Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/1258507. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Underage Category: Gen, M/M Fandom: How_to_Train_Your_Dragon_(2010), Rise_of_the_Guardians_(2012) Relationship: Hiccup_Horrendous_Haddock_III/Jack_Frost Character: Hiccup_Horrendous_Haddock_III, Jack_Frost_(Rise_of_the_Guardians), John Moore Additional Tags: Battle_Scenes, american_wars_of_independance, Anal_Sex, Boys_Kissing, Friends_to_Lovers, Major_Character_Injury, Alternate_Universe_- Historical Stats: Published: 2014-03-02 Words: 4941 ****** A Fighting Chance ****** by eddiecharlesstewart Summary Jack is a British soldier, hiccup his batman, they embark on a voyage to defeat of be defeated by an army of rebels. Outnumbered and in a hopeless situation, Their care wins the day. Notes Please note the John Moore mentioned in this story is Sir John Moore of Corunna, in Spain, the Scottish soldier who rose to the rank of lieutenant general and died like nelson, in battle, living to see victory assured.   Also apologies for the poor quality of the original piece, this is a heavily updated and improved copy. apologies for any spelling mistakes. May 30 1779 Jack Overland ‘frost’ was an officer of the British army. He was recently promoted aged 17 from lieutenant to Captain for his heroic endeavours during the war against the French in the Caribbean. His transfer from his regiment ‘the Kings own Scottish borderers’ to the recently formed ‘82nd regiment of foot’ had however been a shock. He was transferred from the tropical climate of the West Indies to the freezing climes of Halifax in preparation for the British expedition to conquer New Ireland. His only consolations were that he would receive increased pay and that his fifteen year old batman, the ridiculously named Hamish Horrendous Haddock or ‘Hiccup’ as Jack called him was being dispatched too. The sea voyage was long and arduous with the stormy Atlantic sending a sea sick Hiccup scrambling to the gun ports at regular intervals much to the amusement of the sailors. Upon arriving in the town of Halifax, Jack and Hiccup gazed at the colonial naval base, its wooden and stone buildings spread out merging with clouds of wood smoke in the distance, Red coated soldiers and officers, highlanders and lowlanders, scots and Englishmen, loyalists and sailors mixed in the towns centre. Grasping a nearby soldier’s shoulder he asked where the 82nd regiment of foot’s headquarters was based. The soldier overcoming his initial shock at this familiarity from an officer, replied politely “It’s just over there, sir, I’m going their right now with these dispatches, if you would like to follow me.” “That would be brilliant” Captain Jack said an open smile breaking across his pale face, he ruffled his white hair before replacing his hat upon his head. Hiccup followed, gazing in awe at the mass of humanity represented in the square while he struggled with the chest containing Jacks possessions and a few of his own things. Jack wore a fine new uniform, crimson tunic and trousers with highly polished boots and belt, his gold buttoned coat was obviously expensive. Hiccup had prepared his officers uniform, removing any creased and signs of tarnish, his own privates uniform was less extravagant but still immaculate his harness and musket were in pristine condition. Having crossed the square they entered and enormous sandstone villa, commandeered as a regimental headquarters. As they entered its courtyard Jack stumbled into a young lieutenant. “Sorry, sorry, please forgive me” jack cried as he brushed the young man he had collided with down. A look of surprise and amusement crept across the man’s face “its fine, really, I’m lieutenant John Moore of his majesty’s 82nd regiment of foot, you must be the new captain for old Campbell’s company, Let me show you to the general, Old Francis MacLean, he commands this regiment belonging to my dear friend the duke of Hamilton and the 74th regiment of foot. I’m the quartermaster by the way. Is this your Batman?” he cried smiling amorously at a startled Private ‘Hiccup’. “Yes, this is my batman Hamish Horrendous Haddock, though to you or I it’s just ‘Hiccup’” Jack Overland introduced the embarrassed private. The lieutenant John Moore kindly spoke to the curious private “You must be an awfully good batman, your captain is immaculate, my own batman is useless, he is always absent and is a drunkard, you look the very image of an educated man, and so why become a soldier?” “I volunteered when the captain… my landlord’s son was commissioned, I’ve been his batman since then… sir”. Hiccup stuttered nervous at the attention he had drawn. “You should see his sketches, he’s a real artist as well as a forager, batman, deer stalker, poacher and general nuisance” jack said cheekily. “So you can draw, and hunt, you will be most