pookabox | cop/thief AU for 2cool4guardian

cop/thief AU for 2cool4guardian

[The roar of an engine purred down the street at 2am, the rider stopping it a block from his destination. With a sweep of hair, he pulled his helmet off, scanning the skies above the roof of a museum building before sweeping his leg around and off one side of the bike, kicking out the stand and hanging the helmet on one of the handle bars. With a small frown, Detective Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the III lifted his intercom to his mouth, holding down the button to speak into it.]

Are you sure it was this museum, Fishlegs?

Positive! [Fishlegs' voice crackled over the system, sounding excited but nervous at the same time.] That's what the message the chief got overnight said. Catch me if you can. 2am, at the museum downtown.

Now he's just taunting us.

[Hiccup grumbled under his breath, yawning into his hand. Who the hell challenged cops to come and get him at 2am? Apparently their new little thief. There had already been a batch of robberies over the last few weeks, all with a similar pattern. Hiccup ran his hand down his face, then pulled his gun from the halter on his belt as he replaced his intercom, running across the street. The museum was naturally quiet, but it looked broken into. Hiccup stepped through the broken glass, looking around. Ah, there was the security guard, knocked out with chloroform no doubt.

The young man made his way down through the exhibits, not sure what he was looking for but knowing enough to be Genre Savvy. There had been a crowd here a few days ago when he'd come himself with his girlfriend on their last date (ever. Astrid broke up with him that afternoon to focus on her own career), all gathering to see the Hope Diamond, the biggest diamond in the world.

Hiccup let his feet drag him over to the exhibition room, eyes looking this way and that. He wouldn't let a thief get the drop on him.]

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What's the problem, you don't think you can defeat me with your wits?

[Moot point or not, this guy is actually talking to him, keeping up with the banter. There hasn't been a single threat so far, or lack of manners - cops are usually quick to judge, treating him like the lowest scum for his acts.

This one is... well. Nice.

Jack laughs when he hears the explanation, letting go of the cop's arm, not feeling danger at all. He's always been cocky, and this guy's obvious lack of violence only helps the thief to feel more sure of himself. This is just a game - has he finally found someone smart enough to play with him?]

Aww, I have a fan! How sweet of you. Tell you what, mister cop. [A gloved finger pokes the man's chest, a movement so free it makes you wonder if this thief isn't aware of the real situation here. It isn't as if it wasn't a 2am robbery for him, more like a chat over coffee.] As a thank you for your interest in me, I promise to keep things interesting. But you better don't give up on me quickly, got it?

It's 2am and I'm tired as fuck, what do you want from me? A complete song and dance number?

[The dry tone is kept, but he does keep up the banter indeed, even with the thief at this close range. He appreciates it when the thief lets go of his arm, uncomfortable as he is, and rolls it a little to get a bit of feeling back, wanting to dispel the tingling feeling running along it.

The laughter grates his nerves a little, the sound reminding him of the officers in his father's unit who had laughed at him joining the squad before he realizes the laughter is...just laughter. He has to stop himself from staring at Jack Frost, before grumbling under his breath a bit.]

Not a fan. A good cop keeps track of possible threats to peace.

[The poke to his chest makes Hiccup raise an eyebrow, raising his hand to push the other's away, but the comment makes him sound like he's just quoting information drilled into him, like he doesn't believe it.]

What could you do that could possibly make things interesting around here? This town is such a boring hole I'm surprised you even showed your face here.

I'm a very decent singer, so I wouldn't mind a dancing partner.

[And that laughter is back when Jack's hand is pushed away, not bothered in the least. So this cop isn't completely passive either, good. As much as he likes banter, keeping it to words only wouldn't be fun either. His opponents in the past were mostly muscle and no brain, this one isn't violent but it seem he can think - at the end of the day, though, what Jack wants is balance.]

Uh-huh. Next time try giving me a real answer instead of repeating the police code like a parrot.

[Crossing his arms behind his head, Jack turns around and walks down the museum's hallways without a care for the world. That question gets a shrug as an answer.]

