They've never really let on, mostly because it's too hard. It's necessary, they think, and no one ever mentions it, because what can you do about something that's just the way things work?
*
They all handle it differently, of course.
Hardison gets snarkier.
Sophie hovers inconspicuously.
Nate acts like nothing's out of the ordinary.
Parker pokes him.
(If he flinches, she gets a point.)
*
They don't know how else to cope. They're not used to being close to people. None of them are quite what one would call emotionally healthy; they're all a little bit stunted, a little lost, a little unused to these positions in another's life that they've suddenly found themselves in.
*
He does try to make it easier on them.
Hardison snarks; he rises to the occasion, because the hacker's just overwhelmed and doesn't know how to deal with what he's feeling.
Sophie hovers; he ignores her blatant worry, because he know the grifter's not used to being honest with people.
Nate ignores the obvious signs; he lets him be oblivious, because one doesn't need to be a genius to know the mastermind has to shut it out or he'll shut down.
And Parker? Parker pokes him and he growls and glares and warns her off, because it's Parker and the wacky thief is still learning how to interact with people.
(And he does it to let her win.)
*
They're all more than a little broken, but together, they're learning. Little fragments of each are being pieced together into an imperfect but beautiful whole, and he'll do anything to protect that.