For once it was sunny, for once it was nice out, it wasn't exactly warm, but it was much better than Berk's cold climate. Spring was definitely in the air; they had promised they would wait until the first nice day out. It was strange to think today was the wedding day, it had seemed so far away when they first found out it was arranged.
Everyone in the crowd had tears in their eyes, everyone hooted and hollered as the couple exchanged rings and 'I do's , the ceremony was barely over when the crowd erupted, Vikings knocking over their benches and throwing flowers, the few that grew on Berk. Everyone clapped and cheered as the chief and his bride turned absolutely glowing, smiles plastered on their faces. How was this the same chief that had been stuttering and shaking while he was getting ready?
Ruffnut and Tuffnut cheered, Snotlout stopped leering at Ruffnut long enough to shout, and Fishlegs clapped excitedly with Eret. The clapping and cheering soon grew louder and more unorganized as the race to Meade Hall began, Vikings clambering over one another in an attempt to get the first cups of meade.
And for tradition sake, Hiccup and Astrid ran, their dragons bounding along behind them. Astrid was practically dragging Hiccup, lifting the front of her white dress all the while. Hiccup was almost beside himself, unable to focus on the race and instead wanted to have the moments he needed to fully take in Astrid. He had barely registered any part of the ceremony, most of his thoughts on Astrid. Her honey blonde hair out for once, but not without a few braids, her white dress that she had told him about, the one it took forever to get fitted.
"Oh come on! Pick up your feet!" Hiccup laughed as Astrid's competitive side came out, not that it went away, but he supposed she wanted to win more so since it was her wedding day. The normal grime from training was gone, the dirt under her nails, everything that would show how hard she worked seemed to have up and disappeared. He was sure she had been rubbed as raw as he had, but she almost seemed to be glowing.
He watched as Valka and Gobber made their way behind them, both still brushing away tears, his mother doing slightly better than Gobber. Ruffnut and Tuffnut pushed and shoved each other away, Snotlout attempting to catch up with the long limbed twins as Ruffnut tried to catch Eret.
"C'mon!" Astrid said excitedly, brushing herself off. It was customary for the groom to carry the bride over the thresh hold of Meade Hall, as all the other couples had done decades past. With a deep breath and puffing out his chest, Hiccup flashed Astrid a nervous smile. Apparently this would be one of the factors that would determine a good marriage, letting the bride trip was bad luck, and he supposed if the groom tripped while carrying the bride it'd be worse.
"Ok… ready?" Astrid had practically launched herself into his arms and he had to take a step back in order to not lose his balance. It wasn't that she wasn't light, it was just he wasn't exactly strong, and she was very muscular… plus the weight of the dress… Hiccup puffed as he walked through the door, praying to the gods he wouldn't trip.
The crowd of Vikings there cheered and it was practically deafening, but soon most of the attention was turned to food and drink and well… partying.
"Good job" Astrid smiled as he put her down, music already starting.
"With what?"
"Everything… everything was… amazing…" She gave him a quick kiss. "I thought for sure my hands were shaking the alter"
"A little nervous, are we Hofferson?" Hiccup asked with a smirk, knowing full well it was a rare event that Astrid would be nervous.
"Oh, if you're going to make fun of me, do it properly, at least get my name right!" He gave her a confused look before it hit him.
"Well… being nervous and shaky seems to be in the Haddock family… so I guess it's already affecting you"
"I didn't think it'd be that fast, maybe after a couple of years or something." She laughed, only for Gothi to be ushering them over to sit so she could get the blessings over with.
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She had sat next to him after he eagerly held a spot for her. Throughout the whole ceremony she hadn't sad anything about there maybe being some tears. What? Weddings were romantic! And he was happy for Hiccup and Astrid. She had simply handed him one of the handkerchiefs she had brought, blotting tears away so he was relieved he wasn't the only one.
He hadn't remembered when he started to really fancy her, when she seemed to go through his mind, when his poetry started to reflect on her, when he would visit her at work or any other time he possible could.
She had grabbed his hand and pulled him after her as the race began. He had gone as slow as possible, and she had somehow pulled him through the doors before pinching him.
"You could have at least tried!" She said, letting go of him.
"Would me getting you a drink make it up to you?" He asked, giving her a smile. She had barely nodded before he was off, giving Snotlout a disdainful look as he tried to fill two mugs at once.
Fishlegs soon was heading back, trying to find her again and there she was. Sitting at one of the long tables, congratulating Hiccup and Astrid.
Rosethorn Bardson, she had arrived after Drago was defeated as her parents were Hooligans heard about the damage and had returned to help. He had been smitten, but he had already committed with beating Snotlout chasing after Ruffnut, he had already put in so much effort. Friends of course, he had really met her after checking out her bakery with the other guys. Very good cook. Soon he had found himself making up excuses to talk to her, to exchange a book with her, to buy something, to help her. He hadn't truly admitted he liked her until her first Snoggletog. She had the same reaction to baby Gronkles as he did, and oh did she love them. He had practically run to her house after Meatlug had returned, and when she clasped her hands together and told him, repeatedly, "I'm not crying, I don't know what you think you're seeing- they're just… so cute…". Then he had really known he had it bad.