Maybe that's why I came, to shake things up a little bit. Teach this town what real fun is like. [Suddenly he jumps on another statue, climbing it more smoothly than a cat, as it was no effort at all.] Can I get your name at least, mister cop? Gotta make you a member card for the fan club.

[He's not completely passive, but he's not aggressive either. Hiccup is a nice balance of both when he thinks he can handle talking someone out of things. It just so happens that Jack caught him at 2am on little sleep so he's not entirely in the mood for either. Criminals expect shoot-first-ask-questions-later type cops, which worked well in Hiccup's favor...most of the time.

He tilts his head a little incredulously when Jack starts walking away from him, gathering himself and placing his gun back in his holster, boots echoing down the corridor as he follows in pursuit. He can hear his radio going on and off, Fishlegs trying to get through to him from the station by calling his name.]

This isn't fun and games. One of these days you're going to get yourself or someone else killed. [He bites back a curse when Jack starts climbing the statue, running over to it and pulling his gun out again, pointing it up. A warning shot is fired into the air - the only warning Jack is going to get.] Detective Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, and I'm not a fan.

[Try telling that to your dick appreciating the ass encased in tight leather that you can see, Hiccup.]

Wrong. This is all a game - see, this is why you need me here in Boringhole Town.

[Legs locked on the statue's arm, Jack hangs upside down like a trapezist, trying to look distracted while keeping an ear on the radio and an eye on the cop's movements. When he sees the gun pointing up, he covers his ears, expecting what comes next but still not bothered at all.

Who does look bothered is the cop. Good. Let's see how many different reactions he can get in their first night, this is promising. The introduction makes him laugh again - this time, though, it's definitely a mocking sound.]

Your name is Hiccup? How adorable is that? [He stretches his arms, making his suit tighten around him.] Well, detective, I don't think I can agree with you not being a fan. Enjoying the view?

[So everything was a game to this thief, huh? Hiccup knew of a few of Jack's followers who appreciated the thief's work in making them laugh, but the comment only gets a scowl out of the officer, especially when it's followed up by mocking laughter at his name, a tone Hiccup is all too familiar with. His hand tightens in grip around his gun - even if he's not going to use it, he can always throw it at the thief in a last ditch effort.]

Yeah yeah, laugh it up, it's nothing I haven't heard before.

[His tone is snappy, even as his face turns beet red at the accusation. His brain is working at a million miles an hour, trying to figure out what the hell Jack Frost is up to and how to get back that diamond in his suit that he's totally not watching tighten around its wearer.]

If you're so interested in games, come down here and play one with me.

Oh, right, you've probably been made fun of since you were little. I'll try to come up with something original for our next meeting.

[Because there'll be another one and many more, Jack is sure of that. Especially if this detective keeps being so adorable - just look at those red cheeks! He did well in choosing this town of nothing after all.

He grins at the challenge and, after a quick whirl, jumps to land on the statue's shoulders with perfect balance. A hand rests on his hip as the other shows the diamond once more just to taunt the cop.]

We're already playing, detective. The game started the moment you accepted the invitation. I wrote the rules on the message, remember? [The diamond disappears as quickly as the way it came to light, and an index finger is moved slowly, telling to cop to come and get it.] "Catch me if you can".

[After blowing a kiss at Hiccup, Jack jumps off the statue only to land on a column, climbing it up towards the ceiling as easy as if he was a spider. He occasionally glances over his shoulder to check on the cop - it seems this time he intends to leave for good.]

Please don't.

[Still maintaining his sarcastic, dry tone, Hiccup mutters a curse under his breath as he places his gun back in its holster again. He should've known that wouldn't work, but he's not going to climb the statue. Looking around for a quick way up that's near the thief, he spots the scaffolding of a new area of the museum, currently under construction. With a small roll of his eyes and a shrug, he decides it'll have to do.

Hiccup runs over to it and starts pulling himself up, determined not to make this look like he just let Jack fucking Frost get away with the diamond. He's never been the most athletic in the force, even failing most of the exercises when he was a young recruit. Cursing himself black and blue in a harsh whisper as he climbs the scaffolding, he reaches the top with no way to get to Jack.

