#ghibli fanfiction

[catladyoftheyr]

18+ horny hours minors look AWAYYYY

Couldn’t stop thinking about Howl “eats pussy for his pleasure” Pendragon and wrote smut oops 🤒

Can’t decide whether to post it now or in the morning though. I went in with intentions of a quick 500 word blurb and clocked out with over 1k 👹 my fingers hurt from typing on my phone now 😂

[blackmarketfruitrollups]

Big Baby (Howl Pendragon X Fem!Reader)

A/N yeah this one's pretty short, sorry

Living with Howel Pendragon was nothing short of an adventure.

Between the moving castle, snippy fire demon, chaotic apprentice and melodramatic wizard, Y/N's life was rarely quiet, and never boring.

And today's adventure was picking up the pieces of a hair related meltdown.

"Come now you big baby, Sophie has apologized a hundred times about your hair!"

It had been about an hour since Howel had sprinted down the stairs shouting about his hair, and after preventing him from summoning the spirits of darkness, Y/N and Sophie had been able to haul the moping man out of the chair and up into bed. From there they had cleaned up the slimy manifestation of Howl's depressive state, much to Calcifer's relief.

And now here she was, standing in the middle of his room with her hands on her hips, scolding him for throwing such a hissy fit.

"You're a grown man and you need to act like it." She scolded. "I understand being upset, but honestly a temper tantrum was uncalled for."

He groaned, tossing his arm over his eyes before sighing out, "What use is living if I am hideous."

Y/N rolled her eyes, walking over to sit on the bed and moving his arm so she could see his entire face. Moving the hair out of his eyes, she gently cupped the side of his face with her hand, stroking his forehead with the other. She carefully coaxed him into opening his eyes, and smiled lovingly at him once he did, despite her previous frustration.

"My love I wish you could see how beautiful you are, no matter what you look like." She pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Being around you is like being bathed in sunlight, my dear. And quite frankly," she chuckled. "I quite like this new hair."

He raised a disbelieving eyebrow at her. "You do?"

"I do, darling."

"You swear it?"

"Indeed." She pressed another kiss to his forehead, drawing a smile out of him.

"Well, I guess it's not that bad." He smirked at her.

"Uh huh." She stood up and straightened out her skirt. "And now, you have someone you need to go apologize to."

"Right now?" He groaned. "Why not take a nap with me first, huh?"

"Now you baby."

[artimaking]

yearning...

[poiibbtt]

The Space Between Us

Pairing: Howl Pendragon x Reader (You)

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: -2,500 words

Synopsis: After feeling like an outsider in Howl’s castle, you decide to leave and start a new life elsewhere. When Howl finds you after weeks of searching, unresolved feelings and deep conversations arise, forcing you to choose between your new life and the one you left behind.

The atmosphere in the castle had shifted. At first, it was subtle—small things you could shrug off. But as days passed, the feeling of being on the outside grew heavier.

Calcifer’s crackling laughter filled the hearth as he teased Markl about some spell gone wrong, their playful banter echoing through the kitchen. Sophie would often flit in and out, her smile bright as she checked on Howl or helped Markl with his studies. Everything seemed to fit perfectly—like they had become this seamless family. And then, there was you, standing in the corner, watching it all unfold.

You stirred the soup absentmindedly, your mind miles away. Every laugh that wasn’t shared with you, every whispered conversation you weren’t part of, felt like another wall going up between you and them. It was a ridiculous feeling—this was their home, and you had chosen to be here. But lately, it felt like you were nothing more than a guest overstaying your welcome.

You wanted to join in, to feel like you belonged, but every time you opened your mouth, you felt out of place. It seemed so effortless for them. Howl and Sophie had a natural rhythm, their bond evident in the smallest gestures. Calcifer adored Sophie, and Markl looked up to Howl as if he were his world. Where did that leave you?

In the kitchen, the feeling of distance only grew. You caught the way Howl looked at Sophie—there was a fondness there, but not in the way that cut deeply. No, that wasn’t the source of your jealousy. It was the way he gravitated toward her, how easily they laughed together, how it felt like they shared a world you weren’t a part of. You were simply… there.

There was no resolution that night. No sudden gesture or words of comfort from Howl or anyone else. The tension in your chest remained as you ate in silence, your thoughts louder than any conversation happening at the table. As the evening went on, you excused yourself early, retreating to your room with a heaviness that refused to lift.

That’s when the idea started to form—leaving. It wasn’t impulsive; it had been brewing in your mind for some time now. You were tired of feeling like an outsider in the place that was supposed to be your home.

One night, when everyone was asleep, you began packing in silence. Your hands shook slightly as you folded your clothes, but your heart was resolute. You couldn’t stay here any longer. The moving castle wasn’t where you belonged. Not anymore.

