"I missed you too," I answer softly. Jack frowns a little and bites his lip. "I know, I know. I could have visited. Should have visited. But just because I didn't come earlier doesn't mean I forgot you. I missed you, Jack."\n\nJack ducked his head to hide a smile.<<set $jack_love eq $jack_love + 1>>\n\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard, Late, Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]
"No, I mean... I love you as a... as a love-person," I say rather lamely. Jack stares and blinks, trying to process that. "I mean I'm in love with you!"\n\nJack looks at me as if he doesn't quite dare believe me. He tilts his head to the side, as looking at me from a different angle would let him examine my words better.\n\n"You do?"<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>>\n[[Say yes|Yes]]\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>
I rub the back of my head nervously.\n\n"Jack, uh, I... I've been meaning to say this for a while, now, but... I love you."\n\n<<if $jack_love eq 0>>\s\n"What kind of game are you playin, Haddock? First you forget about me, then this?" Jack snaps at me.\n\n"It's not a game, I—"\n\nJack strikes his staff against <<if $jack_down eq "no">>the tree trunk.<<else>>the frozen ground.<<endif>> Freezing wind ruffle my hair and I take a step back. Jack <<if $jack_down eq "no">>stands on his branch and<<endif>>turns away from me.\n\n"I don't know why I came back here. You don't need me anymore."\n\n"Jack, please!"\n\nJack doesn't listen. He let the Wind pick him up and carry him into the night. I lift a hand in a hopeless attempt to catch him, but there's nothing I can do expect stand there, powerless, as my oldest friend dissappears fom sight.\n\nHe'll come back, won't he? Once he cools down? After all, how long can an immortal spirit keep a grudge? Forever, I suppose. I slump down into the snow, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I only have myself to blame for this one.\n<<else if $jack_love eq 1>>\s\n"What? Where does this come from, all of a sudden? First you ignore me for weeks, and now you're telling me you're in love with me? Is this your idea of a joke? Because it's not funny."\n\nOkay... this was not the reaction I had been hoping for.<<set $jack_love = $jack_love - 1>>\n\n[[Laugh it off and say it was a joke|Joke]]\n[[Apologize|Apologize]]\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 3 and visited("Kiss") eq 0>>\s\nJack looks at me dubiously. "Love me? You mean, like a friend? Right?"\n[[Say no|No]]\n[[Say yes|Friend]]\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\n<<else if $jack_love lte 3 and visited("Kiss")>>\s\nJack touches his fingers to his lips and looks at me dubiously, as if he can't quite bring himself to believe I'm serious. "You love me," he repeats blankly. <<set $jack_love = $jacklove + 1>>\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 7>>\s\nJack<<if visited("Kiss")>> touches his fingers to his lips and<<endif>> look at me, as if he hardly dare believe it. He tilts his head to the side, as looking at me from a different angle would let him examine my words better.\n\n"You do?"<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n[[Say yes|Yes]]\n<<if visited("Hug") eq 0>>\s\n[[Hug Jack|Hug]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 14>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss")>>Jack lifted two fingers to touch his lips and a smile spread on his lips.<<else>>A smile spread on Jack's lips.<<endif>>"I... I love you too, Hiccup. I don't think I ever really realized it, but I do. And I... thought I lost you." <<set $jack_love = $jack_love +3>>\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Hug") eq 0>>\s\n[[Hug Jack|Hug]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("There") eq 0>>\s\n[[Promise to always be there for him|There]]\n<<endif>>\n<<else if $jack_love gte 15 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\nJack's eyes get a little mistly. He opens his mouth as if to speak, then seems to think better of it. He closes the distance between our lips instead. I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer.<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0>> Jack's lips are cold against mines, like I expected.<<endif>> Jack tangles his fingers in my hair. Our mouths explore each other and I tilt my head to allow him better access. <<if $jack_love gte 20>>His tongue brushes against my lips and I part them, allowing him entry. <<endif>>We kiss with a desperate passion, not letting go until the need for air is too strong.\n\n"I love you too," Jack breathes.\n\nI pull him in for another kiss.\n<<endif>>
