can stop, and actually see his own soulmate, he took in everything he could and froze them in his memories.

A square face littered with freckles and a small scar on the chin, button nose that looked so boop-able, bushy brows that helped bring out those emerald eyes, and messy brown swept hair long enough to make tiny-braids.

He was beautiful, his soulmate was beautiful.

A thump that sounded of wood on stone caught Jack's attention, saving him as he realized he almost got too close to his soulmate and was already an arm's length away.

He looked down to the side, where a very old woman stood with grey twin braids and a crooked staff. She made quick eye-contact before bowing her head.

Then Jack noticed something in their surroundings.

"Uh…"

"…What are they doing?"

Hiccup blinked as he was pulled back to Berk, remembering where they were and what just happened. He was so entranced with his soulmate's ethereality that he completely forgot they had an audience.

Looking around, he found all of Berk kneeling before them– or more specifically, his soulmate. And the Riders who kneeled on the front were either looking at him in disbelief, or horror. Well wasn't that just swell.

It was then that Hiccup's thickheaded brain started working, finally. Summoning ice, controlling the blizzard, the winds, flying, the coldness when he's near his soulmate—

Odin's beard, iS HE—

"U-uh…what's your name again?"

His soulmate blinked, his mouth forming an 'o' as if just realizing something obvious that shouldn't have been forgotten.

He grins sheepishly, clutching his hooked staff closer to his side. "Where are my manners; the name's Jack Frost, but just Jack is fine." He stuck his arm out, making Hiccup freeze (metaphorically) as his brain struggled for a response.

Jökul Frosti

It was like Thor's hammer struck Hiccup down with lightning, or Loki cursed him with a lifetime of misfortune. Not that his soulma– Jack (his mind supplied) was bad! Its just that…

Jack's a God.

The fact that the crowd seemed to already know that made Hiccup feel so embarrassed for himself, how could he have not connected the dots sooner?

"Hey, you okay?"

Hiccup let out a breath he didn't know was holding until Jack took a step closer, worry etched on his face. But before he could react, there was an audible ehem from below them, looking down to see runes written on the snow.

The God looked down as well with narrowed eyes, looking almost irritated by the interruption. That doesn't raise troubling flags at all, nope hersir-y.

"Lord Jökul Frosti!" Hiccup almost flinched at the sudden boom of his Dad's voice that came from seemingly nowhere – the man in question standing right behind Gothi when he wasn't earlier??

Jack seemed to be in the same predicament as he looked between the two like it was Toothless standing on two legs while acting as if he were human. Those times might just be the most horrifying second to fighting The Red Death.

Anyway, back to his Dad, "Berk is honored by your presence. As well as highly appreciative of your help to destroy the Jötunn!" He bowed as low as he could, adding:

"Berk is now under your debt, and we will do anything you ask of us."

Maybe it was just him, but Hiccup's pretty sure he saw Jack take a step back in surprise, though small. It was quick to change into a carefree smile, however, when the God waved a hand.

"You really don't have to, I'm just happy to know you guys are safe from that guy. Things could've gone south real fast if I haven't intervened."

His Dad stood straight, his voice stern yet non-confrontational, but his eyes stayed glued to the snow.  "And for that, our simple gratitude is not enough. So please, how could Berk repay you?"

His tone gave the feeling of 'I won't stop until you agree', and Hiccup was worried his Dad would insult the God with the almost forcefulness.

He was about to interject until Jack suddenly spoke.

"Well if you insist…"

Immediately, Hiccup felt a pair of eyes on him – looking over to see Jack staring right at him with a thoughtful expression.

"To be honest, I didn't come here to help." The words made everything and everyone freeze (metaphorically), like a looming threat was about to appear and destroy their lives.

But Hiccup knew nothing was gonna happen, as he looked at those deep blue eyes with a shape of a snowflake behind them. It wasn't one of threat, but yearning.

"I came here to find my soulmate."

The air was knocked out of Hiccup's lungs, at a lost for words as Jack grinned – his majestic eyes staring into his own.

"And I already found him."

The reactions were instantaneous: wide gapes, eyes rounded than the moon, and gasps enough to snarf a whole year's worth of food supply.

Everyone's eyes were on them– him. It was clear who Jack was talking about.

The Go– his soulmate moved to pull the sleeve of his odd clothe down, revealing the 00:00 etched on his pale skin. Hiccup couldn't help but pull his own sleeve down, revealing the same thing.

