AN: This one has two songs, including "You're You" outtake. Look that one up before you begin. It's really sweet, you know, despite being Han's song.
From Hiccup's point of view, the ceremony had gone off perfectly. Jack had looked magnificent. He had spotted Astrid wedged in awkwardly between two older men, looking a little uncomfortable, but she had smiled and given him a little wave. After the crowning, he had tried to find her again, but it was too crowded. Hiccup slipped out the back door, nobody was interested in seeing him anyway, and went back to the town. Streamers hung over every street in the Arendelle colors: purple, green and gold. The market was packed with people from all over, some speaking in different languages. Hiccup reveled in it all, and roamed the streets until evening. This time, he was careful not to damage the suit.
He made it to the ball on time, as promised. Well, the band had already started and the people were dancing, but he made it in time for the grand entrance. A small horn trumpeted loudly, and the band died down. Behind the wall, Hiccup could hear everyone's fancy clothes ruffling as they turned respectfully.
"Announcing King Jack of Arendelle!"
Jack smoothly walked in and took his place as the people clapped and cheered.
"Announcing Prince Henry of Arendelle!"
Hiccup started, at first not recognizing his name. He came out in a bit of a rush and stood a few feet away from the door, not remembering where he was supposed to stand. The announcer gently guided him to stand near Jack, and the dancing continued. Both boys stood awkwardly for a minute, looking around for cues.
"What do we do now?" Hiccup whispered.
"I have absolutely no clue," Jack admitted quietly. "Where's Anna?"
Hiccup scanned the busy ballroom. "There, by the dessert table."
"Ah, of course," Jack nodded. "I guess we'll just wait here then."
"Oh!" Hiccup exclaimed suddenly. "Those are Ralph's chocolates! No wonder his store was closed today."
"You…recognize the chocolates?" Jack asked, looking at him for the first time. "How?"
"He's the best in Arendelle, of course, but because we imported chocolates from Corona nobody discovered his brilliance until the chocolate shortage a few years ago. I was the one who recommended him."
"Yes, I knew that, but how did you find a chocolate shop in the middle of Arendelle?"
"Oh." Hiccup hesitated. "Um, I may or may not have snuck out of the castle a few times."
Jack's jaw dropped, and he quickly closed it, remembering that people were watching. "You didn't!"
"Yeah. I managed it quite successfully, too. I didn't get caught for three year. Maybe three and a half."
"I should be angry with you," Jack said, shaking his head in disbelief. "But on the other hand, I really don't blame you. It's all I've wanted to do since…" he trailed off.
Hiccup looked around the room again, unsure how to answer. "So, this is a party."
"Yes."
"Not really my type."
"Me either."
"Are we expected to dance?"
Jack shifted uncomfortably. "We're royalty. We don't technically have to, although it would be polite. But I don't dance. I guess I'll have to talk politics with all these dignitaries instead. It might be nice if you went on a few dances, though."
"Right. I'll get right on that."
Hiccup realized he had been continually scanning the room, looking for Astrid. Before he could look further, the announcer came up to them, followed by an old thin man with glasses.
"The Duke of Weasleton, your majesties," he said.
"It's Wessleton," the Duke snapped, tired of the mispronunciation.
"Ah, good Duke," Jack said with a smile. "We have heard so much about you from our mother."
"Really?" he perked up. "How flattering. Honestly, I thought I made quite a fleeting impression on the dear late queen."
"Oh, no," Hiccup said sincerely. "She spoke about your dancing skills quite often."
The Duke bowed low, and his toupee flopped forward. Hiccup and Jack bit their lips and quite pointedly did not look at each other.
"Your highnesses, I am deeply flattered! I am so pleased I have the chance to continue my legacy tonight."
Abruptly, he pulled up and did an awkward jig to the side. After a few second, Hiccup released the laugh.
"Was he blushing?" he asked, his voice a little higher than normal.
Jack nodded, chuckling. "I wonder if he got a new toupee or it whitened with his hair?"
"I had forgotten mother's story about the toupee," Hiccup said, wiping his eyes.
"Thank goodness we don't have to dance with him," Jack said as the Duke approached Anna on the far side of the room.
"Well, if we are ever in need of cheering up this evening, we know where to look."
"That, and apparently Ralph's chocolate," Jack added. Hiccup grinned, pleased that he had remembered. "How do you think the ceremony went?"
"I think it went fine," Hiccup said. "Although I zoned out during the history of the throne."
"Me too," Jack admitted.
