A/N: None of the characters belong to me, they are copyrighted to Diana Wynne Jones and from Hayao's Miyazaki's movie.

This is based off that movie since I have not yet read the book.

I've edited the story, It's still a long way from good but still, I've managed to clean up the wrong grammars.

Anyway, Here's the second chapter, hope you'll like it.

Along the way, something nagged at the back of Howl's mind and he knows that he have to explain to Sophie, he just hope that she would understand

Along the way, something nagged at the back of Howl's mind and he knows that he have to explain to Sophie, he just hope that she would understand. It seemed so perfect at the time he thought miserably how come it doesn't feel like that anymore?

Before reaching the door, he held Sophie to a halt and made her face him.

"Sophie, please don't hate me on what I'm about to tell you…" Howl said suddenly. Sophie looked at his worried face and thought that whatever it was that Howl's gonna tell her, she can take it, she is just in full bliss right now and nothing can upset her. She looked at Howl smiling.

"What is it Howl? You've suddenly realized what a mistake I was and that you want to fall in-love with another girl?" she said all this with a smile that send chills at the back of Howl's neck.

"How can you say all that with a smile on your face?" Howl said in a surprised and disbelieving face.

"I'm just too happy Howl, are you sure you didn't put a "Happiness" spell on me?" Sophie said still with a soft smile looking at Howl inquiringly.

Howl shook his head laughing softly "No, I'm sure I didn't" then he became serious again and added "That's really not the spell I casted…" seeing the inquiring look on Sophie, he began to explain

"Well, you see…uhm…Sophie…you remember the palm thingy I did a while ago?" Howl asked nervously at Sophie.

Sophie nodded and remembered how curious she was about that. Then she lifted her hand to look at her palm and she was surprised that instead of the usual dull lines on her palms she saw a triangular shape boxed with writing on the sides of some ancient language she really can't decipher. In the middle of the triangle is letter intricately intertwined and beautifully written letters HJ and SH. Somehow, everything clicked together, the hesitations, the white attires and well, everything else. She put her left palm to her closed mouth and started crying. Howl was thoroughly worried about that and held her hands.

"I'm sorry Sophie, I know I should have asked you formally first, really, I'm sorry…" Howl said with worry in his eyes thinking that she already know what it was. Somehow, he thinks that he did great wrong to Sophie, although it seemed so perfect when he did it.

"It's alright Howl. Really…" Sophie said "You don't have to say sorry, are you sorry that you did it?" Sophie asked with worry at what the answer might be

Howl vigorously shook his head "No, Sophie, I loved every moment of it! It's just that…" he trailed off then held her hands "You see, that's a lover's mark…" he said trailing off

Sophie crinkled her eyebrows "What is a lover's mark?" she asked. She thought that the symbol in her palm simply meant that Howl loves her and that the mark proves how much that love is.

Howl sighed deeply before he said anything "Well, a lover's mark is something that is fully binding. It bound not only our hearts but our souls as well. But it is not something that works just because you want to do the spell with someone you fancy…argh! This is harder than I thought…" Howl said with crinkled brows mirroring Sophie's.

"Put it this way Sophie, If two souls are dancing in the same way hence they are dancing in the same tune. That means it can only be made if the souls are only dancing the same way because the mark is sort of like the tune to accompany the lover's dance. So it is very binding and as far as I know, it has never been broken ever before since it's pretty hard to conjure or made complete." Howl breathe deeply then continued

"You see, a soul is the purest of all beings and so it does not lie, that's why it's very precious and very powerful too. The heart is the closest thing to the soul even if it's just some sort of beating device. Then the mind comes second. So, the spell I have casted between us is something sort of unbreakable." Howl finished and took a deep breath watching the effects of his words on Sophie.

When she didn't react and just gaped at him, he bit his lip then started apologizing profusely "I'm sorry for not telling you, it seemed so perfect at the time…and…"

Sophie put a finger in his mouth as he held his breath. "I never thought you loved me that much Howl!" running to him burying her face on his chest soaking it with tears.

Howl smiled and let go of his breath relieved. "I do love you that much, and much more, Sophie." Then made her face him and kissed her. Everything is just perfect. He was so happy, happiness that he has never felt before.

