Hiccup's birthday was a big deal and at the same time it wasn't. Being the future chief and the hero of Berk made the day very important and practically a holiday, but at the same time some people–namely Snotlout–didn't think it was worth the effort to celebrate a day that only came every four years.

This was one of those years, and Hiccup really didn't think he should worry about his birthday; he was just turning 17, nothing truly important. In Berk, you were considered an adult the moment you proved to could provide for yourself, and Hiccup had done that after his first dagger was succesfully sold, at mere 7 years old. Gobber had been proud as could be, but also worried that it would put too much pressure on the boy ahead of time.

Turned out Hiccup could handle it, and weapon-making turned into a mere hobby for him. So as it was usual for any normal day of the year, he made his way to the forge to start a new day of work, Toothless hot on his heel.

He expected to find many things there: Gobber at the door ready to shoo him away on his imposed 'free day'; Astrid with her axe blocking the door to drag him to the arena to some party everyone but Fishlegs were forced to attend, or Hel, even his dad waiting to take him fishing or something.

What he got, instead, was Jack casually leaning against the wall, checking his nails.

"Uh, Jack? Hi?" Hiccup said, stopping next to him, making a move for the door.

Jack's hand lashed out and grabbed his wrist faster than his eyes could follow. "Ah-ah, not today mister. You're coming with me"

Hiccup tried to protest but Toothless, his own dragon, seemed to agree for once with the shepherd, and wasn't that something. The dragon walked behind them, pushing Hiccup forward with his snout whenever he stopped. They walked uphill, out of the village and past Jack's farm. The sheep had gathered at the railing, bleating at Jack as he walked by and then running away when Toothless appeared behind them.

"Where are we even going? I have work to do and I'm pretty sure you do too"

"I asked the twins to take over today"

"The–the twins?! Are you out of your mind?" Hiccup said, eyes comically wide and step faltering for a moment. Jack laughed as he regained his footing.

"Don't worry, they're way more competent than they look. I estimate they will just burn a small part of the barn today. I asked them explicitly to make as few damage as possible"

"Well, aren't you an optimistic"

Hiccup had long since given up on being dragged around by the bigger boy–tall and thin as a rod, and yet still bigger than him–and had changed the hold on his wrist for the most comfortable hold of his hand; it was also easier to manouver around that way, and why not say it, it felt rather nice too.

Jack stopped in front of a tree and held a hand to Hiccup to get him to wait, then started climbing the tree with all the ease of someone with limbs as long as a Zippleback's necks. Hiccup took the chance to sit down on Toothless' saddle for a moment. The leg didn't appreciate long treks in uneven grounds.

Jack jumped down from the tree, almost giving Hiccup a heart attack. "Got it!"

"What, my death in your hands? Because you will if you do that again, sweet Thor" Hiccup said, holding his heart in the old dramatic fashion so typical of him.

Jack rolled his eyes. "Don't be a drama queen, the romans are enough of that for everyone" He pressed a bundle of sheep hide into his arms. "Here"

Hiccup blinked at it and took it slowly, weighting it and noticing something sticking out of the corner. He unwrapped it carefully, ignoring Jack rolling his eyes at his cautiousness–like it wasn't the first time something jumped on his face after Jack handed him something–and found a neatly folded piece of fabric laying harmlessly inside.

He lowered the package to the floor and picked up the fabric, unfolding it to reveal a hastily made wool cloak, poorly died green with vegetable dye and smelling a bit like it caught humidity somewhere.

Hiccup looked up at Jack as he hugged the garment close to his chest, and saw the brunet shuffle and look away, his ears turning red. "Did you make this?"

Jack twirled the staff in his hands. "Uh, yeah. Last time you were visiting you left early because it turns colder at my place than in the village, so I thought…"

"You made me a cloak so I can stay longer with you?" A smile was pulling at the corner of Hiccup's mouth, his hand brushing along the cushy material of the gift. It just needed a bit of airing, Toothless could help with that.

"It's more of a selfish gift, really" Jack mumbled, still not looking him in the eye, kicking a pebble away. "And I know it wasn't your birthday this year but I asked everyone to give me the day with you so…happy birthday, I guess"

He startled when he heard Hiccup sniffle, and knelt down in front of him to see what was wrong. "I-I'm sorry, I lost track of time with shearing and couldn't do something better with what little time I had left, I-"

"Oh, shut up" Hiccup laughed, rubbing his eyes and hiccuping. "You're such a dork. I can't believe you" He hugged the cloak even tighter and tried to cover his grin with it to no avail.

"So…you're not upset?"

"Of course I'm not!" Hiccup said. "You made me something from scratch, for a day that doesn't even exist, as a way to get me to spend more time with you?" He laughed again, burying his face in the wool. "That's so cute"

Jack stuttered and fell back on his bottom, sitting on the ground as red filled his face. Toothless cooed at him now that they were at eye level. "I'm not cute! I'm the biggest, machoest viking in this island!"

"That's not even a word" Hiccup slid from the saddle to sit on the ground, on his knees in front of Jack. The shepherd pouted at him from under his bangs. Hiccup chuckled and leaned forward to wrap his arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you. I love it"

Jack squirmed and giggled, trying to get and arm free to return the hug but to no avail. "Can I, uh, give you another thing? It's even more selfish but…"

Hiccup released him and sat straight, still smiling and looking at him expectantly, hands on his lap and making the perfect picture of the well-behaved kid he wasn't. Jack put a hand on the back of his neck and pulled him forward, meeting him halfway.

This wasn't thier first kiss, but it seemed like it, just as clumsy and giggly as it had been. Jack's hand slid down to his waist as Hiccup's hands came to rest on his neck and shoulder to pull him closer. Toothless pulled his ear-flaps over his eyes and grumbled in embarrasment.

When they got back to the village at dusk, Hiccup was proudly wearing the most deformed, ugly and unbearably comfortable cloak anyone had ever seen; and looked happier than he'd been in years.