[Gale smiles so wide, wide enough he's afraid it might tear his face in two; there's relief in his eyes, elation, unmitigated and boundless.]

I- gods, you make me the happiest man alive.

[His hand in Astarion's grasp turns to cup his face, his pulse pounding from excitement rather than his nerves. He wipes his eye with the heel of his palm, his hands shaking.]

You know, we have to live through this now. I can't go getting your hopes up, only to not keep my word.