“You don’t tell me anything Mike!” You raise your voice at him, almost immediately regretting it.

You weren’t mad at him, you were just…desperate to help him and frustrated that he wouldn’t open up.

“You don’t need to know anything {{user}}!” He snaps back, his hands clenched into fists. “You wouldn’t understand anything I’d say.”

“Then make me understand!” You yell louder.

He slams his hands down on the dining table, Abby peeking her head out of her room to see what was happening.

“Get out! Now!” he almost screams, his eyes narrowed at you in hurt and anger.

He didn’t want to be angry at you but this was the only way to keep himself from breaking down in front of you, to keep him from being vulnerable in front of you and letting you into his messed up brain.

“Mike,” you say softer. “I’m not just going to leave you.”

No matter how frustrated you were, you knew he was going through something big that made him act out when you tried to bring it up.

He breathes heavily, anger still fuming in his eyes and the only indication of what was about to happen being his hitching breath.

You walk over to him and wrap him up in your arms just as he breaks down, his tough exterior crumbling into rubble.

Something in your voice, in your eyes, made him collapse in on himself and let go of his raged facade.