Confessions of a Third Wheel

Lay All Your Love On Me


The plane ride was smooth; no disturbances, no technical problems, surprisingly enough—no delays, the timing was perfect, and food stalls inside the terminal were actually delicious. The only thing they suffered from was the two kids behind them kicking the back of their seat. It took a lot of effort to calm Merida. In their first two hours inside the plane, he persuaded her to watch with him and she agreed while muttering bad things she was to do with those boys once they've landed.

Hiccup has finally watched all of the season, and to her amusement, was devastated by the end of the season finale. He actually wept. And by their fifth hour, the flight attendant can't keep her eyes to herself and resulted in her coming back to their side non-stop to ask him if he needs anything else.

"Ah, yeah, actually I need extra pillows please, and a blanket if it's okay." And from there Merida saw how Hiccup's charms played out in motion in front of her. She can't blame the woman, he was really good at this.

The flight attendant gave him a dazzling smile; showing full white teeth, and gave him the things he asked her, while completely ignoring the scowling face of the redhead beside him.

"Is that all, sir?" Her sultry voice was on point.

Merida butted in, "I'd like a coffee."

The attendant didn't pay her any attention, so she asked again, this time in a more aggressive tone.

Mirage, written on her nameplate, looks at her plainly, her smile fading upon seeing Merida. "We don't serve beverages until later."

Finally, she left the two and Merida glared at her companion.

"I did it for us to have extra pillows. Be grateful." Hiccup had the guts to lean on her and adjusted her seat for her to sit comfortably, he tucked the blanket around her. She was both pleased and irritated.

"At first I thought there was no way you and Flynn are friends, and then that happened, now I understood."

"Hey," he pinched her nose, "if it's for a greater cause there's no shame in using graphic advantages and I do not approve of using the smoulder, that's Flynn's stratagem."

"Disgusting." She replied.

Their chair was being kicked again, she was about to curse the two boys behind them when Hiccup pinched her on the cheeks.

"Just forget about them, princess, and let me give you tidbits of the people back home, okay?" he chuckled at her scowling face. He readjusted her seat so she can see him easier.

Merida looks at the gap between them, to see the little devils behind, she gave them the most evil stare she could muster. The boys did shut up.

"Okay, my dad's name is Stoick and as you already know I have a dog named Toothless, he's already seven years old. My uncle Gobber from my dad's side has stayed with us ever since I can remember, he's a handful but he's a good guy. We live in a provincial part of this country, almost isolated from other people. So don't expect any Starbucks there." He smiled at her, and she nodded for him to keep going.

"Finnegan—also known as Fishlegs is my best friend."

"I thought Flynn was your best friend?"

"Yeah, well, Fishlegs has been my childhood best friend ever since. Flynn assumes he's everyone's best friend." She nodded, "And I have a cousin who's a major pain in the ass, Snotlout, don't worry that's just his nickname that kinda stuck around. There's also the twins; Ruffnut and Tuffnut, a boy and a girl, likes the same stuff because they said they should be literally the same."

"And Astrid, somehow tomboyish and kinda like you, actually, very sporty." the first name that isn't laughable and does he really think she's that of a tomboy too? She scowled.

"And Eret, the new guy in town, except he's been here seven years ago, the thing is; if somebody new moves into my hometown they're literally foreigners still."

"Why did you move out then?" Merida finally asked, they haven't had any conversation about this before.

"New opportunities. Village life is kinda boring, you know." He answered before sighing, "And I wanted to study abroad, a new perspective too."

Merida agreed, she sure knows how it feels. She was from a tightly knit neighborhood full of snotty people and it was suffocating. The expectations to aim higher, the backstabbing elites, and the never ceasing brunch and Polo Clubs, she's really tired of it all. And her social climbing mother, she wants to get out of her skin too.

"Jesus, you ain't kidding when you said the people in your hometown name their kids in a very weird way." She has this great anticipation to meet the owners of those terrible names, he rarely talks about them, only a wistful smile would appear on his face but there was never a long story coming from him.

"Ah, yes. The beauty of living in a modern post-norse culture."

"And any angry exes I should know about?"

"I didn't know you were the jealous type." a smirk forming on his face which made her blush furiously.

"In your wet dreams, Haddock." She huffed, "And I want to know if there were any girls who lowered their standards for you."

"They were girls and no, I don't think they're angry. We grow up, we make new choices, I guess. We're cool."