Calcifer had been suspicious for days, his flames dimming every time you walked by. He’d asked if you were alright, but you only smiled at him, saying you were fine. But now, as your bag was halfway full, Calcifer noticed. His flames flickered in a nervous dance.

"You’re really going to leave, aren’t you?" His voice crackled quietly, barely more than a whisper of fire.

You paused, feeling guilt twist in your gut. "It’s better this way, Calcifer. I don’t belong here anymore."

"That’s not true," he protested, his flames flaring brighter. "You’re part of this place, part of us."

You shook your head, not trusting yourself to speak. If you stayed a moment longer, you’d break. You’d crumble under the weight of their kindness and the hope that things could somehow go back to how they were before Sophie arrived.

Markl must have overheard the quiet exchange, for suddenly, there was a knock on your door, and his small figure appeared in the doorway, his wide eyes filled with hurt. "Y/N… don’t go."

Tears pricked at the back of your eyes, but you forced a smile. "I have to, Markl. You’re all going to be okay without me."

"But I’m not okay without you," he argued, his voice cracking with emotion.

You crossed the room and knelt down, cupping his face with one hand. "You’ll be fine, Markl. Howl and Sophie… they’ll take care of you."

He didn’t look convinced, and his lower lip trembled. "What about you? Who’s going to take care of you?"

That nearly broke you, but you swallowed the lump in your throat and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "I’ll be alright. I promise."

The next morning, you were gone.

Calcifer and Markl felt it immediately—the absence was like a gaping hole in the castle. When Howl and Sophie woke to find your room empty, an eerie silence settled over them all. Howl was the first to speak, his voice low and filled with disbelief.

"She’s gone," he murmured, his hand clenched tightly around the back of a chair. "Why didn’t I see it coming?"

Markl’s tears spilled over, and Calcifer’s flames dimmed with guilt, both of them feeling as if they had somehow failed to stop you.

Howl’s usual calm was nowhere to be found as he paced the length of the room, his frustration mounting. "Why didn’t she say anything?"

Sophie stood quietly, her eyes soft with understanding. She didn’t need to say anything. She knew the quiet hurt that had been growing in you for weeks.

"I’ll find her," Howl said, his voice hard with determination. "I’ll bring her back."

Without waiting for an answer, Howl set out, Markl at his side, the two of them scouring the nearby towns. Days turned into weeks with no sign of you. It was as if you had vanished without a trace.

Howl’s heart slammed in his chest as he neared the entrance of the small, homely restaurant. He had been searching for so long that he almost couldn’t believe it when he saw you standing there, your hair tied back in a loose bun, an apron slung over your shoulders. The morning fog drifted lazily around the quiet town, but all he could focus on was you.

There you were—alive and seemingly content.

He stepped forward, his breath caught in his throat. You turned around at the sound of his approach, and your eyes met his. For a brief second, the world around you both seemed to blur, leaving only the two of you.

"Y/N..." His voice was soft, filled with a mixture of disbelief and relief.

You froze, your chest tightening as you took in the sight of him. Howl, disheveled and tired, his eyes searching yours with a vulnerability you rarely saw from him. It was clear that he had been looking for you for a long time, but you didn’t move. You didn’t speak. You simply stared at him, your heart conflicted between the life you had built and the one you had left behind.

"You found me," you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Howl stepped closer, his eyes never leaving yours. "I never stopped looking."

For a long moment, neither of you spoke. The tension between you was palpable, and you could feel your heart race as his presence stirred old feelings you had tried to bury.

"Why did you leave?" Howl’s voice cracked with emotion, his expression raw. "You didn’t even give me a chance to—"

"Because I didn’t belong there," you interrupted, your tone sharper than you intended. "Everyone fit together so perfectly—Sophie, Markl, even Calcifer. They all have their place with you. But me? I was just... there. Watching from the sidelines."

Howl frowned, his brows furrowing in confusion. "You were never just watching, Y/N. You’ve always been part of us. I never meant to—"

"You never meant to," you repeated with a bitter laugh, stepping back from him. "I know. But it doesn’t change the fact that I felt like I was slowly disappearing in that castle. You and Sophie… you two—"

Howl’s eyes widened as he quickly shook his head. "It’s not like that. Sophie and I—she’s not—"

"Stop," you said, holding up your hand to cut him off. "I’m not asking for an explanation. I’m not blaming her either. But I saw how well she fit into your life, into the castle, into everything you and Markl and Calcifer had built. And I just… didn’t."

The words hurt to say out loud, but it was the truth you had been holding onto for so long. The truth that made you leave.

