The drive to Merida's house could not have felt shorter.

"Well here we are?"

"Thanks again Hiccup I owe you one."

"Anytime. Here let me get the door." He said getting out of the car and letting Merida out. "Wait here bud." He called to Toothless.

Merida giggled to herself. Walking her to the door was a bit unnecessary, but she didn't mind. In fact she thought the very notion of him doing it was sweet.

They both walked in silence for the short distance to the door until Merida turned to him.

"Thanks for walking me to the porch."

"Well it's pretty dangerous from the driveway to this point."

"Then I'm pretty lucky to have had you here."

"I'm pretty fearless." Hiccup joked showing his awkward smile.

"Completely agree." Merida tucked a strain of hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. "So listen, if you're not too busy being fearless, maybe we could hang out, maybe at the park again, on a date, if you're interested." She said in one big swoop.

Merida tried to study Hiccup's face since he hadn't answered right away. He'd looked confused. She'd never asked anyone out before, and was now wondering if she'd done it right. Or, maybe she had and he just wasn't interested.

"You don't have to if you don't want to. You probably already have a girlfriend."

"Yes, I mean no. I mean no to the girlfriend. I do not have a girlfriend, but yes to the date with you." Hiccup said snapping out of his coma. "Sorry about that I was wracking my brain on how to ask you out and you beat me to the punch."

"Stupid Hiccup." He thought. "You don't say that kind of thing out loud."

"You were gonna ask me out?"

"Well…yeah." He said rubbing the back of his neck looking at his feet.

"Let me see your phone." Merida asked Hiccup who easily complied.

Her mother had confiscated hers during her "date" with Colin.

After she was done she handed it back to Hiccup.

"Call me."

"Definitely." He said looking at his phone still in disbelief.

"Oh and Hiccup."

Merida had moved in closer to Hiccup and leaned in placing a soft kiss on his cheeks. The kiss was quick, but to Hiccup the sensation of her lips felt like it would last a lifetime. Warm and soft.

"Thanks for driving me home, I'll see you in history class." She said walking into her house.

(0.0)

Merida was actually giddy from a boy. A boy that referred to himself as Hiccup. As ridiculous as it may have been she actually thought it was cute. Goodness she thought he was cute, and incredibly sweet. And for heaven's sake she was the one to ask him out. And she kissed him on the cheek.

"Merida." She heard a voice call.

It was her mother, Elinor.

"I was beginning to get worried. I thought I would have to have your father orchestrate a search party. I understand it was a date, but a lady should not be out with a boy in the late hours of the night. Given the circumstances I'm willing to let it go, but next time be more aware of the time."

Merida took a deep breath before speaking to her mother.

"Mum it's not…not ever going to work with Colin. He's a complete moron, and I refuse to spend time with him. You can't say I didn't try because I did."

"Merida did you even give the young man a chance?"

"Well yeah."

Elinor looked at her daughter in disbelief.

"If that's the case maybe we can try to work it out with some other boy. The important thing is to not get discouraged."

"I'm not. Not even a little. I can get dates myself. I don't need you setting me up."

"Oh honey I know. One day you'll find a perfectly respectable gentlemen." Elinor said grabbing her daughters face, looking at her closely.

"Mum?" Merida answered annoyed, even rolling her eyes to add for a more displeased effect. Even though they were talking her mother never really listened to anything she said.

"Whose jacket is this?" Elinor said suddenly.

"What?"

"Jacket. Is it Colin's. HH?" Elinor questioned. "Whose initials are those?"

Merida's eyes widen in shock, she'd completely forgot she was wearing his jacket.

"Mum please I'm really tired, I don't think we have time for this. Good night." Merida said running up the stairs.

"Merida we'll discuss this more later." Elinor called.

Merida rounded the corner upstairs when she heard a burly voice.

"Welcome home lassie how was your night?"

"Hey Da." Merida said looking at the sleepy face of her father. "My night was pretty amazing. I met a nice guy."

"Don't say it was that pretty boy with the flowy hair."

"Not a chance." Merida laughed.

"That's good, don't tell your mother."

"I won't."

"As long as you had fun, and didn't get into any trouble." He said ruffling her hair and headed downstairs probably off to get a late night snack.

(0.0)

"Someone looks positively happy." Rapunzel said walking to Merida's locker.

