Fandom: Enn Enn no Shouboutai / Fire Force.
Pairing: Shinmon Benimaru x fem!reader.
Content: Feelings are still on edge despite some stray thoughts.
A/N: Feel free to ASK or reblog for tag – in fact: always reblog <3 Thanks to those who have already <3
9. Ashes
… Reader ...
Sticking to your designated room (the same as last time), you do little to engage anyone for as long as you can that day, but when your stomach starts rumbling, you decide it's time to show a bit of goodwill and help out in the kitchen.
You find Konro there and quickly get put to work, washing the vegetables before cutting them according to his wishes. The two of you work quietly, Konro radiates a calm that soothes your frazzled nerves and he doesn't ask any questions.
Come to think of it: Benimaru had also been strange non-inquisitive but maybe both know that it's because you don't have a lot of answers to give other than where you've been – the incident with the infernal, or demon as the captain called it, has been too weird for your brain to wrap around. Maybe, I just imagined it? A pure coincidence where the fiery creature followed its own whims. Yeah, nah. But you’re not ready to accept he alternative.
Heavy footsteps are nearly drowned out by the chatter of a pair of twins who are trying their best to secure a chance of being swung through the air by whoever they are accompanying. Benimaru. You don’t bother looking when the trio enters except to shoot a smile at the girls who fall silent, staring at you with wide eyes.
The men mumble a quiet greeting to each other which doesn’t prevent a certain captain’s stare to burn into your back and it stays there as you rinse and chop the green onions. It stays while your knife makes short work of the renkon, working the root into thin slices.
“Some of the neighbouring women decided you needed to extend the wardrobe available to you,” Benimaru sneers as you reach for sweet potatoes, “maybe there’s something you can use.”
Finally turning to face him, you find him leaning against the table with a stack of clothes next to him. Some of it looks awfully gaudy, but clothes are clothes.
“That’s kind of them,” you concede (and mean it), “I’m sure there’s something useful. As long as it fits I’m not picky...as you know.” He bristles at the thinly veiled insult to his own style which you’ve unwillingly had to adopt for a while.
“Hmhrm!” Konro tries to de-escalate the situation. “Maybe you’d like to wash up and change before dinner, [Y/N]? Go ahead, there’s time.”
Thanking him, you grab the bundle and leave the kitchen.
... Benimaru ...
Sometimes, he really would like to punch the older man who is now telling Benimaru wordlessly to go after the girl. It’s not that Konro’s wrong: they need answers and the sooner the better. With a sigh, the captain pushes off and stalks down the hallway.
“Hey, [Y/N]!”
At least she stops and waits, though it looks for a second in the dim light that she rolls her eyes. “Yeah?”
The colourful bundle in her arms separates them like a shield. Splashes of pink and yellow, and he can’t help but wonder what she’ll look like when wearing something else than his clothes. If he’d like it at all. Stop it.
“What were you doing there?”
Benimaru doesn’t have to explain what he means, she knows. “Oh, I decided to have a picnic, y’know?”
He didn’t mean to do it but she’s so infuriating. One moment he’s trying to start a conversation and the next he’s got the woman shoved against the wall, pinning her shoulder against the wood as a low growl (a growl, damnit?) rolls from him. Any person with a sense for survival would be cowed, scared of the sudden anger. Not her. She just look at him with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk that makes no sense.
“This isn’t a game!” Again the growling. “You disappear for weeks only to turn up in the middle of a combustion scene. You order a freaking demon around!”
Finally, her face contorts into a mix of fear and anger. “It’s not like I chose to be there. And for the record, I didn’t ord-”
“I. Saw. It.” The words are nearly spit at [Y/N]. “I don’t care where you’ve been, but you got a target painted on you and I need to know what I’m dealing with here if I’m supposed to protect you -”
“I never -”
“- ooor protect my people.”
He must somehow have broken through the stubbornness because she hesitates, eyes flicking across his face as if searching for something before she finally slumps in his grip. “I was trying to get away, I really was and yes...I could have run along...ignored what was happening...”
“But you couldn’t leave the woman there to die?” She shrugs despite the hold and Benimaru lets go, suddenly ashamed of his outburst. “You knew...?”
“No! And I still don’t believe it,” the girl protests. “They’re supposed to be more...uhmm...”
“Aware. Intelligent.”
They both nod in the silence.
“I just...I thought if I could distract it...” [Y/N] sighs again. “Hunger. Souls. That’s all the infernals ever scream about but this asshole...well, you heard it, I guess.” The bundle of clothes is tugged a bit closer to her chest as if for comfort. “I never considered they could get full enough to slow down, to want to take their time to...to...”