"Jack, I... I'll always be there for you, you know?" I tell him, hoping that he can hear how much I mean that. "Just like you've always been there for me when I needed you. I don't think I'd have made it without you. And, even though there's now other people in my life, I still don't want to continue on without you."\n\nJack searches my eyes for several long seconds before looking away. I can see a light flush on his cheeks. "Yeah. I know. And I'll keep coming back here every winter." He looks down, trying to avoid my gaze, but staring at the wood and metal replacement of the foot I lost. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you really needed it."\n\n"You're here now, it's what matters."\n\nI pull him close enough that I can feel his heart beating against my chest. He lean down and catch my lips in a kiss. Jack's cold lips explore my mouth and I answer in kind. We hold on to each other, neither of us wanting to ever let go.<<if $jack_love gte 20>> Jack presses deeper into the kiss. I tilt my head to allow him better access. I open my mouth an he takes the invitation, his longue slipping in and dancing with mine. I grip his frosty white hair and press back against him. \n\nWhen we finally have to let go, He leans his forehead against mine and we let our breath mingle. I've forgotten all about the cold. I could stay here all night.<<endif>>
"How have you been?"\n\n<<if $jack_love eq 0>>"Fine," he says coldly. "Better than fine, actually," A smile spread on his lips, but his voice doesn't get any warmer. "I forgot how fun it was to be free to go wherever I want now that no one's waiting for me anywhere."\n\nI swallow. Okay. Jack's a little bitter.\n\n[[Apologize|Apologize]]\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 3>>\s\nHe looks away, not meeting my eyes. "I've been alright; going around the world, bringing snow to kids so they can play and have fun. The usual."<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>>\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love gte 4>>\s\nJack looks away."I've been alright." He bites his lip. "I... I was worried you had stopped believing in me. I didn't think you'd come here again."<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n<<if $jack_love gte 6 and $jack_down eq "no">>\n\n"Come down here, will you?" I ask him softly.\n\nHesitantly, Jack slides down from his perch and lets the Wind lower him to the ground.<<set $jack_down = "yes">>\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_down eq "yes" and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Put a hand on Jack's shoulder and tell him you're here now|Here]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>
"I'm sorry, you know?" I tell Jack. "For not coming earlier, I mean."\n\nJack presses his lips together, a hint of bitterness flashing through his eyes, but it didn't last. He nodds, accepting his appology.<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>><<if $jack_love gte 5>> "You've had a pretty rough year, I know. I get it."<<endif>><<if $jack_down eq "no">>\n\n"Come down here, will you?" I ask him softly.\n\nHesitantly, Jack slides down from his perch and lets the Wind lower him to the ground.<<set $jack_down = "yes">>\n<<endif>>\s\n\n[[Put a hand on Jack's shoulder and tell him you're here now|Here]]\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited ("Kiss") eq 0>>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>