This human girl has bewitched him. If this is a spell, I am absolutely succumbed by it and I don't mind one bit. Howl thought smelling the wild flower scented hair of Sophie.

"You two were snogging each other all this time while me and Calcifer and Granma and Heine are starving to death?!" Markle yelled at the open door. His arms crossed across his chest. His chubby little cheeks are evidently blushing. Heine wheezing merrily at his side.

The two were startled and broke apart too quickly. "Markle!" Sophie said a bit too loud full red on the face.

Howl on the other hand sighed and bowed down to the boy's height to come face to face with him "Are you sir, the Great Wizard Howl's apprentice or not?" he was really quite put-out by the interruption.

Markle taken a back lowered his hand and started fidgeting. "Yes I am, Master Howl" he answered in a small whisper then remembering something he added quickly "But Calcifer doesn't listen to me!" defending him self giving him courage again to frown at the two adults.

Howl placed his closed fist under his chin and thought deeply. "yeah…I guess so…"

"well, then, Sophie dear?" Howl glanced at Sophie clumsily wiping tears away from her face, offering an arm. She took it happily and they proceeded to enter the house, Sophie ruffling Markle's hair as they passed by him. Markle smiled and closed the door after him and Heine, with the usual clicking and changing of the color wheel.

"Oh, Howl, sorry to wet your shirt" Sophie said while rubbing Howl's wet shirt.

"No worries, Love" and with a wave of his hand on his front shirt, it dried up quickly.

"Oh, there you are! We were starving!" Calcifer yelled when the two emerged from the stairs. "Didn't you guys wear a different set of clothes when you went into the garden?"

"Sorry Cal, I'm stepping on it!" and Sophie hurried past the demon fire by the grate waving a hand on him and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Completely ignoring his last statement.

"It was fun in the garden wasn't it?" The witch of the waste said watching the both of them as she sat with a curious smile by the couch, Heine running over her side.

"No worries, Sophie, we were just starving to death, but hey! It's okay." Calcifer said softly then rounded on Howl

"You! You kidnapped her, you all-knowing, all-powerful wizard! You meanie!" then a thought hit him and made a blank face at Howl as he wave a right hand at him proceeding towards the couch to sit beside the witch of the waste.

"Master Howl! What did you do to Calcifer?" Markle shouted and Howl stopped dead on his tracks looking and gawking open-mouthed at the fire demon by the grate turning a nice shade of green, he didn't do anything at all! At least he was sure he didn't. Then a long sly grin formed in the fire demon's face.

"YOU DID IT!! Didn't you Howl?! You lean mean wizard you are!! Wahahahahaha!!" then a burst of red and orange fire exploded by the grate which surprised Sophie as she went out of the kitchen to set the table.

Howl rolled his eyes then proceeded to slump on the couch. The fire demon calmed his fires and hovered by Sophie's ear and whispered with a sly grin "Was he really any good in bed as he says he is?" Sophie blushed furiously then turned her head to the demon "CALCIFER!" then stalked off handing the plates to Markle without a word and then went back to the kitchen glaring at Howl on the way.

Howl glared at Calcifer "What?" the demon said defiantly and went back to the grate whispering something like "party pooper" and "I was just asking…what's wrong with that?"

Markle went to the grate and asked the fire demon "What's that all about, Calcifer? What did you say to Sophie?" with his hands on the plate frowning at Calcifer.

The demon opened his mouth but before Calcifer could answer Howl interjected in "Don't you dare Calcifer!" pointing a finger at him

"Markle just set the table and read the next chapter on the spell book I gave you, I will test you tomorrow, and no more questions!" standing up from the sofa and made his way to the kitchen.

Markle shrugged at his Master's back and let the subject drop then went on to place the plates on the table and ran to the drawer for the silverwares. One thing Markle have learned from living with Howl is that when he tells him to do something, he just must do it or else he'll never have peace. And he's a good kid, he knows that when adult topics are discussed, he really shouldn't pry on it too much, and anyway, they'll all give him the "You'll know when you're older" reply.

"Okay, maybe I shouldn't have asked that, but I'm a demon! I can't help it I want to know!" Cal sighed to himself then went to the kitchen pouting on his way to apologize.