Half of what the girl is saying doesn’t make sense until Benimaru begins to entertain the idea that she understands the wailing of the burning terrors. She doesn’t realize. Apart from a few disciplined infernals (very, very rare) none of their screams ever meant anything to him, Konro, or anyone else. Even demons rarely speak, according to the few recollections of witnesses. What are the odds it would listen? Close to none, making this a freak occurrence – curiosity trumping primal blood thirst...he hopes.
“You can’t get involved in combustions while staying here.” Thankfully, she doesn’t object and Benimaru tries to smother a sense of guilt. “Lie low. Don’t attract attention. People here’ll have your back, but gossip can’t be avoided. Anyways...dinner’s almost ready.”
Fandom: Enn Enn no Shouboutai / Fire Force.
Pairing: Shinmon Benimaru x fem!reader.
Content: Just...don’t hate me.
A/N: Yeah, it’s a short chapter, but I’ve got the next almost ready. Feel free to ASK or reblog for tag – in fact: always reblog <3 Thanks to those who have already <3
7. Flash fire
... Reader ...
He is gone the next day, only a few dirty dishes and glasses betraying he ever shared the hide-out with you at all. Not that you’d seen much of him anyways. Any concern that he would have taken advantage of you in one way or another had been thoroughly ridiculed as the man had gone out of his way to grant you privacy.
There’s enough food left for one day, but Joker had made it clear: once you left the place, you wouldn’t be able to use it again which means that something like going for supplies and returning isn’t possible – when you leave, you need to have a plan ready.
What to do?
... Benimaru ...
If the infernals and accompanying fires weren’t so close to the border between the districts then Beni would simply ignore them and keep out of Company Four’s business.
Good thing he’s there, along with Konro.
... Reader ...
Obviously, staying away is no longer and option...but I shouldn’t have gotten involved.
The first combustion happens just a few hundred meters from you – the second a bit further away. Ignoring the screams and smell curling into your nose is impossible. Still, all you do is guide the panicking masses away from the horrors while you count the seconds for the Special Fire Force company to arrive.
Finally.
Grabbing the chance, you scurry away, choosing the side streets in the hope of going undetected. Quick and silent. Rushing one way while all of your attention is glued to the crew working behind you out of fear that someone is coming after you and it’s too late to stop when you realize what’s around the corner you’ve just navigated.
Its scream is more coherent than the average infernal’s. The crackling hunger sprouting from empty eye sockets and twirling around the single horn sprouting from the forehead. Long arms reaching for people who are scrambling away without noticing what – or who – they were trampling in their panic to reach safety in Asakusa.
“Ssssoooouuuulssss!” the developing infernal demands.
It is huge. And it’s still growing as if fuelled by the stench of fear, and the death it already had caused. As it fully registers what you’re seeing, its fingers catch around the body of a fleeing woman. Sizzling. Agonized screaming. A scent of charred meat and fat as the demonic infernal reels the victim in.
“No!” your voice objects without your consent. The monster pauses, turning this way and that to find the source of the sound, and you find yourself stepping forward to repeat the order. “Put her down. She’s not yours.” Somehow, the flames manage to look confused. Is it...is it considering it? “I said...put...her...down.”
It does. Not gently, of course, but the woman is relatively intact as she’s thrown aside and the infernal rounds completely on you, its eyes briefly flashing to something behind you before it grins.
“Fuck.” This time, the familiar voice belonged to a man.
Fandom: Enn Enn no Shouboutai / Fire Force.
Pairing: Shinmon Benimaru x fem!reader.
Content: Feels, angst, sadness, conspiring. Maybe I forgot to proof.
A/N: Please reblog? Even if it’s not to get tagged. Feel free to ASK (or reblog) for tag – in fact: always reblog <3 Thanks to those who have already <3
10. Charred
... Konro ...
Age is relative, or at least that’s the cliches old people tend to tell the young ones whenever something sets them apart. Konro has been old for three or four years now, and while he’s felt it physically from time to time due to the tephrosis and fatigue it has never really set him apart from the others in their daily activities. He misses doing his part when it comes to bringing peace to the poor souls that combust, but there are other ways to contribute. The twins see him as a sort of uncle (a role he gladly accepts under condition of adding a bit of responsibility). And Beni...Benimaru is the younger brother and friend anyone would wish for.
