Work Text:
Pyro loved Miss Pauling.
A lot.
They weren’t sure when they began developing feelings for Miss Pauling. It could have been the first display of trust where she collapsed in their arms, tired from the constant paperwork from the administrator, yet another possible start was how they started to notice her as she developed into a less meek person; hell, maybe it was the first time they met with how she beamed at their mask… The start wasn’t important.
What was important was how bottling their emotions began to negatively affect their work performance.
Which was why they had to confess.
Kicking at the sand, Pyro looked at her awestruck.
The orange hue of the flames highlighted her features as she watched the flames eat away at the pile of bodies being disposed of. The way she twirled her hair while lost in thought, even softly muttering to herself as her mind could never catch a break.
She was perfect.
The time would be now or never.
Miss Pauling turned her attention from the burning remains to Pyro who waved to get her attention. “Oh Pyro, what is it?”
“I love you.” Pyro confessed, hoping that the words were heard through the mask while fidgeting with their hands.
“I love you too!” She responded without skipping a beat, with a bright smile. There was not even a consideration that it was more than a platonic statement…
Their heart sank.
The way Miss Pauling looked at them… it hurt. It wasn’t the way Pyro looked at her. She didn’t reflect the love and admiration they felt.
Miss Pauling didn’t want a lover.
What Miss Pauling needed was a friend. A person she could rely on. Someone who Miss Pauling had no obligations to or have to concern her feelings with.
It was a reality they hadn’t prepared for.
“Pyro, are you okay, buddy?” Miss Pauling asked, tilting her head causing her glasses to go crooked.
Pyro nodded.
With a grin, Pauling readjusted her glasses. ”I appreciate all the help today. We should hangout like this again. When I’m not busy, which isn’t often… definitely like to hang out like this more!”
Pyro gave a thumbs up.
They could fulfill that role for her. They would be the friend she needed. They would let those feelings of desire burn out. The desire to wake up next to her, each morning, to her dorky smile. The desire to kiss her lips without rubber separating the two. The desire for her to be theirs, and Pyro to be hers until this cruel world took them apart. The desire to be more… It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth it.
For her.
The two would depart into the night. Once Pyro returned to base, they tended to flames under the starry night. Pyro sat crossed-legged in front of a campfire. Kindling flames soothed their heartache.
Fire was truly the solution to all problems in life.
The crinkles of fire were interrupted by footsteps approaching them. Turning their torso, Engineer waved with a large grin plastered on his face.
“Hey, Pyro! How’d it go?” Engineer hollered.
Pyro turned back to the fire.
His smile faltered with their nonexistent response. Engineer took a seat next to Pyro. The pairs’ goggles reflected the flames. There was a familiar grip on their shoulder. With a gentle squeeze, Engineer talked in a soft spoken voice “You alright? I know you were absolutely smitten for that girl.” They shrugged.
No, but they would be.