"Hiccup…" He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looks up to see his Dad staring down at him with a face of disbelief.

He smiled wryly, "I was going to tell you…." He really was! Its just that with Jötunn and Jack, things got hectic and the whole 'update someone about his soulmate' was pushed to the back of his mind.

"I think it's fair that I'd have the right to know my soulmate, no?" Jack spoke up, his voice loud and clear in the tense atmosphere.

"O-of course!" Did his Dad just stutter?

"And I'd like to stay awhile to check this place out."

"We'll make you a hut by tomorrow!"

"Really? Uh– thanks."

"Anything for you, Lord Jökul Frosti."

"Just…Jack is fine." His soulmate smiled awkwardly, before turning to Hiccup with something more genuine.

"And you are…?"

…Oh

He couldn't help the blush spreading his cheeks, giving what was hopefully not an awkward grin. (It most likely was)

"R-right! Uhm, I am– I'm Hiccup." He winced, wishing to the Gods (except Jack) that he didn't notice the crack in his voice. Gods, he's making a fool of himself – if not already.

Jack laughed– but it wasn't one of condemning, it was more fond. And Hiccup likes the sound of his soulmate's laugh, it sounded so precious and innocent.

"You're funny, I like that." Suddenly, Jack grabbed his hand, the contrast in temperature almost making him flinch. His soulmate simply shook it, then let go, which was odd but he doesn't question it as he was too busy stumbling over the fact that he just held that cold hand.

Thin, small, pale hand compared to his own– it was shocking to find someone more of a fishbone than he is.

Yet those hands held so much power than it lets on.

"I, uh, look forward to our acquaintance." Hiccup stated as calmly as he could, absently rubbing his hand.

Jack takes a dramatic step back, spinning his staff deftly. "And so do I, doe-ful Hiccup!"

"Doe?"

"Because of you're eyes," His soulmate didn't hesitate to answer, jumping into the air and actually staying there. "But before we do anything else, how does a lap around your island sound? You can give me a mini tour while we're at it!"

Hiccup didn't need to be told by his Dad to run toward Toothless, who'd surprisingly been still on his spot on a tall rock this whole time. The usually protective dragon watching Jack with large, curious eyes.

He'll ask questions later, right now he had a race to win and soulmate to impress.

"You're on!"

And then they're off.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~

"This, is Berk."

Two figures zipped through the air: one, black and wide like a bullet, while the other– blue, with spots of white, and thin like an arrow.

"It's twelve days north of Hopeless, and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death."

A white-haired boy laughed, ecstatic as the wild wind fluttered against his blue hoodie and short locks. He was, surprisingly, gliding through the air with nothing but…nothingness between him and the deep ocean.

In fact, the boy didn't seem the least bit afraid of what he's doing. Carelessly twirling in the wind and doing somersaults like he was a little kid.

"It's located solidly on the Meridian of Misery."

A black dragon, known as the Night Fury –the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself–  flies to the boy's side with one swift beat of it's long wings. It made indistinguishable sounds at him, and the white-haired boy merely laughed in reply.

"It snows 9 months a year, and hails the other 3. Most sane people would leave after their first encounter. Not us though. We're Vikings. We have, stubbornness issues."

Both boy and dragon dove down, the action giving chance for the black wings to fold and reveal the rider of said dragon. Leaned forward and staring straight ahead as if he were part of the Night Fury; auburn locks flying wildly and lips pulled into a broad grin.

"But the best part? We have dragons ."

Brilliant blue met intelligent green, an unspoken agreement coming between those mesmerizing eyes.

"Wind!"

"Let's go, Bud!"

It was like a race to the finish line– or a competition. Perhaps a bit of both. The two –three if you count the Night Fury– made daring maneuvers in the air; like dips, rolls, and dives. That doesn't even take full account of other incredulous tricks that are yet to be named.

Nonetheless, no matter who won in the end, all that mattered was that they were having fun.

"Woohoooooo!!!"

The pair weaved through rock pillars poking from the ocean, circling ships, diving down mountains and back up – the sky becoming their playground of sorts.

And then the white-haired boy went in the clouds, disappearing into them as the Night Fury and his rider followed suit.

Everything was fluffy white.

A snowball hits the side of the auburn-haired boy's head, making him yelp as he snapped to the direction of laughter. The perpetrator was the white one who was clutching his stomach at the hilarity…and maybe also the white flakes sticking to the rider's hair, eyebrows, and cheek.

