bakerstreet | picture prompt meme!

[ There was something to be said for someone who literally crashed into Arendelle's castle with a dragon of all things. And while there were no casualties, aside from part of the roof, the Nightfury and his rider were kinda scratched up. So after it was quickly made clear this was an accident, Anna managed to coax her older sister into letting him at least recover a little bit before sending him off. And in that short amount of time, well, the princess found herself really enjoying the extra presence around.

After all, things were terribly lonely. Elsa's coronation was coming up soon, in a number of months, but now Hiccup's company filled the lonely void. It was safe to say she was easily smitten.

But this morning, she wasn't seeking him out. No, Anna drowsily rolled out of bed and pulled on a nice fuzzy robe, in a dark green, and a pair of slippers. She wasn't expecting to run into anyone, and for now, she was in the clear, finally making it out to the courtyard to where her little secret of the week was.

A family of ducklings, as it were. Fuzzy yellow ducks that ambled out from the bushes, as the half-asleep princess knelt on dewy grass and cooed their way. They seemed to have taken a liking to her, and she them, as she held out little dainty hands, giggling softly when one hopped into them, bringing the little cutie up for a nuzzle. ]

Gosh-- I wanna keep all of you, [ she admitted, kissing the top of its head. ]

[Crashing into Arendelle had definitely not been a part of his plan. Somehow a simple exploration trip with Toothless had ended up with some sort of malfunction in his tail wing, causing them to spiral downward right into the castle. Luckily he wasn't killed on sight--the impact and the dragon he was riding could easily make him out to be an enemy intruder--but one of the princesses, Anna, seemed to really quite the soft spot and any misunderstandings were quickly avoided.

Not having the necessary materials with him, fixing the tail wing was taking a bit longer than it normally would. But luckily, he was invited to stay in the castle until both he and Toothless recovered from their minor injuries and the tail was fully repaired for flight again.

Of course, in the meantime, he found himself quite often with Anna's company, as she came in to constantly check on him as he worked or took breaks. He didn't mind it in the slightest, and it was always nice to interact with someone who could actually respond in a conversation (no offense to Toothless, of course).

This morning, he had woken up even before the sun rose to get an early start on his work. As much as he liked it there, he didn't want to intrude on them too much. But after a few hours of bending over to crank at a tail, his back definitely could use a break. So he found himself wandering into the courtyard, letting Toothless wander off to chase some birds, and soon spotted a familiar sight.

He instinctively grins upon seeing her, noting that she had barely even gotten out of bed minutes ago based on her appearance. But all the same, somehow the word adorable still popped up whenever he saw her. Noticing her little playmates in her hands, he moves in slowly closer.]

You have a real knack for trying to take things in huh? Ducklings, dragons, strange viking men with prosthetic legs. You're quite the nurturer.

[ She certainly wasn't dressed to impress, not expecting anyone else's presence. So the sound of his voice shocks her, and immediately flustered by the silly realization that she was in a nightgown, a robe, slippers and her hair was strewn about... yep. Way to look in front of the handsome acquaintance.

But he didn't seem to mind, not even commenting on it, allowing her to relax a little. Anna peered up at him, the duck quacking lightly into her cheek as she snuggled it again. ]

I guess so, huh? [ She couldn't help but grin. After all, that did seem kind of accurate. ] --But you've gotta see these guys. They're adorable. Plus, I think they like me!

[ She motioned with a tilt of her head for him to come closer, laughing as a strand of hair landed ungracefully between her eyes. She would blow at it, trying to move it out of the way. ]

[Hiccup doesn't know much about the ways of royalty or princesses or anything, but he's relieved to see how carefree and spirited Anna seems to be. Her comments bring out laughter from him, and he decides to accept her invitation, stepping closer to kneel down beside her.]

Well, they're cute alright. I hear even the little ones have a fierce bite, so I'd be careful if I were you.

[Even so, that doesn't stop him from bringing in a hand towards the one she's holding, letting a finger pet its head lightly. After all, this is a guy who tamed dragons. A little duck isn't going to scare him off.]

