❛ 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 ❜

14

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: i know i haven't done an author's note for this book in a while, but i wanted to take the time to tell you that the content at the beginning of this chapter is not meant to be taken sexually or to be viewed in that light. you'll see what i mean.

just wanted to clarify since it's easy to misinterpret it at times. （＾ｖ＾）

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ ❜┊˚͙۪۪̥◌

y/n hoisted howl up, supporting his weight as they made their way to the bathroom. his petulant body was heavy and slick with the green goo, making it a challenge to keep her grip steady. that and he hardly did anything to help her when it came to walking—it was like she was doing all the work! but now wasn't the time to complain. they moved up the stairs, each step slow and deliberate. suddenly, she heard a wet 'splat!' and stopped, looking around with furrowed brows. what was that?

she spent the next few moments searching for whatever was responsible before her eyes widened when she spotted the towel that had been wrapped around howl's waist which was now lying on the ground, nearly a few steps down. he was now completely nude. y/n tensed, feeling her cheeks heat up with embarrassment. she knew she couldn't leave howl to fetch it, as he would collapse as soon as she let go of him or get it herself without being able to bend down to grab it because that would in turn cause her face to be close to his...manhood. so, awkwardly, she kept her eyes fixed on the ceiling, trying to maintain her composure as they continued up the stairs.

once they reached the bathroom, y/n nudged the door open with her foot and guided howl inside. she closed the door behind them, the click of the latch echoing in the small room. "do you think you can stand on your own...?" she asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper as she looked up at him.

the man responded with an irritated groan, his body sagging against her. it was clear he couldn't manage on his own. y/n rolled her eyes, her frustration mingling with her concern. she hobbled over to the tub, still holding howl upright as she reached for the taps. she turned them, letting warm water fill the tub. as the water rose, she kept a firm grip on howl, ensuring he didn't collapse. oh, how she wished calcifer was a mortal like herself, so he could deal with howl and not her.

before she knew it, the tub was filled. y/n carefully guided the wizard into it, gently lowering him into the warm water. but just as she was bending over the tub to begin wiping off the goo off of howl, he suddenly reached up and grabbed one of her arms. with a surprising burst of strength, he yanked her forward, pulling her into the tub with him. y/n gasped as she fell into the water, her gown immediately drenched and small remnants of the grot staining the clothes a bright green.

she sputtered, pushing her wet hair out of her face as she tried to regain her bearings. the water was warm, but the shock of the sudden immersion left her momentarily stunned. after shaking off the initial shock, the h/c-haired woman looked at howl angrily. "what was that for?!" she scowled, her eyes boring into his. she couldn't believe his childish behavior, especially after everything that had just happened.

didn't he realize she didn't have any spare clothes?

his blue eyes met y/n's e/c ones for a brief moment before he turned his head, looking away, his expression unreadable. y/n huffed in defeat, the anger still simmering within her. she climbed out of the tub, even though she knew it would make a mess. as she stepped out, water soaked the floorboards beneath her, forming small puddles. she groaned, surveying the mess. there were only so many towels to go around. she then side-eyed the corner of the room where a small stack of towels was neatly folded.

grabbing a few, she began to dry the floor, her movements brisk as this little inconvenience was nothing compared to the main focal point. the towels soaked up the water, but it felt like a futile effort given how drenched she was. once she had dried the wood as best as she could, y/n laid out a towel on the ground to catch any more stray water.