They continued listening to his playlist after that, and still, Merida could only think of the people he mentioned, how they made his life a bit tolerable, when in fact he had a rough childhood stemming from his father's cold treatment and the lack of any mother figure. The only thing he trusted most was his dog. Memories of her own was as just as terrible, she kept complying with her mother, made to study proper etiquette at the age of five, however; there was her doting father who didn't failed to make her laugh after a tiresome day and little brothers who are adept at harmless pranks and taught her to it, and a nanny whom she respected the most.

Maybe she didn't have it bad, after all.


"Hello, sir, can I get you anything else?" great, the flight attendant —Mirage, is here again.

Before Hiccup could say anything, Merida ripped her earphones out from her ears, "Yes, actually, can you transport the boys behind us to different seatings? They're disturbing us."

"I'm afraid I can't do that if they didn't ask for it." the attendant equally looks at her, both of them challenging at each other. Welp, she didn't mind seating in an economy class but this kind of attitude really sets her mood.

"Will you do that if he's the one asking?" Merida pointed at Hiccup, he widened his eyes and tried to stop Merida from speaking any further.

The flight attendant blushed and excused herself. Merida had her triumphant smile, crossing her arms in amusement and Hiccup could only shake his head in disbelief.

"You are the jealous type." He said, adding a laugh afterwards.


The landing was okay, the pilot thanked everyone for their cooperation and the calm weather, going out so far to proclaim his love for the Sun God.

Merida exhaled in utter contentment, because she will no longer sit at prolonged hours and endure the noise behind them. And she was extremely hungry.

As they were walking to the ramp, one of the kids purposefully stomped Hiccup's foot and gave him the finger.

"You motherfuckers!" Merida shouted back at the two miscreants.

"They're just kids, Mer, take it easy."

"This is why kids like that go to military school."

Hiccup nodded, "Yeah, but don't cuss at little boys next time in public areas, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, okay, dad."

"Hmm, you like that, don't you, Kitten?"

Merida was flustered, "Asshole!"

Hiccup grinned at her reddened face, pinching her nose too, to which she rebuked him by punching him in the arm.

When the both of them got their luggage, Merida was reading a catalogue. Hiccup snorted in response at her trying to pronounce certain words.

"Why do you need that for? I'm here, I can easily translate anything for you."

"This is my first time here, I need to experience this as a tourist." She tied her hair in a braided bun and Hiccup thought she was really pretty that way.

"Wow, I didn't know ABBA was from Stockholm."

"Oh, they're considered heroes here. You'll notice it."

Merida looks at him incredulously, he was laughing and she too joined him in his flare of happiness. There are many people inside the lobby, those who are waiting on the passengers. He guided Merida away from the throngs of loud people. And exactly in that moment, he saw someone; in a black suit and clearly unhappy.

"That's my dad over there." Hiccup pointed to the big man who was standing amidst the crowd like a sore thumb with a strict posture, long hair tied to a bun and a scowl on his face.

"Are you sure you're not adopted?" she said, noticing the huge difference between them. The man's visual was of a man who'll likely beat your ass in one sitting.

"I'm not really sure. I stopped asking when he threatened me he'll give me up to my aunt."

The two men finally got to see face to face, his dad was frowning, eyeing him up and down. This wasn't a bit welcoming, really, she thought this was unnerving.

"You've finally put muscles in your body, eh, boy?" His father said to him, a low growl and thick accent, before patting him on the back. Three loud smack on the back, that is. Maybe he was used to it because he didn't wince, he smirked instead. The tension broke out and she visibly relaxed, only this was his father's way of showing his affections.

"Dad, this is Merida." He gestures to her, "And Merida, this is my dad." The large man was really like another person if Hiccup hadn't told her they are father and son. They could just be neighbors, really. Upon closer inspection, Merida and Hiccup's dad looks like they were related, hell, even Merida approves of Stoick and her dad could be brothers just by their striking figure and hair.

"Hello, sir, nice to finally meet you." Merida said as she held out her hand in greeting.

Stoick accepted it, a warm smile on his face, and in that smile she can see Hiccup's. "Blah, none of that formality. You can call me Stoick, dear." He patted her head, and Merida instantly thought despite his menacing looks, he was soft spoken.


The three went inside a black van, Stoic was the one driving, he eyed the two in the backseat. Hiccup had declined to sit beside him, opting to be with Merida instead.