"Oh you are so on." The rider grinned mischievously, a whistling sound coming from the Night Fury after a short pat on the side.

Icy blue eyes widened.

"Nope!" The white-haired boy dodged the incoming blast with ease, twirling around and laughing as he blasted a retort with his hooked staff– obviously being dodged as well.

Nobody was getting hurt here, just plain ol' fun between two boys and a dragon. The clouds were obscuring, but what's a game without a challenge? It's what got them going…living…thriving at their very core.

It was liberating.

As the afternoon came running in, the adrenaline ran low. The three stopped their tricks and stayed in a calm glide through the air, the rider taking the front and leading them somewhere to the side of Berk.

They came to land in a cove of sorts, inside a deep crater and surrounded by a thick forest a good distance away from the (under construction) village; there was a shallow lake, boulders and an open ground of white. The white-haired was in awe at the beauty of the place, his element almost covering every inch of the place, but he's sure it'd look even better outside of winter. He smiled softly as he spun to take it all in.

"This is my resting place." The auburn-haired boy disclosed, unmounting the Night Fury. The look he got from the other made him sputter and flush, realization dawning him.

"I-i-i mean, where I rest. A place– where I rest…with Toothless. Its, uh– this is also the place where…where Toothless and I first…became friends…" He awkwardly explained, shrugging his shoulders and gesturing. His friend, 'Toothless', gurgled in what sounded like a dragon-equivalent of a laugh.

The white-haired boy laughed too, leaning on his staff. "Well, Hic, color me impressed. But you mind telling me why such a sacred place is being shared to a stranger?" It was a curious question that needed a satisfying answer.

Fortunately, Hiccup had one.

"Because I trust you," He said simply, smiling while he gave Toothless his well-deserved scratches. "Even if we just met a few hours ago, something inside…a feeling…it tells me I can trust you."

He chuckled at the amused smirk sent his way, somehow having an idea of what it meant. "And it's not because you're my…my soulmate or anything. I just– I just trust you, okay?"

The white-haired boy hummed innocently, kicking his staff around his shoulders and hanging his arms on them. "That's what they all say before the rug is pulled under them."

"You wouldn't do that."

"Or would I? You don't know me."

"Jack."

The other boy laughed, walking toward the most likely freezing lake – winter did just start after all. "Okay, okay, I really won't. I would never do that to you." Once he made it to the border, frost started forming beneath his feat.

He glanced to Hiccup with a playful grin, "You wanna see something cool?" The viking and his Night Fury came closer in reply. With that, he stepped forward.

Hiccup almost cried out for him to stop or he'll fall in, but almost smacked himself on the forehead when he remembered who he was talking to.

This is Jökul Frosti, an Odin-to-honest God born from Gods. He has nothing to worry about.

The moment those bare feet touched the water, ice immediately summoned to keep it from getting wet. Jack continued on walking, and the ice continued spreading. Toothless cooed at the layer of frost and pawed it, scratching the surface with his claws and making ice shaves come out. He licks it, ice sparkling.

Hiccup, meanwhile, is more in awe at the art forming in front of him.

Jack seemed to dance on the ice as he spun and dragged the end of his hooked staff on the surface; beautiful patterns of fern and flowers forming, the ice getting thicker underneath with the telltale sounds of clicks and clacks.

It was so beautiful.

By the Jack he finished, he slid across the ice to get to Hiccup – who was standing on the border, dumbfounded.

He stretched a hand out to the auburn-haired boy, "You said you trusted me, right?"

Hiccup blinked at him, staring at the very pale hand. "Uh, yeah…?"

"Then take my hand." Jack coaxed, pointing his head at said limb.

The viking stared at the hand a little longer than he should, but the white-haired God was thankfully patient and let him take his time. In the end, he took the hand, shivering at the cold that shocked through his skin.

"Be careful," Jack warned as he pulled him over the border, the prosthetic leg immediately slipping in contact to the slippery surface. He hums, "Here, lemme just…" He tapped his staff on both Hiccup's boot/metal foot, sharp blades forming below the materials.

A bushy brow raised at the white-haired God, to which he was replied with the obvious-sounding answer: "Ice skates."

"What are 'Ice Skates'?" Unfortunately it wasn't an obvious answer –to Hiccup– but it did trigger a reaction out of the God. An expression that mixed with horror and pain, as if this knowledge truly harmed him in any way.

