A/N: Be the world you wish to see, so I'm writing the story I want to read. I've been a fan of Howl and Sophie since I was in middle-school when I first read "Howl's Moving Castle." Although I love the movie, this is completely based off the book (of which there are three in the series). After recently reading it to my daughter, I wished for more of the couple, and I decided to write my own short story. Unlike my other unending fanfic, I've promised myself to keep this under 10 chapters. I had a lot of fun writing this, so I hope you enjoy reading it just as much!
The story begin a few hours after the end of the first book. - mrs.k
The curses had been lifted. The commotion from the guests had died down. And, at last, the rain in Market Chipping cleared. The wine bottle was empty now, and Prince Justin bid everyone adieu. Fanny, discussing with Mrs. Fairfax whether the castle's current sanitation level would be acceptable for children, was inching closer to the door, realizing how late in the afternoon it had become. Lettie and Wizard Suliman were still in deep conversation under the doorway of the old broom closet. Sophie stood in front of Michael and Martha, cheerily toasting to the match between them.
Sophie had been like a sprung coil ever since she returned Howl's heart. Realizing the truth of his words, "happily ever after," was not something she could do in an instant. Every minute that passed, she grew giddier. Her youthful body flooded her brain with energy. Thinking was not a priority.
All these emotions were too much to hold, and so she simply let her smile carry her through. That was until Howl, who had been surprisingly chatty with Calcifer for much of the last few minutes, declared to the crowded castle room, "I feel as if a thousand pounds has fallen upon me. I shall spend the rest of the day in bed. Michael," he turned to look at his young apprentice, "I leave you in charge."
Michael, who had been sitting close to Martha on the bench, gave a startled look at the order. "I-Yes, Howl." After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "May I spend the rest of the day out in town?"
When it was obvious Howl was not going to respond, Sophie replied, "I don't see why not! It is Midsummer's Day, and the sky looks much clearer now."
Howl trudged silently toward the stairs, looking as tired and worn as he obviously felt. It does fill up one's morning to defeat a witch and her fire demon, along with suddenly carrying a heart after being empty for so many years. Not to mention, he hadn't much sleep the past couple of days.
Though she had no wine, her mind had been drunk with happiness. Sophie felt a strong desire to go to him, but she hesitated. He had rescued her, shown his true self to her, and practically declared that they were a couple to everyone she loved. Yet there was a dreadful pull on her chest. She thought, maybe this isn't real. Perhaps their quarrels will grow too bothersome? What if Howl, even with his heart, becomes bored of her as he did the rest? Or what if he was too scared to formally propose, and she would forever be stuck as some mistress?
As he climbed the first step, Howl turned around and stared at Sophie from across the room. His eyes were still red-rimmed, his hair still a matted mess, still unshaven, and he was still wearing the black, tattered suit. He held his hand out to her and looked expectant. She unconsciously walked a few steps towards him, until she realized what this situation seemed to suggest to the rest of the party. "Am I tucking you in?" she asked him, while edging closer to the stairs.
"Absolutely not, you're staying up there with me," he replied as he climbed up the steps, his hand still outstretched for Sophie's. She felt her face become hot. Calcifer's crackling chuckle from the fireplace didn't help.
As Sophie started up the stairs behind him, she smiled apologetically to her family - mostly Fanny. "I'll be right down, but don't wait on my account to visit Market Square. I'll catch up later." Mrs. Farifax gave Fanny a knowing look, but neither of them looked pleased.
Lettie jumped in to rescue her sister. "I think Sophie and Howl deserve some rest in their own home. Then everyone, let's be off to enjoy the celebrations. Maybe we can finish with tea at your house, Mrs. Farifax?" Michael jumped to the door to turn the knob orange downward. He held it open, and Martha and Lettie quickly encouraged everyone to exit to the cobblestone street.
Sophie didn't feel comfortable grabbing Howl's hand until the staircase took a corner. It was a nice sensation, holding Howl's warm hand and being gently pulled up the stairs.
If her heart had thumped this much only hours earlier, she would have fainted in her old age. Only days ago did she realized she was in love with Howl. Now he was inviting her to his bedroom? She had to sober up. This situation was moving far too fast for her to keep up, and knowing how she had a knack for making things worse, nothing must be done.
Howl opened the door to his room, and then wordlessly crashed into his bed face first. A muffled voice stated, "I shall die of tiredness before I sleep." The room was still cluttered with gadgets slowly whirring and occasionally emitting puffs of smoke.
Sophie ignored him and ventured toward the window that looked out upon his sister's yard in the far-off land of Wales. No one was outside, but she didn't expect anyone to be - not after you and your family is almost kidnapped by a witch. "Did you explain to your sister what happened?" Sophie asked as she turned back to Howl.
"Did someone try to clean my room?" Howl said clearly and accusingly, as he rolled onto his back and stared at the cobweb-free canopy. "Where are the spiders? Sophie, find my spiders."
Sophie snorted at him. He was not going to answer the question about his sister. He probably left as fast as he came. "I'll see what I can do. Spiders, if you are here, please come out so Howl can rest assured." Moments later, small spiders from around the room began to crawl from their hiding spots or free fall from their webbing.
