Go and catch a falling star

[mrsnose]

When; 12th of May; Saturday evening
Rating; G?
Characters; Sophie Hatter (mrsnose) & Howl Jenkins (conesoldstober)
Summary; Sophie's dreams catch up with her.
Log;

[Sophie is tense the whole day. The whole day, she watches the network and it bustles with posts, as people everywhere in the City announce their suspicions; as the day proggresses, they only get further confirmed. And all Sophie can do is watch the network and dread the evening, and hope that her dream doesn't follow.

And then the sun sets. She's putting clothes away in her new closet, and ordering things on the desk near the window when she spies it. In the back garden, a circle of blue roses - the very same she planted in the tub, the very same that starred in her dream - make her stomach drop and her hands forget what they were doing. Careful that no-one follows, she goes downstairs, and steps into the garden, until she's standing amongst them.

The star falls, and stops in mid-air. Sophie's hands rise to hold it. She isn't even sure it's Calcifer; the star doesn't talk. But she can feel the words resonnate through her, let's make a deal, give me your heart, you don't need it either.]

I do, though. [she murmurs to the star. I'll die, sing the words in her ears.] You will. Everyone dies. [But you caught me, so I don't have to. Come on, just give me your heart, and you can have my powers. You're a witch, are you not?

One who's been taught the lesson.

Comments

[mrsnose]

[She knows how they look, after he gets it back. She knows, and she can't get the image out of her mind, but it doesn't mean they affect her less now. It doesn't mean he does - she didn't fall in love with the Howl who had his heart; she didn't even know he didn't have one, when she'd done it.

She sways on her feet, finally stepping a little closer. It would be easier to close her eyes and not watch as he pulls her apart, but she's no coward. And she won't do it the easy way, because nothing about them is easy.]

I know, but it won't make anything change. You need to know that.

[conesoldstober]

[His hand slips around the back of her neck as he closes the distance between them, leaning their foreheads together.]

You know I haven't felt anything in a very long time. But you make a ruddy good go at changing that.

[mrsnose]

[Piece by piece. She expects - doesn't want to, but the expectation is there - him to to pull the rug from under her feet any moment, but he only takes her apart in other ways. Hope.

She closes her eyes, and barely keeps from nuzzling him.]

I've a good hand at making people do what they think they can't.

[conesoldstober]

Sheer stubbornness at work.

[His thumb traces over her bottom lip. He could kiss her right now. The situation is practically screaming for it. But will that just make every worse?]

[mrsnose]

[There it goes. Her breath and heart, they both stop. She closes her lips around his thumb, makes his thumb stop moving. The shivers start, and don't seem to end. And finally, there's one word.]

Howl. [Please, goes unsaid.]

[conesoldstober]

[There's a moment of hesitation, a little stutter, and then he's leaning the distance between them until their lips meet.]

[mrsnose]

[The noise that comes out of her mouth first sounds almost like a soft sob, followed by a muffled sigh. She leans in - falls towards him - her hand moving up to curl over the back of his neck.]

[conesoldstober]

[The thing is, in theory, everything about this kiss should be perfect. Her body is warm against his, her heart pounding a steady rhythm against his empty chest. Her lips are soft and inviting and she's pouring so much into him. He can feel it in the way she's clinging to him like he's the only liferaft in a storm. And his body is responding in every way it should. His hands come to rest around her waist, pulling them flush together as he puts his considerable practice to use and kisses her back.

Yes, everything is absolutely perfect. Except for him.

It's not there. Nothing. He's kissing Sophie like he's kissed so many girls since he gave up his heart five years ago. His palms aren't sweating, his face isn't flushed. He doesn't feel nervous or excited or scared. Or in love. He doesn't feel anything.

It's some time before he pulls back. If he were capable of crying any more, he feels like he's just about on the verge of it.]

[mrsnose]

[It's a devastating kiss. It's devastating because it feels so good, because she hasn't kissed him in her sane mind ever before, and what she lacks in experience, he doubles her in and leaves her gasping for air. But it's also devastating, because when her other hand raises to press against his chest, trapped between them, there's nothing.

And she knows, as well as he knows, that this is mechanical even though - she thinks - they would both want it not to be. Sophie, at least, wants it with desperation.

The kind that has her pressing her forehead to his collarbone when he breaks away, and holding onto his wrists.]

I'm sorry. If I could give it back here, I would. [Her voice lowers.]

[conesoldstober]

So would I.

[He holds her close, loathe to leave just yet. He presses a slow kiss on the top of her head.]

[mrsnose]

[She laughs a that, softly, almost bitter. Keeps staying where she is, and keeps him where he is as well.]

Do you want mine? Only it must not work so well, because you already have it... [Ah, and she'd hoped her voice wouldn't crack while saying that.]

[conesoldstober]

I don't think I should be trusted with your heart, cariad. I'm terribly careless with mine, you see.

[mrsnose]

Oh, well. I think that happened before I knew how careless you are.

[She shouldn't have to say this, but she wants to. Just so he knows - heart or no heart, the person she lost her own heart to was Howl. Stupid, terrible, cowardly, wonderful, wonderful Howl.]

[conesoldstober]

[He turns his face into her hair again, face suddenly stern.]

I'll fix it, Sophie.

[mrsnose]

[She pulls back to look at him at that, face just as stern.]

Are you going to do something careless, wizard?

[conesoldstober]

I'm never 'careless', my dear. I prefer 'impulsive' and 'dramatic'.

[mrsnose]

I prefer 'alive' and 'in one piece', although I'm well aware the latter one's three words.

[conesoldstober]

I haven't been in one piece for five years, Sophie.

[mrsnose]

You know what I mean, Howl. [She purses her lips, and finally lifts her hands to cup his face. Sternly, still.]

One day, soon, back home, I'll give it back and break the curse. And when I do, I hope you'll have the consideration to kiss me like that again.

[conesoldstober]

I hope that as well. [His cheek presses into her hand, just a fraction.]

[mrsnose]

[She presses the remaining fractions, until it's a whole, and smiles a little.]

Lingering will only get us into trouble now, won't it?

[conesoldstober]

Will it? Best carry on then. I've been out of trouble for too long.

[mrsnose]

[Yes, best carry on. She feels...horribly tired, all of a sudden. Mentally, physically, and if there were a third sense for magic exhaustion, probably even that way. Her bones feel heavy, and though there's hope, her heart feels heavy, too.

She rubs her thumb gently under his eye, and lets her hands drop at her sides at last.]

Well, then. Let's keep you out of it.

[conesoldstober]

Come on. I think we both need a stiff drink.

[He keeps his arm around her shoulder as he leads them both back inside.]

[mrsnose]

[Or sleep, or - actually. She groans a little, and lets him lead.]

I think I'm actually tempted to say yes to that.