Fandom: Enn Enn no Shouboutai / Fire Force.
Pairing: Shinmon Benimaru x fem!reader.
Content: Nothing bad except denial. Well...lack of proofing.
A/N: Enjoying a night with no work and/or social engagements. Feel free to ASK (or reblog) for tag – in fact: always reblog. Thanks to those who have already <3
11. Tinder
… Reader …
Joker’s hospitality had been impeccable, but you have to admit that you are sleeping better now than you’ve had in a while. Not to mention the food! Almost everything is better than canned goods but what Konro can whip up is beyond amazing and you often find yourself drawn to the kitchen as soon as he begins the preparations – not that you are very helpful, but then you handle any other tasks.
There is enough for you to do at Company Seven’s base: a bunch of men and a set of unruly twins tends to create a mess despite the general efforts of the residents. How can you refuse to become a sort of house keeper? There’s nothing else for you to do anyways (at least not if you want to stay out of Benimaru’s way).
Bored out of your mind, you try to entertain yourself at “home”.
After almost a month, you give up and sneak out...only to end face to face with the twins less than 20 meters away. They would probably have managed to guilt trip you back if it wasn’t for Konro appearing by your side and handing you a basket waiting to be filled with groceries.
People stare unabashed. Once or twice, your companion is stopped and presented with wrapped sweets or other token of gratitude for the work of the Special Fire Force Company and, in particular, Benimaru. Waka. The baskets fill as quickly as you become fed up by the glorification of the apathetic man.
“He doesn’t want the fame,” Konro confides quietly in you during a moment of relaxation on a bench, “doesn’t even like to be in charge, so he keeps referring to me as the first-in-command.”
So you used to be captain? Remaining silent seems better than challenging the postulate, but you don’t believe him for a second: Benimaru is arrogant and, judging by several encounters so far, can’t handle loss of control. Yeah, sure, the guy is good with the twins and respectful towards his men in that broody, handsome ki- Nope! Not going there!
Desperate to derail the train of thought, you refocus on the people going about their day. You...don’t fit in. With exception of the kids and some of the youth, most citizens of Asakusa are dressed according to the ways of the Old World, and it makes you long for the comfort of the laid off clothes of Benimaru.
... Benimaru ...
It takes him a moment too long before realizing his mistake upon spotting Konro on the bench with the young woman. A stranger? he thinks, and in a way he’s right. Glad for the shaggy hair obscuring his eyes, Benimaru allows his gaze to rove up the shapely form wrapped in a soft-yellow summer dress (the sleeves are simply little flaps, like tiny butterfly wings sometimes resting on the shoulders – something he normally finds silly but not now) and he likes what he sees. Then she turns her face his way to say something to the man who is the backbone of Company Seven.
[Y/N]?
He’s not at all sure he wants to accept what the initial feelings were before realization hit like a truck but on the other hand, suddenly seeing this feminine side tickles his curiosity. What else doesn’t Benimaru know? For too long, the captain’s been preoccupied with the risk she poses indirectly and her uncovered pyrochinetic skills (or whatever they might be) that she seems to be dangerously unaware off.
“She’s quite something,” a creaky voice volunteers.
“Hm.” She is. Apparently.
A simpering smile is audible in the words, “I suppose nothing less would catch the attention of our captain.”
Nearly pulling a muscle, Benimaru’s head snap to the side to glare at Asuka’s self-anointed great-grandmother as she beams back at him with a toothless grin. He knows, even if he doesn’t want to admit, that the muddy, old eyes have a tendency to see what is hidden for others. It’s probably just wisdom earned through ages of experience, some say...but they only say it after making sure the old crone is far out of earshot.
“You almost sound like Konro, o bāchan,” the captain complains.
“Ah! He’s a good lad.” Happy wrinkles attempt to swallow her eyes. “You should listen to him, kiddo.”
Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. “Riiiight...”
Rather than getting stuck in the intricate web of an old woman, Benimaru says goodbye and hurries to finish the few errands before returning to the firehouse and something (anything) that can distract him.
