Merida's POV

I wake up, sweating, shivering and screaming. Hiccup wakes up and sits up like a shot, holding me to his chest as my breathing gradually begins to slow down. But it takes forever and the image of Jack screaming at me and raising his fist at me keeps returning to hy mind. I feel like my world has fallen around me, I'm dodging the fireballs of hate, the gunshots of fear and the  cannon blasts of jealousy. 

"I'm here Merida," Hiccup holds me like a baby, cradling me gently and kissing my head softly like I'm precious and delicate, like I'm made of glass and I could break any second. "It's gonna be OK."

"He was there!" I sob into his shoulder, "He was there, he was going to kill me! He hates me! I didn't mean to do anyth -"

"Merida, Jack is nowhere near good enough for you," Hiccup tells me firmly, looking into my eyes, almost like he can see straight through them into my soul. My eyes search his face, taking in every detail. His immaculate jaw line, his slightly uneaven eyebrows, his sweeping fringe that obscures his eyes ever so slightly, his mouth, parted slightly to give just a flash of teeth. His eyes, gazing directly into mine, full of meaning and the most beautiful shade of green I've ever seen.

"Please just tell me the truth," I say as a tear falls onto my blue pyjamas. "I'm a cheater and a liar. I'm not good enough for Jack, for anyone. Especially not you. How could I deserve someone like you?"

"Look at me Merida." Hiccup says, so firmly I obey instantly. "Don't you dare tell me that you're not good enough for anyone. You are the most beautiful girl, no, woman, that I've ever seen, and I don't know why I didn't realise this in primary school. We could have had so much more together, but I'm so glad you had that dream, that I broke up with Astrid, that you broke up with Jack. I never want to leave you Merida."

I don't speak, I just gaze into his eyes. I can't speak, I'm lost for words, for the first time in my life. Instead, I lean up to him and let our lips meet. We'd kissed so many times tonight, but nothing felt like this. It was just me and Hiccup, frozen in eternity, locked in an embrace that took us to heaven and back. I didn't want Hiccup for the sex. I just wanted Hiccup because he was Hiccup. We part slowly and our eyes meet as he lets a small smile cross his thin lips. Our foreheads are touching as I become aware that our arms had wrapped around each other during our kiss.

"Hiccup?"

"Yeah?" We're both whispering, even when we're the only people in the house.

"I love you. I'm glad I had that dream, Hiccup. I'm glad you're here with me."

We fall asleep again, my head resting upon his chest, hearing his breathing and feeling his chest rise and fall. I don't care about Jack anymore. Hiccup is the only one for me; I'm never going to let him go.

A/N I'm so glad I managed to finish it off, I felt I'd really let you guys down and I couldn't have that hanging over me. So thank you devoted readers who've stuck with me till the very end, you have all given me so much support and you are all amazing. Thank you for everything :)