Kiku stared in horror at the mass of ice in front of him.
Why anyone would step onto a lake covered with only a few centimeters of ice, he had not a clue.
"I-I-I don't think this is a good idea, Arthur san…" Kiku stammered, still hanging onto the railing that was set up on the edge of the lake to ease people onto the ice. "Th-this looks awfully thin…"
"It's fine, Kiku," Arthur laughed, sliding to a stop in front of him. "Come on, Kiku… you haven't even stepped on the ice yet… Get off the grass!" He extended a hand to him, smiling.
Kiku reached out his trembling hand to take it, but pulled it right back.
"I-I-I really really don't think this is s-s-safe…."
"It's as safe as can be, Kiku. Come on- I'll protect you."
Kiku was shaking despite the fact that he was bundled up in layers of clothing. Whether it was because of the cold, or because of the fear of ice, even he, himself was unsure.
Whatever it was, it was telling him to get out of here.
He should never have agreed. What was he thinking when he agreed to come slide onto a slab of thin ice over sub zero degrees mass of water on little blades stuck to shoes?
Give him a knife and 20 seconds and he would be able to make a clean hole right through this "safe" thickness of ice.
"Come on Kiku….please…?" Arthur begged, now reaching out both hands, waiting to take Kiku's. "I promise I won't let you fall."
That face- Arthur knew Kiku could not refuse that face. Half sulking, Kiku timidly stepped onto the ice and let himself be guided off the side.
"See? Nice and easy~," Arthur cooed as he skated backwards, leading Kiku who was practically walking on the ice. "You just have to keep on going like thi—!"
The next thing Arthur knew, he was sprawled on the ice, legs having slipped right from under him, with Kiku standing right above him with hand on his mouth.
"S-s-see? Wh-what did I tell you?" Arthur tried to smile up, his face twitching in pain. "I-I told you I'll protect you…"
Kiku chuckled. "That you did, Arthur san. Thank you."
He crouched down on the ice and offered his hand, smiling. "Do you still want to skate, or can we go home now?"
"W-we can go home…but it's for you- not for me!" Arthur stammered, ignoring the smiling faces all around him.
"I know," Kiku replied, giggling. He gave Arthur a quick peck on the lips and helped to pull the groaning man up. "Let's go home and drink nice, hot tea."
