Alistair draws a slow breath. There's a very strong urge to just slump bonelessly against Cullen and let him cart Alistair over his shoulder to...wherever. Sadly, if he did that now, he might send them both toppling and knock over half the crockery around the kitchen.

The next best thing:

"I know I should get the letter over with," he murmurs, "but all I want this instant is to go catch up on the lie-in we didn't get this morning. Can we?"

Just for a little bit. And then back to business.