It's an abuse tactic of control, a well known one.
I would say, given what you've put here, that he is pretty much a good guy, that you could give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he isn't meaning to take advantage of you, rather he has fallen into a pattern that works and has not been challenged.
The action I would take would be to ask to sit down for a serious conversation. Unfortunately it will fall on you to create a safe environment for that - I'm talking about giving him one chance here, not accepting blame for his behaviour because you're not to blame.
But to be like 'look, I want to level with you, this isn't about me creating an argument or having a go, but it's about me wanting to address something that is very important'
And then lay it out for him that what he's doing isn't acceptable, because it isn't. Explain to him exactly what the effect of this behaviour is on you; walking on eggshells, basically he is controlling your mood and that isn't fair. Explain to him exactly what needs to be done, which is that he needs to take responsibility and cease using this method to make his life easier. He makes his life easier by treating you that way to get the effect that will cause him less pain, but it causes you more pain, it shifts HIS problem onto YOU which isn't okay.
Create that safe environment, give him that chance, and then if he chooses not to take the chance to correct his behaviour, given he's been given that opportunity in a safe environment, then you go from there and you decide whether you are willing to put up with that behaviour for the rest of your life.
If you are, then you must then accept it as that would be your choice.
If you are not, then you need to take steps to leave that relationship.