#and i have donna's dress visualized from a pinterest search

[mothstiel]

GUYS HELP I'VE BEEN STARING AT PICTURES OF JODY MILLS TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT SHE'S WEARING FOR HER SECRET WEDDING TO DONNA BUT I CAN'T PICTURE ANYTHING HELP ME GUYS WHAT DOES SHE WEAR

[qveensbury]

ch4: all of that’s different now

ch 1    |     ch 2    |     ch3    |     AO3     |     ko-fi

Infatuated with Howl? Sophie snorted. Nonsense.

She emphasized her resolve sharply leading her paintbrush against the canvas.

It didn’t matter that she sat straighter when Howl walked into the room or found his jokes funny or liked that he dyed his hair black and concluded they would look cuter together now that his hair was black. (Blond and silver didn’t really go together.)

UGH.

Sophie pushed back away from her desk. She stretched her legs seeking something else to think about other than the accusation she was in love with Howl.

Her phone buzzed.

“Hello Markl?”

“Hey Sophie. Sorry to bother you but did Howl leave his jacket in your studio?”

Sophie looked up and saw the black bomber on the counter. “Yes.” Gosh please no. I can’t be alone with Howl.

“Are you doing anything? I’m in Room 5007 waiting for Howl. Do you mind bringing it?”

Sophie’s face burned. “Sure.” It’s not like you’re infatuated.

You can do this Hatter, she assured herself. She grabbed the jacket. The feather design along the sleeves caught the light and reflected iridescent colors. In and out. You’ll survive.

Sophie took the elevator to the 5th floor.

Markl looked up at the opening door. “Thanks Sophie! You’re a lifesaver. Howl asked me to grab it but my last tutoring session ran over. You know he’s a prima donna.” He rolled his eyes.

“No problem!” She laid it on the chair beside Markl. She waited a beat before blurting, “I’ll be going then.”

He nodded already back to his work. “Later Sophie.”

“Later.”

The thudding in Sophie’s chest receded. She let out a sigh as she got off the elevator on her floor. That wasn’t so bad. You let the moment get the best of y—

Didn’t I close my studio door behind me?

Sophie clenched her fist and stomped towards her room. If the Dean thought Mother was livid before, wait until she hears about this.

She pushed open the door.

“Oh,” her fingers slipped from the handle and fell to her side.

There was so much color. Sophie looked at the flowers, the cacti, the plants, walking into her studio. She cupped one blossom in her hand.

“Doooooo you like it?

Sophie turned around.

Howl stood on her studio’s threshold leaning his cheek against his palm and his elbow against the doorframe. He grinned mischievously.

Sophie blinked. “This is for me?”

“Of course! Who else would it be for?”

“Why, what are they for?” She brought her hands together in front of herself. The colors were suddenly too much. Her thoughts too much.

This could all go wrong. Your hopes up for what?

“For all your help. Markl says I don’t thank you enough.” Howl stepped into her studio and fiddled with one of the flowers. “I didn’t want you to think I didn’t appreciate you. My professors and students have mentioned a marked improvement since you’ve taken up this informal assistant role. I can’t thank you enough.” He took another step closer.

Right Sophie. You’re just helping him get organized.

“But, I appreciate our relationship, too. I want to be clear about that. how much I enjoy your company.” Howl was an arms length away. The rational voice in Sophie’s voice called for quiet wanting to see what he would do. But, her tongue couldn’t stand the silence.

“Right. We’re such good friends,” Sophie looked out the window. That’s what you were going to say, right?

“So, I did need to make it clear.”

Sophie’s breath faltered. She pressed her hands further into her chest and began to turn away from Howl. Her shoulders felt like lead.

“Sophie,” Howl took her elbow before she could turn her back to him. “I’m not really sure how to say this and your body language is scaring me.”

Sophie let him turn her around. She looked up into his eyes.

“I’ve been running around the point.” Howl cleared his throat. Sophie will you go out with me this Saturday.”

Sophie blinked. The rational voice started chattering. “A date?”

“With you,” Howl nodded, reading her expression.

“Out of pity?” Sophie parroted the voice.

Howl frowned. She wasn’t sure how his expression made her feel. It felt different. “Why would I pity you?”

Sophie snorted, gesturing to herself, “Because I look— I dress like this. I don’t look like,” Lettie. Sophie shook her head. “I just—“

“Sophie, you’re beautiful.” Howl interrupted with conviction.

Sophie realized the room was a quiet. He was waiting for her response. The voice was gone.

Sophie decided the feeling was good.

“Yes, I’ll go on a date with you.”

+

Lettie wanted to meet Howl. “He better come soon. My break is only so long and I want to have enough time.”

Sophie checked her phone. “He should be here soon.”

“I’m kinda shocked you’re so calm about this. The night of the dance you were so fidgety after you met him.”

