Chapter 4: A Literal Nightmare

It was nine in the morning on a Wednesday and Kirsch was in his comfortable training clothes as he watched Mimosa land a triple-axel. Since Kirsch had been suspended, Mimosa entered the Figure Skater Singles Division for competition season, but she had never done tournaments without Kirsch there. Kirsch was the one in charge of their choreography and music, while she picked out the outfits. So, Kirsch had to help her learn to do a routine on her own so she could hold her own against the others in the Singles.

"That was much better," said Kirsch. "But you're still wobbly on your landing. It's the hardest move, so we'll circle back to that and decide if you're gonna attempt it in the competition." Mimosa had her jumps and spins down already and Kirsch was creating her choreography sequence. The Triple Axel was the hardest and oldest move in competitive Figure Skating and not many people can do it. But any Figure Skater worth their salt attempted it at least a few times.

"I don't think I'm getting enough air," said Mimosa, breathing in and out to calm herself. "Anyway, it's my step sequence I need the most help on."

A step sequence was another required part of a competition, but a step sequence was different in Doubles and Singles. It was Mimosa's weakest point. "Perhaps, we should get Mom to help you." Their mother had long since retired from Ice Skating, unlike their Aunt Acier, but she still skated. It was a family hobby. Their dad had been a hockey player, too.

"No, it's bad enough I have to endure you and your perfectionist ass, but Mom is like twenty times worse," said Mimosa, huffing. "I'll ask Fragil and Letoile for tips."

Kirsch put his hands on his hips. "Mimosa, they're your competition now!"

"And they're my friends," Mimosa countered.

Shaking his head, Kirsch said, sighing, "Fine. But we need to find someone that's not brutal and not your competition. The other women don't have your body type and therefore…"

"Way to say that my boobs are too big and I'm fat," said Mimosa, glaring at him.

"I said body type, Mimosa, don't make it weird," Kirsch protested. "And you're not fat! You are the prettiest young woman in the whole division. After all, you're my little sister." Mimosa rolled her eyes. Many women Figure Skaters weren't known for their overly large breasts, but alas Mimosa had genetics against her. And he only mentioned it because Mimosa had a complex about her body, considering that she was a beautiful young woman that attracted men wherever she went (which she hated). "Anyway, I think that's enough for today. We'll meet again tomorrow morning. Do you have a ride home?"

"Asta and Yuno are picking me up. They've killed several of their plants in their garden again and want my help," said Mimosa, crossing her arms. "And you're in a rush today. Can't wait to have your free time ogling Zora?"

Kirsch's face warmed. "Mimosa!"

She wasn't exactly wrong. Kirsch had been screwed the moment that Aunt Acier assigned him to teach children alongside Zora.

Too many, it'd seem that Kirsch didn't like Zora at all, but in actuality, Kirsch had a crush on Zora since they met years ago. It had started as a childish crush, since there were five years difference between them. Kirsch had met Zora when Zora was 17 and Kirsch was 12 and Kirsch thought he was very cool and cute, until Zora opened his mouth to speak. Teenage Zora had been more of an asshole. But everyone grew up and Zora developed into a man who was a jerk with a heart of gold.

Kirsch knew the crush would never go anywhere, since Zora didn't seem to date anyone and any rumors of Zora dating were usually with women. Even if Zora liked men, Kirsch still wouldn't have a chance since they were just acquaintances at best because of their shared friend group and they were different as night and day.

Unfortunately, the more time he spent with Zora, the more Kirsch liked him.

It was terrible.

"What? Like I don't know about your fat, monster crush on Zora," Mimosa asked, teasingly.

"Shhhh," Kirsch hissed.

Mimosa laughed, rolling her eyes. "How many times have you put your foot in your mouth around him, Big Brother?"

Kirsch pouted, holding his head. "You're a terrible demon, Mimosa Vermillion." Kirsch's brain-to-mouth function when he was around Zora didn't work and Kirsch used his arrogance as a shield, which just made Zora look like he wanted to punch Kirsch regularly. It was the third lesson today (the second lesson went much better than the first, let him tell you) and Kirsch had been looking forward to it, just so he can be around Zora without their mutual friend groups being a barrier. It was both a blessing and a curse to not having a buffer between them.

