[Ryou hates to see Atem look this way. He wants to make it better, to tell Atem that he won't do it, he won't make a choice that Atem doesn't approve of.
He almost does...but then he remembers what that had lead to. Loneliness, upset, strife. He' snot going to make things worse by being untrue to himself. Atem wanted him to be selfish...and so he will be.
It's not to be cruel. It's...to be who he is, isn't it? To let himself make a decision that isn't rooted in the wishes of another.
Ryou can be himself.
Even if "himself" is not perfect. Atem is telling him so, by saying that he'll support Ryou. Right?
But still, it hurts. Ryou pushes himself further up, until he's functionally slithered up into Atem's lap a little. Obviously most of his tail is still on the floor, but he wants to be close, to wrap his arms around Atem's shoulders.]
All I can ever ask for is what you're offering me. I know it might sound silly but...I'm humbled by your support. I know it can't be easy, but it means a lot...it does.
[He pauses, trying not to frown too hard at the next part.]
And...It's not the memories. I know that you'd make it painless, just like she did. Not...for the other me, but for the real me. I trust you to do it...but I love you, and I don't want to die at your hand. Not you. Not again...if I can help it.
I don't want to die at all, it still scares me. The only time it never did was when I sacrificed myself for Yugi and the others...and you. Back when we all first met. I know that's not a memory you and I share, but...then and only then, did I offer my soul, to protect all of yours.
[Ryou draws in a breath that feels like it stings him from the inside out. He doesn't want to get into this too deeply. Clearly he's unsettled by the topic.]
L-listen, um. We should...compromise on it. If Mukuro isn't there, then...y-you can do what you need to. But...if you can respect this choice, I would feel better. It's as much a kindness for me as you.
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He almost does...but then he remembers what that had lead to. Loneliness, upset, strife. He' snot going to make things worse by being untrue to himself. Atem wanted him to be selfish...and so he will be.
It's not to be cruel. It's...to be who he is, isn't it? To let himself make a decision that isn't rooted in the wishes of another.
Ryou can be himself.
Even if "himself" is not perfect. Atem is telling him so, by saying that he'll support Ryou. Right?
But still, it hurts. Ryou pushes himself further up, until he's functionally slithered up into Atem's lap a little. Obviously most of his tail is still on the floor, but he wants to be close, to wrap his arms around Atem's shoulders.]
All I can ever ask for is what you're offering me. I know it might sound silly but...I'm humbled by your support. I know it can't be easy, but it means a lot...it does.
[He pauses, trying not to frown too hard at the next part.]
And...It's not the memories. I know that you'd make it painless, just like she did. Not...for the other me, but for the real me. I trust you to do it...but I love you, and I don't want to die at your hand. Not you. Not again...if I can help it.
I don't want to die at all, it still scares me. The only time it never did was when I sacrificed myself for Yugi and the others...and you. Back when we all first met. I know that's not a memory you and I share, but...then and only then, did I offer my soul, to protect all of yours.
[Ryou draws in a breath that feels like it stings him from the inside out. He doesn't want to get into this too deeply. Clearly he's unsettled by the topic.]
L-listen, um. We should...compromise on it. If Mukuro isn't there, then...y-you can do what you need to. But...if you can respect this choice, I would feel better. It's as much a kindness for me as you.