i like your messy hair, i like the clothes you wear

[icy]

[ A week passes with two spirits and one human as residents of the enormous Workshop, dining with North whenever he appears out of his office but generally doing their own thing in the meantime. Jack flies off now and again to spread snow and wintry cheer, tactfully letting Dave and Hiccup some time to get to know each other now that both of them are rubbing along better than could have been hoped. He hasn't seen much of either of them separately, so Hiccup wandering the Workshop corridors far below Jack (where he sits atop the Globe playing with a puzzlebox) in the new clothes the winter spirit procured for him from a high street store a couple of days ago, is definitely a head-turner.

Oh no, he's hot. Hotter.

Hiccup looks not entirely unlike the way he does in his flight-suit, only ... casual, cut and shaped into modern-day clothing in a way that has Jack staring (fitted brown leather jacket, bottle-green leather pants with laces up the sides so they can be adjusted to those skinny legs), puzzlebox dropped forgotten atop the North Pole as he sweeps down to land in front of him. He drapes his staff over a shoulder as he hops onto the carpet, a hand stuffing inside his hoodie pocket as he ducks his head with a greeting smile. ]

So where've you been all morning, lazybones? It's almost noon.

Comments

[dragonconqueror]

[He doesn't mind it when Jack squirrels his way into his lap, raising his hand to rub warm fingers along his back comfortingly. Hiccup keeps his husband close, even as he hears that with the guilty tone of Jack's voice. He buries his nose into the crook of a neck, indoor picnic forgotten as he presses reassuring kisses to Jack's throat, pulling his head back to look at him.]

It was only a couple of months ago for me. [The words are murmured guiltily, caught in his throat before he clears it, fingers grazing up to Jack's chin to brush the backs along his jaw.] I could jog your memory, if you'd like...?

[icy]

[ Long lashes flutter as he tilts his head into the unfurling caress along his cheek, wondering how lovely it would be to think everything between them was only a couple of months ago; that would be bliss.

Jack doesn't cry, despite the dampness collecting in his eyes and the soft uncertainty threading through both his voice and drawn shoulders. ]

What if I'm different?

[ Different to what you like? Will he be as good as Hiccup thinks, if that's the case? He doesn't know. It's like trying to copy an old, worn-out painting when you don't have the right paintbrush. ]

[dragonconqueror]

Listen to me.

[Hiccup pulls his other hand up to cup both of Jack's cheeks into his palms, thumbs brushing along the curve, in towards tear ducts and away again gently.]

I don't care if you're different. I don't care if you remember things differently to how I know they were. You're my husband, my mate, my soul mate. We can start over, make new memories, relearn each other.

[He smiles a little sadly.]

I'll be there next time when you get battered and broken, and I'll nurse you back to health. I'll be here when you need me. I'm not going anywhere, Jack. You'll have to drop a dragon on me to stop me from coming for you.

[icy]

[ Shortening of breath throughout Hiccup's declarations, he raises his own hands to mirror his hold, cool thumbs brushing temples. He draws them together, nose to nose and forehead to forehead as his voice grows weak and breathy with the loss of so many long, endless years. ]

You can't go away ever again, I won't survive that a second time.

[ He'd rather just not go through the pain of it at all, and turn completely to ice. ]

[dragonconqueror]

I won't. I'll wield myself to your hip if I have to.

[He looks so serious when he says that too. Hiccup rubs their noses together, brushing his lips up to kiss the bridge between Jack's nose and eyebrows, then a cheek under his hand, then his chin and pressing a lingering one to his lips, a small hum building up in his chest as he murmurs words of an old song against Jack's mouth.]

I'll swim and sail savage seas with ne'er a fear of drowning. And gladly ride the waves of life, if you will marry me. No scorching sun, nor freezing cold will stop me on my journey. If you will promise me your heart. And love me for eternity.

[icy]

[ His breaths shudder as he closes his eyes under the kisses and listens, murmuring along to the last couple of lines. If you will promise me your heart, and love me for eternity ... Eyes still shut, he smiles and rubs the height of a cheekbone over Hiccup's, fingers brushing through ruddy locks. ]

Is it pathetic that I just want to stay near you for a while?

[dragonconqueror]

[He chuckles a little breathlessly, shaking his head gently as he returns the nuzzle of their cheekbones.]

Not at all. I want the same thing.

[icy]

I'll stop being such a wet blanket soon, I promise.

[ But for now, he'll keep his arms wrapped around Hiccup's neck and give him a nudge to lie back beside the fireplace on the rug, slumping over him. ]