<<silently>>\n<<set $jack_love = 1>>\n<<set $jack_down = "no">>\n<<endsilently>>My name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and I have a secret. Ever since I was a young child, I have been sneaking away from Berk frequently every winter to visit someone. A friend no one else could see. A friend I almost believe I made up to alleviate my own loneliness. So what if the other vikings think I'm useless? I'm friends with Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter himself! It's a comforting thought and I hang on to it even though common sense tells me it's just a fantasy. But I know better than to talk about it. I'm enough of a disappointment to my father as it is. Or rather, was.\n\nThis winter, though, things are a little different. It hasn't been long since the defeat of the Red Death, and the new peace with the dragons is still very... new. And the other vikings look up to me to make this work. That, too, is new. Having others look up at me will take some time getting used to.\n\nAnd so it is that it took an angry blizzard to remind me that, in all the excitement, I had forgotten to visit the Spirit of Winter. If he even existed. He might not. It might just have been a blizzard. With equal part apprehension and eagerness, I set out to find Jack.\n\nConvincing Toothless to stay behind wasn't easy, but I don't think it would be such a good idea to bring him along yet. I should assess Jack's mood first. See how he feel about dragons. Make sure he's real. Of course he's real. Surely I didn't completely make him up because I was so desperate for someone's attention, right? \n\nYears of practice help me sneak out without my father noticing. The storm is over, but the night is cold. Bitter cold, even for Berk. The chill bites through my clothes and into my flesh, merciless. I rub my arms and venture into the forest. It's thankfully not far to the small lake where Jack Frost can usually be found when he's in Berk. The same lake where I first met the winter spirit. The lake where, in previous years, I spent so much time waiting eagerly for my friend to return. And wondering if, maybe, I might want him to be more than that. And admiting, on a chilly night where the Moon was too big in the sky, that I love him.\n\nI trudge through the snow and into the woods. Three times, I trip on a hidden root that sends me sprawling in the snow. I would blame my new metal foot, but truth is I can't really feel the other one either, by now. I make it to the lake wet and shivering. Jack Frost is nowhere in sight.\n\n"Jack? Are you there?" The only answer is a freezing gust of wind.\n\n[[Leave|Leave]]\n[[Call out again|Call]]
<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>>"Are you ignoring me because I didn't come earlier?" The wind calms to a murmur in the branches. That's encouraging. "Look, I've been a little busy this year, okay? We got dragons all over Berk, and that's not going so smoothly, and my dad is actually giving me responsabilities, and, oh yeah, I lost a foot. And I think I'm gonna lose the other one soon if I continue standing here in the cold. So, look, I'm sorry, okay? It's a bit late, but I'm here, now."\n\n"I didn't think you still needed my company," came the quiet reply from somewhere above.\n\n"Jack!" I say, relieved to hear his voice. I look up and see him sitting on a branch. He's not looking at me.\n\n[[Tell him of course you still need him|Need]]\n[[Tell him you wanted to see him anyway|Dontneed]]\n[[Ask if he wants to come down|Down]]\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<if visited ("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]
I laugh nervously and wring my hands. "Of course I meant as a friend, what did you think I meant?"\n\n"Nothing," Jack mumbles. "You're... a great friend, Hiccup. Sorry about the blizzard."\n\n"It's alright," I say, even though nothing felt alright. "I'll come back to see you tomorrow, alright? We can do... friend stuff. Like we've always done."\n\n"Yeah... yeah, that's great. You should go back inside. You look like you're freezing."\n\nI nod numbly and turn around to head bak to the village. I turn back one last time to look at Jack Frost's pale figure. "Night, Jack."\n\n"Night."
