One Fine Day
By Miss. Bra
Chapter 7: 'Changes.'
Disclaimer: I don't own Howl's Moving Castle.
Sophie sat on the plush floral lounge, opposite from the hearth where Calcifer sat. Her face remained the same, emotionless with her lips pursed. Her brown eyes didn't waver from a brick wall for a moment, her mind deep in thought.
Above her she could hear the rumble of the hot water and the splashing as Markl cleaned Howl up again.
Sophie crossed her arms against her chest, her feet tucked under her as she sat. Suddenly, there was a long, painful sigh from the fire demon that sat opposite her.
"Sophie," He said, his voice breaking through the silence.
Sophie eyes wavered for a moment to him, his golden flames lighting up the room. Her lips tightened if anything.
Calcifer dared. "What happened?"
Sophie sighed heavily, her lips parting, her eyes holding a sorrow Calcifer had never seen before. "I thought I could trust him, I thought I loved him."
Calcifer was taken back as Sophie spoke. It was late at night, and perhaps Sophie wasn't thinking right. But that wasn't right. Howl loved her with all of her heart.
The salvaged necklace that lay hidden in the cool coal was proof of that, and yet, when he had dropped it, perhaps it was proof of Sophie's statement before. He had called on the darkness before when a girl had dumped him, and perhaps he had done it again when Sophie had dumped him.
"Did you break up with him?" Calcifer rasped, his voice suddenly wet.
Sophie turned away, the bile burning as it rose through her throat. "No," She said at last, bringing a sudden relief towards Calcifer. "But I probably should."
"You don't love him?" Calcifer asked- his voice in disbelief.
"I love him with all my heart," Sophie returned, "But I don't think I can do this anymore."
"Howl loves you with everything he has," Calcifer said. "He'd give up any thing to keep you. He told me once, and I was not supposed to tell. After the war ended, he was afraid you wouldn't stay. He designed this new castle, just for you. Everything he thought you wanted, so you would stay. He'd give up anything for you, even me."
Sophie shook her head. "That's right. I know he loves me with all his heart, and, that is just too much. He loves me so much, that it scares me. I don't know if I want that, it's just too much."
"Do you want to leave?" Calcifer said softly. A wave of nervousness washed over Calcifer, suddenly, he was concerned about his friend, about how much he loved Sophie.
Sophie wiped a sudden tear from her eye. "I can't," She whispered as if she had been chained to the house, like a slave.
Suddenly, Calcifer felt sorry for Sophie, as he did with Howl, but it was a different kind of pity, one that almost made his heart ache.
"Sophie," He said, his voice displaying a kindness that he had never felt before. "You can leave, it's not like you're chained here- unlike I was. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to. I never saw outside that door for seven years."
"I can't leave, Calcifer," Sophie sobbed. "Markl will be devastated, and who would look after Heen, and The Witch of the Waste? I just can't leave, Cal, it would kill them."
"Who do you think looked after Markl while Howl was away? I can look after the house while you get away," Calcifer said. "You can get away, you need to get away. Visit family, or visit friends, or something. It would be good for you."
Sophie bit her lip, her ankle length nightgown slipping over her tucked up legs and onto the floor. Calcifer was right- she needed to get away; she needed to have a break away from all of… this.
"You're right," Sophie admitted. "I do need to have a break."
"Why don't you stay with your sister, or with your mother, I'm sure they'll be happy to see you, then come back after that. You'll feel better."
"I love this place," Sophie said, "I really do, but I think that's for the best."
The staircase suddenly creaked. Sophie looked up, her lips pursing together again. Calcifer suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
Howl descended the stairs with the amazing amount of gracefulness as he always did, his body sweeping across the floor until Howl rested himself in an armchair, next to the lounge that Sophie was in.
"How are you feeling Howl?" Calcifer said slowly.
Howls eyes wavered from the fire demon to Sophie, who kept her eyes on Calcifer.
"Fine, thank you," Howl replied civilly. "Considering."
Sophie flinched, the afternoon still etched into her mind. She was at loss for what to say, so she said nothing, on the contrary to her heart, which told her to walk over and snuggle into his chest, as she used to.
The clocked chimed midnight in the background as the three sat, Howl and Sophie bathed in Calcifers orange glow.
Howl's eyes were fixed on Sophie, and she knew that. Her lips made him want to kiss her, however the kiss may be. He couldn't help himself from thinking, but the Sophie he wanted and the Sophie that sat in front of him, ignoring his existence were two different people.
"It's getting late," Sophie said quietly, her fingers fidgeting with the middle of her night gown. "I should be getting to bed." For a moment, her eyes wavered over to Howls. "As should you," She said quietly, almost too quiet for Howl.
