Biology

Chapter 6

Jack spent the first half of that weekend in his room doing three things: sleeping in an attempt to work through the worst of his bruises, thinking way too much about what had happened at the game, and very secretly worrying over Hiccup. At least they were all related.

North expressed worry by dinner time on Saturday when he still hadn't left his room for more than the occasional bathroom break, but Jack waved him off with some excuse about studying too hard the night before and North seemed to accept that easily enough. He did make a point of getting out of bed then, though, all aching muscles and whirling thoughts.

He went down for dinner with his father, barely ate anything, and then returned to his room quickly afterward, where he settled on his bed with the intent of watching television, settling on a documentary channel he normally enjoyed. Then he promptly fell asleep again.

When he woke a few hours later it was to the flickering of the TV and a strange, unfamiliar tapping noise at his window.

Confused and sleep-fogged, Jack wrinkled his nose and blinked his eyes a few times. Once he was awake enough to fumble his glasses back into place, he sat up slowly, a frown tugging at his lips. Blue eyes drifted to the window and he stood, moving across the room cautiously.

What he saw made him stop in his tracks. Jack had to take a moment to make sure he wasn't still dreaming—and then hurried over to yank the window open. "What are you doing here?!" He hissed.

Perched on the windowsill, legs dangling off and his back to the room, Hiccup Haddock looked over his shoulder with a smirk. The hand that had been tapping on the glass lowered to brace against the window frame. "Yo." He replied nonchalantly, then made a gesture that generally encompassed the outdoors. "C'mon out with me for a while."

"What?" More hissed words. Jack glanced toward the door nervously, worried that North might hear them talking. "No way! My Dad'd kill me!"

Hiccup considered that for a moment before shrugging and swinging his legs over the sill, hopping into the room. "Then I'm coming in."

Jack's eyes cast skyward and he made a plaintive motion with his hands, silently begging for help from above. But none was apparently forthcoming as Hiccup breezed past him, gaze moving around the bedroom with feigned disinterest. Jack finally looked after him, one hand lifting to rub at his temple.

"H-Hiccup—"

Hiccup latched onto that and before he could continue the brunet was back across the room, leaning in close to him. "Heh. You finally said my name. Only took a month and a half."

"I—" Jack balked, taking a step back. "Y-yeah, so?"

"Just good to know you know it, is all." A chuckle and he returned to inspecting Jack's belongings, pausing at the bookshelf. Green eyes narrowed in concentration as he read over the titles. "Sci-fi geek, huh? Probably never read How To Train Your Dragon, then. You should try it, it's pretty good."

A surprised blink at that. "You read?"

Hiccup snorted and rolled his eyes, shooting a look back over his shoulder. "Look, just 'cause I'm a punk doesn't make me illiterate."

"Well, no, I mean, obviously. I was just, uh, surprised." Jack shifted a bit before finally deciding to close the window again. Hiccup clearly wasn't planning on leaving any time soon. Once the glass was closed and the latch was back in place he turned back to the other boy. "Why..." He started, and trailed off, swallowing dryly and then trying again, "why are you here?"

Hiccup's reply was sharp. "You don't want me here?"

Wincing, Jack sighed, frustrated, and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not—I mean, I didn't say—it's just..." Shaking his head, he finally finished with, "I don't even know you, man!"