[...he doesn't think he needs that protection - he never has. But Cu also knows how much Diarmuid clings to him, to the idea of keeping him safe, and to the thought that he can still protect something. He doesn't want to take that away from Diarmuid by being flippant, but, well, when "protect" involves something he doesn't want and doesn't think is necessary...]

We'll need to figure out something else, then.