ED-E is on edge and irritated at their attempt at keeping it light, and Alex realizes that ED-E is being defensive of Neil actively, not just because Alex told him to watch him. So he raises his hands, apologizing in that way, and when ED-E lists off food that was likely irradiated, Alex doesn't make any face at all.

Just returns his hands where they were, cuddling around Neil. "Yeah, I figured something like that. At least you were eating."