"You ready Hic?" Snotlout smirked, giving Hiccup a nudge.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Astrid had left earlier, getting primped for what was to come, he didn't exactly know what that meant though… His stomach had been tying itself in knots the entirety of the walk to his house, escorted by his male friends.
"Now remember, chicks like it when-" Snotlout began, carefully avoiding Tuffnut who was waving his torch like a madman and Eret gave him a shove.
"Don't make him more nervous!" Fishlegs chimed in.
"Thank you Fishlegs! But I don't think I can get more nervous…" Hiccup twisted his hands to keep them from shaking. It couldn't go too bad right? He had been bombarded with advice this morning, and he knew Astrid, she would be part of it too.
"It'll be fine- and if its not- you're married so…" Eret said, crossing his arms as everyone slowed their pace.
"Gee thanks" Hiccup replied sarcastically.
"Ok fine- here we are!" Tuffnut exclaimed, motioning to Hiccups house. "An empty house and a wife to enjoy-"
"We'll see you in a week!" Fishlegs said with a smile and a nod. Hiccup gave him a warm smile, thankful at least one person had decency.
"Well… you could have learned it all from me-"
"Like you've-" Tuffnut cut in, interrupting Snotlout.
"But we'll just hear it from Astrid how your performance was, don't start your marriage with disappointment!" Snotlout grinned before turning on his heals, walking with as much bravado as he usually did.
"It'll be awkward, but you'll live" Eret said, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Don't fuck up too bad- literally" Tuffnut cackled before bounding off into the darkness.
"I don't know what those two drank but I'll have to have whatever they had" Eret laughed before giving Hiccup one last smile and walked off himself.
"Good luck!" Fishlegs said awkwardly before waving and running to catch up to the other guys.
Hiccup watched their their figures lit by their torches until the night swallowed them. The party would last for a couple more days, but he was just about to start his Honeymoon.
Why did his house look so intimidating? Just looking at it made his hear beat faster, knowing what it held, knowing who was waiting for him.
Hiccup looked around one last time, taking his time walking up to the door. This was it, this was the final step. Stealing his courage, he opened the door, nervous but excited for what was to come. Astrid would be there with him, and if it was awkward, they would work through it.
~(+)~(+)~(+)~
"Heeeeey" Snotlout drawled, moving to sit down next to Ruffnut.
"Ugh- how much did you drink?" She hissed, giving him a disgusted look.
"Enough- the better question is…. How did you get so pretty?" his words slurred together, not that he noticed.
"How did you get so smelly?" She shot back, leaning away from him.
"That's my natural manly musk- ladies love it"
"You're disgusting"
"And I'm all yours" He smiled, stretching himself out as if he was indeed a prize. Ruffnut grimaced, knowing it would take more than what she's already drunk to find him appealing. She sighed, blocking Snotlout out. All night she had tried to talk to, tried to dance with, tried to do anything to get Eret's attention, and nothing. Why have Snotlout when she could have that tall broad new man, someone she hadn't grown up with… except he wanted nothing to do with her. At one point he had just lifted his hand in her face and said "No" before walking away, that was it!
"What's wrong with you?" Snotlout asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Learn how to flirt, muttonhead." She grumbled before getting up. She knew he wouldn't leave, but she could try. Maybe someone trying for her attention was what she needed to get past the disappointment of the night.
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The party raged on all through the night, though it slowly started to diminish as the night turned to day, people either going home or sleeping it off in Meade Hall. The party would be continuing of course, but not to the extent it would the day of the wedding. Feasts would be held in Meade Hall in honor of the chief and his wife as the happy couple spent the week alone together in their house.
Some Vikings woke up with hangovers, others with food on their mind or heading to work. Mr. Ingerman woke up with a certain level of determination that was caused from a night of planning.
He was already dressed as he walked into the kitchen and his wife gave him a confused glance as she cooked.
"Come on Helga- we have to go" He said sternly, not looking at his son who was eating breakfast.
"Where?" Mrs. Ingerman asked, not catching on.
"You know that thing we talked about last night- that right now" Mr. Ingerman said, widening his eyes.
"What?" Fishlegs asked, not following the conversation.
"What did we talk about?"
"The THING- It's very very important… After we talked to Valka we talked about it- oh come on! You know what I'm talking about!" Mr. Ingerman glanced at his son nervously, wondering if he would somehow put it together faster than his mother.
"If you're having a stroke-" Mrs. Ingerman began.
"I'm fine! But there is that… proposal that we need to go over, it's important for the family" Mr. Ingerman made hand motions and widened his eyes, trying to convey the message.
