A/N: Pyrophobic!Reader. (Fear towards fire)

'Fire is terrifying; but it can be beautiful too.'

It had been a very dark, yet starry night, its infinity reflected onto the stirring surface of the sea. When (Y/N) had arrived at the party hours ago, she hadn't expected it to become so dusky, her eyes first meeting the waters in the same orange hue of the setting sun behind the horizon.

'The sun is surrounded by fire. But it's mesmerizing.'

The party was being prepared when she had arrived. There was food and drink, balls and rackets to play on shore, and people, a lot of people, girls clad in pompous bikinis and boys wearing ardent trunks.

She herself was wearing a swimwear that would not be shown under tight fitting jeans and a long-sleeved button-up shirt, contrasting with the other guests' clothing choices.

A fair-sized stage was finally assembled by a group of boys you had seen once or twice, maybe; they were the ones who would perform onto that stage in matter of time. However, among them there was one whose face you would definitely remember.

'His hair looks just like fire. However, it's magnificent.'

Eustass Kid was the vocalist of this band you had first heard of when you came to this coastal city on holiday with your family.

"Aren't you feeling hot, (Y/N)?" Said girl looked up at the source of the gruff voice, only to meet with feral, amber orbs. She kept staring, taking in his facial features: his usual frown which lacked eyebrows that would be, for sure, as red as his spiky hair; the curiously shaped nose between sharp eyes; his lips weren't painted as usual, instead a slightly rosy color compared to his pale complexion. As brief as her admiration was, Kid was quick to grow impatient without an answer. "The concert will start soon. Stop dozing off and help, will you?"

Both, (Y/N) and Kid, lived in the same city when were younger, although they barely ever talked. He was the kind of boy who clearly needed help with his grades and seemed to be looking for fight at all times.

Although sometimes he had brought a hand-made robot to school, much to (Y/N)'s respect. She had grown to admire the boy in more ways than one.

'His whole being was as dangerous as fire; yet it would never cease to amaze her.'

Without answering, (Y/N) looked into the distance, admiring how the stars were starting to be seen in a gradually darker blue sky.

A muffled thud made her glace backwards, eyes widening as another noise followed, and felt her body paralyze.

'Fear is just like fire as well; it spreads quickly and rocks from your very core.'

Her body failed to answer as more wood was piled up on a spot of sand, being readied by laughing young adults; she knew what was about to happen, and her body shook. She tried to retreat, dragging her body as far away as she could from the potential bonfire.

She needed to escape.

The thunderous roar of an electric guitar had her head snapping towards the stage, the performers bathed in blue, red and green spotlights, trying their instruments, readying their microphones.

And the bonfire was ready.

A small spark was everything required to make her breath get caught in her throat and her stomach to churn. The song started just then, followed by a choir of awed sounds while the fire spread, engulfing every piece of wood.

Her breathing accelerated as she could feel the warmth radiating from the fire, the stench of something being burnt drowning her senses while in her eyes flickered every dangerous movement. The painful sting on her skin made her wheeze agonizingly.

Her legs quivered against the sand, her being ignored somewhere in the dark; but, how she hoped to be truly buried in darkness, instead of feeling the atrocity of this fierce source of light.

However, she hadn't felt Kid's eyes on her while he sang, rough voice oddly enticing in the background. He knew something was off.

Some boys got closer to add some more wood, causing the flare to swell. It was at that moment that (Y/N) finally found the strength to get up and run away, ignoring the glances settled on her. Even the amber one.

(Y/N) held her legs tucked into her chest as she cried in a corner of the old lighthouse of the house. Years ago she had found out that it was abandoned, and that another one had been built on a more visible cliff. So, ever since then, she had used it as her hiding place, when she felt sad, when her parents scolded her, or just whenever she wanted to play.

The dust-covered floor she was sitting on was probably staining her pants, and it felt really lonely, but she was okay; that was what she was looking for. The crates all around the room drew ugly shadows on the decolored walls.

She had spent about fifteen minutes inside the old building, but had no intentions of walking back to the party. She was sure the bonfire was still up; a shiver ran up her spine from only remembering. Her skin was sweaty, getting her clothes stuck to it.

Maybe it was that she was sure that no one would come to get her, but she slowly unbuttoned her shirt, exposing the upper part of her swimwear and several burnt scars. The sweat on her own face had most likely erased the make-up she used to cover the marks on it.

A trembling hand slid across one of the scars on her abdomen, tears welling up again in her eyes and sob after sob escaping her lips despite her desperate attempts to stop them.

Just then, the door to the lighthouse was opened wide, and the girl let out a choked breath.

"(Y/N)? I know you're here. Er... Are you okay?" Asked a tough voice she knew well, almost hesitant, but she refused to say anything.

She felt and heard his footsteps coming closer, and hastily fumbled with the buttons until she was messily covered, trying then to hide her face behind her bangs.

The next moment, and much to her surprise, Kid was kneeling down before her; he was frowning deeply, and looked angry.

She couldn't say a word.

"Why didn't you tell me you were afraid of fire?!" He asked sharply, yet barely above a whisper. (Y/N) bit the inside of her cheek looking to the side.

"I don't want to remember it..." She whined lowly, and Kid took her chin between strong fingers. In the dark, he saw the almost covered scar crossing her cheek. His scowl became deeper as he inspected the wound with ferocious eyes.

"You could have told me." He said seriously. She shook her head, looking at him with teary eyes.

'Emotions are like fire too; once they are unleashed, there is no turning back.'

"How did you know where I was hiding?" Kid snorted, letting her chin go and shrugging his shoulders.

"I guess I remember it was you who drew that pitiful lighthouse back at school." He mumbled with a smirk, almost unconsciously trying to cheer her up. And he certainly managed to help, seeing the small smile on her face.

"Thank you, Sir." She murmured back sarcastically, making Kid let out a dry laugh.

"We should go back." Suggested the redhead, and a scintilla of doubt and fear flowered on her face. "Don't worry, I will make sure the bonfire is extinct. Besides, you barely heard me singing." He said, smirk back in place. (Y/N) smiled back and got up with him.

'Love is just like fire. A small spark can become a flame.'

'And that is beautiful.'