AN: Hey everyone! This is a revamp of my first story as I was no longer happy with it and decided I needed to fix it. If you are one of the followers of the previous story, I hope you do not mind the changes I have made as the story, in essence, is still the same. I hope to write more chapters as well if this is received positively. Hope you enjoy! (Please forgive any awkwardness as this is my first time trying to write for more mature audiences.)
"Sophieeeee!" she hears wailed from inside the house. "Sophieeee, I'm hungry! When will lunch be ready?" Turning around, oceanic eyes glance up to see a barely awake Howl standing on the Castle's balcony, whining down at her. Luscious locks of blonde hair (recently re-dyed) were determined to defy gravity with amazing contradiction as one side glued to the wizard's fair face from being against a pillow all night as the other splayed out in all directions.
The absurdity of the situation only enhanced as the sunlight danced along the man-child's fantastically colored, silk pajamas. All colors of the rainbow danced and trailed along the sleeves and pants of the ensemble, but the way the design wrapped around his silhouette miraculously made one feel the outfit was somehow not atrocious. In fact, looking upon the childish wizard lounging against the terrace to yell down his selfish request, one could come to think the image was that of a beautiful Renaissance painting (well, only when he was silent). The slightly chiseled chest peeking out of the unbuttoned garment alone served to transfix, at least, that is the affect it had upon innocent little Sophie.
"Sophieeeeee!" Howl whined again, abruptly pulling Sophie from her thoughts. God, what was she doing? Shaking her head in a desperate attempt to derail the direction her thoughts were going, she looked up to the man pleading for her attention. Thankfully, the tempting visage vanished before her eyes and was replaced with one which Sophie was quite accustomed. A laugh bubbled out of her pink lips as her eyes rested on the powerful and "supposedly" dangerous wizard who stood there before her, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. All Sophie could see then was a spoiled child.
"Howl, I made lunch an hour ago. If you want food now you will have to make something yourself." Sophie shouts back firmly. A small feeling of guilt leaves a sour taste in her mouth, but Howl knew the rules.
You see, after establishing herself as a permanent part of this misfit family, Sophie quickly came to realize these boys knew nothing of discipline and desperately needed to be educated. The rules were quite simple really, and usually pertained to keeping the castle from looking like a bomb site; however, the particular rule Howl was trying to break now was in regard to how Sophie would only make three meals a day and, if you happen to miss a meal, you would have to make do with something cold. Calcifer was no longer bound to the Castle's hearth so they had to make sure they didn't overwork the demon to the point where he decided to leave.
"But Sophieee, it isn't my fault this time. That old geezer kept me out all night working on a charm. My body and mind are totally exhausted! Can I please have some of Sophie's warm home-cooking?" Howl's complaining tore at the young woman's heart as she knew he had been working very hard as of late and felt guilty for denying him the comfort of a home cooked meal. Of course, it didn't help the situation that Howl was looking down at her with those big, green puppy dog eyes. Sophie could literally feel her heart tighten in her chest. How she knew this look, and knew it well. This was the look the damn wizard only used when he truly wanted something. The look they both knew she could not refuse.
"Oh, all right." Sophie sighs heavily. He wore me down. What Howl didn't know was why Sophie couldn't refuse that look. In all honesty, that look made the old soul's heart pound so uncomfortably in her chest that if Sophie didn't give in quickly, the prolonged exposure might just send her to an early grave.
"Ah, thank you Sophie!" Howl cheered as he ran back inside the Castle. Making her way back inside, all Sophie could think of was how far this overgrown child had twisted her around his little finger. I used to be immune to things such as puppy dog eyes or begging, Sophie thought ruefully. She could even put up a defense against Lettie's famous crocodile tears for heaven's sake! But now the poor woman was left defenseless against Howl. Oh, how love softens the heart, she thought begrudgingly.
Inside, Howl sat on one of the kitchen chairs facing the door— waiting for her. Sophie makes her way through the little living room to the kitchen, and a slight shiver descends her spine as Sophie notes how Howl's gaze follows her every movement. She can only equate his big smile to the same sign of excitement as a puppy frantically wagging his tail. The smitten woman tries futilely to hide her smile at how cute the wizard could be sometimes. I'm glad he's happy.
