Ice, when put under enough pressure, shatters, like glass. But where glass shards cut and hurt anyone who tries to touch them, the ice shards simply melt away and eventually the water dries and there's no evidence the ice was ever there in the first place. So why are people always so surprised that, when put under enough pressure, the ice-man shatters?

Mycroft says 'tower of strength.' If that's going to help you through this emotional time, Mycroft, you build that tower.