It’s so hard to tell if Claudius is keeping his distance to punish Laertes for caring, to punish himself for wanting to be cared for, or because he really does just want to be alone.

Maybe it’s selfish of Laertes to want to hear he’s forgiven, and maybe it’s presumptuous of him to think he has been forgiven before he hears the words, but he just wants to scream and sob until someone tells him he’s good. But he keeps his mouth shut because it would only hurt Claudius, which is the last thing on his mind.