Howl shut his eyes contentedly. "Good, thank you Sophie." A pause came between them. Sophie wondered if he had fallen asleep. The poor man needed rest, and Sophie needed a moment to herself. Another few beats passed, and Sophie assumed he had fallen asleep. As she reached the door handle to go back downstairs, Howl's voice, full of sadness, half whispered, "Why aren't you lying down with me?"
Sophie struggled to prevent a smile and reminded herself to do nothing. "Howl," she paused, "we've been through so much. I think it's simply time to rest."
"I am in complete agreement. Come rest with me," he said as he eagerly patted the empty side of the bed next to him. Fanny and Mrs. Fairfax had cleaned in the room - very little dust flew into the air.
"Howl, I-" Sophie started to say, failing to contain a grin. She always did things without thinking, which got her into trouble. Climbing into bed with him seemed to be a bad idea, though she could come up with no good reasons for support. However, Old Sophie would not approve.
Howl distracted Sophie's thoughts. "Come," he said firmly. "Come here. Come lie down with me. Come on." He continued to pat the bed while he lured her in. "Sophie, this time, you don't need to think. Just come here."
His voice shifted to a more sincere tone, almost begging. "Come, please."
Sophie came to the edge of the bed, her head spinning. It would be so easy just to sit for a moment and let him think he got his way. After a moment of wavering by the bedside, Howl growled, "Sophie."
He sighed and continued, "I am tired beyond measure, and after all these years of hopelessness, practically resigning myself to that flimsy, foolish life I lead, you burst your way through and saved me. You are the woman that I've dreamed of spending the rest of my life with, now will you lie down!"
Sophie sat down. Her head spun more, overwhelmed by another bout of honesty from Howl. He took advantage of her stupefied state and grabbed her around her waist to scoot her closer. The patch-work coversheet of his bed swished and whispered while Howl struggled to get Sophie in comfortable position.
Old Sophie spoke to her heart. She knew if she did lie down, no matter what he said, it was a sure path to trouble. Howl finally rested his head in Sophie's lap with his arms embraced around her. The rest of his body sprawled over the bed.
This was closer than Sophie had ever been with any man. Though it was not unwelcome, she felt frozen and uncertain. She soon warmed to his embrace. The way he held her so tenderly and honestly, she couldn't help but begin to brush her fingers gently through his hair. His eyes shut, and eventually his breathing began to slow. She could feel his heartbeat against her leg. She felt completely loved.
As soon as Howl began to snore, she slowly and gently removed herself from him. This is the right thing to do, Sophie told herself, isn't it? It feels mostly right, yet wrong at the same time, Sophie thought. She stood in the doorway and watched him once more for a few moments.
So, was this the beginning of happily ever after? Nothing ever ends so neatly.
The shimmer of the crescent moon blinked in the corner of Howl's bedroom window. As the darkness of the night began to melt into shades of blue, Howl suddenly woke up with a tightened grip in his chest.
What was this feeling? Anxiety? Nervousness? Loss of control? He breathed out of his mouth a few breaths and recalled where he was and what happened before he went to sleep. Memories of the day before fluttered back.
As he felt around the bed, he asked himself the most important question: was where was Sophie? She simply enjoys being difficult, he mused. He vaguely wondered if he drove her as mad as she drove him. No, he thought firmly, she is far more maddening.
He silently crept down the stairs to see if she was still sleeping in her usual spot near the old broom cubby. As expected, she was huddled fast asleep. The sight of her caused his heart behave in a way he was unaccustomed to.
Howl knew all about the "butterflies-in-the-chest" feeling. His body would mimic something similar whenever he found an attractive woman that he wanted. Now, having his real, heavy heart proved that any prior feeling was nothing but an illusion to genuine infatuation.
About a week after elderly Sophie had first arrived in Howl's castle, he had begun to examine her curse as she slept. He used every charm-breaker he could scrounge up, but nothing worked. He rubbed his chin with satisfaction, knowing that it wasn't any lack of skill in the magical arts that caused her curse to last so long, but her foolish stubbornness. The same problem seemed to be at play.
As much as he wanted to wake her up right this moment to interrogate and eventually convince to come back to his room, he knew there was no satisfactory outcome. Instead, he went to the hearth and prodded with an iron poker the logs lying in embers hugged by green fire. Calcifer grumbled and emitted puffs of smoke, ignoring Howl. The wizard added a few fresh logs, wondering if bribery would work better.
"Calcifer," Howl whispered urgently. "Wake up, I need to talk to you."
"You know," Calcifer croaked back, still hiding in the embers, "I can leave anytime I like now. I no longer have to sit and listen to you, especially at this time of night."
"What are we going to do about Sophie?" Howl whispered more desperately than he intended.
Calcifer brought his fiery head above the logs and gave Howl a look of disbelief, or as much of that sort of look a fire demon could give. "What more needs to be done? She is cured, and our contract is broken. All is over, and a new page begins. What more are you expecting?"
"I'm expecting a bit more taste of this new life, but look what lies before us!" Howl whispered back harshly. "She still lies here and I am alone!"
