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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, unfortunately. Stoick "the Vast" Haddock. They call him that because one time when he was in Afghanistan he just about nuked an entire area with just one bomb. He came back and retired from the army and took over the station from Grandpa Wrinkly.

[It was kind of embarrassing saying that his dad was his boss, but just about everyone in town knew that anyway, so he might as well let the new guy know too before someone else did. Hiccup gives a sheepish shrug, scratching his cheek.]

My uncle's his second in command, my cousin's a little lower on the force than me. About the only two in the family who aren't cops are my mother who runs the animal sanctuary just outside of town, and Gobber. Ah...he's my sort-of-second-dad. He runs the garage further in town. I apprenticed there when I was a teenager.

[Unfortunately his dad's dreams of him taking over the force squashed those ideas, if the look on his face when he mentions that is any indication. He gives a small sigh and runs his fingers through his hair, messing up the two small braids to the side of his head.]

The Haddock name's pretty big around here.

...wow.

[No, really, wow. This is bigger than he thought. Teasing a cop is one thing, but dealing with a whole family of policemen? And a veteran! That's a little too much for Jack. For a moment he considers canceling the idea of playing out of hours, but then Hiccup starts gesturing like a dork again, and it's simply too hard to resist.

This guy must be teased to the infinity.

He nods along, trying to sound so very impressed and interested in the story (and this guy sure likes sharing). It actually sounds like hell, and that face at the end makes him wonder how much of it Hiccup really means.]

Sooo... family business. That must be nice. I'm happy to know the school is protected by such a dedicated group of men, detective. With all that hard work, your father can forgive you for a slip or two, can't he?

[Honestly he has no idea why he's blurting this all out to a complete stranger, especially since something seems...off about Jackson to him. Hiccup can't really put his finger on it, considering he's never seen the younger man before. He shrugs it off. Something in his gut tells him he can trust Jackson, he doesn't really know what or why, so he just goes with it. Hiccup rubs the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish.]

Sorry for heaping that on you, it gets a bit frustrating sometimes.

[Being expected to inherit the station after his father retired, continuing on with the family tradition, was a bit much. Really, he should've stayed in Europe and not come home after college. Hiccup slides his hand back into his jacket pocket to join the other, smiling softly.]

Well, if we don't look out for the kids, who's gonna? Not to say that you teachers can't be trusted.

[He grins crookedly, then makes a face and inclines his head.]

Considering the item stolen was worth way more than my paycheck, I highly doubt it.

[He'd be lucky if he got that new engine for his motorbike that he'd been eyeing for a while. He shakes his head and switches topics.]

Are you staying in town? I know a nice place for meals that's cheap on the price if you ever wanna grab dinner together.

No problem. It must be frustrating.

[Keeping the nice act usually doesn't bother him this much, but damn that surely hurt to say. So many cops in one family, probably forced by their parents to follow that path. Disgusting to say the least.

The comment about teachers makes Jack raise his eyebrows really high - he knows better than anyone that nobody gives a damn about the kids, that's why he does what he does at night. So the joke isn't exactly well received, not at all, and Jack tries to cover his inner anger by acting out the angry teacher, hands on his hips as if he was scolding a kid (which is something he doesn't do often, but details).]

Teachers can't be trusted, huh? Now for that, you're gonna buy me dinner, detective. [More suffering for his paycheck and getting info disguised as casual conversation? Count him in. He pokes Hiccup's chest while using his teacher voice (again, not exactly used often).] Pick me up here at eight. Let's see if that bike of yours is really as fast as it looks.

[No way he's showing where he lives.]

[He's actually legitimately concerned about the look he's getting and holds his hands up, as though calming someone down.]

Now hold on, that wasn't what I meant at all! [Well, some teachers from Hiccup's memories of high school didn't do much to help when he was being bullied, but he doesn't mention that.] I just meant the teachers could use a hand. No sense in using civilian arrest unless necessary, right?

[He does blink at the order to buy him dinner and pick him up...here? That's weird, then again, he knows where this is, but he could probably find wherever Jackson is staying easily enough. Still, if it was privacy the other man wanted...]

Well in that case, I may just take you up on that. Hope you like Italian, because I'm going to show you the best restaurant in town.

I hope no kind of arrest is ever necessary, detective. [He takes his hand back after giving Hiccup a quick look over, as if expecting him to pull out the handcuffs every second now.] Italian is fine. Don't be late.

[And after a quick wave of his hand, he goes inside just as the bell rings. They both have jobs to take care of after all, right? The quicker they get that done, the earlier they can be at their meeting point...

Well, kind of. Because Jack doesn't listen to his own advice and doesn't arrive exactly on time, and totally on purpose of course. He didn't dress up either, sticking to the clothes he was wearing before under his apron: jeans and blue hoodie. When he finds Hiccup and his bike in front of the school, he internally laughs his ass off while putting up his sweet act again.]