As Howl entered the kitchen, he saw Sophie adding herbs and other ingredients to the pot of stew, her back on him. The kitchen was one of Howl's many gifts to Sophie. She never complained cooking on the grate with Calcifer and Calcifer loves her dearly. But it was also him who suggested that every woman would love to have a kitchen of their own and he added with his usual sly grinning face that if Howl did so, Sophie would love him more then raised his eyebrows suggestively at him. He really didn't probe on how the demon knew this about women but he totally forgot to be curious about that when he heard the demon making more suggestions as to what more Sophie might do when she's happy with him. And so, Sophie got her own kitchen.

Howl approached Sophie softly and then when he was near enough, he bowed down, placing his forehead on her shoulder. Sophie was surprised then turned around to Howl. "I'm sorry" was all he said. Sophie smiled, turned around and squeezed his nose playfully.

"This is so unlike you, Howl" Sophie said as Howl rub his nose.

"A boy can change. And I do swear, I never said anything to Calcifer, I mean, how could I? Markle was there." Sophie smiled

"I suppose so, but how did Cal knew about that?" Sophie blushed again.

"He really didn't Sophie, it was the lover's mark that I saw on your palm and his that made me know." Calcifer said suddenly by the door and the two turned around to face him.

"Lover's mark?" Sophie asked "oh, this" raising her left palm up.

A waft of fresh and delicious smell engulfed their noses and Calcifer forgot about the Lover's mark.

"Wow! That is delicious! I really am starving to death y'know." He announced hovering over the pot of stew.

Sophie laughed at him then shooed him off "Dinner's up, wait for me at the table and Howl, dear, please get the bowl of mashed potato and gravy by the counter, thank you!" Howl grabbed the things he was asked to grab then went out to the dining table while Calcifer followed suite floating left and right dancing in the air smelling the delicious aroma.

Markle was just tidying up his spell book while Howl was just about to seat when Sophie came in with a porcelain pot.

Howl helped her with the pot placed them on the table and took his seat at the center where the head of the family seats and Sophie taking the seat on Howl's left. Markle and Calcifer sat side by side with Calcifer more on hovering over rather than sitting, The witch of the waste beside Sophie so she can assist her in eating and Heine happily eating on the floor at Markle's side.

"Bon Appetite everyone" Howl said and everyone started eating.

Markle and Calcifer started eating horrendously and seeing Sophie eyeing them, they started eating a bit more refined but still faster than everyone else. She shook her head and laughed softly as did Howl.

Markle talked about how a spell he was told to practice on went wrong the first time he tried it but made it better on the second time and telling of how he managed to almost threw Heine out the garden and how it would probably make a splat if he landed since the castle was flying at the moment. Sophie made a face as Heine wheezed at Markle.

"You're upsetting Sophie, Markle, shut up and eat or I'll eat that for you!" Calcifer yelled at him. Markle stuck his tongue out at him and placed his arm protectively on his plate from Calcifer and started eating but he did simmer down a bit with his stories. Sophie giggled while offering the witch of the waste another spoonful of porridge. Then ate a spoonful of stew herself.

Howl watched his newly formed members of his family, quite and assortment they are. Markle was like his son and Calcifer his brother. Uncle and nephew always bickering and teasing each other but always end up having a good time and at the same time, he also gets a lot of advice from the fire demon and the only other man in the house he can talk to. Although he would never admit it, he was really glad that the fire demon decided to stay with them after all.

Sophie of course, now his loving partner. His loving beautiful partner. He may be the greatest wizard of his time but Sophie definitely has powers that Howl can only imagine. She gave back his heart, gave him strength to face his own fears not to mention made him acknowledge that he has fears. She has charmed the fire demon and practically made him his slave always there at her beck and call.

Calcifer even follows her more than he does me nowadays And he gets him to apologize! He thought wildly.

Even the Witch of the Waste who was feared by many was charmed by her. The witch, now a helpless old lady with no powers and returned to her true age, people would have taken advantage of that and beat her up to a pulp and leave her on the side of the street for all the mean and horrible things she has done to wither and die but Sophie kept her in, cared for her as she would with her own mother (if she can find her, that is).