useful, there is a decided lack of good food around here, I would murder for some venison” John Moore cried familiarly. An aide stepped out of the headquarters building and exclaimed that Brigadier General Francis Maclean would see them now. The officers strode inside leaving Hiccup to guard Jack’s baggage. Inside the general’s office jack and john approached the desk covered in maps behind which the general sat. He was a smallish man, old by military standards, on sleeve of his uniform was pinned to his chest, the arm inside victim of an old wound. His eyes were creased with lines of mirth and he had a polite yet commanding, understanding presence. He spoke with a quiet yet clear voice with the distinct Scottish accent of his home in Argyll. He outlined his orders and his plans in regards to the up and coming occupation of New Ireland and construction of Fort George in Majebigwaduce. He spoke a few words of welcome and kindness before dismissing them. As the officers left the building into the courtyard the found Hiccup surrounded by a gang of soldiers, a bullying Corporal was exchanging blows with the skinny private, the private clearly coming off worse from the skirmish. Jack raised his pistol and fired it into the air, the report shocking the soldiers gathered as the captains thrust forward into the throng. Jack held a hand out to the fallen Hiccup whose cheek was bruised an inky black. “Who did this?” John demanded furiously. “Hiccup?” he raised an eyebrow questioningly, his eyes scanning the young weedy private in search of any injury. “No one” Hiccup cried as he pushed himself up, “I fell” he cried. “On your face?” jack asked sceptically. “Yes, Sir” “Alright” jack said clearly confused and more than slightly suspicious. The bullying corporal looked in shock and a tinge of regret at his actions to the young private; he apprised the wiry young soldier who had fought well for one of so few years. He decided that he would in future look out for the young soldier who had earned his respect. A feat few accomplished. Hiccup followed his officers as they departed the headquarters for the ships awaiting their embankment in the bay. 12th June 1779 It was several weeks later when they finally made landfall at the sight of the new Fort George. The troops were disembarked in an orderly fashion, they set up camp on the land overlooking the harbour, the ships were berthed in harbour mouth presenting a wall of British oak and iron to any curious privateers. As the officers made their way ashore an irate hiccup followed behind, tired after the sea voyage had churned his guts for a second time and weary as he hauled Captain Jack overland’s chest over the steep path to the site of the fort. He was so tired that he failed to notice the stump of a tree protruding across the track and he stumbled. A pair of burly arms grasped him, lifting him to his feet and then lifting up the heavy chest he had been carrying. Looking up with a gasp Hiccup realised the arms belonged to the Corporal from Halifax. The Corporal’s face was kindly and open now his face a mask of apologetic expression. “Names Campbell, Corporal James Campbell, call me Jim, or Jimmy, or anything else behind my back. What’s your name? I am sorry about the incident in Halifax, please forgive me. Anyway where is this chest headed?” They started to walk onward, to the camp. “I’m Hamish Horrendous Haddock, private first class but please call me Hiccup, everyone else usually does. The chest belongs to my officer; it’s to go in his tent which I am yet to pitch because I am bloody useless at it.” “I’ll help you with the chest, then with the tents. Would your officer be Captain Jack Overland, old Campbell’s replacement by any chance?” “Aye, He is, fresh from the West Indies and the Scottish borderers” “Well I’m his Corporal and it would appear you’re in my section. Don’t worry, I’ll get you settled in with the lads, they’re fae Hamilton and aboot. Where are you fae? Let me guess, Sutherland.” “No, sir” “Fife” “Nope” “Oh I gie up” “I’m from Mull, sir” “Mull, just like Maclean’s clan” “Why yes, sir” “And your officer?” “Oh he is from Near Arbroath, but my father was the steward at his residency in Mull” “What is the son of a Steward doing as a private in the army?” “I followed my friend, Jack, if we are still allowed to be such; He was my only friend on mull as my father’s clan were from Appin.” “Ah that would explain it…”* They had arrived at the officers tent lines and the corporal deposited the chest carefully on the ground before setting up the tent for Jack and his new friend Hiccup. Once it was complete the corporal said his farewell and strode of to organise the construction of the defenced and tent lines. Inside the tent Hiccup prepared their quarters. He laid native woven rugs across the floor Set up a desk for his officers materials, prepared his and