Hey, detective! Sorry about that. Haven't been waiting for long, have you?

[Hahaha... haha... ha...]

As do I.

[Still, he can't shake off the feeling he's met Jackson before. Hiccup shrugs it off, waving his own hand as he walks back over to the station. By now he's about half an hour late already, wincing as he gets scolded by his father for being late, reminded that he's going to be chief one day. The rest of the day followed suit and Hiccup was glad to leave the station by the end of it. With his jacket slung over his shoulder, he clocked out, shrugging it on as he approached his motorcycle.

He goes for a drive before he meets up with that new teacher across the road, needing to get his mind off of things at work. Passing motorists would have witnessed him pulling his hands away from the handlebars and waving them at the sky as he screamed behind his visor. Hiccup drives for what feels like a while before he remembers he has a date and returns to his apartment to get ready.

He's not particularly dressed fancy when he arrives. Just his jacket, a pair of boots, jeans and a button up. For a moment he fears he's late before he sees Jackson rocking up towards him, and he needs to flip his helmet visor and rub his eyes before he goes for his gun. He must be working over time because for a moment...nah.]

Hey! No, I was afraid I late myself. [He laughs a little.] I'm off duty, just call me Hiccup.

[Well, damn. So much for annoying the guy since the beginning. Jack tries to look as relieved as he can while being disappointed in the inside.]

What's the matter, you don't like petnames, detective?

[He isn't going to stop calling him that, he can't allow himself to forget who this guy is, what he means for his work. He is even tempted to tease him more for it, to ask him if he's ashamed of being a cop, but that would be too much attention on what's supposed to be just a regular job. Teachers don't care about police men, right?

No waiting to actually be invited just for the sake of being rude, Jack jumps on the bike behind Hiccup and grabs the man's hips before tilting his head with an air of innocence.]

Let's not waste any more time then. Weren't you going to take us somewhere?

Not so much pet names as titles don't really matter to me.

[Although if Jackson continues, he'll start calling him Mister Overland in response. He's had a bit of a bad week, so teasing could go either way. He's not afraid of pulling punches, especially with someone he just met today. But this is supposed to be a nice dinner between...friends? Acquaintances? He's not sure what Jackson is just yet.

He's a little shocked when Jackson hops on behind him immediately and grabs his hips, causing a small flush to dance across his cheeks. Hiccup snaps his visor down before the teacher can see his face, starting his motorcycle up in response.]

Hold on tight.

[Whether Jackson can hear him or not, Hiccup doesn't wait to find out. They're peeling out of the parking at the front of the school and tearing down the street into the main city in a matter of minutes. The air that whips past them is cool, given that it's October. Hiccup wasn't wrong earlier when he said that he liked to go fast - they're doing at least 120.]

[Is that a--? Oh damn, the visor goes down too quickly and now Jack isn't sure if he really saw what he thinks he saw. Better confirm it later, it may prove some valuable trolling methods.

Jack does hear him, and rolls his eyes, having no intention of adding more physical contact. Thankfully Hiccup doesn't stop to check and Jack gets away with it.

And talking about getting away with stuff...

When outside his thief costume, Jack tries not to do things that would call the police's attention, investigations could bring so bad consequences. But right now he's with the police, and judging by the speed they're going at, Hiccup isn't worried about being pulled over, or thinks he won't be affected if the they do.

He can't let this opportunity pass, right?

Hands leave the detective's hips as Jack stands up on the bike, arms rising and head thrown back to feel the wind on his face while he laughs and even yells.]

I'm the king of the world!

[He shouldn't be bothered by the arms around his waist. Astrid rode behind him several times before during their relationship and he didn't feel as hot under the collar as he does now. Could it be because this was someone he barely knew? Hiccup didn't think of himself as that much of a prude. Actually, he nearly forgets Jack is behind him, like he forgets about everything when he's on his motorcycle. Driving is a release for him, and it's just as true now as when he was by himself before he picked up Jack.

The speed keeps going up as Hiccup gets more daring, weaving between traffic that seems to come out in Berk at night. Tyres screech as he turns corners sharply, narrowly avoiding a crash with a car. He feels hands leave his waist and he looks over his shoulder at his passenger, shaking his head and chuckling as he turns his attention back to the road.

He nearly overshoots their destination, but double backs once they go around the block and slows, parking and tossing down the foot break. The detective pulls his helmet off with a flick of his hair, resting his hand on the handlebars and looking over his shoulder again at Jackson.]

You just had to quote Titanic, didn't you?

[Hiccup isn't complaining about his little trick, in fact it seems he's laughing? And Jack isn't sure how to feel. He is doing all this to troll him, but... if he's not going to be stopped, may as well, right?

