A metallic smell filled the air as your (E/c) eyes took the chance to gaze around. Nothing but smoke and ash fluttering around you. It was hard to tell what exactly was going on but a weight filled your chest and nearly buckled your knees as the hair on the back of your neck stood up. Something was familiar about this place... But as you gazed down at your bare hands you couldn't quite grasp the idea. Your hands felt numb and you couldn't even feel the burning embers landing in your palms. 

(Y/n): What is this...?

Something heavy brushed past your shoulder though there was nothing there as you glanced over your shoulder. A searing heat engulfed the air around you as the breath was sucked out of your lungs. Your gaze was growing hazy with a thick layer of smoke covering your vision as you clenched your hands softly. Your eyes slid closed as you took in an almost desperate breath before huffing it out. 

(Y/n): Just my head messing with me...

You mumbled out softly as your hands unclenched and your eyes opened. Surprisingly enough the sight of thick smoke and fire was gone. You couldn't even see your hands as they were housed in a pair of your uniform gloves. You were instead being jostled around by fire company 8's armored vehicle. Your brain was still wrapped in the sudden feelings and sensations you had experienced but you were back in the present for now. Your mind was strange like that. Your brain was filled with flirts and jokes that often fell flat, useless facts and ideas... as well as painful memories and visions that seemingly overpowered your logic at times. The trauma you couldn't avoid but then again... who really hasn't experienced some trauma? 

Something flicked against the side of your helmet and drew your gaze over in time to see Maki. She didn't say anything but you could tell she was concerned at how zoned out you were considering you were pulling up to a sighting of an Infernal. Managing a gulp you pulled a smile onto your face before offering her a wink. Maki's concerned look almost immediately dropped before she turned away from you. A chuckle escaped your lips as the Matchbox finally arrived at the scene and company 8 piled out of the vehicle. It was an ordinary home. Nothing special or malevolent but that was often the case with random appearances of flame people. Someone who had already been at the scene approached the captain to explain the situation but your gaze was drawn instead to a young girl crying in front of the home next to a nurse.

Hinawa: Two years ago the child's mother also became an Infernal.

Ōbi: Now it's her Dad's turn? How cruel...

Iris: Battalion commander Ōbi?

The captain went to speak but didn't have much of a chance as he took note of you already kneeling before the girl, her gaze vacantly lifting up to rest on you but her eyes looking miles away. Ōbi ordered the others to prepare to enter but left you to your own devices. Despite still not knowing much of your past to this day, he trusted you when it came to tender moments like this. Truthfully, there was nothing you could say to try and comfort the girl. She had lost both parents to infernals and now your company had arrived to extinguish her Dad. Despite your jovial attitude, it was moments like these that made you sick to your stomach about this terrible world of yours. All you could do at this moment was open your arms to the girl. Her eyes seemed to finally register with you before another wave of tears shed down her face. She pressed forward and awkwardly laid against your chest as you completed the hug. The poor girl sobbed into your chest and you simply allowed her sorrow to spill out onto your uniform. 

The comforting embrace did not last long as the situation in the house seemingly deteriorated at a rapid rate. Flames spit out from the roof of the home in an almost skull shape before the booming sound rattled you softly. You peeled back from the girl and rested the blanket on her shoulders once more before offering her a smile and rushing back to follow the team inside the building. 

Iris: Thank you for comforting her.

(Y/n): Don't thank me, Iris... please. It's part of the job. 

Scanning your surroundings... this place was indeed just a normal home. A loving place ripped sunder by an unforgettable depressing trauma. Your teeth grit softly behind your lips as the company proceeded to the living room where the girl's father rested in a chair. Not moving or flinching and doing everything in his power to not lose himself to the pain and anguish of the flames. One of the new recruits took up the task of putting the infernal out of his misery and you could only watch along as Iris prepared the prayer. It felt dirty to so easily put someone down like this. Most Infernals simply rage or try to hurt others but this felt like a mercy killing... A soft sense of tension-filled your chest as you gulped down that idea, turning your gaze just in time to see the recruit Arthur press the handle of his weapon against the back of the infernal's chair.

It was quick and painless. A quick ignition of his weapon put the soul to rest and it made you wonder how much willpower the man had to hold on for as long as he did. Human combustion was a malicious thing that seemingly happened out of nowhere but it was moments like this that reminded you that the infernals you have put down used to be humans. Even if they caused destruction and loss in the wake of such a painful transformation. A sigh escaped your lips as your ears caught a cracking sound. It only took a single moment before the ceiling seemingly exploded, flames jutting out from the wall where the ceiling met the walls of the room. Even if the fire had descended from the roof nothing should have caused such a particular pattern of flames. 

Ōbi: Hurry, pull back!

The eighth descended out of the home quickly and returned outside. The home was on the verge of collapse, sure but what concerned you the most was the sudden explosion of flames. A huff escaped from your nose as you took the time to saunter over to the matchbox while the rest of the company handled the situation. You peeled the helmet free from your head with a huff, tossing it into the matchbox while pulling at your gloves to free your now clammy hands. The smell of burning wood and metal once again filled your nose as your gaze was directed down to your hands. (E/c) eyes growing dull softly as you seemingly stared off into space with a sentence rattling off from your lips.

(Y/n): Am I even necessary here?

