Merida paced inside the witch's store. She had come to pick up some parts for Hiccup, who was working on some contraption for Toothless. She could hear the old woman crashing around in the back of her store.

"What is taking her so long?" she muttered. She had plans for today, go out riding with Angus and meet up with Jack and Punz. Hiccup had turned down their invitation, deciding instead to work on his invention. She sighed lightly. "He's always so preoccupied." she murmured to herself. A head appeared next to her.

"What that?" the witch cackled, her arms flowing with bags of metal and fabric pieces. "Looks like someone is a bit down." she crowed. Merida sighed and took the pieces.

"You don't know half of it." she said tiredly. The old witch grinned.

"Lucky for you, I have just the cure!" She grinned wildly, thrusting something at Merida's mouth. She spat it out almost instantly.

"What was that!" she demanded. The witch looked down at the block lying on the floor.

"That, little missy, was chocolate! My own invention! Come on, it's harmless." Merida gave her a dirty look.

"You don't seem to remember the last time I brought food from you." she remarked dryly. The old witch grinned.

"Eat it. I promise it's fine." She popped a piece into her mouth, and then offered the rest to Merida. Merida gingerly took it and bit a corner off. The taste rolled around her mouth, a sweet creamy taste that enticed her taste buds.

"It's good!" she exclaimed. She bit off more and more, soon reducing the block to some crumbs littered in her hand. She licked her lips, savouring the taste. The witch eyed her with a smirk.

"I told you it was fine." Merida smiled at the witch slightly, rubbing the residue off her upper lip.

"May I have more?" she asked sweetly. The old woman cackled loudly.

"Enthusiastic little girl, aren't you? No, I need it for something I'm whipping up later." Merida pouted slightly.

"All right then. I better get going." she said, heading for the door. She heaved the bundle of parts on Angus, who whickered at her. She patted his snout fondly. "Let's go." she said, swinging up onto his back. Her hair streamed out behind her as they raced along. She was already craving more chocolate. Inside her mind, she worked out a plan. I'll go tomorrow and get some more. She will probably have some left over. She smiled to herself at the thought of meeting her friends, except the feeling was tinged with disappointment from Hiccup's absence. Next time. She thought. Next time.

Merida woke up the next morning with the acute feeling of purposefulness. She narrowed her eyes at her ceiling before she figured it out. Chocolate. She licked her lips absently, running through the plan she had made last night.

Distract the witch.

Get in and then get out.

It was simple, and a lot of things could go wrong. But she was confident. She mounted Angus, then rode towards the tree that hid the witch's store. She looked pointedly at Angus, who whickered in response and started to kick around the front, neighing loudly. Soon enough the door creaked open.

"Aren't you the little lass's horse? Whatcha doing out here? Shoo! Shoo!" Merida could hear the witch's crackling voice as she slipped through the door. She rummaged carefully around the tables.

"Where is that blasted chocolate." she muttered. Soon enough, her hand landed upon a bag of brown blocks. She pulled it out happily. She tugged at the string, opening the bag. She lifted out a few pieces, and popped one in her mouth.

She failed to notice the slightly pink hue coming from the chocolate.

She also failed to notice the label on the bag, reading "love p-".

Hiccup sat at his desk, staring at the designs in front of him. He was waiting on Merida to drop by with the extra pieces, but so far there had been no sign of her. He was slightly disappointed, having been looking forward to the red head's visit somewhat more than he should have. As he traced the charcoal marks, the door was flung open. Merida stood in the doorway, her hair falling around her shoulders. Hiccup couldn't help but stare at her loose locks that framed her head perfectly. She smiled at him, with a strange look in her eyes.

"Hello Hiccup." she said happily. Hiccup blinked in confusion at the light streaming in from the door.

"Hello Merida." he replied a little too quickly. She gave him another dazzling smile, and he relaxed minutely. She stepped towards him, letting the bags of equipment falling to the ground. Hiccup winced at the crash. Merida continued on towards him, with that same dreamy expression. He stared at the approaching figure. She smiled encouragingly at him, which only served to make him more nervous.

Did I do something wrong? He thought apprehensively. As he was thinking, he didn't realize how close Merida had gotten. Which meant he wasn't ready at all for what happened next.

She leant in.

And kissed him.

Hiccup's eyes widened in surprise, and he jerked his head back and scrabbled up onto his desk.

"Wh-what!?" he stammered. Merida stared at him with a blank expression for a few seconds, and then her eyes widened. Her hands went flying to mouth and she stepped back into the wall. She stared at him in shock.

"What did I do!" she cried. Hiccup nodded fervently.

"What did you do?!" he echoed. Merida started to pace, as Hiccup lowered himself slowly from his desk, watching Merida cautiously. She whirled around to face him.

"What did you do?!" she demanded. Hiccup backed up his desk again.

"What do you mean?" he spluttered. "You were the one that, that…" he trailed off as the full meaning of the situation sunk in.

She kissed me.

He could feel his heart start pounding.

Full on the lips kiss.

His face started to redden.

Does she... like me?

The last thought was too much to comprehend. His head swirled with thoughts, causing him to shake his head to clear them all.

What if she does like me?

He could still feel her lips on his.

The slight sweet taste of them.

Oh no.

He had tried to deny it, but he knew that he had more feelings for the Scottish girl than was normal. She was still staring at him in shock, as if he had any idea what was going on.

He couldn't be further.

Merida suddenly turned a light shade of red.

"Oh gods," she said softly, "I kissed you." Her tone was small and horrified. Hiccup stared at her in dismay, nodding his head slowly.

"You did." There was a silence between them, one that stretched out for forever. Two blushing people not meeting each other's eyes. Merida gulped, finally breaking the silence.

"I, I better get going." she stammered quickly. Hiccup brought himself to look at her. She looked close to tears. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it promptly.

Say something idiot! He screamed inside. Tell her to-

To stay with you. His horror must was probably in his eyes, because Merida quickly gathered her cloak and headed for the door. He reached his arm out for her, but he grasped nothing but air.

"Wait, Merida." he said hesitantly. Merida was glad that she had her back to him, so that he couldn't see her furiously burning cheeks.

"My mum will be expecting me." she mumbled. Hiccup let his arm drop as she walked out, her dress swishing in the wind. A twinge of disappointment started up inside him, working its way into his heart as the door swung shut with ominous finality. He flopped down into his chair, sighing.

"She kissed me." he said to no-one, taking in the sound of the sentence. He played absently with his pen.

She kissed me.

What would Dad say?

Does it matter?

He's my dad!

But she kissed you.

That could mean nothing for all I know.

Oh yes, people just going around kissing others randomly.

Do they?

No idiot! They don't!

He sighed. Arguing with himself was almost as bad as arguing with Jack.

"So she does like me?" He realized that he had said the last sentence out loud. He swallowed nervously.

The important thing is, do you like her?

He breathed out slowly, taking in the sentence. After an eternity, words came to his throat.

"Yes." he whispered hoarsely, the word dancing away from him in the sunlight.

Now, what are you going to do about it?

He sighed lightly, letting his head fall into his hand.

"Why is love so complicated?" he asked. "Is it like this for everyone? Or just me?"

Probably just you, only you can make such a big deal about something like this.

Little did he know, right on the other side of the wall, leaning against his door, a certain red-head girl's thoughts mirrored his almost perfectly.