Noticing her perfunctory attitude, Theodore frowned and said discontentedly, "I said be serious."

“I know, I know. Stop nagging," Ariana murmured. She rubbed her bleary eyes again.

Sleepiness gradually eroded her vision. She was not as on guard as she was when wide awake. Her expression loosened and her body relaxed. She reached out her hand and began to pat Theodore gently on the shoulder as if coaxing a child to sleep.

As he listened to the tranquil song, Theodore's heartbeat slowed down. Soon the song faded away. He turned his head to look at Ariana, whose eyes closed now as she had drifted off to sleep.

He gently tucked her in and then fell asleep, too.