Author's Notes: Told you it wouldn't be long till I updated again, here we are again! So let's start as we should by saying that I do not own Howl's moving castle or its characters, they belong to Diana Wynne Jones, an amazing writer and all round woman! This chapter is building up the tension and more angsty goodness from Howl! ^.^ So people let's see what happens when Max puts the moves on Michael and Sophie stops by. So guys enjoy, make sure to alert this story and if you stop to pet the Plotbunnys that push me around and have pushed me on to write a second chapter so soon, make sure to leave them a carrot in the review! :3 Review's feed as all over here! So on we go with the story! xoxo
"Can I help with that at all Cutie?" Max mused, jabbing a poking finger quickly at the tip of Michael's nose before taking the stack of plates from his small arms. Together they laid a table set with four places, as they worked their hands would brush or touch sending a smile straight to Max's face and a blush in the face of Michael. Michael turned to face Max, looking up into his grey eyes and taking a long breath. The scene unfolding in front of Howl made him sick to the pit of his stomach, it felt wrong to watch this mere boy try his luck with his beloved!
"Thank you for all your help over the last few weeks, I have you to thank for Howl being back with us sooner than later. I really can't say thank you enough!" Michael took a step closer as he spoke and wrapped his arms around what he could of Max's large frame as he hugged back tightly. Howl felt a swift punch in the gut as he continued to look on from his hiding space above the stairs.
"I was happy to help Babydoll, anytime." Venom flowed strong in his mouth as Howl bit down to keep his silence. Max spoke the words softly as he rested his lips gently against Michael's forehead arms still wrapped firmly around the small feminine frame. As lips met skin Howl felt his own skin ignite, before he'd had time to think he had reached the bottom of the stairs after taking them three at a time, when he got there he was unsure of his next move. Fortunately the next move was made for him as a startled Michael jumped back quickly into the table in shocked surprise, which was met with the tinker of knives and forks shaking and banging tunefully against plates and glasses, and then removing himself quickly from Max before starting toward Howl at speed.
Howl scrunched his weak eyes shut quickly, preparing himself for another slap across the face, but instead he felt arms wrap around his chest, holding him close. On impact Howl smelt the wild flowers that had plagued his dreams; the scent of Michael's hair sent him wild and before Howl could think he had wrapped one arm around Michaels back and the other around his shoulder so his hand could rest on the back of Michael's head and hold him close.
"I'm sorry Master Howl! I truly am, you know that right! You had me scared to death!" Michael pulled himself free of the hand resting on his head as to face Howl, still holding the other close, he looked up into the blue pools of Howl's eyes holding him still with the gaze from his own wet and shiny green orbs.
"You do forgive me, don't you Master Howl!" A look of pure sadness washed over Michael face.
The choice of Howl's words next were carefully, as not to upset his loved one more, feeling the fast panicked heaving of Michaels full breasts pushing up against him in the confined space he made quick to answer the woman's pleading question quickly. "Of course I do… Michelle. How could I stay angry with you? I could never, so don't be silly!" As Michael pulled away slowly, Howl felt a hole form in his core, a Michael shaped cut out.
Howl slumped down into his usual seat as Michael made his excuses before leaving the room. Howl looked around the table, scanning Max and Michael's place settings, it was all quite formal. Now that Howl looked, there were one too many place's set out, and as he looked up he say that Max was dressed in a smart dark dinner jacket and his blond hair was set into place neatly. A small cough ran out into the room, both Howl and Max looked up to the stairs in unison for the source of the cough.
A nervous Michael took each step slowly, facing out to Howl and Max. The grey chiffon under her ruffled with every step she took in the towering matching heels.
"How do I look?" She asked nervously, but before she could finish her sentence both men at the table had stood quickly to their feet sending plates and glasses across the table. Howl was shocked, this was not how he'd known Michael to look over the years, but he liked what he saw and his heart fluttered when he heard a soft playful giggle leave her full pink lips in response to the loud wolf whistles of Max, blood left his head momently heading south.
