Freesia and Magnolia Petals

by IAmStoryteller

As Kirsch's impending wedding grows closer, Zora becomes more and more irritable. It doesn't help that he and Kirsch gets thrown into a mission together that's more dangerous than it seems. PART 4 of Gladiolus Verse (Black Clover Canon Divergent AU) (NOTE: Read Parts 1-2 Especially to Understand)

13. Chapter 13

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Magic Knights Headquarters
The Infirmary

Zora can't believe he just skipped over everything he wanted to say and said something so inherently selfish. Where was his brain-to-mouth filter? Was Zora still delusional from the poison and pain?

Kirsch was staring at Zora in complete disbelief. Kirsch made a noise as if he was gonna say something but no words came out of his mouth. Instead, he just stared at Zora with wide-eyes and a blush on his face that was getting redder by the second.

Scratching his cheek, Zora knew he had to be the one to say something because he hurt Kirsch enough. Why would Kirsch even bother confessing again after the first time Zora broke his heart? No, it was Zora's turn to say the sappy speech. "Kirsch, I'm not good with flowery words, but I want to make it clear. I love you. And if you're not sick of me already, I want a chance to prove it to you."

Zora stared at Kirsch, watching for his reaction. After a few minutes of them staring at each other, Kirsch let out a wet chuckle. Covering his face with his hands, he said, "If this is a dream, please pinch me." Kirsch sniffled.

Guilt settled in Zora's heart and he blurted, "Don't cry. Why am I always making you cry?" Zora was not expecting this reaction. Granted, Zora had no idea how this whole confession was gonna go in the first place.

Kirsch shook his head and breathed in and out deeply, before finally looking at Zora again. His golden eyes shining with love, love for Zora. "I love you too. I never stopped loving you. But I think you knew that already."

Zora nodded. He did know. Zora knew, every time in the last few months when Kirsch thought Zora wasn't paying attention, how Kirsch would watch Zora with such an expression on his pretty face.

Kirsch smiled, though his face was blotchy from tears and he looked like he hadn't slept in days, Zora thought that Kirsch never looked more beautiful than in this moment. "And I'm not getting married anymore. That was where I was just before, breaking the engagement."

Zora looked away for a moment to grin. Did Clarity actually do what Zora suggested after their second conversation? "That's great news."

"I would hope so," said Kirsch, who still smiled brightly. "Thank you for giving Clarity the nudge, she told me."

"Nah, it was her," said Zora, shrugging it off.

"Sure," said Kirsch, not buying it for an instant.

Changing the subject, Zora asked, "Now what? I don't exactly have any experience with, uh, being in love and all."

"I want to be with you, as long as you'll have me, Zora," said Kirsch. And then, Kirsch reached over and took one of Zora's hands in his. He squeezed it gently. "And we'll figure out everything else together."

And Zora, as he was impulsive when it came to Kirsch Vermillion, felt a strong surge of love in his whole being. So, naturally, Zora pulled Kirsch into a hug. He wasn't a hugger, not by a long shot, but Zora just wanted to hug Kirsch at this moment.

"Oh," sighed Kirsch, hugging close but mindful of Zora's injuries. "I'm so happy right now."

"Don't be crying again," said Zora, though he knew it was a lost cause since he felt the wetness on his shoulder from Kirsch.

"I honestly can't help it. I'm working on two hours of sleep and it's been a very emotionally trying time, okay," said Kirsch, laughing and sobbing at the same time.

Zora huffed in annoyance, but let Kirsch cry. He didn't know how long they were embracing, but it felt too short a time. Besides, there was something more important to do, so Zora broke the hug, though the distance between him and Kirsch remained close. He did something very unlike him. He wiped the tears off of Kirsch's face and said, "You can go to sleep now. I'm here."

Stray tears from Kirsch's eyelashes dripped down his face, as Kirsch smiled again. "Yeah, you are."

Never before had Zora an urge to kiss anyone, but he really wanted to kiss Kirsch, this beautifully ridiculous person, who cried over him in worry and with love, who made Zora feel disgustingly special.

And then, the door to the infirmary slammed open, causing Zora and Kirsch to jump apart, as Dr. Owen glared at them both. "Go home, Vice-Captain Kirsch. Let my patient get some rest."