Howl took another step forward, his hand reaching for yours, but you pulled back before he could touch you. His face fell, frustration and helplessness washing over him. "Please. Come back with me. We can fix this."

You shook your head, your heart clenching painfully. "I can’t, Howl. I can’t go back to feeling like I’m always on the outside, like I’m always chasing after something that’s just out of reach."

He looked at you, eyes pleading. "But I need you. I didn’t realize how much until you were gone. You belong with us—with me."

Your chest tightened at his words, but you forced yourself to stay firm. "You don’t need me, Howl. You have Sophie. You have your family."

Howl’s frustration bubbled to the surface as he ran a hand through his messy hair, his voice strained. "This isn’t about Sophie. It’s about us. It’s about what I want. And I want you to come home."

His words struck a chord in you, but you were resolute. Home. That word didn’t mean the same thing to you anymore. This restaurant, this small town—it was starting to feel more like home than the castle ever had. Here, you were your own person. You were building a life for yourself that didn’t revolve around fitting into someone else’s world.

"I am home," you said softly, your eyes locking with his. "I’ve found something here, Howl. I’ve found something that’s mine."

He stared at you, disbelief and hurt clouding his expression. "So, that’s it? You’re choosing this place over us? Over me?"

Your heart ached at the pain in his voice, but you held your ground. "I’m choosing what’s best for me. And right now, that means staying here."

For a long moment, Howl stood in silence, his face a mixture of anger, confusion, and something deeper—something that mirrored the ache in your own heart.

He looked like he wanted to argue, to say something that would change your mind. But he didn’t. He didn’t have the words. Instead, he let out a sharp breath and took a step back, the distance between you feeling wider than ever.

"Fine," he muttered, his jaw tight. "But don’t expect me to stop trying."

You watched as he turned on his heel, his cloak billowing behind him as he walked away, disappearing into the morning fog. The weight of his absence settled heavily in your chest, but you didn’t chase after him.

This time, you were choosing yourself.

Days passed, and though Howl’s visit haunted your thoughts, you carried on with your life in the town. The restaurant became your sanctuary, and the steady rhythm of your days provided a comfort you hadn’t realized you needed. You had carved out a space for yourself here, and while there were moments of doubt, you knew in your heart that you had made the right decision.

Calcifer’s warmth and Markl’s laughter still echoed in your memories, but they felt distant now—like a past you had gently set aside.

And then, every so often, when you least expected it, you would catch sight of a familiar shadow in the distance. You would feel the pull of magic in the air—the faintest trace of Howl’s presence lingering, watching from afar.

But he didn’t come any closer.

And neither did you.

You both had made your choices.

[cynosfunnyjokes]

A Heart’s A Heavy Burden

Characters: Howl x Reader

Genre: Angst

Warning: None that I can think of.

Summary: Loving Howl Pendragon isn’t easy.

Word Count: 827

Summary: Not really edited or anything- I’m sure there’s mistakes all throughout but I wrote this while watching Howl’s Moving Castle for the umpteenth time lmao. No pronouns are used for the reader!

Apprenticing under Howl was such a joy- never was there a dull moment. He would brighten up the room with his smile- his laugh. It was so contagious that you and Markl couldn't fight the grins growing on your own faces.

Meeting Howl on its own was nothing but luck- you had found yourself in some trouble with the guards, their stupid remarks making you nothing but uncomfortable- and then poof, a stranger was there, whisking you away.

How strange that the random man was Howl himself- a well-known sorcerer and someone you looked up to. Of course, you nervously asked him to take you on as an apprentice, eagerly telling him about your interest in magic since you were young.

He simply laughed, smiling that bright smile everyone adored, and simply agreed to take you in.

All went well- he was a great teacher after all. Even with him being gone at random times throughout the day, you had Markl to spend time with to practice. And then there was Calcifer and his witty remarks. They never bothered you, simply jokingly throwing one back at him.

It didn't take long for feelings to grow for the mysterious sorcerer- everyone noticed it but Howl himself. Not that it was surprising.

Even Calfcifer noticed but never said about it, unlike Markl who made random remarks during the day in whispers, causing you to hide your face while the blush crept up to your ears.

Although one day, while cleaning up the firepit during the time Howl was away, Calficer clicked his tongue at you.

Raising an eyebrow, you turned your head to the burning ball of fire in front of you, silently asking him “what?”

“You really do love him, don't you?”

It was so sudden, it felt so random-

But that’s all he said. That's all he needed to say.

You were undeniably in love with Howl, and you could only hope the feelings were reciprocated. Maybe, just maybe they were.

All hope went down the drain the moment Sophie showed up. Suddenly, Howl wasn't around as much anymore- and when he was, he was with her.

