The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 61: Asleep

Hina lowers herself over me aggressively, slamming her right hand on the tatami, just barely missing my head. Consequently, her face ends up just inches from my own.

"Do you not find me attractive?.." Hina's serious face shows a change in mood, switching from aggressive to downcast. She sighs breathily, sending a chilled air on my cheek.

"That's.. Not it.." I turn my head to the side, breaking eye contact.

"Then what is it?.. Is Inesa really that good that I'm not worth even looking at?"

No tears are showing, but somehow I get the idea that she might be holding them back.

I open my lips in order to reply with a diplomatic answer, but I can't bring myself to say anything.

Hina relaxes her hand that's pinning me down, and instead closes her eyes and lowers her body onto me, placing her head over my chest sideways.

"Please.. Just forgive me just this once and let me indulge myself.." Her body laying on top of mine is enough to restrict my breathing somewhat, but because she's purposefully supporting most of her soft weight on her knees, it really isn't all that uncomfortable.

Underneath her innocent and seemingly carefree façade, I get the feeling that she's been secretly under a lot of pressure.

For at least ten minutes we lie there, and when her breathing after some time slows down to be perfectly rhythmic and nearly audible, I begin to suspect that she's fallen asleep.

Well.. I suppose she was up pretty late last night just like I was.

I poke at her shoulder to test if she really is out, and once more am marveled by how she really doesn't emit heat.

A curiosity awakened inside of me, I get an idea.

Slowly, and as silent as I can, I push myself up, and have her head rest on my lap rather than my chest.

"Hey, Hina?.." One last time, I try to make sure that she isn't just pretending. Not that I believe she would. What purpose would there be to fake sleep?

Silence. Hina's breathing doesn't even fluctuate.

I stretch out my hand, but hesitate. No, ok. I'm sure she wouldn't mind.. Bringing my hand all the way, I gently place my palm over her cheek in order to better feel her "body cold".

It almost feels contradictory for someone living to not emit heat, although, in a weird way it is an oddly comfortable feeling.

My flash back to the school trip when Hina had snuck into my room, and I remember an intrusive thought I got. I suppose that with a yuki-onna, I'd never have to worry about getting too hot under the covers, even during the summer..

Realizing what had just gone through my head, I quickly shake my head and pull back my hand from Hina's face.

...

Hina POV

Hal.. Is touching my face!?!? Had I not been suppressing all my feelings with all my might right now, I am certain that my face would break into a massive blush.

I feel a strong urge to once more tackle him, and this time crash my lips upon his and mark him as mine, but knowing that it would scare him away, I decide to continue pretending to sleep and instead store the feeling of his hands touching my skin forever.

Since my body is cold, I of course feel the heat contrast pretty intensely, and Hal's hand feels burning hot.

For my whole life, I've always avoided any type of body contact because of that very fact, but since the first time Hal came in contact with me, I crave to feel that burning sensation all over.

I hold in a pout when he suddenly withdraws his hand.

Come on.. Couldn't he have done that just a little longer?.. It's almost as if he's unknowingly teasing me. Putting his fingers so close to my lips yet never touching.

To cope, I instead pretend to move a little in my sleep, and I make sure to rub my head against his warm thigh.

A couple minutes go by, and I begin to get impatient when I realize that he isn't going to do anything more.

Ugh.. Man.. At least be a little more daring.. You have a cute girl laying completely asleep and helpless in your lap.. And you aren't going to do anything other than briefly poke my cheek!?

Well.. I guess that is one thing I'm going to have to train him in later..

Pretending to be groggy, I act as if something has begun to wake me up.

...

Hal POV

Slowly, Hina's eyes open.

"Oh.. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep!" While she starts off slowly waking up, Hina springs up when she realizes what's going on.

With my thighs freed up, I scoot away a bit with a blush covering my face.

"No, don't worry about it.."

"My sleeplessness must have caught up to me.."

We sit facing each other, both of us with bright red cheeks for what feels like an eternity, but for what could only be a few seconds, when a knock on the door breaks the awkward silence.

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A/N
At the time that this chapter is pre-scheduled to release, my writing schedule will unfortunately be completely out of whack. This is due to my current travel situation (I am currently in Portugal), and before that I went on a bit of a vacation within my county. Knowing this, I spent the entire first two weeks of July writing like a maniac, and actually finished 6 chapters ahead of time, which I scheduled to release ever Monday and Friday. I didn't however write enough in order to cover for the entire time of my absence, so after this chapter there will be at least

Valorie: I smell trouble.

Hal: Me too. Hal is in for it.

Valorie: *sighs* even our daughter isn't quite that two-faced..

Hal: Neither are you which is honestly surprising.

Valorie: ... Look, you don't have to bring up that one time. That's off-limits.

Hal: Fine fine. I'm just saying..

Valorie: Don't "just say" you're way more two-faced than I am.

Hal: Ehh.. I don't know about that.