"Well we can't have that!" His soulmate suddenly exclaimed, expression fixing into determination. He pulled the viking away from the border of land and ice, gliding against the slippery surface like he's done it plenty of times.

But Hiccup? Nope, not at all. Not. At. All.

"U-uhm, Jack…" It was an odd feeling to put pressure on thin blades that looked close to cracking, most especially on his prosthetic that easily slipped everytime he moved it. Alas, Jack wasn't one to back away from a challenge, and neither was he.

"Its okay! Just pretend its like any normal ground, and you're good!" The white-haired God tried to reassure, tucking his staff between his underarm to grab both hands.

While the contact was appreciated, the cold only brought back memories of the harsh Winters in Berk. "No 'normal ground' is this slippery!" Hiccup hissed, trying to keep his balance.

Jack stared at him for a second before murmuring, "Just trust me, okay?" He sounded very sincere when he said that, and Hiccup felt like he was contradicting his own words – he doesn't like doing that.

So as he took a long breath, the viking nodded and let his soulmate take the lead.

They started off slow and steady, as to maintain balance and get used to the blades on his feet. Jack gave some tips here and there as they glide across the lake, keeping his attention on him– and only him.

It was a weird feeling yet…comforting, in a way.

Hiccup found that this was very similar to his Test Drive with Toothless. Scary and overwhelming at first, but when he puts enough trust in himself and Toothless then they can do anything. This was no different– just change Toothless with Jack, and the air with ice, then they're almost similar.

"There we go…see? Now you're getting it!" Jack grinned at him, eyes twinkling with pride.

Hiccup laughed in disbelief, making a crooked smile of his own. "I-i guess I am…its actually not that hard."

"Told ya, you could do it!" The God pulled their hands, gaining some more speed. "Time to level up!" Before the viking could ask what that even meant, he felt his weight abruptly shift as his feet followed the force that pulled them.

The ice clicked while the blades sliced; Hiccup tried to gain some momentum as he was dragged to spin and twirl, feeling the cold air rush past his body and making it seem like he was weightless.

It's like he was flying.

After a few more twirls and spinning, Hiccup got the rhythm Jack was playing and started playing along – something the white-haired God noticed quickly with a bright grin.

"You're a natural!" He praised so easily, giving it to him on a snowy platter. It felt almost scary that it was so easy to please the higher being, or perhaps he's just that good and won't admit it.

No God should be easily impressed; they've lived countless lifetimes and experienced more than a normal human could.

"Jack!" Hiccup yelped when he was suddenly released mid-spin, hands grasping air while the blades sliced harshly on the ice. Everything became a blur while he spun uncontrollably and willed himself to keep from dizzying. He breathed in.

Its just like flying.

He maneuvered his foot/prosthetic in a certain direction and then—

…

"You did it!" Jack's voice rang out, his eyes opening when he realized they'd closed somewhere along his thinking/panic.

And would you look at that, he stopped.

Hiccup couldn't help the goofy grin that stretched on his face, feeling light and overwhelmed all at the same time. He's standing on ice and not slipping! How come nobody thought of this? Wearing blades on ice– what a crazy idea! These 'ice skates' were simple yet functional, and could be used for so many occasions.

Hiccup looked up to meet Jack, the God also wearing a goofy grin while he stared at him so proudly. It made his stomach twist– in a good way, of course.

Snap!

The soulmate pair were snapped from their trance as they turned to the source, finding a peculiar (to the God at least) sight before them.

In between Toothless' teeth sat a thin tree with a spiky rooted edge. The Night Fury trotted over to the frozen lake with his catch and started shaving the ice with said edges. A chuckle immediately left Hiccup as he watched his dragon slip and glide while he drew. Jack, in front of him, cocked his head and stared with a bemused smile.

"What is he…?"

"Drawing."

"Drawing?" Jack echoed in even more confusion, but then laughed with a shake of his head. "And here I thought I've seen it all."

"Guess not all Gods are omniscient."

A scoff, "Never considered myself one to begin with."

Hiccup rose a brow, "Now you're not giving yourself credit."

Something flashed in Jack's eyes, but it was quickly gone before the viking boy could tell what it was. There was a laugh that sounded considerably forced before  he suddenly changed the subject, hand stuffing into the pocket of the odd clothing he wore.