It was always her. Sophie this, Sophie that.

Slowly, the feelings of sadness crept in, their sharp nails jabbing into your heart.

Is this what heartbreak felt like?

Eventually, you stopped leaving your room- opting to just study the days away instead of focusing on the pain residing in your heart.

Markl would stop by to check on you, dropping off food that would stay nothing but untouched, slowly growing cold as time passed.

Even though you appreciated Markl’s company, it didn't help that he often talked about Sophie- how cool she was. All this, all that.

It was all too much.

Howl never stopped in to talk- to check on you. Not that you expected him to. He was his own person who had his own things to do. He was a busy man after all. But still, you found yourself clinging to that hope- just to have it crushed.

Eventually, even Markl stopped popping in, choosing to set the food down on your table before retreating to Sophie.

It was fine. It was all fine. That's what you always told yourself.

But yet... Why did it hurt so much?

Pressing shaking hands against your tear-filled eyes, the only sound that could be heard was small sobs that you were trying oh so hard to muffle.

It was so unfair.

You wanted him to look at you like he does her. To experience the feeling of being wrapped in his arms, to feel his loving gaze.

But that would never happen.

There wasn't much point in staying there anymore- you refused to leave your room unless it was to quickly run to the bathroom, refused to even leave your bed unless it was necessary.

What was the point of staying there? Where the reminder of your unrequited love stayed?

It was raining outside, the soft pitter-patter of the rain on the window helping drown out any sounds that escaped you.

Bag in hand that was full of a few necessities and a small photo of you and Howl, you stopped to stare at Howl’s bedroom door for a minute.

Loving him hurt- but it wasn't something you regretted. If only things were different, maybe it would've been better. Such a false sense of hope.

Howl seemed happier with Sophie- even Calcifer and Markl were happier.

You weren't needed anymore.

So without a single thought, you turned on your heels and climbed out the hallway window to avoid Calcifer knowing.

Landing on the muddy ground below with a let thump, you looked at what used to be your home one last time, thoughts racing a thousand miles per second. You didn't want to stay and be reminded of how much happier everyone was without you.

So you left, the rain being your only company as you sobbed into the night.

[blackmarketfruitrollups]

Bad For Business (Howl Pendragon X Fem!Reader)

Warnings: None really, just a fluffy little drabble

Knock knock

"Who could that be?" Y/n muttered, setting aside the bread dough she'd been kneading and wiping her flour covered hands on her apron. She started making her way through her cottage towards the front door, dodging the drying herbs hanging from the ceiling and speaking quietly to herself. "I'm sure the sign out there says closed."

You see, Y/n worked at an apothecary, or more accurately lived in an apothecary. She lived in a small little cottage toward the edge of town, her property surrounded by a fence covered in rosebushes. Behind her home was the garden in which she grew the herbs and other medicinal plants for her customers, often being occupied by her grouchy cat Snips.

Speaking of which, here he came now, the old black cat hobbling towards the front door on his three remaining legs to see what the commotion was about.

Knock Knock

Once they both had arrived at the door Y/n unlocked and opened it to reveal two children, a boy and girl who looked to be around ten. They both seemed nervous, the girl hiding behind the boy as he shifted on his feet looking rather skittish.

Snips poked his head around Y/n's legs and yowled at the sight of unfamiliar guests, making both the children jump and look at him frightened.

"Can I help you two?" Y/n smiled, gently pushing Snips back into the house and out of view with her foot.

"Uh, well-" the girl started before the boy cut her off.

"We've come to see the Wizard-" he paused, looking her up and down before continuing. "Uh Witch Howl. I'm assuming that's you?"

Y/n rolled her eyes and smiled softly, shaking her head with a chuckle. "I'm afraid I'm not."

Both the children looked dreadfully confused, tilting their heads at her.

"We were told to come down this street, they said it would be obvious were the wizard lived." The boy stated.

"We came here because we assumed the wizard would live in a scary looking cottage." The girl piped up.

"A scary looking cottage?" Y/n laughed again. "Well what's so scary about it?"

"You have gargoyles out front." The boy deadpanned.

"I saw bats in those trees." The girl pointed towards one of the trees in her front yard.

"Oh that's just Frank and his family." The woman said, waving it off.

"You have a black cat roaming around screaming." The boy stared pointedly behind her legs at Snips.

"Your shutters are painted black-" the girl started again.

"Alright, alright I get your point." Y/n stopped them. "Would you believe this is the eighth time this has happened this week?" She sighed, then smiled softly.

"The Wizard Howl lives across the street."

"You mean in that place covered in lights and flowers and pinwheels an-" the boy started listing.