Well, except for one way.

The rope taunts him as much as the thief does, dangling in front of him. Hiccup takes hold of it, looking up at where it's hanging from and giving a tug, making sure that it's stable. With some quick calculations of his trajectory in his head and tying the rope around his waist like a rock climber, Hiccup takes a couple of steps back, then launches himself off the platform, one arm out to snag at Jack and, hopefully, drag him off the column.]

[That curse is music for Jack ears. Yes, please, acknowledge how much chaos he's causing, how important he is - give him attention. It's what he lives for.

When he notices what Hiccup is going to do, he actually stops climbing, and waits for him with a grin plastered on his face. Now this is fun, Jack can get used to having this guy after him. Counting under his breath, he bends his legs, braces himself... and jumps when the cop passes, landing on his back and keeping himself held by throwing his arms around Hiccup's shoulders.]

Thank you for the ride, very thoughtful of you. Think you can drop me on that chandelier over there? Just remember the rules of the game... [He whispers against the cop's ear.] If I fall, then you fall with me.

[The rope shudders with the added weight and Hiccup winces a bit when his hands slip slightly, feeling it sting into his hands, especially considering he'd had to pull one of them back where he'd been going to drag Jack down from the column. His shoulders hunch on reflex, mostly due to the closeness, but the thief's whisper in his ear makes him pause for thought, looking over his shoulder.]

Then we both fall.

[With a deep breath, Hiccup loosened his legs and cupped the arches of his boots around the end of the rope, then pushed away from the chandelier Jack was talking about before they could reach it, releasing the rope from his hands.]

Wha-- fuck!

[Quick reflexes allow Jack to jump off Hiccup's back and grab the rope instead, feeling no sting thanks to his gloves. His body curls around the rope and a hand leaves to grab Hiccup's arm as tightly as it can. All his previous amusement is gone, his expression and clenched jaw showing how much effort this is taking him. He's agile and smooth, but not precisely strong.]

Are you fucking kidding me? I'm a thief, you asshole, not a murderer! [After a quick look around, he starts using the weight of their bodies to swing the rope in the direction of the statues.] I can drop you on that guy over there, try at least to jump and grab its arm, you fucking idiot.

[He's...actually a little surprised when Jack grabs hold of his arm and the rope before they can actually fall, and it shows on his face when he blinks up at the thief. There's a small part of him that's grateful, not knowing what he was going to do on the fall down except...well...fall, but he wraps his hand around the thief's forearm nonetheless. The rope shudders with the weight, swinging the two of them suspended in midair above the museum floor, which he looks at over his shoulder.

Okay, maybe he hadn't thought that plan through, but he's running on 2+ hours of sleep. He turns his attention back to Jack, rolling his eyes and wanting to retort but now isn't really the best time for sarcasam.]

I was going to grab something on the way down to cushion our fall, you moron. I'm not an idiot, Frost.

[Not that there was much in the way of things to grab...if he'd moved the rope over a little more they could've landed in the skip bin that the construction workers were using for their rubbish. Nonetheless, he sighs and grudgingly obliges, reaching out for the statue pointed out to him, but keeping a firm grip on the thief's arm. He's not letting him scurry away up the rope.]

[And Jack rolls his eyes in return - unlike the cop, he's always ready for sarcasm.]

Oh yeah, because there's so much in a fucking museum that can help with that.

[This a whole new level of crazy. Jack has met many cops with a bit of a daredevil side, but this is just suicidal. While still cursing under his breath, Jack give the rope one last swing, which allows them to finally reach the statue. He puts a foot on its head while waiting for Hiccup to get off... ah, but of course the guy won't let go. Well, he gets points for being persistent, that's for sure.

And such persistence will make one fine opponent in the future, but right now, it's obvious the guy isn't thinking straight, probably because of the time. Jack makes a mental note of sending his notes in advance in the future while trying to shake the cop off his arm.]

