The Fire Force's 8th Company's cathedral was actually a decent place to live in, Lisa had mused. It was large, giving each of its ten residents ample space to work, train, and pray. The place was much cleaner than Vulcan's workshop, which, while she called it home, was easily outclassed by the cathedral. It was so much more comfortable. Is this why Vulcan ended up liking the Fire Force more than he thought he would?
No, definitely not. The living arrangements were a major help, but the character and morals of the Fire Soldiers themselves were the true winners. Vulcan was won over by the compassion and synergy of Shinra, Arthur, and Iris. He was partnered with the team's most brilliant mind, Viktor Licht. He fit right in with Maki's bubbly personality, Tamaki's embarrassing but amusing habit of accidentally getting naked, and Hinawa's stern outlook. And perhaps the most important, at least through Lisa's view, was his reassuring and protective leader, Captain Akitaru Obi. Both she and Vulcan found great care and protection in him, and it was because of him they were both currently stationed under his command.
At least, Vulcan was. He, like the other Fire Soldiers, were currently out on the field, fighting Infernals and trying to solve the mystery of Spontaneous Human Combustion. She was home alone, given time to recuperate from her physically and mentally straining time with the White-Clad and Dr. Giovanni.
Lisa wasn't sure how she was allowed here. After everything she'd done, she never would've thought she'd be welcomed with open arms by the very people she fought, and especially by the one man she betrayed. Vulcan never once got angry with her, or turned a cold shoulder on her. Instead, he was there by her side, saving her from Giovanni and bringing her to headquarters for recovery. He did everything he could to cheer her up, to make her part of his family again. And she couldn't tell if she hated him or loved him for it. Did she really deserve this?
Lisa could hear Company 8's fire engine approaching the cathedral. She had just taken a snack from the kitchen and was ready to resume work on her new contraption in the garage when the vehicle pulled up. The back door opened and the Fire Soldiers filed out. The driver and passenger seats' doors swung open as well; Licht and Vulcan got out.
"Yo, Lisa," Vulcan cheerily greeted her.
"Hey, Vulc."
"What are you working on?"
"Oh, this?" Lisa picked up her small contraption. "Just busywork."
"Uh huh."
"Next time, watch where you swing that thing!" Shinra angrily scolded Arthur as they walked past.
"Hmph. Perhaps you should learn not to get in the way," Arthur coolly retorted.
"We were in closed quarters! You have to be mindful of others' leg room!" The argument carried on as they walked into the cathedral.
"Busy day?" Lisa asked.
"You have no idea," Vulcan sighed, scratching the back of his head. "We tried our best, but the Infernals were a handful. Fortunately, no sign of the White-Clad."
"Yeah..." Lisa looked away uncomfortably at hearing that name.
"Well, I'm off to take a shower," Vulcan said. "See you at dinner?"
Lisa perked up. "Y-yeah."
As Vulcan left, Lisa looked down at the little thing she was making. She sighed, tossing it into the trash can. She was getting nowhere with it.
...
Lisa surprised the Fire Soldiers with a meal. She had noticed Lieutenant Hinawa had left some ingredients around for the next meal, but she decided to put her own spin on them.
"Whoa, this is really good!" Shinra energetically wolfed through his omurice.
"Lisa, you should cook for us more often!" Tamaki agreed.
Hinawa slowly chewed through the ingredients he had been planning on using for his own dish. "I approve," he said finally. Obi smiled at that, happily savoring his own dish.
"I'm glad you enjoy it," Lisa said, smiling as well. Cooking the omurice had been unexpectedly cathartic for her, and seeing everyone enjoy it brought her immense relief. She looked over at Vulcan, who was going through his with his usual enthusiasm.
"That's Lisa for you, she never disappoints!" He said happily.
Lisa once again faltered. Her smile wavered, if only a little. Maki looked up just in time to see it. Not saying anything, she kept eating.
After dinner was done, everyone parted ways, going to fill out paperwork or relaxing. It was at 9 o'clock that Maki headed up to the roof to do her daily routine of stargazing while doing sit-ups. She was surprised to see Lisa there, gazing off into the distance.
"Oh, Lisa!" Maki called out. The younger girl turned around to see her.
"Hey, Maki."
"You don't mind, do you?" Maki laid her mat down on the ground and started working out.
The two of them sat in silence for a while, enjoying the cool breeze washing over them like a thin blanket during summertime.
Maki spoke up first, still doing sit-ups.
"So." Grunt. "Do you." Grunt. "Have something." Grunt. "On your mind?"
Lisa sighed. "Plenty of things."
"You know. You can always. Talk to us. Any of us. If you need something. We're all. Family. Here."
Lisa laughed. "If I talk to you, should I take my time between words too?"
Maki smiled. "Sorry." She sat up.
"So, wanna talk about it?"
Lisa hesitated. "This isn't a test or anything, right?"
"What? No! Just simple girl talk."
"Ah." Lisa paused, not sure of what to say.