"You know, I don't think you actually introduced us yet."

Hiccup blinked, confused. "Huh?" His soulmate tipped his head toward Toothless, his eyes flicking between the two before realization slapped him on the face.

He facepalmed, "Oh Thor, how could I forget…" Loki must be having a blast messing with him right now. He looked over to his dragon and cupped his mouth, "Hey, bud, come here for a minute!"

The Night Fury turned to him with a look that screamed: 'How dare you interrupt me, human. I'm in the middle of something.'

"C'mon, Tooth, it won't take a lifetime." He rolled his eyes at the spoiled dragon, choosing to say nothing when he heard the God beside him laugh.

Once the big baby finally (begrudgingly) made his way over, Hiccup warily slid his way over to his soulmate and got him into position.

"Okay, now I just need you to hold it up like so…"

"Like this?"

"Yup, exactly like that. Now turn away—"

"What?"

Hiccup gave a reassuring smile, "He won't bite your hand off, don't worry." The God only gave him a dubious look before turning back to the Night Fury, who sat obediently but with an impatient glare.

The gulp from the white-haired being was audible as he turned away and closed his eyes, lips twisted slightly in a sort of calm frown– expectant of something bad, but trusting that nothing will. The tight grip on the staff was a huge giveaway though.

Hiccup watched expectantly as Toothless leaned forward to sniff the hand– and then his oval eyes blew wide like the moon. Before either boys could react, the dragon was pouncing at Jack –who shrieked– like he found a new shiny prosthetic to nibble on.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third will not, or ever, admit to the laugh that burst out of him when his poor soulmate was being assaulted by slimy licks.

But he will admit to the shock he had when Jack easily pushed the dragon away and rolled back to his feet to bare his teeth, which was like grinning aggressively. Toothless immediately understood whatever that meant and went into play position, tail wagging and wings spread wide open. He even growled.

"Ohoho," Jack's voice lowered into dangerous territory that made something in Hiccup burst, "You are so on, Toothy." And then both leaped forward to meet in the middle, where the viking just so happen to be standing not far away.

This was very unexpected.

He knew Toothless would like Jack, but not to this degree. They're literally roughhousing right in front of him. Now that– he did not expect. Actually, if Hiccup didn't know better he'd be forcing those two apart as even a Terrible Terror could break some bones if you so much as play with them. But Jack should be fine if he chose to play with Toothless like this…

Right?

Right. The only concern Hiccup has left is their play area.

"Uh, guys? I don't think playing on literal frozen water is a good idea. Mind moving it to, oh you know, a ground that won't drown us?" He tried talking through the noise of Jack's shouting, Toothless' garbles, and the ice dangerously creaking beneath them. No crack in sight…yet.

"Don't forget who you're with, Doe!" Jack exclaimed through a laugh, flipping out of the Night Fury's grasp.

Hiccup blushed at the nickname, he really hoped the God would forget that. "Still! I'd rather be somewhere I know would be safe than risking the unknown!"

Jack flew above, out of reach, to give the viking an unimpressed look. Hiccup sighed, "You know what I mean!"

Jack pouted, looking down at the Night Fury trying to chomp at him and back at the viking boy. And then his face suspiciously lit up; Hiccup didn't like the smirk pointed at him. Not at all.

"Fine! But you're gonna be our toy!"

His face scrunched indignantly, "What!?"

Turns out, the term 'toy' here meant that Hiccup would run around dodging Jack and Toothless while they tried to catch him. A huge foul play if you ask him. Yet he agreed anyway.

Oh boy.

-

The sun was barely shining as it disappeared on the edge of the sea. Two breathless boys laying together on the snow covered ground with a Night Fury huddled above them, already fast asleep.

"This is the most fun I've had in a…awhile." Hiccup huffed through breaths, puffs of cloud escaping his lips.

Jack giggled, sounding almost delirious. "That's the Guardian of Fun for ya."

Huh, that's new, the viking mused as he turned to the God "Is that your title back where…where you're from?" It was never really specified where Jökul Frosti lived, he was as slippery as ice and moved a lot.

Jack merely hummed in reply to his question, clearly not understanding what he said. But Hiccup didn't mind –not right now at least– as he got a perfect side view of his soulmate at close proximity.

He was just so surreal.

