Hi, everyone! I've returned 7 years after first publishing this fic! I really can't believe it's been that long, especially when I vividly remember using my old desktop PC to write this. If you're returning to this fic, hey! You know exactly how I feel. And if you're new, welcome! I hope to finish complete this before September so stay tuned for updates. Please leave a review! They motivate me. Enjoy! :)

Sophie had always been an early riser. Before she met Howl, she usually spent her mornings in quiet reverie, a steaming cup of coffee in hand while she mustered the energy to go down to the shop. She would watch the baker's apprentice zip under her window, fresh ingredients in hand. The soldiers would begin their patrolling, greeting each other loudly as men often do. Lately, Sophie hadn't been able to stick to her early routine.

She hadn't meant to make a habit out of sleeping in Howl's bed. Really, she hadn't. One night became a second and then a third and fourth. It was impossible not to feel completely at ease there. It was always so warm and comfortable. And the clutter! His room was humming with magic. And, for reasons unknown, Sophie felt more comfortable here than she did in any other part of the castle.

"What are you thinking about?" Howl propped himself up on an elbow and looked questioningly at his partner. Sophie was sprawled out on her back, eyes closed, a small smile on her face.

"Mmm," she responded, eyes still closed. "Just thinking about how you must have put a spell on a cloud and made it your bed."

He laughed. "That's a good idea. I wish I had been the one to think about it."

She smiled and turned on her side to look at him. He was as handsome as ever, even in his bedraggled state. Howl's right hand moved to rest on the curve of her waist and Sophie crossed his ankles with hers. He grinned at her widely before beginning a wild tale of how he once wrestled with a cloud demon. She prodded him for details and, once he finally admitted it was simply a verbal disagreement, the two of them burst into giggles. Sophie had always been an early riser. But when unguarded mornings with Howl were so precious and rare as of late, she couldn't tear herself away.

"Can you stay and help me with the shop today? I think Markl made a friend. He asked me for the afternoon off."

"I don't think so," He answered, a small frown marring his features. "I had some errands I needed to run." He pulled away from Sophie and sat up in the bed.

"Maybe we can close the shop today and I can come with you?" She too sat up and looked at Howl earnestly.

He inspected his nails, mind already wandering from the girl in bed next to him. "No, not for these errands. I have some old teachers I need to see." He looked back at her. "Maybe another time. Sorry."

She bit her bottom lip, not willing to let the man she loved get further and further away from her. He was always disappearing these days. She closed the small gap in between them and kissed him. It wasn't enough to reconcile the distance that had grown between them the last few months but, as his arms went around her and he kissed her back, it was enough for now.

…

Howl was sweating. The sun was beating down on him mercilessly and, like an idiot, he had decided to wear one of his thicker jackets. Normally he would have been able to avoid this long walk uphill but the protective spell his teacher had cast prevented him from using his magic. He grinned a little to himself, gently chiding himself for not expecting this. He had been able to get around protective spells for so long that he forgot just how skilled his aged teacher was.

"Howl! I almost didn't recognize you!"

Howl stopped abruptly. He bowed to the man who had just materialized in front of him. "Hello, Master Jenkins."

The man clapped Howl on the shoulder and, in the next minute, the two of them were standing in what Howl presumed was his living room. He pinched the bridge of his nose before sinking into a chair, his head spinning a little. "You're just as quick as ever, Master Jenkins." He looked a little green.

Jenkins laughed, the sound filling the airy room. "I'd have to be good otherwise you wouldn't have borrowed my name, huh?" He winked. Howl blushed, embarrassed to be found out. "Let me get some tea."

When Jenkins returned a few minutes later, Howl had regained his bearings and once again looked like the pristine wizard he often pretended to be. The living room was brightly lit from the sun and featured furniture made of pale wood. An emerald green rug lay beneath his feet and, if Howl looked closely, he could watch the embroidered flowers bloom, bear fruit, wither away, and bloom again.

"I heard you got your heart back."

Howl knew there wasn't any point asking Jenkins how he knew. He settled back into the armchair and inhaled the scent of the tea. "Yes."

"Word gets around, especially about someone like you, Howl. I also heard you had some help." When Howl didn't respond, Jenkins pressed on. "She must have some powerful magic if she was able to break her own curse and yours."

"I'm not sure about that," Howl demurred. Sophie? Magic?

Jenkins laughed again. "You should look look into it a little bit more. It always took you some time to see what was going on with others." He took a sip of his tea. "But you didn't come here to talk to me about that. You want to talk about Suliman."

"I think she's up to something." Howl leaned forward, elbows on knees.

"She has sights set on the throne."

"How do you know?"

"She came to me and asked me if I would help her." Jenkins scowled into his mug. "I told her to get out of my sight. I don't have time for politics. Magic doesn't belong in the castle."

Howl blew air out of his mouth noisily, his eyes watching the withered flowers droop on the carpet. "Do you know anything else?"

"She recruited the missing prince from the next kingdom, but he turned her down, as far as I know." He raised an eyebrow. "I heard your girl had a hand in his return."

"Yes," Howl confirmed absentmindedly. Was Suliman planning a coup? If there was anytime to do it, now would be it. The kingdom was still reeling from the war and the king's leadership, for all his bravado, was being called into question. But what role did Justin play in this?

"Sulimon's different from when we knew her, Howl," Jenkins said softly. He stood up, Howl following suit. "You'll understand - I don't want to get involved. I'm old and I've successfully stayed out of the kingdom's affairs. I have no reason or desire to meddle. I'm telling you because I think you have a reason to be invested in the future of this kingdom."

Howl nodded under his intense gaze, the thought of his little family weighing heavily on his mind. "I'll do what I can. Thank you." He bowed.

As Howl stepped back out into oppressive heat, he scanned the field his teacher's house stood in. Quiet, secluded. The flowers reminded him of the shop. If he rushed back, he might make it in time to help Sophie for the rest of the afternoon.

"Howl," Jenkins called after him. "I know you've looked up to me. But I'm getting old. We're all getting old and I'm not sure if we have a place in this kingdom anymore." He smiled wistfully. "You understand what I'm telling you? There's strength in numbers."

He waved his hand and Howl suddenly found himself at the bottom of the hill. He could see his teacher's house slowly fade from view as the protective spell snapped back into action. He began the walk back to his own portal, hands in his pockets. His chest felt heavy.

...

It was mid-afternoon by the time Howl returned to the castle. He splashed cold water on his face, determined to make an appearance in the shop before Sophie closed it up. He had a lot to think about and he relished in the opportunity to be distracted.

He decided to enter through the main entrance. Sophie was quite creative with her external displays and he wanted to appreciate them while the sun was still out. He peered into the window and saw Sophie diligently marking down sales in her book. Maybe Jenkins was right about her magic. Sophie had a way of coaxing things to life. He'd seen her whisper to dried up flowers that turned into beautiful bouquets the next morning. How much business had the shop gotten when someone spread a rumor that her flowers would ensure a happy wedding day and married life? They had customers come from all over the kingdom. As he watched her smooth the apron over her dress, he didn't doubt that maybe she had some magic in her. He stepped into the shop, the doorbell twinkling to announce his arrival.

"Welcome! How can I help - Howl!" Sophie excitedly rushed out from behind the register. "I didn't expect you to be back so early."

He kissed her in reply. "You've been using my shampoo again," he playfully accused.

She stuck her tongue out at him when a brightly dressed figure stepped out of the stockroom and behind Sophie and called out to her. "Hey, Sophie! Where should I put these?"

Howl froze as his eyes locked onto Prince Justin's.