Jacks camp beds and he prepared a fire outside the tent. He carefully folded Jacks uniforms inside the chest and polished and ironed his uniforms. He collected some flowers and placed them in a vase in the room and ensured Jacks bed was as lump free and comfortable as possible. As he reclined out on the officers bed to test it he was struck by an overwhelming wave of fatigue, as his head struck the pillow he fell into a deep slumber. Outside the sounds of trees being cleared and ditches dug could not break his angelic rest. Jack overland was intrigued at the work entailed in building a fort, he watched the work parties clear trees and dig ditches, he thanked god be and hiccup were exempt from such duties as he watched men toiling away in the mid-day sun. As he ambled along the forts small perimeter with his new friend John Moore, he realised how few in numbers the force here at fort George really was. Only 700 men and officers and a handful of sailors were here to defend the fort from the mass of damn rebels that were soon to descend upon their unfinished earthen works. The futility of the struggle seamed as inevitable as its conclusion, however, they were British, the conquerors of much of the known world. Their red coated ranks would face only a multitude of seething, ill-disciplined militia and a few traitorous continental marines. As he approached his tent he separated from his companion who was striding of to his own unfinished tent. As jack entered the tent he noticed with surprise that hiccup was lying on his bed, total exhaustion having taken hold. He always looked cute to jack when he slept. His face tilted to the side snuggling into the soft pillow, his arms and legs curled like a sleeping kitten. Jack realised his young friend was still in uniform except his boots which lay deposited neatly beside his own bed. Jack looked around at all the care his batman had put into decorating their humble abode. Jack carefully began to remove the uniform from his sleeping friend, to prevent it becoming crushed and to ensure that his Hiccup got goodnights sleep. He pealed of the tunic and trousers from the sleeping form leaving the freckled teen in only his undergarment. The cute freckles wove an intricate path from the boy’s nose down his abdomen and disappearing towards his navel under the undergarment. Jacks chilly finger traced a line of freckles across his little friend’s unconscious chest. He was skinny beyond what was normal; jack found it added to the boy’s helpless cuteness. Hiccups lip quivered at the cold touch as he murmured adorably in his sleep and he scrunched his nose in what had to be the most attractive way possible. Jack tucked a blanket over the sleeping form then swiftly turned and strode from the tent before the stirring in his chest and to some extent his loins could take control. Outside Jack hummed to himself as he stoked at the fire Hiccup had prepared for him. John Moore strode towards him then, carrying three canteens of water, some bread and their rations of meat and biscuit. He sat down beside the fire, looking in amusement at the distracted glazing over of Jack’s icy blue eyes. Glancing at the distracted captain, John Moore realised why he was known as frosty in the officers’ mess. His abnormal white hair, was tussled like icicles into a spiky mass on his head, his eyes shone like sapphires, snowflake patterns decorating his icy irises. John handed jack his allotment of food then placed hiccups down on a small table Hiccup had thoughtfully erected. John glanced into the tent at jacks sleeping beauty, a knowing glance in Jack’s direction cocking an eyebrow as he ran a hand through his neat brown hair, “be careful Jack” he said with a hint of mirth at his friends obvious amorous feelings towards the slender young private. “Be careful”. Jack positively jumped when he realised his love for Hiccup was so transparent, love between men was an offence punishable by death in the army. Jack was glad his friend John was so loyal lest he would now be in fear of hanging from the hangman’s rope. As it was John had pushed the subject down after a quiet warning then got down to making something of their measly rations. He carefully mixed the meat with some vegetables he ‘requisitioned’ from a nearby rebel farmstead. The rebels had fled so it was deserted. He added a few herbs from a small leather pouch and stirred the stew gently. Soon a mouth-watering aroma wafted of the stew. Hiccup awoke later as the sun descended towards the pines clad hills of the province of New Ireland. A smell of stew wafted from outside the tent where the sun emitted a golden glow off its dying rays. Hiccup suddenly realised that he was practically naked under the sheets of Jack’s bed. He had been in uniform when he drifted off, he was sure. Jack must have undressed him Hiccup realised with shock. He was