Cole has touched a lot of people. Held hands and heads, to help with water or tears, or potions or a final promise to pass a message that only he hears but is intended to land in someone else's heart. He's sat by Dorian, stroking his hair back while he throws up rotgut liquor and he has spent long moments by Blackwall, plucking metal shrapnel from his arm and shoulder. He's laid down with his head on Cassandra's lap while she reads or leaning against The Iron Bull's massive back, head resting on the atlas of his shoulders.

But no one touches him. Not since Jove on the fleet, and Rhys before that, but Ben is. Ben is touching him and every contact is so full of his emotions that it actually leaves tiny, glowing marks over his skin when he does, marking how much kindness and compassion Ben has and fills him with.

They share three kisses, four, Cole stops counting because he's stealing breaths between their lips and can't stop himself smiling as he does so.