The Rider(HTTYD and Brave, 2012)

The Secret

(Hiccup's POV)

Hiccup froze, staring at Merida with wide eyes. Merida backed up away from him, hand over her mouth. The stared at each other, both with wide eyes and shocked expressions. Then she took off, running towards the castle, leaving Hiccup there alone. He could still feel a slight sting on his lips.

He sat there, looking after her with shocked eyes. His mind was wrapping around itself, trying to figure out what had happened. He sat there, afraid to move. He continued to stare at the spot she had been, not knowing what to do. Toothless waddled next to him with a bored expression.

I wasn't expecting that, but it is acceptable. Hiccup, instead of answering, just continued to look at the spot where Merida had been. He was overcoming the effect of the shock, but a million questions seemed to appear in his head.

What...what just happened? He asked himself. He couldn't seem to look anywhere else but that place. And strangely...he didn't want to.

He considered why, but every time he came up with another excuse, he couldn't seem to back it up. And eventually, he had to face the truth. He...had some feeling for her. He didn't know what exactly this feeling was, but it was undeniable that it was there. He tried to bury it. He tried to get rid of this feeling that had suddenly appeared. But every time he did, it resurfaced, not willingly going away. Why was this here? Why, of all times, of all places, of all people...here, now, with her?

Hiccup looked at Toothless. He saw the smirk on his face, and a sudden realization made him blush, but he did his best to keep it hidden.

"You knew, didn't you?" He asked his dragon. Toothless waited a second, then shrugged.

Perhaps. Toothless said smugly. Hiccup was angry at Toothless, but still confused about what had just happened with Merida.

Was it possible that she felt for him? In that way? If so, what exactly was it that he felt for her? It was impossible to wrap his head around this, even after all the things he figured out in his lifetime. He couldn't figure out this.

Why did things have to become so complicated?

"...What do I do now?" He asked himself aloud. For the first time ever since he left Berk, he was unsure about something.

Well, if you wish to take her as your mate, now would be the best time. But if you do not, then just stay here and ignore it. Though it might not be the best option, considering the customs humans have. Toothless was quiet for a moment. Did you enjoy that intimacy?

"No. I mean, maybe, a little, but-"

Then you should take her as your mate.

"Well, I don't want to mate with her, but I don't want to....lose her, I guess. Maybe?" He was speaking to no one now. Only himself. As if there were some hidden part of him that held the answer. And maybe there was. He felt like he could smack himself for being so clueless.

So he did. Maybe a little too hard.

Toothless looked at him with a mix of shock curiosity.

Has this female messed with your mind? Hiccup sighed.

"No, I was just trying...something." He said, his face stinging.

Did it work? Toothless asked. Hiccup looked at his friend and smiled at his strangeness.

"No, but at least I feel better."

So the female made you feel bad. Toothless asked. Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I meant. I-" He started, then realized that it would be impossible to explain this to Toothless. He sighed. "I need to talk with one of the others...where are they? The ingredients shouldn't take this long to gather."