Fire and the Floods sung by Vance Joy

Hiccup walked down the street. He didn't have anywhere to go or anything to do. He just decided to take a gentle stroll in some neighborhoods. After turning down any typical block, something caught his eye. He watched her push her garbage to the street, ready for the truck to take it in the morning. Her red curls were blushing in the breeze.

"Need any help?" A voice spoke. Merida jumped back, bringing a hand to her chest. Her eyes were meant upon an equally frightened pair of green eyes. Freckles lightly dotted his cheeks. He had a bit of stubble.

"No, no I'm good. Thank you," Merida quickly declined as she began to haul it towards the street. She pushed with all her might and he awkwardly stood beside her. He rocked on his heels as she worked up a sweat. After finally reaching the end of her driveway, she turned and look at this stranger. "Why didn't you ask to help me again?" Merida blurted out.

"You said you had it and you looked completely capable of it." He shrugged. Merida rose an eyebrow confused by him. Most guys would persist, trying to help a "woman" out because she couldn't handle it herself.

"Who are you?" Merida questioned. He gave her genuine smile, sticking out a hand.

"The name's Hiccup." He grinned. She softly smirked and took his large hand. She shook it with force. Her hands were callused while his were as soft as a baby's bottom.

"Merida."

xxx

"Hiccup." Merida whispered. He groaned rolling over to look at his three year girlfriend. She laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. It was the middle of the night and their only source of light was their alarm clock. They just moved into their own apartment last week.

"What Mer?" He yawned. She frowned and placed her folded her hands over her stomach.

"I just can't sleep!" She exasperated, hitting her hands against the bed. The blankets ruffled, making him chuckle. He pulled her close. Taking a deep breath of her natural scent.

"Just count sheep." He offered. Some mumbles were heard from her as his eyes began to shut. He was slowly drifting off into sleep as she rambled on.

"Hiccup!" She shouted as she slapped his arm. He whined and opened his eyes to see her glaring at him. He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"One, two.." He started as she began to join in. Before long, her snores were echoing in his ears. He softly smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek. Something about that redhead made his heart beat faster.

xxx

He woke up to still see her passed out in bed. He chuckled and stretched in bed. She didn't even flinched. She was the heaviest sleeper he had ever met. He groaned and got out of bed to take his shower. "Bye Mer!" He called as he exited the apartment to go to work.

He felt a bounce in his step as he walked down the crowded sidewalk. He felt as light as a feather. He looked in store windows, seeing her everywhere. Everything he saw reminded him of that stubborn red head. He could hear her thoughts echoing in his head as he saw people with goofy outfits on.

His hand missed her's. After living with her for months, she forced him to work out with him. They went on daily jogs. She pushed him to do an extra push up, one more pull up. Now his hands were more callused than her's. He was always offering to do work for her, but remembered to back off when she refused help.

xxx
"Why?" She cried. The rain poured down on the couple. Her hair was soaked, the curls beginning to unravel. It was longer than before, almost reaching the ground. She stood outside of her red truck. "Why would you love someone like me?"

"Merida, you're the most perfect, most beautiful, and smartest girl I've ever met." Hiccup smiled. His light green shirt was now a dark green from the rain. His clothes stuck to his body, adding an extra weight.

Their headlights acted like their sun when it was nearly midnight. The moon wasn't visible, thanks to the rainclouds. "Hiccup, you're making this harder than it needs to be." Merida accused. She was leaving to go back to her hometown, which was across the Atlantic Ocean.

"Merida, no matter how far away we are, how ever many miles apart we get, I'll always love you." Hiccup confessed, taking her pale hand. It was wet and clammy thanks to the spring weather.

"Hiccup, you know I hate liars." Merida frowned, Turing her head the other way. He took her chin and twisted her head back to look into his eyes.

"I would never lie to you, you know that," He answered, brushing the red curls out of her face. Tears and rain were mixed together on her face. She couldn't tell what to feel. Happy that he was telling her his feelings? Sad that she was leaving? "Merida, I love you." Hiccup confessed.

"Now listen here," she began, "you'll know when you know. You're only saying that because I'm leaving. I don't want you to say this just for me to stay." Merida argued. Hiccup quickly took his lips and smashed them against her's before she could refused.

They ran their hands through each other's hair. The sound of thunder echoed off the hillside. The trees shivered from the wind blowing against them. Merida and Hiccup pulled each other together, never wanting to let go.

"Merida," Hiccup panted, resting his forehead against her. "You're my fire and my flood." He smiled. She laughed and grabbed his cheeks. This was the first time anyone had ever admitted to loving her. This was the first time she knew that she loved the stupid nerd hugging her. For once, she listened to her heart over her mind.

"Hiccup, I love you." She answered and his response was another kiss as lighting lit up the sky behind them. The thunder boomed afterwards. He traced his hands up and down her waist and she ran her fingers through his thick shaggy hair. Their lips moved in sync, having a mind of their own.

~~~~~~~~~~