When she stops doing such things..? A strange feeling came over Lawrence when he heard the words again. The moment he realized the other meaning his words held, he froze in his tracks. Holo giggled.

"Whatever is the matter?"

The melted-snow clarity of her high spirits clashed with the swamplike stickiness of her wit. Lawrence couldn't bring himself to look at her. It was when she didn't toy with him that he became flustered. "What have I said," he wanted to cry out. Why, it was tantamount to outrightly declaring that he wanted her attention above all else!

"What's this? Your circulation seems to have improved."

Indeed, Lawrence couldn't stop the flush that rose to his face. He was about to cover his eyes with his free hand, wanting to at least show some shame that he'd not realized the true implications of what he was saying. But instead, he felt his his other hand tighten his grip on hers.

"Oh? Have you no further wit with which to parry?"

Lawrence wasn't sure why, but no matter how he thought about getting back at her, only one answer came to mind. He just stood there for what felt like an eternity, with Holo happily staring at his face and her tail delightedly swishing about.

"Hey now, you are cute when you are flustered, but I prefer you when your mouth is moving."

It really was the only way to get back at her. If he couldn't win with words, then this was really the only thing left for him to try. He just had to remember to stop before his joke ended, lest things got too serious.

But this was all he could think of. And so, he opened his mouth as if speaking, but whispered so silently that not even she could hear it clearly.

".."

"Hmm? Did I break my toy soldier?"

She pressed herself up against him teasingly, playing right along.

".."

"You say you have no way to win with words?"

He nodded.

".."

"But you say you do not need them to best my mouth with yours?"

He nodded.

"Oh-ho? I do believe I have broken you, poor boy."

As she reached up to pat him on the head, he quickly swept her off her feet and carried her back up to the stairs.

"Wh-what are you doing, fool? Are you trying to break your spell?"

- Read the rest at AdultFanfiction, story #600055881 -