And the most amazing thing that she have done yet, is that she was able to make Markle take a bath everyday even brushing his teeth! Everyday! Bath and brush his teeth! Everyday! He smiled watching Sophie feeding the witch and eating at the same time.

All in all, the castle was a tad brighter and happier because of her.

There was a knock on the door, Markle hurried up his seat "I'll get it" he announced and ran to answer the door. He rarely uses his disguise for there really isn't a need for it anymore, he have mastered disguises already.

When he opened it, it was a Royal messenger wearing his red uniform and brown cape. "A letter for Wizard Howl Jenkins from the King himself." He announced well practiced but frowned a bit when he saw only a boy. Markle bowed and said "I am Markle, Wizard Howl's apprentice, thank you" and took the letter from the messenger's hand. Then Markle closed the door on his face and with the usual clicking of the doorknob behind him ran to the dinner table to give the letter to his master.

Howl wiped his hands and mouth clean before taking the letter from Markle. Then he quickly opened and read it. He made a face and looked at everyone at the table and saw Markle and Sophie with a curious look on their faces. Calcifer eating while the witch of the waste had her mouth open looking at the raised spoon that Sophie was half way to feed to her before the knock on the door was made.

"it's from the king, he wants me to report in at the palace tomorrow morning. It seems that they are having a hard time rallying the wizards who've turned themselves into monsters during the war and they want the help of every sorcerer available." He declared folding back the letter with the broken seal and tucking it in his pocket. He put his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his crossed fingers. He has that bored look on his face and Sophie knew that Howl really hates going to the palace because he really doesn't want to meet Madame Suliman.

"Howl?" Sophie asked cautiously.

Howl sighed deeply then fell back on his chair. "I will have to go." He said exasperated then crossed his arms across his chest slumping back to his seat.

Sophie looked at him "Would you like me to come with you?" she asked. She knows what those burrowed brows means.

Howl would love it if Sophie could come with him at the palace but then he remembered Prince Justin having a crush on his beloved that he thought against it and it was a general assembly of Wizards and Witches, she will be taken aside to wait for him something that Howl will never allow to be done to Sophie. There really was nothing much to fear from Suliman, it really just makes him uncomfortable around her. Then an idea came to him.

It's abut time too. He thought to himself. Plus, it would lessen Sophie's worries.

He shook his head at Sophie then looked at Markle "Will you come with me at the Palace Markle? I do believe it's also about time that I present my apprentice to Suliman." He said. Markle gaped at him. Then a widening and excited look took over his face. "Really, Master Howl?!" he said, Sophie smiled. She eased up with the idea too, If Markle's there, he'll probably be fine and Markle can keep him out of trouble. He really is changing she thought looking from master to apprentice then back.

All boys and girls that have the talent and the potential to do magic or to create magic are to be presented to the Royal Sorcerer of the King and in this case, Madame Suliman which also happens to be Howl's former master. It is Suliman who will then assign a master for the young sorcerer to be or when a wizard requests an apprentice, it is her who will determine if the Wizard's capabilities and knowledge of the craft is enough to be a 'Master' of a new wizard or witch to be and must present his or her chosen apprentice. There are wizard who are proud and conceited that they do not go through the process and take up an apprentice to their own liking. Thus, these apprentices are sought out to be illegitimate wizards or witch and are always considered and branded, bad. These apprentices do eventually turn out bad due to lack of knowledge and disciplined tutelage.

Howl was one of those wizards and the witch of the waste was one of those apprentices.

Markle knew this but never questioned his master. He had loved and respected Howl ever since he started to live with him. Despite his selfishness and conceited behaviour, Markle has seen in the first week of his stay at the castle the kindness and thoughtfulness Howl hid within his lost heart. He owes him his life and a lot more.

(A/N: I am currently brewing a story of how Markle ended up in Howl's care and will post it once I have finished it, for now, let's just say that Markle really respects Howl and look up to him like his own father)

Sophie had not pried about Markle's story on how he got to be Howl's apprentice. But she never asked questions, it really isn't in her to pry, when they feel it was the right time to tell her, then they would tell her, otherwise, she do not nose in on things she knows are personal and private, she doesn't want to go about questioning the boy either.

