Chapter Text
The simplicity was really almost embarrassing. Jack stood with his hands in his hoodie pockets, glancing around as if just another curious museum patron. Blue eyes flickered from each camera to the guards and he smirked slightly. He’d been watching this place for weeks now. The exhibit would be moving tomorrow, he’d have to go in tonight and get what he was after. He glanced at his phone, the little symbols would be confusing to anyone who didn’t understand but to Jack they made perfect sense. He smirked slightly and then glanced around.
“Zone…one.” He punched in a code and seconds later the alarm went off loudly in another part of the museum.
Immediately people began to grow uneasy and the patrons currently in the area with him began to file out in a panicked rush while the museum security directed. Jack set another alarm off further away and grinned as his ever-watchful guards seemed torn between going to assist or to wait until they heard further notice. Another code and the headsets broke into ear-piercing tones, causing most of the men wearing them to yank them from their heads. One more code and a third alarm and in the chaos he was able to get close to the small statute he’d been eyeing.
A movement of practiced hands and the case was opened, the alarm having already been turned off with the first distraction. He stayed low and grabbed the Assyrian Deity before swapping it out with a statue of a lucky cat before tucking her away carefully. There were too many people to really cause him trouble and once the case was locked and put in his bag, Jack slipped out with the rest of the crowds as the sirens of police and fire trucks were heard over the various conversations of the patrons and spectators.
He didn’t linger and instead beat a hasty retreat. He hadn’t gotten more than a block away when a car pulled up beside him and Jack found himself more or less manhandled into the sleek vehicle. He didn’t know why they always did it this way. He’d never backed on them before, unlike some people he knew. Still he was forced into a seat at the far end of the car, which was really more like a stretch limo, and found himself staring down the man who was more or less an employer.
Nothing was said, nothing needed to be said. Jack slid the bag from his back and dropped it on the floor before reaching into it and pulling out the heavy case which protected the damn thing he’d been sent to collect. He handed to the large man sitting next to him and watched as the case was passed around to the man in the white suit. Jack had no clue what his real name was, only that Flynn had said to never make any deals with him.
“A pleasure doing business Mr. Frost.” the man said with a small grin once the case was opened.
A thick envelope was passed back to him and Jack glanced inside before nodding. Deal done, time to go until the next time. He hid the envelope into a secret pocket of his bag and was calmly let out at the next street.
“Remember Mr. Frost…”
“Don’t know who you are. Never seen you before. You just were nice enough to give me a ride.” Jack muttered before sliding out of the car.
The door shut with a heavy slam and Jack grinned. Another job done and done. He attached his bag firmly to his back and shoved his hands into the hoodie pocket before shuffling off down the street. He wasn’t stupid when he heard footsteps behind him, they’d been following him for a while. He stopped for a moment and turned around to face the three guys following him.
“How much you charge?” the one in the middle asked boldly.
xXx
“Last one Haddock.”
Hiccup glanced up and nodded as he took the chart from the nurse then stepped into the room in the small clinic. “So then, Mr. Frost…seems you got into a bit of scuffle.”
Jack scoffed but said nothing from where he sat on the stupid noisy paper covered bench. He glared at the alarmingly young man standing in front of him. “It’s nothing, I just need to make sure I can bandage this and go. The nurse wouldn’t tell me if I needed this stitched or not.”
For the first time since entering the room Hiccup looked up from the paperwork to find himself surprised by the man sitting before him. He hadn’t expected such an intense gaze from the man, who really was little more than a kid before him. He was sitting still but holding his arm, ignoring the blood that was dripping down his arm.
“Let’s get the bleeding to stop and I’ll take a look at it.” Hiccup muttered before grabbing what he’d need. “This may sting.”
“Whatever.” Jack muttered moodily, but dutifully held his arm up.
Hiccup said nothing for a moment as he carefully cleaned up the long cut across Jack’s arm. “Do I want to see the other guy?”
Jack grinned slightly despite his attempts to remain surly. It just wasn’t in his nature. “You can visit them in the ER. I just didn’t want to freak out my sister with this thing.”
“I see.” Hiccup said with a small nod. Green eyes trained back to his cleaning and after a moment or two he examined the cut on the arm. “Good news, doesn’t look like it’ll require stitches. So let’s get you bandaged up and then back home to your sister.”
Jack nodded and remained still, alarmingly still while Hiccup worked on bandaging the cut. It wasn’t deep but it was long so it took a few minutes. Hiccup was quiet but effective in his movements, keeping an eye on Jack while he worked. The kid was pale but he wasn’t sure if it was related to the cut or his natural coloring. His file hadn’t been very forth coming with information except that he’d been in and out of this clinic for years.
“There you go.” Hiccup stated, leaning back in his seat. “Now, just stay out of trouble.”
Jack barked a laugh as he got to his feet, making a small face when his elbow cracked as he extended it, having been holding it bent against himself for the last while. He grabbed his stuff and took the paper Hiccup handed him to take out to the receptionist. “Tell the sun to stop shining, you might find that easier.”
Hiccup chuckled a bit as Jack darted out of the room with his things in hand. He heard the young man greet Sally in a familiar manner and question about her kids. Clearly the people here knew this kid. The young nurse glanced down at the file in hand for a moment before shaking his head. Hopefully he wouldn’t see Jack Frost again.