Except this wasn't work. This wasn't a mission, Jim wasn't on his ship, sitting in his chair, having to work through whatever traumas just so he wouldn't come across as weak. Same reason why James had a different demeanor when they were together behind closed doors. He didn't need to keep up some pretense when it was just Jim with him, nor did he want the other to do the same.

"You shouldn't have," he said, holding Jim close. "It's fine, if you just tell me... when you're not alright. I don't want you to feel like you have to pretend anything for my sake."