Characters: Lissa, Henry, Maribelle

World: Ylisse, Awakening, Chapters 15-20 (Valm arc)

Summary: Henry helps Lissa fall asleep, but now that he's in her bed she doesn't want to.

Lissa no longer had troubled sleep, no nightmares or waking in the middle of the night or even shivers from having cold feet. No, none of that since Henry had committed himself to being her full-body pillow. Now Lissa had trouble getting to sleep! So she had called on her best friend for help…even if she was having a tricky time of admitting her problem.

"Lissa, darling. Stop fidgeting and tell me what's wrong! You know I would die before giving up your secrets."

"I know, Maribelle." Lissa groaned.
"It's just… embarrassing! A princess should be working to keep men's hands off her, not… wanting a hug with a guy to turn naughtier."

Lissa thought of how close she was to what she wanted, how every night Henry snuggled their bodies close, nuzzling affectionately – but that's where it'd end. His hands wouldn't wander nor would his mouth slant deeper over hers. Henry was content with holding her and falling asleep in each other's arms. Maybe he didn't notice how hot and bothered Lissa got now, how hugs would turn to squeezes and she'd press insistently against him.

Lissa let out a long sigh. "Maybe I'm just not sultry enough to seduce men."

"What!?" Maribelle shook with outraged. "You have enough charm to seduce anyone, man or woman!"

"It sure doesn't feel that way with Henry…" Lissa only shook her head.

At this Maribelle inhaled deeply and composed herself. Eyeing the Ylissean princess contemplatively, she tapped her chin with one finger. "Considering how those Plegian darkmages dress, you just need the right equipment…"

Lissa perked up at the unspoken promise, and the rest of their visit was spent going through Maribelle's considerable wardrobe...

…that night Lissa was so excited, it was hard to keep the high energy from her voice as she excused herself from the mess hall to head to bed early. She wasn't tired in the least, but took plenty of time getting ready– after all the 'equipment' Maribelle had lent didn't just slip on like Lissa's usual nightwear. Once she was all set and the hour struck, she made sure to be buried under the covers and so she waited.

The tent flap opened and in came Henry, right on time as he'd ever been since they'd married and shared a bed. He gave a twittering laugh seeing her awake yet laying down and holding the blanket at her chin, but quickly dressed down and joined her on the sleeping-mat. Henry nuzzled close like always, but drew back and made some space at the sensation of the material she had dressed in, unknown compared to Lissa's usual cotton nightgown.

He couldn't see through the covers, so he asked. "Hey Lissa what're you wearing? It feels funny."

Gathering her courage, Lissa sat up pushing the covers down to show him.

"Oh…" He stared. "Doesn't look comfy."

Henry raised his hands to poke at the ensemble's ties and Lissa couldn't help but shake her head with a giggle. "Wanna help me take it off?"

His hands didn't drop, fingers instead fiddling with the ties. "Won't you be cold?"

She couldn't imagine it, when her body threatened to burn up if she didn't feel his hands on her skin. So Lissa put her hands over his, ensuring the grip was firm as she leaned in to give him a feathery kiss. "Not if you keep me warm."

This probably wasn't how Maribelle pictured it working out, but Lissa would have to thank her after they woke up in the morning.

A/N:

Prompt #38: Sleep, wordcount: 589

I wanted to write Lissa talking to Maribelle about her husband, then Henry and his possibly romantic asexuality popped up and the scene wrote itself. I find Lissa/Henry really sweet, but I think I had most fun writing the girl talk.