[It's very hard, for Atem, to make the distinction between he followed me into this and made his own choice and I did this to him. He knows in his mind that Ryou is his own person, that Ryou is seeking his own win condition, and felt this was the best way to get there. That's the thinking of someone who respects his boyfriend as their own person.

But in his heart keeps hurting him with the suggestion that this is Atem's fault, because he led all of this, and he knew Ryou would follow. His heart feels like an open wound, and his head presses up against the hand in his hair, even as his face comes down to press into Ryou's neck.

Now, though, when he hears Ryou start to cry again, Atem does shift so he can brush them away. His fingertips clear them from Ryou's cheeks, and he presses kisses to where they were. He does this again and again, as he murmurs:]

You did so well. You made it to the end. You aren't alone, none of us would give you up, either, and you're safe now, you did well--

[Interspersed with the kisses and murmurs, Atem brushes his cheek over Ryou's face. It's possessive. His, and everyone with proper senses should know it, no one else is laying a hand on Ryou, Atem will do anything to ensure that, up to and including crafting an elaborate torture fantasy in Ryou's own mind in hopes it will calm him down.]