"You should have let me made more for the wedding" Rosethorn said, even though almost all of the pastries were from her bakery.
"No! You'd still be cooking now! Oh, take me away before I have to have my crotch blessed again" Astrid laughed, pulling Rosethorn away with her.
"What?" Fishlegs asked, taken aback slightly.
"When you get married, lots of fertility blessings, and the best part is, Gothi is the one that does it!" Hiccup talked into his meade.
"… Well the ceremony was nice, and you didn't pass out like you said you would!" Fishlegs said happily, sitting down next to Hiccup.
"You are right about that" The skinny Viking smiled with a nod. "And I got the ring on her finger"
"I think she helped you a bit there"
"How badly did I stumble getting the ring?"
"Not too badly" Fishlegs fibbed.
"Really that bad? I didn't realize that's what Gothi was asking for until the third time she signed it, Gobber had to repeat it-"
"Four times- I was there" Hiccup gave a sigh in relief. It was all over, and he didn't even know why he was so nervous, he should have known Astrid would have helped him.
"Did you get all her stuff moved in?" Fishlegs asked, glancing over to Astrid who was surrounded by other women.
"Yes! I wanted the house all ready for after the wedding, so then all the works done… Mom actually kept me on track most of the time, and I had to clear a whole wall for Astrid's weapons- and apparently, you can't have a little bed once you get married, something about not being able to fit Toothless and Astrid… so I had to get that fixed"
"She'll love that" Fishlegs laughed, pushing his cup of meade around.
"Fishlegs, you have something planned or was the ceremony really that bad?" Hiccup asked jokingly, nodding towards the two cups.
"You're right, I should have gotten another one-" He rolled his eyes. "They're not for me- at least one is mine- the other isn't- It's for uh…"
"Oh… Well… It's not doing much good here then." Hiccup knew of course, everyone knew. Astrid often teased or gave Fishlegs advice, not that he used it much, but Hiccup was a little better at trying to be subtle. Before he could say anything else, Snotlout and Tuffnut were suddenly hanging off him, clapping his shoulders with bawdy congratulations.
"You did it! I don't know how but you did it!" Snotlout's next blow to his shoulder almost knocked him off his seat and Hiccup readjusted himself.
"We thought you were going to throw up, the way you were all sweaty before the ceremony" Tuffnut said, making a grab for the unclaimed cup of meade only for Fishlegs to push it away from him.
"You ready Hic?" Snotlout drawled and Fishlegs and Hiccup both gave him a hard look, wondering what he was after.
"For?"
"The wedding night, you dumbass! I thought you'd be more nervous about that than anything" Snotlout rolled his eyes.
"Oh well I was having a great time not thinking about that, but thanks for bringing that up" Hiccup said, suddenly looking paler than a sheet.
"You're welcome" Tuffnut replied, giving Fishlegs a sour look after not giving up the meade.
"Do you need more advice?" Snotlout asked, looking at his nails.
"Like you'd know anything more" Fishlegs scoffed.
"I already got plenty this morning, I would just rather not think about it until later when its actually… happening…" Hiccup's voice cracked as he spoke, his stomach twisting into knots. Suddenly the clan's favorite song seemed to be on, and Astrid, with a huge smile, was rushing over to him.
"Dance with me?" She asked, reaching out a hand to him.
"I'll try not to step on your feet" He gave a shaky laugh and was pulled off just as Snotlout left to go try to get Ruffnut to dance with him.
Fishlegs watched as Hiccup slowly became more calm, though his dancing wasn't any better than before he started lessons with Gobber.
He had barely noticed when Rosethorn sat down next to him.
"You should go dance if you want to" She said, looking at everyone.
"I might…" He said quietly. There was really no point in dancing unless you had a partner. He fidgeted with his hands until he turned to her, her eyes still watching the everyone. "Would you dance with me?"
Rosethorn gave him a confused look, sitting up and trying to process what he said.
"If you don't want to-" He back pedaled quickly, feeling himself go a little red with embarrassment.
"No- I'm just…. I'm not good…. I don't think I'd be a very good- I don't really know how-" She said, looking rather embarrassed herself.
"I'll teach you!" He was already out of his seat and holding out his hand. She had tentatively took it before she was whisked off. He had taken her hand rather quickly but now it seemed his stomach was twisting in knots. Fishlegs very carefully started teaching.
"And put your foot there- and forward- You're already better than Hiccup!" Fishlegs said happily, making sure not to hold her hands too tightly.
"Hey!" Hiccup huffed as he passed by, Astrid in the lead.
Soon Rosethorn was smiling and laughing, apologizing profusely whenever she stepped on his feet. Fishlegs stopped being so stiff and nervous, stopped worrying if he would crush her hand because they were smaller. The dancing got faster and closer and she was actually having a good time, with him. Rosethorn was having more fun than she thought she would, twirling and laughing, holding onto him tighter than she meant to.