Kirsch stood up, wiped his face. "Yeah, yeah, I know." Kirsch smiled at Zora and promised, "I'll visit you tomorrow, Zora!"

With that Kirsch had to leave, and Zora was disappointed to see him go, though he understood that Kirsch had responsibilities to attend, namely getting actual sleep. Still, it didn't stop Zora from glaring at Dr. Owen. Just a bit.

The good doctor rolled his eyes. "I'm happy for you both, but no funny business in my infirmary."

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Magic Knights Headquarters
The Infirmary
The Next Day

Like promised, Kirsch arrived the next day in the morning at the infirmary. After leaving the infirmary yesterday, he went home to the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters and slept from 5pm to 7am. Refreshed from sleep and showering plus performing his skin and hair routine, Kirsch made breakfast to bring Zora in the kitchens. Because he can do things like make meals for Zora without it being awkward. His overly cheerful demeanor scared his juniors, wondering what was wrong with their Vice-Captain, but Kirsch didn't care.

Zora Ideale was in love with Kirsch Vermillion and Kirsch was beyond happy. Sure, he may have embarrassed himself yesterday by bursting into tears twice, but Zora didn't seem to mind. And Kirsch was pretty sure that Zora was gonna kiss him before Dr. Owen interrupted them.

He entered the infirmary to find Zora alone, reading the paper on the infirmary bed. Thanks to the marvels of magic, Zora's torso and head bandages were gone, though Zora still looked pale, probably due to mana exhaustion.

Dr. Owen was nowhere in sight.

"Good morning, Zora," said Kirsch.

Zora looked up from the paper, his usual leather mask still missing. A small smile appeared on Zora's face for a brief moment, causing Kirsch's heart to thump loudly in his chest. "Morning."

"I brought you breakfast."

"Oh thanks, infirmary food is shit," said Zora, folding today's paper and putting in on the side table. Zora made room on the bed by sitting up, properly. Kirsch knew, which is why Charmy was a god-send during the Unrequited Love Curse Incident when so many people were stuck in the infirmary.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kirsch put the basket on the bed in front of him. "I may have gone a bit overboard." It was true that Kirsch made quite a bit of food—12 blueberry muffins, strawberry yogurt parfait with granola, eggs-&-sausage quiche, hash browns and brewed tea which was in a canteen. He almost forgot to put plates, forks, and cups in the basket, but one of his juniors reminded him.

Zora grinned. "I can see that." He grabbed a muffin and took a bite. "You look better than you did yesterday. Did you sleep?"

"I did," said Kirsch, flushing. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. The mana exhaustion sucks, but that just means I've got to train more," said Zora. "So, we were interrupted yesterday."

"Yep," said Kirsch. He took out the plates and busied himself by making plates of food, while he spoke, "Um, what are we? Boyfriends, or would you prefer partners?"

Zora shrugged. "Either is fine." And then Zora took the canteen with the tea and the two mugs. "I suppose you told the barrier-boy."

Kirsch flushed. "I did. I hope that was okay." Levi saw the look on Kirsch's face last night and immediately knew what happened. It wasn't like Kirsch would keep it from Levi, as he had been the person to listen to Kirsch's moping and pining self.

"It's fine, I told Magna and Finral last night when they came to visit," said Zora, pouring the tea. "It's safe to say that both our squads know now. And we have to tell Mimosa before she finds out from Noelle."

Kirsch's eyes widened. Mimosa would be so mad that she wasn't the first to know about his and Zora's relationship upgrade. "Yeah, we should do that as soon as possible. Her and my parents. Oh, I guess I'll have to tell my cousins. And my Uncle Aldebrand, Aunt Solace and Aunt Tarian." When the plates had enough quiche and hashbrowns on it, he handed a plate to Zora, who in turn handed a mug of tea to Kirsch.

"Well, you gotta big family, it can't be helped," said Zora.

"True," said Kirsch, nodding. "Though I tell you now that Mother will want to make you come to a proper Sunday supper." It wasn't often that his mother went all out for a big Sunday feast, but she'd definitely want to make one. She did the same thing when Mimosa and Langris started to date.