Howl looked up, his brilliant eyes against his now dyed blonde hair. His lips parted in surprise as Sophie rose, her bare feet stepping up the stairs.
Almost hypnotized, Howl followed, stepping up as Sophie's feet left the stairs, his hands aching to capture her by the hips.
Her eyes darted back to see Howl behind her, and she tried to hide the sudden red flush across her face.
Howl straightened up as he came to the door to his room, and turned the knob quietly; looking toward Sophie with the biggest pleading eyes she had ever seen. It made her heart break.
"No," She said softly as she pushed past him and continued to walk down the corridor.
"Sophie?" He almost squeaked. His eyes held so much sadness, it made Sophie want to die. She adverted his gaze.
"No Howl," She said softly, more forcibly this time, opening the door to her own room, smelling the staleness of the air. "No."
She stepped in, flicking on the dim light, and closed the door behind her.
Her bed was touching the same wall as his, and he could almost feel him when he lay down onto his own bed. She heard it squeak under his weight, and his small plush cows ring as his feet kicked them off the end of the bed.
She untied her now waist length starlight hair, as she always did, though she done it in such a way, that it was for him, and almost felt his fingers run through it as she did so. As she normally done every night.
Her eyes softly wept as she climbed into bed, her fingers brushing against the wall that he was opposite too, almost feeling his life force through the wood.
"I love you," She mouthed as she tried to snuggle into her pillow, the tears flowing freely from her eyes and into her pillow.
His head rested against her door, hearing the quiet, almost incoherent sobs that came from her room. His heart ached for Sophie's woes, and his hands hovered over her door handle, his mind pondering whether to go in or to go to his own bed.
The door handle turned and Howl pushed the door open quietly. Sophie was sleeping on the bed; her eyes closed peacefully, the moonlight through the window bathing her.
He scuttled up, his baggy white shirt falling over his shoulders and resting over his biceps.
Howl knelt down at the bed, Sophie's face dug into the pillow, her breathing even and shallow.
One outstretched hand pushed back her loose starlight hair, revealing more of her pretty face. There hadn't been a day after the war that Howl had never thought Sophie to be pretty, and not saying it back then was now his biggest regret.
"You're so beautiful," He said softly, Sophie's face unmoving, her eyes staying softly shut. "And I know I should have said it along time ago, and when you first came, when you had the curse, I never noticed." His throat was seizing up, and for some unknown reason he wished Sophie was really awake. "You were never an older woman in my eyes, I could see straight through the curse, to your beauty, to your soul."
His head dropped, resting on the mattress and for a moment, he thought he felt Sophie's hand run through his blonde hair.
"I'm sorry I dyed my hair again," He murmured into the mattress, his eyes looking up to her sleeping face. "I felt… Uneasy... I know how you don't like it."
He stayed there, nodding off to sleep often, waking up only to fall asleep again.
When day broke through the room, he knew he had stayed by her side for too long and he made his way back to his bedroom. He tried to relax on his mattress, his head against the many pillows, but he couldn't.
She had told him he'd never be alone again, and perhaps he had taken that much too far, clinging onto the love he thought he may never have. He felt bad for pursuing such women, who he knew where wrong for him, waiting to find the 'woman of his dreams', as Calcifer had put it.
But, Howl frowned, look at him now- alone in his bed, his heart yearning with such a force he'd never felt before. It was hardly fair.
He bit his lip. And, yet, he hadn't been fair.
His mind was made up and Howl rose, remaking his bed, and walked silently down the hallway.
Was it a dream? When the man of her dreams takes her in his arms and confesses everything in his confusing, childlike heart. Or was it reality, when Sophie awoke, searching her covers for someone she was sure was there.
The dream was vivid, clearly etched into her mind.
Her love, the one she loved so dearly, yet the one that caused her so much pain had been there, been in her head all night.
They were laying in the wildflowers, kissing softly amongst the daisies. The sky was clear and the air was crisp and she wore a beautiful baby blue dress that cut off at her breasts, showing off her neck and shoulders.
Howl couldn't stop saying how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. His fingers couldn't leave her hand, brushing against her fingers and against her palm.
"You're so beautiful," He said breathlessly, "I know I should have said that along time ago."
Sophie turned to him; her loose hair weaved through the wildflowers. Her hand rose to run across his creamy skin, brushing over his blonde hair. "So are you," She whispered, "So, so handsome."
He took her hand and kissed her palm and she smiled softly.
Suddenly she woke up, long before she wanted to. Sophie lay in bed, sighing heavily. "God…" She groaned, swinging her legs over the bed and onto the floor.
Her hair was frazzled and her eyes were sunken and tired. Sophie crept out of the room and slinked into the bathroom, wondering if she should have peeped into Howl's room on her way.