She looked lovely for the wedding. Her hair was out of their normal two braids, opting for a single nicer braid. Everyone had to have their best on, especially for the chiefs wedding, so a nice green dress. Her cheeks red from dancing, her eyes wide and happy and her smile… He loved her smile.
Soon she was giggling and panting, telling him she had to sit down. He thanked the gods because he had been waiting for her to say something, and he tried to hide just how out of breath he was.
"Thank you for asking me, I didn't think dancing would be that fun" Rosethorn smiled pushing her bangs out of her eyes.
"No- No problem" He replied, trying not to wheeze.
"I'm going to go get some drinks, I'll be right back, don't move" She said, suddenly getting up.
"Oh you really don't-" Fishlegs started, just now remembering he had never actually given her the drink he said he'd get her.
"It's fine!" She replied, waving him off.
"Oh… ok- thank you" He said gratefully, and she made a move to go but suddenly turned around again.
"I forgot to tell you, but I think you look very nice today" She said with a nod. She blushed profusely as she walked away, and he was the same red, up until a smile spread across his face. She said he looked nice! Very nice, her words exactly. He had to wear his much nicer tunic and fur vest, like most of the other men, the same tunic and vest he was straightening out right now with a dumb smile watching her disappear into the crowd.
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"It went better than I expected, but I don't know what I expected, the Hoffersons are lovely people" Valka said with a sincere smile as she explained how the arrangement went to Mr. and Mrs. Ingerman
"They are, they are… oh the wedding is just wonderful." Mrs. Ingerman cooed, clasping her hands together. She loved weddings, not that Berk had many anymore, but weddings were always a whole island event.
"Well, all that matters is that Hiccup and Astrid are happy- and the idea of grandchildren in the future…" Perhaps it was too soon to talk about grandchildren but the idea was exciting enough.
"Oh- we can't wait for that, well Fishlegs has to get married first, which he won't talk to us about gods forbid" Mrs. Ingerman sulked.
"Apparently knowing everything isn't enough for you" Mr. Ingerman grumbled, and laughed when his wife gave him a whack on the arm.
"Well… I'm sure you'll be arranging something or another in no time at all" Valka nodded towards the pair dancing by. Mrs. Ingerman excitedly clapped her hands upon seeing her son dancing with someone, especially someone he's told her all about.
"Oh! That's- Sweetheart look! That's that girl- oh how precious" Mrs. Ingerman beamed.
"See? He tells you all about her- I wouldn't have told my parents everything" Mr. Ingerman said, mostly to Valka. "He just doesn't like when you ask if he wants to marry any girl you hear him mention"
"He loves her, I know it, I can tell that he does" Mrs. Ingerman declared, a hand on her heart
"Oh really?" Valka asked with amusement.
"Talks about her all the time, and 'mom stop you're going to embarrass me' and 'no, you aren't allowed to talk to her because you'll embarrass me' I'm not embarrassing! I have talked to her thought, sweetest little thing" The larger woman went on.
"Very good cook, very smart" Mr. Ingerman nodded.
"Well then, it looks like it'll be easier than you thought" Valka laughed before apologizing for having to leave, someone had to keep Gobber from crushing the newly weds.
"I have asked if he'd marry her" Mrs. Ingerman said, looking at her husband.
"She seems to like him… but Helga, don't get ahead of yourself"
"I'm just saying, she is very good to him, and for him and… she has her own job and what if someone else snatches her up? What if her parents decide to accept someone else's offer because we never made one? Besides, its her or the Thorston girl…" Mrs. Ingerman breathed.
"… I'll speak with her father" Mr. Ingerman said quietly, deep in thought.
"What if Spitelout makes an offer-"
"Fine! Let's go right now!" That really ruffled him up, but his wife put a hand on his arm.
"Not right now- let's enjoy the party! And maybe soon we'll be planning a wedding"
"Why'd you have to bring up Spitelout? Ugh, there's no way the Bardsons would accept an offer for him, beside his son likes the Thorston girl- No, the Bardson girl is Ingerman material, and that's that- Why'd you have to say that? I'm gonna be pulling out my beard all night now" Mr. Ingerman grumbled, already deciding what he would say. His wife held onto his arm, maybe she had said it for a little motivation.
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I've been wanting to do a redo of Older forever at this point, and i missed writing it so much i decided to take another stab at the whole "arranged marriage" theme. Honestly i'm just writing this for fun so we'll see how it goes.
This is going to dip into more Hiccstrid and Rufflout stuff but until then ooooooh mr and mrs ingerman whatcha doin, i decided to make the rivalry between ingermans and jorgensons also be between the fathers too cause tbh it probably is, its a small island and if fishlegss parents are anything like him oh boy
If there are any questions or feedback please please please leave a review! thank you so much! i can't wait to keep writing, part one of the hiccstrid wedding, part two next!