"So where's the Mrs.?" Jack asked as they walked to school's hallways.

"Excuse me?" Hiccup questioned surprised.

"What? You guys don't do pet names."

"Why would we do that?"

"That's usually what couples do. Aren't you guys officially a couple now?"

"What? I…I don't know. Why? Did she say something?"

"Calm down." He said looking at his friend. "And are you trying to tell me that your status is still undefined?"

"What do you expect me to say Jack. 'Hey Merida you're my girlfriend now right?'" Came his sarcastic remark that Jack ignored.

"Yes."

"No. Jack, what if I say that and she still wants to keep it casual. Then I look like an idiot."

"I'd take that risk. I mean you've gone out on dates, right?"

"Yeah."

"You've walked her to her class's right?"

"Right."

"She hangs out with you when you're in the shop classroom right?"

"Right."

"She's with you practically every day right?"

"Well yeah."

"You've kissed right?"

"…."

"…You've…kissed…right?"

"Define kissed?"

"Ughhh." Jack said rubbing his temples. "Please tell me you've kissed her by now. You know that action of putting your lips on her lips. It probably takes a second…heck sometimes several seconds, and if you're really good those several seconds turn into serval minutes."

Jack stopped and turned his full body so he stood directly facing Hiccup.

"So please tell me you've kissed her by now."

"She's kissed me…"

"Well why you didn't say that, that's not so bad."

"…On the cheek."

"Pause." Jack said placing a finger up. "The only time you've kissed was initiated by her and it was on the cheek."

"Oh leave me alone."

"No wonder your relationship isn't really a relationship. Listen just…"

"No. No offense Jack, but I think I should just do want I planned on doing instead of taking your advice on this."

"Cool, that's fine. What's the plan?" Jack deadpanned.

"Well…well…I was…I had planned to…"

"Uh huh, good luck dude."

"Yeah."

Jack and Hiccup walked until Merida's locker was in view. Hiccup felt his chest immediately begin to beat faster when he saw her. Curls unrestricted, her eyes as blue as the sky, and her smile shining brighter than normal as she laughed.

"That guy looks really familiar." He heard Jack say.

Hiccup eyes seemed to zoom out as he looked at the scene in its entirety. Merida was there, Rapunzel of course and…some guy. He was tall, built with chiseled features and even Hiccup couldn't really deny that he thought he was handsome. But who was he.

(0.0)

"So if you had to choose one place which would it be?" Rapunzel asked.

"I don't know they're all great schools, especially if they're offering scholarships."

"Yeah yeah okay okay Flynn. I know you're focused on college and we're happy to have ya home and all, but don't forget the season's about to start and I want you focused on beating Blue Ridge."

"Calm down red. No one and I mean no one wants to put those chumps on the ground more than me." Flynn said.

"Oh yeah." Merida smiled.

"Trust that that blue and white uniform will be layered with dirt when we're done."

"That's what I love to hear."

Merida laughed as she high fived Flynn.

"You guys please. I love listening to you both talk football and smack talk, but practice hasn't even started yet." Rapunzel joked.

"Forget practice we've got positions to fill Punzie. Top form seniors left us, and as football captain this year, I'm not settling for second rate."

"Whatever you say." Rapunzel said checking her hair in the locker mirror.

"Maybe I should recruit your new boyfriend." Flynn said turning to Merida. "You said his name was…Hiccup or something."

Both Rapunzel and Merida looked at each other with worried expressions.

"What I say?"

"Hiccups not much a football player. I don't think he even likes sports that much." Merida answered.

"What? Why are you with him then?"

"Eugene!" Rapunzel exclaimed.

"What? Sorry red, no offense. But you love sports and if he doesn't…"

"I know we're complete opposites, but he's a nice guy. Just don't judge him before you meet him." Merida said.

Her eyes panned down the hall and landed on Hiccup walking with Jack.

"Speak of the devil." Merida said running over to Hiccup.

Flynn and Rapunzel watched as she went and greeted the two boys.

"Are we sure about this guy?" Flynn asked concerned.

"I've told you already that he's a nice guy."

"Rapunzel you think everyone's nice."

"Well this one is?"

"He doesn't like sports."

"So what?"

"What if this guy is just using her?"

"He's not. So just relax you worrywart." Rapunzel said rubbing in folded arms.

"Well the last guy put me in foul mood so I'd prefer not to go through that again."

"Me too, but Merida's a big girl and Hiccups different. Plus you haven't seen them together yet."

"I'm looking at him now and I'm not that impressed."

"Eugene!"

Flynn clicked his tongue.

"I'll be nice."