Max spoke quickly as he made for her quickly growling, "You look, amazing Michelle! You look edible!" As Max wrapping his arms around Michelle, Howl felt a wave of hatred wash over him. Max pulled her tight before tickling her wildly both laughing madly and Howls heart sank as he saw the happiness in Michael's face and hearing her musical giggle lift the room.
"Noooo…" She cried between giggles, "You will-… ruin-… your-… appetite!" On the last word she reached up and poked his nose lightly with her sky blue nailed finger. Max stopped his assault on her but kept his arms wrapped tightly around the small waist Howl craved to hold, both of them forgetting his presence.
"Sorry to break up your fun boys," He could see the sting in Michael's eyes. "But talking of dinner, why is there an extra place setting on the table and why are you both so dressed up? I'm sure it's not for my benefit" The words left his lips with a poisoned edge.
"Don't be mad!" Michael began and to Howls relief he stepped closer to him and away from a sad looing Max, a face plastered on him like a baby whose toy had just been snatched from under him. "But she's coming for dinner, Sophie's coming for dinner." Michael took a step back as Howl's fists clenched.
...
A knock at the door broke the silence and signalled the arrival of Sophie. "Kingsbury door." Calcifer crooked sleepily, these being the first words he had heard from Calcifer since wakening. As the fire demon finished Michael ran to the door dragging Max and Howl trailing behind her. His touch made Howl's skin tingle.
"Sophie!" Michael's silky voice asked hopefully as the door swung open to reveal a confused looking Sophie Hatter, balancing a small pink hat on her head, a small wrapped box and bottle of wine in her arms.
"Yes and for that matter, who on earth are you!" Sophie said as he half barged past Michael, now almost unrecognisable as the beautiful and fair 'Michelle'. A roar of voices broke out into the air, Sophie waved her arms as a stern sign for people to stop their attempts to explain Michelle. "Don't bother I can guess who you are! You're my replacement aren't you, don't try to deny it! Howl just went and got a slut to put in my place. I'm not blind I can see it, I hope you get all he promised to give you before you got into his bed!" Michael didn't know whether to cry or scream, the new female hormones coursing through his body confused him as her jaw dropped. Everyone in the room was shocked.
Max spoke up, stepping to but himself between Sophie and Michelle and guard her, "Excuse me; don't talk to her like that! I don't know who you think you are lady…" But before Max could finish his sentence, Sophie had risen to the challenge.
"I know who I am young man, but who the hell are you! That's the real question here. Don't tell me Howl, you have replaced Michael too! It wouldn't surprise me one bit, you are one selfish, lazy, coward…You… you… slither-outer!"Sophie slowly turned red as she insults spewed out of her.
Howl built up the courage that he could, he would not allow Sophie to talk about the person he loved like that, "You are so out of line Sophie! Who are you to have a say in who I have feelings for or keep in my company? Just leave, now, and take your big old woman's nose with you and keep it out of our business!"
"Good idea, if I never see the inside of the castle again it will be too soon." As she turned to leave she threw the small wrapped parcel at howl and handed the bottle of wine to Max adding, "Howl, give that to Michael if you see him, it's his birthday next week if you were capable of remembering such things! And you, boy, take this wine, you'll need it!" and with that she slammed the door shut leaving a sour taste in the room. One thing that struck Michael and stuck in his mind was the Howl has said 'who I have feelings for', did he mean him?
"Well, that went well!" Max mused as he turned wrapping his arms around Michael again and planted several small kisses onto her forehead before continuing, "I'm starved Michelle, can we eat now or do we have to wait for her to come back?"
Notes: Well another chapter done! This chapter did not come out quite how I wanted but it has set up nicely for the next chapter! And there will be Michael/Howl fluff in the next chapter, leading to a little…. slashy goodness! ;P So what are we thinking to Max putting his big foot in the way of Howl? . Well I can tell you he does it again when Howl learns of the sleeping arrangements! And Max talks about him possible future to Howl, and as we can guess Howl does not want to see it and is not amused at all by it! Remember to review, I answer everyone! So any questions or requests for the story yet to come let me know! remember to alert as I plan to update regularly! And you will get a thank you personal thank you message each and everyone of you! :3 Love you guys!
The 'WhichWitchIsWitchWriter' xoxo