"Oh! Oh! That- when we talked about- ooohhh" Mrs. Ingerman said, finally understanding and glancing at their son.
"Did I do something?" Fishlegs asked, starting to feel nervous.
"No! we just have to go do something" Mrs. Ingerman said, taking off her apron and brushing off her hands as she passed her husband. "You could have said it a little better than that"
"We talked about it- never mind, just go get ready" He sighed.
"Where are you going?" Fishlegs could tell something was going on, of course his parents were weird but never like this.
"We are just going out for a little while- we should be back before dinner- hopefully"
"You're not going to work?"
"No- and you can take the day off too"
"I can't just miss work!"
"You work under me! I could tell you to go work and don't come back until next week and you would have to do it- but I'm not going to do that" Mr. Ingerman said in exasperation. "Just take the day off, read, go play with your friends, even better go play with the Bardson girl"
"Dad- did someone die?"
"I'm going to if you keep questioning me!"
"Well it's kind of hard not to when you won't say where you're going or what you're doing or doing and suddenly giving me the day off"
"I swear to gods, go put on your boots and go play or fly or- do whatever you want or I'll be even more embarrassing than I already am"
"That's hard to do"
"I'll go over and tell your friends-"
"I'm going!"
Mr. Ingerman gave a sigh of relief as Fishlegs went up to get ready for the day. Maybe he should have sent him to work, maybe that would have been a better plan… it would have kept him busy…. Maybe he should send him over to the Bardson's girl, then while they're discussing it'll be part of a good argument. 'they like each other and get on amazingly! In fact, they're out together right now!'
"Go see what your friend Rosethorn is doing"
"She's probably working- just like everyone else-"
"Go see what she's doing or I'll tell your mom that-"
"I wouldn't have told you if- I'm going! I'm going!" Fishlegs huffed.
~(+)~(+)~(+)~
The Ingermans hurriedly made their way to their destination, almost completely silent, both thinking over just how far they were willing to bend when it came to haggling. Soon they were outside the Bardson's home and gave each other one final look before Mr. Ingerman heavily knocked on the door.
"Good morning- when you said you had to speak with us in the morning, I didn't think this early" Mr. Bardson answered the door, his wife standing with him both with smiles. "Now, what can we do for you?"
"We have a proposal for you" Mr. Ingerman said seriously as they were let into the house.
~(+)~(+)~(+)~
"Ooh, good morning- don't you have work?" Rosethorn asked sweetly as Fishlegs appeared in front of the counter, Meatlug in tow.
"Apparently not- don't ask why. What are you doing?" He asked, leaning over the bakery counter as Meatlug decided to lay down, it had been much too early to be woken up anyway.
"Oh, the usual. Valka is coming around later to pick up more things for the feast tonight. Parent's kicked me out, big meeting or something, so mom's not even going to help." She told him as she stirred a large bowl, cracking eggs into it without even looking before giving the egg shells to her Gronkle, he was responsible for heating the oven and ate really anything left over.
"Oh- well then I guess I'll just- uhm- I'll go then" He fumbled.
"Well I have to go to the market to get more ingredients and you can come with-"
"Yes! I mean, sure- why not" He straightened out, trying to compensate for his outburst by looking aloof.
She gave him a smile while she took out her basket. Meanwhile, this had motivated her Gronkle, Pudge, to get up, finally noticing Fishlegs. It's not that Fishlegs didn't like him, of course he loved all Gronkles, but this one did not like him. Always butting between them, somehow interfering.
Fishlegs waited for her to get her stuff together all the while glaring at Pudge, who blew smoke out of his snout menacingly.
"Why is he so mean to me?" He whined, motioning to the death stares he was receiving.
"Aw, he's just a little cranky today, aren't you?" The dragon gave his rider an affectionate grumble, giving Rosethorn all his attention as she babied him.
"See? You let him get away with everything"
"One should not be so hypocritical this early in the day, Mister I-can't-handle-being-away-from-her-for-more-than-five-minutes"
"That's not true, I have to sleep" He said, crossing his arms.
"But you can dream" She replied, giving her dragon another pat before walking outside. Pudge gave an upset gargle as she said hello to Meatlug, who was happy enough to see her.
"Oh, make sure you are extra good to him today, he's in a bad mood"
"I am not!" Fishlegs argued.
"But I know you will be as sweet as you always are" Rosethorn smiled as Meatlug wiggled.
"See? She is properly behaved, unlike some people" Fishlegs said as she walked over to him.
"I think he's just jealous of you" She said, rolling her eyes before starting to walk away. "Come on, we need to get there before all the good stuff is gone."
