Tangled Vows

Chapter 14

It wasn't the most pleasant dinner that Hiccup had ever had before, and the word 'awkward' was not an apt enough description for whatever Hiccup was feeling as he sat at that table. He could feel their stares piercing through him as he sat quietly and ate his dinner, which he didn't really get a chance to appreciate because his mind was too busy reeling with every possible outcome from this scenario.

"So, what made you decide to get married?" Ingrid finally asked after several minutes of silent eating. Both Hiccup and Astrid exchanged looks, trying to decide who should speak up first and explain this rather complicated situation they had found themselves in.

"It wasn't really something that was planned, mother." Astrid started, putting her cutlery down and rubbing her hands up and down her thighs.

"Believe me," Hiccup spoke up, finding some semblance of courage within his chest to expel his thoughts. "The last person in Berk that I would want to be married to is Astrid."

Hiccup could feel Astrid's eyes burning through him, whilst he tried to smile politely at her parents and move past the fact that he had subtly insulted her in front of them. But, he couldn't resist the chance to mess with her, insulting her was the most fun he's had in years.

He missed it.

"Oh, trust me, Hiccup. The last person on earth I want to be married to right now, is you." Astrid scoffed, rolling her eyes heavily.

Hiccup chuckled, shaking his head in exasperation as he prepared himself for this battle ahead.

"Scathing insult, Astrid. Although, next time, try to come up with something original. I can't think up all your insults for you."

"Ugh, you're so infuriating." Astrid groaned, looking away from Hiccup in case the mere sight of him caused her to implode.

"Are you going to continue stating the obvious, or would you like a couple more minutes to continue?" Hiccup replied with a smirk, tilting his head at her in a manner that caused the expression on Astrid's face to turn almost murderous.

Yet, their bickering was interrupted by the delicate chuckle of an unfamiliar party. Their amusement sliced through the tense atmosphere between them, turning it into something else. Something that neither of them recognised.

"Oh, it's so sweet to see the two of you teasing each other like this. Young couples in love always make me feel so happy." Ingrid swooned, clutching her hands together and holding them to her chest, as though she were trying to capture this moment and hold onto that emotion for eternity.

"What? Mother, that's not what's--"

"I do have to say though, Astrid." Her father, Harold, interrupted. "I do enjoy Hiccup's company more than that other guy you've been dating. What was his name again, dear?" He turned to his wife, struggling to think for himself and search for the correct name.

Luckily, the pair had become quite the cohesive unit, and Ingrid had no problem uncovering the name that he was seeking.

"Eret Eretson, dear."

"That was it!" Harold confirmed, pointing his finger at Ingrid with pride as a smile graced his face. "I always had my doubts about him. But, I have to say that Hiccup is a much better match for you, my dear Astrid."

Hiccup tried to swallow the prideful smugness that was welling in his chest. To hear such compliments from Astrid's parents was a rarity, and to hear that they approved of something that wasn't real made Hiccup want to chuckle with amusement. Yet, he felt too overwhelmed by this whole situation to find any amusement in it and could only fixate on the small details in their words.