[--the first thing Atem notices, is, his heart is racing.

His heart is racing. He's got a heartbeat, and it's going ba-bump ba-bump over this.

His lion-tail plucks up in a little upturned curl. His halo glows, flickers, shines a few shades brighter. There is a little wing-flutter, not much more than a twitch, but because his wings are big, it's hard to miss.

Whew. Be still his heart; hold him and tell him you miss him -- that he's wanted here, instead of leaving conveniently when his job's over. Atem needs a second to recover, before he can respond coherently, because that first part lances right through his heart.

Because he does have to.]

You won't lose me. I'm not going to let myself get hurt foolishly. I don't do anything without a reason, you know that. I really am all right!