[ He's quiet and avoiding eye contact with the camera while listening to Wash, but it's clear that he is actively listening.

When Wash is through, Robbie is more cautious than normal with his actions and speech. Honestly, he's afraid to even breathe too loudly because he doesn't want it to be taken as a sigh. ]

I know it's not a universal, but I've always wanted to be treated normal when things were bad and, yes, that includes joking around. Sometimes it helps when people don't fan the flames or get you to laugh. It's not a universal, I know, but I'm not the only one who's wired this way.