[ She's a lot less reserved than her sister. It makes sense, but it's still a bit of a surprise for nobility to be so carefree. But then again, it wasn't like Anna had much expectation thrust upon her like Elsa did. ]

They wouldn't. [ she replies, simply, peering down at the duck instead of him. After all, he's close and that would be a little awkward, wouldn't it? But yeah, her gaze is fond. ] Isn't that right, you?

[ Her voice devolves into a slight coo every time she addresses the fuzzy ducks. ]

You wouldn't hurt us, right? Unless we were being mean and scary?

[ Comfortably, she sits back a little, trying to hold back a yawn and stretching her face a little awkwardly as she did. She had no free hands after all. ]

[The distance between them is closer than he had intended when he had knelt down, but it'd be even more awkward if he moved away now, so he stays put, trying to be sure not to stare at her for too long. Which was, well, a bit difficult, because even if she was just fresh out of bed, she still looked rather gorgeous.

Not that he needed to think about such things. Best not to gawk at the princess and all. He'd be leaving this place soon enough anyhow.

Keeping his focus on the ducks, patting it lightly on the head, he intakes a breath at an attempt to get a conversation going.]

So, you're up pretty early. Are princesses not allowed to stay in bed and sleep in?

[ Thankfully she was a little oblivious to it, only gazing to him when he starts patting the duck lightly on the head- before gazing back down. Yeah, it was entirely too close for any normal conversation.

In fact, she could see the freckles along the bridge of his nose all too clearly- swallowing as she realized, on him they were rather adorable. ]

I-- well, I don't always get up this early. [ she admits- before she chuckles. ] Actually... I tend to get as much sleep as I can, usually get waken up in a few hours, but um. I-- wanted to say hello to these guys.

[ Honestly? She wanted as much time to potentially leave open for Hiccup as possible. So her little embarrassing duck sightings were left for the morning now... although now the point was moot, since he had found her here in the first place. And she realized with a sudden clarity that she must look like a wreck. ]

... S-sorry, though. I'm not really... [ She looks down at all of herself. ] Princessy right now.

[ Cringe. ]

[He laughs lightly when she makes note of her appearance, more in amusement than trying to be insulting. He bites his lip to ease down the chuckles though in hopes that he didn't offend her.]

Oh? And what makes a princess, milady? Big dresses, stiff posture, shiny crown things? [Hopefully he isn't being too casual with her. He didn't know much about "proper customs" other than what he had witnessed most of the servants doing. Back home, the highest authority was chief and the position didn't require anyone to speak to them in a fashion that was anything besides like that of a friend.]

As long as you're comfortable, it's fine by me.

[ She's not particularly offended, instead-- hey. She's so pleasantly surprised with the casual talk, and the way his hands gesture and his head twitches. He's constantly moving- something she can empathize with to be honest. If she didn't have these ducklings in her hands... well, yeah. ]

I guess so, actually. The whole package. [ Her blue eyes are lit up, and she bites her lip, trying not to look too elated by how easy things are around him. But yeah, Anna's never been subtle. A giggle escapes her regardless, as she slowly pets the little duck's head a final time before her cupped hands move down to the grass. ] ... there you go, little guy.

[ Her hands, freed, move up to brush her thighs, covered by a simple green nightgown. Yay, grass stains! She's not really looking directly at him though, because he's so close-- instead eying the little quacking things as they ambled after their mother. ]

-- You know, I'm really curious. Things are probably really different for you with dragons around, huh? Are all of you like-- as close as you and Toothless?

[ That dragon was a sure cutie. You know, after the initial fear because he was a dragon. ]

[He does fidget quite a bit when he engages in a bit of conversation, especially when he finds himself a bit nervous. He does feel a bit more relaxed than usual talking to Anna, finding it rather easy to converse with her, but he still felt a slight anxiety when engaging in a talk with her, moreso now from their close proximity.