"There was this older guy in the back who fell asleep on a girl's shoulder," Hiccup laughed. "I was trying not to laugh or look at him."
"Hard with a pretty girl at his side?" Jack teased, lightly nudging him. Instantly, panic flooded him, and he withdrew. He had not meant to touch anybody that night, let alone his brother. Luckily, Hiccup hadn't noticed the quick withdrawal.
"Stop it," he said, embarrassed.
Rapunzel ran up to them, laughing. "The Duke is here," she explained. "Have you met him yet?"
"Oh, yes," Jack nodded. "Is he trying to dance with your mother again?"
"Yes, only dad stopped him. But then he tried to move on to me! So I told him I had yet to wish my cousin congratulations."
"We will happily be your escape anytime," Hiccup promised. "You look beautiful, by the way."
"Thank you," she said, flipping her braid behind her shoulder again and smoothing her purple dress. "I thought it matched the occasion. "Oh! There's Eugene!" She waved across the ballroom, cheeks flushed.
"Since when did you have a suitor?" Jack asked.
"He's not my suitor," Rapunzel insisted. "We're just friends. I met him in Corona last summer."
"Have you heard this?" Jack asked Hiccup.
"Never. Please, do tell us more."
"It's nothing! Actually, he was a theif under the name Flynn Ryder, who tried to steal my crown. Luckily, we were in the marketplace near an ironsmith, so I grabbed a frying pan and knocked him out. Unfortunately, we were both arrested, since nobody knew who I was and my parents weren't with me at the time. Their jail was full and we ended up being across from each other for about a week while I waited for someone to realize the mistake and free me."
"You were in jail with this guy?" Hiccup asked. Both he and Jack were staring open-mouthed.
"Yes, now keep listening. At first I was really mad and the two of argued non-stop. Then the guards threatened to move us to the dungeons if we didn't stop, so I tried a more civil approach. Turns out, he's actually a decent guy who was forced into thievery. After a week, we realized that nobody knew where I was, so he broke us both out of jail and we stormed the castle, confronting the king and queen on their prison system. Eugene was thrown back in jail, of course, until I convinced the queen to help give him another chance. So they gave him a job with a wealthy family in the city, and now he's on his way to becoming a duke," she finished proudly. "We've been writing letters back and forth all year. Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a lot to catch up on."
She bounded away quickly, leaving Jack and Hiccup wondering what had just happened.
"That…was insane," Hiccup said in shock.
"I couldn't agree more," Jack laughed.
Hiccup smiled. "I wish it could be like this all the time."
"Me too," Jack said, smiling. The flashback hit him hard. Hiccup flying through the air, screaming in terror. Jack trying to built a snow mountain to save him, but hitting him in the head. Elsa running in a panic. "But it can't," he said quickly.
"Why not?" Hiccup asked. "The gates are going to be open all the time now, right?"
"I…I don't know. Maybe only for trade."
"We don't have to have parties every night, it's ok," Hiccup said, reaching a hand out for Jack's shoulder.
"No," Jack said, stepping away. "It just can't."
He turned his back and Hiccup was left standing there, shut out once again. Sighing, he left the dais and slipped into the crowd, heading for the chocolates. Anna had come back after several dances with Kristoff to refill her plate. She smiled at Hiccup, then noticed his crestfallen face.
"He shut you out again, didn't he?"
"Yeah," Hiccup said, grabbing a handful of chocolates and stuffing them in his mouth. Anna didn't contradict him.
"He doesn't know how to do anything else," she sighed. "Is there anyone else here you know?"
"Not that I know of…" he began.
"A chicken with the face of a monkey!" a voice cut across the music.
Turning, Hiccup saw the Duke dancing—if you could call it dancing—with none other than Astrid.
"Excuse me, I need to rescue the young lady," he told Anna. He cut through the other dances and tapped the Duke's shoulder. "Pardon me, Duke, but if you don't mind, Princess Astrid here has promised me a dance."
"Ah, be my guest," the Duke said. "We will finish our dance later."
"Thank you," Astrid whispered to Hiccup. "I had no idea what to do and honestly I think I've forgotten how to dance."
"Don't worry, just let me guide you," he said smiling. "Although I'm not the best dancer either. Don't tell anyone."
Astrid smiled, the first genuine smile he had seen, and it was breathtaking. "Your secret's safe with me, Prince Henry."
"Please, just call me Hiccup." Astrid raised an eyebrow. "It's an old nickname, don't ask. But it's what I'm used to."