No matter how daring the cop gets in his riding, Jack never sits properly again, enjoying the whole trip with his face against the wind and waving at the people staring at him in passing cars. Many times he's tempted to give the finger to more than one asshole, but he stops himself in time. He's already making a show, he can't risk it and make it worse.

As soon as they park Jack jumps off the bike, not wanting to be so close to a cop more than necessary, and stretches his arms above his head.]

And you just had to pull a Sedal moment, didn't you? Now let's go, you own me dinner.

[Hiccup isn't so easily trolled, having had a cousin that jabbed insults at him for years since they were small, but he does get the feeling Jack pulled that stunt just to be a dick to him. Truthfully, he was going at speeds that should've had him pulled over, but cops recognized his motorcycle and didn't want to get into trouble with the chief for arresting his son.

He really didn't know how they got it into their heads that they'd be the ones in trouble instead of him, but he didn't complain about it.

Hiccup swings his leg over the seat and stands properly, toeing the ground with his metal foot to test his footing before he straightens himself and brushes any bugs off of his leather jacket, holding his arm out in a crooked position - it's only polite.]

Well, if m'lord would like to follow me, I'll escort him to our booking.

[Jack can't help staring a bit at the offered arm in surprise. His first reaction is to throw more sarcasm, since he believes Hiccup is making fun of him. It takes him a minute to understand he isn't.

What the hell is going on.

A cop is going all gentleman for him. It confuses Jack quite a lot, especially because the lonely self he keeps hidden wants to reach out to this and accept-- No, no, wrong. This is totally stupid. It's supposed to be part of the game, and he's gotta behave like it.

So he rolls his eyes and shakes his head instead.] Just because I sing the occasional Disney song at school you don't have to treat me like some kind of princess. Come on, mister knight.

[He turns and starts walking toward the building, putting his hands on his hoodie pocket before he does something dumb.]

[Does he feel a little insulted when Jack doesn't take his arm? Perhaps. But he doesn't blame him. It's not like they know each other very well and this wasn't exactly a date. That's what he kept trying to tell himself anyway. Hiccup shrugs and slides his hands into his pockets, wearing jeans and a button up himself.

The waiter greets them at the door and he tells him of their reservation. With a gesture for them to follow him, he leads them over to a secluded area, handing them menus and telling them he'd be back to take their order. Hiccup pauses, wondering if he should hold the other's chair open for him, but he figures like his arm it wouldn't be welcome. So instead, he sits down himself, tucking his chair in and opening his menu.]

How were the kids this afternoon? Not too much trouble?

[Definitively not a date, and Jack will gladly remind Hiccup of that if necessary. Having a waiter receiving them and a secluded table for themselves aren't things Jack is used to, and he has to wonder if Hiccup prepared this on purpose or the special treatment is to look good with a police officer (who also happens to be the chief's son).

The later makes his stomach turn.

Once on the table, Jack doesn't need to go through the menu in detail. His eyes skim the prices to choose the highest (something with seafood it seems) and keep his promise of ruining the detective's wallet more.

The question takes him off-guard, and there's a flash of confusion on his face before he leans back against the chair with his teacher act back on place, arms crossing behind his head.]

What exactly do you call trouble, detective? Troublesome for you may mean lots of fun for them.

[He rolls his eyes a little at the use of his title, thanking the waiter as he brings a jug of water and two glasses. He pours one for himself, then for Jackson, setting the jug down and picking his up when he's done.]

They're good kids, Jackson. I'm not saying they're troublemakers or anything like that. I just thought a little casual banter would make things less frosty between us.

[The frosty quip was pure coincidence, Hiccup would reflect on later when he knew of Jackson's true identity. He's not sure what he did to get this kind of attitude, but he's determined to make Jackson like him. It took him ages to become the respected detective he is, and even then he still has trouble with that, considering he works in an area that his whole family is part of.

He takes a sip of his water, setting it down afterwards and leaning back, crossing his arms over his chest as he looks at the other man.]

Don't presume I don't care about them.

[The word frosty definitively makes him raise his eyebrows, but he doesn't comment on it. Teacher Jackson shouldn't have any reasons to pick on that word after all.]

Of course they are good kids, I know that better than anyone. Cops have this bad habit of thinking of them as potential pranksters though.

[So yeah, he's gonna presume all that and more, thank you very much. Or at least, he'll do so in his mind, because it seems he needs to stop his mouth a bit more. If Hiccup thinks things are frosty between them, then Jack's bitterness is slipping into his words and can't allow that. It'd put his cover in danger.

He rests his chin on his hand, leaning forward to try to come off as more relaxed and carefree. He's itching to take off his shoes, but he knows that as soon as they are off he would start going all monkey on the chair, and it's not a good idea to show off how flexible he is.]