They had passed many town and the city of Stockholm, Hiccup had promised her they were going to visit these places before they go back to America. Everything was beautiful, the surroundings and the people, it's all new to her. There are buildings that looks quite ancient and yet set in the modern style. She can't help but to gawk from the window.

"So," Stoick started, "how is your education faring?"

"It's alright, dad. How is Berk nowadays?"

"Always the same." Stoick grumbled something Merida couldn't understand.

Hiccup nodded in response. Father and son had their own conversation, Merida was only glad to see the sights from the window, taking notes in her mind of her friend's beautiful culture. Hearing Hiccup talk in Swedish was new to her ears, it was really unique to how he spoke in English, his voice presumably became different. She could listen to him all day.

"How about you, dear, do you go to the same class with him?" She didn't instantly realize Stoick was asking her.

She shook her head no, "We're from different schools, both are rivals to each other."

"Oh? And which is the best?"

"Disney." / "Dreamworks."

Both replied simultaneously, the two stared at each other, a glaring contest was taking place.

"What is the difference between them? Both are American schools."

"Yeah, well, mine is about the quality of education while the other prefers to squeeze the pockets of students and parents alike with their insane tuition fee." Hiccup smirked at Merida, and Merida stuck her tongue out.

"We have elevators."

"We have those too."

"And chocolate fondue."

"Touché."

Stoick sighed, "I don't know the commotion is, but all schools are the same, you all get the same paper diplomas."

Merida and Hiccup nodded in unison, true that, but for Hiccup, his dad too had other meanings.

"Is my son treating you well despite being rivals?" Stoic chuckled.

"More than anyone who has treated me. Yes."

Stoick, for a moment, looks at his son, a ghost of a smile etching on his face.

"Did my son explain to you that our hometown is far away?"

"Yes, and I can't wait to be in Berk, Hiccup told me every beautiful thing."

"That is good to hear, I hope you will enjoy your stay there." Stoick kindly smiled. Then silence came over in the most comfortable way, for the two were slightly exhausted, and Stoick; in his human nature, had always been a man of few words. Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours, it was a long ride, indeed.

The silence had faded when Hiccup's dad turned on the radio, the upbeat was strikingly familiar. She knew it from somewhere, she tried to listen furthermore. Hiccup looks at her as if on cue and she tries to stifle her laughter when she finally recognizes it. It was a song by ABBA.


The van stopped in front of a large house built on woodwork, the structure made it appear to look foreboding with the mahogany undertones riddle with age. All of the windows are open, square and large in shape. The gates around stood erect with pointed spikes of metal, the front of it has a large letter H in it. There were no gardens nor flowers, only tall trees and shrubs surrounding the area.

Merida can only think of a description in her mind; strong visual masculinity.

But it didn't render less alluring, it only made it more country, a chic suburban residence. A beautiful place to escape from city life.

The door was opened by a bald man with a long beard braided in two. He winks at her before pulling Hiccup out of the van. A dog was yelping loudly outside.

"What luck! Hiccup! You used to be as skinny as a dying branch! Look at you!" The man gave Hiccup a tight embrace. The first welcoming touch he received today. She could see how they're close to one another.

Hiccup patted his back, "And you, uncle, are still braiding your beard." He then opened the door to let Merida out, their hands intertwining before she let go and crouch down to pet his famous dog, Toothless.

"Hello, Sir Gobber, It's a pleasure to meet you." Merida shook his hands. "And you too, Toothless." She reached down to pet the black dog again, giving her a lick in the face in return.

"Ooh—you must be Hiccup's girlfriend." His uncle Gobber said. Merida's face was red, Hiccup waved his arms around them.

"Uh, no, Gobber, she's my guest here, okay, stop snooping around."

"You never brought a lady here, not even Hofferson's daughter." Hiccup nearly spat the water he was drinking. Gobber gave him a sly smile.

He doesn't bring his girls, huh? Hiccup sure knows how to play it safe. Merida could only look at him with mischievous eyes that said 'I will ask more later about you'.

"Okay, we didn't come here all the way from America to delve into that."

"Oh no, I'd like to know more about him, do you have baby pictures?" Merida hopefully looks at Gobber, a sinister smile on her face.

"Of course, of course, tonight I will show you buck naked baby Hiccup!"


