Merida grinned as she finished the decorations on the tree. Hiccup would be back soon, he always had to work late on Christmas Eve; being in the police force was great but that was the only downside. Merida had been busy finishing the house decorations because she finally had a day off. Tinsel lined the hall of their small flat and the Christmas tree was the centre piece of their living room. As usual, their cat Toothless was playing with the presents that resided beneath it, pawing the ribbon curiously. Merida laughed.

"Toothless! You've got to wait another night yet!" She scratched him behind the ears, pulled him to her chest for a cuddle and switched on the television. After twenty minutes, Merida heard the front door click open and a yell of "I'm home!" resonating through the house. She grinned, flicked the TV off and went to meet her boyfriend.

Hiccup was still in his police uniform, but Merida never minded. She always thought he looked pretty good like that. His face lit up the moment he saw her and he grabbed her waist, spinning her into his arms.

"And how is mi'lady this fine Christmas Eve?" Hiccup grinned. Merida shrugged.

"Well, could be better, could be worse," Merida smiled at him, running her hand down his jawline, feeling the stubble there. "You need to shave Chief."

"That can wait until tomorrow," Hiccup rubbed his chin, "I'm exhausted. I hate night patrol -"

Hiccup grimaced before taking off his helmet and placing it on the kitchen table, followed by his bullet proof vest.

"You've done an amazing job with the decorations," he noted as he unbuckled his prosthetic, gazing in awe at the tree twinkling with fairy lights. Merida smiled and replied that she hoped so too, they took her four hours. Hiccup grinned again before sinking into the sofa and pulling Merida on top of him. She lay down beside him and stroked his hair gently. She loved him like this.

"Anything on TV?" Hiccup asked lazily, his eyes half shut as he picked up the remote.

"I didn't see much," Merida sat up, "just a bunch of kid's movies."

"All the better," Hiccup smiled. He flicked channels and they found How To Train Your Dragon on Film4. "Come on, don't tell me you don't love this one."

"Just this once," Merida grinned, snuggling into his chest as the opening title sequences started. The movie played and the hours grew later and later. Hiccup checked underneath the tree - good, the box was still there. Merida pulled him to bed, it was eleven and they wanted at least some sleep before Christmas. Nothing, happened, so to speak, between them that night; they were both too tired and Hiccup's night shift had been pretty long.

Merida woke first on Christmas day. She woke Hiccup with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas Hic," she whispered. Hiccup's eyes opened slowly and they filled with life the moment he saw Merida smiling down at him.

"Merry Christmas Princess," he grinned.

"How many times," Merida said through clenched teeth, "I hate being called Princess..."

"Yeah - " Hiccup smiled, "but you're cute when you're mad."

"You - " Merida started but she was cut off by Hiccup's lips pressed against hers. He drove her insane with his kisses and he knew that. "You are lucky you're such a good kisser."

"I'm lucky to have you," Hiccup smiled dorkily at her before adding under his breath, "Princess..."

"That's it," Merida held up a hand, "No presents." Hiccup pouted at her. She raised an eyebrow at him and reached under the bed, picking up a package wrapped in dark green paper. "You're also lucky you're so damn cute." Merida grinned at Hiccup before handing him the package. He undid the paper very carefully, making sure nothing got ripped. He laughed as soon as he saw what it was.

It was a cuddly Toothless from the film How To Train Your Dragon.

"It's a Toothless for Toothless," Merida grinned as their cat hopped onto their bed, purring as he rubbed against Hiccup's leg. Hiccup chuckled and smiled at her.

"It's fab Merida," he ran his fingers through her hair and drew her close. His touch always left her breathless and he used this to his advantage. He felt her weaken into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips. "Now your turn."

He took her hand and led her to the Christmas tree. Merida looked confused. Hiccup reached under the tree and picked up a small box, small enough to fit into the palm of his hand. He handed it to Merida who was still really confused. She unwrapped it to find a velvet box. She opened it delicately with her long fingers and gasped.

It was a ring. A beautiful, twisted, shining piece of gold with a sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds embedded in the centre. Hiccup knelt in front of her, never taking his eyes off of hers.

"Merida Dunbroch, I won't pretend you drive me insane. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and, living with you, this past year, it's made me realise how lucky I am. You're everything anyone could wish for, and, well, will you - will you marry me?"

Merida's eyes began to water in happiness. Tears ran down her cheek as she broke into a huge smile and flung her arms around him.

"Yes!"

This was the only word spoken between them for a while. The rest of the silence was taken up with frantic kisses. One thing was for certain though. This had been the best Christmas ever.

A/N Little Christmas AU for you... Merry Christmas! And for those who don't celebrate it, happy December holidays! I can't update much for a few days so enjoy this while you can :)