Noah is like a cactus...makes it difficult for people to get close to him. You wouldn't hug a cactus. But those that play their cards right and are willing to navigate around the needles may find the sweeter side to him. A sweeter more vulnerable side...
It's probably why he gets along so well with people like Owen and Izzy. Two very chaotic individuals who aren't put off by his general prickliness...and so he's a little more open with them.
Incidentally....Cody also tends to be drawn towards cactuses. He was on a team full of them, and up until the episode, they synergized fairly well...when they weren't busy bickering with each other.











