"Mm. Yes, I'm sure all this chaste cuddling is doing wonders for your ego. But everyone gets their kicks somewhere, I suppose."

Her voice creaks a little, still weak from crying, but teasing him even slightly -- that's a good sign. Her expression softens, watching him, and she just blinks, not quite sure how to react to that. That was nothing but honest, and...something else. She raises one eyebrow, letting one corner of her mouth tug up slightly.

"Ah, suddenly blessed with clairvoyance now?" she says lightly, but she lets out a sigh, pressing her forehead to Byerly's shoulder.

"I know. It must eventually." She shakes away the inevitable lurking thought of that doesn't mean we'll win and closes her eyes. "I'm trying. I'm just...a little tired."