Upon closer inspection, Sophie can see dark circles under Howl's droopy eyes and how his shoulders sagged under an imaginary weight. The poor thing truly had been working hard and, for once, it wasn't simply an excuse to get what he wants. Sophie feels bad for being preoccupied with rules when the one she loved had obviously been overworked. Spoiling him every once in awhile was fine, right?
Sophie sighs in resignation. She can't change what had been said, but the determined young thing could work hard now to alleviate some of Howl's stress.
"Alright, what would you like?" Sophie asks with a pleasant smile as nimble fingers tie her apron behind her back.
"Hm," Howl says as a blonde head tilts adorably to the side, signaling his confusion. "Do I get to choose?" Marble eyes shine dimly at the prospect of getting to direct Sophie's cooking and a faint smile plays along his lips. Such a response causes Sophie to roll her eyes. The foreboding sense that the woman was unknowingly entering a dangerous area at the hope this simple question gave birth to in his eyes— not like she didn't understand where Howl's excitement was coming from.
Cooking is the only area in the wizard's life that the control freak had no say in, and this had been the case since Sophie had moved into the castle. At that time, the old maid had promptly forced the wizard into relinquishing those rights to her as the one in charge of housework, but now he was about to get to tell Sophie what to cook. The slightly shocked and hopeful smile that laid across his tired face looked quite cute, and for the second time in the matter of less than 10 minutes, Sophie couldn't help but laugh at his childish demeanor.
Schooling her features behind a fake cough, Sophie tried to display a comforting smile as she looks back at Howl. "Of course, this meal is for you. Isn't it?" A full blown smile flashes sparkling white teeth as a response before green eyes narrowed at her accusingly.
"Other meals are for me as well, but you never let me choose. What are you up to?" Howl questions as he crosses his arms over his chest and brings his leg up to rest on his opposite knee. The pose paired with his guarded facial expression, coupled with the unique fashion sense, made Howl look like one of the most peculiar crime bosses in history. Sophie nearly chokes holding her laughter at bay.
"Hmm," Sophie's cheek flush with the exertion required to stifle her giggles as she hums in acknowledgment of the wizard's point. Leaning back against the kitchen table, Sophie mimics Howl's posture. "I was just trying to be nice, but if you don't want to eat.." She trails off as she reaches behind her to work at the knot tying her apron closed. In a matter of seconds, like she expected, Howl's hands were covering her own, stopping her. Glancing up with a ghost of a smirk, Sophie sees a very troubled Howl.
"Now, now, my dear Sophie, I never said that. Don't be so hasty," Howl flashes a crooked grin her way full of childlike excitement.
"You're cooking something?" Calcifer whines and the couple both turn to see Calcifer perched on the hearth. "Sophie, you can't start spoiling him now or he will exploit you like he did me!" Calcifer crackles. Sophie grimaced inwardly. She knew that, she knew that very well, and the shame that she felt along with that knowledge was suffocating to her independent spirit.
"It's only this once, right Howl?" Sophie says. Noticing the not so subtle message in her words, Howl only hums in absentminded agreement. Turning her attention away from Calcifer, Sophie notices that Howl was now analyzing the pantry. He stood for a mere moment deep in thought before suddenly surging forward to get a closer look.
Walking over to where everything was stored, the wizard began to riffle through potential ingredients. Sophie decides it may be best to just sit back and relax because the look on Howl's face warned he may take a while. Instead, Sophie found satisfaction in watching the childlike expression slowly fade away into a face that meant business.
Sophie loved that face. It's his 'deep-in-thought' face. Working mainly in the cellar, Sophie rarely got to see it, but she knew it meant Howl was working on something complex in his head. However, the little witch had lived here long enough to be able to predict, in order, how his face would shift. Sophie knew how Howl's eyebrows would begin to slant in, creating a small "V" shape on his forehead, and how the little creases would morph into a single cavern above his nose that would only deepen as he delved into the problem. She knew how his thin yet supple lips would purse slowly before the wizard's lithe frame would start to sway side to side. Sophie also knew that once Howl was in this state, the wizard would not acknowledge anyone until he had reached a suitable answer to his problem.