He's never seen such pale complexion in the archipelago before, nor the unique structure of Jack's face that was so sharp compared to other viking tribes; hair so short and like freshly fallen snow, winded but styled in a pleasant way. His weird, out-of-place clothing just added to the foreign aura he radiated. Cold, but comforting.

Hiccup never thought those two words would be put together in a place like Berk, yet here he is.

Dark-colored lashes fluttered open to reveal icy blues with streaks of white.

"Oh…sorry. Dozed off didn't I?" Jack drawled out lazily, rubbing his eyes. Hiccup caught his staring and quickly looked away while he had the chance, clearing his throat while hoping to Odin that his flush was just the cold and not– whatever is going on with the beating organ that kept him alive.

"U-uh, no– it-its fine. You were just so peaceful– not that I was staring! That'd just be weird– not– you being weird. No. Its– I am weird. Well not really– actually I'm not that weird—" Freya, if you hear his cry, please make him disappear.

Jack's laugh was enough to pull him out of his misery, at least it made him happy and not weirder out. Gods, would that have been very awkward.

"You really are a doe." Was his soulmate's sudden remark, amusement shining in his eyes.

Hiccup felt himself heat up even more, "I am not!"

"See? You're pouting! So adorable~"

"Jack!"

This was so weird. This whole 'meeting his soulmate and finding out he's a God that saved their lives' situation, is very much weird.

But to put it frankly…

Hiccup didn't mind.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~

"Wow," Was all Jack could say to the giant hut in front of him, although calling it a 'hut' would be downplaying the absolute giant beauty presented to him.

Intricate carvings of winter symbols, foreign structural designs that were nothing like the modern styles, and a detailed wood carving of some creature –a dragon he presumes– sat on the top edge of the roof facing him. The statue in question was medium sized and had the mouth open, showing off the needle-akin teeth stacked upon several layers, and eyes angled angrily.

Since he doesn't know much about viking culture, he'll take it as more of a compliment than a curse to all that enters the haunted house.

"Take this as a token of gratitude from us Berkians, Lord Jökul." The chief, known as Stoick the Vast (and boy, he sure is), bowed to him respectfully as he gestured to the house like its a gift to a king.

And then Jack realized something he should've thought of the moment he declared his (temporary) stay.

Holy frozen popsicle stick, am I really in this for the long-run? Because the house might as well be an early wedding present since Stoick is his…soulmate's father.

Jack had to suppress his powers from bursting at the thought of his soulmate. It hasn't even been a day yet, but he's absolutely smitten. His soulmate is just such an interesting young fella; cute and incredibly awkward, as should a teenager would. It was getting harder to keep the goofy grin from his face everytime their eyes meet.

So he chose for the signature smile he uses when he's with the children, "You guys made this beauty in half a day, and I've never met anybody who could do that. So color me impressed."

The praise got the entire village beaming, like literal children but on adult faces. Huh, vikings are more chill than he originally thought.

"Thank you," He added as he turned back to address the chief, "I really appreciate the effort."

Its not everyday he gets a gift after all.

To say that everyone was relived would be an understatement. If you asked for Hiccup's humble opinion, then he'd tell you the tough meaty vikings were close to tears when his Godly soulmate praised and even thanked them for the hut they made for him.

But the celebration was short-lived and nighttime befell them, signaling the time of rest.

Everyone said their goodnights and dispersed to their own homes. And Hiccup was only able to say a quick goodnight to Jack before being swept away by Gobber and his Dad.

"So, Hiccup!" The blond smith smirked at him with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, hooked arm wrapping around the auburn-haired teen's shoulder. "How was yer alon' time wit pretty Lord Icicle?" He will not admit to blushing at the question.

"Gobber." His Dad hissed in warning, but the two limbed man merely waved him off.

"Oh, don't be so wary, Stoick. Can't ya see de God wants tah keep it casual? He's cool!" He chuckled, glancing at Hiccup. "Get it? Cool?"

"Yes, Gobber, because he controls snow." The young rider indulged, hoping to all the Gods that they could forget the original question.

"Ha! No' only that, but he seems to make 'em too! That snow twister came out tah nowhere!"

"Enough, Gobber." Dad ordered sternly, "Its no' wise to gossip about a God, especially no' a son of one."

Ah right, almost forgot about the whole 'being the son of the Wind God' part.

"Uhhh, yeah. Definitely not wise." Hiccup agreed immediately, faking a yawn. "Wow! Is it late. That flight took a lot out of me, so if you don't mind, I'm gonna go to bed now– bye!" He quickly marched into their home, not noticing the expression on his Dad's face as he watched him go.

