They gathered their swimsuits and towels for their double swimming session. In the boy's dormitory, Hiccup and Jack were getting increasingly nervous, Hiccup particuarly. Jack knew he was flustered because a blush was creeping up his neck and into his cheeks as he got his stuff ready.

"What's up?"

Hiccup shook his head and rolled up his towel. Jack turned Hiccup to face him and gave him the just tell me look.

"Look!" Hiccup suddenly burst out, throwing his towel onto his bed, "I've never seen Merida in less than jeans! Now we're going straight to swimming costumes?"

"Bikinis actually," Jack corrected.

"Not helping!" Hiccup cried. "I'm just scared I'll screw up! Again!"

"It's going to be fine!" Jack patted his back, "You don't think I'm as nervous as you are? We're both in pretty bad situations here!"

"I see what you mean," Hiccup sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "but you're good with girls. You can talk to them. Have you seen me around Merida? She takes my breath away! She's just got this hair -"

"Fuzzball hair -"

"And those eyes -"

"Nothing on Rapunzel's -"

"And her smile!"

"Not as charming as my beautiful smolder." Jack pretented to pout over Hiccup's shoulder and Hiccup threw his towel at him, grinning.

"Not helping my current situation Jack!" Jack continued to pull faces and parade around their room, draping a towel over his head to resemble hair -

"Oh look at me Ah'm Merida an' Ah love yeh Hiccup Ah love yeh so very much and Ah hae the most AMAZIN' eyes and hair and Ah LOVE yeh -"

"Shut up!" Hiccup laughed at Jack's attempt to do a Scottish accent and threw a pillow at him. Jack caught it and chucked it back, hitting Hiccup squarely in the chest.

"And he's DOWN! It's ugly Jack versus Vikings, enemies again -"

They continued to whack each other round the head with their pillows until they heard a knock on their door. Hiccup ran to the door and opened it, still grinning widely. His jaw dropped.

Merida was standing there in a pair of pretty short shorts and a t shirt. She'd always worn hoodies and jeans - this was a pretty abrupt change. Her legs looked creamy and were sprinkled with freckles, her arms were long, graceful and were clutching her towel. He wasn't even aware he was staring until Merida snapped her fingers.

"Hiccup! We're late already! Get Jack, we're going now."

"Yeah - s, sure!"

Hiccup retreated hastily into the dormitory and looked at Jack in panic.

"What?"

"Merida! Just - Merida!"

"What now?"

"She - woah..."

"She's not even in her bikini yet!"

"I know! That's the problem! She's pretty enough to make me hyperventilate already - so what happens when -"

"HICCUP!" Jack silenced him quickly. "You are already going out with her! She likes you already. Get a grip!"

Hiccup picked up his swimwear quickly and they both left the dormitory, a flush creeping up Hiccup's neck and into his cheeks as they met the girls. Hiccup kept his eyes down and didn't look at Merida or Rapunzel or Jack's grinning face. He didn't even speak until they got to the pool to go and get changed.

He got ready as quickly as possible into his dark green trunks with a scarlet dragon on the side. Jack had royal blue with a snowflake. Hiccup never really understood Jack's obsession with snow.

They sat and waited for the girls and the instructor on the side of the pool, the pair of them blushing like hell and going crazy with nerves. Eventually Merida and Rapunzel both came out and Hiccup felt his stomach drop out.

Merida was wearing a dark green bikini with a gold trimming across the top that made him want to seize her and kiss her senseless. Her legs looked so long and so damn gorgeous, she was pretty curvy and Hiccup couldn't help staring. Jack was having a simular problem with Rapunzel.

She was wearing a deep purple one with pink flowers that made Jack blush under his pale skin. Her legs were tanned and her hair was tied up in a plait. Several plaits actually, her hair was so long and thick she couldn't fit it into a single one. She looked stunning.

Merida and Rapunzel grinned at their gaping faces. Putting a hand on her hip, Merida smiled and said:

"Close your mouths, you'll drown if water gets in there."

The boys snapped back to reality and stood up quickly, smiling dorkily. Merida and Rapunzel giggled and stepped up to the sidelines.

"I don't know about you lot," Merida peered into the clear water, "but I'm jumping in."

"I'm with you," Rapunzel stepped forward to the very edge too, her toes on the brink.

"I'm coming," Jack stepped forward and grabbed Rapunzel's hand. "C'mon Hic!"

"Fine," Hiccup grinned and took Merida's hand, who in turn took Rapunzel's so they were all connected.

"Three," Merida cried, "two - one..."

"ZERO!" They all screamed the last word together and jumped up high, then plunged into the water, breaking the perfect shimmering surface of the water. They rose from the water, bubbles tickling their skin gently. They burst into laughter, grins spreading like an epidemic across their faces. Hiccup noticed Merida looked even better when her hair was wet. It plastered her face and framed it perfectly. It still hadn't lost it's life, even when drenched in water. Merida had noticed this continued attention now.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" she said quietly, a smile playing upon her lips. Hiccup blushed for the millionth time then scratched the back of his neck.

"Because you look amazing."

Merida laughed. "If only."

"I'm - I'm serious."

Merida blushed and there was an awkward pause between them. Jack and Rapunzel were splashing each other and giggling down the other end of the pool. Hiccup just stood in the water and gazed at Merida while she in turn tried not to notice him. In the end it was impossible. She swam towards him and folded her arms.

"Hiccup."

"...Yeah?"

"Could you please stop looking at me like I'm some alien? I'm just wearing a little less clothing than usual."

"I - I wasn't -"

"Yes I have breasts. Is that a surprise to you?"

"No - I just -"

"I get you're a guy. It's your natural instinct."

"Merida!"

Hiccup finally silenced her and he sighed.

"The only reason I'm staring is because you're beautiful."

"Stop using flattery as an exscuse. Prove it."

Hiccup grabbed her hand and pulled her close against his chest. He brushed a piece of hair out of her eye and leant down to meet her lips gently. Jack was ready to yell something at them, but Rapunzel silenced him by placing a hand on his shoulder and shaking her head. They looked so content anyway Jack felt it was a violation to break that bond.

Hiccup drew away slowly; Merida's eyes were still closed. She looked so small and gentle.

"Is that enough proof for you?" he whispered.

"It should be," Merida opened her eyes and smiled up at him. Hiccup's knees felt weak. No matter how long he lived, he'd never tire of seeing her face, her shining eyes, her incredible personality. He loved her more than life itself.

"Um - guys?" Rapunzel broke the silence slightly nervously. Merida and Hiccup turned to face them, confused. "It's been ten minutes and no one's turned up. Something's going on."

"Maybe they forgot?" Jack suggested but somehow he knew it was a false hope. Something must have happened. They clambered out of the pool and got changed quickly. They knew what they had to do and where to go. They had to find the witch.

A/N Sorry for the irregular updates!! Hopefully I'll get this story finished in the next 1/2 weeks so I can get the first few chapters of the sequel to Element of Surprise published :)

Thanks for sticking with me!