The hot water was bliss against her skin and Sophie had to crack open a window for the steam to escape.
Her starlight hair was worked into a lather as she rubbed in Howl's own fragrant shampoo that he insisted that Sophie use for her hair. It gave it a sleek look with lot of shine and though Sophie wasn't flashy, she did like it.
Sophie crept back to her room, her towel wrapped around her body, her hair dripping to the floor.
A simple, yet elegant dress was pulled over her head. It stopped just at knee-length and her sister insisted that it was 'all the fashion'. The cut was low, which Sophie wasn't very pleased about, and two thick straps came across her breast and criss-crossed over her back. Apparently, showing off cleavage was now all the rage and apparently Sophie had 'boobs to die for'. Or something.
The stairs groaned as Sophie padded down, not noticing she couldn't hear the slight snoring of the sleeping fire demon.
"Sophie..." A soft voice cooed.
Sophie's head snapped up.
"Howl?" She questioned softly.
Almost instantly he was at her feet, holding her hand in his, kissing it softly with his lips.
"I am so sorry," He said softly, "I am so sorry for what happened yesterday."
Sophie almost had the instinct to pull away her hand from Howl's grasp. Almost.
"Come now," He said, taking her hand away from his mouth and dropping it to his side. "I'm going to make it all up to you."
"Oh my..." Sophie said softly, her hand rising to her mouth in surprise. "Howl…"
He smiled softly, kissing her across the cheek. "What's wrong Sophie?"
It was amazing. Amazing cooked meal, on amazing glimmering china plates on a gorgeous burgundy table cloth.
Glittering cutlery and golden candles adorned the table. Calcifer wasn't in the room, Sophie noticed. Neither was Markl, or the Witch, or Heen.
"Just you and me," He said. "I tried my hand and I have to admit, my culinary skills are a bit rusty."
The meal was amazing. Beautiful French toast, with hot chocolate, bacon rashers and parsley adorning the scrambled eggs. Every bite made Sophie feel in heaven, something that she could get used to.
Howl did the washing up, something Sophie had no idea he could do. He said he cleaned the castle from time to time, which Sophie found hard to believe. He said he didn't have much time before she came, he was always out on errands. His sister kept him on his toes.
Howl collapsed beside her on the lounge, and, almost unconsciously, Sophie snuggled into him. She buried her face into his cotton shirt, trying to stop the tears from pricking her eyes.
"I forgive you," She said softly.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly, as if she would disappear in a moment.
"Do you think we could go back to the way we were before all of…" He paused, searching for the right world. "This?"
Sophie nodded into his shirt. "Yes."
Howl sighed. "Oh thank god," He breathed, his nose snuggling into her hair. He breathed her scent, letting it intoxicate his senses.
Sophie rose to kiss him, letting her lips capture against his. Howl moaned and sunk into the lounge, wrapping his arms around Sophie's body.
"Come with me," Sophie breathed, breaking away from Howl to stand up. She took his hand, tugging him to his feet.
Sophie pulled him down to the door, and upon turning it three times, she opened it to reveal her garden.
They stepped out into the wildflowers, before Sophie jumped on Howl, kissing him, sending him crashing to the ground. She smiled through the kiss, raking her hands through Howl's hair.
"You're so beautiful," He breathed, as his lips broke from hers, kissing around her face.
By the time they walked back in, Calcifer was back at the hearth, Markl was eating breakfast at the stripped table and the room was looking to what it normally did- where it looked as if there had been no romantic breakfast at all.
"Good morning Calcifer," Howl sung, swinging Sophie's hand in his as he did so.
Markl turned to look as Sophie rose up to kiss him on the lips, giggling slightly as
Howl fixed her now frazzled dress. He did up a button inconspicuously as Sophie straightened the cotton garment out.
"Good morning," Markl sang in his normal happy tone. "Master Howl, I finally got the revive spell right!"
Howl grinned, "That's great Markl."
"Yeah, I know, but I have to go now," He muttered, "I have things to do today, and only a small time to do it."
Markl scurried off, leaving only Howl, Sophie and Calcifer in the room.
Howl grinned devilishly towards Sophie, wrapping his arms around her waist, lowering his lips to her ear.
What he whispered into her ear made her blush heavily and giggle, she giggled like a school girl and finally pushed Howl away. He was quick to bounce back however, a stupid smile over his face.
"I'm here too," Calcifer announced, snapping the love struck couple out of their own world.
Howl beamed down at him, fixing his arms around Sophie's waist as she struggled to break free. "Morning Calcifer," He said.
"Yes," Calcifer drawled. "Good morning. You two make up quickly don't you?"