Right now, Konro is climbing the rungs to the wooden tower overlooking Asakusa in search of the reluctant captain. From up high, the district lays sprawled out like a patchwork of earthy and oceanic hues interspersed by trees. Most homes are marked by tendrils of smoke from the kitchens which undoubtedly carries the scent of the upcoming meal.
“You’re spending an awful lot of time up here the last few days,” Konro comments knowingly as he sits down, “almost like you’re trying to avoid something...or someone...”
“Hm.”
A tit lands on the railing, eyed the men suspiciously before puffing up its red body to clean the feathers. Watching it, Konro knows better than to push his friend – everything is thought through carefully before he speaks.
“Say,” Beni breaks the silence after a dozen minutes, “do you remember the little infernal saying anything?”
Talk? “The one [Y/N] was hugging that day? It’d be the first I heard about it.”
“Thought so.”
Whatever the reason behind it, it’ll be revealed in due time.
Since their first encounter with the girl, Konro has entertained himself by noticing the effects she has on the normally stoic guy – she gets under his skin in a way no one else is capable of and the lad is surprisingly often distracted – and has been pleased to note that there’s been no relief since [Y/N] returned.
On the railing, the tit ruffles its feathers into place, glares one last time at the men, and takes off over the rooftops below. Everything seems peaceful...which Konro knows is likely a deceptive feeling considering the existence of a pair of twins.
... Reader ...
They’re always nearby, the twins. Without bothering with hiding themselves, the girls trail you whenever possible to satiate their curiosity. Maybe Shinmon’s too. It’s the idea that he has put them up to it that makes you want to shoo them away or find something to do where they can’t hover nearby, whispering. One of the reasons you don’t shoo them away is the knowledge that you need this safe haven so you better behave.
Still: going down the hallways, there is always a distinct pitter-patter of little feet which echoes painfully in your heart. The giggles floating around the corners tickles memories you’d much rather stay asleep, tucked away and numb except when sleep holds you hostage at night until you wake from the pain in your soul.
Maybe...maybe if one day I stopped running and hiding...maybe I wouldn’t have to remember anymore.
The thought is not entirely new to you. It’s invaded your mind at the darkest of times when you went hungry and tired after, again and again, having had to abandon a place you’d called home for a while, but now it holds a different meaning because maybe...maybe I can make new memories?
The four steady inhabitants of the firehouse make up a makeshift family – the core of Company Seven – and at least one of them makes you feel safe for the first time since you whispered goodbye to your dads, knowing they wouldn’t hear it.
... Benimaru ...
He could ask the twins what [Y/N] uses the days on when she’s not engaged with some chore or hanging out with Konro. He could. But there’s such a thing as pride and it’s making sure Benimaru keeps his distance even if the image of her face is nearly constantly on his mind, the stubborn pull of the corner of her mouth as bothersome as it’s admirable.
At least he has gotten more to go on after the document had been circulated to all the districts’ companies. A touching article about a broken family’s search for their long-lost daughter, a hope that they will not have to accept that both children are gone forever. Clearly, the thing is fabricated with a different thought behind it and the fathers are likely oblivious to this, preferring instead to believe that the government actually have their backs in their scramble to reconnect with [Y/N].
They might get to see her briefly if the plan pays off. Might.
Fandom: Enn Enn no Shouboutai / Fire Force.
Pairing: Shinmon Benimaru x fem!reader.
Content: Confusion and dealing with it. A visitor. Lack of proofing :(
A/N: I’ve started my new job! YAY! Feel free to ASK (or reblog) for tag – in fact: always reblog. Thanks to those who have already <3
12. Kindling
... Benimaru ...
It is impossible to get the image out of his head of [Y/N] sitting on the bench in the shade of the tree, the breeze teasing the fabric so the wing-like sleeves lift gently. The glow in her eyes had been curious. Friendly. The complete opposite of the glare she tends to send him whenever he enter a room an inevitable disturbs the camaraderie she has acquired with Konro. Some of the men have even been treated to her laughter when they hang out at the firehouse, recounting the old stories (mostly exaggerated) and jokes in between their duties.
Naturally, none of this bothers Benimaru. Nope. It’s particularly not vexing when the woman decides to join the men in their workout sessions where everyone can see the sweat building on her limbs and chest because she’s dressed down to shorts and a tank top. As the sun beats down on the group on the little courtyard and someone cracks a dirty joke, the captain absolutely does not notice the carelessness in [Y/N]’s movements as she swats the guy with a smile.
“You might have to make a move,” Konro mumbles in passing, causing his friend to freeze, “or one of the guys might try their luck.”