"Alright then, Hiccup."
"I'm glad you made it to the ceremony," he said, changing the subject. "I tried to find you afterwards but it was so crowded."
"I understand. I slipped out almost as soon as it was over anyway. I figured I would see you here at the ball." She paused, looking over at Jack. "So, your brother…"
"Yeah," Hiccup sighed. "I'm sorry if he offended you."
"Oh, no not at all. I was just curious. The castle was closed for so many years, I mean nobody saw either of you for nearly a decade."
"When mom died they closed the gates in mourning, but somehow they never reopened. I don't know why, nobody's ever told me. Most people forget I even exist, including my brother, I think. I didn't see him very much during those seven years. Actually, I don't think Jack saw anybody except Anna and Kristoff." Hiccup cleared his throat a little awkwardly. "Would you like to go on a walk? I could show the gardens if you'd like."
"That sounds delightful," Astrid said. "I don't think I know this next dance they're playing."
Quietly, they slipped away down to the gardens.
"They're beautiful," Astrid breathed.
"You should see them in the spring when all the flowers are blooming," Hiccup smiled. "I practically grew up here. Like I said, most people, even the staff ignored me. I had to entertain myself if I wasn't in lessons."
"What did you do with all your time?"
"I snuck out to the town pretty frequently, like I told you earlier. And I wrote songs. Jack was always the best at that, but I got pretty good. I can rhyme pretty much anything, even on the spot. But other than that, I don't have a lot of social skills. Actually, I don't think rhyming counts as a social skill."
"I think it does," Astrid countered. "I love to sing, too."
"Really? Would you mind showing me?"
Smiling, Astrid began.
"Other people walk through life where you prefer to skip
And other people watch their step where you'll most likely trip
Sure, your hair's not perfect,
And there'sーwhat's that on your clothes?
Yeah, you're kinda talkative
With freckles on your nose.
"But you're you...you're you,
And that's what makes me smile.
You're you...you're you
So stay that way awhile."
Hiccup blinked in surprise. "I…I don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to say a thing, I know the way you feel.
Your face is like an open book; so honest true and real.
Other people lie and cheat,
When push may come to shove.
Your heart doesn't work like that,
You're like a gentle dove.
"You're you...you're you,
That's how I hope you stay.
You're you...you're you.
But anyway, that's all I've got to say."
"I think that's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me," Hiccup stammered, touched.
"Oh, thanks. It's not my best one ever," Astrid said humbly.
"Can I just say something crazy?"
"I love crazy," she said, smiling.
"All my life has been a series of doors in my face
And then suddenly I bump into you."
"I was thinking the same thing!" Astrid said. "'Cause like
I've been searching my whole life to find my own place
And maybe it's the party talking or the chocolate fondue.
But with you…"
"But with you I found my place," Hiccup sang.
"I see your face…"
They looked at each other, and Hiccup felt it at the same time. Together, they joined in harmony.
"And it's nothing like I've ever known before!
Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"Love is an open door…" they sang in unison.
Hiccup grabbed Astrid's hand and led her through the palace and up to the roof. Astrid managed to climb up with no problems, even her ballgown. They sat on the edge and were rewarded with a spectacular view of the city at night. All of Arendelle was aglow with celebrations.
"I mean it's crazy…" Hiccup began.
"What?"
"We finish each other's-"
"Sandwiches!" Astrid interrupted.
"That's what I was gonna say!"
"I've never met someone-"
"Who thinks so much like me!
Jinx! Jinx again!
Our mental synchronization
Can have but one explanation."
"You-"
"And I-"
"Were-"
"Just-"
"Meant to be!"
"Say goodbye…"
"Say goodbye…" Hiccup echoed before joining her again.
"To the pain of the past
We don't have to feel it anymore!"
They slid down the roof and danced on the balcony.
"Love is an open door!
Love is an open door!
Life can be so much more!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"With you!"
"Love is an open door…"
Hiccup had never felt his heart beat so fast. It was exciting, exhilarating and wonderful! That aching gap in his heart was gone. He hadn't felt this happy since before Elsa had died. Everything had happened so quickly, and yet, he didn't doubt it. Yes, this must truly be it. This had to be what love felt like, and he did not want to let it go. The gates would close tomorrow, and everyone would leave to go home. Including Astrid. Now was his only chance to escape.
"Can I say something crazy?" he asked, out of breath. Astrid nodded. "Will you marry me?"
Astrid was astounded but smiling. "Can I say something even crazier? Yes!"