Being Howzer's friend and hoping to be more.

Word Count: 1004

Enjoy!

| | |

You try to refrain from bursting into a fit of giggles as Howzer is thrown from his house. He grumbles and dusts himself off before noticing you.

"Hey, Y/n!"

He grins and dashes over to you before pausing, "You didn't see that, did you?"

"I have eyes, don't I?" You chuckle.

He sighs and hangs his head, his dirty blond locks falling in his face.

You stop your giggling, "Sorry for laughing, Howz. I just find it amusing that no matter how old or how esteemed you become, your father will always see you as his little boy."

Howzer rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, "I'm not a little boy."

You link your arm with his, "Sure, bud."

He pouts as you pat his arm in a patronizing manner.

"Hey, wanna go to the bakery? They just made a fresh batch of cookies~"

He perks up immediately, "Yes!"

"Race ya!" You shout, suddenly launching down the street.

Surprised, he lets out a yell, running after your laughing figure.

You manage to stay a few feet in front of him the whole time, occasionally glancing back at him with a grin. Whenever you did that, he found himself in awe of you.

How did he get so lucky to have you as a friend?

| | |

You shove your pristine cookie into Howzer's face, "Try this, it's so good!"

His face heats up at the action and he takes a bite of the sweet, observing your face. You are positively beaming with contagious happiness and he can't help but to return the expression.

"Mm, that is good!"

You nod, finishing the cookie in three bites, "So good."

Howzer starts to eat his own pastry but notices your expression change.

"What?"

You look at treat pointedly and open your mouth.

He blinks for a second, then realizes what you want. His face ignites with red as you look at him innocently.

He clears his throat before bringing the pastry to your lips, praying that no one is watching.

You chomp down, mumbling,"This is good too."

A fit of laughter interrupts.

Howzer jerks away from you, still flustered. You simply tilt your head in the direction of the noise.

You smile and wave at Gilthunder and Griamore as they hold their sides and bowl over from laughter. Meanwhile, Howzer is redder than a tomato, glaring daggers at them.

"Hi," you greet. "What's so funny?"

They walk up to the two of you, finally finished laughing.

"Nothing," Gilthunder shrugs before winking at Howzer.

You raise a questioning brow but make no comment. Done eating, you look to your blond friend, "What do you want to do now?"

Griamore interrupts apologetically, "We have some business to attend to and we need you Howzer."

"Oh," Howzer looks to you, noticing your small frown. He rubs the back of his neck, "Uh, how about we meet tonight? At the Boar Hat?"

You grin, "Sure! See ya then, Howzie!"

Dashing off, you faintly hear Gilthunder laugh again, "'Howzie'?!"

A blow lands, presumably Howzer smacking his pink haired friend.

| | |

Sitting at the bar in the Boar Hat Tavern, you order a glass of Vanya ale. Unfortunately, Elizabeth is your waitress, and she clumsily spills the drink all over you.

Tears spring to her eyes, "I am so sorry, Miss Y/n!"

You laugh it off, patting her shoulder, "It's perfectly fine, Princess."

"Oh, I told you, please call me Elizabeth."

"Alright," you smile, "Hey, do you have an extra set of clothes? I'm meeting Howzer here and it'd take too long to go back to my house to change."

"Of course!"

You thank her as she takes you to her room.

| | |

Howzer strolls into the Boar Hat, eyes scanning the area to find you. When he doesn't see you right away, he sighs and goes to sit at the bar.

Ban is there, cooking up a storm.

"Hello," he politely greets.

Howzer returns the greeting and says, "That smells excellent!"

Ban smirks, "Thank you."

The unmistakable sound of your footsteps reaches the blond's ears. He looks towards the sound and his eyes go wide.

There you are, walking beside the princess, clad in the tavern uniform of a short skirt and crop-top.

Unaccustomed to such clothing, you shy away from the gazes of the people in the tavern.

Ban notices Howzer's star-struck expression, grinning mischievously. "Hey, she's looking hot, isn't she," he leans over the bar.

The blond knight snaps out his daze, shooting a glare towards the Sin of Greed who merely chuckles.

"If I were you, I'd go stake your claim," Ban continues. "It's not just me who's appreciating the scenery."

In fact, it seems like all the men in the bar are admiring you, much to Howzer's chagrin.

He stands abruptly and strides to you.

Having noticed his presence, you blush. You fix your skirt, trying to tug it down to cover you better.

He takes your hand, leading you to a table in the corner. He glowers at the men who were checking you out.

"I spilled some ale on my clothes, so Elizabeth let me borrow her clothes," you explain, a bit embarrassed.

He blurts out, "You look good!"

"Oh," your face heats up, "Thanks. You look really handsome too."

Both of you are blushing messes by this point.

"Thanks for coming," he adds.

You smile, "I wouldn't miss it for anything. I love spending time with you."

He chokes on his drink, "R-really?!"

Ducking your head, you nod, "Y-yeah, of course."

He grins, "I do too."

"R-really?"

"Yeah."

You can't help the huge smile on your face.

Emboldened, he reaches out to grasp your hand, staring into your eyes.

"I really like you, Y/n."

Your heart seems to stop.

"I would love if you were to be my girl."

Your heartbeat increases speed.

"Howzer... I would love that too!"

|Bonus|

Gilthunder claps loudly, accompanied by Griamore.

"Finally! It took you long enough, Howzie!"

The blond male's eyes blaze furiously at his friends but you simply chuckle. Before he can react, you lean over the table, pressing a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Love you, Howz."

He forgets about his jeering friends, kissing you softly, "Love you too, N/n."