Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Ice Hockey Player Zora Ideale, Figure Skater Kirsch Vermillion, Implied/Referenced Sexual Harassment, Implied/Referenced Homophobia

Chapter 1: Game One Failure

"Zora," yelled Asta, who was loud enough to be heard over the roar of the crowd and the jeers of the other hockey players on the bench. Asta was being blocked by two Golden Dawn guys Klaus and Yuno.

"Got it!" The puck came careening towards Zora on the ice in the Clover Kingdom Stadium for the Clover Kingdom Hockey League and the Clover Kingdom Professional Ice Skaters' Team. Zora caught it with practiced ease as he skated expertly across the ice field towards the goal, guarded by the ever-unflappable Golden Dawn Goalie and Team Captain William Vangeance.

It was the first game of the season for the League and the Black Bulls were in top form. They were actually beating the Golden Dawn (the star of the Men's Division for four years running) with a lead of 2-1.

Zora was so focused on getting the goal that he didn't see Golden Dawn's Starting Defense Alecdora Sandler, a big man with a bad attitude and a complex towards the GD Captain, rushing towards him. Alecdora knocked off the Black Bulls' Starting Defense duo Henry and Gauche and checked Zora hard into the wall.

He had been checked hard before—getting concussions and broken or bruised ribs, but this time, Zora felt his right arm snap. "Sonvabitch!"

Normally, he'd be able to get up and walk off the pain. But Zora knew his own body well—his arm was broken and the shock from the pain didn't let him move. He glanced up at the sneering face of Alecdora, as Asta, Gauche, and Luck attacked the asshole from behind. As the brawl broke out between the Golden Dawn and the Black Bulls (it's a hockey match, what do you expect?), Zora sat helplessly on the ice as the medics-on-sight were brought out and the referees attempted to break up the brawl.

Still reeling from the pain and the shock, he didn't argue as he was carted off the ice and taken to the medical room. There, he watched on the television the game restart with Magna as his backup as a Forward.

And Zora watched his team lose 3-2.

Saying a few choice curse words that caused even Doc Owen to scold Zora. A member of the Black Bulls' Women's Team (Vanessa) brought Zora's phone and bag from the locker room, only to see texts from his dad Zara and his mom Amalia asking if he was okay and if he wanted them to come see him.

Since texting was hard with one hand, he called his mother, since she'd be the calmer one. Zora was sure that his dad was in tears and already on his way. "Ma, I'm okay. They're takin' me to the hospital to get my arm set and shit."

"I'll call Dad and reroute him to Clover General. I'd like to have a word with that Defense fellow. That's excess force even for a hockey game!"

"Ma, please don't do nothing," said Zora, sighing. He was a 28-year-old man—he definitely didn't need his parents to fight his fights for him.

"Fine."

After making his mother double promise, Zora hung up and sighed. A broken arm meant that his season was over. It'd take three months to heal properly and then he'd have physical therapy. And knowing Julius and how much he cared, Zora had better take his own health and well-being seriously or face the consequences.

"From the look on your face, you already know what I'm going to say," said Julius Novachrono, flanked by his assistant Marx Francois. Julius Novachrono was the owner and manager of all the CKHL Men's Division Teams. Since they weren't a big league in comparison to say like the Canadian, American and Russian teams, things were a bit different on how the CKHL was run. "I expect you to take it easy. And I already found something so you won't spend the next six months brooding!"

Zora didn't like the sound of that, as a pit of dread formed in his stomach. Julius's bright ideas weren't the greatest. "What?"

"You'll be one of the teachers for the Ice Skating Beginners Ages 7-12 Class in a month," said Julius, cheerfully.

"Fuck no," said Zora. "I ain't teachin' a bunch of brats!"

"You are!"

"I'm fucking not!"

Marx interjected, "It'll help with your PR imagine, which I will remind you is in desperate need of repair since last season you punched several fans."

Zora's jaw set and he growled out. "Those assholes were being handsy with 'Nessa and Noelle. I told ya I ain't apologizing fer shit."

"And I agreed, but still," said Julius, calmly.

Zora made a face. It looked like he had no choice in the matter. Unbelievable. "If I hafta…"

"Good, I'm glad you saw reason."

All Zora did was gesture rudely with his left hand since his right arm was out of commission. Julius laughed, Marx scolded him and Zora just got madder.

~to be continued