But, see, then I can't be content with that. If you were doing it for selfish reasons, I wouldn't have to worry. But since you're doing it to protect me, I have to wonder if I'm not being as good a friend as I could be.
[in an airy tone, playful; in his way trying to lighten it up a bit. it's kind of a scary topic, and he's aware of the painful hypocrisy, but he can't be satisfied with being told "I won't tell you when something is bothering me to protect you" either]