Sophie kissed him on the side of his lips. "I guess so," She said softly. Slowly, she stepped away, running the back of her hand over Howl's cheek. "I have to go now; I have some things to get done."
Howl collapsed onto the couch, opposite Calcifer as Sophie ascended the stairs. Calcifer looked over at the blonde man warily.
"Did you?" He said slowly, making sure Sophie was out of ear shot. His eyes wavered for a moment. "You know?"
A stupid smile crossed Howl's face. "I wish…" he sighed, looking up the stairs like a love sick teenager.
"I saved it," Calcifer said softly, revealing the shining necklace from under the coals. "I knew you couldn't have been serious, so I saved it."
Howl nodded softly. "Keep it there; she's not likely to find it."
"Unless she cleans me out again!"
Howl's ears pricked up as Sophie walked down the stairs again.
"Sophie!" Calcifer called. "Come here for a moment."
She hadn't changed, but slipped on a pair of elegant shoes that Howl had bought her after the war had ended. She looked impeccably beautiful today and as she leant down to Calcifer Howl couldn't help but admire as her dress rode up and showed him a little peak of her thighs.
Sophie bent down to Calcifer's level, letting the fire demon creep to her ear, yet not to singe her hair.
"So…" He whispered quietly, "What?"
"I might… just go out for the day… Maybe, to my mothers," She whispered quietly. "I don't want Howl to worry. I don't want to worry Markl either."
Calcifer nodded his head softly.
Howl pulled her down for a kiss as she turned around. It was as the way it had been before, and he was more in love with her than ever. He had to regain her trust, he knew, and everything he had done he had regretted it. He wished he wasn't so melodramatic.
"I'll be back by dinner," She whispered. Howl groaned, that was so far away! "I'll bring something home."
She went to break away, but there was something that plagued his mind. He pulled her back down.
"Will you sleep in my bed tonight?" He whispered, "Please?!"
Sophie laughed lightly before pulling away and stepping out the door to her home town.
"Bye."
Her sister was working, which kind of dampened her spirits. Calcifer had been right; time out had been what she really needed. She needed time to get away from Howl, and if it wasn't a few days out, one day out where she wasn't plaguing his mind- though Sophie was sure she always was- and worrying the household.
"Sophie?" A sudden voice made her turn. It was unfamiliar.
"Justin?!" Sophie exclaimed, her eyes getting wider.
The prince took her hand, kissing it softly, "You look so stunning Sophie, how are you?"
Sophie took her hand away, grinning toward the prince. "I've been good, how have you been? I haven't seen you since the end of the war."
"I've had some… princely things to do," He said, taking his top hat of to air his head. He had horrible hat hair. "But it's nice to see you, you should come around soon, we should catch up. My, you look so stunning Sophie. Are you still with Mr. Howl?"
Sophie nodded, "Yes."
"Oh," He said, "We'll that's good to hear." The prince turned to leave. "Well, we'll have to set a date? How's Wednesday?"
"Wednesday is fine," Sophie replied, smiling brilliantly.
"Alright, Wednesday it is then," He said. "I'll see you then." He kissed her hand and left.
Sophie was left standing on the footpath, her hand out in front of her. She smiled softly, her plaited hair across her shoulder.
Sophie giggled to herself, before she continued walking, a sudden spring in her step.
Hey. I'm back and am sorry for such a long while between updates.
Okay, I'm not going to sugar coat my reasons any. Basically, I was writing my book (All 220 pages of it XD) and I basically did no fan fiction writing for six months. And, I really didn't intend to do it anyway. I may have gotten back to it, but you should all thank Howl's Moving Castle that I updated again.
I watched it last night, and, if I didn't get barked to go to bed, or if it didn't end till 12.30 in the morning, I would have started this chapter.
So, here it is and my, oh, my, I done it in one day and have a lot of reviews to answer.
That's great, because I love reviews!
To:
-xXSilver0BladesXx – Yes, well, you'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad that you like the story and continue to read.
Proper_Sad_Lady_BCB- Nope, for here is another chapter!
oxoFENCINGforVENDETTAoxo- I updated, it only took me 5 months, but I updated.
jensulli11- WAIT NO MORE!!!
DeathlyFlames- Aww, thank you. Keeping people in character is the best thing you can do in a story. Remember that if you go on for creative writing.
sonamy4eva22- Thank you. I do try my best, although some of the earlier chapters I think are lacking as I've grown as a writer.
Emmzy- Ahh, exams, I do hate them. But, it's a fact of life, and sometimes, they do beat a day at school.
Sometimes.
And to: Animelover621, avidlydreaming, ni-chan and mit-chan007, Readerfreak10, The Patchwork Bear, thanks for reviewing!!
Please Review!!