Benimaru scoffs as nonchalantly as he knows to.
“Hey, waka!” one of the guys hollers, “you just gonna stand there?”
No one but Benimaru notices the eye-roll from the guest, but they do hear the biting comment. “I thought he was all talk and no bite.”
“Ooh!” Out of nowhere, the twins have appeared and begin to egg on the guys as they tease both [Y/N] and their involuntary leader in the hopes of a match.
... Reader ...
There is only one rule: make the other give up. Squaring off in front of Benimaru, you hope that he won’t use any of his pyrochinetic abilities, though, because he’s going to be plenty of a challenge even without. Knowing firsthand how quickly he can move (and judging by the rather perfect arms), it’s fair to expect that he knows how to fight.
You can feel his gaze take in every tiny movement you make, causing a bubbly or fluttery feeling to tickle your stomach. No distractions. Shutting out the cheers and cautionary commentary, you begin to circle the man.
There have been bigger guys. Men without any notion of friendliness and fair play who found it convenient to prey on solitary girls. Most of them were sluggish, prone to going down hard and staying down.
Benimaru? You doubt he’ll fall for something simple but as long as you can boost his ego there’s a chance he’ll underestimate you. As usual. Your first, obvious, swipe proves the theory as he sidesteps with a sigh. He even allows you close enough to land a few clumsy punches to his arms before retreating once more.
“You too chicken to fight a girl?” Your words are honoured with cheers from the present members of Company Seven but the best payout is the tick in Benimaru’s jaw as he bites back whatever snarky answer he has come up with.
Reaching further, he dives into the match without hesitation and you barely manage to dodge the fist coming at your face.
Sidestepping and blocking the blows, you bite back the pain in your arms as you wait for the opportune moment. Slide to the left. Swipe with your right wrist. Pushing his punch upwards with your left and there! There it is: the opening you’ve been waiting for! You step close and feel your knuckles dig in and up under his ribs before the abs tense and force your hand back. Smiling at the wheezing gasp, you roll out of the way before popping back onto your feet, defensive stance at the ready.
“One zero to [Y/N],” the twins announce happily.
... Benimaru ...
Perhaps he is supposed to go easy on her, seeing as she’s a woman, but even if she’s not volunteered for duty as part of the fire force, he expects [Y/N] to live up to nearly the same requirements as any man on the team. Or maybe that’s wrong? Running a hand through his hair, Benimaru reconsiders for a moment before pushing away the contradicting notions. Whichever is the right or wrong thing, he’s sure Konro will let him know the moment he crosses an invisible line, and either way: it felt good to win after that first sucker punch.
“Hey, waka,” one of the guys pokes his head into the room that constitutes an office, “someone’s here to see ya.”
Nodding, Benimaru doesn’t bother looking up from the budget spread out over the desk until he hears a polite cough.
“Captain Benimaru Shinmon,” the words flow like sticky syrup from underneath the mask, “it’s been a while.”
Creep. “My name’s Shinmon Benimaru.” The announcement is followed by an (on one side) awkward silence – very few understand and respect the old ways anymore. “What brings you here?”
Stepping forward as if invited, the long-legged man perches himself on a chair with a flourish. “I am Giovanni, captain of Company Three, and -”
“I know.”
Startled by the boredom in Benimaru’s voice, it takes a moment for Giovanni to recover. “Well...yes. Yes, then...then you must know that I am an avid scientist!” The statement doesn’t have the desired effect, it seems. “One captain to the other, we ought to share knowledge that could be vital for the fight against spontaneous human combustion, wouldn’t you agree? And as such, it’s only logical to work together in gathering information and finding new recruits suitable for the cause.”
[Y/N]. “If we had anything worth sharing, we’d make sure to do so through the correct channels.” The glasses and the mask makes it impossible to establish proper eye contact, but somewhere in there – in the darkness – a pair of beady eyes are probably watering as Benimaru stares the outsider down. “Now, unless you have anything...I’m busy.”
The butt of the cane cracks onto the floor sharply. “I refuse to leave before I get an answer.”
“To what now?”
“There are rumours of a girl, an unregistered pyrochinetic.”
Of course there are. “So?” Benimaru scoffs indignantly, “unless there’s any solid evidence...?”
The cane rotates so quick it might drill right through the wood between Giovanni’s feet, but the seconds tick by without anything else and eventually the man clicks his tongue in exasperated defeat. Getting up, he barely bothers with a word of parting – except for an “if you learn more”.