<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>"Can't I just visit my oldest friend?" I ask him. "Or do I need a reason beyond wanting to see you?"\n\nJack startles and blinks down at him. Slowly, a smile spread on his features. He slides down from the branch, floated down to the snow-covered ground in front of me and his smile softens.\n\n"I missed you."<<set $jack_down = "yes">>\n\n[[Tell him you missed him too|Missed]]\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>
I hesitate only a moment before pulling him to me. <<if $jack_love lte 10>>He tenses at firts, but quickly relaxes into my arms.<<endif>>He leans his head against mine. I burry my nose in his neck, enjoying the crisp sent of the winter air, with a subtle hint of pine. Jack own arms wrap around me. <<if $jack_love gte 15 and visited("Kiss", "Confess")>>Jack draws back, briefly, but only so he can press another kiss on my lips. He pulls me closer and I run my hands through his hair, enjoying the unusual texture caused by the thin layer of frost that clings to it and melts under my finger.<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 3>><<endif>><<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_love gte 16>>\s\n[[Promise to always be there for him|There]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_love gte 16>>\s\n[[Tug Jack down to sit against the tree|Tree]]\n<<endif>>
I only made it a few steps away before a voice stops me.\n\n"I didn't think you'd come again," Jack says quietly from somewhere above me. The relief of hearing that voice is enought to temporarily forget that I'm freezing. I look up and see him sitting on a branch. He's not looking at me.\n\n"I've been a little busy. Befriended a dragon, lost a foot... busy times. Sorry for coming so late."\n\nJack let out a small noise of acceptance.\n\n[[Ask Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n
I put a hand on Jack's shoulder over the frosted cape. "I'm here, now," I tell him. Jack's eyes have that too-bight look they get whenever he's holding back tears. Through the year, I've come to realize that's something he does a lot. "I'm not going to leave you alone, you know? Sure, I might not always be able to come and visit, but, hey, it's not like you get to complain about that, mister 'I'm only here in the winter'." I throw him a smirk to aleviate any bite my words might have.\n\nJack chuckles. "And you still always complain that the winter is too long." <<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n\n<<if $jack_love gte 10 and visited ("Kiss", "Confess")>>\s\nWe both laughs and, when it fades, stare into each other's eyes. I don't know who moves first, but we're leaning toward each other. I let my eyes drift close just before our lips touch. The kiss is gentle. Tender.<<if $jack_love gte 15>> At first, at least. It quickly turns deeper. More passionate.<<endif>> Neither of us is in a hurry to end it. I wrap my arms around Jack and hold him close. One of his hand strokes my hair <<if $jack_love gte 15>>while the other wanders along my spine, making me shiver and not from the cold<<endif>>.<<if $jack_love gte 20>> Jack's tongue tease my lips and I part them to allow him access.<<endif>> We only part when the need for air become too great.\n\n"And I'll always be there for you," Jack breathes.\n<<else>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0>>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>
With my heart beating fast, I lean forward to kiss jack. I close my eyes halfway, keeping them only open enough to see what I'm doing. I don't trust myself not to miss if I can't see and now's not the time to embarrass myself with a clumsy failure. \s\n\n<<if $jack_love eq 0>>\s\nEven so, my lips only briefly brushes over Jack's jaw when he abruptly turns his head and push me away.\n\n"What do you think you're doing?" \n\n"I was, uh..."\n\n"What kind of game are you playin, Haddock?" Jack snaps at me.\n\n"It's not a game, I—"\n\nJack strikes his staff against <the frozen ground. Freezing wind ruffle my hair and I take a step back. Jack turns away from me.\n\n"I don't know why I came back here. You don't need me anymore."\n\n"Jack, please!"\n\nJack doesn't listen. He let the Wind pick him up and carry him into the night. I lift a hand in a hopeless attempt to catch him, but there's nothing I can do expect stand there, powerless, as my oldest friend dissappears fom sight.\n\nHe'll come back, won't he? Once he cools down? After all, how long can an immortal spirit keep a grudge? Forever, I suppose. I slump down into the snow, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I only have myself to blame for this one.\n<<else if $jack_love eq 1 and visited ("Apologize") eq 0>>\s\nI must not have evaluated the distance properly, because Jack's lips are farther than I thought. \n\nEven when I do reach them, leaning foward more than I expected, our mouths connect for only a brief instant before Jack take a step back. I try to follow but almost fall on my nose and have to wave my arms frantically to keep from falling on my nose in the snow. That wouldn't have been very graceful.\n\n"What was that about?" Jack asks with narrowed eyes. "Because if I didn't know better I could have sworn you were trying to kiss me."