[Ryou hates this. Atem's holding his hand and he wants to be upset that Atem doesn't get it, because he used his death as a tactical advantage.
...Ryou knows about using one's death as a tactical advantage, but to him, that was different, and he hasn't done anything as severe as what he'd done during that campaign again...but that's all people see now. Him destroying his soul to win an unwinnable game.]
I need you too...don't you see that's why I'm upset? People come and go all the time. Friends, enemies...people we care about. W-what if the last time I ever saw you was yesterday, and then when you died, you never came back?
[His other hand reaches out, curling around one of Atem's. The pads soften his grip, but it's still quite firm. ]
I-I don't know what I expect from you but...your lack of care for yourself frightens me, Atem. You say you don't intend to break, and I understand you're strong--stronger than most people I know, but that's not...you can't keep going forever.
[He remembers Atem's behavior in early October, and he's not stupid. He can see the stress. Atem's not doing enough to mend his piece, because he's trying to reinforce everyone else's.]
Your friends--no. No, I can't speak for anyone else. I want to protect you too. Not by taking your physical pain without your permission.
[Because no one wants that. No one even wants to give him permission.]
I just want to be strong enough, me personally...so I can take that burden off of you.
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...Ryou knows about using one's death as a tactical advantage, but to him, that was different, and he hasn't done anything as severe as what he'd done during that campaign again...but that's all people see now. Him destroying his soul to win an unwinnable game.]
I need you too...don't you see that's why I'm upset? People come and go all the time. Friends, enemies...people we care about. W-what if the last time I ever saw you was yesterday, and then when you died, you never came back?
[His other hand reaches out, curling around one of Atem's. The pads soften his grip, but it's still quite firm. ]
I-I don't know what I expect from you but...your lack of care for yourself frightens me, Atem. You say you don't intend to break, and I understand you're strong--stronger than most people I know, but that's not...you can't keep going forever.
[He remembers Atem's behavior in early October, and he's not stupid. He can see the stress. Atem's not doing enough to mend his piece, because he's trying to reinforce everyone else's.]
Your friends--no. No, I can't speak for anyone else. I want to protect you too. Not by taking your physical pain without your permission.
[Because no one wants that. No one even wants to give him permission.]
I just want to be strong enough, me personally...so I can take that burden off of you.
[He can't. He can't...]