[ There is peace in this gesture, and in the sight of the dragon's closed eyes, Alain remembers the week before. And another question he had slipped around. ]

My want was for one close as blood.

[ He watches his hand move, wonders when it occurred to him to stroke the other. He has held respect for the dragon always, infuriating as he sometimes may be, and he never would have thought to do such an act. And now, and here, it comes almost natural. And from Niall's reactions, wanted. ]

You fill that, of course. As I said: I have no other.

[ His hand pauses atop the other's head. ]

No other would push wisdom upon me until I ceased mourning what was not lost.

[ It is appreciated, and it goes unsaid. There is no need to speak what is known. ]