A shadow moved quickly and quietly through the dark corridors of the building. It rushed upward, like billows of smoke as it reached the open doorway to the roof. There a small flame had just sparked to life, fluttering softly in a newfound gaze at it bore to a bright day. The small flame had just barely lifted from the sparks that had created it when a hand crashed forward toward it, the dark shadow covering the flame.

Maki: Eh?! (Y/n)?!

The witch and her friend, the sister of the fire force, had been spending a gentle morning on the roof, the witch showing off her abilities to create living flame from simple alcohol and sparks to create a flame. The sister spoke up this time, concerned for your health as you wore nothing but the thick pants of your uniform with the suspenders slung over your waist. Your top only consisted of a tight long-sleeved shirt and that feature smile you wore. Your hands were bare as well, your fingers caressing the open living flame as it let out little noises.

Sister: (Y-Y/n)! That's very hot, let it go!

(Y/n): Hah... you know after working together for a year I would assume you would remember more about me Iris...

Your lips curled into a slight pout as you scratched the flames' non-existent chin, while it let out little noises. You looked over the surprised Sister in time to admire the worried look you received. The witch sitting next to her caught on much faster than her friend.

Maki: How did you even conjure up a flame?

(Y/n): Eh it was pretty easy. I mainly just had it leftover from dealing with some... business.

Your voice echoed around the roof though it did not come from your mouth. Instead, another version of you walked out of the rooftop door, stretching softly but a perfect mirror copy of the first. It was here the blonde girl finally managed to catch on.

Iris: Hmph, you really shouldn't mess with us like that.

(Y/n): Ah I'm sorry Iris, I promise not to mess with you again... too much... alright at least not all the time... maybe.

Iris: That doesn't sound like a promise at all!

A deep chuckle radiated from you, moving closer until you could take a seat next to the two girls, your clone petting the small fireball with a grin. Iris then chuckled in return, her sapphire-colored gaze trading between the two of you. 

Iris: You two really are something. Freely controlling flames at will like this.

Maki: I wouldn't say that. We're only second generation. Unlike a third-generation like Shinra, we need fire starters to create our flames.

(Y/n): Hey don't go saying stuff like that. Sure we can't create our own flames but we can still kick ass! And I'm not sure who this Shinra guy is but I'm sure he would agree.

Iris: Eh? You haven't met-

All of a sudden the doors to the roof blew open, rattling loudly as two figures spewed forth landing on the roof ready for battle. The loud sound already had you and your clone sent into defense mode, standing in front of the two girls. The one you took notice of was a guy with no shoes. His spiky black hair, bright crimson eyes, and sharp-looking teeth caught you off guard as opposed to the blonde across from him. This guy appeared to be his polar opposite with shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes. He also held some sort of... sword handle? 

Maki: Err... who are you?

The blonde perked up at her words, quickly responding with a firm tone declaring himself Arthur Boyle... the knight king? Then he did something so indescribably horrible it sent your rage ablaze. 

Arthur: Are you the princess of this castle?

Maki: Huh? Princess~?

Iris: Huh?

He tried to flirt with Maki! Your blood boiled instantly, your mind racing with all the ways you could knock that smug smile off the face of this punk! The clone next to you began to shake softly. Not like a human does but more like the image of you began to dance and twist, crackling like a flame which it was made of.

(Y/n): Eh?! Maki, I compliment you all the time! So why are you blushing when this guy says something?!

Maki: W-Well... You flirt with me a lot so... I guess I'm used to it.

(Y/n): U-Use to...

Life seeped from your now devastated body. You could feel boots trampling upon your heart. Use to it... does she mean you're... predictable?! How can you make the marvelous Maki's heart flutter if you're predictable?! 

(Y/n): U-Use to... she's...

You seemingly were defeated, falling as flat as a piece of paper and ghostly pale before fluttering backward until your head rested in the lap of the resident sister of the eighth.

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

(Y/n): Please bury me in my best clothes...

Iris: Bury?! P-Please don't die!

