Epilogue
Lindsay kisses him enthusiastically. "You did great, lovemuffin." In over two years, he has not been able to shake that one. "Of course, knowing that you'd be valedictorian since pre-k probably helped prepare you."
"So you liked my speech?"
"Yes. Especially the bit about people not always being who you expect. I think that really pertained to us, don't you?"
"Yeah. So, Miss Salutatorian," He questioned. "How's it feel to have graduated?"
She tosses her hair, curled just for today. "Just grand. And you, Mr. Valedictorian?"
"Fabulous," he teases. She rolls her eyes. "So do you and your dad want to go out with my family tonight?"
"Nah, that's a family moment and we wouldn't—"
"Hiccup, my parents adore you; it's not intrusion."
"Yeah, okay," he agrees. "And you want to hang out after?"
"Absolutely. You'll need my help to organize your mess to pack."
Hiccup is, no surprise, headed to MIT, to major in engineering—the best science school in the country. He's getting an apartment with a backyard, off campus but nearby, and Toothless will accompany him. Lindsay's going to Columbia to major in education and literary arts. They had a brief conversation about the separation:
"It's a long way apart."
"Yeah."
They both paused.
"Maybe…"
"No. I love you, that's not going to change, and that's why there's Skype."
That ended it; they're staying together, and that's final. Besides, they still have three glorious months to love without restraint, and they don't intend to waste them. So he says it now: "I love you."
"Yeah, lovemuffin?" She curls her fingers over his. "Me too."
For those interested, I have a very long end note next chapter. For those who aren't...well, thank you so much for reading.