Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Skating Rink •|| WINTUMN + MARJOREECE ||•

Prompt: They go to a skating rink for a double date.

The night had started innocently enough, with dinner at a cozy restaurant tucked into a quiet corner of town. Winter and Marjorie chatted animatedly over the appetizers, their excitement infectious but met with the more reserved smiles of their partners. Autumn and Reece had exchanged knowing looks at the outset, both less than thrilled about the whole "double date" arrangement. But seeing the joy lighting up their partners’ faces, they’d set aside their reluctance—though with some grumbling under their breaths.

After dinner, the four strolled down a gently lit street, the winter air crisp and bracing. It was Marjorie who spotted the skating rink first, her face lighting up as she clapped her hands together.

“Oh, we have to go!” she exclaimed, tugging on Reece’s arm.

Winter’s eyes lit up in agreement, turning to Autumn. “It’s been ages since I’ve been skating. What do you think, my love?”

Autumn crossed her arms and exchanged a long-suffering glance with her brother. Both spoke in unison, a resolute, “No.”

But Marjorie and Winter weren’t having it. Pleading turned to good-natured cajoling, which eventually turned into hands-on dragging toward the rink. “Come on! It’ll be fun!” Marjorie insisted. Winter nodded with a laugh. “Besides, when was the last time you two did something spontaneous?”

“Never,” Autumn deadpanned. Reece shrugged in agreement, but their resistance faltered when Marjorie and Winter joined forces, their pleading eyes and relentless charm too much to resist.

“Fine,” Autumn finally relented, nudging her brother. “But if anyone breaks a bone, you’re both paying for the hospital bills.”

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

Inside the rink, the four rented skates and ventured onto the ice. Marjorie was decent enough, managing to glide around with a few wobbles here and there, while Winter clung desperately to the rail, his eyes wide with barely concealed terror.

“I’m never going to let go of this thing,” Winter muttered under his breath, gripping the barrier with white-knuckled determination.

Autumn, slipping onto the ice with ease, skated up to him and placed a steadying hand on his arm. “You’ll be fine, my sweet,” she reassured him, her voice softening. “Just trust me.”

With surprising patience, she helped Winter gain his footing, guiding him step by cautious step until he managed a shaky, yet triumphant glide. “Look at me!” he exclaimed, earning a proud smile from his wife.

Meanwhile, Reece stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk. He was content to hover in the background until Autumn called him over, her voice ringing out across the rink.

“Reece! Quit standing there like a statue. Come on!”

With a sigh, he pushed off, skating toward her with practiced ease. Marjorie’s jaw dropped, her shock only growing when Autumn grabbed her brother’s arm and the two zipped toward a quieter corner of the rink, away from the small crowd of skaters.

What happened next left both Winter and Marjorie speechless. Autumn picked up speed, her movements fluid and precise, before launching herself into the air in a flawless triple axel. The crowd gasped as she landed effortlessly, her skates barely making a sound against the ice.

“Oh my god,” Marjorie breathed, watching in awe as Autumn transitioned into a series of spins, her fiery red hair catching the light as she twirled.

Not to be outdone, Reece joined in, matching his sister move for move. The siblings moved as though choreographed, their movements synchronized in a breathtaking display of skill and artistry.

When they finally came to a stop, the entire rink erupted in cheers. Marjorie and Winter were among the loudest, their faces lit with astonishment.

Autumn and Reece returned to their partners, as calm and nonchalant as if they hadn’t just performed like professional figure skaters.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

As they walked home afterward, Winter and Marjorie couldn’t hold back their curiosity. “Alright,” Winter began, still holding Autumn’s hand. “You two have to explain. How are you both so good at skating?”

Reece hesitated, but Autumn answered first, her tone casual. “Our father forced us into figure skating when we were kids. He thought it would toughen us up, or maybe it was just another way to control us. At first, we hated it.”

Reece nodded. “But after we graduated and got away from him, we found ourselves going back to the rink. It was... grounding, I guess. A way to clear our heads.”

Marjorie reached for Reece’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I had no idea.”

Autumn shrugged, her expression softening as she glanced at Winter. “We don’t talk about it much. But sometimes it’s nice to remember the things we reclaimed for ourselves.”

Winter smiled, pulling Autumn closer as they walked. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you two decided to show off tonight. That was amazing.”

Autumn smirked, her playful side peeking through. “Don’t get used to it. Next time, you’re on your own out there.”

Winter chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Deal.”