The two guys that had burst onto the roof didn't really know what to make of the situation. To them you had just been told to get new material and were so devastated by it you were in critical condition. But you did get to use the lap of the blonde sister as a pillow so... is this called a win-lose situation? Aside from that was the fact that there was another version just standing there holding a small flaming ball. It didn't seem to have any emotions really besides just watching you with a slightly disappointed look. Was this really what the eighth was like...?

If it wasn't for the life support lap pillow you might have just died right there but Iris managed to convince you to stay alive to earn redemption! you would never be predictable again! You were the hopeful romantic and you were going to prove it! Lifting yourself back up to a seated position you took the time to turn to the sister with a smile.

(Y/n): Thank you, Iris. May I ask you a favor?

Iris: Of course.

(Y/n): May I... flirt with you?!

Iris: E-Eh?!

Maki: Hah?

(Y/n) I need to be able to practice my material and I think that... you would be perfect until I get my redemption arc!

Iris: W-Well... if it will help you out...

Maki: You're agreeing?!

(Y/n): Eh~? Is that a bit of jealousy I'm detecting~?

The blonde-haired knight and the brown-haired boy had no idea what was going on but it somehow managed to tick both of them off. How could you openly flirt with one woman let alone two? Sure there was courting but you just seemed...  

???: What are you doing?

A stern voice filled the air of the roof, startling most of the members as they jumped up to salute the encroaching male. You even picked yourself up to offer a slight salute in response as he was technically your boss due to rank. Glasses guy Hinawa stopped in front of Maki turning his glare toward your twin and the fireball. Of course, fires were a no-no in a place like a fire station so it was only logical he would take the coffee in his cup and thrust it forward to splash across the twin and the fireball slowly melting both of them. 

(Y/n) twin: I'm melting... melting...

The issue with him splashing the drink forward was that some of it missed the twin by going over its shoulder and splashed you square in the face. A gentle smile filled your face...

Hinawa: Fire soldiers do not play with fire-

He was trying to give a lesson to Maki and the young recruits when a hand latched onto his shoulder.

(Y/n): I think there are two words you say when you accidentally splash someone.

Hinawa: Fire soldiers don't play with fire.

(Y/n): That sounded like more than two words, let's try again. What do you say when you accidentally splash someone?

Hinawa: Was it an accident? Or did you get in the way?

Your jaw clenched as your other hand reached forward to grip the glasses guy by the shirt as you two glared at each other. It was not hard to believe that you still didn't like each other till this day and it was little reactions like this that reminded you how much loved to hate him. As for Maki and Iris, this was simply normal since you joined them. As for the two rookies though you basically had just confirmed a question in their heads. Yep... this was the eighth in a nutshell. The girl's just barely managed to pull the two of you apart as you waved your hand dismissively with a grunt.

(Y/n): I don't need to deal with this. I need to give the captain my report anyway.

You let out a sigh through your nose, remembering the mountain of work you had just put off to mess with Maki and Iris but you couldn't escape from it like you did jail time. Thus, you waved goodbye to the recruits and the angry glasses guy and made your way back into the station not realizing you were being tailed or... so that person thought.

Footsteps trailed yours as you entered the fire station, taking a corner as you prepared an ambush for the person following you. If it was glasses guy you could at least smack him one good time and call it an accident. Though... Hmm... no it's not him. So you'll be nice this time. You stepped into a room and quickly hide behind the door, listening as the gentle footsteps trailed after yours and soon passed by the door. With a smirk, you slipped back out into the hallway in time to see... Iris? That's a surprise. She was standing next to your desk looking around carefully as she glanced at the various papers scattered around your unkempt desk. 

(Y/n): My my aren't you being naughty~?

Iris: Eep!

The blonde-haired girl jumped from your voice, casting a document into the air which you managed to catch somewhat awkwardly before glancing at it. 

(Y/n): If you wanted to know about my report you don't need to sneak around.