-

When he entered his room, Toothless was already there getting ready for bed. Unfortunately for the scaly cat, Hiccup was nowhere near tired and prepared to ramble the whole night.

"Oh. My. Gods." Was what he started with, a hand on his mouth and eyes wide as the moon outside. "My soulmate is a God." By first stating the obvious.

He already knew that the moment they introduced themselves, and when he agreed to a tour, and brought them to his secret cove; but somehow it doesn't make it less astonishing.

How could someone like him, end up with someone as powerful as Jack?

If someone told his younger self that his soulmate would be one of the deities they worshipped, he would've stomped their foot and ran away shouting looney.

Because holy-great-loving-Freya he's sure nobody had expected such a destiny to be granted to him of all people.

Oh Lord Odin, what are his friends thinking!? He was so busy dealing with the aftermath that he didn't have a chance to meet and catch up. Are the twins scheming something? Is Snotlout fuming? Is Fishlegs freaking out? Oh goodness, what about Astrid?

She's the closest to him out of the group and he just outright ignored her– she's probably sharpening her axe so aggressively that it can cut iron with one swing!

Toothless warbled and hit his tail against his leg, the good one, making Hiccup clam his mouth shut to realize he is totally rambling alright.

"Sorry, bud." He apologized with a smile, patting the Night Fury's head. "Just…needed to let it out." He got another warble in reply, head nuzzling his palm.

He sighed, his shoulders sagging as he moved to sit down at his desk. "Thanks, bud. But I don't think I can sleep tonight with everything going on." He doesn't think he could ever sleep after such a revaluation.

So with a sigh, Hiccup picked up his charcoal and grabbed a piece of paper.

The house was even better inside, and somehow bigger.

There was a cozy fireplace with wooden carved chairs surrounding it, an old time-y looking kitchen, and a restroom made of wood like everything else: upstairs had three bedrooms and a bathroom, inside the biggest room had a balcony that viewed the entire village.

But despite all the grandiose, the house was still empty.

And incredibly boring.

Jack huffed out a cold breath, looking up at the skylight in the biggest room. He assumes by the size and how the locals live, its like a door for the dragons. Does everyone have this too? Most likely. Clear glass is yet to be invented at this era, so the 'skylight' is simply a hole on the ceiling with a wooden board to close it.

The moon shone brightly from above, quiet as a mouse. The winter spirit couldn't help but frown at the giant orb in space.

"What, you still got nothing to say?" He started bitterly, "After everything I went through…after we defeated pitch, and especially after I became a guardian–! You– you never once said anything to me!" He hissed, trying to keep his tone and powers down. He's kinda succeeding with the little frost on the floor.

Ever since he became a guardian, he started getting stronger. Stronger than he was before the Pitch shenanigan. And if it weren't for Sandy's training sessions, he probably have frozen the house already.

Jack groaned, throwing himself on the bed. "At least I'm not the only one that changed," He scoffed, "You sound a lot different than you did 300 years ago."

As always, Manny doesn't reply.

Seeing this as a pointless argument, the guardian jumped up and opened the skylight with his hook. He floated up and stood on the roof, the moonlight shining brighter above him from his position.

"Let's see here…" Wind ran through and swung him from the ground, he remains unfazed as he flew up to get a bird's eye view of Berk.

The single light he saw came from the house in front of his, smaller than his (obviously) but bigger than the rest. If he remembered correctly, that house belonged to…

As Jack flew closer, he heard a familiar voice that confirmed his memory of who's house it is.

"Ack! Toothless, no! Bad dragon!"

The grin that stretched the winter spirit's lips was anything but innocent.

Time for a little fun

-

When he landed close to the skylight, the first thing he saw was Toothless the Night Fury waddling around tipping things over. *Like a cat,* he thought amusingly as he watched his soulmate try to calm the creature down.

An idea popped into Jack's head, leaning on his staff while his wrist circled to form a snowball. Its a good thing the skylight was open, giving him a clear shot of his unfortunate victim.

He raised his arm, and…

SHOOT!

"Agh!" Hiccup almost fell from his seat at the impact, not having a chance to recover before Toothless' tongue was licking his face clean. "Tooth– no–! Blah!"