"Yes that would be the one." Y/n laughed. "There you will find the great Wizard Howl. And please, tell him he needs to put up a sign. I run an apothecary, people already assume I'm a witch and this isn't really helping."

She waved to the children as the walked back down her front path and out the gate. Shutting and locking the door she turned and looked to Snips who was laying lazily in a windowsill with one eye half open.

"I tell you that man is bad for business. Well, I suppose incase those kids forget I'll tell him to put up a sign myself over supper. Well c'mon Snippy, I've got food to finish."

[luukka]

ok guys I'm in an art school now so I'm learning new things and now I know a bit more how to digit art 🥳 aaaand I've been worki~ng on somethi~ng for y'all (and because I love them so much) HERE WE ARE NOW

LOOK AT THIS !! I'VE MADE IT !! ME !!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭😭😭 I still don't know how to do background but I'm so proud really aaaaah I love it please I'm so proud of me I can't wait to learn more and more and I'm so happy to show you 😭❤❤ Plus, they are so adorable, my babies I missed them so much

I can't wait to show you more of my improvement, it's gonna be great ! 😍 I hope

[sugar-plum-senpai]

The green version of my Fanfic Writer Notion Template!

[greetingfromthedead]

Vash's Moving Castle (Vash x Reader)

Plot: A strange building made up of old spaceship parts, moving around on two legs across the wasteland of the desert, it hisses and creaks and fills the heart of many with fear... That castle is home to the magnificent tech wizard Vash, infamous for both his gunmanship and for being a womanizer—or so the rumor goes in your city. You're the eldest child of a gunsmith and as such don't expect much from your future. However, your simple life takes a turn for the exciting when you're ensnared in a disturbing situation, and the mysterious tech wizard appears to rescue you.

Pairing: Vash x mostly GN Reader, occasional she/her pronouns, the use of "girl" etc from quotes directly from the movie. I tried making it completely GN, but my flu ridden brain short circuited on some very specific parts so I gave up.

Raiting: Everyone

Tags: Howl's Moving Castle style AU, no use of "y/n", Vash is a tech wizard, I have both brainrot and the flu, idk what else to put here, Howl is cute, Vash is cute, I tried my best.

Word count: 3.7k

Author's Note: Got the idea yesterday, yall seemed interested and the flu ridden brainrot I had to endure all day today was simply debilitating so I wrote a little something. I hope you like it, not sure if I will continue or not even though I have quite a few HC-s for this little AU situation.

The 6th city, May, is decorated more than usual. After all, May Day has arrived. Even though it is still early in the afternoon, the streets are bustling with people. The aroma of baked goods reaches your nose through your open window, and it makes you think about your sister, Meryl, who is working at the very popular doughnut shop on the other side of the city. She must be very busy today with the rush of customers coming in for their celebratory pastries. For you, it's a free day. Today, your little weapon's repair shop, which you inherited from your father, is closed. You decide to take advantage of the downtime and visit your sister, whom you haven't seen in a long time.

You put aside the little handgun you have been tinkering with and stand to close the window. Your little shop is situated quite high, and the workshop has the perfect view to look out over the roofs of all the other houses. Your eyes glance over the familiar sight—the scrappy buildingd made out of old spaceship parts and in the distance, you see the wide open desert. But today it is slightly different. You heard the commotion this morning when the people first noticed the addition to the landscape. With fearful and hushed voices, they talked about the monstrocity looming on the horizon and the kind of calamity it might bring.

"It is Vash's Moving Castle!" The people on the streets whispered and pointed. "Do you think the horrible Typhoon has come to lay waste to our city?"

You knew very well the rumors about the gunslinger and tech wizard named Vash the Stampede. He is said to be a ruthless demon specializing in murder and wide-scale destruction. Apparently, he kills without mercy—men, women, and children alike. He has wiped whole towns from the face of the planet, and his infamous castle is created with the sole purpose of being a weapon of mass destruction.

As you pull the window closed, you look at the mass of metal outside of town. Calling it a castle is a gross overstatement. You can't imagine how such a heap of scrap gets to be called anything so magnificent. It consists of layers upon layers of old spaceship parts, jutting out at odd angles and covered in rust and wires, its massive turrets and spires reaching towards the sky. It has two large legs underneath it, much like a tomas, that the building uses to move across the desert. This is not the first time Vash's fortress has passed by May City, and you think the excitement is unwarranted. Sure, the gunslinger has a reputation, but nothing catastrophic has happened so far. You can't help but wonder why everyone gets so worked up every time the castle passes by; he would surely go to the bank or somewhere else where he can get easy money. You are just a small shop owner; as long as you don't get in his way, it seems unlikely he would take any interest in you. He might be a womanizer, but he only has eyes for pretty girls.