Flynn watched as Merida walked over to the two boys, one on each of her sides. Looking up and smiling at Hiccup and playfully shoving Jack as if she was annoyed by what he was saying. Flynn did his best to compose himself to be nice.

"Hiccup, Jack, this is our friend Flynn Rider." Merida introduced.

"Rider…"Jack said aloud in thought. "Aren't you on the football team?"

"Yeah I just got back from two months of college tours."

"Wow, congratulations. I wish I could get those kinds of offers for hockey."

"If you play hockey maybe you'd be interested in playing football. Colleges are always out looking for the next best thing. After all we're looking for new players and we could use a guy who likes to hit and doesn't mind getting hit."

Rapunzel laughed.

"Flynn's in the process of recruiting." Rapunzel explained.

"I don't think it's a big deal." Merida joined. "I think you'd probably like it Jack. You could play football for the first half of the school year and then in the winter start back with hockey."

"That's a pretty good idea." Jack agreed.

"So that means I should brush up on my cheers." Rapunzel squealed. "And maybe this year Merida will try out for the team?" Rapunzel pleaded.

"Maybe she'll just stay in the bleachers like every other year screaming at the ref's bad calls and our bonehead opponents." Merida countered with a smug look.

"Good to be home." Flynn said grabbing the shoulders of the two girls.

Everyone seemed to be laughing and enjoying the conversation, and one another's company. Everyone except for Hiccup. He just couldn't find the right time to join in on the conversation. He wasn't like Flynn and Jack who loved playing sports or Merida for that matter who like Rapunzel loved cheering at the games, or booing for that matter.

He couldn't help but feel like an outsider, and he didn't want to feel that way. He wanted to feel like he was someone who belonged in that group, belonged with Merida. Someone who could walk the streets and not be the person where people would say 'one of these things don't belong.'

He searched for the opportunity to join in, but couldn't find the words that best fit. To make things worst Flynn Rider just kept looking at him, not saying anything, but just looking as if he were weighing his options.

He soon realized his time was up when the bell signaled that class would start in the next ten minutes.

As everyone walked to their perspective classes leaving him alone to fester in his thoughts, Merida looked up at him noticing his face in deep thought.

"Now what's wrong?" Merida asked. "And don't say nothing cause that is not a nothing face."

She'd gotten accustomed to his different facial expressions and could now tell when he was holding back.

"Well I can't very well tell her that I'm an insecure worrying mess of a guy." Hiccup thought.

"I have to go and work at Gobber's today, so we won't be able to hang out after school like we planned."

It wasn't a lie. It wasn't what was wrong, but it had been on his mind earlier. Gobber was out of town and wouldn't be back until after the pickup for a piece. So Hiccup would have to finish and had the final touches to make sure it was ready. So technically he was telling her the truth.

"That's fine, I've got archery practice anyway. Actually…" Merida said with a smile. "If it's alright with you I could stop by after practice. I'd really like to see you working."

"Sure, but don't get your hopes up. It's not all that impressive."

"Somehow I doubt that." Merida said slipping her hand into his.

Hiccup carefully took Merida's hand lacing their fingers together as they headed towards the classroom.

(0.0)

"Wow Merida I'm impressed" called Mulan pulling out the arrows from the target. "You're getting more accurate when shooting from farther distances. You've been excelling as of late, any change in your habit." She said with a tilt of her head.

"Nothing major."

Mulan looked in silence.

"Alright. Tell me when you're ready."

"Tell you what?"

"About your new boyfriend."

"B...boyfriend? Hiccup's not my boyfriend…"

"Hiccup?" Mulan questioned.

"I mean I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend."

"Oh Really?"

Merida stopped herself. There she was again slipping into her day-dreamy, doughy eyed, typical girly girly pattern whenever Hiccup came up as a topic. Something that was far from her normal self.

"I mean I haven't decided. We're just going with the flow. Besides he hasn't asked me to be." She said mumbling the last part.

"Uh huh. Sure." Mulan said turning to leave with a snicker. "Tell me when you're ready, but for now go. We're pretty much finished and your eyes have been glued to the clock."

"Are you sure." Merida said packing up to leave, getting ready to jog to the lockers for a quick shower and change.

"I'm positive." Mulan said more to herself than to Merida since she was already across the field. "Have fun on your date."

(0.0)

Merida neared the building where Gobber's shop was at. She was surprised that it was a lot bigger then she had anticipated.

"The Smithy", she read.

Before getting out her car she tried to adjust herself one more time.

"Great my face looks pale." Merida thought. "There's got to be something in this car to liven me up."

