Chapter Text
Enough time had passed from the second world blaze for things to return to normal. No more rebuilding, no more cleaning up debris, memorial services held and those who had committed crimes were tried and put away for good.
Life had returned to normal, and for Firehouse 3 of Burning Rescue the days were never boring. Not after getting a remodel, some new tech and three new members to their ranks. Lio, Gueira and Meis had more or less been adopted by the squad the day they burnt the world. And with the remodel the firehouse now had apartments for those to live in when off duty. Well those who didn’t really have families, besides Burning Rescue, to go back home to.
Meaning that Lio, Galo, Gueira, Meis, and Lucia were on site all the time. Thankfully Ignis was amazing at scheduling the roster so there was usually a ‘babysitter’ on duty to make sure the firehouse itself didn’t need to be rescued.
‘This isn’t a good idea. ’ Remi had muttered.
‘Galo’s apartment won’t hold him and Mad Burnish without something going wrong. At least here we can take action quickly.’ Ignis replied
‘But haven’t you added more variables of something bad happening since Lucia basically live here.’ Remi said as he crossed his arms. Vinny protested loudly at being left out but was ignored at the time.
‘It’s a risk we have to take.’ Was Ignis’ final words on the matter.
Thankfully there has only been 5 recorded incidents since that time. Two of which were Lucia’s fault and the other three due to the former Burnish relearning that they could no longer control fire. But they all survived and the past was in the past. And today was the day Squad 3’s favorite place was reopening. Pops had given them a special invitation to come out and enjoy some free pizza:
‘Four pie limit! After all you guys are my best customers and I have to keep the business afloat!’ Pops had joked when he stopped by.
So they were off! Walking the few blocks to the new pizza location with a spring in their step. Well mostly just in Galo’s step.
“You three are going to love this place!” Galo said loudly throwing his arms up into the air. He almost punched Varys in the nose with the gesture. “It has the best pizza you’ll ever taste!”
“We’ve tried Chicago’s pizza and that place is like the pizza capital ain’t it?” Gueira asked.
“I think it was before the first world blaze. An’ it’s not like people left the big cities after everything else became a wasteland so there isn’t really a way for them to lose that title.” Meis replied.
“Not to mention this was a while back, there won’t be a way for us to accurately say if that one is better than what we are about to have.” Lio added on.
“So it’ll be the best pizza regardless! Because this pizza you won’t ever forget the taste of!” Galo declared seemingly happy that he won the argument. Even if it wasn’t an argument at all. When they arrived the place seemed a bit quiet for such a grand opening.
“It’s just barely noon, I am sure more customers will come.” Remi said trying to quell Galo’s fear. After all the last time they ate here people were disgusted when they found out that the chef was a burnish. Speaking of the burnish chief he had been outfitted for some mechanical prosthesis due to the Promare pod. He had lost his left hand, and both his legs from the knee down.
But now, here he stood in front of the giant wood stove with a smile on his face as he pulled out a pizza from the flames. A sigh of relief washed through the squad to see his recovery doing well. Others were not so lucky.
“Pops! Your favorite customers are here!” Chef yelled out after he spotted them by the door. He continued in a quieter voice: “Hey guys, I’ve been cooking up those margarita pizzas for you. Number three just came out of the oven.”
“What? No way!!” Galo said with excitement in his voice rushing over to the counter to look at the cooling pizzas and taking a big whiff of air. “Ahhh! Smells better than I remembered!!”
Without waiting, and honestly everyone was surprised he had waited this long, Galo reached over the glass and nabbed a slice from the steaming pizza pie.
“Hot hot hot!!” He cried but still lifted the gooey slice up and taking a big bite out of it. “ -oooot!”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Aina scolded.
“Don’t reach over the glass!” Remi added in.
“Jeez can’t you even wait to sit down?” Varys huffed although he was eyeing the other two pizzas.
“Squad 3! Welcome welcome!” Pops said finally arriving on the scene. “I apologize for not being out here to greet ya when ya came in but I had to get more tomatoes! Come on let’s get you all seated out on the patio. Such a beautiful day shouldn’t be squandered!”
Ignis smacked Galo’s hand as he tried to reach over the glass. He was trying once more to nab another slice. Galo pouted at him but otherwise followed without much of a fuss.
