Losing...is okay. This place is a giant no-win situation. We will always lose...but you shouldn't blame yourself for it, you know? Y-you don't have to be perfect all the time, Atem. Just being you...that's plenty perfect for me.

[Ryou speaks with such conviction at last, because he's realized something from Atem's words. He'd tipped his hand, and maybe that was on purpose...but Ryou doesn't think it is. Atem said he was afraid of letting people down.

Ryou knows this feeling.

And when it's not him, he can speak with the advisement he knows he should take himself. Now though, finally...he can do something. And surprisingly, it helps him too. So...once Atem's done speaking, Ryou catches his lips in a brief, but determined kiss. He's the one reaching out. He's the one threading his fingers in Atem's hair this time.

But he doesn't linger. Instead, he pulls back.]

Listen.

I'm not going anywhere. My heart is weak, this I know. But how could I ever give up so completely with you here? You're part of what makes me strong. You're just as much a part of my heart as I am yours. What you say matters to me, and if this problem I'm having is hurting you...t-then I'll fix it.

[His hands slip away, though one grips Atem's shoulder. It presses, encouraging him to move back.]

Let me show you. I can solve it myself, right now. Then you can know that I won't worry you. Not anymore.