Contrary to literally every other time Alistair has said this... Cullen seems to believe it. Not even trying to catch his breath, Cullen still smiles, small and bright.

His fingers twist and clench: it's helping, to take away the option to push Alistair or himself away, but at the same time it's maddening that Cullen can't touch him.

"Please." It takes a moment for him to form the word. "Ready. I'm ready. please."