[ To place blame and foster a cruel suspicion to Neria would make him a hypocrite. The things that Cullen has done, the things he has said... He is hardly a man in position to hold her under the same kind of scrutiny he believes he deserves. They both made greatly heavy decisions based on the guilt they carry, and that much he understands. Perhaps asking questions, making her tell the complete truth right now is not appropriate. So he won't pry. At least not for now, and perhaps in a better situation where the tension in the room is not so tangible. ]

[ Neria standing before him is a reminder not just of what he'd done, but of the torture that was inflicted upon him. He hasn't forgotten what happened in that tower, nor will he ever. What those abominations had done to him reflect on his character now, shape him as the man that she reaches out and touches. And even if the reminder paints an even more painful expression on his face, he can't help but find focus elsewhere in the simple touch she gives to his wrist. ]

No.

[ Nevermind what has caused her to go into hiding. What matters is the here and now. When Cullen finds even a shred of comfort in the warmth of her hand, he immediately seeks out more. He steps forward again, taking that hand which grabs him if only to pull her in for a quite possibly inappropriate embrace. It doesn't matter. What happened doesn't matter. ]

[ What matters is that she is alive, healthy, and certainly real. Cullen can feel her solid form fit perfectly in his arms, where he desperately embraces her and holds her tight and finds his face buried in her long, thick hair. ]

I beg of you, stop apologizing. If there is anyone who owes such an apology, it is myself. For years, I regretted what I had done and said, and only the Maker remained to judge me.

I hold no ill-will for you, Neria. What reasons you have matter not. All that matters is that you are here.

[ He closes his eyes tightly, taking in her warmth for what it is. Real and alive. ]

And thank the Maker for that.