My Heart Gone Missing (Howl's Moving Castle)

Chapter 20

You didn't really have a plan in mind. It seemed like today was some sort of rest day for bombing, if that was actually a thing. Even the weather seemed to agree that today was not a day for bombing. Perhaps you could go into the town to get some of Marius' seaweed and some food for yourself. Your refrigerator was definitely lacking in food. You nodded to yourself and steered your body into the direction of the town. Obviously it would've been easier to just appear in the town via the portals on your door, but why do that when you can fly?

You noticed a rather peculiar thing from the corner of your eye and decided to swoop down and investigate. As you got closer, you realized it was moving. No, it wasn't just moving, it was a building. It was a moving castle. You noticed a green patch of land at the top of the castle and decided to drop down onto it. Something in your gut was telling you that whoever lived in this castle (probably) wouldn't kill you on the spot.

You detransformed and headed to the door and slowly opened the door into the castle. Slowly, you eased the door opened and then slipped through. You heard voices coming from below, and decided to follow them. Especially since they seemed familiar.

"Stop freaking out Calcifer! How's someone supposed to get in here? We're right by the door!"

"I'm telling you! I feel another person's presence!"

"I think he's been working too hard Howl!"

"Maybe." A voice sounded to your right and you stumbled back as you noticed the person who somehow appeared right next to you. "Or maybe he's right." He mused and looked at you.

"I, uh," you started to stutter, "hey Howl."

His eyebrows rose in surprise, "you wanna talk about it? Let's go outside, better not freak out Calcifer any more." He suggested and led the way back to the door where you entered from. "So, how'd you get here?" he asked as the two of you settled down outside.

"I flew." You answered simply.

"Ah," he nodded, "so you're the witch/wizard who's recently appearing in my life."

"I mean, we did know each other in school, so it's not that recently." You mumbled under your breath.

"School?" he looked at you with furrowed brows, "I don't remember knowing you at school."

You feigned getting shot in the chest and placed a hand over it, "you don't remember me at all? I was the one who kept the entire school off your tail! You're welcome for that, by the way."

"I?" realization dawned on his face, "oh my gosh (y/n)." His face lit up, "you've changed so much! I hardly recognized you!"

You laughed, "don't need to tell that to me twice."

"I missed you!" he told you gleefully and hugged you tightly, "what are you doing here? How have things been? What was school like? Why did you transform into a bird-"

"Hey, sorry kid. But our deal's up." Marius appeared with a ball of blue and white light.

"How? What? I- How did you get here?" you spluttered.

"Who are you?" Howl asked as his past glee and questions faded out as he stared at confusion at the water demon who just randomly appeared.

"The deal's up. Your wish has been fulfilled." He told you, he then turned to Howl to address his question, "Marius. Water demon."

You looked at Howl right next to you and you realized, that he was right. Ever since you lost Howl that one fateful day all those years ago, all you wanted was to be his best friend again. "Did you know?" you softly asked the water demon.

He shrugged, "I had a hunch."

Everything suddenly clicked, "is that why you were being a prissy angst ball recently?" you gasped in delight, "because you'd actually miss me and you were in denial!"

He frowned and looked at the ground in embarrassment, "keep saying what you need to make yourself feel better."

"I'm sorry, what just happened?" Howl interrupted your playful banter with Marius.

"I made a deal with him," you explained, "once I was truly happy he could have my soul."

"But why?" he asked in shock.

"Howl," you gently took his hands to look at him straight on, "things were rough without you at school. I was lonely, I had no purpose, I was aimlessly finishing school. After I graduated," you let out a soft laugh, "I did nothing. That's why I turned into a bird." You let go of one of his hands to gesture up to the sky, "to disable bombs and help the innocent civilians. It just happened that we were in the same area. Obviously, it was a good coincidence."

"Why didn't you tell me before? We've met each other many times before this." He looked at you in concern.

"I was scared. Besides," you gave him a bright smile, "I got to do more things as I prolonged when you found out it was me."

"I wish I knew," he wrapped his arms around you in another hug and you felt comforted in his embrace. This one was warmer, even if it was a bit more melancholic. "We could've done great things together."

You pushed yourself out of his hug, "don't worry about it too much Howl. I was the one who did wrong, getting stuck up on our friendship like that. How many people do you know stay best friends with their best friends from school?" you looked at him in sadness, "I'm sorry I brought up these memories only to tear them away from you. You'll find someone else, I know it."

Marius let out a loud yawn, "are you done with the sappy friendship stuff yet?"

"I thought you didn't want to see me go." You pouted and placed your hands on your hips as you glared at him.

"A deal's a deal, it's practically law that we carry through with it." He shrugged, but he did look somewhat remorseful.

You turned back to Howl, "sorry." You told him and gave him a quick hug. "Be nice to Marius and return him to a lake, preferably with a rock on top of him."

"No!" Marius shouted, "don't do that!" Howl let out a chuckle as he saw the encounter between the two of you.

"Alright, let's get this over with." You turned back to the water demon, "I hope you know what you're doing, because I definitely don't."

"See ya (y/n), it was a good one." Marius told you as light started to envelope your body.

"I'll miss you (y/n)," Howl looked at you with sad eyes, "at least I got to see you one last time."

"Don't dwell on it too much," you told him but it was getting harder and harder to see him as the light got brighter, "just so you know, you'll forever be my favorite friend!" you managed to say that before the light fully consumed you and you were gone.

AN: And that ends my first reader insert that I've written! I'm super thankful to everyone who's stuck with this story! Sorry if it ended kind of abruptly, but I started this story a year and a half ago and really wanted to finish it.