[The almost pout makes Beat grin, though it fades a little into a softer look as Atem questions him. He tilts his head back, studying the sky as he thinks; thinks about the three years he spent searching for his best friend. Thinks about giving up his power to make a game fair. With a little heh, he tilts his head back down and shrugs, his grin turning lopsided.]

I've been doin' it fer years, yo. It's just... me. I don't think I could stop, even if I tried, ya know? I get it leaves me open to hurt, but fer me...

[He pauses as he tries to think of the way to phrase it.]

The feelin' I get from bein' there for someone [from being useful] outweighs the hurt I might suffer later. It's worth it, in my opinion. But I'll make sure to try an' think 'bout who I reach out to, how far I stretch myself. I ain't useful if I'm spread too thin to do any good.