[Ryou can't pretend that he doesn't use the snakes as a barometer for Atem's feelings at all, not when they act like this. But he hadn't meant to make Atem question himself like this, and it shows in the way that his brows draw together, his mouth pulls into a sad line, and although he's still assisting the snakes with their shed as best he can, he can't just focus on that anymore.

They're hiding. And they're doing so for a reason. Ryou wants to find a way to fix it but he's not sure how...]

You aren't someone I'd think of as being dishonest. I know you don't like lying, Atem. Even down to the games you make, you make sure that you are telling the truth and letting people impale themselves on their own sword.

I get it.

But your friends don't just appreciate you because of the things you do for them. And...m-maybe this place is awful and painful, and we suffer here...but you should know that at least I value you as a companion. Sometimes it's nice to sit together, play a game, talk about our friends, and not have to do anything.

No fighting. No fixing. Just you and me talking.

[Ryou shuffles closer, using his clawed foot to gain purchase so he can lean in and kiss Atem on the forehead, just below the crumpled up disaster of a shed.]

I think that's enough for everyone. You don't have to fight for everyone all the time. You don't have to stop either, just remember that we like you even when you're just relaxing.

[..."Relaxing" and "Atem" are two words that don't generally go together, but if Ryou has to remind him about taking time to breathe and not be busy, he's going to do it. Right in the middle of this shed.]