[Gale feels the words on his lips, brought there by fear and gratitude all mingled into one. What if he dies tomorrow? What if he doesn't make it through the rest of the night? That nightmare felt so real, the pain more tangible than it's been in some time—

And yet, Astarion remained. He thought it might be the end, and stayed. That means more to Gale than he can express.

But he's certainly going to try.]

I... I love you. I know it's sudden, and fast, and not at all how I expected it to go, but... I do. And I want you to know, in case the worst should come to pass.