He put his hand where his heart should have been. It beat so fast he could barely control it. He had promised her that he'd protect them both. He loved her, but he was so afraid. Afraid of being hurt. Of hurting her. He was new to this.

He finally looked up. There she was. Lying there in the ashes…..

All of his fear suddenly left his mind. He flew to her. "Sophie?" he whispered. His hand touched her cheek. "Don't die Sophie. Please." He had died every day waiting for her. He had finally found her and she couldn't just leave him.

"Please get up." Howl was desperate. Sophie couldn't die. It wouldn't be fair. He had loved her ever since he was a boy. She coughed. "Howl?" A tear slipped down his cheek. He hadn't even known he was crying. "Why are you crying?" she rose and put her hand on his cheek. He put his own on hers. "What's wrong?" she pleaded for him to tell her. Sophie. His Sophie.

"I love you Sophie." He smiled through his tears. Her eyes widened. He put his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace. She started to cry softly. He wouldn't let anything take this girl away from him.

"I love you too, Howl" she whispered. He smiled. He would be brave. Even if he had to wait for a thousand years.

One step closer.