Knowing all that, Sophie simply leaned her weight against the kitchen table to analyze him instead. Soon, the woman found her own contentment in just watching Howl's hips swing back and forth. The motion caused the silken legs of his pajamas to briefly strain over the muscles of his leg as shifted his weight from one side to the other. Lost in her own little world, Sophie didn't know how much time had passed before Howl did a full 180 spin on his heel to face her.
"I want soup." The wizard declares with his usual whimsical tone, but Sophie only stares, waiting for the man to clarify. Honestly, she was somewhat dumbfounded by his remark.
Calcifer sneers, "Soup? Are you an idiot, Howl?"
"Soup…" Sophie says slowly. Howl nods vigorously. "Is that all?" She asks again, making her confusion clear by the tone of her voice.
"Yep." Howl replies, still smiling in self-satisfaction.
"Are you going to tell me what kind of soup?" Sophie's voice strains as she tries to hide her growing irritation.
"Soup made by Sophie." Howl retorts, a smug air to his now big, bright smile.
All Sophie could do was stare at Howl for a moment, and not because she found that smile adorable, oh no, more like she was flabbergasted. This picky child was asking her to make him soup but not telling her anything about what he wants. Sure, she knew what Howl likes and dislikes as individual ingredients, but his mood shifts so frequently no-one could ever know what kind of food he was craving, not even the man himself! And soup? Something so stupidly simple, yet so diverse in its possibilities?! This situation was like a friend inviting you over to their house for the first time without giving you any directions on how to get there.
Sophie sighs again, something she did a lot around Howl, and puts her face in her hands. All she wanted to do was make him something that he really wanted so he would be happy and could relax, but now there is a 50% chance of that happening and another 50% of him simply saying he's "not hungry;" which for Howl—who is always hungry— means he isn't in the mood for the type of food she made.
Groaning inwardly, Sophie looks up to meet the eyes of the infuriating man she loves, and with a shake of her head decides not to bother arguing, "Alrighty, soup it is."
Soup made by Sophie, hm? Well, at least he had given some sense of direction, the woman noted sarcastically. Calming her thoughts, Sophie began to make her way over to the same pantry where Howl was still standing. "If you aren't going to be of any help, please leave the kitchen." The dry remark made clear the young woman's thoughts on the situation as small hands lays rest on the silk of his arm to nudge the wizard out of her way. This somewhat rude action may have bothered some, but Howl was just happy that he was getting his way, so he trotted back to his original seat and plopped down sideways. In this new position, his long legs hung in the air and his face fell to the side so he could watch Sophie. Seeing him situated and out of her way, Sophie went to work.
Alrighty, you can make something Howl likes. Not only that, you can make a meal that he loves! Yes, she can do it. Empowered by her own mini pep-talk, Sophie confidently begins to lay out ingredients. What struck her first was the unusual abundance of vegetables that laid at the bottom of the cupboard, did Howl go and buy some earlier? Or maybe Michael had used the door to go and farm some from the Waste. Sophie thought on that matter only for a few seconds before the idea struck her. Those vegetables would pair perfectly with the chicken Mrs. Fairfax had left them after her earlier visit. She had been planning on having that for dinner, but Sophie figured she could also just use it now to make chicken and vegetable soup. "Yeah, that works." She mumbles distractedly under her breath as she hunted for a knife to begin chopping the vegetables and prep the chicken. Sophie smiles as she works, thinking that this nutritious meal would be just the thing to help Howl battle his fatigue.
"What are you making?" Calcifer hisses, eying the big pot Sophie had set beside him. This comment breaks her concentration as she looks back at them from the pantry where she was fishing out some of her last ingredients. Sophies face began to blush slightly upon realizing Howl's gaze was still fixed on her.