It was quite an unusual question for Howl to ask. It was a question and not an order coming from Howl to Markle. That was something entirely new. Markle was very excited that he failed to notice it and anyway, he looks up to Howl as his father and so he never really questioned his authority even when the decisions he makes are really childish and silly at times, he will hesitate when he thinks it is absurd but in the end, he will just shrug and do what he's told.

Markle stood up from his seat, stood straight at Howl's side and then bowed quite formally "I'd be honored Master Howl" he said in a calm and clear voice. Howl in response ruffled his red hair. He looked up at him then smiled broadly. He jumped up and down and ran as Heine started chasing after him "Markle! Settle down, you've just eaten you'll get a tummy ache!" Sophie yelled at him as he stopped running and walked slowly towards Calcifer "Did you hear that Cal? I'm going to be presented at the palace by Master Howl!" he asked happily.

"Yeah, yeah, I heard kid, I'm not deaf!" Calcfer yelled at him as he started jumping up and down again "Markle…" Sophie's stern voice said from behind him, she was standing up already clearing the table, but he didn't seem to hear then Howl said suddenly "Markle, listen to your mother and stop jumping about!"

Markle did stop jumping and turned around to look at his master quite surprised. As everyone else did.

"I mean, Sophie, listen to Sophie." Howl said quickly blushing a bit. Sophie smiled as did Markle and Calcifer "Well, she is like your mother, isn't she?" Howl asked the boy

Markle laughed "Yeah, I guess she kinda is" then ran to Sophie to hug her by the waist

"Oh, Markle" Sophie said ruffling his already ruffled hair.

"Now, clean up, brush your teeth, change your clothes and get to bed" she said as Markle let go of her "yes, mom!" turning his back on Sophie then quickly turned back to her again and said "I mean, Sophie…" he said smiling.

Sophie laughed. "Mom's okay too Markle, now go!" Markle laughed happily and ran to the stairs "Don't run!" Sophie shouted after him as he slowed down going upstairs closely followed by Heine.

"He is such an energetic boy." Sophie said as she walked to take the dishes over the sink. Howl was still sitting by the dinner table as well as the witch of the waste. He stood up and helped the witch to transfer to the couch. Then he went back sitting by the dinner table, crossed his legs and crossed his arms to his chest. He watched as Sophie came back and wiped the table clean and he smiled. She saw him looking and smiling at her and blushed "what?" she asked and Howl just shook his head raised her eyebrows suggestively, Sophie blushed harder.

When everything was clean, Sophie helped the witch of the waste clean up and change for bed then went out leaving a small gap open on her door, she heard her already snoring in her sleep, she made sure that Calcifer had enough logs, she said her goodnight then he and Howl went upstairs, she went in Markle's bedroom, Pulling up the covers up to his chin, tucking him in and giving him a peck on the cheeks, Markle, smiling, watched her move about his room "I'm going to be presented, Sophie, Master Howl is going to present me tomorrow to Madame Suliman!" he said in an excited voice.

She tidy up his room picking up clothes, putting them on the wash basket in the hall bathroom then replacing and arranging his toys, spell books, vials and bottle of potions on his cabinet, drawers and work table "Yes, Markle. I'm very happy for you and also, will you please look after Howl? Be sure he doesn't get himself in trouble?" She said looking at him as he nodded

"Sure thing, mom!" Sophie smiled at that as he rolled on his side still smiling. He yawned and closed his eyes to sleep. Heine turning around at the end on the bed at his feet making himself comfortable, wheezed sleepily at Sophie ten closed his eyes too to sleep. Sophie went to kiss Markle on the forehead and was about to tuck the sheets in when she was surprised by a warm kiss on her cheeks. Howl had walked in the room without a noise and she turned around at him smiling.

"Let me do that" Howl said and stepped in to tuck the sheets in on Markle then in spite of himself, he felt the urge to peck the boy a kiss on the forehead. He placed a pillow beside Markle as he did so, the boy smiled and reached for the pillow hugging it tightly. Sophie drew back at the end of the bed and ruffled Heine's fur, the dog sleepily raised his head slowly then went back to sleep.

Sophie chuckled at Howl seeing the affection Howl was giving to the boy. Howl slowly turned around to see Sophie smiling then held her by the arm and led her out of the room.

"Leave a gap on the door" Sophie whispered to him softly. Howl did as he was told.

