Authors Note: Ah, my very first posted Fanfiction. Little bit nervous here, guys. As much as I dislike his character in the movie, Eret's honestly a barrel of monkeys to write. I love the cocky, entitled attitude when I finally get into character. Besides that, a little bit wary of him in the movie. Oops! I hope this is fine reading, and sorry it's a little bit on the shorter side. Or maybe not, idk what counts as "short." Enjoy the reading, feel free to criticize!

Chapter One::
The God's Cruel Game

As his heavily padded feet made their way across the snow towards the forge, Eret, son of Eret, couldn't help but feel bitter towards the young man who took up residence there most of the time. Not because the chief of the viking village known as Berk was particularly hard to get along with— infact Hiccup was quite the opposite. Even if he made jokes that Eret never seemed to understand. The reason the newcomer disliked the russet hair and lopsided grin was because Hiccup had that last missing piece to Eret's story— the Viking goddess with soft blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. Astrid. Odin help him, even her name was beautiful.

The distinct signs of a committed relationship were there before that heated kiss at the end of battle, Eret just never wanted to acknowledge them. The way Hiccup seemed almost protective over the ridiculously fiery viking who didn't need protecting, the way Astrid talked him up when she was faced with death and Drago, the way she had dropped to his side when Stoick died. Eret always brushed those off as signs of close childhood friends. He was really just putting off what was going to happen eventually— and his heart didn't appreciate it. He felt bitterness and pain, when he watched the two young lovebirds lips meet. Thus, his distaste for the young chief formed.

Since his eyes had laid upon the gorgeous young woman with an equally gorgeous personality, he had admired her. From the furious look in her deep blue eyes to the stance she held the stick to be used as a weapon, he wanted her. He would never show it— never show weakness in front of a dragon (or a rider)— but his brain was spinning about a mile a minute on how they could convince these two to join their team. Well, mostly just her. He didn't want anything to do with the sassy diplomat insulting him. Imagine his surprise when she appeared on his ship, tangled in net and completely useless. If Hiccup hadn't been taking up his time (like he did on most of that journey) Eret would have been able to make a move and possibly tangle in his fingers in the sunlight coloured hair. She really was a Viking's utmost idea of beauty, but he couldn't admire it while that walking elephant with the metal leg constantly getting in the way. Him, and his frustratingly vast father.

His lust for her didn't even fade when she kidnapped him and almost got him killed. That had to count for something, if someone was keeping records. He also rescued them along with himself, turning to the good side. He learned to ride Stormfly (once again thanks to that lovely woman) and helped the hero overcome the bad guy. It was about time his story was wrapped up with the pretty girl and a happy family. The Gods seemed to have a different idea, and they were certainly playing a cruel, cruel game.

After some time suffering through watching chaste kisses and holding hands between Hiccup and Astrid, the chief deemed it time Eret learned how to properly handle Skullcrusher so he could help with the repairs to his new home. Eret liked it on Berk, and he was eager to learn Dragon-Human understanding. That was, until the slender form of his now unattainable love stalked in and told him she was his teacher. His back still tingled from the countless times she held onto him, showing him the ins and outs of flying instead of trapping. It would have been so easy, right there, to make a move. He would have, had it been the girlfriend of any other man. Unfortunately, she was the chief's beauty. She belonged to Hiccup. Eret was positive he wouldn't just get the annoyed look Snotlout received for making a move on the woman the most important man in the village was going to marry soon. He didn't fancy getting chased out when he just managed to settle in.

He was so completely wrapped up in the haunting thoughts of the woman he couldn't have, that he failed to make a warning noise when entering the warm forge. Gobber wasn't there, which means he was forced to go searching in the back for Hiccup. He would regret both actions, for they left him with an image his brown eyes never wanted to see.

The lanky, auburned hair lad had his fairy-tale ending pressed back against his desk, one of her long legs hiked up around his waist. His slender fingers were snaked up under her shirt, Eret could see the movement under the red fabric. Oddly enough, Astrid was missing the spiked armour she almost constantly wore, and Eret felt like they planned this. Especially if Hiccup had known that Gobber wasn't going to be in the forge. The thought of what would've happened disgusted him even more than what he saw and he made a noise, turning away. There was a squeak and suddenly Hiccup was stumbling backwards, green eyes churning with both lust and confusion. Well, it was about time they noticed he was there.

