Where the Heart Is (джен)

Belatedly, from a Ficathon 2013 Prompt from ana:
Someone gives Aral important advice/a life lesson. Whether from words of wisdom (a conversation he has with someone) or due to an event (good or bad, big or small, stupid or profound)is up to you - my only criteria is that there is a canon character involved, preferably female, and she doesn't have to be an adult - could be a child. BUT NOT CORDELIA.
 
His ragged sigh was dark, bottomless, gutwrenching. “Somehow, I thought I’d feel better once it was over; that I’d feel good, victorious. Vindicated. But I don’t, Gran. I don’t at all. Just dirty. Sick and dirty. It feels like....” his new voice cracked, “I might never be clean again."