"Well, I'm making soup, obviously." Sophie rolls her eyes. She couldn't help the sarcasm in her voice either. The woman was slightly annoyed after all, but she felt bad lashing out at Calcifer. It wasn't his fault and he had graciously stayed and not shot up the chimney to escape the unplanned meal service, something he was quite capable of doing. To Sophie, this just showed how they both seemed to spoil Howl despite their better judgment and belly-aching. "Don't worry," Sophie says in a much softer tone and with an even softer smile, "there will be plenty of scrapes for you." During this entire exchange, Howl remained seated, carefully watching. The heat rushed to Sophie's cheeks and her blush deepened becomingly as she felt his stare on her back, making her feel nervous and awkward.
"Can I help?" Howl asks excitedly from across the room. "I have superb cooking skills." Sophie wasn't looking at him, but could picture the arrogant image he would display with his nose in the air along with a haughty smirk simply by hearing the tone of his voice.
"No." She says bluntly, trying to remain focused. "Sit there quietly and relax." God, no wonder our relationship hasn't made any progress, I keep sounding like a scolding granny. Sophie pouts in her own head, but outwardly she's grateful because this was the only tone that Howl obeyed. Well, sometimes obeyed. As Sophie is straining to reach some spices off an upper shelf, a sudden presence can be felt as Howl appeared behind her. He easily reaches the top shelf and grabs what her short reach could not.
"Now, now, I can be in the kitchen as long as I am helping, right?" The smug remark sends a shiver down her spine as the heat of his breath tickles her ear. Sophie can't see him, she can only feel him. Suddenly all her nerves are focused on her back, straining to feel the warmth that was radiating off Howl's skin as he stood behind her. Calm down Sophie! He isn't even close enough to touch you. Sophie quickly reprimands herself and tries to fix her face.
"Fine," She says with huff, "but if you're going to be in here, make yourself useful. I also need the dried parsley." Sophie says with a tone of superiority, as she quickly moves away from the wizard's smoldering presence. However, when she finally felt composed enough to look back Sophie sees a reluctant Howl pursing his lips. What could it be now?
"I don't like parsley." Is all he says, turning back to walk to his chair.
"Oh come on. You won't even taste it!" Sophie was done with such childish behavior, and her incredulous tone made it clear. She was now completely exasperated, but Howl merely sat back down on his chair and started playing with the clunky rings on his fingers. You have got to be kidding me. "So just because you don't like it you aren't going to get it down for me?" Sophie's voice is sharp and laden with anger.
Howl sat unperturbed by her anger and simply waves his hand to dismiss her remark. "Why should I help you put something in my food that I don't like?"
"Really now, you are completely missing the point here, Howl. You know what, fine, I can get it down myself." Sophie growls before looking around the room for anything that could work as a hook. Ah. There it is. Resting against the back shelf was Sophie's old cane! A smug smile blooms across the young woman's face as she briskly walks over to the corner of the room to grab it showily—declaring without words to Howl that his obstinacy wouldn't stop her! Turning back to the pantry, Sophie carefully began to balance herself on top of a stool to give herself a little more height.
"Sophie, that looks dangerous. Howl, stop being useless and help her." Calcifer's crackly voice snaps from behind her.
"Don't wanna."
"Don't need it."
Howl and Sophie chime simultaneously. Honestly speaking, Sophie knew she was being stubborn and childish but so was Howl! It wasn't like the soup would be a failure if it didn't have parsley and, considering she was making it for Howl, it would probably be so much easier to exclude something he thinks he doesn't like; however, his outright refusal to help her had pushed Sophie to the end of her rope.
Finally, Sophie manages to balance herself long enough to get the cane's handle around the parsley tin. That's right, she can do this all on her own. Who needs Howl's help? Celebrating her small accomplishment, a little too smugly for her own good, Sophie felt the stool wobble a little unsteadily, but all she needed to do now was to pull the cane towards her and catch the tin. Sophie steadies herself once more and begins to pull gently on the cane, pleased when the tin moves towards her.
