[Calming down...admittedly, if Elena had tried to hug him or something similar, it might actually help him out. It's the more aggressive gestures which trap him that really set him off.]

...Y-Yeah. [He tries for a nervous chuckle, a bit more strained.] It's...I-I sh--should've s-s-started this a l-long time a-a-ago. I-I'm just h-happy that he's h-helping m-me.