“It’s good to see him recovering well.” Lio said a bit softly looking back into the restaurant. Chef was back making pizzas, throwing dough into the air and catching it easily with both his hands. It was probably months of rehabilitation and deep down Lio knew this was still just the beginning of recovery.
“Sure does bring a tear to yer eye doesn’t it Boss?” Gueira said plopping down in the plastic chair beside him and wrapping an arm around Lio. Meis was quick to take Lio’s other side and mimic his partner.
“Don’t cry Boss! We’re supposed to be celebrating.” Meis announced.
“What Lio’s crying?!” Galo yelled, he had just arrived and only heard what Meis had said. “Don’t cry Lio!!”
Suddenly Lio found himself enveloped along with Meis and Gueira. It was rather impressive that Galo had the arm length to hug all three of them.
“It’ll be okay! The sun is shining, and all is right in the world!! If that won’t cheer you up then I’ll use my burning fire fighter soul to cheer you up!!” Galo announced moving in such a way he almost dragged the three ex-burnish from their chairs. The three captured in his hug let out a series of choked noises.
“Easy big guy you might want to let them breath.” Aina said coming over and placing her hand on Galo’s arm. Startled Galo instantly released the trio and they all slumped in their seats gasping and coughing from such an embrace.
“I’m so sorry guys! I’m supposed to rescue you not harm you!” Galo wailed looking ready to go in for another hug but Lio waved him off.
“I’m fine, don’t let these two rile you up like that.” Lio said after catching his breath. “They like to tease.”
“We’ve been betrayed Meis!” Gueira cried
“By our own Boss! Oh the pain!” Meis said with a dramatic swoon, a hand over his heart.
“See they are dramatic, always have been.” Lio huffed with a smile on his face and soon the whole table was laughing at their antics.
“Alright guys, settle down! The drinks are here.” Varys said after swallowing a mouthful of pizza and sure enough Pop came out with another waiter beer sloshing dangerously in the mugs. When one was placed in front of Lio he spoke up.
“I’m sorry, I’m not old enough to drink.” He said it with a completely straight face and Galo spat out his drink. Remi ducking gracefully out of the way of the spray.
“WHAT?!” Galo yelled looking at Lio with wide eyes. “You can’t be serious?! I know I called you a kid when we first met but surely you are old enough to drink!”
Pops seemed a bit flustered that he was about to serve a minor and quickly moved to remove the drink. But Lio stopped him and smiled offering the man his city issued ID.
“Don’t scare me like that kid!” Pops said “Coulda been a real issue if I served you alcohol if you were a minor.”
Pops handed back Lio’s ID and the man made sure that no one saw his age on the card.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to see the look on everyone’s faces.” Lio replied “They were priceless.”
Pops let out a short laugh and rolled his eyes before walking away. Lio turned back to the table and picked up the mug. He took a huge gulp before setting it back down.
“What?” He finally asked the table.
“How old are you?” Galo blurted out causing Meis and Gueira to laugh. Lio quirked an eyebrow at Galo.
“Haven’t you figured it out?” He replied.
“Well Captain said you were the leader of Mad Burnish for thirty years! But you don’t look a day over eighteen! And those two don’t look a day over twenty something!” Lucia said pointing to Lio then Gueira, and Meis.
“And ya don’t look a day over fifteen and yet here ya are working for the fire department!” Gueira yelled back pointing at the mad scientist
“You all act like children so does age really matter?” Remi pointed out.
“Says the guy who sleeps with a stuffed crocodile!” Lucia was quick to turn.
“W-what?! I do not!” Remi was quick to defend himself.
“Is it the crocodile the zoo gave you to remember the escapee?” Varys asked.
“Well, yes but I do not sleep with it!” Remi replied with a huff “It’s on the top shelf of my locker.”
“No way!!” Varys laughed.
“Squad!” Ignis’ voice cut through their conversation in tone alone making everyone freeze in their seats. “Try to keep it down won’t you. You are beginning to bother other guests.”
The crew looked about and sure enough there were other guests at the restaurant. It seemed the grand opening was becoming a success. And although it didn’t look like their energetic conversation was really bothering them. A few of them were trying to stifle their laughs.
Galo’s heart warmed at all the smiles on everyone’s faces around him. The guests enjoying pizza, Pops and Chef working hard but happy as their business picked up. Squad three picking on each other like family. Even the new additions were fitting in well.
Yes, life was getting back to normal, but with Burning Rescue Squad 3. The days were never boring and the future looked bright.