Look, "Detective Hiccup", today was just supposed to be an introduction. I don't want to hurt you yet, not ever if I can avoid it. I wanna have my fun. So let go before I introduce you to my taser too.

[Of course he won't let go, even as his free hand reaches out to grab the statue. His head is reminding him that they're hanging off of priceless artwork, pieces that couldn't be replicated by modern standards if damaged. He's definitely not thinking straight because of the time, but at the same time he keeps this knowledge in mind - any damage could cost him his job more than losing the diamond would.

Jack can shake all he wants, his hand isn't removing itself from his arm. The detective would make to grab for his handcuffs but his free hand is currently occupied by grappling for purchase on the statue, blunt nails finding chips in the marble as he looks at the thief. From what he knows about the thief's escapades, he's always done things like this, usually the cop in question too much of a bumbling idiot to actually manage to catch him.]

If you didn't want to hurt anyone, you wouldn't be doing this in the first place.

[His voice is oddly calm for someone so high up off the ground. Hiccup finally manages to grab a foothold on the other shoulder of the statue, his prosthetic leg working against him for most of it, trouser leg riding up to expose the metal.]

I would've known it was you eventually. Your little signature's hard to miss if you know where to look.

[The thing is, Jack is an asshole. With a heart of gold deep inside, but still an asshole. So the metal leg makes him feel bad about these pirouettes for about five seconds before the detective's word offend the fuck out of him.]

You know nothing about me, smartass. Nobody gets hurt from robbery unless they try to hurt me first. Sorry for defending myself.

[He's mad, he really is, blue eyes cold as ice as he speaks. Jack has always been careful, always tried to avoid hitting cops, putting them to sleep gently with chloroform instead. He ran, but didn't fight, and that's way more than these assholes deserved. Because apparently stealing makes you qualify for a beating.

With his arm and legs wrapped around the rope, Jack struggles to get the taser out of his leg pocket without falling or dropping the cop. He shows it to Hiccup but still at a good distance, now risking being jumped on to fight over the weapon.]

Last chance, mister cop. Let. Me. Go.

Sorry for doing my job then.

[It was worth a shot. Hiccup was more called on to do negotiations, but in the last couple of years had become directly involved in combat work and going after criminals after recovering from losing his leg in a hostage situation. His own green eyes aren't exactly friendly at the moment, but he has no intention of doing any harm. And really it was probably stupid of him to even go after Jack like he did, but he didn't think the best at 2am...a quick glance at his watch unveiled by his sleeve sliding up actually revealed it to be nearly 3am.

Gods.

Preferring not to be tased, Hiccup purses his lips together and reluctantly lets go, pushing away from the statue but not before releasing a buckle on his jacket. Thin leather fans out from his wrist to his armpit, letting him glide down to safety on his back before swinging around to land, touching ground and blinking a little before letting out a whoop and punching the air.]

They actually work! I knew a little tweaking would pay off!

[He lets out a small laugh before the celebration is cut short when he remembers where he is. Hiccup pulls his gun out from its holster and raises it, pointing at Jack.]

Last warning, Frost. Give me the diamond.

[In any other situation, Jack would've been impressed by this man's hidden trick, thought the celebration was cute and maybe joined and laughed at this whole thing. Because come on, how cool is that? But after everything they just went through, it only makes Jack angrier. This has guy tricked him, made him worry, and nobody tricks the trickster.]

If you actually think my suit isn't bullet proof, then you aren't as smart as I thought.

[With his playtime over for the night and the cop safe on the floor, Jack decides he can use his own trick too. The taser goes away only to bring out some kind of white sphere instead, which is thrown at Hiccup's feet after Jack puts on his goggles.]

Good night, Detective Hiccup. See you next time... if you aren't too scared to come back.

[A good swing of the rope and Jack jumps into the hallway on the other end of the room, just in time with the sphere opening and letting it out some... gas? Smoke? Kind of. It's a dry ice bomb, made to blurry his chasers' vision. He's the king of sneaking in and out for a reason.

