This is an excellent write-up that really helps sharpen my thoughts on Biggles's reactions to his endangered friends. It feels very him that he has an easier time opening up when what he's fixated on isn't actively tearing him to pieces.

Imagine von Stalhein getting hurt and seeing Biggles have one of his very locked-down freak-outs about him, where there's almost nothing on the surface, and thinking this means that Biggles doesn't feel that much about him. And one of the others has to explain that no, this is actually how Biggles is when his feelings are operating at MAXIMUM INTENSITY.