[Ryou had never had that story told to him in such detail before. It's...so strange. Yugi would do anything for a friend, wouldn't he? Hell, he would do anything for someone even if they weren't a friend. Ryou had never really understood why it was that Yugi had kept him around, actually.

Why would he keep the living, breathing avatar of the darkness in his friend group, when it had almost led to the death of Yugi himself, as well as the rest of his friends? Why did he keep letting Ryou stay around, when he wouldn't give up the Ring, and when the Ring kept taking control of him to make terrible things happen? The blood of many a person soaked Ryou's hands, and yet...]

Nnh, but...

[That smile, that wink. Atem knows exactly what he's doing, doesn't he? Or maybe he doesn't know how much his words have an effect on Ryou. He can't possibly know the rush of gratitude and a bit of adoration that causes the shade's gaze to blur, his aura to extinguish.

There's very little in the way of a warning before Ryou uncurls himself and slowly but firmly pulls Atem to him in a fierce hug. He knows that Atem isn't usually so fond of sudden touching but for once, Ryou can't help himself.

His face presses into the small vampire's shoulder briefly, before he speaks.]

Thank you, I...I don't know...what to say. I am so grateful for your friendship and your faith. You'd even have faith in someone like me...

[Oh...oh no, the words are catching in his throat and he's crying, he's so sorry but he can't even stop.]