He was giving this too much thought. He seriously was. But he couldn't stop himself. Lately that need to spend all of his time overanalyzing everything that Astrid have ever said or done was just getting stronger and stronger. He had a feeling he was getting awkward in contact with her again. Wait, could she see that? Does it make her feel awkward too? Just like a few years ago before they bacame friends?
He could clearly see, he was going crazy.
It was the evening already, but he had no plans to go to home yet. There was always something to do in the blacksmith even after he finished his set work. Especially after that.
„Get out, loser, we're getting drunk!" Ruffnut suddenly ran into blacksmith screaming.
Well, technically he was done with his work and he could… get out. Toothless, who was currently out there hunting by himself, would find him anyway by the smell, so no problem there. But why the sudden invitation?
„Where?"
„At our place, no parents home" said Tuffnut, who just showed up in the entrance on Belch's neck.
„You realise we have no parents on the Edge ever? Also we were drinking with all of our parents many times, what's the deal?"
Ruffnut had no idea what was so hard to understand.
„But this is a real house party!"
„Okay. Okay, fine, I'll be there".
The twins lef just this second, probably to get rest of the squad.
It wasn't rare for them to get drunk, but it was the true that it was mainly with parents and rest of the adults around (vikings like their fests, holidays and just generally drinking too much), and there is only so much stuff you can take to the Edge, so drinking was mainly done in the village. From what he remembered from teens getting drunk on their own was mainly some meet-ups that he was not invited for that happened years ago, after his social status changed there was just so much work and stuff to do and also getting drunk collectively to celebrate the peace that there was actually little to no private parties.
When he got to the Nutt family house, Snotlout and Astrid were already there. They were having quite civil conversation. At least for their standards. At least for viking standards. They were in the main room talking some general stuff about when will Fishlegs and the twins get here and where the mead is kept. He felt kind of cheap and proposed getting more from his house, but Astrid told him there's no need as he was sitting next to her on the bench near the table, because this party is sponsored by the Nutts.
The Nutts where technically warriors, but in reality they were most important mead producers in the village. They started doing this… hobbisticaly, but it turned out to be their true call.
So he was here. With Astrid. Like they did countless times before. Nevermind that he made a promise to himself that he will finally talk to her. (At least having Snotlout in the room was a great excuse not to do that) (Also having conversation like this just before a meet-up in bigger group was a bad idea). Great, he does not have to talk to her now. So it is not awkward anymore.
„So, what you've been doing all day? I haven't seen you or Toothless" she asked while Snotlout actually left the room to get some meat to cook later.
„Oh, you've been looking for me?" he made quite a pause before giving his answer, so Astrid had time to say in the meantime:
„Yes, I thought we could maybe go for a little trip somewhere, you have this list of places you want to check out to map"
If that were to happen, he would have no excuse.
Surprised by her plans, he combed his hair with his hand.
„That would actually be pretty nice. I was in the blacksmith, Gobber left me work there. Oh, and I met your father there".
They were so close now.
„He haven't told me he met you".
„Maybe he didn't know you were looking for me".
„Surely".
What to say? What to say now?
„How is Stormfly?" asking about dragons was always the most natural thing for him to do.
„When you mentioned her… You know, her sadle is getting worn-out a bit…"
„Really? I just fixed it"
„Well, I think it needs a second look" and after a moment she added „not that you haven't done a good job" a after another second „I dont know, it is probably fine, don't mention it"
„But it's not a problem, I'll check it. I won't let you fly uncomfortable"
They looked at each other. He wasn't sure what she actually wanted him to do, but he would do anything.
Just then Fishlegs and Snotlout came in arguing about meat. They both brought some.
„I tell you, we should start the fire right now to start roasting as soon as we can, we will be hungry in an hour" – said Fishlegs.
„We won't. We can do it later. Let's start drinking now" Snotlout said on his way to get the mead from the basement.
„We'll get drunk and burn the whole house, get the Hookfang to start fire now" said Hiccup from the bench, not noticed yet by Fishlegs.
Snotlout gave an angry sigh and said something to himself, but left the house to get his dragon and do just as he was told. Fishlegs joined Hiccup and Astrid by the table, sitting in front of them, back to the door. After him Meatlug got inside the building, got herself in the between of a big fireplace in the center and the wall and it looked like she went to sleep.
Fishleg got both his and Snotlout's meat on the table, took some spices from his bag and started preparing it to roast.
Then the twins came in screaming they will party as they never did. Nothing new. They got all the attention, even after they stepped in to the basement, still loudly, to bring the alcohol, so Snotlout coming in and getting monstrous nightmare gel on the wood in the fireplace went quite unnoticed. What got attention to his actions was a stream of fire coming from behind the door to light up the fireplace. It was Hookfang's of course, and this time Snotlout managed not to set himself on fire. Hiccup congratulated him on that and Snotlout told him to shut up.
When they all took places, mead was on the table and fire was starting nicely (to the excitement of Meatlug, who loved to get warm), Snotlout said:
„So, time to start. Let's play a game. Everyone takes turns and names one thing they have never done and all the people who have done it have to drink"
Twins were excited. They always were.
„None of the people here have had sex, Snotlout, you won't get any confessions" said Hiccup.
„That was quite a confession" Snotlout said.