[Giles sits up straighter, looking directly at Helios again, and his claws dig anxious furrows into the dirt. He still sounds more than a little upset when he replies, although the fact that Helios isn't leaving helps.]

Helios, you are the best friend I could ever have hoped to know. And it drives me absolutely insane that you seem to forget that sometimes.

...even so, I don't want that to change. And it's frightening, because it feels as though every word I say makes things worse. And because there isn't anything you can do to help and I know you'll try anyway.

[But it isn't fair to Helios to expect him to understand why Giles is hurting and why he feels like a ghost and why he needs Helios and Frederic so badly right now if he doesn't say.]

...but I trust you.