The Eighth has no shortage of manpower and with these new recruits, it was growing even more stacked. Maki was an extremely talented second gen and with those annoying rookies, it didn't seem like you had much of a point past filing papers. A heavy sigh parted through your lips as you clenched your trembling fingers into fists, trying to push away those thoughts as something tender rested against your knuckles. Your eyes opened once more to find smaller fingers resting on your left knuckle, your gaze lifting to meet the concerned blue orbs of the sister of the eight

Iris: Are you alright, (Y/n)?

Gulping softly, you couldn't help but stumble on an answer for a brief moment before a robotic "Yes" answered the blonde. Questions like those always got under your skin to a certain degree, like needles blistering you for a slight chink in the armor. It wasn't like you were defensive but no one really knows if you are alright other than yourself... and could you even give an honest answer?

Iris: Are you sure? You seem a bit out of it...

(Y/n): Iris I promise you that I am ok~ But you are so cute when you're worried about little old me~

Resting your chin against your knuckles, you couldn't help but let out a deep chuckle at the girl's pink face, her beautiful blue eyes glancing off to the side. The tension that had built up in your shoulders melted for a moment as your shoulders drooped just in time for a smaller yet firmer hand to lightly smack you on the back of the head. Your head tilted forward from the force nearly causing you to fall forward before you recovered to offer a playful glare and pout to a certain within the eight.

Maki: Can you stop messing with Iris? 

(Y/n): Oh don't worry my dear Maki~ You are just as stunning when you put your jealousy on display~! It truly touches my heart~ But never fear my darling, because capturing your heart is still my number one endeavor in this life~

Maki: I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

(Y/n): Don't shoot me down so quickly!

Iris let out a gentle giggle at the sight of you and Maki bickering. It was like things had gone back to normal after she noticed your absent stare. Iris couldn't help but admit that was part of the reason she was so interested in your backstory. Going from an imprisoned inmate to a member of the fire force was one thing but beyond that fact, she and the majority of the crew knew next to nothing about you. Which only made those mile-long stares and trembling hands concern her more.

Maki: Iris?

Iris: E-Eh? Oh! Sorry I was a little distracted.

Maki: It's ok, I was asking what you thought of our new recruits. The newcomer tournament is coming up soon.

Iris: I think the new recruits will do well! Shinra and Arthur have their quirks but I believe they can succeed. What about you, (Y/n)?

(Y/n): I could care less about those little punks-

Once more Maki raised her hand and clenched her fingers into a fist before bopping you on the top of the head, a vein practically popping out from her forehead.

Maki: Are you still upset over that stupid reason?

(Y/n): How could you blush over a simple flirt like that?! It wasn't even a flirt! There was no passion or umph to it! He just called you princess and you were fawning like a little schoolgirl! 

Maki: Well any girl would want to be considered a princess! I don't mind that you call me darling or dearest but if you are going to insist on constantly flirting with me at least change up the material.

You couldn't help but blink slowly with a starstruck look. In one motion you fell onto one knee, carefully pulling Maki's no-unclenched fist into your palm. Your free hand now pressing to your chest as you gazed tenderly up at the startled girl.

(Y/n): Maki my darling no... My princess~ All you need do is ask and I would do anything to make you happy. If you would allow such a lowly person as I to bask in your glory I would be honored to have you as my princess~!

The dramatic display couldn't be any more cheesy, something straight from a drama. The act even drew the attention of the other members who were all someone between utterly annoyed and downright confused. Knowing the eight it was easy to tell where each of the four other members ranked. Iris had a blush on her face whether it be from embarrassment or the scene itself you didn't know but Maki was interesting. The usually disinterested girl had a blush similar to the one she had blessed the young blonde with. The sight of it sent a rush through your body as your heart thumped against your chest, a smile pulling doesn't your face.

Maki: You... Hah... You are such a weirdo... Can we get back to the station before you blow a blood vessel from this overdramatic display?

Maki bluntly pointed out before yanking her hand away and stepping into the Matchbox. You meanwhile had been practically drained of all color, almost looking like a piece of paper with hastily drawn pencil features. 

Ōbi: Hahah! Better luck next time, (Y/n)!

The captain's voice boomed behind you as he pat you on the back before following Shinra and Arthur into the vehicle. Hinawa meanwhile also pat you on the back though he looked closer to a mix of on the verge of hysterical laughter and just plain disgust. Finally, Iris turned to your side, leaning forward to make sure you were ok before you finally recovered enough to stand on your trembling feet.

Iris: Maki doesn't really mean it...

(Y/n): I know... Each brutal rejection is just a reminder that Maki is a beautiful and fiery woman blazing brighter than any flame! Ah but don't discount yourself, Iris! Your flame is... somber but pleasant. A reminder of peace and tranquility in times of pain... And you are also quite beautiful in your own way~

The blonde sister pouted before lighting and bumping your arm with her fist, a soft blush on her face though you couldn't help but laugh. Iris however noticed that the few flirts you had attempted with her were much more subdued than with Maki. Perhaps it was out of preference but you seemed on edge or tense like you didn't want to say the wrong thing. She didn't understand why you were so different between the two of them but maybe it was a matter of perspective... Maki is much more upfront and firm whereas she is reserved. It was a bit thoughtful in a way but Iris so desperately wanted to know why every time you flirted or gave a joke to the crew...

Your eyes looked so painful with that thousand-mile stare in your dull (E/c) eyes...