( gently shaking her head, nails sort of lightly scratching zuko’s hairline just above his ear. habit, maybe. eyes fall nearly fully - lidded as she mumbles. )
you’re the cutest like this, though .. so i win ..
mmshut up ..
[ A remark that’s as lighthearted as it is fueled by tired resistance. Evident by the way his face is a tad bit warmer now. ]
you’re the cute one, y’know.
[ Despite his attempts to fight it off, his eyes are shutting… ]
i am .. i want you to sleep first, though.
( definitely knows that zuko wants to stay up and let her fall asleep first. not caring one bit that they’re at an impasse .. clenching her jaw to keep from yawning. )
.. and i get to see your cute face. snrrk.
[ Without so much as a second thought, he leans into her touch and nuzzles that side of his face against her hand. To keep his smile from growing, he bites at the inside of his mouth. He too has a nonchalant aura to maintain. ]
you should sleep soon .. you seem tired.
( mustering all of her sleepy strength to reach up &&. gently cradle the scarred side of his face .. she’d kiss him, but that’s even more effort, so this’ll have to do. internally muttering something about him ruining her nonchalant aura. )
[ Her grasp on him doesn’t go unnoticed. He welcomes it, mirroring her hold by strengthening his own as well. Eventually, his own tired gaze locks onto hers, admiring her. His eyes are half shut, both eyes instead of just one. ]
[ The eye contact gets a smile out of him. ]
( grumbling .. squeezing him like a squeezy - toy .. or maybe a spider wrapping around its prey. either way, she’s not letting go; sleepily gazing up at him. )
[ Despite Zuko’s tired state, he keeps his arms around her. He’s barely awake, but fighting to keep himself up. He doesn’t want to fall asleep first! ]