[...Ryou's tail begins to gently sway back and forth when Atem says the first part. Maybe Atem doesn't realize, but Ryou being told he's trusted like that is helpful. It's helping resolve something he didn't expect to be addressed, at least in part.]

Your trust means a lot to me...and I do trust you as well, Atem. I just...don't want you to have to choose death again.

[As he says that, he once again nuzzles the spot between Atem's horns, then pulls back a little, because the halo is pretty bright up there. He's...trying to accept and understand Atem's choices here, but the death is still hard for Ryou to accept. It makes his heart ache, like someone's squeezing it, tighter and tighter.

(Atem should not have died. He should not have played so fast and loose with his final life.)

He ignores it.]

Your memories are a precious commodity. I will do whatever it takes to protect them.

[Even if it means...facing his own fears and confronting AM. Because he sees no other solution there. He's not ready to talk about that yet though. He's ready to go do it, because he's angry enough about AM and the threat he poses just by existing.

...Ryou considers vaguely if he's lying about trusting Atem. He doesn't think he is. He just thinks he's going to have to keep a closer eye on the other monster, especially during this time, in order to ensure he's making good decisions...and to make sure that he's taking time to recuperate.

Nephilim may not sleep, but there's more to the idea of recovery than sleeping.]