"Fine, but Charmy will want to do the same," said Zora, rolling his eyes.

"I wouldn't expect any less," said Kirsch, amused at the thought. The Black Bulls, after all, were Zora's family. Kirsch was blessed with a big family and a good squad who he considered his family.

Zora took a bite of the quiche on his plate. "It's good. Thanks for the food."

"You're welcome," said Kirsch, pleased that Zora liked his cooking. He promised Zora that they figure out the relationship stuff together, so he knew he was going to bring up something awkward. "So, uh, how are we going to handle our professional and private relationship?"

Zora paused his eating. "We're gonna have to have awkward conversations with Captain Yami and Captain Dorothy."

"There are rules for inter-squad dating," said Kirsch. He knew the rulebook of the Magic Knights squads backwards and forwards for his duties as Vice-Captain. "Did you notice that Yuno and Captain Charlotte never stay over at your house overnight, but Kahono can and Lady Finesse can live there?"

"Yeah," said Zora, nodding. Zora wasn't stupid so he pieced it together immediately. "Oh. I get it. That makes sense. Can't have squad members in the wrong places all the time when missions need to get done."

Kirsch sighed, "And since I'm a Vice-Captain and you're usually in demand for harder, covert and longer missions, it's gonna be hard to meet up. And Fuegoleon might decide not to put us on co-op missions together anymore."

"Nah, he will. We're too good a team not to pair us up," said Zora, dismissing the thought. He grimaced. "But it's true that our duties as Magic Knights are gonna have to come first. It'll make it harder, but it ain't like we can't find time. We found time as friends, so we'll make it work."

Kirsch smiled. It was music to Kirsch's ears to hear that Zora had faith in them. "You're right. As long as we communicate our feelings and talk when something's wrong, it'll be okay."

After that kind of awkward conversation, they finished eating, with Zora changing the subject to what he read in the papers about Rill and Clarity's engagement. It was nice to eat breakfast with Zora. He had always enjoyed spending time with Zora, but it was better now that Kirsch knew how Zora really felt.

But Kirsch had to leave to attend to his Vice-Captain duties too soon.

"Before I go, I'd like to have a date with you before you run off on your next mission," said Kirsch, packing the dirty dishes away in the basket. He left the remaining muffins for Zora to share with Dr. Owen and other visitors.

Zora agreed. "When I get out of here, it's a date."

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Kitchens
One Week Later

"Aww, Vice-Captain is so in love, I think my teeth are gonna rot from the sweetness," stated Cornelia, mockingly, sitting at the kitchen island, next to Levi. The two decided to bug Kirsch while he was in the middle of making dinner for his date with Zora in a few hours. Zora got out of the infirmary yesterday and spent the day at home with the Black Bulls and their fussing over Zora.

"Our little boy is growing up," said Levi, fake-sniffling. "And dating the most dangerous-looking delinquent from the Black Bulls. Where did we go wrong?"

Kirsch glared at them. He threw a biscuit at each of them, which they caught and immediately began to eat. "You're lucky I'm in such a good mood."

"Vice-Captain's gotta a date," teased Cornelia and Levi, in unison, while still eating their biscuits.

"Don't eat with your mouths full! Are you children," scolded Kirsch. It just caused his two friends to burst into laughter. Kirsch just rolled his eyes and scoffed. He'd let them be but just for today. The stew was cooking away, but Kirsch was working on the side dishes and dessert.

It was his first official date with Zora. Kirsch didn't know what to do for dates, having never been on one himself, so he invited Zora over for dinner, thinking it to be the easiest thing. Except, Kirsch had been up at the crack of dawn this morning to figure out what he was going to wear and what he was going to cook.

Thankfully, Mimosa (who he told about his and Zora's upgraded relationship immediately as he could) had guessed that Kirsch would be nervous and came over to help pick out his clothes. Mimosa was armed with recipes from their mother on top of it. He decided that a proper stew dinner was the best way to go since stew was Zora's favorite dish.