<<set $jack_love = $jack_love -1>>\n\n[[Laugh it off and say it was a joke|Joke]]\n[[Apologize|Apologize]]\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Love]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love eq 1>>\s\nEven so, my lips only briefly brushes over Jack's jaw when he abruptly turns his head and push me away.\n\n"What do you think you're doing?"\n\n"I was, uh..."\n\n"What kind of game are you playin, Haddock?" Jack snaps at me.\n\n"It's not a game, I—"\n\nJack strikes his staff against <the frozen ground. Freezing wind ruffle my hair and I take a step back. Jack turns away from me.\n\n"I don't know why I came back here. You don't need me anymore."\n\n"Jack, please!"\n\nJack doesn't listen. He let the Wind pick him up and carry him into the night. I lift a hand in a hopeless attempt to catch him, but there's nothing I can do expect stand there, powerless, as my oldest friend dissappears fom sight.\n\nHe'll come back, won't he? Once he cools down? After all, how long can an immortal spirit keep a grudge? Forever, I suppose. I slump down into the snow, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I only have myself to blame for this one.\n<<else if $jack_love lte 4 and visited ("Confess") eq 0>>\s\nI press my lips against Jack. Success. His lips are cold like I always believed, but I don't really get to explore them. Jack has gone so still I feel like I'm kissing an ice statue.\n\n"Uh... Jack?"\n\n"I–uh–hm–what?"\n\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 4 and visited ("Confess")>>\s\nI can see Jack's own eyes remaining wide open as he watches me come nearer, but he doesn't draw back. I press my lips against his without insisting, just long enough to make a point, before moving back. <<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>>\n<<if visited("Here") or visited("Been", "Late", "Blizzard")>>\s\nJack lifts a hand to his lips hesitantly and stare at me with those bright blue eyes I love so much. He doesn't seem too convinced. My heart sink.\n\n"I... I don't know, Hiccup. This is a bit... sudden."\n\nI look down. "Yeah. I know."\n\n"Give me time?"\n\n"Yeah. Sure. Time. Of course."\n\n"You should go back to sleep. You look like you're freezing."\n\nI can only nod numbly and turn to leave. "Good night, Jack."\n\n"Night, Hiccup."\n<<else>>\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited ("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 8>>\s\nJack startles when my mouth presses against his cold lips and for a moment I fear he's going to draw back. He stays still for long enough that I almost resign myself to ending the kiss there, but just as I'm about to, Jack relaxes. \n\nHis lips move against mines. My heart almost stops. Everything about the kiss is hesitant and it ends all too soon. <<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>Jack looks at me with confusion and barely hidden hope.\n\n"Hiccup?"<<else>>Hope makes Jack's eyes shine bright. Hope that this is real.<<endif>><<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n<<if visited ("Late", "Hug", "Confess", "Here")>>\n\nI stare back at him, hoping I can make him see that I'm telling the truth. A truth I've hidden far too long. Whatever Jack sees in my eyes, it must have convinced him, because he leans forward again to press another tentative kiss on my lips.\n<<else>>\s\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Hug") eq 0>>\s\n[[Hug Jack|Hug]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love lte 14>>\s\nJack meets me halfway. Our lips press together, hesitant at first, but progressively gaining in assurance. Jack's lips are cold, but pleasantly so.\n\nI'm not sure what to do with my hands, so I put them on his shoulders at first, then around his back. One of Jack's hand stroked my cheek before venturing down to my neck, finally settling in my hair. When we part, we gaze into each other's eyes breathlessly.<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 3>>\n\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Hug") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Hug Jack|Hug]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("There") eq 0>>\s\n[[Promise to always be there for him|There]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else if $jack_love gte 15>>\s\nJack meets me halfway. Our lips press eagerly. I wrap my arms around his back and pull him closer. Jack tangles his fingers in my hair. Our mouths explore each other and I tilt my head to allow him better access. <<if $jack_love gte 20>>His tongue brushes against my lips and I part them, allowing him entry. <<endif>>We kiss with a desperate passion, not letting go until the need for air is too strong.\n\n"I never realized how much I wanted this," Jack breathes.\n\nI pull him in for another kiss.\n<<endif>>
Hijack this Romance
Jack's looking at me with his brows lowered over chilly blue eyes and I panic.\n\n"Hahaha, that was just a joke. Got you, didn't I?" I laugh nervously and rubs the back of my head, hoping I can salvage this somehow.\n\n"A joke," Jack repeats, his voive cold. He <<if $jack_down eq "no">>stand and <<endif>>turn away without another word. I can only watch in horror as he let the Wind pick him up and carry him away. Alright, wrong answer. But... he'll come back, won't he?