Iris: I-It's not! W-Well you know... I didn't mean to sneak I was just... I overheard your conversation with Captain about you investigating... the fifth.

You couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow at the statement. Fire station five, huh? It was rather strange that she would be so interested in that but the way she fidgeted with that guilty look on her face made it hard to want to tease her.

(Y/n): Well I did scout around though I didn't find much. Though I did discover something about the captain of the fifth. 

You let the words slip and glanced out of the corner of your eye in time to see the sister's eyes widen. Ah, so that's the connection. The sister must know something about the captain. 

Iris: What... did you learn?

(Y/n): She's... a total hottie!

Iris: Hah?

(Y/n): She seems tough and super strict but that dress and those eyes of her are so stunning! Well worth the trip if I do say so~!

You glanced over to see Iris giving you the most unimpressed face you had ever seen. But now that you have gotten that out of your system you could move on.

(Y/n): But... it seems you and said captain have a connection. Wanna tell me, dear sister? It could help me with my report?

Iris: Hmph... I... I... I won't talk about it unless you tell me something from your past.

(Y/n): My my look at you getting all defensive. I like to think that's my fault but if you so desperately wish to blackmail me then I will comply.

You opened your mouth before the sister closed the distance and gripped the sleeve of the long-sleeved shirt you wore. to be honest, you didn't expect the reaction so it stumped you for a moment before the sister took a step back and waved her hands slowly.

Iris: A-Ah sorry I just sort of reacted! I don't want you to think I'm blackmailing you! I just...

(Y/n): Hmm?

Iris: You haven't told us anything about yourself since you got here. And I don't want you to think you have to for me! I still care for you even if you never tell us anything.

You couldn't help but feel a strange twinge in your chest. Like your heart thumping extra hard. Your body seemingly reacted on its own as you gulped softly and looked to the side at your messy desk with an embarrassed look. 

(Y/n): Hah... Don't go caring about me, you'll make a bad habit out of that.

Iris: Why would that be a bad habit?

(Y/n): It... It just is, alright? Look you've bested me in the arena of words so I'll... I will tell you about one moment from my past. Free of charge, not because of blackmail or anything. but if I catch wind of it spreading around the station I will have to take my revenge!

Iris: Is it because you keep asking that question? About if you're a bad person-

(Y/n): Look this is a one-time-only deal! Do you accept or not?!

You hadn't meant for your tone to increase but it felt like something was happening. This... this was trust. This good-natured feeling of someone actually putting faith in you. It didn't feel right. You were supposed to be the bad guy. Shifting the blame was easier this way- You were of course put off by this negative thing as the sister's gloved hand once more came to rest on you, her palm landing on your hand which you hadn't even realized you had been staring at.

Iris: No.

(Y/n): W-What? 

Iris: I don't accept the deal.

(Y/n): Why not? It's free of charge you don't have to buy me food or-

Iris: I want you to tell me about yourself willingly. Like I said I care for your health and if talking about your past is uncomfortable then I won't make you.

(Y/n): Iris... I... 

Ōbi: Oi! (Y/n)!

You jumped as the booming voice of your captain filled the room startling you and the sister to jump apart from each other. You both turned in time to see your captain walking in flanked by the two new recruits. The one you didn't like and the one that was sorta there.

Ōbi: I'm taking the recruits to Ippudo! You should come along with us! 

(Y/n): Ah... sure why not. I don't mind getting food. I'll meet you by the door.

The captain nodded with a grin as he made his way toward the exit, the two recruits giving you strange looks before following. You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding before turning to the sister. Her face was faintly red.

(Y/n): Iris... You need to be careful.

Iris: E-Eh? Why?

(Y/n): Keep this up and Maki might just have competition in this heart of mine~

You left the already embarrassed girl with that piece of info before shuffling after your captain, more than happy to get free food. Catching up to the trio, the captain eagerly put his arm around your shoulder with a smile. 

Ōbi: Oh yeah! you can tell me about that report of yours on the way.

(Y/n): Oh yeah... uh... report...

Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all...