It took Kirsch's best convincing to get Zora to come to the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters for the date since Zora constantly told him it "hurt my black and withered soul." And Zora called Kirsch dramatic! Still, Zora relented, especially since the other option was Kirsch going over to the Black Bulls for their first date. Certainly, Kirsch would like to go and do something other than eat with Zora for dates, but it was their first date, so a calm dinner was a good start.

They agreed that whoever did the asking for a date did the planning.

Kirsch turned to Cornelia and Levi. "You two have got things under control while I'm occupied for a few hours with Zora, yeah?"

"Of course," said Levi, smiling widely. "Your first date will go well, Vice-Captain."

"Things will be fine, they always are…for the most part," said Cornelia, nodding her head.

Kirsch sighed. Was he nervous? A little. But he was more excited than nervous. Getting Zora's undivided attention for a few hours would be amazing.

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Sun-Room

Zora had never felt so out of place. The sun-room of the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters was essentially a greenhouse. He already spotted the afternoon sun peeking its way through the clouds. As this headquarters was in the sky and fueled by Captain Dorothy's dream magic, it was to be expected that it was very whimsical. But it was a place that Kirsch liked so Zora would relent this one time for their first date and spend the late afternoon hours with him here.

He was more nervous than he thought he'd be. He barely escaped the well-meaning yet meddlesome Black Bulls. They all had very different ideas on what should constitute a date. He even wore a new outfit that Vanessa had picked out and Noelle had bought. Kirsch was generally put together in very nice outfits, befitting his status as a royal, while Zora walked around in leather pants and no shirt. Noelle and Vanessa insisted, so Zora had no choice but to go and suffer a shopping trip.

Zora had told his friends, but specifically Vanessa and Finral that he and Kirsch would figure out their own ways to spend their dates, thank you very much. He did complete telling them off with a rude gesture that got Zora kicked in the ass by a pissed-off, overprotective ancient dragon for doing such a "vulgar" action in front of the "honorable ladies of the Black Bulls." After that, Finral took pity on him and opened a portal to the Coral Peacocks' HQ for Zora.

Sitting at a two-person table with cutesy plate settings was not something Zora thought he'd ever do in his life.

Then again, Zora never expected to fall in love.

"Sorry for the wait, Zora," said Kirsch, entering the sun-room. He was pushing a cart you'd see at restaurants. "Dinner's ready." Today, Kirsch was dressed in a fine white suit, except for the jacket which was adorned with bright flower patterns. It was a very Kirsch style, though it wasn't as over the top as usual.

Zora smirked, forgetting that he opted not to wear his mask since Zora noticed that his unmasked face made Kirsch very blushy. "You went overboard again, didn't you?"

Kirsch flushed a pretty shade of a red. "Maybe. You can bring the rest home to Charmy."

"And share the food that you made for me? She ain't getting her paws on it," said Zora. He was not sharing with Charmy. The brat ate the rest of his muffins the other day while Zora was napping in the infirmary. Zora had been so annoyed.

Kirsch's face turned a deeper shade of red. Stuttering for some reason, Kirsch said, "Uhh, s-so dinner? I made beef stew, mashed tatoes, roasted garlic broccoli, and biscuits."

"You made my favorites? Then, I'm definitely not sharing," said Zora.

The comment made Kirsch smile, while still blushing. "Ready to eat?"

Kirsch insisted he serve Zora as he was the guest. Zora didn't mind since Kirsch didn't seem to mind. Once he had a bowl of stew and a plate of sides and biscuits in front of him, he was more than a bit impressed. He knew that Kirsch (and Mimosa) knew how to cook because their mother Nickole taught them. But this was more than Zora expected.

Sitting across from him, Kirsch looked at Zora expectantly. "Dig in, Zora! I made plenty."

Zora huffed. He wasted no time and took a biteful of the stew. And it was delicious, of course, he didn't expect any less from Kirsch. He chewed the meat and then realized that this stew tasted familiar. Swallowing his first bite, he took another bite to make sure he wasn't mistaken. And he took another.

The stew tasted just like his dad's.

"Zora? What's wrong? Does it taste bad," Kirsch asked, worriedly. There was no way that Kirsch knew how Zara Ideale made stew. Zora had never, ever mentioned it to anyone in conversation, not even Charmy who made his meals regularly.

