[Ryou can hear the accent and he only grips Atem's hands tighter in his own, trying to ground him and keep him here. He feels so helpless when this happens...but he also understands it. He's been in this place before, trying to forget the darkness of the world so hard that you can't find the correct path. Being told something that doesn't match and not being sure of it.

But Atem isn't in that darkness anymore. Ryou has to pull him from it, and bring him back where he belongs.]

No. Not this time, you're awake. You're here with me, and I love you. I would do anything for you, not because you're my king, but because you're my boyfriend.

[And he's very clear about what they are to each other, specifically because of the accent Atem has slipped into. There's no uncertainty in between the lines here--he has to make it the correct scenario. It's like playing a game, isn't it? Ryou's leveraging his charisma and trying to convince someone of something that isn't in their current worldview.

But he has to do this. He has to pull Atem out of the darkness, and who better to do it than a shadow, right?

...Suddenly, a thought occurs to Ryou.]

Atem. I need your permission for something. Please, would you hear me out? I want you to pay very close attention. Look at me very closely, please.