Game over.]

Well, I did consider it, but thieves are usually stupid enough to not care about such minute detail.

[Not that he was going to shoot Jack. Maybe graze him a little, but nothing direct that would put his life in danger. And if they're going to call each other dumb, then Hiccup can play that game too. He's used to negotiating against much dumber people after all. He frowns when he sees Jack put on his goggles, but the various reports from other officers who have encountered Jack Frost means he knows what the sphere is.

The detective throws his arm up over his eyes as soon as the sphere starts spewing dry ice, lowering his gun arm to do so and swearing under his breath before he steps over the sphere, making for the hallway Jack dives for. Despite his best efforts to cover his eyes from the dry ice smoke, some of it gets under his arm, causing his eyes to water. He leans against a wall in the hallway, coughing as he stares at Jack's retreating back.

By the time the backup he asked Fishlegs for outside arrives, he's resting with his back against the wall, knees drawn up and arms draped over them as he tries to get his vision back. To be truthful he almost fell asleep. Filing his report back at the station, Hiccup takes the next couple of days off to let his eyes rest and catch up on sleep, as well as work on a couple of personal things.

It's the middle of the week by the time he gets back to work, parking his motorcycle and taking off his helmet, his eyes wandering the street. The police station was right across from a combined day care center and elementary school, and a few of the boys going in saw him and waved to him. Hiccup smiled and responded in kind, then paused when he saw the young man holding the door open. His eyesight must have still been a bit blurry, because he had to rub at his eyes to stop himself from seeing Jack Frost. With a small shake of his head, he looked again, noticing the young man (he couldn't have been much younger than Hiccup himself) instead had brown hair and brown eyes, not noticing the impish smile as he greeted the younger kids.

His heart thumped in his chest, skipping a beat.

Well damn.]

Edited 2014-10-01 08:03 (UTC)

[Victory. Jack wants to celebrate, but he forces himself to be patient and wait until he reaches his apartment. Even the lowest of sounds could get him caught. Once he's in the safety of his room he can laugh and whoop all he wants, taking a quick look at the diamond before hiding it.

He isn't the kind of thief that lies down and admires his loot. He steals for two reasons only: to get the money to help homeless kids, and yes, he can't deny it: for the thrill too. And tonight has been a good night, Detective Haddock definitely stood up to him. If he's like that while half asleep, Jack only awaits a better challenge for the future.

Since he's still new in this town, he doesn't do anything with the diamond yet, waiting to investigate and find trusting contacts in the black market. Meanwhile he can concentrate on his job with his beloved kids, the daycare he's been hired by being quite a comfortable establishment like he hasn't seen in a while. Every day he keeps an eye on the building across the street, waiting for...

...oh. A bike. That's actually kinda cool. Jack likes his new opponent more and more by the second. When he sees Hiccup staring at them, he puts up his best innocent smile and waves, talking loudly so he can be heard from across the street.]

Good morning, officer! Thanks for always keeping an eye on the children!

[Eret is keeping an eye on the black market to see if anyone is selling a diamond roughly the same size as the one from the museum, mostly because he has...less than questionable contacts (his dealings as a drug mule for former underworld king Drago Bludvist spring instantly to mind, before Hiccup and the others showed him he could be better than what he was), so Hiccup thankfully doesn't have to worry about that for the moment.

Right now, he shakes off the feeling that he's seen the young man over the road at the school before, kicking the park break into gear and crossing the road himself after checking to make sure that nothing was coming. It's been a while since he's been over to the school, approaching with a long gait as he shrugged.]

Well, y'know, what kind of police station would we be if we didn't make sure the kids were in the safest hands?

[His tone is joking as he comes to stand near the younger man, one hand sliding into his pocket as he reached out with his other. Now that he got a good look at him, he felt his breath catch in his throat before it's released as he talks.]

I don't think I've seen you here before. I'm Hiksti Haddock, detective. Just call me Hiccup.

