[The petting is nice, and it does help Ryou feel calmer, but the truth is, he doesn't feel upset. He might feel a little bit more nervous about this, if it hadn't been preceded by a different conversation, one that didn't go so cleanly. It was a conversation full of jabs and uncertainties and frustrations.

This one, by comparison, is tame.

That's why, after pushing his head up against Atem's hand for a moment, he finally pulls back a little so he can look upward. His forehead wrinkles a bit, which makes him look sad, or forlorn, or something that he definitely isn't, but seeing as canines have weird forehead wrinkles, he can't help it.]

Thank you, Atem. It's...really important to me, that you asked about it. Because you offered me the courtesy of asking, but also because it means you know this is something you want.

I want you to be able to ask me these kinds of things, and to be able to try for things you have a personal investment in, even if you think I might not agree. Though...this one's a little more complicated than asking for say, a cookie I was eating, or something.

[Ryou probably would smile awkwardly if he could...that was terrible. He's really bad at this, isn't he?]

The truth is...Atem, you've been asleep for a while, and I've spoken with Komaeda more than once during that period. We spent time together, taking care of you, helping one another, and...well...

...I think it's best if we do include him in this conversation. If you're okay with it.

[Will he be okay with it?]