[ his expression goes flat for a moment, but then he rolls his eyes slightly. ]

Good heavens, Miles, for all that you're brilliant, you're occasionally also an idiot. Pardon my saying. Aral was a wreck. I--

[ he sits back up again, glancing down at his hands. ]

He was barely holding together, he wouldn't eat. Holding him was like-- [ he bites off anything else he was going to say, glancing back up once more. when he speaks again, his voice is firm. ] Your father loves you, and loves Gregor. You are his sons, and you are not simply an obligation to him.