The inside of the house was cozy, there was a fireplace and a few 10 point buck deer heads mounted on the wall. This reminded her of her childhood home, her father was a renown hunter and they, too, have the animal's head as a trophy decorated on their walls. Mainly were bears, hence why her father was called the Bear King.

She smelled the aromatic scent of pine and burning log, and the snugly feeling inside Hiccup's home.

"Welcome to our humble abode, dear, please make yourself comfortable." Stoick had delivered their luggage. Toothless was by his master's side, wagging his tail excitedly.

Hiccup was glad to be back home.

"How are you, bud?" Toothless answered by circling him, excitedly, jumping on the floor then running back to him. The dog never barks, he was a peculiar dog, all black fur and golden eyes, prefers eating fish than bones. And Hiccup truly missed him.

Hiccup told her how he rescued Toothless from a compound, the dog was badly beaten and its teeth were almost gone. There are still scars on his body, Merida can see them plainly, but the dog was smiling and jumping happily like he wasn't a fighting dog before.

Stoick cleared his throat, breaking Hiccup's revelry. "I'm sorry I can't stay for too long. They need me at the Hall." He looks at his wristwatch, then looks at Gobber, nodding both of their heads in understanding.

"Again, please enjoy, Merida, dear, and you, Hiccup..." He looked at his son, "You two are adults, I trust you to be well behaved." Stoick went away leaving Merida and Hiccup's embarrassed faces.

The three of them went upstairs, along with the very ecstatic Toothless, Gobber pointed to his bedroom, Stoick's and Hiccup's, "If you ever need anything, Hiccup is most certainly awake at goddang hours." He said with an all too knowing wiggle of his brows.

"Uncle!"

The man waved him off, "The guest room, we reorganize it into a lady's liking. I hope you like it."

"Okay, uncle, you can go now, thank you."

Gobber leaned in to Merida, his mouth near her ears, quickly whispering to her, "And darling, there are a few embarrassing pictures of adolescent-Hiccup below your bed."

Merida gave a toothy grin, "Thank you so much, Gobber."

"Hey! What did you tell her, Gobber?"

"You really know how to choose 'em ladies, eh?" Gobber smiled sheepishly, giving Hiccup a two thumbs up.

Hiccup closed the door in his face. He heard his uncle's trembling laughter from the other side.

"C'mon, Mer, what did he tell you?"

Merida laughs in response to his aggravated face.


"So sorry about that, princess, my family doesn't know about boundaries."

Merida looks around at the guest room, the smell of new painting was still lingering around but not that strong, it gave off a new house vibe.

"We never had female guests, visiting friends of my dad would laugh at the sight of anything feminine. Those two made the effort to make this presentable. I'm impressed."

The room's wall was once a dull cream color; there were no flamboyant furnitures, no wallpapers and the lighting was done badly. This room once smelled like sweaty men in gym lockers. Very Bad. Thinking of its origin; this was a storage room, until Gobber had decided to divorce his second wife and live with his cousin, Stoick, who at first was really annoyed, but found his presence to be one of the factors of raising Hiccup. The guest room was to be given to him and this storage room was turned into a guest room. Hiccup smiled to the memory of Gobber happily telling him all that.

He made his way to surround the room and nodded his head in total gratification. Now, the room was covered in a soft yellow colored wallpaper with minimal flower designs; there was a vanity, a classic-looking wooden chair, a lampshade beside the bed and the bed looks really inviting. They installed a window too.

"You know, you could put me in the basement and I'd still care less. Did you order them to do this?" Merida asked and plunged onto the bed, she inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. The bed was really soft.

"No, I only said to clean this up, I didn't know they were gonna purge this."

"Well, I'm really glad, Hic, thank you."

"Sure thing, please make yourself at home. We'll be here for two weeks."

"This still feels like a dream."

"And just a heads up, expect the tiresome questions from the people here. They're quite nosy, sorry."

"Nah, I'm ready." She replied.

But Merida had her own questions for him, because he sure knows how to keep his face guarded. "How come you didn't tell your dad you were on the Dean's List?"

"He won't appreciate it anyway."

"You won't know unless you try."

He shrugged his shoulders, "He is my father, opening up to him is much like talking to a ceiling."

She found his face void of emotion for the first time, he was usually calm, and the subject of family is a clear indication that you may ask him a hundred questions and he'll respond to them nonchalantly and vaguely in description.