[Well, look at that, he's actually coming over. This takes the game to a whole new level. Jack has never been one to hang out with the police, even for information - most of them are assholes of the biggest kind. This guy, though, there's something about him... wouldn't it be extra funny to befriend him like this? Definitively a new thrill.

He leans back against the door with his hands on his apron's big pocket, tilting his had and trying to look as innocent as he can. What he says next comes with the best joking tone in his arsenal.]

The regular kind that pays more attention to donuts than to their surroundings?

[Hiksti. That's not the name he was given the other night, interesting. But hey, he can't let the opportunity for a proper introduction pass, right? Since their first was a bit... chaotic. Jack takes his own hand out and shakes Hiccup's with a little more strength someone would expect from mister skinny teacher.]

Thaaaat would be because I'm new. Jackson Overland, pre-school teacher. A pleasure... Hiccup? Really?

Well, I wouldn't argue with you there. I knew a few cops like that in my rookie days.

[He scratches his cheek a little, slightly embarrassed about that even though it was true. The only reason he leveled up in the force was because he did all of their jobs. His dad being chief had meant he had high expectations of his son, and Hiccup had met every one of them. A story for another time, perhaps, but for now he takes his joy in meeting someone new.

The name strikes him as a bit...odd, but he brushes it off. Berk being a small city, there's probably at least one or two other Jacksons, given the name's history. The strength does surprise him a little, but he returns it with equal strength. He's not to be taken lightly himself and he knows it, so he shouldn't think others aren't due to how they look. He laughs a little sheepishly at the 'really?'.]

Ah, yeah. It's a direct translation of my name from Icelandic to English so...

[He inclines his head with a shrug.]

Welcome to Berk.

"Rookie days"? You're talking like an old man.

[The teasing keeps on going while Jack internally makes note of everything. Hiccup sure is young for a detective, but that's a good thing, smartness and fitness among other things. This thief is tired of being chased by old men with a belly and old ideas of how to do their job.

It's not only interesting but also very funny, watching the detective be less professional and more of a... yeah, a dork, he doesn't have a better work for it. It's kinda endearing, Jack allows himself to think. And considering how easily annoying he gets by other adults (especially the ones in uniform), that's a lot coming from Jack.]

Icelandic? That's weird, I could've sworn I never left the country. [His hand quickly returns to his pocket in an old habit of not being too touchy, but he keeps the sweet smile up... though he find himself actually meaning it. Just a little bit.] Thank you. Everyone has been very welcoming so far. You have a nice little town here, very... cozy.

[And it's up to him to teach them how to shake things up.]

I've been told I do that.

[He keeps up with the teasing easily, having endured a lot of it during childhood and his teenage years, but he knew the difference between that kind of teasing and the kind that Jack was doing. He's definitely young for his type of work, but he works hard, and that's the only thing that matters in this kind of force. Oblivious to who Jack really is, he just laughs at the comment about his name.]

You'll find a lot of people around here with Icelandic names. Tradition I guess, since we originated from a colony of vikings. [Hiccup returns his hand to his own pocket, smiling in return.] We're a close knit community, kind of how I spotted you.

[His words are kind and warm, no hints that he might've figured anything out.]

A little town where everyone knows everyone's names and the entire population learns when you fart. I feel home already.

[And that's some truth in this whole friendly act thing - Burgess is, in fact, a close knit community too. The fact Jack hasn't been there in years is irrelevant, some memories never leave, especially this young lad's mind. Not when they work as his motivation.

The warmth almost (and only almost) makes Jack feel a little guilty for playing with the cop like this. He's in for the thrill of the chase and the loot, he doesn't want to hurt anybody - that much is true, just like he told the night in the museum. But this... this is simply too good to let it pass. And he has to admit, he doesn't get to enjoy such a kindness often. (He shouldn't get used to it, he knows, this is just a game - but nothing wrong with dreaming a bit, right?)]

Vikings, huh? I'll have to modify those paper hats then, make them horny helmets instead. Think I should get one too? To stand out less?

cop/thief AU for 2cool4guardian

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t-t-time skiiiip

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