Glacius returns the gesture readily--he'd been so worried over Carlisle this past day, after all, that is is a profound relief to see him well enough to not only respond coherently, but to seek such familiar interactions. "It would behoove me," a slight cough, "For you to not think that way. About removing yourself from existence or from my presence... about failing me."

The ice alien would ask how he could even think that when the clergyman has saved his life so many times already, but by now he's starting to understand--not only because he's heard of the burdens with which his friend has grown up, that feeling that he's not good enough no matter how hard he tries, but because the alien himself had wondered in the past if Carlisle would be better off without him. He sees now, just from how much the clergyman depends on him and seeks solace form him, that those fears were misplaced. Even though they care deeply about each other and thus always seek to take responsibility when things go wrong to relieve the other of that burden, this cycle of blame that they have fallen into... it is only hindering them.

Of course, that's all a bit more in-depth than he can currently communicate with his throat and gills in the state that they are... but he's still going to try.

"Do not blame... yourself for what has... happened. You have never failed me. Your deeds, your efforts, your soul... all good," Glacius rasps out, slumping against Carlisle and smiling tiredly. "If you had left me... I would be dead now... I am... better off with you."