And Merida thought of one thing she couldn't ask him about, because he never talked about it, never mentioned it; his mother. Where was she?


Dinner was almost ready, she was watching him cook all the way, the scene was mouthwatering and Hiccup was so focused on his task, Merida thinks of him visually appealing in his apron.

She shook her as if to remove indecent, unbelievable thoughts. Gobber was, too, busy preparing the table. Toothless was waddling on the kitchen floor, Merida had thought this scene was a normal everyday life of Hiccup.

After a few minutes, Gobber entered to where they were. His usual grin was gone, and his hand was cradling a phone on his ear.

"Uh, Hiccup, my boy, your dad called..." Gobber looks at him, expecting him to know it already.

"He won't be joining us for tonight. It's okay." Hiccup nonchalantly said, shrugging his shoulder.

Merida wanted to blurt out that he made so much food and it'll be a shame to miss out a lot, and this was his first night here, she can understand the disappointment.

As if Gobber could read her thoughts, he patted his protruding belly, "The more for me, then!" He waddled back into the dining area.

The time soon came for dinner, Merida was really hungry by now. She's been munching on snacks recommended by Hiccup, they're good but they're still just snacks, nothing compares to food served on a plate.

Everything was all set, Hiccup delivered what he cooked, all were unfamiliar to her. Her mouth was watering and she asked him the names of the dishes he made, he was willing to indulge her and blurted out certain cooking hacks and recipes. They're having Swedish spaghetti meatballs and crispbread or knäckebröd, pea soup and köttsoppa, stekt strömming or fried herring, potatoes and salmon with chives and sour cream, raggmunk and lingonberries on the side, macaronis and mashed potato and Jannson's Temptation, or that's what Hiccup had said. The way Hiccup said their names and their visual presentation made her stomach rumble with great anticipation.

"Is that wine?" Merida looks at the one bottle he's pouring in their cups.

"Not just any wine, it's Glögg."

"What is this called?" Merida pointed to a certain type of salad beside a dark bread.

"Gubbröra."

Merida tried to pronounce it and by doing it made her lips tingle.

Hiccup let her peak at the one in the center, "And for dessert, because you're here, ta-da!"

"A cake?" It was big in size, green all over and had some sort of a crown on the top of it.

Gobber chuckled at her, "Yes, a prinsesstårta or Princess Cake."

Merida's face reddened and wanted to punch Hiccup's laughing face.

She instead thanked him for the effort. The three of them took their seat, Toothless was enjoying his own dog food elsewhere, and Gobber had his toothy smile and raised his glass filled with beer and shouted with glee, "Skål!"

Merida tried her best to eat normally as possible, she can't risk to embarrass Hiccup, she didn't gobbled down nor burped, she was eating like a lady. Hiccup, of course, had took notice of it and he shook his head, he pointed to Gobber's direction; who was eating like he hadn't eaten all week. This was a sign from Hiccup to let her be herself.

She beamed at him.

"Sorry for my cousin's absence, he's always like that, big guy doesn't know how to rest." Gobber added a chuckle at the end, imagining him working at late hours.

Merida nodded in understanding, "It's alright, we could save him a plate."

"It's fine, lassie, he's got a strong head and even stronger stomach. By the time he comes home, he'll still work at his room, the man's a workaholic."

"I see." Merida isn't new to the people being like that; preferring their duty than their own social life. Hiccup hadn't told her of his family's origin either, maybe that's why he's, sometimes, aloof about sharing personal information. This is her chance to know more about him. "What does he do anyway? If you don't mind."

"Oh, he's a Governor."

Merida nearly sputtered the food inside her mouth. She looks at Hiccup; eating peacefully, not even looking at her back, then to Gobber who is loudly chewing his food, both of them acting casually in front of her.

"What?"

"What, what?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that Hiccup hadn't mentioned it at all." She was pointedly looking at him.

"I kinda forgot." Hiccup answered sheepishly.

"Just how long have you known each other?" Gobber asks Hiccup, right eyebrow raised.

"Enough to know to mind your business." Hiccup glared at Gobber, and the latter raised his arms in surrender.

"Jeez, your sarcasm is the only thing you didn't grown out of. And also," Gobber added between big bites, "I notified Fishlegs of your homecoming. They'll surely visit tomorrow."

"Oh no." Hiccup slumped to his chair, "But why?"

Gobber looks at him in disbelief.

