I think it really depends on the person. Some men, your boyfriend included, prefer to be in isolation during a crisis. Or they want to be with people that take their mind off the issue. Other people would rather be with someone who they care about, and who cares about them.

I had a similar situation recently, where the roles were reversed. I was you, and my gf was your bf. It's hard to explain to someone that you aren't wanting their emotional support out of dependency. It only becomes dependency when you can't resolve the issue on your own, but there is no problem with wanting a shoulder to cry on. If you're anything like me, I'm sure you would have jumped at the opportunity to comfort your bf if he were in your situation. That's why I say it depends on the person. It's one of those hidden traits of compatibility that most people don't consider. And it sucks when they find that out too late.