I’m beginning to wonder if he was using my JADEing as a sort of therapy
.
This sounds to me like the child play-thing (you mentioned inner child talk, related?) of poking/teasing the girl you like to get her attention.
Its obnoxious and doesn't really get the right message across. I'm thinking he's trying to get your attention, any attention, if "bad attention" is the only one he can get that's probably why he's doubling down on it.
Bad patterns, however dysfunctional, work to get his needs met. Its not optimal, or healthy, but they work (like living off energy drinks and fast food instead of nice balanced meals)
He got a reaction out of you, now he's got you to engage (arguing) with him, he gets attention, win!
Now, why does he want attention? Was there something specific about the inner child thing or was it that you stopped "seeking him" after some time of him ignoring you? (Avoidance can also be another way to get your attention, a "test" to see if you keep trying to reach him, "see if you still care")