However, things never tend to go Sophie's way in these situations, and so was the case this time. Annoyed by the tin that suddenly seemed to get stuck on nothing, Sophie lets out a low grunt as she increases the force of her pulling. Refusing to budge, Sophie loses all patience and, gripping the cane tightly, decides to give it one last, strong tug. This results in a many events happening in only a few seconds.
"Sophie!" She hears Calcifer pop out in concern. The parsley tin flies off the shelf, showering her with little, dried, green leaves, and the stool was no longer under her feet. Sophie closes her eyes in anticipation of her body painfully hitting the floor, but it never happens. Instead, the stubborn woman hears a loud snap. Blue-green eyes open slowly, and Sophie is surprised to find herself suspended in air above the toppled stool and spilled parsley.
"Honestly," Howl sighs. He is now slowly strolling across the kitchen floor. When he reaches her, Howl simply stands there looming over her for what felt like an eternity.
"Are you going to let me down any time soon?" Sophie hisses from between her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment. This did little good though, and only served Sophie in allowing her to actually feel the heat slowly spread over her face.
"Hm, should I? Or should this be your punishment for behaving recklessly?" Howl goads with a taunting smile smeared across his face. That smile is so sickeningly sweet that it could only be used for one purpose, mocking. Oh, this infuriating man. How Sophie wanted to slap him, or strangle him, or both!
"Howl, put me down!" Sophie shouts, losing all decorum as she shamelessly kicks her legs and waves her arms, growing impossibly more embarrassed with every second.
"Hmm, I don't know, I may enjoy the sight for a few more seconds" Howl taunts while roaming his hand up the pale flesh of her leg that had escaped the confines of Sophie's dress during her struggle. Her blush intensifies for a different reason when his hand drew closer to her upper thigh. This had to stop before Sophie really had a heart attack.
Knowing there was only way to signal to this sadist that he had won, Sophie caves. Looking up at him from in-between her fingers, "Howl, please." She whispers. The triumphant look he wore made Howl look like he had just won a war. No, wait, the wizard hadn't even looked that triumphant when he literally won a war.
As Sophie waits to be lowered down by magic, she suddenly finds herself cradled in Howl's arms. Gahh! Where was he touching? Seeming impossibly more satisfied, Howl lets his hands tighten around her.
"Alrighty, I'll put you down." He grins. Sophie begins to struggle once again but quickly stops as her jostling only makes the naughty wizard's hands slide over her more. The look he wore was dangerous as Howl's eyes began to roam over the body of the young woman he carried. Sophie wasn't looking so she couldn't see, but Calcifer clearly noted how the wizard's usual glassy stare was alive with desire.
"Howl!" Sophie shouts. Howl could tell that his game might have gone a little too far as Sophie's eyes became wet with oncoming tears. He didn't want to make her cry, he just wanted to have some fun. In an attempt to stop the tears, the man lowers Sophie to her feet and tried to lighten the heavy mood that had entered the kitchen.
"Too bad, I guess there will be no parsley in the soup." Howl says looking down at the shriveled leaves on the floor, flicking them with the toe of his boot while not looking disappointed in the least.
"Don't worry," Sophie says sweetly. Walking over to the tin, she looks inside to find exactly what she expected. "Luckily there is just enough remaining for what I need, and you will eat it won't you? Like you promised?" Now it was Sophie's turn to gloat as she held the tin to her chest with a taunting smile. Howl merely scowls and walks away to pout in his seat.
"So not cute" and "stubborn fool" are the only grumbles Sophie can make before she quickly finishes the soup. Now it only needed to simmer for about half an hour. She was just beginning to set the table when she hears the door open.
AN: The revival has begun. I will be working on this story once again as it has come to my attention that it is unfair for you readers who enjoyed this story not to finish it! I apologize full heartedly for my absence as a lot has been going on in my life, but now I have time and the motivation to finish this story. It will be completed, I promise. I will be editing the current chapters and a new chapter (chapter 7) will be posted before the end of October.
As usual, all comments and critiques are welcome! I would love to know what you think and if people are actually still reading this story. Thank you for your patience.