In that moment she had never been so thankful to have Rapunzel as her friend. Over the years of giving her rides, Rapunzel had turn her glove compartment into an emergency make up kit.

"Lip-gloss. Thank you Punzie." Merida said starting to apply. And then apply again.

She had to stop herself from licking it all off sense the flavor was green apple.

Merida walked to the door taking a deep breath. The word 'good impressions' going through her mind. When she walked in she'd thought she'd be greeted by at least someone…or anyone.

"Hello." She called gently. "Hiccup?"

Merida walked to the door in the back and called again. No answer. She took out her phone and dialed his number, a bit of worry creeping into her mind. When she heard the phone ringing she followed the sound that led her to the front check out desk.

Where it sat on the floor behind it.

"There's no way he blew me off. Is there?" Merida thought. "No impossible. He's definitely here somewhere."

Instead of waiting for Hiccup to come to her she went looking for him ignoring the employee's only sign that hang on some doors. She found herself walking down a long hall. The doors had glass windows making it easy for her to look in to see if he was there.

After what seemed to be the longest series hide and go seek, she finally looked into the right one. Placing her hand carefully on the knob she opened the door, slipping inside.

He was so focused on working he hadn't even noticed her, but she had definitely noticed him.

He was wearing a t-shirt, a tight t-shirt. One that was able to show off his muscles and define his pecs. He was wearing goggles and his face seemed to be glistening with his sweat.

Hiccup, completely oblivious to Merida eyes on him, grabbed his shirt to wipe his sweat of his forehead. Quickly getting back to work on sizing and installing the pieces. But in that quick moment Merida had seen more than he'd probably wanted.

"Honestly how old did you have to be not to be surprised or flustered when seeing a guy with his shirt off." She thought.

She just couldn't help it. Watching him work hard, absorbed in what he was doing…dripping sweat…she found it…sexy.

Merida quickly turned around trying to clear her head. This was not like her, goodness the sun probably paled in comparison to how bright her face was right now.

"Just don't look at him." Merida thought. "Cool your head down." She said walking around the room looking at the things trying not to disturbed him.

Her eyes landed on a book that she couldn't help but pick up. The pages seemed to look very familiar.

'This is where he draws all his inventions.' Merida remembered from the pictures she would see on the floor of his truck.

She flipped through the pages becoming more and more mesmerized as she got deeper into the book.

Hiccup on the other hand had finally settled on a stopping point. He'd gotten a lot done in a short amount of time. Merida would be coming by and he didn't want to smell like sweat in front of her.

He took off his goggles placing them on the table when he looked up he was surprised to see her standing in the room. She had her back to him, but there was no mistaking that hair. He immediately started looking for anything to help him freshen up, but he was in the workshop for heaven's sake.

"Just play it cool. Be suave. Maybe she won't notice the smell." He thought walking towards her trying to air out his shirt.

But his puffed out chest, the lean in his walk, the slight tilt in his head didn't seem to matter when he saw what exactly she was doing, what she was looking at.

And that was his journal.

The one he'd doodle in when an idea would pop into his head or a thought crossed his mind. Unfortunately for him that didn't necessarily mean inventions, and as of late the only thing that had been in his head was Merida.

So most of the book would have sketches of Merida.

"What are you doing?" He said in a fluster.

She turned around but didn't look up at first. When they finally made eye contact he couldn't read her expression. Happy. Sad. Mad. Pissed. Nothing was coming through.

"Did you draw this?" She said holding up the drawing of herself.

"What…uh…no."

The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was a creep. He reached for book, but she extended her hand out of his reach.

"You did right?" She asked again.

"It doesn't really matter." He said reaching for the book again, but Merida wouldn't give it to him.

Hiccup mentally sighed. If he really wanted to he could have grabbed the book by force sense his arms were longer and he was a lot taller than her. But that would mean he'd have to be right on top of her and she'd end up getting a face full of sweat.

"It matters to me. Is this how you see me?" Merida asked seriously, walking closer to him.

"If it bothers you I'm sorry it's just…"

"Why would you think it bothers me? You made me look…amazing, If anything I find it incredibly sweet."

Hiccup felt the heat rise on his cheeks.

"Those drawings don't really do you any justice." He spoke nervously. "The you right now looks far more beautiful."

Hiccup moved in closer as Merida gently placed the book back down. She couldn't help but smile at the words he'd just said.

"And what part of me do you find beautiful?" Merida said taking a step. She couldn't help it, but like before her eyes were beginning to wonder over his body.

"Your eyes." Hiccup said as he stared into them becoming hypnotized moving his head closer to hers as Merida did the same. "No matter what they always seem to be shining brightly. And your smile, it has the power to make anyone feel at ease."

