[He's going to. Just watch him. He's going to carve a place for himself out, in blood and shattered bones, a place that's, if not safe, at least hard to threaten. (sss, sss.) Atem needs to be bolder...he's always known that the way to stop people from stopping you is to act like they won't...

But that can wait.

The backs of the clawed fingers of Atem's right hand gently trace Ryou's cheek. Then, entirely unable to stop himself, he leans up so he can press a kiss to Ryou's temple. Good. Ryou is good.

The snakes don't go up his nose, thankfully. They just want to sniff him, make sure he's okay, and slither some of their bodies next to him. Some go in his hair. One tucks itself underneath a pointy ear, but it doesn't flick its tongue, just behaves like it's asleep.]

Actually...there's something I wanted to ask.

...

Marik was extremely insistent that I talk to you about this. Do you have any idea why? It struck me as strange, how fixated he was...

[The snakes don't make upset noises over this. Atem isn't upset, just confused -- and a little suspicious.]