Sophie turned her head to the side and tucked hair behind her ear. “Yea.”

“It’s good! Growth.”

Sophie remembered Dr. Sulliman’s observation. Blossom.

“There you are. I’m sorry for the delay.” Sophie pivoted towards Howl. He winked at her.

“You better not be late to my sister’s date.”

“Lettie!” Sophie spun back.

“No, she’s right.” Howl leaned on the back of Sophie’s chair.

“Are you going to sit?” Sophie sighed, realizing she’d have to play referee.

The moment Howl sat down, Lettie launched her interrogation.

Sophie’s eyes bounced back and forth.

“Lettie, you have five minutes.”

“Thanks Phil.” Lettie’s smile to her manager disappeared as she narrowed her eyes at Howl. “What’s one thing you haven’t told Sophie that you should have?”

Howl nodded looking down. He raised his head and Sophie noted the red rising in his cheeks. The flush on his cheeks spread to his ears.

Sophie blinked. She never thought she’d see Howl ever be embarrassed.

Maybe I don’t want to hear this.

She began to open her mouth, to let him off the hook.

“I-” Howl chuckled. He brought a hand to the back of his neck. “I’ve ha-I have commitment issues. Not only with my doctorate work but in my relationships, too. That’s how I got my reputation. I wasn’t going out of my way to hurt anyone but that doesn’t mitigate their feelings.

“Dodging every thing felt like the best way. And you might not believe me but I want to work to get better. I want Sophie to have full confidence that I will fight for her. I want to be my best. Sophie pushes me to be my best.” Howl looked away chuckling. “I should have told her that a while ago.”

Lettie nodded once. “You better or I’ll make sure wish you had disappear. I’ll leave you two to it. My break’s over.” She stood up and fastened her apron back on. She patted her sister’s head on her way to the counter.

Sophie felt butterflies sparring in her stomach when Howl looked at her.

“Do you mind if we go somewhere quieter to talk?”

She nodded and followed him. Her mind searched for something to say.

Howl brought them to a dining area on campus.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Howl chuckled, wiping his palms on his pants. “Are you okay?”

“I think I’m in shock.” Sophie said, her voice quavered.

“Uh, I don’t…” Howl pushed hair out of his face. “Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No! I just…It’s a lot. You like me.”

“I do.”

She stared at him.

He stared back. It was how Sophie imagined sculptures looked at their marble. But, he hadn’t unearth her from formless stone. No. He was a student appreciating a masterpiece wondering how could there be such beauty in the world. It was the way she looked at pieces in museums.

Sophie remembered something her stepmother said. Sophie you create your own beauty and one day someone will want to study it.

“Oh.”

Howl was the first to truly study it.

“Oh?” Howl repeated, smirking. “It’s why I want to take you on a date, silly.”

“I suppose that’s how it goes.”

He smiled and Sophie smiled back. “I suppose indeed, partner.”

+

Howl took her to a botanical garden. He chuckled when Sophie asked for twenty minutes to do quick sketches. He would make little notes about each one as Sophie sketched.

“Wow you like flowers a lot. Have you considered a career in it?” Sophie smiled as Howl laughed.

“One or two people may have mentioned it to me.”

Sophie closed her sketchbook, putting it away. “Okay. What’s next?”

Howl offered her his arm. “Let’s find out.”

She found it all to be a little surreal. The warmth of the air, the colors, and Howl. Soon flowers would grow in their footsteps. She chuckled at the thought, taking his arm. “Lead the way.”

+

Howl shoved his hands into the pockets of his bomber. “I don’t know. It feels really anti-climatic to just drop you off at your studio.”

Sophie shrugged opening the door. “I have that huge assignment due Monday. I don’t have a choice. Spending weekends in studio, such is the life of an Visual Arts major.” She said with a mock sigh. “What did you have in mind Mr. Pendragon?”

“Shouldn’t I be walking you home?”

Sophie turned to him and rolled her eyes. “Oh boy, my stepmother would love it. I can already see her spying through the window to see if we kiss.” She prepped her studio space.

“She’s not here now.”

Sophie creased her forehead. “Mm-yea. This is my studio. Why would she be here?”

“Sophie.”

She looked at Howl. “Yes?”

When she wasn’t looking, Howl bridged the gap between them. He held her gaze as he lifted her chin. “May I kiss you?”

Every period romance her stepmother and sister made her watch flashed before her eyes. When did I enter a fairytale? She glanced at his lips. “Yes.”

Nothing would prepare her for the way his kiss felt like a sparkler. She held his jacket and pressed a little closer. She craved this warmth.

“Do you have to do this project?” Howl said against her lips.

“Yes, unfortunately.” Sophie pulled away. She loosened her grip on his jacket. “But you could wait here with me while I worked.”

Howl placed his hand over the hand holding on to him “You have no idea how long I’d wait for you.”

A/N: my pinterest board for this AU