Cullen tries not to push too hard one way or another, when Alistair wakes from nightmares. Establishing that Cullen isn't seeing what Alistair sees, but not denying that Alistair's fears are real. Not swarming him with affection, but not closing off his physical presence in any way.

(It's what he wanted, years ago. Cullen can still remember snapping you think i don't know that? and how is that knowledge supposed to help? at one of the new templars after a nightmare, in response to the man telling Cullen it wasn't real. Right before Greagoir shipped him from Kinloch to Greenfell until he could behave himself again.)

He keeps his breathing calm, deep, and even -- one of the first things they were set to learn, as recruits. His hands hold Alistair's, thumb still slowly working.

After a moment he rests his head very lightly against Alistair's.