Zora was not going to cry on his first date with Kirsch. Kirsch was the person that Zora loved, so he needed to talk to him. Wiping his face with his hands very quickly to stop himself from crying because he missed his dad, Zora looked at Kirsch's worried expression, and said, "It's amazing. I never thought I'd taste it again."

"What," Kirsch asked, confused.

"It tastes just like my dad made it," said Zora. Kirsch's eyes widened and Zora knew that Kirsch must have thought he'd be mad since his dad was a touchy subject for Zora, so Zora quickly said to alleviate Kirsch's fears, "I don't know how you did it, but you have to promise to make it for me again, yeah?"

Kirsch smiled softly. "Of course, Zora, any time you want."

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Sun-Room

Kirsch was gonna have a stern talking to his mother.

After Zora took the first few bites of the stew, Kirsch was sure that he messed it up somehow as Zora's face got strangely sad. He had used the recipe for stew his mother had sent with Mimosa earlier. If Kirsch had known that it was a recipe that somehow matched Zora's dad's stew, he'd have opted for a different kind. Kirsch knew that Zora didn't like talking about his dad much, not even to his closest friends, not even to Kirsch.

But thankfully, Zora hadn't minded and insisted that Kirsch make it again for him.

After that almost disastrous moment, the date went better. Zora looked more comfortable and Kirsch was able to relax enough that conversation went smoother. Besides, everyone felt better when they had a full belly of comforting food and good company. Zora even told him the story of his forced shopping trip with Vanessa and Noelle that morning.

"Explains the suit," said Kirsch. He didn't think Zora even owned a shirt, let alone anything formal or trendy. "But I appreciate it. You look very handsome."

"Aren't I always," said Zora, scoffed. The teasing and bantering that made up much of their friendship had become something flirtier in the week that they had been officially together in a romantic relationship. Things were slowly getting comfortable between them. It was the best feeling.

"Always," agreed Kirsch, smiling.

Zora grinned. "And yet, you're the one who loves me for my personality."

"Pot, kettle, Zora," countered Kirsch.

Zora chuckled. "You got me there. Though, I'd admit you're very cute."

Kirsch dramatically gasped. "Excuse you, I'm beautiful, not cute!"

"Cute. It's your fault such a word is in my vocabulary," replied Zora.

And Kirsch couldn't even fault the logic, because Zora wasn't a man swayed by anyone's appearance. Adjectives such as "Cute," "Beautiful," "Sweet," "Pretty," definitely didn't exist in Zora Ideale's vocabulary until nearly four years ago. "I'll get you to call me beautiful one day."

"I'd like to see you try," said Zora, smirking.

"A challenge I gladly accept," said Kirsch, lightly. He'd make Zora call him "beautiful" one day. "I made apple-spice angel food cake for dessert, do you want some now?"

"Way to change the subject, but yes, that sounds good," said Zora.

Kirsch went to get the cake from the food cart, when there was a loud bang. And Kirsch sighed. They weren't getting to dessert. Zora stood up on alert.

"What was that?"

A frazzled Cornelia came rushing into the sun-room not even moments later. "Sorry to interrupt, Vice-Captain—"

Kirsch interrupted. "Let me guess, it's Lovejoy and Pitney again." Two of the younger members (and by young, Kirsch met they were fifteen and the newest recruits from the Magic Knight Entrance Exams from barely a month ago) in the squad had both come from neighboring minor noble houses and their rivalry was unmanageable so far.

Cornelia made a face. "They got into an argument and then, Pitney summoned a giant spider and then, Lovejoy used an explosion, so we have a giant hole on the east end of the base and it busted the pipes going to the ladies' bathrooms."

Kirsch sighed. "I assume that Barry is trying to suggest to Captain Dorothy to fix the place, while Levi is trying to get our little terrors under control." Cornelia nodded. She looked very bothered.

"And here I thought that the Black Bulls were chaos incarnate," said Zora, shaking his head.

"Well, I guess this date is over, unless you want to help," said Kirsch, looking pitfully at the rest of the meal and at his handsome Zora who put a suit on just for Kirsch.

Zora smirked. "Why not?"

Kirsch smiled. "Let's go!"

