Alistair nods as well -- a little dumbly. Cullen may have expected it; Alistair, at best, considered the option at very brief length before dismissing it as implausible. The Inquisition ending by force, or coercion, or the wishes of the Council: likely enough, yes. Lavellan herself ending it, though?

What's left behind, after the news hits, is an odd, weightless feeling, where one could either soar or fall but has no idea which. Josephine takes her leave; the noise of the door clicking shut finally pulls Alistair back to awareness.

Back to awareness of Cullen, specifically.

He squirms around on the chaise until he's facing Cullen in full. Watches him, wordlessly, hand still linked with his.