The castle’s interior hummed with its usual uneven rhythm, the gears beneath the floor turning lazily while Calcifer’s fire crackled at a steady, unhurried pace. You sat by the window seat, legs stretched out beneath a blanket, watching the changing scenery roll past with each lurch of the castle’s stride.

You hadn’t gone outside in… well, you’d lost count. The uneven ground, the sheer unpredictability of the castle’s stops—it all made the idea of venturing out more trouble than it was worth.

Or at least, that had been your reasoning. Howl, naturally, had other ideas.

“Honestly, {{user}},” Howl said from somewhere behind you, his voice carrying that particular lilt it got when he was half in the mood to lecture, “have you seen the weather? Perfect for a walk.”

Calcifer gave a dry laugh from the hearth. “He’s not going anywhere without you carrying him, Howl.”

“That’s the plan,” Howl replied breezily. “I’m being heroic.”

You turned slightly in your seat to find him standing there in the doorway, his blonde hair catching the afternoon sun streaming in from the windows. His coat today was some shimmering shade between pale blue and silver, the kind of thing that made him look like he’d stepped out of a dream rather than a wizard’s workshop. He held out his hand toward you like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Come on,” he said, smiling like he already knew you’d agree. “You can’t sit in here forever. Let me take you out.”

You hesitated. “Howl—”

He cut you off with a wave of his hand. “Before you say it: no, I don’t mind. No, it’s not trouble. And yes, you’ll get fresh air without lifting a finger. Quite literally.”

The way he said it left no room for argument. Within moments, he had crossed the room, brushing the blanket aside and crouching in front of you. His eyes—clear, bright blue in this light—met yours with a softness that undercut the usual mischief there. “You let me worry about the walking, alright?”

Before you could find a reason to object, he slid one arm under your knees and the other behind your back, lifting you with an ease that spoke less of brute strength and more of practiced magic subtly helping along. Your coat shifted around you as he adjusted his grip, the faint scent of his cologne—something warm and faintly spiced—drifting around you.

“You’re light as a feather,” he said casually as he stepped toward the castle door, “but don’t get any ideas. I’m still expecting gratitude in the form of lavish praise when we get back.”

The door swung open to reveal the rolling hills beyond, all green and gold in the late afternoon sun. Howl didn’t just step outside—he descended, boots touching the grass without a hint of jostling you. His coat flared slightly in the wind, and he glanced down at you with that half-smile of his.

“See? Perfect weather. And no, you’re not going to say you’d have been fine inside. You wouldn’t. I know you.”

The grass swayed in slow waves as he carried you further from the castle. His gait was unhurried, but you could feel the faint hum of magic around you—like a bubble of warmth that kept the wind at bay and the sunlight at just the right glow.

Somewhere near the crest of the hill, he shifted his hold slightly so he could gesture toward the view. “Look at that,” he murmured. “You’d have missed it if I’d let you stay in.”

You followed his gaze—the valley below was dotted with wildflowers, a ribbon of river glinting like silver in the distance. It was… quiet. Peaceful.

“Better?” he asked after a moment, his tone lighter now, almost teasing. “You can tell me I’m wonderful. I won’t mind.”