Sophie was about to make her way to her bedroom when Howl caught her hand and she looked at him inquiringly.

"You're going the wrong way, Love" he said with a mischievous smile. He pulled her towards his bedroom, opened the door and in they went.

Sophie blushing all the way. "This will be your room now" he said, then stepped a few feet away from her and went to the middle of the room, he calmed himself then chanted a spell with a wave of his hands then the room sort of grew a bit bigger as Sophie's wardrobe cabinet appeared right beside his own and her dresser just across the bed by the wall on the other side across the door. The room was bigger and much more spacious, Howl's trinkets and toys are still scattered about the walls and ceilings but that was really what she loved about his room. She stared open-mouthed and was amazed and will always be amazed whenever Howl does magic. She clapped her hands to her mouth and ran to Howl to hug him

"Thank you, Howl" she said smiling.

Howl quite pleased with himself, planted a kiss on her lips "You can use our bathroom and the one outside the hall will solely be for Markle and future…err…" he trailed off and blushed a bit "Your toiletries are in the bathroom on the other side of the wall, you'll see them when you go in." then led her to the bathroom and opened the door slowly as if presenting it to her, the place was still stained with drops of potions and the floor was still soaked with water, he redden a bit and moved in to block Sophie's view then waved his hands making the bathroom spotless clean, then led her in. Sophie chuckled and proceeded inside.

"Are you sure you want me to go in first?" she asked with a bit of sarcasm in her voice. Howl kissed her on the forehead and went to go outside "Yep" he said and closed the door behind him leaving Sophie by herself in the large bathroom. She saw her shampoos and soap on a low shelf on the left side of the tub while on the right side were his different colored potions. There was a toilet and two sinks, their toothbrushes together in a cup in the middle of the two sinks, all of the walls, shelves, small tables, the toilet and the tub are a shade of very light blue that is almost white. There was a small window high above the wall almost reaching the ceiling. The taps and faucets are shining silver.

She turned the tap on the bath and a fast and strong gush of hot water filled the tub almost instantaneously. She then poured in fragrant oils and different kind of liquid herbs making the room smell of mint and sweet berries, a most relaxing aroma. She inhaled the scent and sighed deeply, smiling. She undressed herself and neatly placed them inside the wash basket by the door, placed a towel by the rack beside the tub and Sophie soaked in the warm bath thinking of the day she had. She tied up her silver in a clumsy bun above her hair. Making loose hair fall on her shoulders which made her look prettier.

This is real isn't it? I am really sort of married to Howl? She smiled and closed her eyes. Then she opened them raising her hands to her face and looking at them. She traced with one finger the triangular mark on her hand. She followed the curvy lines of the letters of her initials and Howl's, entwined together. She held them up against her cheek then rubbed her neck closing her eyes.

Suddenly the door clicked open and in came Howl half naked. Sophie blushed as Howl took off the towel wrapped around his waist revealing a naked Howl and stepped in the bath to join Sophie.

"May I join you, dear?" which is really more of a declaration rather than that of a question for he already is sitting down across her and Sophie bent her knees to her chest to make way for him. Then he saw Howl fell into a sad state "Howl? Is something wrong?"

Howl looked at her and motioned for her to come over to him. She glided over the water carefully to prevent spilling too much of the water and rested her head on his shoulder hugging him in the process. There are no bubbles but the water was smoky white from the herbs Sophie put in earlier. It hid their naked bodies but as she moved in front of Howl, she felt his manhood pressed on her and she blushed. She hugged him by the waist and rested her head on his chest, the water nearly touching her chin.

"I'm sorry, Sophie." Howl said sadly.

"Why, whatever for?" Sophie asked concern.

"Because, I know, you deserve a much better grandeur. I just wanted you to be mine and all mine. I can't get the guilt of forcing you into that Lover's Mark. I thought it was just perfect but now…" he said trailing off

"I think that I might have made a mistake since I really didn't give you enough choice, did I?" Howl then heaved a deep sigh as Sophie's head rise and fall on his chest "I'm sorry" then he kissed the top of her head.

Sophie broke from Howl to see him face to face.