"And why would he be jealous of me?" He asked, running to catch up to her as the two Gronkles sluggishly made their way behind them.
"Oh I don't know, I thought you were the dragon expert, think of reasons why he might be jealous of you"
"Well why do you think it?"
Fishlegs paused, thinking about what she said and tried to figure out why. It was too bad he hadn't put it together sooner, because he soon forgot about it as Rosethorn was walking off towards a vendor.
"Ohh, help me pick out good ones" She said, handing him her basket as she studied the apples at the booth.
"They all look good to me" He wasn't exactly picky when it came to food.
"You're too easy to please" she said offhandedly, already putting apples into the basket and paying the woman.
"Thank you for holding that for me, gotta use both hands-"
"For apple inspection?" He teased with a smile.
"Well all good food starts with good ingredients- you don't have to hold that, I'll take it back" She said, motioning to her basket.
"No, it's fine, I obviously don't have the eye for ingredients shopping" Fishlegs said sarcastically. "I don't mind, really"
"You're too sweet" She beamed and he blushed profusely.
"I-I-I really- I might as well" He stuttered. "I- uhm… what next?"
Rosethorn was suddenly deep in thought. He loved it when she made that face, trying to remember her mental list. "Eggs, I have to get eggs"
"I don't understand why you don't just have a chicken- wouldn't it be easier?" He asked as they walked along.
"I did- I had multiple chickens, until SOMEONE left the coop open and they all ran away and every dragon in the vicinity got a free meal-"
"Oh! I remember that! That- that was unfortunate…"
"Yes, and now whenever I try to go get more Tuffnut always questions me 'is your brother going to do that again?' 'are you the one responsible for innocent chicken lives lost?', you knew I felt terrible about it, and then I can't deal with him and leave before I even get to buy one!" She exclaimed with exasperation. Fishlegs made a mental note on what to get her for her birthday if she had yet to have a chicken by then.
"I think you should try being more demanding"
"I think you should listen to your own advice more often" She smirked.
"Point taken"
~(+)~(+)~(+)~
"I just don't get it!" Snotlout complained, slamming his meade down a little harder than he meant to.
"I don't either" Eret responded, quietly listening to Snotlout with an amused smile. Eret looked up to see Tuffnut and Ruffnut enter Meade Hall, Ruffnut immediately stopping as she saw Snotlout. She held her breath, quietly sneaking to the table behind Snotlout so he wouldn't see her. Eret grimaced as she smiled at him. Snotlout continued rambling as Eret tried to decide when she would stop making gross faces at him. It would be easier if Ruffnut did reciprocate Snotlout's feelings… but he couldn't exactly say either of them were better than the other. Maybe someone else talking Snotlout up could convince her? It seemed unlikely, but it was rather entertaining when Snotlout really got going.
"I am the whole package!"
"You are!" Eret said loudly, ensuring Ruffnut would hear.
"I'm the best, and she deserves the best! Me!"
"She definitely deserves something…" Eret mumbled.
"I'm a Jorgenson! I have muscles, I'm second in command! Well… aside from Astrid since they're married now… actually… I don't know but I'm up there!" Eret nodded. At first Snotlout had gotten on his nerves, Snotlout had actually hated him because of Ruffnut's fascination in the new comer, but he had finally gotten it through his thick skull Eret wanted nothing to do with her. He had told her, on numerous occasions he wasn't interested, that he actually had someone in his life already, but nothing convinced her, or at least nothing affected her.
"I'm manly, I can hold my meade, I- I have-… I have…"
"Your muscles!" Eret added, looking into his meade.
"I have my muscles! I have teeth- well, I have most of my teeth! I look smoking like all the time, I just don't get it! What more could she want?!"
"I don't know… she's rather insane if you ask me" At this point it wouldn't have been the first time he called her that, but it made Ruffnut slouch in her seat a bit and stop making inappropriate faces at him.
"Hey! Don't say that-" Snotlout cut in sharply.
"She's tried to bite me before! She's crazy" This really got Ruffnut's attention.
"Well you don't know her… and you're lucky she wants to bite you! What I'd give-"
"She's crazy" Eret said dismissively.
"Hey! What did I just say? She's not- well she can be- but you make it sound so… bad…"
"It's not bad?"
"No! It makes Ruffnut… Ruffnut! It's amazing what she can do with just a knife" Snotlout said dreamily.
"Well, then, it seems you have her figured out then, you should know how to get her to at least stop attacking you."
"It's too hard! Everything I do she hates"
"Well do something that she doesn't hate! Who exactly is Ruffnut?"
