Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter IV.i

"Where is this place?" Merida asked Jacob as soon as they arrived.

"It's a secret," he replied, circling around to open her door.

Merida was overwhelmed the moment the cold wind brushed against her face. Her eyes widened, locked on the waves crashing against the shoreline. She stepped out of the car—only to freeze when Jacob suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her.

"What are you doing!?" she asked abruptly. For a second, she thought he was going to propose.

"Come on, let's take off your shoes. They'll just sink in the sand," Jacob said with a smile.

She blushed, embarrassed by her own wild thought. I need to chill, she told herself.

Once their shoes were off, they walked toward the water. The cold seeped into Merida, but she kept quiet. Soon they sat down on the sand beneath the wide night sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jacob asked, eyes on the ocean and stars.

"Yeah... it's so beautiful," she agreed. She rubbed her shoulders as the cold crept deeper in.

Jacob noticed. Without a jacket to offer, he slipped his arms around her from behind.

"What are—"

"Hush and just let me keep you warm," Jacob cut her off.

The warmth of his words spread through Merida, chasing away the chill. She didn't move, didn't want to. His breath brushed her neck, leaving her frozen in place.

For a while, silence filled the air—not awkward, but peaceful.

"Do you mean this though?" Merida asked suddenly, troubled by the thought that maybe he was only playing with her.

Jacob tightened his embrace. "Why would I waste time on us if I didn't plan for this to last?"

Merida turned slightly to face him, braver now, her eyes locked on his hazel ones. They calmed her in ways she couldn't explain, their light flickering with the stars.

She swallowed hard. "Do you... find me beautiful? Even just a little?"

Their eyes stayed locked for seconds, then she looked down at the ocean. What was I thinking? Shame burned inside her. So embarrassing. He hadn't even responded. Now she just wanted to cry.

Jacob hesitated. He wanted to answer right away, but he also wanted it to be right—romantic, sincere.

"So your full name is Merida Love Hollyn?" he asked instead.

Merida nodded. "Yeah... I just hate Love."

She knew it. He didn't really find her beautiful. Tears brimmed.

"Love is beautiful..." he began, making her snap her gaze back to him. Her eyes widened as he continued, still looking up at the stars.

"Merida is beautiful."

Then he turned, meeting her teary gaze with a smile.

"You are beautiful."