"Well, as least the ogling can be seen as normal since you're working together," said Mimosa, cheerfully.

"A demon," reiterated Kirsch, holding his heart dramatically. "You wound my heart, dear sister."

"I only do it to keep you honest," said Mimosa. "Good luck with the kids."

"Thanks, I'm gonna need it. They're going on the ice today and I'm terrified that there's gonna be tears," said Kirsch, shuddering at the reminder of that first horrendous lesson.

"Aww, I'm sure that Zora would comfort you if you cried," said Mimosa, mockingly.

"Not me, the kids," Kirsch protested. "Get out of here! I bet Yuno and Asta are waiting for you."

Mimosa stuck her tongue out at him and skated away to the exit from the rink.

With Mimosa gone, Kirsch wanted to get his own training on the ice before Zora and the students arrived. Despite not being able to compete, Kirsch's own work ethic and inability to sit still made him train everyday like he normally did. And besides, the lesson today was gonna stress him out so he wasn't gonna enjoy any training afterward.

Time flew while he was on the ice. It always had. Being on the ice was like second nature to him. He had fond memories as a boy when his mom, before she became a Professor and before Mimosa and Kirsch decided to become Doubles Figure Skaters, would take him and Mimosa to the pond in the park when it froze over in the winter time.

It was one the ice where he didn't have to put up defenses and just be himself.

"Not bad," said Zora.

Kirsch came to a stop, not even realizing that handsome-as-ever Zora was there and in his own training clothes and skating towards Kirsch. Kirsch checked his phone and realized that he had been skating around for forty minutes. It was nearly ten. Technically the class didn't start for another hour. "Morning," greeted Kirsch, hoping he didn't sound too awkward.

Zora nodded and asked, "Mimosa left already, huh?"

Kirsch felt annoyed. Zora liked Mimosa way better than Kirsch. He hated the unnecessary jealousy. Everyone liked Mimosa better than Kirsch. It was just a fact. Stop it, he told himself, He's not interested in Mimosa. He sees her as a kid still. "Yeah, she went to help Asta and Yuno with their garden."

Snorting, Zora said, "Yeah, Dumb and Dumber definitely need all the help they can get. I can't believe anyone thought it a good idea to let those two who share a brain cell live together in an actual house."

Kirsch chuckled. "Well, they are getting married soon."

"Can't wait," said Zora, deadpan. "I still say they're too young."

Privately, Kirsch agreed. Yuno and Asta were the same age as Mimosa. Kirsch would have a conniption if Mimosa decided she was going to get married at 19. "They'll be fine. Probably. Anyway, I guess you're getting some training in. You had better not be straining your arm." Kirsch gestured to the fact that Zora was carrying a hockey stick.

"I'm not," said Zora. He was surely grimacing, but Kirsch couldn't tell since Zora was wearing a face mask (a regular cloth one, not his weird leather one that made him look like a serial killer). "How's Mimosa handling her singles training? I ain't never seen her skate without you."

"She's nervous," said Kirsch. He sighed. "But she's getting it. It's just I think she needs someone other than me helping her. Mom is too busy and the others in the Women's Singles are her competition."

"Well, whatever you guys figure out, she'll do great. She's a good kid, a hard-worker," Zora commented.

"She's my sister, so of course, she'll do great," said Kirsch. He internally winced at how arrogant it sounded even to him. He jokingly said the same thing to Mimosa, but really, it was because he was her brother that he was amazing.

Zora shook his head. "Just don't drive her crazy with the idea of winning since it's her first singles. You two may have won the last three Doubles competitions, but Singles is a whole other story."

Kirsch smirked. "I didn't know you were such a fan."

"You wish. My mom watches the competitions," said Zora, retorted with a snort of disgust. "And she's always over at my place, bugging me."

"A lady of taste," said Kirsch. And then because he forgot himself, "How you came to be with such gentle parents is anyone's guess?"