You get quickly ready and close the shop. The streets are decorated with colorful ribbons, and you hear cheers coming from all over town as the annual parade begins. You have chosen a truly awful moment to try and make your way across the city, but you are determined to see Meryl. As you push through the crowded streets, you catch glimpses of the parade. People are showing off their inventions and talents. You see giant hydraulic pants marching down the street. Exo-suits and new kinds of weaponry. On other streets, you see entertainers dancing and singing in colorful costumes. Some are juggling fire, and others are performing daring acrobatics. This world truly is a marvel.

You make it to the gondolas and squeeze into one with some other people. It takes you over the winding roads, and you see the flags and market stalls lining the streets. The smell of freshly cooked food wafts up to you as you take in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace. May is filled with all kinds of people; for days, the sandsteamers have brought in travelers from all over, and it shows. The whole city is alive with excitement and energy.

You get off your ride on the slightly calmer side of the town, and you know the familiar route you need to take to get to the doughnut shop. The quiet side streets are nearly empty; just a few people mingle on the sidewalks. You try to avoid them as much as possible and turn to an even smaller ally as a group of drunkards head your way. You hold your breath and hope they don't notice you, looking nervously over your shoulder as you hurry along.

"Hey, it looks like a little mouse lost its way," you suddenly hear, and as you look back ahead, you see you nearly ran into a man who has just come around the corner. He is grinning mischievously, blocking your path. He is a lot taller than you, and you can see his rifle slung across his back. Surely he is a bounty hunter; you see them a lot, and with all the people flowing into town, you would think they have their hands full.

"Oh, no. I'm not lost," you say, shaking your head and recoiling a bit, leaning away from the man.

"This little mouse looks thirsty. We should take her for a cup of tea." The man continues like he didn't hear you at all. You try sidestepping him, but as you do, a second man appears from behind him. He is just as large with a big mustache, and he looks at you curiously as he leans closer, blocking your way further.

"No thanks. My sister's expecting me." You avoid looking directly at them, instead trying to think of a way to escape. They make you very uncomfortable.

"She's pretty cute for a mouse." You try to keep your cool and find a way to politely excuse yourself from the situation, but the mustashed man is leaning even closer, his face level with yours.

"How old are you anyway? You live around here?" The first guy leans toward you too. Neither of them sounds menacing, but they fill you with dread.

"Leave me alone!" you say with as much bravery as you can muster, taking a step backwards.

"You see? Your mustache scares all the girls," the first man nudges his comrade.

"So? I think she's even cuter when she's scared." the other replies, not taking his eyes off you.

"There you are, sweetheart." A different, smooth male voice speaks up behind you, capturing the gaze of the bountyhunters before you. "Sorry, I'm late. I was looking everywhere for you."

He speaks close to your left ear, and a hand gently rests on your right shoulder. It's not a voice you recognize, and his touch makes you stiffen up. Your body had been ready to run for your life, but now you find yourself sandwitched between two unknowns. Yet something about the man behind you is comforting, or maybe it's just that you see the upset glint in the eyes of the men before you.

"Hey! Hey! We're busy here!" The man you had run into first speaks and looks like he is puffing himself up to look more menacing. His companion, too, straightens his back, ready for a violent confrontation.

"Are you really? It looked to me like the two of you were just leaving." The calm voice beside you speaks with a hint of amusement. You feel him shift slightly, but you don't turn your eyes away from the bounty hunters in front of you. You see their gazes move over the man, their eyes widening at something where his left arm would be, and you see them freeze up and then nudge each other. They look very uncomfortable.

"This is not worth it," one of them whispers nervously to the other.

"Yeah, we better get going," the other answers with a whisper, and they start to shuffle away from you, back into the alley they had come from. As they get further away, their step hastens until they take off running. You watch them disappear into the darkness, wondering what caused them to have such a reaction.

"Don't hold it against them," the soft voice next to you says, and you finally turn to look at him. He is a tall young man with a soft smile on his lips. You see his pretty blue eyes behind orange tinted round glasses, and his blonde hair is about shoulder length. A tight golden hoop hangs from his left ear. He is truly very handsome, and his expression is warm and inviting. He wears a pillowy white blouse that flows down to his slender waist. A pendant hangs from his neck, and a red coat covers his shoulders, but his arms are not in the sleeves.

"They aren't actually all that bad," he says, continuing his thought from before, and his eyes capture your gaze again. "Where to? I'll be your escort this evening."

"Oh, I'm, um, just going to the doughnut shop." You pull back a little from his closeness, but feel his hand firmly on your shoulder.

