AN: So, I had this plot bunny the other day. This is... I don't know; it was planned as a drabble to get rid of the plot bunny, but by now I have 5 pages of further notes, still ongoing.

This will happen!

Eventually...

. o O o .

He couldn't say what it was.

Just that there was something. Something pulling at him, calling him…

Hiccup stood atop the high beach cliff and gazed out over the churning sea. The sky was grey, with heavy clouds promising rain soon, and the ocean before him had the same metallic sheen, with high waves and white spray that churned constantly.

And something was calling him.

It was like something tugging at his very soul, like a faint fragrance reminding him of his childhood, like an inaudible melody on the wind. Intangible but powerful.

Hiccup watched the waves toss and churn in an incomprehensible rhythm, the sea foam thrashing about atop the grey waves, their motions hypnotic, the smell of the salty air intoxicating, the rush of the wind invigorating. It was captivating.

…

Hiccup jumped as a heavy jacket fell around his shoulders, followed by a pair of strong arms.

"What are you still doing out here?" Eret asked, rubbing warmth back into his cold arms. "Mrs. Ingerman has dinner ready for us; didn't you say you just wanted to go for a short walk?"

Blinking, Hiccup shook his head in an attempt to clear it. It felt like it was filled with cobwebs. "Dinner?" he asked, mind weirdly hazy. "Didn't we just have tea?"

Eret threw him a wary look. "Hic, you've been out here for over two hours."

Again, Hiccup blinked, confused. "Two hours?" he mumbled, mind and tongue weirdly slow. He shook his head. That couldn't be true… But Eret only used this nickname in two situations; when they were in bed together, or when he was deadly serious. And, obviously, they weren't in bed right now.

"Let's head back," Eret sighed. "You need to warm up, and we should get some rest tonight if we want to keep working on the cottage tomorrow." He laced his fingers through Hiccup's, pulling him along, and he complied without reluctance.

His boyfriend was right, after all. Now that Eret's too-big jacket was wrapped around him and his warm hand wrapped around his, Hiccup suddenly realized how cold he was. Shivering, he leaned closer against Eret's broader frame, shamelessly seeking his warmth, and followed him along the path that led along the shore back to Mrs. Ingerman's pension. Or bed and breakfast place, as they called it here. Hiccup was looking forward to getting used to all the local customs once their new home was ready to move in.

But there was still something... Every few seconds, his eyes wandered to the roaring waves hitting the coastline only a few meters away from them and the wild sea beyond. There was something out there, something–

Suddenly, he stopped, causing Eret to stumble as he yanked at his arm.

"Hey, what's up?" he yelped, throwing Hiccup a puzzled glance.

"There was…" Hiccup blinked, intently searching the raging sea. He could swear he'd seen a flicker of gold amidst the waves, just for the blink of an eye, just... "Oh never mind," he said, shaking his head at his own stupidity. "You're right, love, I really need a good night's rest if I'm starting to see things." Chuckling, he turned away from the ocean and cuddled into Eret's side. Surely it had just been a stray ray of sunshine. No, that wasn't possible, not with the sky getting darker with every second. Maybe a bit of waste, a plastic bag? Yeah, that had to be it.

Frowning, Eret gazed past him, eyes wandering over the waves, but then shrugged. They made the rest of the way without another incident. Hiccup refused to glance at the sea again and instead focused on Eret as he explained another idea he had to improve their future home. He was just tired, that was all.

And yet, there was something calling for him.

And he couldn't say what it was.

. o O o .

The creature followed them with unblinking eyes, deep blue like the ocean. Humming quietly to herself, she cocked her head, golden waves of hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulder, before she moved, riding the currents of the waves to follow them along the shore.

And she was confused.

These creatures were evil, she knew that just like she knew how to ride the tides. It was an instinct, knowledge deeply ingrained into her very being.

And yet…

There was something about these two…

There was a warmth in their chests, she could sense it. She couldn't see or feel it, but it was there, glowing, radiant, tugging at her cold heart, calling.

And she couldn't say what it was.

. o O o .

I'd be incredibly grateful for feedback, unless it's hardcore-Hiccstrid, homophobic, or against polyamory. In that case, you can kindly keep your opinion to yourself. ;)