[Which brings us back to the original idea of you needing to knock it the fuck off.

Then you'll know he's fully capable of holding his own against.] I don't know what you're talking about, Kuro-poo.

[It wouldn't have changed anything but the way you viewed them both. And what could would that have done.

... He feels the need to reiterate that you really need to stop doing that.] They're a long way from home, Kuro-chan. Given them something familiar to hold on to is comforting. [He's not quite there yet. Therefore, he'll continue to protect them both with everything he has.]