[ Giles raises his hands just slightly from his lap, somewhere between defensive and placating. ]

No, no I understand. I didn't- [ frowns, hums, starts again ] I am in much the same place at the moment, I must admit. I meant nothing more than this, that I have missed your presence and conversation.

[ Because there have been plenty instances where they've talked and existed in eachother's company without it going anywhere. Like after the island, and...
Well, maybe that was it, but that's hardly the point here. And it's also not something Giles is going to think too hard about. ]