So many questions and none of them ones that Diarmuid knows the answer to. Not because he doesn't want to think about them, just because he never trusts his own thoughts when he does. It is always easier to accept the answers to those kinds of things when he hears them from others. He is so afraid of making a mistake. So afraid of...

When Alyosha makes her offer, Diarmuid is pulled out of his thoughts suddenly and can only blink at her in shock. His mouth opens, only to close again when he cannot find the words to match his shocked state.

Sacrifice? Why would she have to sacrifice anything to get him to accept such an honor? Doesn't she know how much it means to him to have someone who cares so much she would go so far to protect him? Diarmuid spends so much time protecting others that having someone to protect him...

It makes him feel something that is so strong, he can't even begin to describe it.

"I think you are wrong there," he leans forward to rest his forehead against hers for a moment. "There is no one better suited. Not when you are so willing to sacrifice when there is none needed..."