"I don't look any different than I usually do."

"I take it your date with Colin went well then."

"Absolutely not. I couldn't stand him before, and now I hate even more."

"Then why are you so happy." Rapunzel shut her locker and gave her friend a serious look. "Merida please don't tell me you shot him."

"What? Punz, no. I mean, I was tempted, really tempted but no."

"So then what happened? You're practically glowing with happiness."

"I met someone way better than him and we're going on a date."

Rapunzel's eyes lit up with excitement when she heard her friend.

"Who?"

"His names Hiccup, and he's in my history class…apparently. He gave me a ride home when my date with Colin went south."

"Oh Merida that's wonderful…Hiccup? Is that a nickname? I mean it can be a real name. It's definitely unique, I'm not judging. His parents probably considered every name possible, but ohhhh what if they didn't. I mean I'm sure they did. It's a perfectly nice name though…"

"Rapunzel!"

"…..Sorry."

"It's a nickname. Anyway, he just seems different than other guys."

"Oh Merida's in love." Rapunzel sang.

"I am not and keep your voice down. I just think he's…nice, and he's funny, definitely kind, and really talented. You two might get along he is an amazing artist."

"Wait. Hiccup." Rapunzel said in realization smacking her forehead. "I think we've had art classes together. He's so quiet, I completely forgot about it. But I am happy for you." She said hugging her friend.

Merida gave her a hug back, but was then pulled into a girly jumping up and down action Rapunzel was fond of.

"Isn't that him, go talk to him." Rapunzel said giving her a slight push.

"I can't just walk over there he's with his friend." Merida said trying to straighten herself. Rapunzel studied the foreign actions of her friend.

"Oh wow, you're nervous."

"Am not."

"You so are."

"No. I have no reason to be nervous."

"Then prove it, go and talk to him."

"Fine." Merida said grabbing her books and something else out of her locker before closing it.

"You look great by the way." Rapunzel called out to her as she walked away.

(0.0)

"So you actually got a date with Merida? Didn't think you had it in you."

Hiccup just shot is friend a look.

"Joking." The boy said holding his hands up. "But seriously way to go. You've managed to score a top ten hottie."

"Jack."

"What? I'm not saying anything bad, her looks are undeniable. Not my type, but pretty nonetheless."

"Let's just hope I don't screw it up."

"I have the utmost faith in you. Faith that you will at least try your best and hey that's all you can really do."

"That doesn't sound to reassuring but I'll take it."

"Anyway I should get going."

"Why? Class doesn't start for a while, you got plans?"

"No, but Merida's headed this way and I'm not up for third wheeling so I'll catch up later." Jack said.

He gave Hiccup a good luck pat on the back before turning to leave. Hiccup didn't have much time to prepare himself, so he could do nothing but stand there and smile.

"Hi." Merida said smiling.

"Hey we still on for tomorrow?"

"Yeah I'm looking forward to it."

"That's great. I've got it all planned."

"Really? What's the plan include?"

"Ask all you want but that doesn't mean I'm going to tell you." He laughed. "It's a surprise.."

"I guess I'll find out tomorrow."

"Yeah." He said rubbing the back of his neck.

"I brought back your jacket. I took it home with me yesterday. Sorry about that." Merida said handing it back.

"Oh it's no problem"

Hiccup reached for the jacket and for the brief moment that their hands touched the two could swear it felt a like a bolt of electricity.

"Your welcome."

Hiccup pushed the silly thought of his head and put on his jacket that was faintly smelling like Merida.

"I should go." Merida said turning around.

"I'll walk you to class."

"Being fearless again?" She said raising an eyebrow. Hiccup only laughed. "Well thanks but don't need you to do that."

"I want to." He said smiling at her. "I can carry your books too…."

"Don't even get any ideas." Merida said cutting him off. "I can handle this much, but…"

Merida paused. She didn't usually except such offers, but the weird thing is she wanted Hiccup to. She wanted him to walk to class and hold her books, and all those other cheesy things she heard girls giggle and gossip about in the bathroom.

Merida bit her lip. "I might take you up on your offer next time." She said looking out of the corner of her eye.

"Rain check me."

"Deal."

The two walked off to class together in a slow and leisurely pace savoring the moment of one another's company. Walking close to each other leaving little pace, completely unaware of everything else besides themselves.