"Uhm… Tall, blonde, easy on the eyes-"
"Oh Odin… no, I'm asking you… what makes Ruffnut… Ruffnut? Aside from what she can do with a knife obviously" Eret said, noticing Ruffnut shove Tuffnut off the bench when he tried to distract her from eaves dropping.
"I don't know… she's funny…"
"Oh come on man! Can't you come up with anything- I don't know… something with more substance?"
"She- She knows how to break fingers in more ways than you can count on your-"
"Traits, list traits"
"uhm… She… She's uhm… very cool… ok! Ok!" Snotlout waved his hands as Eret glared at him. "She's… She's practical I guess… and she uhm… she once cut off her hair to save a dragon! That was cool!"
"Ok so she's… compassionate" Eret couldn't believe they were talking about the girl that had tried to take his shoes once.
"Yeah! That's good… she's uh- she's so awesome when it comes to fighting, she doesn't follow any of the sparring rules"
"Which are?"
"No crotch, eyes or mouth- Hiccup has to ruin all the fun with his dumb rules! Just because some kid got his teeth jacked up-" Snotlout grumbled.
"Was that you?"
"No! My teeth are fine- well fine enough! Ok can we get back to this listing thing?" Soon Eret was Snotlout's thesaurus, taking his tedious, childish descriptions and making them more sophisticated.
"Ok, well… what would a compassionate, fierce, 'super cool Viking babe' like from you?" Eret asked.
"I don't know…"
"You guys grew up together! You surely know something she would like!"
"Hmm… oh! Oh- I think I have an idea! And it's good- it's a good idea! I had a good idea!" Snotlout suddenly slammed his fist on the table with excitement, a new found hope kept the smile on his face as his mind raced.
"You're welcome" Eret said quietly, hoping that Snotlout could distract Ruffnut and keep her away from him.
A swift slap to the back of his head was followed by a "What the hell did you do?!"
"What?" He turned, rubbing his head, to see Ruffnut crossing her arms angrily.
"Now he's going to annoy me with more dumb shit!" She growled, pointing to Snotlout.
"There you are!" Snotlout smiled and patted the spot next to him.
"I still love you anyway" Ruffnut told Eret before slouching into the seat next to him.
"Great" Eret groaned, getting up and moving to sit next to Snotlout as Tuffnut too his spot.
"What are you so gloomy about?" Tuffnut asked Snotlout, not that he really cared.
"Why would I be gloomy when she's here?" Snotlout grinned stupidly, making the twins stick out their tongues.
Before they could respond, Rosethorn and Fishlegs were sitting down with them.
"Why the gross faces?" She asked, eating her lunch already.
"Snotlout's being gross." The twins complained at the same time before punching one another for 'copying'.
"Don't be gross" Rosethorn said simply as Fishlegs nodded.
"Not at lunch" Fishlegs added.
"Shut up" Snotlout muttered, brooding as Ruffnut continued ignoring him.
"See? She's a girl and she thinks your gross too!" Ruffnut laughed.
"Maybe this was a mistake" Rosethorn said to herself.
"It's already been made" Eret told her, rolling his eyes.
"Astrid would agree with me" Ruffnut complained.
"Well she and Hiccup are-" Tuffnut began.
"Don't finish that- people are eating" Fishlegs huffed.
"That hasn't stopped you before" Snotlout guffawed and soon the table had fallen into its usual hum of conversation. Arguing, comments, food stealing, meade drinking, everything as it usually was, but the absence of two people was felt by everyone.
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Woo! Chapter 2 up
i'd like to begin by saying i'm sorry if anyone seems ooc, i'm just getting back to writing and bleh i have a lot going on right now so i don't get to edit as much as i would like, but i'll be working on it!
anywa, i hope everyone likes it so far and you can ask questions and everything in the reviews or just leave little nice things which i would be very greatful for! thank you so much, anyway, now onto
Review Reviews
NatBlake: tbh you don't gotta read older cause this is just a redo of it that'll hopefully be more substantial and thank you so much! i always fret when it comes to writing hiccup and astrid cause theyre of course the fan favorites in the httyd series so i'm always weary of writing them wrong or too ooc! so it means a lot thank you!
hopelessromantic4life: :*
Hiccupisnotuseless: Thank you very much! yeah i can't wait to keep writing and get into more stuff with them!
UnbreakableWarrior: :D
non-heinous: ITS LIKE NOSTALGIA, honestly its so nice to be writing all my kids again, feels good and takes me back to over two years ago when i first started writing... more to come ;)