"Don't get alarmed, but I'm being followed," he says, leaning closer to you. His hand moves from your shoulder and instead hooks around your arm. "Act normal."

You avert your eyes, but he ignores your awkwardness completely and starts walking along the street with your arm intertwined with his, like it's totally normal. Your body is still stiff, a slight fear lingering in the back of your mind, yet this is exciliating in a way you never expected. You find yourself surprisingly comfortable in his presence, despite the fact that he is a total stranger. His pace is somewhat brisk, but you can easily keep up. The unknown of who could be following him is a bit frightening, and you find yourself pressing into his upper arm for reassurance.

As you walk past some dark and narrow alleys, you start to suddenly hear commotion.

"There he is! Go! Hurry!" You hear shouting, and it sends a shiver up your spine. Yet the man beside you keeps the same pace and, for the moment, seems unbothered.

"Sorry. It looks like you're involved," he says calmly as you try to glance into the alleys where the commotion stems from. You see a mob of gunslingers squeeze themselves hurriedly into the narrow gap between the buildings and start to rush towards you. It is frightening to you, and you grab a tighter hold of the man's arm. Your right hand grasps his shirt, your heart pounds in fear as your body stiffens. More voices start to echo from up ahead, and a few people stumble onto your street.

"This way!" he whispers insistently, and the man pulls you into a side alley, his pace getting faster as he leads you away from the gathering crowd. You struggle to keep up with him so you have to start running, your mind racing with questions, but you hold onto him tightly, and you feel certain that everything will be alright. He keeps going faster and faster, and you can see the main street ahead, but suddenly your view gets blocked by more armed men appearing to block our path. You feel a surge of panic rising in your chest, and the reassuring hand sliters out from your weakened cluth as you have trouble holding on while you run.

"Come on!" The mystery man's voice is soft and insistent, with a hint of amusement as you feel his arm wrap around your waist, both of you running straight towards the angry looking mob. You see that some of them have drawn their guns and have them pointed straight at you, but the thundering footsteps behind you tell you that they are unlikely to shoot here in this narrow alley to avoid hitting anybody else. Your confidence in getting out of here wavers, but suddenly you are tightly pulled against the man's side, and his other hand takes yours. It feels cold and hard; you catch a glimpse of blue, but you are too distracted by the fact that your feet are no longer on the cobbled street. You rush through the air, seemingly kept up by the mysterious blonde.

Instinctively, you curl up, looking around for an explanation. The coat that covered his shoulders before hangs over his left arm, and from his back protrubes a pair of giant feathery wings. You've never seen anything like this. Is this a new invention? Has he come here to present his masterpiece to the masses during the parade? Who is this man? He has to be a brilliant inventor. Your mind is captivated by him; you want to understand his mysterious contraption, and your gaze moves along him, down his left arm, and you see it's not a real arm at all; it is made out of strange blue metal, the hand holding yours is made out of the same material. The forearm is mostly covered by his coat, but you're sure that everything from at least his elbow down is a prosthesis; the rest is hidden by the flowy sleeve. You feel his fingers move so organically that you're sure this must be lost technology. What a strange man! You've never seen anything like this.

"Now, straighten your legs and hold on tight," you hear the man say gently, and you follow his command. You relax your legs and grab tightly onto him. His strong arm around you presses you into his side, and you wrap your legs with one of his to make sure you cannot slip away from his grasp and plummet to your death.

You are still mesmerized by his wings, how large they are as they stretch out behind him, allowing him to fly effortlessly through the air. You feel a rush of adrenaline as you soar higher. The streets beneath you look so small; people are just specs moving around. You let out a gasp of amazement, and it makes the strange man chuckle. He flies you both over some rooftops, and you see the familiar doughnut shop come into view.

"You're a natural." You hear him praise you, but to you, it makes little sense; all you do is hold onto him for dear life. But you can't deny the exhilarating rush of flying through the sky. You have never felt so free. The wind whips through your hair as you soar above the city. You feel like you could touch the clouds. You relax a little bit in his grasp, hearing his feathers rustle in the wind as they allow you to glide through the air. To your surprise, very few people pay any attention to you. Most of them are too focused on the parade passing by. The ones who did notice you stared in awe, not believing their eyes or perhaps mistaking you for a worm.

You get closer and closer to the familiar shop, and you realize he is aiming for the second floor balcony. He lands gracefully on the bannister and gently guides you onto the floor, like you weigh nothing at all. His hand holds onto yours for a little longer as he bows closer.

"I'll make sure to draw them off, but wait a bit before you head back outside." His voice is low and gentle, with a soft smile dancing on his lips and in the glimmer of his eyes.

