Chapter 6

If Astrid hadn't literally been blindsided by the impromptu date she wouldn't have been sitting opposite of Eret right now gaping like a guppy seeking fish food.

Eret was dressed to the nines in a sky-blue button-up shirt and black blazer. Black slacks and polished shoes were also part of his ensemble. Astrid didn't care how he cleaned up well and stood up to leave. She had enough of the manipulation and schemes. But before she could fully stand up Eret grabbed her arm.

"Astrid, please.... We've had nearly three years together. Three good years. Are you really going to throw that away?" Eret told her while silently pleading for her to sit back down.

"Eret it's the consideration for those three years that I don't stab you with the steak knife," Astrid stated while yanking her hand out of his. "And I didn't throw this relationship away. It was you and your inconsideration that did it in."

"BABE WAIT!" Eret shouted as Astrid had fully stood up, grabbed her bag, and was about to leave. His shout alerted the other restaurant-goers and Astrid turned around. She wished she hadn't because she found Eret on bended knee next to their table with a hand reaching in his pocket. He revealed a silver ring with a Marquise cut diamond at the center. Astrid froze. Her anxiety started to surface as she noted the eyes of the other restaurant-goers now watching avidly.

"Astrid after three years together, I realized that I can't live without you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Eret announced loud enough for those nearby to hear. Astrid also was sure some people had taken out their phones to record. Her hands started to shake and she wanted to bring them together or wring Eret's neck.

'Was the bastard counting on her to say yes so she'd avoid making a scene? Was he going to propose on her birthday? Just what the hell was going through Eret's head?' Astrid's thoughts raced a mile a minute and she must have been quiet for a long while as the crowd began to murmur. Some people nearby even lightly offered suggestions that she should accept the proposal. Eret was still on bended knee.

"Come on Asti," Eret frankly looked hopeful as he indicated for her hand so that he could put the ring on her finger as if she'd already accepted. This just made Astrid's blood boil more. Her breathing was heavy and she clutched her chest before she set her mind to something. 'Screw this proposal, Screw Eret, Screw her mother, Screw Miriam, and Screw the people watching trying to make her say yes. For once Astrid didn't care about public opinion as her ire zeroed in on Eret like a drone-shot missile.

She grabbed the wine glass filled with cold water that the waiter had put on the table before she'd arrived and splashed it on Eret in a fit of rage. "No... No... NO! I wouldn't marry your inconsiderate ass if you were the last man in the Universe!"

Some of the patrons booed at her and so Astrid's glare turned towards them. "Shut up!" She shouted. "You have no right to butt in! You don't know our circumstances! Why should I have to say yes? Just because it was a public proposal? Mind all your own damn business!" She uttered before storming out of the restaurant.

Once outside however Astrid's nerves caught up with her and she bent over, grasping her knees in the middle of the sidewalk to steady her breathing. She couldn't believe she'd just done that. In front of so many people. It felt... scary... and liberating at the same time.

Astrid still wanted to retch but had ultimately made it to her car. She just sat there in the driver's seat, staring at the windows of the restaurant where she could see a waiter nervously hand Eret some napkins. Astrid was still breathing heavily and needed someplace to calm down. She looked down at herself. All dressed up and nowhere really to go. It was then that she got an idea. She grabbed her phone out of her purse and added several people to a group chat before sending off a message.

An hour later Astrid parked in front of The Cuddly Cactus. She was severely overdressed for the simple pizzeria though. She smiled when she recognized Cami's car parked a bit further away.

Once she stepped inside she saw Cami, Heather, and Dagur at a booth. They seemed to be in a deep discussion about bacon on pizza and hadn't seen her approach at first.

"GIRL!" Cami greeted once again. "Why didn't you tell me you knew Dagur?"

"How do you know Dagur?" Astrid frowned. For all, she knew they hadn't met. Dagur was Heather's brother that occasionally visited his sister's apartment to catsit if Heather and Fishlegs went on business trips.

"Dagur's my hairdresser!" Camicazi laughed. "He's the one who did my pink highlights."

"She set me up with her coworker Mala," Dagur smirked as he also answered.

"Small world," Astrid mumbled as she took a seat as Dagur scooted further down. The bell above the door jingled again and Astrid turned when a now familiar voice greeted her.

"Hiccup," Astrid greeted. Those in the booth noticed Astrid's eyes light up a bit at seeing the man but they said nothing.... As of yet. Though they couldn't just not tease the two.

"So that's Mr. Sassy," Cami remarked.

"The one Astrid said had a great ass?" Dagur asked which caused Astrid to choke and Hiccup to blush now that he was in earshot.

"I can see why," Heather muttered.

"YOU GUYS!!!!" Astrid near whined which only caused Hiccup to laugh as he took a seat next to Astrid after Dagur elbowed his sister to move, who in turn elbowed Cami.

"Here are your menus guys," Tuffnut popped out of the void once more giving Hiccup and Heather a fright. Camicazi just rolled her eyes while Dagur didn't look fazed.

"Don't do that Tuff!" Astrid grumbled as she held a hand to her heart once more. Seriously, this man could sneak up on James Bond with a menu and the spy wouldn't be the wiser.

"Might I suggest the beer or wine on the menu tonight if your party will be drinking," Tuffnut whispered. "Ruff's been mixing drinks again and she placed several as specials this week."

Astrid made a face. The last time Ruffnut bartended.... Well... that was the first and last time. Those cocktails would put her yaknog to shame.

The group all decided on a round of beers before deciding on the pizza.

"Astrid not going for anchovies is new," Camicazi pondered aloud. "You practically adore that toping."

Astrid just hummed with a smile before saying "I think I might try something new tonight."

In the end, the gang had settled for ordering a medium Manoushe, a Lebanese pizza, and a medium Flammkuchen originating from Germany.

The beers came along with a basket of garlic bread for the table. "This calls for a toast," Heather proclaimed as she held her bottle. "To friendship and new beginnings." She proclaimed as the others joined her in the toast. Even Ruffnut yelled from the kitchen "Here Here!"

Epilogue

Hiccup was somewhat nervous. It was five months after he'd met Astrid at the party and things took off from there. They had become really good friends and though there had always been talk of something more, nothing had happened yet. Hiccup was hoping today might be the day.

His car was parked in front of Astrid's apartment and he nervously sat behind the wheel. He took a deep breath and steeled himself for Astrid's answer.

Hiccup's legs felt like lead as he finally made it to Astrid's front door and knocked. Astrid opened it and she raised a brow at Hiccup's visit.

"These are for you!" Hiccup quickly said as he handed her a bouquet of blue and white Cala Lilies.

"That's very sweet Hiccup," Astrid smiled as she stepped aside to let him in. Though Hiccup didn't move just yet.

"This too," Hiccup said and indicated to the portable food warmer he had brought with him. "I.... uhm... I made you Pasta Puttanesca."

Astrid blinked for a moment as Hiccup then asked "Would you like to go on a date with me sometimes?"

"You made me an anchovy dish just to ask me out?" Astrid asked, trying to wrap her head around it. Hiccup nodded.

"Of course, I'll go out with you!" She then laughed and Hiccup's heart did a little backflip while his brain high-fived him mentally. Astrid invited him in and they ended up sharing the pasta and a bottle of wine.

The End..... or New beginnings...