Listening to her question, he leans on a hand, eyes shifting between looking at her and trying to focus more on the ducks instead to not be so obvious.]

Well, dragons have certainly become more like family for everyone back home. Everyone's pretty much got their own that they care and nurture for like a pet or a child. [He'll chuckle a bit to himself here, knowing a few vikings who wrap up Terrible Terrors like actual babies, rocking them by their chest. But then he smiles thinking of his own relationship with his dragon.]

Toothless and I--well, our bond is kind of special. We're alike in a lot of ways and there's a lot we can't do without the other. He's pretty much a brother to me. [He puts on a very serious expression as he blurts out this last part in a very obviously joking tone.] Chopped off my own leg to form a blood pact with him, too.

[ She can't help but try to peer at him occasionally from the corner of her eye. She's in totally no place appearance-wise to try to charm him, at least, in her own personal opinion- but she can still be curious. Plus, his gestures were endearing. ]

Wow, really? [ It's a bit of a shocker to realize. Life outside these castle gates sure seems a whole lot more interesting. In fact, Anna kind of wishes she could see it. In her mind's eye she can try to form a picture, though. A beautiful place with people wearing funny clothes like him abound, maybe with those hats she's read stories about. Alongside with dragons... that prompted a little giggle, before she focuses back in on what he's actually talking about.

And it's touching, really- the bond he was describing. ]

A brother, huh... [ A bit more of a wistful gaze, but almost as if magic he was immediately distracting her from her worries, she turned her head to see that terribly serious expression along with that comical tone of voice.

And a dumb grin formed across her freckled face as she impulsively moved to shove at him, lightly. Nothing more than to have him fall over on his bottom. ] -- Yeah, right. You know, I've never left this place, but I don't think I'd fall for that one.

[Hiccup breaks into a laugh when she shoves at him, glad that she was able to catch the joke. After all, he knows a number of people that would easily buy into it, his sarcasm not always clear to everyone (which can get him into quite a bit of trouble sometimes).] But, of course! You are way too smart for me after all.

But really--I lost my leg in this, uh, pretty big battle. I lost my leg, but Toothless, he saved my life. So I kind of owe him the world. [He looks over with a smile at his dragon on the other side of the courtyard, frolicking happily amongst the gardens as he sniffs curiously at small ducks that have wandered off to his side.

His attention reverts back to Anna though when he thinks about her last statement.] So you've really never left here?

[He can't imagine what that's like at all, having the opportunity and fortune to venture off with Toothless wherever the wind carried them. After years of being able travel with dragons, he wouldn't be able to handle being confined to any one location, taking advantage of exploring new lands.]

You know, it's not exactly a wonderland, but you could always come visit Berk with me sometime.

[ She's just glad he's taking everything as lightly as she is, the corners of her eyes crinkling in amusement as she lets herself try to peer at him from the corner of her eye. Turning her head might-- be a little weird, wouldn't it?

The conversation sobers up a little though, the thought of war making her wonder what really waited outside this castle, outside Arendelle. Was it all really as wondrous as she'd hoped for all this time? ] That's so sweet of him. You're so close to each other...

[ She trails off softly, peering to the other end of the courtyard. Toothless is a dragon, and big, and kinda weird and scary looking-- but it's hard to associate the frolicking thing with the funny tongue with 'terror'. It must be nice, Anna thinks, to be so close to someone. Even if they're not really a human.

Hold up, she totally missed him talking again. Startling, she'd look to him, before attempting to fully sit-- cool grass tickling her bare calves as she made sure the nightgown was fully tugged down to her knees. ]

Ah-- yeah.-- I mean-- No, I've never left. [ The corner of her lips tugged up in something of a half smile.

What she wasn't expecting was his offer, eyes widening a little as she asked: ] Really? Are you sure? I-- well, I could probably leave as long as I came back, actually-- probably!

[ She'd have to talk it out with Elsa, probably-- which had her pursing her lips for a moment despite the excitement ] I wonder if Elsa would let me.

picture prompt meme!

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rises from the ashes???