Disclaimer: I don't own the properties within.

~*~

(wink)

Nobody had ever believed in him before.

Not even when he still lived with his brother's and sisters in the sky, back when he could fly had this ever happened. Howl always told him what to do; informed him of the happening. Calcifer didn't hold it against him – it's hard to feel when you don't have a heart. Merkel had, at best, held the fire demon with distrust and suspicion.

But then she had appeared a fresh gust of wind and she saw him. He grumbled, she cajoled. He complained, she teased. He said no, she said why not – and winked.

Calcifer thought he was flying again.

~*~

(smile)

Nobody had ever remembered him before.

He had been a nameless face at the orphanage when Howl had rescued him. Soon after he had been given a list of instructions, a few basic lessons and several large tomes; Merkel had been forgotten again. Suppressing disappointment he turned to his studies and tried to forget about it. Merkel supposed it was hard for Howl to remember him when the wizard himself wore so many faces.

Then she had appeared, bringing the sun with her. She remembered how he liked his eggs and invited him on trips to the market.

Merkel believed that he was tall and dashing to have captured her attention.

~*~

(touch)

Nobody loved anything less then perfection.

He had never been good enough when he was little. So he undertook the most strenuous of training, sequestered himself in lost libraries and concocted potions; he even tamed a fallen star. Halfheartedly, he adopted Merkel after he had finished his castle – what more would a woman want? More, it seemed. More then he really had it in him to give. So he kept lying and hiding.

And then she had shown up, bringing the spring rains. The ordinary, what he never had a chance to let himself be, was beautiful; he decided as she twined her fingers with his.