Good job, Kirsch, insult the guy you've liked since you were 12, that'll really endear him to you Kirsch thought to himself. Kirsch was 23 years, so why can't he speak to his crush like a normal person?

Zora stared at him and then said, amused (?) "Better to be vicious to the people that'd take advantage of my too gentle parents." Then, he said, "Now get off the ice. I need to train before the hellions arrive."

"WAHhhh, I don't like this!" This child was not even on the ice, just crying in the rest area.

"This sucks. I wanna play hockey." This kid actually brought his own hockey stick that Zora immediately confiscated.

"My butt hurts." This poor girl fell again.

"I'm cold. I want my Mommy." This kid shivered in a winter jacket.

"You shall not move me from this wall!" And this kid refused to budge from holding on to the wall surrounding the rink.

Kirsch clenched his jaw and felt his blood pressure rise, as he skated to the one kid who fell on their butt for the umpteenth time. "Shake it off. You're fine," he said, hefting the kid upright. He ought to learn their names at some point. Said kid, was it Marjorie, Mabel, something like that, latched on to his arm like a vice.

He turned to get help, but found that Zora was just as occupied. Zora separated the two kids from two weeks ago who had fought as they began their fight again, whilst another kid held Zora's waist, crying. The other children were scattered around the rink, some just barely balancing and others using the wall to circle the rink like they were supposed to be doing.

Hellions was too nice of a word for these sticky, grimy devils in disguise. Who'd ever decide to have children?

"Alright," yelled Zora, frustrated as Kirsch felt. "Everyone off the damn ice, now!"

"Oooh, Mr. Zora said a bad word," every single kid said.

Before Zora lost his temper even more, Kirsch herded the children off the rink as quickly as possible. Zora and Kirsch exited the rink. Zora mumbled curses under his breath about punching Julius in the face.

"Children, you're not helping," said Kirsch. "If you don't want to be here, then tell your parents. You aren't gonna learn if you don't want to."

"And please, stop crying. I know life is traumatic but Good God, it's ice skating, not a root canal," said Zora, rolling his eyes.

"You two just suck at teaching," said the boy, who had brought the hockey stick today. (His name was Kyle or Kasey or something with a 'K').

"Really," Kirsch asked, trying not to lose his temper. "Then perhaps, we should go over the safety again? All you had to do was hold on to the rink's edge and use it to move in a circle around the rink. And when you were balanced enough, you could let go and try without the crutch."

"Pretty straightforward," said Zora.

"Says you two. You're old and have been skating for decades," sniffled Marjorie/Mabel, the girl who kept falling down.

"Old," Kirsch screeched. He wasn't old! The travesty.

"Yeah, that's right. I've been skating since I was five," said Zora, interjecting. "I got 23 years' experience of ice skating, so don't you think I know better than you brats?"

"You're mean. I'm not a brat."

"Me either."

"I'm an angel. My Daddy said so."

Kirsch had enough. "Stop. Now, raise your hand if you want to actually learn how to ice skate?" Five hands shot up. "Good. You five go back to the exercise. Zora, go out and watch them."

"Thank fuck," said Zora. "C'mon gremlins." The five who actually wanted to be there went back on the ice. It left Kirsch with the seven children who couldn't be bothered.

Kirsch crossed his arms and said, sternly, "Skates off. We're going over what we went over last week again."

The children groaned in annoyance.

"Kirsch? Zora?"

Kirsch and Zora were just about to leave after that debacle of a lesson, when Kirsch's Aunt Acier approached them. Kirsch made himself as small as possible because Aunt Acier had a frown on her face, which meant that he was in trouble. His Aunt and his Mom looked very similar and had similar mannerisms. Neither woman did Kirsch want to invoke their ire.

"Noelle's mom," said Zora, greeting her.

"Aunt Acier," said Kirsch. He asked, "What's up?"

"Pray tell why I am getting complaints from the parents of the children that you yelled at them, used profanities and made them cry," asked Aunt Acier, acid in her tone.

Zora winced and Kirsch flinched.

"Well, you see…"

~to be continued