always nervous and shy about his skinny frame and freckles. He felt however, somewhat thrilled at the thought of Jack seeing him naked, he suppressed a sigh of frustration at himself for such unworthy emotions. What would Jack ever see in him? At that moment jack strode inside carrying a steaming canteen full of stew and a chunk of bread for the now starving and awake hiccup to eat. “You’re going to have to go to your bed at some point, else I’ll never get to sleep”, Jack said in his usual friendly manner. Hiccup stood up wrapped in the blanket he had lay under, he quickly donned his shirt and trousers before walking outside and sitting between the two officers by the fire to eat his stew. His shirt flapped open in the cool breeze and he huddled closer to Jack, while still shovelling the stew into his mouth at breakneck speed. His humming while he ate gave evidence to his enjoyment of the rich stew. He shyly thanked john for the stew and retired to the tent to prepare his and jacks uniforms for parade. Jack, having finished his own stew and watched the blazing burnished bronze sun descend below the horizon. He said goodnight to john before they both retired to their tents to rest. Inside his tent jack found Hiccup sitting on his camp bed, studiously polishing jack’s boots and belt. Jacks uniform lay folded and immaculately creased on a chair by the desk. As jack watched in amusement the young soldier finished jacks brass buttoned coat and started on his own, plainer uniform. That took far less time and finally Hiccup was done. He flushed with embarrassment and his cheeks and ears turned a shade of puce. Jack giggled at the self-consciousness of his young batman. Hiccup looked into the pale face of his officer who stood over him his sapphire eyes alight with amusement. “How are you sir?” hiccup enquired looking into his officers face with concern as a distant expression crossed its smooth ivory surface. Inside his head jack was mentally undressing the boy before him, when the question finally struck home and the look of concern in his friends face became apparent Jack realised he was acting rather strangely. His cheeks blushed slightly and be mumbled some excuse, cursing his carelessness, before undressing himself and slipping below the blankets on his bed. As Hiccup folded the uniforms away he prepared to bed down himself, he undressed himself, not realising that jack was still awake and was peeking out of half-closed eyes as he pretended to be asleep. Hiccup then tucked the blankets around the prone form of his officer before slipping quietly into his own bed, curling up and snuggling into the blankets. Jack glanced at Hiccup as the boy dozed off into a deep sleep, he felt a warm sensation grow in his chest and knew that he had found someone truly special in his batman. Then jack himself fell asleep. The next few days passed uneventfully. Every day the meagre workforce of soldiers cleared the surrounding forest, deepened the forts ditch and raised the pitiful fort wall a little higher. Three days after their arrival Lieutenant John Moore organised a competition between the men of the regiments. Each section put forward its best shot for a competition of speed and accuracy with a musket. John entered for his own squad, his skill with a musket was infamous. Jack and Corporal James persuaded Hiccup to enter on their behalf; Jack had recounted tales of hiccups skill with a musket when they had poached deer on Mull together. All men were freed from duties to watch the event and many of the local loyalists were invited also. A foraging cap was pinned to a tree and the soldiers were tasked with firing seven shots in the shortest time and with maximum accuracy. The General volunteered to judge alongside a local dignitary Doctor Calef. Francis Maclean watched as the competitors loaded their first shot and formed ranks. When all were ready he fired his pistol in the air as starter. A volley of cracks sounded ricocheting of the distant woods. A few men who had failed to hit the tree were withdrawn from the competition. After five shots there were only three competitors left; John, Hiccup and an old corporal with shaggy hair. Two shots later there were only John and Hiccup. Hiccup was a blur, furiously pouring powder, ramming the shot down the barrel then cocking the fuse then aiming and firing. At the final shot they were still neck and neck when Hiccup, realising the friendly lieutenant would lose face if he lost, decided not to load his final musket ball, as he and John Moore fired in unison. John Moore’s shot missed the cap by an inch and hit the tree shattering bark and sending splinters flying. Cheering erupted as the result was announced. The general threw Hiccup an understanding glance then he spoke quietly to the doctor. Jack patted his friend on the shoulder as John strode over and picked