"Okay," you say, still stunned by what had just happened. Your fingers gently grip his as he straightens up and pulls his hand from you. His wings fold down behind his back and disappear before he takes his coat and drapes it over his shoulders.

"That's my girl," he says with a low and husky voice, a hint of pride in it. He smiles brightly and takes a step back, making you gasp as he falls into nothingness. You rush to peek over the railing, only to find that he has disappeared into the crowd with no hint of anyone noticing him at all, so he must be alright. You breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that he is safe.

You linger on the balcony for a little while longer. It all seems too incredible to be true—almost magical. Never would you have thought something like this could happen to you; you are so used to your dull life of being the eldest, but then again, that's what it means to be a responsible and reliable older sibling. Or perhaps you have caught some nasty disease and are just imagining all this during a fever dream. Either way, you enjoyed this. The realization prods you in the side as you remember that you didn't even ask the gentleman's name. Perhaps you will get lucky and see him introducing his invention at a parade in the future. Or perhaps this encounter will just remain a peculiar memory in the back of your mind.

You turn to enter the hallway and see a wide-eyed young woman staring back at you. She is frozen, like she has seen a ghost, and she looks at you with a hint of mistrust.

"Hello," you say, trying to strike up a conversation. "I'm here to see Meryl; she's my little sister. I'm sorry to have just barged in to the staff's quarters. Could you tell her I'm here? I'm in no rush; I'll wait till she has time."

She still stares at you and seems too frozen to say anything, only giving you a stiff nod and heading downstairs, where you hear a lot of commotion. You turn back to look out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man again, but he's nowhere to be seen. The sweet smell of doughnuts and jam fills your nose as you patiently wait for your sister.

You fall deep into thought, only to be awoken by some loud running footsteps heading your way and Meryl's voice calling out your name. She rushes to you and grabs your hands, so you turn to face her.

"Meryl!" you say with slight apprehension as you see the surprise in her face.

"What's going on? Someone just told me you flew down into our balcony!" She says it with disbelief. It takes you a moment to process her words before responding.

"So that did happen. That wasn't a dream," you say with a mix of confusion and sadness. You hear a different voice speak to Meryl as you turn your gaze out the window again, not registering what they talk about. You relive everything that has happened to you within the last half hour in your head, trying to commit every detail to memory. Meryl looks at you with concern as you look away so apathetically and then drags you with her to the backrooms of the kitchen to sit down with you on some boxes in the storage room. She presses you until you open up and tell her everything about your track here and the strange man who saved you.

"Wow! He must have been an inventor then!" Meryl exclaims as you finish your story with how he disappeared into the crowd.

"But he was so kind to me. He rescued me, Meryl."

"Of course he did! He was trying to seduce you! You are so lucky! If that inventor was Vash, he would have done much worse right then and there! He is an awful womanizer!"

"No, he wouldn't. Vash only does that to beautiful girls."

"Ah, don't give me that! You need to be more careful! It's dangerous out there! Even the infamous Millions Knives is back on the prowl." She looks at the side of your face and leans closer. "Are you listening?"

But you are so consumed by your thoughts, you barely realize what she is saying. Your gaze had been fixed by a giant tub of custard.

"Huh?" You finally turn to face your sister again.

"Argh!" Meryl lets out a disgruntled sigh. You see it from her face that she's about to start lecturing you, but a young man informing her about a new batch of dougnuts being done saves you from it.

"Okay! I'll be right there!" She turns a touch more cheerfully toward the cook.

"Alright! I better get going then. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay." You stand up, ready to leave, to both avoid getting Meryl into trouble and getting an earful from her about the horrible danger that is lurking outside the city walls.

Meryl sees through you immediately but chooses not to lecture you this time on that topic. She leads you to the backdoor, where a man is carrying bags of flour.

"Now," Meryl comes close to you again. "Do you really want to spend the rest of your life in that gunshop?"

"The shop was just so important to father, and I'm the eldest! I don't mind." You try to keep your tone cheerful as you look into her concerned face. But deep down, you know her words stir something up.

"I'm not asking what father would have wanted. I want to know what you want," she continues insistently.

"Well," you start to answer, not sure about what to say, but the man who carried in the flour comes back to say goodbye to Meryl, and your sister turns to him to wave goodbye. You take the opportunity to start to walk away and say, "I better get going."

"It's your life! Do something for yourself for once, will you?" she says, hoping that you will finally prioritize your own happiness.

"Bye, Meryl!" you say over your shoulder with a slight smile as you head home. Your head is still filled with a million thoughts, and Meryl only added to them. Yet you are glad she seems happy with her new life after she left your family's gunshop. You can't help but wonder if you'll ever find the same peace and contentment. But it matters little; you're the eldest, and you have a duty.

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