❛ 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 ❜

17

y/n stood by the door, waiting patiently as she heard the faint, mesmerizing sounds of magic being worked upstairs. the soft hums and crackles of energy sparked her curiosity, and the occasional flashing of colors that illuminated the space above amused her, casting fleeting rainbows across the walls. she found herself wondering what the process looked like—how howl could conjure clothes from thin air with just a wave of his hand and a sprinkle of magic. but she stayed where she was, respecting his request and trying not to let her imagination get too carried away—emphasis on trying.

she shifted on her feet, fidgeting with the hem of her nightgown as she waited. the minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling longer than the last. despite her anticipation, she didn't doubt howl's promise. he had said it would only take a few minutes, and she trusted him to keep his word. still, she couldn't help but wonder just how many outfits he was making, considering the time he was taking.

finally, after what felt like an eternity but was, in reality, just a few minutes, she heard the stairs creak as howl returned to her. she turned her head, and her breath caught in her throat when she saw him. there he was with a neatly folded bundle of clothes in his arms. but it wasn't just one outfit—he had created an entire selection, a large variety for her to choose from.

y/n's jaw dropped, her eyes wide with surprise. she had expected maybe one or two things, but this? this was beyond anything she had imagined. the fabrics were rich and vibrant, each piece carefully crafted and tailored just for her. she could see the attention to detail in every stitch, every fold. it was as if he had taken the time to consider what would suit her best, creating not just clothes, but an expression of his care.

howl reached the bottom of the stairs and handed the bundle to her with a small, tired smile. the blanket he had wrapped around his shoulders earlier still clung to him, making him look endearingly disheveled. his eyes were soft, a gentle expression on his face that made y/n's heart swell with emotion. "here you are," he said, his voice still carrying a hint of grogginess from his interrupted nap.

y/n's hands shook slightly as she accepted the clothes, the weight of the fabric both physical and emotional. "t-thank you, howl," she stammered out, still trying to shake off her surprise but failing miserably. she felt a lump form in her throat as she realized the effort he must have put into this.

he had gone above and beyond, not just to help her but to make her feel comfortable and cared for. "don't mention it," howl replied, his tone dismissive but his eyes warm. he stepped off to the side, giving her space to move. "now, get dressed," he added with a gentle nod toward the stairs. he didn't need to say more; the implication was clear that she should take her time and choose whatever she liked best.

y/n didn't need to be told twice.

she gave him a quick, grateful smile before turning on her heel and scurrying up the stairs, clutching the clothes to her chest as if they were the most precious things in the world. howl watched her go, his eyes softening even more as she disappeared from view. he was glad she seemed happy with what he had made—he had wanted to do something nice for her, to make up for his earlier moodiness and show her that she mattered to him.

as soon as y/n was out of sight, the smile faded from howl's face, replaced by a contemplative look. he let out a deep sigh, the weight of his own exhaustion settling in once more. the lingering weariness from all the events of the day pressed down on him like a heavy blanket, far heavier than the one draped over his shoulders. he couldn't shake the thoughts that had been gnawing at him since their conversation earlier. the wicked witch of the waste had upended y/n's life, all because of his own foolish mistakes—his arrogance, his carelessness.

he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the headache that was brewing behind his eyes. the guilt twisted in his gut like a knife.

with another sigh, he trudged over to the seat across from calcifer and collapsed into it, his posture slumping as he let the blanket fall away from his form. he bowed his head, burying his face in his hands, the weight of his thoughts too heavy to ignore. silence filled the room, save for the soft crackling of calcifer's flames as he consumed the logs beneath him. the fire demon peeked out from behind one of the logs, his eyes narrowing as he watched howl's hunched figure.