"Well..." she said slowly. "It's about Vulcan-"
Maki dramatically gasped. "Oh my gosh! What is it? Did he profess his love for you? Are you two dating now? How long has it been?" Maki gasped again as another thought hit her. Her romantic side was acting rather violently today. "Or did he admit he's in love with someone else? Who could it be? Tamaki? The sister? Captain Hibana? Oh no. Could it be me? Am I a part of a love triangle now? With my own friends? How can I deal with this? I don't want anyone's hearts to be broken!"
Lisa stared at her, amazed. "Way to make this about yourself..."
Maki blushed. "Sorry. So what about him?"
Maybe it was because Maki was so approachable that Lisa found herself loosening up around her. Maki was unbelievably kind to her, and Lisa had started to enjoy her company more as time went by.
"I...don't feel like I deserve this."
"Huh?"
Lisa braced herself, hugging her knees up against her chest. "You know, this. Forgiveness. Hospitality. Trust. You guys opened your doors for me. I did nothing to deserve that. I was the enemy. I could have been plotting against you this whole time. Why did you guys do that?"
Before Maki could speak up, Lisa kept going. "When Shinra first saw me after I got out of bed, he smiled like he was happy to see me. He welcomed me like I was an old friend. I tried to brush him off, but he wasn't changing his mind.
"Then you guys held a toast for me. That was the most amount of people in years that held a celebration for me, or just smiled at me in general. Do you realize how crappy you guys made me feel? It was great but so wrong at the same time."
Lisa sped up. "And Vulcan is just awful. He never stopped believing in me. The moment he saw me in the Nether he just smiled and made jokes, like we were still a family. Never mind that Giovanni was right there. He shot the Captain to save me, which could've all gone sideways, but he pulled through. How could he do that for me? After everything I've pulled, what made him want to save me so much?"
She stopped, lowering her head into her knees. "I destroyed his family in just one day, that he took so long to create. Because of me, so many people got hurt. I was too weak. Everything that happened here, that led to this, is my fault. Maybe I never should have come here. I should have died in the Nether."
Maki put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't say that. Lisa, Vulcan is happy here. He had his hang-ups about the Fire Force, but he's been nothing but cheerful around us. He's become a part of us just as much as he's a part of you. And you're here with him now. His family is complete; he couldn't be any happier."
Lisa sniffled, a few tears spilling from her eyes. "Then why can't I see that?" She asked, her voice breaking.
"Come here," Maki pulled the redhead into a hug, comforting her. Maki's soft, comforting arms reminded her so much of her mother. God, how long had it been since someone held her like this? The warmth overwhelmed her, and Lisa couldn't help to softly cry her heart out. Maki didn't let go at all, gently rocking her friend like a baby.
Time passed, and Lisa eventually cooled off.
"I guess...it's because it's been so long since I've had a family that I can't remember what it feels like," Lisa said, her tears drying. "Years under Giovanni's control definitely worked some humanity out of me."
"No, Lisa. You're as human as the rest of us. Dinner tonight was a surprise, but was totally in line with how Vulcan describes you. If anything, you proved to us that we were right in our judgement. We're all here for you."
"I only did that because it reminded me of home. I didn't think things through, I didn't know Vulcan would praise me like that. It made me wonder if he was just lying to make me feel better."
"You know him better than we do, and we already know he cares too much for you to do that, Lisa."
Lisa smiled. "Thanks Maki."
...
Lisa made it back to her room. She felt exhausted, but in a good way. She hadn't expected to make such great friends with the Fire Force, but she was definitely glad she did. Now it wasn't so hard to imagine why Vulcan liked this place so much.
Someone knocked on her door; Vulcan stepped in holding a glass of water. "There you are!" He said. He set the glass down on her nightstand, like he did every night.
"Ready to tuck in?" He asked.
Lisa smiled. "I'm not a baby, Vulc, I can get in bed by myself."
"Sure," he smiled back. "Well, let me know if you need anything." He turned to leave.
Lisa wrapped her arms around him from behind suddenly, resting her head on his back.
He wasn't expecting that, but welcomed it all the same. "...That feels nice."
"Thank you, Vulcan," Lisa said softly.
"Any time."
Lisa let go of him, and returned to bed. As Vulcan wished her good night and closed the door behind him, he shook his head, another smile on his face. As he walked down the hallway, he thought to himself, "What would I do without you?"
A/N: Yeah. This fic forced its way into my head a few days ago and had been living there rent-free ever since, so I decided to write it out. And honestly, I'm glad I did. Lisa is one of the most underrated waifus of the Fire Force series, and I think focusing some extra time on her is time well spent. I'm not personally a shipper, but Lisa's character is so heavily intertwined with Vulcan's that I couldn't see any other way to write them. And besides, Lisa needed a hug. I'm glad I got to incorporate Maki into this the way I did. There's a reason why she's best girl.
And in case anyone's wondering, yes, the second chapter to A Revelation is coming. I was debating on continuing it but I think it's for the better if I do. Don't know when, but I already wrote over half of it, so definitely expect it before the year ends lol. Alright, peace.
