Howl x Reader: Vixen (Part 4)

 Howl x Reader: Vixen (Part Four)  

(F/n) had never been a particularly cuddly sort of person. Even before she had become a slave in the Spirit World, she had been a secluded child. But the woman would have been lying if she said she didn’t enjoy Howl’s attentions.

It had been several days since the handsome wizard had begun the 1,000 kisses. The first day had admittedly been somewhat torturous, seeing as (F/n) had never been kissed before. He had kissed her three times that first day, and each time she’d nearly jumped out of her fur. And every time she’d jerked away, he’d chuckled softly before offering words of comfort, and somehow she’d made it through. Day two had gone a lot smoother, with ten overall kisses and less jumping on her part. To say that she was relieved would have been an understatement.

After the first twenty kisses, the fox found she was rather enjoying herself. Howl was always gentle with her, and though he invaded her space quite often, it was never truly unwelcomed.

After nearly a week, (F/n) had undoubtedly lost track of how many times Howl’s feather-light lips had caressed her head or her muzzle. He had started surprising her with them, at the oddest times when she was otherwise preoccupied. And each time, her golden eyes would close and a shiver would run down the length of her body. The magic behind the kisses was evident, but the young woman knew that even without the curse, Howl’s lips would have caused the same reaction on their own. He was always in control; forever warm and tender. Before she had come to stay with him and the Calcifer, she had never believed that a man could care so much. . . and yet, Howl did. In more ways than even she could comprehend.

Currently, (F/n) resided in silence as she shared the afternoon sun with Howl. After being cooped up inside the Castle for so long, Howl had bid Calcifer that morning to take them deeper into the Wastes. The looming, walking structure had stopped several hours later on the edge of a crystalline lake. Howl had given the fire demon a large portion of meat for a job well done, before he’d picked (F/n) up and strolled out into the beautiful day.

As they had reached the grassy side of the water of Star Lake, (or so Howl had told her), the wizard had laughed breathlessly and collapsed to the ground. (F/n) had initially cried out in fear, but upon realizing that nothing was wrong, she’d relaxed into his sturdy hands as he’d rested in the yellow and green meadow grass. The fox now sprawled against his chest, her golden eyes staring into the stunning sapphire-blue orbs of the man, as they matched their breathing. Rising and falling, inhaling and exhaling, deeply enough for all of the mental cobwebs and stress to float away on the breeze.

The two were silent for the longest time, merely enjoying the sun and company. The world seemed so peaceful here in the Wastes. There were no crowds, no loud noises, no fear or desperation. Just the little makeshift family and their strange castle. It was better than any dream she’d ever had. Even her innermost wishes had never been this tranquil, and she basked in the glow of her contentment.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” she finally whispered, dipping her furry head happily. “It’s as beautiful as you said it would be.”

Howl smiled softly as he continued to stare at her. “It is beautiful here. . . But it doesn’t hold a candle to you, sweetheart.”

(F/n) dropped her eyes bashfully, and swatted at him with her predominant paw. “Oh hush you! Don’t spoil it.”

Howl arched a perfect eyebrow. “You don’t believe me?”

“No! Of course not!” (F/n) laughed freely and shook her furry head. “It’s in your personality to flirt, Howl. I know you just say it as a kindness.”

He looked downright amused as he let his forefinger rub along her ears. “Kindness, is it?”

(F/n) gulped a bit as he openly studied her. His stare was so intense that she felt the skin beneath her fur rise to an unbearable temperature. It was this look that made her heart flutter and butterflies flap in her stomach. It was a given that she had fallen for the striking wizard after he’d gone out of his way to save her. . .  but in moments like these, it was almost possible to imagine that it was more than simple admiration. . . that perhaps it was something stronger than mere friendship or respect.  

“Yes.” She gave herself away, as she answered too slowly. Her uncertainty crept into her tone, despite her best intentions to keep her misgivings private. To her chagrin, Howl didn’t miss her faltering.

“You really think that I sweet talk you, out of kindness and my own personality?”

She nodded her red head, her golden eyes open to his observations. The wistfulness hidden there was just beyond the surface, and yet completely prominent to the man.

Howl regarded her for several long breaths, before he purposefully reached down to pull her closer. As their noses touched, his voice lowered into a whisper that was almost lost to the wind.

“Never doubt my sincerity when it is aimed at you, (F/n). I mean every word. . . You are the only woman I have ever met who has ever been able to make such a claim.”

“I find that hard to believe,” she returned honestly, her little black nose unconsciously rubbing against his, as she shook her head. “I have nothing to offer you. I’m not even human. . . How could you mean what you say, past the encouragement of kindness towards a friend?”

He leaned forward purposefully, then. His mouth was just an inch away from one of her black tipped ears, as he breathed, “You assume that I only see you in fox form, sweetheart.”

(F/n)’s eyes grew wide. What? . . . But how?

Howl continued deeply, his tone gentle as he held her fuzzy head close. “You’ve forgotten that I am a Wizard, dear. Since the first moment I noticed you in that alley, trapped by those children, I saw you as you truly are. . . A beautiful, unique young woman who needed my help.”

(F/n) hadn’t realized that tears had risen in her golden eyes, until her vision grew cloudy.

“Y-You see me?”

“I see both.”

He saw her. As both the red vulpine and the woman she had been before. . . He saw both and he still vowed to help her. . . To save and protect her. . . To stand by her side, until she was able to hold herself up again. He was still there even after having heard the truth. . . He hadn’t run away.

(F/n) laughed as her emotions welled up past the exploding point. She pulled back to look him dead in the eye, before the happiness pooled over her countenance.

“Howl. . . If I’d ever been given the chance to love someone…. It would have been you.”

Howl’s expression grew soft as he leaned forward to nuzzle her affectionately. “You still have the chance, sweetheart.”

(F/n) smiled at him, before she dared to lean forward and lick his cheek. She could feel his laugh lines fold beneath her tongue as she kissed him, and it made her heart flip again.

“Perhaps. . . One day,” she agreed.

Howl humorously peppered her furry face with soft kisses as she internally blushed, noting just how perfect the day had become. They continued to enjoy the summer day for hours, before they returned to the castle as the first of the stars began to rise in the heavens.