Unexpected Love (Merricup Fanfic)

Chapter 7.1 : Under the Night Sky

Merida's POV

I woke up in a panic and panted. I was breathing heavily. I found myself in my room.

A dream, no, a nightmare occurred that I was surrounded with heavy black smoke, The smell of burning woods filled my lungs. I was trapped. Another scenery replaced the smoke, and I was seeing a shadow of a man, embracing another figure, I had no Idea why, But my heart began to constrict and suddenly I couldn't breathe.

I gasped, the moment I became woken up, "It was just a dream.." I whispered to myself and heaved a sigh in relief and got up.

I didn't know what it was, but that dream made me paranoid. I took my bow and quiver, then headed outside.

It was still midnight. I took Angus and rode off fast and away from the palace. I don't know what's wrong with me, Probably because of the concussion. But all I know is that I need to clear my mind and forget about the wild dream.

"Hah!" I panted and stopped by the lake, In that moment, I noticed two familiar figures by the bank.

I got off from Angus and headed to the two silhouettes. Both head turned to look at me.

"Merida? It's midnight, What are you doing here?" Hiccup asked as he turned fully. Somehow, his sight made me swallow a huge lump in my throat and gave me a slight painful tension.

"I would like to ask the same thing." I said with a forced smug look, walking towards him. It looks like he was already leaving after dinner. He should've atleast stayed for the night.

"Well, I-I can't afford to leave yet and thought I should take a breather after what happened." He paused, "How's your head?"

"I think it's fine now." I said as I touched the bandage that was wrapped around my head.

When I looked back to him, He seemed so relieved.

"Oh, Phew, I'll finally be able to relax." He chuckled and sat on the grass, since he was just standing when I arrived.

I walk towards him and sat beside, looking at the calm flow of the river, Moon's light illuminating towards it. Another peaceful scenery, under the starry night like this, with this guy.

The soft breeze, the silent flow, The essence and the scenery, I wish we'd just stay like this forever. Even if it's just to an acquaintance, Or someone that would make you feel, you.

More of, Comfortable.

"hmmm. Were you worried?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He said while looking straight to the river.

Somehow, I couldn't understand what I feel.

It was a mixture of happiness, creating a twist in my stomach, and also, conscious to myself. Which made me feel shy.

"You don't have to." I mumbled, gazing away.

I heard a soft chuckle from him as toothless rested beside, Its tail surrounding us like an embrace.

"Well, You have no idea." He snorted.

I turned to him, confused. "What? What do you mean?" I asked.

"The Idea of losing someone." He exhaled softly and looked above the bright stars.

"Even if, You aren't close with them. Even if it's someone you just met. If you have already shared something in common, or exchange meanings, the titles of the relationship won't matter anymore." He continued. I couldn't help but smile at what he said. He just said it out of the blue.

I could've never felt so awkward if I was in a hype mood. But this time, I was surprisingly calm and agreeing to what he just said. As if the deep meaning under it has touched me.

Maybe since I, too have felt the same.

I couldn't help but snicker at the thought. Adding up from the deafening silence.

He turned to me, "What?" He asked and slowly, he smiled along when I snickered, that turned into another burst of laughter. "N-nothing.." I retort while wiping the tears that welled in the corner of my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, I found him already laughing too. Toothless just rolled his eyes at us.

I may be weird and look stupid, But nothing feels even better when someone would laugh along with you.

Mom would always snag at me, scold me to keep quiet and act like a proper lady before, I never really felt quite open like this when I'm used to living under a strict roof.

Not when It's with my father. My mother can't do anything about that when it's both of us that are having fun. But when it's with a different man, It felt even relaxing, and strange.

"You're weird, Don't you know that? For a princess, I've never even met anyone that laughs at nothing, does something they aren't supposed to do, and even, has their own way of doing things in life." He said, while coughing a bit from the laughter.

"Well, I am aware. But I guess I could define myself as, 'One of a kind' I mean, Everyone is different. Each one has their own unique way of seeing life on its perspective." I retort with a cheery breath. Defining myself, felt like I could understand myself more.

Or feels like a stranger.

Hiccup was only chuckling while looking at me as if he's in disbelief. His eyes peered at me, scrutinizing my face, the same look after he rode me home and looked at me after I got off.

The feeling that as I felt as if I was a stranger to him.

"What?" I asked curiously, while also staring at him in the eye, that felt like its looking through my soul.

He shook his head a little as a response, while his face was added with a little pain. It made me nervous. Somehow, His face under the moonlit was calming but at the same time, Unpredictable.

"N-nothing... It's just-" Toothless pushed him which made both of our foreheads collide.

"Ow!" We both grunted. "Bud!" I heard Hiccup scold the dragon and immediately turned to me.

"That was my fault, I am so sorry! A-are you okay?" He panicked and touched my forehead while I was biting back the pain. Considering my head was still injured.

He blew and massaged my forehead gently, caressing it until I finally calmed down.

That's when both of our eyes locked again. Both of us turned away. "S-sorry.." he apologized again, and stood up.

"Best if you should go home now. Your parents might be worried for you. I too. Will have to return." He said as he helped me stood up.

"Oh, Yeah, I-I'll-"

"See you tomorrow." He said.

"Yeah. See you." I smiled. As he watched me ride back to Angus as he too did on Toothless. He waited for me to leave.

And so, The last thing I saw was the shadow of the Night fury descend in an incredible speed, with a loud howl.

Angus and I returned back home.

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Author's Note:

So sorry for the another long wait, I had this artist block once again and had to overcome it a bit. Got busy too with rl stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to get back and update more for the plot to be on the line. Hope you have a nice day!~

-Crystal ♡