Merida could feel Hiccups hand nervously and awkwardly attach to her waist sending shivers down her spine, making her weak at the knees. She gently clutched his t-shirt.

Hiccup slowly bent his head. He couldn't remembering anything nor could he form a single coherent thought that didn't have to do with Merida in this moment. He's always had the feeling of wanting to be near her, or of wanting to touch her, and her hold all to himself.

But right now there was no way he could muster up enough self-control as to not do any of that. She was close and he couldn't help but be in awe of her presence.

"You're being awfully sweet you know." Merida said in a voice that through Hiccups heart for a loop.

"I keep telling you it's not flattery. Everything about you is breathtaking. From your eyes, to your smile, to your hands…" Hiccup said grabbing onto one of Merida's hands that was on his chest while the other was still on her waist. He moved his head even closer, their mouths not even an inch apart. "All the way to your lips."

In mere seconds Hiccup leaned in far enough to capture Merida's lips. She immediately melted into his touch. The sensation of her lips on his cheek was enough alone to seed him to cloud nine, but this. This was something indescribable.

They were firm yet unbelievably soft as they pressed up against his own tasting faintly of apples. Her hands clutching at his t-shirt which only told him in his mind to keep going.

They drew away from each other to take a moments breath. He opened his eyes to find Merida's were half opened in a daze.

"Hiccup." She murmured.

With that Hiccup could hear Jack's voice echoing throughout his head.

'…and if you're really good those several seconds turn into serval minutes…'

He quickly attached himself to Merida's lips once more kissing her with such a passion she wasn't familiar with. She was surprised by the second kiss, but didn't resist.

He could slowly feel her adjust her hands and move her arms around his neck as the started what could only be called a make out. And to Hiccup's delight it lasted several minutes.

When they finally broke apart they both had smiles plastered on their faces.

"I don't know what you were talking about Hiccup." Merida said playing with the hair on the back of his neck. "That was definitely impressive."

(0.0)

Merida couldn't stop smiling to herself, Hiccups ears were still red even though he was trying to explain some of the different machines. He'd probably realized halfway through that she was only half listening, but he also was saying words just to speak.

He'd began to show her around The Smithy and all the different rooms where they made a variety of products.

"Well lookie there." Came a voice interrupting their tour.

"Gobber!" Hiccup said surprised. "I thought you weren't coming back until later."

"It is later. I've been here for a while."

"I see. Well the customers came on time for the pickup, and I left all the extra paper work on your desk."

"Thank you Hiccup I appreciate it. Now introduce me to your little girlfriend."

Merida felt her cheeks flush at the mention of being referred to as Hiccup's girlfriend. Hiccup also seemed shocked by the sudden title. He looked towards Merida to see her reaction.

She seemed…happy. Hiccup thought he'd take this chance that life had presented to him and cleared his throat.

"This is Merida DunBroch…my girlfriend."

"Hi." Merida said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you young lady."

"Is finally nice to put a face to the name. Hiccup talks a lot about you."

"All good things I hope." Gobber laughed.

"Gobber." Hiccup interjected. "Did you say you've been here for awhile."

"Yes but umm…" Gobber said leaning in to Hiccup's ear. "You two didn't seem too keen on coming up for air anytime soon. I thought it best to leave you alone. Besides it's not every day your with a girl."

"Alright that's enough." Hiccup said with a slight blush pushing Gobber out the door. "We've got to go."

"I mean you seemed to be enjoying yourself Hiccup."

"Goober please." Hiccup begged.

He looked back to see if Merida had heard. Judging by the sudden color on her face, she had. Gobber said a quick good-bye Hiccup shut the door.

"That's Uncle Gobber for you." He laughed nervously. "He's…Well I don't know to be honest…but he's a nice guy."

"I could tell." Merida said smiling. "Should we continue?"

Hiccups face grew bright red.

"I meant the tour." She said placing her hands on her hips with a smug grin.

"I...I knew that. Don't think I'm such a push over that you can have me whenever you want." He smiled.

"Oh really. I'll keep that in mind even though you seemed to be enjoying yourself."

Hiccup laughed as he took her hand and headed for another room to show her. It was an amazing feeling being together with her, and he was sure she felt the same. But something in the back of his head, a small inkling, a dark voice kept trying to surface as if to say 'somethings are too good to be true so enjoy it while it lasts.'

I know its a bit longer than my usual so sorry. (not sorry) I mean why not. :) I hope you guys and gals enjoy. Please review and comment and as always xoxoxoxoxo...xoxo