Calcifer's flaming eyes softened into a sulk. "You humans love to nurture your weaknesses. Barely a whole day has passed, and you're upset you haven't gotten the girl. What is your average period of success, two and a half months isn't it usually?"
Howl frowned and poked the fire demon rather forcefully at his every word. "This is positively a completely different scenario."
Calcifer sizzled and cracked angrily at the iron poker. "Is it?" he cried rather loudly. Howl raised the poker threateningly, then paused, mulling over what Calcifer was suggesting.
To prevent any further discomfort, Calcifer made it plain. "You and Sophie are a good match, but you are still strangers. You may know each other, but you very well haven't spent much together time as whole individuals."
Howl placed the poker down and gave his words consideration. "My wisdom is rubbing off on you Calcifer." He threw another log onto the pile as he considered the thought that they were "strangers."
Howl was not meant to be a single man. For most of his youth, he had been looking for a companion. Losing his heart did leave the task rather useless. Yet he had to continue his quest. Even the search, conquest, and eventual retreat was better than hours spent being alone with himself. The game was simply a distraction and never as enjoyable as the future he imagined with the love of his life.
But, finally, everything turned out right. She does exist, she is lovelier than he imagined, she doesn't leave a dull moment to chance, she knows almost too much about him, and she still stays despite the ease in leaving. The distance is the most aggravating part. If they were still strangers, perhaps he was going about this all the wrong way.
Living with each other these few months rendered their relationship stronger than any stranger, but Sophie was no longer old and Howl no longer heartless. That chapter was over. Howl got the girl. Then why did this an unnamed force remained between them? Howl needed it removed before it drove him crazy. But what was the best and quickest way, Howl wondered.
He felt suddenly drowsy and decided to back upstairs. He gave Sophie a passing glance. That was a mistake. No amount of reasonable thoughts could stop him from bringing her upstairs with him. He wasn't destined to be alone anymore. He refused to go down without a fight.
Her ginger hair spread across the pillow, and her arms gathered the blankets tightly to her chest. Her mouth was open slightly and her chest rose and fell with steady breath. He stood in front of her a moment, rubbing his chin and deciding whether to use magic to send her upstairs or to carry her himself. He should really discuss it with her, but that wouldn't work. She only needed to see how much better it would be - just the two of them. No words could make up for that feeling.
Howl decided in a split second that instantly transporting her would give him the best chance. As he was recalling the right words to say for objects other than himself, Howl realized Sophie's eyes were open and focused on him.
"Go back to sleep," he half whispered at her. His hands were partial outstretched in a manner that reminded her of when he was about to cast a spell.
"What are you doing?" she asked sleepily and not quite pleasantly.
Howl couldn't hide his guilty grin. "I can't bear the sight of you sleeping like this any longer. As an old woman, it was… acceptable I suppose. There really wasn't anywhere else – but now, obviously there is a superior spot available. And you don't take it!"
"Howl! You are a child, go back to bed. Let me sleep. I am comfortable here, I promise you."
"I'm not comfortable with you here," Howl retorted.
Sophie groaned into her pillow. She turned her back to him, "Howl, I cannot move so quickly. I-I don't want to make any sudden changes. I want to stay here with you, and with Calcifer…with Michael…with the shop. Let's take it one day at a time."
Howl's arms dropped to his side, and he sighed. "I understand, I suppose. But, not exactly." He moved closer to her bed. Howl put his hands on either side of her body and looked at her underneath him. She turned to glare at him.
He gave her his most convincing smile, one that's worked uncountable times. He was sure it did something, even with his current, unprimed state. But rather than giving in, she glowered at him even more.
Howl stroked her cheek and removed a piece of hair away from her face.
Sophie shut her eyes tighter, trying to resist any effect of Howl's intense effort. She wasn't even sure why she was resisting, only that she knew this wasn't the right situation. She felt taken advantage of and that wasn't how she wanted things to be between her and Howl.
"Howl," she said softly but sternly, "you need to listen to me now. You and I have very different ideas of how we will move forward, but believe me, I want to be with you. It just cannot be this way… right now."
"Why not?" Howl demanded.
"Let's discuss in the morning," Sophie replied sleepily.
"It is morning," Howl said.
Sophie groaned. "Goodbye," she stated as she rolled over, ignoring his body hovering over his. After a minute, Howl sighed above her and left upstairs. In his room, he stared at the ceiling until the sun was up properly, making plans to win Sophie's trust.
A/N - I won't keep you in suspense for too long as the plot of this story comes alive the next chapter. If you could leave a review or a save, that would be a huge deal in letting me know what you think. And whether you want more? Well I'm going to give you more anyway, but since it's all free, a review or save would be a much appreciated form of payment. Thank you so much for reading!
Also, if you like Tom Riddle from Harry Potter, feel free to check out my other (far too epic) fanfiction, "What Do You Want." I don't know when it will be done, but hopefully over my dying body I will have completed that story. That story is almost opposite in feel to this one, so if you love being sad and forlorn in love, go give it a read. -mrs.k