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Outside the Entrance

"Sorry our date got interrupted," said Kirsch. He looked regretful and he was pouting. They were standing on the steps of the Coral Peacock Headquarters, waiting for Finral to come and pick up Zora via portal.

Kirsch pouting, as it turned out, wasn't good for Zora's willpower because there was nothing he wanted to do other than stay there with Kirsch. Zora shook his head and said, "Nah, we both know that this won't be the only time."

"I know," Kirsch said, sighing. "But did you have fun?"

"Yeah," said Zora. He smirked. "I think your brats might not give you trouble for a bit." The young Coral Peacock members who had caused the chaos that interrupted Kirsch and Zora's first date had still been bickering when Zora and Kirsch arrived at the scene. Zora was more annoyed than he let on, so he set a trap that made them be bombarded with stink bugs. It was too good. The two brats only managed to escape when they worked together.

Kirsch laughed. "Their faces were priceless. Thanks for your help."

"Brats are gonna be brats," said Zora, shrugging. "And thanks for the extra food." He had several containers bundled together to bring back.

"If Miss Charmy and the rest eat it all, I'll make you more," said Kirsch, smiling fondly.

"I'll take you up on that offer," said Zora.

And now the awkwardness of ending a date set in, as Zora watched Kirsch shuffled nervously in place like he wanted to say something or rather, do something. Where was Finral? Of all the times to be late, it just had to be when neither Zora nor Kirsch wanted the date to end but knew it had to end for praticality's sake.

Checking the windows of the Coral Peacock Headquarters for any nosy comrades, which were none thankfully, Zora placed the food containers on the ground. Zora didn't waste any time this time and pulled Kirsch by the hand to kiss him lightly on the lips. It was a quick, simple press of Zora's lips to Kirsch's, but it was way better than the Grimmtowne kiss.

"You're trying to kill me by making my heart burst," whispered Kirsch, leaning in to kiss Zora again. Zora let Kirsch kiss him. This time when they broke apart, Kirsch's face was pink and his golden eyes were getting watery. Zora huffed in amusement and pulled Kirsch into a hug.

"Are you really gonna be crying every time we kiss," teased Zora.

Kirsch grumbled, burying his face in Zora's fancy date suit. "Shut up. I'm just really happy. I love you."

"Fucking hell, I've attached myself to the biggest sap in the world," said Zora, chuckling. The reaffirmation of Kirsch's love made him way too happy. "Love you too." If anyone saw Zora right now hugging Kirsch like tomorrow was never coming, on the stoop of the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters, he'd have to murder them.

Kirsch sighed, happily, gently squeezing Zora in their hug. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"Me too. But I've got training tomorrow with Captain Mereoleona," said Zora, grimacing at the reminder.

They let each other go from their hug, but they were still barely a few inches away from each other. Kirsch smiled. "Don't let my cousin kill you."

Zora said, more confidently than he was feeling, "I won't."

"Maybe next time I'll go with you," said Kirsch.

"You on a volcano? Yeah, I'd like to see that," teased Zora. Kirsch shoved Zora playfully. "But I suppose it'd be worth it, if we can suffer together."

Kirsch said, "That's sweet but also terrifying."

Zora snorted and then just started laughing. Kirsch began laughing. They were two dorks, weren't they?

Unfortunately, a portal opened and Finral appeared, "Zora, let's go! Captain Mereoleona is here already and I don't want to die." Zora picked up his food, quickly kissed Kirsch on the cheek and ran through the portal.

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Outside the Entrance

As soon as Zora was gone via magic portal, Kirsch crouched down and held his chest. "Oh my God, I'm gonna die. He's gonna kill me with happiness." His heart was pounding. He hoped that Zora didn't notice. "Aghhh! What the heck? I thought I'd be calmer, but it's worse now."

The date was everything he wanted and more. Kirsch hadn't meant to blurt out an "I love you" again, but he was so ecstatic that Zora said it back again. This was really happening.

"Vice-Captain, please compose yourself before you come back inside," said Levi, trying not to laugh. Kirsch looked over and saw that Levi had the door open, but wasn't outside. "You have punishments to hand out."

"Shut up, Levi."

~to be continued