"I mean, of course I want to see them, but not right now or for the next couple of days."

"It's okay, the more the merrier." Merida was eager to know his friends, though, she's slightly intimidated to whatever they'll think of her.

"Oh, you don't know them, princess, there will be no quiet time for us. A bunch of wild hogs."

Gobber laughed at the notion inside his mind, "But didn't you call yourselves The Hooligans? Haha!"


She can't seem to sleep.

It's already 11:00 pm and not a drop of drowsiness in her system. After dinner, Gobber has promised her exciting adventures for tomorrow, he knows they're tired from the trip. She is tired, mind and body, and yet her eyes are still wide awake. Everything that has transpired today was still processing to her. Their plane ride, the beautiful sceneries she saw, different faces of people, the delicacies she ate, and Hiccup's home.

A soft knock awakened her senses, "Come in." She called out. Not bothering to look at the door, her eyes were on the large window, facing her bed.

Hiccup's head popped inside then let himself in, "How'd you know it was me?"

"You have a melodious knocking, and only you could disturb me at godforsaken hours."

Merida clutched the pillow closer and patted the spot next to her, beckoning him. He grinned at her and jumped towards her.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm great, your dad is nice and so is your uncle."

He sighs, "I'm sorry about my dad earlier, we're used to him like that, always putting this land first and I never thought he'll be busy even for today of all days."

Merida puts her hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, really, I'm not bothered by that. I'm kinda used to it too. However, you could have told me he's a fricking Governor!"

"Eh," Hiccup shrugs his shoulders, "I didn't think that mattered."

"Well, you didn't expect I was from a family of greater means, did you? That night you were so shocked, now, I am too."

"Rich, you mean? C'mon say it, it's okay to say it, it'll never define who you are, princess." Hiccup knew her point, he wanted her to face it. Maybe, little by little, she'll learn to accept it and not be bothered anymore.

"Whatever, I'm just really surprised, it's like I'm still getting to know you all over again."

"Okay, I'm sorry, I promise I'm gonna tell you things from now on. And you should too. Imagine my face finally knowing your life is already insured since birth and I kept buying you pizza." Hiccup held out his hand, forming a pinky promise, Merida accepted it. There's one problem on his mind, the cheque given to him by her father. He can't just tell her now, it'll ruin their vacation.

"Okay, but know this, you're the first person I'm chummy with, I just didn't want to be like my mom that's why I'm silent with that kind of information about me, I didn't want to be in her shadow."

"Me too, you know, people expect great things from me because of my dad. I guess we both have sucky parents then, huh?"

"One of our familiar connections."

Hiccup wanted to ask her about many things, he needed to know more about the girl that became Merida Dunbroch, and yet he knew she was tired and was quite astounded by these past few days. He looks at where she was gazing at; the moon has finally gotten rid of the clouds surrounding it. Everything was quiet, and peaceful, he couldn't tell what's on her mind.

"What about you? Why are you still up?" Her attention was on him now, cerulean eyes gazing at him.

He looks at the ceiling, "Can't sleep, it feels weird in my own room. My visits were annually, although ever since I left for college, it's like everything is different." In his mind, leaving his home was like leaving his former self. He wanted to establish a name for himself, faraway from his father's glory. It was a fresh start, he needed this change.

"It feels really foreign being away from your own home, isn't it?"

Hiccup nodded. "Aren't you still sleepy yet?"

"Not yet, maybe we got jet-lagged."

"Wanna watch friends together until we fall asleep?" He said while lightly scratching the nape of his neck—a mannerism she noted about him. He was tired too, his eyes wouldn't shut and yet his body wanted to shut down. The moon illuminated his form by the window, the glow in his eyes reflecting hers.

"Hell, yeah."

At the end of the night, neither knew who fell asleep first nor who turned the lamplight off, but the two of them were locked in an embraced in their sleep—two tangled bodies as if protecting each other from the cold or from a human threat coming to take them apart, and only then, Merida had fallen asleep in such sweet slumber that she didn't dreamed anything else but Hiccup's face. And he, Hiccup, for the first time ever, had felt wonderful sleeping beside a woman he truly, deeply cared for.


(Only by Ry X)

A/N: OKAY! Everytime you see a parentheses- that's a song at the very end of the chapter that I think suited them. Hehe, okay! Thank you again for the support and commenting! I really love you guys!