We met today, detective, I didn't know there already was a "between us".

Well, believe it or not people used to see me as a potential prankster because of my name. 'Hiccup' means runt to vikings and those of viking descent. I know better than anyone to give someone a fair chance to make something of themselves.

[Hiccup waves a hand nonchalantly though. He's speaking from experience, all things considered, and he leans back in his chair as he glances over his menu one last time. For some reason he felt like he could trust Jackson. All of his teachers when he had been a student had been kind to him, despite their eye rolling at his antics. Teachers were trustworthy.

He inclines his head and raises an eyebrow at the statement, then shrugs his shoulders with a smile.]

We're already friends, aren't we? Or at the very least we're on friendly acquaintance terms. Of course there's a "between us".

[The waiter comes over and asks what they'd like to order. Hiccup drags his finger down the menu before he finds what he'd spotted earlier and glances at his dinner partner.]

What're you going to have?

Wait, they actually named you for being a runt? That's just... wrong.

[Jack is left frowning at that story. He's had lots of weird experiences with bad or dumb parents, but it seems there's always more weirdness to discover.

We're already friends. It's hard to keep the smile after that - this plan is backfiring fast. He would've never thought a cop would trust so easily. Jack tries not to make friends in each city he visits - just a charming smile here and there and a daily "hello" to the neighbors was enough to have a decent reputation and get them to leave him live his life.

Luckily the waiter arrives just in time to stop any possible awkwardness, and Jack points at the expensive seafood dish on the menu before returning it.]

This town's detective is very generous, isn't he? You guys are lucky.

[The waiter agrees before leaving, and Jack turns to Hiccup with an innocent smile.] Where were we?

Well, yeah. [He shrugs.] I was a premature baby and didn't hit my growth spurt until I was eighteen. It's technically true.

[He's used to explaining the weirdness of his name to newcomers by now, though newcomers are rare in Berk City. He looks like he's about to protest when Jack orders the expensive seafood dish before he shuts his mouth as the waiter agrees, reaching up to run his fingers through his hair. Well, he did say he was paying. Looks like his credit card would be used and abused by this guy if given a chance.

For some reason he almost gets the sense that he's done wrong by Jackson just by existing, and he almost feels a little disgruntled, the feeling a bit naggingly familiar though he still can't put his finger on it.]

We were talking about your kids. And then somehow got onto the subject of my name.

Edited 2014-11-09 03:46 (UTC)

Being true doesn't make it ok. They destroyed you with that name, don't defend it.

[Getting away with ordering the expensive dish turns out easier than he thought. This guy truly is a nice as they come, isn't he? Jack is starting to doubt this plan of his. Bothering people isn't fun if the bothered party doesn't react to it.

All cops have done him wrong by existing, poor Hiccup isn't at fault. In fact he's pretty ok for a policeman, something that Jack isn't admitting any time soon.

He drinks some of his water before answering.] The kids are fine, detective. It's my job to make sure of that. Believe me, if something ever happens to them, I'm not gonna keep it exactly quiet.

[He looks like he's going to argue the point but Hiccup bites his bottom lip and says nothing. He's not going to tell Jack that that's what he's thought of a thousand times growing up. Instead, he reaches for his own glass of water, leaning his head on his hand as he takes a sip. Deciding he needs something stronger, he stops a waiter and asks for a glass of scotch.

If he's ordering expensive food he might as well get expensive alcohol. This is going to be a long night.]

I wouldn't doubt that, Mister Overland. [Shit, was that too cold? He didn't even know anymore.] You seem to care a lot for kids.

[The request for alcohol has Jack raising an eyebrow. Wine wouldn't have surprised him, but scotch? Maybe this guy does have a little more going on besides being too nice for his own good, though Jack isn't if he wants stupid alcohol to show it to him.]

Drinking before driving? I wasn't expecting that from you, detective.

[He rolls his eyes when he's called that. Hilarious.] Drop the mister, you aren't one of my students. And yes, I do. Kids are the most important to me and whom I give my life to.

[And that sounds truer than anything else he's said so far. Probably because it is true. Both his jobs are for the kids.]

[It's been a long hard day at work, facing his father after failing to keep the diamond safe. The waiter comes back with his drink and Hiccup thanks him, taking it from the tray and leaning back in his chair, one arm draped over the back. He rolls his eyes a little in return, pursing his lips around the rim and taking a sip.]

It's just the one drink. You'd need it too if you dealt with what I have today.

[He doesn't say anything more than that. He already told Jack too much this morning, so he's not going to talk about himself again tonight. Hiccup tilts his head back for a longer drink before setting his glass down on the table, stretching his legs out and unable to stop himself from raising an eyebrow.]

They're lucky to have such a dedicated teacher.

cop/thief AU for 2cool4guardian

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