Hiccup had returned home to his apartment that he shared with his three other friends, Jack, Rapunzel and Merida. He'd had a pretty long day at the office and it really didn't help that he didn't want to be in that job at all. He'd been dreaming of being an artist for years now, or an architect. Either one would suit, anything where he didn't have to file reports to money-grabbing bastards like he did now.

He leaned back and scratched the nape of his neck as he took the key out of the exhaust and sighed deeply, his breath coming out through his pursed lips slowly as the crackling radio died. Snapping to attention, he opened the car door and jumped out, picking up his briefcase from the boot and taking the lift to the top floor, their apartment.

Hiccup was twenty and had just finished his university courses. His friends were in simular situations; they had all met during high school and become best of friends ever since. Jack and Rapunzel had always been a bit of an item but no one ever said anything about it, however recently it had become 'official' and now they were kissing and hugging and making out everywhere. It really didn't help Hiccup's current situation either. He was trying to forget how he felt about Merida.

It wasn't that he didn't like her. Gods no. It was because he liked her far too much. He just didn't want to ruin their friendship and he thought he'd been pretty forward lately. She'd been ignoring him for ages and didn't speak to him, especially when Rapunzel and Jack were being all lovey-dovey with each other. He'd decided not to speak in case he ruined everything, but, oh Gods, he wanted to hold her close, to run his fingers through her hair, to kiss those perfect lips whilst gazing into those electric eyes he stared at from across the breakfast bar every morning.

He snapped himself out of it and was just about to turn the key in the lock when he noticed a note taped to the door.

Hic -

Punz and I have gone out for dinner, Merida's still here if you want to order Chinese or something? See you about midnight?

Jack

Hiccup sighed and crumpled the note in one hand, shoving it into his pocket. Another awkward night in. What had he done to deserve this?

He stepped inside but he didn't see Merida there. Hmm. Probably in her room then. Good. He needed a shower.

He dumped his bags in the kitchen before grabbing a t-shirt, some jeans and a clean pair of boxers before heading into the bathroom and started the shower, waiting for the water to get warm enough so he wouldn't freeze. Jack always called him a sissy for doing that but then again, he didn't feel the cold. Hiccup tore his suit and tie off and climbed in, relishing the warmth as the water as it ran through his auburn hair.

He washed quickly before grabbing a towel and drying himself off, pulling on his clothes and rubbing his hair until it was acceptably dry. He sighed and stepped out of the steamy bathroom, heading towards his bedroom before he stopped in his tracks.

He had heard a voice. A voice that was singing. A voice that sounded oddly like Merida's. Before he could stop himself, he was outside her door which was slightly ajar.

She was in a pair of pyjama shorts and a tank top and her headphones were covering her ears. Hiccup remembered with a smile that she never trusted ear plugs. She was swaying in time with the music, her hair swishing back and forth as she moved in complete sync, a smile plastered to her face and her eyes closed as she sang. Hiccup had never heard such a good sound issued from any pair of lips.

"And you don't have to make a sound,

They got what you need... what you need.

Make ya say -

Oh my!

Feels just like I don't try!

Look so good I might die,

All I know is,

Everybody loves me.

Head down,

Swaying to my own sound,

Flashes in my face now,

All I know is,

Everybody loves me.

Everybody loves me."

Her hips were swaying so perfectly and it took all Hiccup's self restrain to not jump forward and kiss her there and then she looked so perfect. He watched, completely entranced as she sang the next verse and reached the next chorus. He prayed and hoped he wouldn't be spotted until -

"Oh my!

Feels just like I don't try,

Look so good I might die -"

Merida froze, the notes dying on her lips as she saw Hiccup standing in her doorway, instantly pausing the music playing from her phone. Her eyes grew wide and she turned flushed with anger.

"Mer - I can explain, I'm sorry, I just heard you and you were really good and I  - I'm sorry..."

"What were you thinking?!" Merida snapped, a rosy blush spattered over her cheeks. "I could have been changing, or, or, I might not have had any underwear on, or, or -" Merida seemed incredibly flustered and eventually snapped, "Just go away!"

"I, I just wanted to say that you were good," Hiccup mumbled. "You, you have a pretty good voice, no, scratch that, really good, oh for Thor's sake, I, crap. I'm sorry. I'll go."

Hiccup closed the door quickly and ran his hand through his hair whilst groaning at himself in annoyance. Why did he screw everything up? This was one chance that he could have taken, one that might have made things slightly better, but no. No! He couldn't be like Jack, smooth and cool, who got the ladies swooning with the click of a finger. He had to be that awkward one who couldn't even look at a girl without hyperventilating. Gods.

He was lying down on his bed before he realised it, snatching his sketchbook and a 6B pencil from his bedside table. Opening it to his latest drawing, he stared at it in annoyance. Everything he said or did looked and felt crap now. Ugh.

He wasn't ready when Merida burst into his room, fully dressed now. She was still blushing furiously but she seemed more at ease with herself now.

"I haven't forgiven you yet -"

"I don't doubt that."

"Listen. I just - ugh. What I mean to say is," She looked directly into his eyes as she spoke. "Did you mean it then? When you said I was good?"

Hiccup looked up from his sketchbook. She'd edged slightly closer, leaning more on her right leg. He sat up, onto the edge of his bed. He wished he'd tidied it up a bit.

"Are you kidding me? You, just, oh my Thor. You were amazing and beautiful and just so - oh crap."

Merida raised her eyebrows as she smirked and Hiccup's blush bloomed on his freckled cheeks. He his his face behind his hands.

"Don't kill me."

"I won't," Merida smiled. "Maybe I should dance in my underwear for you more often."

"What?" Hiccup started, his already rosy cheeks resembling cherry tomatoes now. "N-n-o... Um - holy mother of Odin -"

"I was joking," Merida laughed, sweeping in and holding his hand as she pressed a small kiss to his cheek, then retreating to his door and leaving, closing it with a smile, glinting in the dim light of the hall.

Hiccup sat there, speechless for a moment, before grinning and allowing a rush of adrenaline to flood through his body.

Spying on Merida was the best thing he'd ever done.