"No, Howl. Actually…" Sophie bowed her head down

"I really don't care all that much how and when I will belong to someone as long as I will belong to you. I just wanted you." Sophie brought her head back and Howl can see her beady eyes tears nearly on its way down her cheeks.

"But I sort of tricked you, didn't I?" Howl protested

"I never thought that any man would ever want to me, much less a wizard such as your self. I was just a plain girl, a hatter's daughter destined to be a hatter herself until my last breath. Then you came along and changed all that. You were a prince who rescued me from that alleyway. I never ever thought that someone as dashing as yourself would love someone as plain and as dull as me. So you see?" She said looking at Howl with round shiny eyes, tears slowly threatening to overflow, her hands on his shoulders

"I really don't care how you want me just as long as you want me, just as long as I can stay with you, even if you didn't want me, I'm willing to take the risk to be hurt just as long as I can be by your side. When you told me that You are mine, I was so happy. I was so happy that you love me too. I'm just…I'm just really happy that we can be together." And the tears she was trying hard not to let flow made its way out her eyes pouring down her cheeks. "I'm happy that I belong to someone and that someone belongs to me…" blushing and bowing her head.

Howl wiped away her tears and cupped her face. "You were never plain and simple Sophie. In my eyes, you weren't ever. And dull? When did you come up with that?" Howl said laughing softly. "My life when you came, have never been more hectic than it is now. Never been more exciting as it is now, ask Markle, he'll tell you what dull really is" he kissed her on the lips then smiled looked up on the ceiling as if trying to remember something "That night when you yelled at me and Calcifer to look for you, I think that was when I had already been yours" he said and looked at her with a soft smile

Sophie laughed in between sobs then went back to hugging him, resting her head on his naked smooth muscular chest. Howl laughed with her as well.

Then he fell silent and said, "but I'm sorry that I tricked you into that spell…it's just that…" he thank heaven that Sophie was resting her head on his chest and therefore will not see him blushing

"It's just that I really wanted to have you…All these months of being so close to you, kissing you…I wanted more…but I never wanted to take advantage of you until I know that you want it too and that everything is proper between us." He finished kissing the top of her head and inhaling the smell of sweet berry mints.

Sophie's heart felt like exploding. She just never thought that Howl cared so much about her. He loves her and he respects her.

She raised from her position, looked at Howl holding held his cheek and said with all the sweetness and gratitude she can muster "Thank you, Howl" then kissed him passionately and wrapped her hands by the neck placing herself on his lap as her breasts pressed on in his bare chest.

Howl responded with a much deeper and more intense kiss. His hand traveled on her back as gliding his strong hands on her smooth skin. He cupped one of her breasts and started to massage it gently. She gave a soft gasp but was muffled by Howl's deepening kiss on her mouth. She moaned and pressed harder on his body. When they broke free for air, he looked at her savoring the beauty before him as Sophie gives her a soft smile that will be etched on his mind forever, her face wet and strands of her hair sticking to her neck and cheeks for being wet by the water. He held her neck and motioned for her towards him and they kissed again. They slowly floated in a standing position, then above the bath, the door opening by itself, the two still tight in each others arms, floated to the bed and Howl, supporting Sophie as he laid her down the bed untangling the knot of hair on top of her head making her silver head flow softly across the pillow.

Then he traveled his kiss from her lips, kissing her cheeks, then her neck down to her shoulder blades then to her navel then to her breasts and her pert nipple. She moaned softly at the touch of his lips to her breast. Howl started sucking her breast and then massaging the other one. His kisses traveled down her tummy then down to her hips, then to her thighs and back again at the top of her womanhood. She was moaning softly and so seductively that Howl started to get hard.

Howl parted her legs and brought her knees up then proceeded to kissing her bud. She cried a little at the touch of Howl's lips kissing her bud then cried a little more but trying to stifle it when he started to lick it with his tongue slowly. She grabbed the sheets of the bed crumpling it unable to scream from such sudden rush of wondrous feeling lest Markle wakes up as Howl went faster and faster on licking and sucking her bud. She arched her back and felt that all her senses were focused on the rush of pleasure. "Howl….!" She screamed in a stifle rasp.

