With TJ, his weapons are words so that explains his actions around Rachel and John. When it comes to Robert, Kevin, Josh, and Sean I think it is more of a defensive action for mulptiple reason, and the majority subconscious. The being unwanted issue looms large with him and while he loves them all whole heartedly he’s afraid to let them know how much because that leaves him open and vulnerable to them. So he snarks and pushes them, seeing how far he can get before they no longer want him. Part of the snark is just naturally TJ, but the more vulnerable he feels the more he pushes. Some of it is a conscious decision, but other times it’s a survival instinct.
Did that make sense? I haven’t had my tea this morning so I’m not fully human yet.