[It matters so much to Atem that Ryou understands what he's going for, with the games. That it's murder, sure, but the people who participate are complicit....but that's not what Atem's thinking about right now.]

You've been...telling me that nearly from the beginning, haven't you?

[Atem's torn. On the one hand...he doesn't like putting time aside, when there's something Yugi needs, that he needs to work on. But on the other, as his forehead is kissed...he feels very warm.]

I love you.

I should tell you that more, shouldn't I?

[He tilts his face up, and his snake half pushes the rest of him the rest of the way. He's going to kiss Ryou on the mouth. When he breaks away, red slit-pupilled eyes meet glowing ones--]

I love you.

[He doesn't try to dislodge Ryou's hands from the separating skin layer, but Atem does plant his own hands on either side of Ryou's waist, and his face is up close to Ryou's, and the snakes are hiding less and reaching for Ryou more -- which gets them out of the way of the ones that haven't come out yet. The shed starts to smooth out, as serpentine eyes give a very doe-eyed look.]