Okay, my guess is that he hasn't healed from the first time you had an A. That and the other A had him fighting back to regain his footing. Of course he did it the wrong way, but it was the only way he understood.
In terms of the C. I would tell him that you understand that he's uncomfortable with talking about how he feels and that it is not for you and not just for him, but for the two of you to heal the "right" way. If he's not open to it, then tell him you understand and leave it at that.
Your H suffers from extremely low self-esteem. Which is why he tries to bully you. It's his way of establishing control. Rather than taking his bad attitude all the time, I suggest you do this.
When he does something good, compliment him. Even if it's a small thing like, I appreciate the way you washed my car. It looks great. Or say something nice about how hard he works, etc.
On those times when he starts to be an @$$ (and you can pretty much tell when it's going to start). Tell him that you have to start dinner or that while you did wrong, you still deserve to be talked to like a person. Then step away.
Try that on a consistent basis and see what happens.
M-43 W-40 2D - 9 and 5
Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet a new life.
