[Howl's POV]
Howl shifted in bed, a soft light falling across his face.

Opening his eyes, he noted the sun streaming into his room from the cracked window, which was letting a cool breeze in.

Howl threw back his covers and left his room, the castle being eerily quiet. As he descended down the stairs, he could hear laughter which made his heart flutter as he recognized it.

When he made it downstairs, he noticed Y/n standing before Calcifer, cooking eggs and bacon in a pan.

And, though he was still laying down, Markle was awake.

"Oh, good morning!" Y/n said, snapping Howl from his thoughts.

"Morning. Did someone go into my room?" Howl asked, walking over.

"Yeah, sorry. I came to check up on you but when I saw you still asleep, I figured I'd let you rest." Y/n said, a small blush, almost unnoticeable, creeping onto her cheeks.

Howl nodded and sat beside Markle. "Hey kid, how're you feeling?" He asked, twirling a piece of the boy's short, red hair around his finger.

"I'm still tired, but it's easier to think." Markle said, moving to lay in Howl's lap.

Howl stilled for a moment, letting Markle settle, before he continued doing anything. "Did you figure out what was wrong with him?" Howl asked Y/n.

"Not yet, though the medicine worked and brought his temperature down. I think that's what was causing most of the problems." Y/n said, dishing some eggs and bacon onto plates. "I'm gonna check him over after I get some food in his system."

Howl nodded, accepting the plate she was offering him after helping Markle sit up so he could eat. Taking her own plate, Y/n sat on the chair in front of the fire, though it was moved so it was off to the side, having them sit in their own little ring.

"Y/n?" Markle asked after a moment.
     
"Yes Markle?"

"Since you're here, doesn't that mean Samael can find you again?"

Y/n and Howl shared a look. It did. Since Y/n was no longer in her town (which she had enchanted to protect herself), Samael could find her. And Y/n knew there was nothing he was going to stop at until he had her back.

"Yes, but I've grown stronger." Y/n said, turning her gaze to the young boy on the couch. "And I can protect myself better."

"We've grown stronger, Markle." Howl added. "If Samael does come, we can fight back."

Markle nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer he was given as he went back to eating. What he didn't see, though, was the look Howl and Y/n shared once again.

While Howl was nervous at the idea of Samael coming again, he was confident that he could protect Y/n. He'd already lost her once, he wasn't going to lose her again.

A/n:

Here's Ch. 3!
And another mention of this mysterious Samael character 😏😏
If you have any ideas on who he is, comment your ideas!

Anyway, have a good spring and a wonderful day/night!

Word count: 523

~GingerCat_05