I tug Jack down and we settle on the mostly snow-free ground underneath the tree Jack had been sitting in. I lean against his shoulder, enjoying the feel of him right here where I can touch him. I hadn't realized how much I missed him in the many long months since I last saw him. Everything's been so hectic, I didn't have time to think about it, but there was always something missing, clawing at the back of my mind, unnoticed but still letting it's need be felt.\n\nJack's nose is burried in my hair, his fingers playing with the strands behind my ear, and it takes me a moment to realize what he's doing.\n\n"Are you trying to braid my hair?"\n\nI can feel Jack's smile against the top of my head. "It's getting long."\n\nI turn my head up, forcing him to let go of the tiny braid he was making. Jack let out a little noise of protest when his work was ruined, but I silenced him with a kiss. <<if $jack_love gte 20>>I take advantage of his still parted lips to slip my tongue in and he's certainly not protesting now. Maybe should let him braid my hair, after all. It's not such a bad idea.<<endif>>
Well, this was stupid. Now I'm freezing and Jack isn't even here. Maybe he was never even here. I shiver violently and turn around. My bed is waiting for me. With a warm blanket. And an even warmer dragon. If I stay out here much longer, I'll end up losing my other foot to frostbite. I turn around and start walking back to Berk.\n\n[[Jack is probably not here tonight|Elsewhere]]\n[[Jack Frost doesn't even exist|Disbelieve]]
I swallow. \n\n"I... I was. Sorry. It was a bit... abrupt," I mumbled. Jack didn't answer, just stare at me cooly. "I wasn't lying when I said I loved you, you know?"\n\n"No, actually, I don't know. I almost had to burry your village for you to deign come here, and now you say you love me."\n\n" I do! I swear I do! I just..."\n\n"Go."\n\n"What?"\n\n"Leave me alone! I think I liked it better alone."\n\nI back away from Jack slowly. I want to try to reason with him, but his eyes are chilly and stubborn and I'm still freezing. I sigh and turn away, giving up the fight. For now.\n\n"I'll... come see you again tomorrow."\n\nHe doesn't reply. I take that as a good sign.
"So... what was up with that blizzard yesterday?"\n\n<<if $jack_love eq 0>>\s\n"It was just a snowstorm," Jack snaps at him. "They're kind of what I do. And speaking of that, there's some places out there who need some snow. I'm busy, too."\n\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>He stands up on his branch, turns away and jumps down, letting the Wind pick him up and carry him off into the night.<<else>>He turns away from me and raises the arm holding his staff into the air. A strong gust of wind almost throws me to the ground and picks the spirit up to carry him off into the night.<<endif>> I lift a hand in a hopeless attempt to catch him, but there's nothing I can do expect stand there, powerless, as my oldest friend dissappears fom sight.\n\nHe'll come back, won't he? Once he cools down? After all, how long can an immortal spirit keep a grudge? Forever, I suppose. I slump down into the snow, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I only have myself to blame for this one.\n<<else if $jack_love lte 4>>\s\nJack shrugs. "Just a little snowstorm. You guys were overdue for one."<<if $jack_love gte 3>> He grins down at me. "Gotta give you something to complain about."\n\n"Geez, thanks, Jack. I don't know what I would do without you."\n\n"You're welcome."<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>><<endif>>\n\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\n<<else>>\s\nJack looks away.<<if $jack_down eq "no">> He pulls his knees to his chest<<else>>He clutches his staff<<endif>> and lowers his head.\n\n"I was hoping you'd come"<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n<<if $jack_love gte 6 and $jack_down eq "no">>\n\n"Come down here, will you?" I ask him softly.\n\nHesitantly, Jack slides down from his perch and lets the Wind lower him to the ground.<<set $jack_down = "yes">>\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if $jack_down eq "no">>\s\n[[Asks Jack if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_down eq "yes" and visited("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Put a hand on Jack's shoulder and tell him you're here now|Here]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Kiss") eq 0 and $jack_down eq "yes">>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>\n