Jack couldn't suppress the snort from his throat, getting the attention of the sensitive-eared dragon. The night fury immediately hopped off his rider and skipped over to the skylight, looking up adorably with his tongue out and pupils as wide as the moon. He looked like a big puppy now.

"Aww, Toothy is such a good boy~" The guardian cooed, swinging his legs down the edge of the skylight. "Cleaning his dirty hooman– I'm almost jealous." Toothless warbled as if agreeing with him, he's starting to like this mythical creature.

"What the– h-hooman? Wait– since when did you get here!?" The look on his soulmate's face was utterly priceless. If only he brought a camera with him…one of North's toys would've sufficed.

Jack casually grinned, "Just dropped by to say hello, since you're the only one awake right now. Aaaaaand," he paused to float down into the bedroom, creating a little flurry above Toothless to play with. "I'm incredibly bored. Mind if I stay awhile?"

Hiccup stared at him, then at his dragon, then back at him. "Well, you're already here so…"

Huh, he did just waltzed right in didn't he?

The grin on his face turned apologetic, "Oh, uh…sorry about this. I'm used to just coming in without permission." He paused when his soulmate just stared at him, "O-only because I'm always allowed! If you really don't want me here, then I can go–"

"No!" Both boys jumped at that. Hiccup immediately slapped a hand to his mouth, and everyone including the dragon froze (metaphorically).

His soulmate quietly went over to the door and peaked outside, then coming back in and letting out a relived sigh a few seconds later.

"He's still asleep– Dad, I mean. Er…" The teen scratched his head, then his eyes widened when he looked back at Jack. "Oh! A-and sorry about the uh– shouting at you– thing– I-i didn't mean it!"

"Its fine," The winter spirit waved a dismissive hand, walking over to the desk to look at all the cool drawings and foreign writing.

Though to be fair, all written texts to him were foreign.

"You drew these yourself?"

"Y-yeah…" Hiccup hurriedly came over to fix the mess of papers, "I draw them to have a better understanding of what I'm making."

Jack did a double take at that, "Make them? So you're also an inventor?" Goddamn, he really hit a jackpot.

His soulmate tilted his head side to side, his shoulders moving along with it. A cute little habit he's noticed. "'Inventor' is a strong word, I just work at the smithy."

"Smithy?"

Now it's Hiccup's turn to be taken aback, "You don't know what a smithy is?" At Jack's shake of the head, the former gapped.

The guardian awkwardly took a sit on the desk and played with his staff, "This is the first time I've…visited this side of the world. So I don't know much about it." He smiled hopefully at his soulmate, "You mind giving me a tip or two? I wouldn't want to accidentally insult someone."

The look Hiccup gave him was questionable, almost as if he never expected him to say…any of what he said. But after Toothless came barging in garbling sounds at his rider like a barking dog, the teen seemed to have made up his mind.

"You think I'll just give you 'tips'?" His soulmate asked incredulously, rolling his eyes as he stacked all the paper in one corner while patting the Night Fury. "Oho no, I'm giving you an entire guide of Viking Culture; and trust me, it only gets weirder."

Jack's smile widened, "I'm used to weird."

"Of course you are."

And then they talked. And talked. And kept on talking. And boy was it the best feeling Jack had ever experienced. And wasn't that so crazy? Something as simple as talking was special to him. With his Soulmate, yes, but this is the longest he's talked with someone without the other abruptly leaving to do work or school stuff.

Jack even made it snow in Hiccup's room after finding out the viking has never experienced a pillow fort!? It was utterly depressing and illegal. So being the Guardian of Fun, of course he had to make the best fort imaginable– even if it was made out of snow. Jamie and the kids did say that his snow was fluffy like pillows.

And his soulmate didn't seem to mind at all. "I'm used to freezing temperatures, this is just a breeze!" As he said so himself. Toothless was downright eccentric to play about piles of snow.

It was exhilarating.

Of course, Hiccup being human and all meant that he had to go to sleep at some point. But that was like, after 4 hours of talking nonstop, even Toothless got bored and went to bed within a mountain of snow. The sun was about rising by the time the teen fell asleep sitting up.

And since Jack didn't want his soulmate waking to back or neck issues, he carefully pushed the viking down until he could properly pull the blanket (wool?) Over him.

When he flew back to his place –yes, his place, he has his own house– Jack was feeling significantly lighter. He even took a nap! That's how satisfied he was with tonight.

This might become a regular occurrence from now on.

~~~~~~~~~~