[As the darkness fades, Gale relaxes just a hair, relieved; he presses a gentle kiss the corner of Astarion's mouth before letting himself bask in the sensation of cool fingers against his scruff.]

That's a promise I intend to make sure you keep. My heart couldn't take it were I to miss my kiss each day... were I to lose you.

[He keeps the link between them open, refusing to close it until Astarion is ready to do so. Morning may be hours away in the world around them, but within their minds, they have all the time they need to watch the light as it crests the horizon.]

But should you need respite from the ghosts that haunt you... know I'm with you. Always.