Biology

Chapter 7

The next few weeks were a bit of a blur for Jack. He had classes, of course, and his father had helpfully suggested that if he joined a couple of school clubs he might actually make some friends. That had landed him in both the Berk High book club and a bi-weekly Dungeons and Dragons game with other kids as equally nerdy as he was.

North was also hinting that he might consider looking for a part-time job the following summer.

In and around that, he was spending most afternoons after class when it wasn't raining huddled by the fence at the sports field, watching the rugby team run drills and plays. He always took a book or a notepad and pretended he was doing something else, though. (It didn't fool Hiccup for one second.)

Spending snatches of time with Hiccup here and there was also now a regular thing. Sometimes they chatted a little before or after one of their shared classes, sometimes they met up after Hiccup was done with rugby to hang out for a while, sometimes they just smiled a bit as they passed each other in the hall—and once in a while they ended up in the same closet Hiccup had shoved him into the first time, where the brunet made a specific point of proving he could be just as patient and gentle as he was rash and bold.

Every few nights Hiccup made a visit to Jack's room as well. He was beginning to get very good at climbing the latticework that lined the side of the house under Jack's window.

Those were the quiet and surprisingly intimate times.

"Mmh..."

Lips trailed down his neck gently, warm and soft and with the smallest little cold spot where Hiccup's lip stud tickled against his skin. Jack bit his lip and let his head fall back slightly when the other boy's teeth nipped against his pulse, just this side of too light. Definitely not hard enough to leave a mark, no matter how much Hiccup may have wanted to.

"A-ah..."

"Heh," He smirked into Jack's throat. "You make the best little noises."

Jack frowned at that—then sucked in a breath when Hiccup's hands slid lightly down his sides, stopping to rest above his hips. He never allowed himself to dip below there, which both pleased and frustrated Jack to no end. "You're crazy." But he still tugged the other boy down for another kiss, deep and rhythmic and a little bit hungry.

A moment later Hiccup pulled back, leaning to nip on his ear, then sucked gently, drawing what was almost but not quite a moan from Jack's lips. So close. Cursing internally, he privately vowed to do better next time.

Jack gave a slightly shuddering sigh and licked his lips. Blue eyes opened to focus on Hiccup again. "Can I ask you something?"

Hiccup shrugged with one shoulder. He was propped over Jack on his other arm. His free hand moved up to tug at Jack's shirt absently, fingers trailing along his chest, touching carefully. "Sure."

Jack was very hard-pressed to ignore the touches that he was sure were teasing in nature, but he resolved to do so. "Your leg. How'd it happen?"

A surprised blink and Hiccup cleared his throat. For the first time since they'd met, Jack actually saw an uncomfortable look flit across the punk's features. For a minute he almost regretted asking—but before he could dismiss the question Hiccup was already answering.

"I was three and there was a goddamn huge fucking dog. It was the size of a bear." He shrugged again, trying to seem nonchalant about it. Jack just winced sympathetically. "Next thing I know I'm in the hospital and my leg's gone. Honestly, I don't even remember it much anymore." Then a pause and he added a bit more quietly, "I do remember my Mom crying a lot."

"Does she still cry about it?"

"Nah. She died when I was ten."

Jack gave a physical flinch at that one. "Shit, I'm sorry—"

But Hiccup just shook his head and smiled, a little lopsided. "You didn't know."

Jack smiled a bit in return. Then, because it seemed right, he lifted his hand and pulled the other boy down for another kiss. It started off apologetic, gentle and reassuring—and then he slid his fingers back into Hiccup's hair, toying with the little braid behind his right ear, and tilted his head, parting his lips to deepen it.

Another few moments and they were both breathless again, breaking away to gasp for air and Hiccup was ducking his head to lick and nip lightly along Jack's neck. Jack bit down on his own lip and stifled a soft sound in his throat at that, even as Hiccup's hands travelled his sides, down to his hips, rubbing there heatedly before inching upward, fingers ducking under the edge of his shirt, hot against even hotter skin. Jack shuddered at that, arched into the touch—

And Hiccup pulled back abruptly, spitting out a soft curse. "Fuck! Dammit, I have to go."

Panting lightly, Jack began to protest: "Hiccup, w-wait—"

But Hiccup shook his head. He swallowed hard, lips twitching into a faint smile again, and pushed away. Once he was standing he paused, though, and leaned down to press a last placating kiss to Jack's lips. "You don't want me to stay, Jack."

Then he was gone and Jack let his head thump back against the bed. A moment later he flailed slightly, kicking his legs, and then rolled over onto his stomach and buried his face in his pillow to muffle a frustrated scream.

And when his Dad knocked on his door to ask him what was wrong, he lied and said he'd stubbed his toe