the bullet Hiccup had not loaded on the floor with a loud cough. “I think Hiccup has another shot to take.” He said with raised eyebrows. A cheer erupted from Hiccups supporters and Francis Maclean nodded his affirmative. Hiccup loaded and primed his musket then took careful aim. A shot rang out. When Maclean limped over to the cap on the tree he held it in the air, a finger protruding from a hole in its centre. “Private Hamish Horrendous Haddock ‘Hiccup’ wins!” Jack, James and john cried out their support as the watching men rallied round the embarrassed private. Maclean handed Hiccup the competitions prize, a rifle, a new invention with great range and accuracy. “You’re on detached duty from now on, try to add some meat to our diets.” Maclean said. The next few days passed a blur, Hiccup hunted all day, while the rest of the men toiled to raise the fort wall. One day while the rest laboured away Hiccup was foraging for berries and emptying his snares on the high ground to the south of the fort when he spotted sails on the horizon. The American fleet. Hiccup ran for the fort. Leaping over rocks and weaving through the trees he sprinted down the hill towards the unfinished fort. A lookout on watch spotted him and called for the officers. When Hiccup arrived a crowd had gathered. Gasping for breath he relayed what he had seen. Moments later a naval officer from the sloop the Albany which was guarding the bays entrance ran to them and confirmed Hiccups sighting. A sombre mood descended as the men looked at the waist high palisade of the fort; it would not keep the rebels out for long. Cannon sounded on the rebel ship ‘warren’, a ship captured from the Royal navy by the continental navy. Maclean in a bid to raise moral had the highland officers of his two Scottish regiments perform a sword dance as pipers played the bagpipes and the soldiers cheered. It was a Scottish version of Sir Francis Drake playing bowl on the eve of his battle with the Spanish armada. The next day John Moore and Jack overland led a unit of men from both regiments to hold the cliff top over which the enemy must climb to escape the landing beaches. With cover from a small rebel privateer, the Militia men of the Rebel state of Massachusetts approached the beach in landing boats. Jack ordered Hiccup to use his rifle to snipe down any officers he could. As the Boats Neared the shore Hiccup took careful aim at one officer in the lead boat. With a deep breath he pulled the trigger. His projectile flew true, striking the rebel officer in the chest and pushing him overboard. The rebel assault turned to disarray as the other redcoated Brits fired a ragged volley down the bluff at the boats crammed with soldiers wallowing in the bay below. A boat overturned and the others beat a hasty retreat. That evening Hiccup was treated as a hero, he received a double ration of the game he had captured the day before, which he shared out among his newfound friends in the regiments. For the next few days the force of highlanders and lowlanders of the 74th and the 82nd regiments marched once again to the cliff top, where shrouded in the gloom of the thick trees of the isthmus they awaited the Americans landing force. They knew they could not stem the tide of an all-out landing as they were bitterly outnumbered role was instead to slow the enemy and inflict grievous casualties to them. It was a few days later when a fleet of row boats departed from the American ships towards the cliff like shore defended by the red coated picket. Led by a party of the rebel continental marines, the American force sped to the shore then began to scale the cliffs. A disciplined yet pitifully small volley of musket fire struck the advancing American force sending many men tumbling to the rocky shore dead. A small boy in an oversized marine’s uniform played a pipe as the mass of marines and militia advanced. As the Americans reached the cliff top the British soldiers began an organised retreat. As jack and johns unit retreated they became lost among the trees and were soon being flanked by a strong force of marines who set down a disciplined fire on the surrounded redcoats. Suddenly the Americans charged the small unit, a tall marine Sergeant ran straight at Jack Frost his bayonet gleamed in the dappled light of the sun. Jack panicked as he realised his musket was empty. He drew his sword, a long Scottish claymore and prepared to meet the marines charge. Just as the marine neared him a shot rang out and the marine fell, blood gushing from a hole in his chest. Jack turned to spot Hiccup, rifle aimed at the dead rebel. The bugled recall prevented Jack saying his thanks as the scots retreated to the fort in an orderly fashion. A few days later the fort was bombarded from rebel artillery batteries on the hills overlooking the fort. The first shots were poorly aimed but