"Why don't you just talk with each other?"
Fear, dread, worries, insecurietes, not wanting to be a bother, not wanting to doubt her, not wanting to anger her by doubting her, not wanting to implant ideas, ruining their current balance in the relationship of the trio, not wanting to know if true, he could be left all alone again, losing his most precious person, embarrassment...
Want me to keep going or is this enough?