Wes closes his eyes for a second at the mention of Isard, and that mission, and-- "I thought you were dead, all of you, but you, and--" He opens his eyes again, smiling ruefully. "Guess I never realised why that hurt more'n anyone else. Should've."

He lifts his own hand up to rest on Hobbie's, then slowly pulls it down, still holding on, to look at. "Yeah." He covers it with his other hand, and holds tight. "I-- well." And looks up again. A little louder, clearer: "I, love you. As well." Best friend wingmate everything.