"Are you going to come down from there?"\n\n<<if $jack_love eq 0>><<if visited ("Down") eq 2>>"No! Will you drop it?" Jack shouts at me. I swallow. This is really not going well.<<else>>"No, I'm like it here," he says, settling more comfortably on his branch and obviously not planning to move. Okay. This isn't going too smoothly. Let's try something else.<<endif>>\n\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]<<endif>>\n[[Apologize|Apologize]]\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $jack_love gte 1>>Jack shifts on his branch and looks at me. He seems to hesitate a moment, but he slips off the branch and lands into the snow in front of me. He casually slings his staff over his shoulder.<<set $jack_down = "yes">>\n\n"Better?" he asks.<<if $jack_love gte 2>> His expression softens. "I missed you," he adds. <<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>><<endif>>\n\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<if $jack_love gte 2>>\s\n[[Tell him you missed him too|Missed]]<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n\n\n
I should have known better. Of course Jack Frost isn't here. This was just a silly story I made up when I was a kid. Because I was lonely, and wanted someone to be there for me. So I made that someone up from an old legend. An older boy, with a face out of someone's dream, and a smile that filled me with joy and made my knees go weak. Someone who was always willing to play with me. Someone who knew what it was like to have no one believe in you. I made up a friend no one else could see, so I could have him all to myself.\n\nBut I don't need an imaginary friend anymore. I'm no longer alone. In Berk, the other vikings look up to me for guidance. They believe in me. This knowledge makes me lift my chin as I return home. I have friends, now. Real friends. It's time to stop believing in Jack Frost. So why does it feel like a part of me just died?
"Look, I, uh... I'm sorry." I grip my hair with both hand, tug on it and ruffle it like it's gonna help shake up my thoughts and figure out what to say. "I'm being really awkward, I know. But that's just me, right? Hiccup the awkward. Can you just... give me a chance?"\n\nJack frowns and me and presses his lips into a thin line, but nods. <<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1>>\n\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<if visited ("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited ("Kiss") eq 0>>\s\n[[Kiss Jack|Kiss]]\n<<endif>>
<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 1 >>"Of course I still need you. Did you think that just because I got a bunch of other friends now, I don't need Jack frost to make me laugh anymore?"\n\nJack looks down, startled, and a small smile spread on his lips. I smile back.\n\n[[Ask him if he wants to come down|Down]]\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the Blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Confess") eq 0>>\s\n[[Confess your love|Confess]]\n<<endif>>
sisaat
"Of course I do. And I have for... a long time. It just took me a while to realize it."\n\nJack stares. I fidget. Should I say something more? Should I waxe poetics about how he means the world to me? I'm not sure that's really Jack's kind of thing.<<set $jack_love = $jack_love + 2>>\n<<if visited("Kiss")>>\s\n\n"I think... I think I'm okay with that," Jack says at last. He gives me a little smile. \n\nI smile back. We stare at each other, lean forward a little, hesitate, try to close the distance and bump our noses together. Some stiffled giggles, then we try again, managing to press our lips together in a quick, chaste kiss. \n<<else>> \n<<if visited("Late") eq 0 and visited ("Here") eq 0>>\s\n[[Apologize for not coming earlier|Late]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Been") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask Jack how he's been|Been]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if visited("Blizzard") eq 0>>\s\n[[Ask about the blizzard|Blizzard]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<endif>>