回复：回复：could have handled it gently and massaged it, so less pain

You were not courageous enough to bring up this issue and to openly communicate with him about your concern earlier, causing the awkwardness to be escalated up to now. You just got him off guard.

Just a kind reminder to you. A sudden burst of emotional pain could have hurt people's immune systems badly if he/she is a very sensitive person. I hope he stays really strong and can deal with eventually.