[Ryou did not expect to be pulled down into a hug. His shuddering arm relents slowly, and he only winces slightly as he settles. Now it's his turn to flush brightly, to the very tips of his pointed ears, which wiggle slightly because this is surprising.

Atem...was letting him get so close. To be fair, Ryou had invaded his personal space first, in the name of trying to talk him down, but...being this close was a terrible temptation.

He could stay here forever and not feel bad. The only part he feels bad about is that he can't hug Atem properly, but he still manages to comfortably settle his face against Atem's shoulder. His eyes open, but remain lidded. He really has no idea...the extent of Ryou's infatuation. He's doing this because he doesn't get it

It's forgivable...but painful. So he lets himself respond, of course, like this is a normal conversation between two friends who were just trying to take care of each other.]

I didn't mean your darkness. I like yours. Your righteous fury and all your vigilante justice. H-heh heh. Heh.

[Like a comic book character. Ryou smiles, and he can only hope Atem doesn't feel the upturn of his lips against his skin, because Ryou's face is comfortably settled there.]

So long as you don't fall into despair and give up...I'm happy. 'S like how...you didn't want to lose me to my dreams. I don't want to lose you to an abyss you can't rise from.

[Ryou deeply considers using their contact to take on Atem's mental quandaries. He's loathe to do it without permission, but...he'll take a nightmare if it helps. He'll take every nightmare for this one, particular person.]