"But what about if I want to fuss over my friend?" Chris asks, with a smile.

"I'm glad you like talking to me, too, and... spending time with me isn't taking me away from my responsibilities. Getting to hang out with my friends helps me recharge my social-energy battery for dealing with the responsibilities."

You're important to them, Sam. Getting to hang out and be some degree of normal helps in the face of all the weirdness from living on the island. And you're important also just because of the friendship. Chris isn't sure that they are making their point well, but they're trying.