What was he even doing now? A, yeah, sharpening axes. Gobber loved to leave this to him, because it was the most boring one. Later he planned on working on his own designs. And yes, he technically still was an apprentice in the smithy, even tho he was now in command. The difference was that when he started working here, it was because he was no use anywhere else, now he shows up here just because it turned out to be his thing and he is genuinly interested in learning more.

Just when he actually got back to work, he heard someone coming inside.

He turned around and saw, what else, a mountain of a viking known as Eric Hofferson. Okay, maybe not that much of a mountain compared to, let's say, his father, but still really tall and wide in arms. He had this appalling aura around him that made him seem bigger than he actually was. Me was much kinder than he looked tho.

„Hiccup! It's been a while since I've seen you here".

He was leaving Berk a lot lately, guilty as charged.

„Yeah, there's been some… stuff" not getting into long stories about adventures on the Edge.

„Ow, I know all about it from Astrid" he said waving his hand. „Where is Gobber? He said my axe will be done by now".

So it seems Gobber assumed he is much faster smith than he is. Eric's axe was still waiting in line. Maybe it would actually be done by now, if he wasn't spending worktime thinking about its owner's daughter.

„Gobber is out fishing. And well, the axe is not done yet". Oh no. Eric will now be disappointed in him. He can't do nothing right. He is a useless excuse for a smith who spends time thinking about gods knows what instead of doing something useful for once. The flashbacks with his father's disgusted face hit him. „but I can take care of it just now! It won't take long, I promise". He said a bit too fast.

„No hurry! I dont need it now" Eric said calmingly.

But Hiccup was already getting the axe from the stockroom.

He chilled out after a moment, but he still wanted to get work for Hofferson done quickly and efficiently.

„It will be done in a moment, just wait here."

„If you are this eager…" Eric sat down on a stool next to the entrance, while Hiccup put the axe on the grindstone. „So, Astrid told me you are doing quite well as a leader".

„Really, she said that?" He looked his way excited, but then quickly looked back at the work he was doing.

„Yes, why wouldn't she? She always praises you".

Oh. That was great news. And very useful from his perspective.

„That's nice to know"

„Like you are not used to it. Aren't praises all you hear?"

Hm. Tricky. He is indeed getting a lot of praises, but he is not used to it. He is suspicious of them.

„I don't know. I guess I get some".

„Why are you even here?A man would think you have a lot of better things to do than sharpening old weapons. Why won't you get someone else to take care of it".

„Gobber already did that".

„You know, what I mean, you'd be much better spending your time helping Stoick than here".

„You know, he always says no task is too small where it comes to helping our people".

„I see why Astrid likes you so much".

„She does?" Okay, what kind of weirdo is he? She is his close friend. Yes, she does like him. It was complicated how exactly was she liking him, but one could surely said that she did like him. He got his calm back and tried to look casual.

Eric looked like he understood what was going on in this conversation far more than Hiccup did.

„Yes, Hiccup. Yes, she does".

Hiccup suddenly recalled that when Astrid was kissing him publicly, her father was one of the people that seen it. He was thinking about this moment so much yet he wasn't considering how public their relationship, or lack of it, was. It is now the time to feel awkward already?

Realistically, it wasn't that bad, Astrid's dad seemed to liked him. At least recently.

When Hiccup was younger Eric Hofferson was trying to teach him and taught rest of Berkian youngsters how to use axe in a battle. It was not something that left both Hiccup and Eric with fond memories. After the big changes he was one of the first to adapt tho, while many of the warriors were quite resentful, while not opposing to Stoick's authority. Hiccup was never sure if that was because of Astrid in some way or because Eric was an inteligent man, which, to be completely honest, was not super common among warriors in this village.

One day he will be in command of them. Including Eric. The thought was so distant that he never could seroiusly imagine that. It was against nature. On the other hand, changing things that appeared to be nature's law was his speciality nowadays.

„Okay, I think it is done" he said giving the blade last look.

Eric took his axe from Hiccup, look at it carefully and said:

„Good work, Hiccup. As always". After a little pause he gave Hiccup a few pads on the shoulder. „You are a solid guy".

„Thank you. I do my best"

„I know. I'd say I was just like you when I was younger, but I wasn't. Take care" he said and left.

And Hiccup was alone again, with his work and thoughts. Was it… fine? He called him solid! That was a good sign. And it seems that Astrid i stalking about him in superlatives in her home. That was very good to know.

He went again into his thoughts about Astrid, but this time he guarded himself not to get distracted too much, so he'll be finished before Gobber get back.