Howl Moving Castle - Tumblr Posts

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) dir. Hayao Miyazaki

“A heart is a heavy burden.”

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.

Me too dear.

Me too.

Ig i have a thing for guys with long hair👉🏻👈🏻😌🥺

Howl Pendragon x Vox Akuma x Jing Yuan

Raiden Tameemon x Kokushibo x Buddha x Yoriichi x Flashy Flash x Kuroshitsuji

I know vox and jing is not a anime but i cant help it im just a simp person and i know many people simp for theme