Cullen exhales slowly, and wonders how far away Fiona’s got by now.

“I’d rather it didn’t hurt.” Low; he slips his hand out of Alistair’s hair to rub his back in slow circles. “You know — it’s part of why I know I can trust you with my heart. Because you know what it’s like to be a little broken, too.”

He lifts their joined hands, and touches his lips to Alistair’s knuckles.

“Better together. Remember?”