Howl licked her for the last time then came up and saw Sophie, head on the side showing her long neckline, inviting and moaning while biting her lip. He moved forward to her as she reached for him and hug him and positioned himself on top of her, his hardness very evident and he was having a hard time controlling his body that he was shaking a bit.

"That was so wonderful, Howl" Sophie said kissing and hugging him then she felt him shaking a bit. "Howl, what's wrong?" Sophie said focusing herself and looked at Howl's face biting his lips. "N-nothing, love…" then a moan escaped him as Sophie's hand traveled absent-mindedly to touch his erectness. The touch of her skin was like ice on his skin. Sophie felt his hardness pressed against one of her thighs to his hips all the while holding his manhood that Howl grabbed her wrist to pull her hand away. A cry escaped Howl and hugged her tightly burying his face on the pillow gritting his teeth. "Sophie…please….don't do that" Howl said in a muffled voice.

Sophie didn't listen and instead of pulling her hands away, guided his manhood towards her opening, Howl raised his head and looked at her "But you're still sore, love…" he said with a look of concern on his face. Sophie closed her eyes shook her head, "It's alright, Howl" Howl still not convinced, "I don't want to hurt you, Sophie" Sophie opened her eyes then smiled at him "You won't" then she pressed her body against his. Moving it upward and as slowly as he could, Howl entered her all the while sending shivers on his spine. She was so slick and the tightness engulfed him making him cry in too much pleasure, he bit his lower lip to stile his screams and supporting his body on top of her with his elbows so as not to crush her.

Howl tried to be as gentle as possible for he knows that Sophie was still a bit sore from their earlier lovemaking. But he soon found out that moving slowly in and out of her is too much pleasurable that he feels that he'll make himself insane from too much pleasure, still, not wanting to hurt Sophie, he moved slowly and gently in and out of her.

She welcomed the pang of pain for she was indeed still sore and this time was more painful than the one earlier but the feeling of Howl inside her again made her cry more out of satisfaction than of pain. He feels so good, he moved gently and slowly and Sophie went and thrust her hips a bit more quicker and hearing Howl stifle his gasps made Sophie smiled and gradually continued to thrust her hips faster. She yielded in the pain and pleasure Howl was giving her.

It was so wonderful to be inside her, she's so tight and so wet and her moan and soft cries added up to his excitement and pleasure. "Faster Howl, or I'll go insane…" Sophie said softly pulling him for a kiss and so he made a faster pace that Sophie quickly adapted. "Aaahhh…Howl…faster…please…" he thrust in harder as Sophie pushed her hips harder on him. He closed in on top of her and made his movement faster thrusting harder inside her at the same time. "Howl…" her grip tightens on his waist. She can feel the familiar rush of delight "Uhh…Sophie…Sophie….Uhhh…" he thrust in harder inside her. He hugged her tightly as he buried his face on the pillow as she buried her face on his shoulder so as to stifle their screams of pleasure.

Howl felt like all his systems are shutting down and bit hard on the soft pillow trying his best not to scream grabbing the pillow as hard as he could holding his breath and pushed in himself hard one last time inside Sophie.

Sophie bit her lips as hard as she could until blood tingled at the side of her mouth, shutting her eyes tight, one hand digging on Howl's back while the other grabbing tight to the sheets as he pushed hard inside her.

They exploded at the same time and Sophie felt all Howl's seeds warming inside her stomach as they both let out their breath and inhaled the sweet smell of each other.

They both couldn't move. Howl managed to fall on his side so he will not crush Sophie but he pulled her with her as they fell facing each other and Howl not bothering to pull himself out of Sophie. Howl opened his eyes as he and Sophie breathed heavily as though they have ran for miles and was just catching their breaths. He smiled and Sophie opened her eyes and seeing the adorable smile of Howl, she smiled too. They pulled each other closer and soaked themselves in each other's presence and fell asleep with smiles on their faces.

A/N : err...i know, i'm having too much lemon in consecutive chapters, next chapters might not have any, depending on my mood .

and also, please review, flames are welcome too, just don't dig out a grave for me, okay?

I'm working on the next chapter, just having a few bumps, I already have the ending which is saying something since I can never end any story I write.

Thank you.

I edited it a bit, but not all cuz when I got to the lemon part, I err--anyway, that's the only part I havent edited. R and R please and thank you!