"Sexual health?" Merida complained whiningly as she and her friends left registration, her leather satchel hitting the side of her thigh as she raced to get out. "Are you kidding me? We did this in Science last year!"

"This is more, um," Rapunzel giggled as she tried to catch up with her, Jack and Hiccup walking leisurely behind them; Jack's tie was hanging round his neck, undone. A blush was covering Hiccup's freckled cheeks. "Well, it's the relationship side of it, isn't it? Are you ready for it, how not to get pregnant, that kind of thing."

"I'm not ever getting pregnant, ever," Merida stated to no one in particular. "Who'd want to do it? I bet it's not all it's cracked up it be anyway."

"Is that a challenge Redhead?" Jack grinned, nudging Hiccup in the ribs. "I have a contender!" Hiccup shoved him, hard.

"Shut up Snowman," Merida snapped, not turning round. Hiccup thanked the Gods. He would have died if she'd seen him blushing as hard as he was. It wasn't like he'd thought about Merida, like that - the way her clothes seemed to fit her perfectly as her curls complimented her beautiful eyes... Hiccup, shut up!

"Hey Princess -"

"Macintosh, go away."

Ian Macintosh was here, trying to make small talk with Merida. Again. Hiccup's insides began to boil.

"Must say, you're looking fine today. I'm looking for treasure, can I look around your chest?"

"Go away Ian -"

"Hey Merida, did you ever realise 'screw' rhymes with 'me and you'?"

"Listen here you little arse," Merida snapped, grabbing his blazer, "Get out before I kick you where it really hurts. Not that it'd do much good, there's probably nothing there."

She glowed in triumph as Ian scowled and turned away and immediately started to make the same assault on Astrid Hofferson.

Hiccup was still seething and as Merida caught sight of his red face she was confused.

"You okay Hic?" she asked, concerned. Hiccup nodded and patted his stomach.

"Yeah, don't worry. Bad stomach ache."

How dare he talk to her like that? How dare he treat her like a whore who'd sleep with the first boy she met? She wasn't worth that. She was worth so much more. But she'd never go for someone like him. And that was what hurt him the most. He would start to cry if he wasn't careful.

Merida dropped back to walk with him as Jack sped up to grab the chance to talk to Rapunzel.

"You sure?" Hiccup didn't look at her as he nodded. Merida persisted though.

"D'you want me to take you to the nurse?"

Hiccup shook his head firmly, finally giving in and looking into her eyes.

"Well what's wrong Hiccup?"

"There's nothing wrong, seriously. I'm fine." He hitched his bag up onto his shoulder and stared ahead of him, scuffing his shoes as he walked. None of these tiny details escaped Merida.

"Look, Hiccup, I've been your friend since we were three. I think I know when you're hiding something." Merida had pulled Hiccup to the edge of the corridor to avoid the massive rush of students hurrying to lunch and was holding onto his blazer sleeve. Hiccup was refusing to make eye contact.

"Please Hiccup," Merida put another hand on his shoulder, "Talk to me."

"Look," Hiccup snapped, "I'm fine! Can't you just leave me alone? There's nothing wrong with me!"

"Then why are you crying?" Merida whispered so no one else could hear. There weren't many people around now; Hiccup was leaning against a locker. He froze as Merida's delicate finger wiped it away and rubbed it in between her forefinger and thumb.

Hiccup looked up into her eyes and he broke.

"I'm not."

He pushed her away and followed Jack and Rapunzel to the canteen, another tear leaking out of his eye that was hurriedly brushed away. Merida was left standing in the corridor, confused and upset.

What was wrong today? You can tell me anything, you know that?

You have one missed call from this number.

Hiccup, if you get this, are you okay? Please talk to me.

Hiccup, are you there?

3 missed calls from this number.

Hic, I'm worried about you.

Talk to me tomorrow?

5 missed calls from this number.

Please. Hiccup, talk to me.

I need to know you're okay. Tell me, what have I done wrong?

Hiccup ignored all of his texts that Friday evening. What was the point anyway? Even if he did tell her the truth, she'd never go for someone like him. He'd liked her for so long. Since primary school. He'd never said anything; he didn't want to ruin what they had. But he realised now that what he felt was so much stronger, deeper, than anything he'd ever felt before. It hurt him.

He turned over from where he was lying on his bed and checked the clock. Seven pm already, but his dad wouldn't be back until at least eleven. He was very rarely earlier than that. Sighing, Hiccup sat down at his desk and plugged in his headphones, starting a playlist that he knew would take him to at least nine o' clock.

He grabbed his sketchbook and a stick of charcoal, opening it to a clean page. He started doodling without concious of the fact he was doing so.

An arrow. A flame. A bright sun. A bow. A sword. Everything that reminded him of Merida.

Due to the headphones covering his ears, he hadn't heard the door downstairs open. He hadn't heard them as they advanced up the stairs, or opened his door cautiously. He hadn't seen them as they sat down on the edge of his bed. He only realised their prescence when they coughed.

Merida.

Hiccup started, whacking his knee on the underside of his deck and as he clutched it in pain he fell to the floor, off of his chair. She lept up and looked down at him, tears of anger and hurt flooding her azure eyes. Hiccup stood up whilst clutching his leg, only to be pushed down again.

"Why didn't you reply to me? Hiccup, you IDIOT - I was so scared! I thought you'd done something stupid, I thought you'd committed suicide or something shitty like that and oh my Gods..."

She fell to the floor and buried her head in his shoulder. Her arms were wound around his torso, her tears sinking into his shirt. His headphones were dangling from the desk.

"I thought I'd really upset you or something, I didn't know what to do, I kept calling you, I even tried your dad, you weren't there - you weren't there..."

Hiccup pushed her away with the little amount of strength he still posessed. Forests met oceans as their gazes met and tears fell like waterfalls from both.

"Why would you care about me? I'm not half as good as you are. You deserve so much better than people like me. Why don't you go with people who'll truly appreciate you?"

"Why d'you think I've stuck with you for ten years then?" Merida whispered, a small tear dropping onto the carpet beneath her. "I knew who my friends were Hiccup. I've always known who I trusted. I trust you."

Hiccup was wearing his heart on his sleeve right now. Anything could happen. His feelings were everywhere, but he couldn't do it. The words were lost. First they were there, then they were gone.

"Merida -" he whispered, his voice breaking off halfway. Her hand was resting on her knee which was drawn up tightly against her chest. Her eyes travelled up to meet his.

"What?"

"I -" He couldn't say it. But he had to. She was there. He was there. He was halfway through. He couldn't stop now. "I like you - okay?"

She blinked.

He looked away, his heart beating furiously.

She leaned forward so she was on her hands and knees, then sat right next to him.

They were leaning against his bookcase. Merida took a breath to steady herself and kissed his cheek gently.

Hiccup whipped round.

"No way."

"What did I do wrong?" Merida whispered, backing away. Hiccup grabbed her hand before she could and pulled her to him. His breath was hot on her neck.

"How can this be happening -" Hiccup breathed, "You deserve so much more..."

"But I choose you."