slowly they came to bare on the small unfinished fort. The Americans had failed to storm the fort so were content to besiege it; they dug entrenchments around the fort and even worked up the courage to capture one of the British shore batteries. However only a day after seizing the battery, the Americans were routed by a highland charge of the Campbell regiment. After that the Americans lost their courage once and for all, every night after this the British led out small expeditions to harry the enemy. Once a Campbell squad had the audacity to play an American tune, on the bagpipes, as they harried the enemy. It was during one such raid that it happened. Hiccup was standing just ahead of his squad, scouting for the Yank’s when suddenly a canon on a far of hill roared like a dragon, emitting a ball of flames and smoke. The black projectile it fired spun through the air, hurtling towards jack who stood by hiccup. Hiccup pushed him out the way. The cannon ball smashed into hiccups leg with a sickening crunch. Then the world went black… It was many days later when Hiccup awoke. Beside him on his bed jack laid, his face tired and weary as he watched his still friend. A slight movement and a groan from hiccup brought him to full awareness as he stared in awe and overwhelming emotion at his friend he thought he had lost. Hiccup stared at jack, unsure what had occurred. He felt a tingle on his leg. Reaching to ease the itch he felt nothing, a gap where his leg once was. Then it came flooding back. Jack looking concerned and nervous explained it was amputated after the cannonball struck. “What of the fort?” hiccup enquired. “the enemy fled when our fleet arrived, they burnt the ships somewhere upriver”. “oh” “we won”. Then Hiccup descended into a deep sleep once more. He awoke a day later to jack sitting by his bedside once again, gently caressing his head with his ice cool hands. “sleep my friend” jack said softly, his eyes showed he felt more. Jacks soft lips graced hiccups brow and he slept safe, in the knowledge he was in safe hands, the hands of one who loved and respected him. When Hiccup awoke again, Jack was standing by bed by his side staring into his eyes. Hiccup stood up. Jack pressed a kiss to hiccups slim lips. Hiccup looked into Jack’s face. He saw a look of adoration in his sharp blue eyes, the man’s white hair was ruffled and his eyes drunk in Hiccup like a Scotsman in a distillery. Hiccup felt intoxicated as Jack pulled him closer. He smelt the boys musk and felt the hardness of a swelling erection in Jack’s underwear. Hiccup felt Jack’s hands grope his arse and felt the taller boy grind his groin against him. Hiccup let out a gasp of pleasure, his open mouth was then plundered by Jack’s tongue as he forcefully kissed the smaller boy, cradling his slender body in his muscular arms. Strong arms loosened Hiccup’s belt and he felt it drop to the ground from his skinny waist. Those hands then tugged of his shirt, Hiccup lifted his arms and obliged the attempt to strip him. He then stood before Jack’s admiring gaze and he self-consciously blushed, and began to fumble with Jack’s belt, he then slid down the boys trousers and graced the older boy’s clothed cock with his mouth. Jack tugged of his shirt and groaned as merlin freed his straining cock and began sucking its swollen red head, releasing it with a lewd pop. Jack then lifted Hiccup and pushed him to the bed. Pulling down his underwear Jack thrust his cock against the cleft of Hiccup’s arse. Hiccup’s gasped as two thick fingers slid into his arse, scissoring and stretching him. He groaned when Jack’s cock pressed against his arse then with a burst of stars in merlin’s mind Jack’s lengthy cock slid into Hiccup’s arse to the hilt. Hiccup shuddered and Arthur waited a moment allowing his lover to adjust to his weighty cock. He then began to thrust back and forth, pounding the slender form before him growing faster and harder in his thrusting until both boys were reduced to groaning moaning and gasping in pleasure. Jack rolled his hips and merlin gasped then shuddered as a strong hand grasped his cock and began pumping him to orgasm. Hiccup shook when he came. Hiccup tightened when his orgasm struck. His shudders increased the pressure in Jack cock increase until with a shout of pleasure he came into his lovers arse. He then removed the intrusion then lay beside Hiccup and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy dozed to sleep with the boy murmuring in his eyes. The end.     *Reference to The Appin Murder, The Isle of mull was inhabited by the Macleans, but also a large number of Campbells, the family of Colin Campbell the red fox who was murdered on route to evicting the Stewarts from Appin. The other Scottish regiment at Majabigwaduce was a mainly Campbell regiment also. Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!