It was strange, catching Hiccup and Astrid in an act of intimacy. Despite the fact Hiccup's face was a colour red not yet known to vikings, he seemed almost smug. Like that shy, awkward smile was hiding thoughts about how great it was to be sucking the face of the prettiest girl on this heap of wet rock. Eret's stomach churned with anger at the thought of Hiccup subtly rubbing it in his face, without him even knowing. What did the stunning young lass even see in him, anyway? Besides the chiefdom, the wiry boy had nothing of real admiration. He was all elbows, with a small amount of lean muscle and one leg. There was a metal contraption replacing his foot— how was that in any way attractive? His eyelashes were too feminine for a viking, and he looked seventeen when he was twenty. He could only think up one reason why Astrid might have gone for that. Either it was because she enjoyed being completely in control, Hiccup seemed really submissive, or she was one of his many fan girls. "Pride of Berk" was a good title to have when you're a disappointment to the viking stereotype.

No matter how much he hated to admit it, that didn't make sense. Eret could see the love in her brilliantly blue eyes, and it just fuelled the fire stirring in his gut. She should be looking at him like that— not some viking wannabe with twigs for arms.

"Oh, Eret. Hey… Eret." Hiccup was nervously swinging his arms around, glancing uncomfortably between him and the door. Eret's gaze landed on the head of shiny hair. She was hiding her face, although he could see the brilliant crimson colour running down her chest. He wasn't going to look there— he wasn't. Instead, he turned his attention to the real reason why he came here, even thought it caused him to swallow down some more vulgar terms. He was always polite to his unknowing enemy, just stand-offish. It was the best way to keep all these feelings hidden. "What are you doing here?"

"I-" His eyebrows furrowed together, realizing that in his brooding he had completely forgotten why he came to the forge this late anyway. He reached up to scratch his neck, struggling to remember. "I honestly can't remember." He could almost feel Hiccup's annoyance, although the chief wouldn't show it. He was too proper. Acting high and mighty all the time. It made Eret want to roll his eyes.

In the moments before their heartwarming kiss, Eret actually had the delusion him and the small kid could be friends. As soon as he saw their kiss, he crushed all those feelings right down. Polite acquaintances, sure. But he couldn't be friends, not when he'd have to watch the other man make googly eyes at what should surely be his girlfriend. Having to go and pretend to enjoy their wedding was going to be hard enough as it was.

"Do you want to come back later? Or I guess you could stick around until you remember—" Hiccup was wildly waving his hands in the air, and Eret could sense how much he wanted to get back to whatever it was him and Astrid were doing. Eret didn't want to think about that too much. He wanted to stop, and yell, and tell Astrid just how much she should be with him and not that ridiculous walking fishbone they all called chief. However, no matter how much he was caught up in his rage, he knew that would be a mistake. Hiccup could run the village better than he could, and the ex-trapper had to bite his lower lip to keep himself from making any kind of rude remark.

"I'll just get going." He said scruffily, interrupting Hiccup from some kind of ludicrous nervous rambling. "If I remember, I'll come back in the morning." He let out a slight snicker, turning his gaze once more on Astrid. She squirmed under his gaze, reaching up to brush some of that deliciously silky hair out of her face. Her shirt was crumpled, no doubt from Hiccup's advanced, and her leggings were falling a little bit off her hips. He could see that tiny bit of golden skin peeking out above her hip bones, but before he could enjoy it at all she tugged on her shirt self-consciously.

"Great, then, I guess we'll see you. Tomorrow. Sometime. Maybe." Hiccup's hands finally came to a resting spot on his hips, and his head slowly nodded. The chief was nothing more than a kid, still embarrassed by getting caught making out with his girlfriend. Eret snickered, turning around and barrelling out of there. Maybe he could find something to keep his mind off that image that keeps replaying over and over his head.

Or maybe he'll keep it as fuel to snatch Astrid away at his first opportunity. And as he walked away, hearing the annoying nasally voice summon an adorable giggle, he decided that the latter would be the route he would take.