IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a FAQ and an important note about myself at the end of this chapter. Please read it!

6 Months Later…

Téa decided to take things as they come. She pushed herself to continue to excel in her academics and dance. She applied to both schools in New York, and schools in Domino, some specialized for dance, some as an undecided major.

Téa started feeling happier again. She'd missed the company of her friends when she'd thought she'd been gone, and she promised herself she'd never take them for granted. She relished in their company and the tiny moments she had with them.

She remembered Atem often and wore his ring as a pendant on a chain as a necklace. He was always with her no matter where he may be.

Téa thought about what Atem would want her to do now that she was living this life. Part of her wanted to strive for him. She also remembered Atem's words about him wishing that her and Yugi had been given a change to be together.

While her feelings for Yugi had returned, she hadn't felt ready to pursue them. Not after her relationship with Atem had been snatched away from her so recently. Not after she loved Atem so deeply. She felt scarred at time.

She also felt guilty. The love of her life just died and here was her heart skipping a beat whenever her old crush was back. It had been different when Atem had died and Yugi was still here because Atem and her hadn't been together. She didn't feel so guilty crushing on Yugi back then.

But she knew. She knew that she deserved to move on and be happy. Her therapist helped her come to realize these things. Punishing herself by being devoid of love isn't what Atem would want. It wasn't what she wanted either.

Perhaps if there were other people who were looking at this from afar, they'd judge her. But they shouldn't. These people would be the like the children who have to deal with one parent passing on and the other parent seeking love again after their death. The childrens' feelings were valid. How it must hurt to see your parent move on to another. But its later that children realize that their parent deserves to move on and be happy again.

Téa felt like she was the child sometimes. Not wanting to move on for herself. But then she felt like the mother. The mother who wanted to be happy again, while realizing that although what had been lost could not be recovered, perhaps something new and fulfilling could be found.

Slowly, the child in her started realizing that the parent should get a chance to be happy again.

So Téa set herself free.

Not free from Atem—he'd always be with her.

But free from the guilt, the pain, the sorrow from needing to move on.

Free from the anguishing confusion that filled her wondering, thinking about what had happened, what was real, and why.

It took her sometime, but she accepted that perhaps it was okay she didn't know what had happened to her. It was okay that it was mystery. What mattered was that it felt real to her.

She had felt hurt.

She had felt joy.

She had felt sorrow.

She had felt happiness.

She had felt loved.

She had loved.

Téa also realized didn't need to feel guilty about loving them both. Even in his death, Téa could remember and love Atem. Being with one or the other didn't mean she loved the other any less.

Now how to make a move on Yugi?

"Yugi."

"Huh?" Yugi peered sideways at Téa.

"I was just remembering…" She began, as Yugi tilt his head to the side. "Remember when I woke up from the coma? I kissed Joey, and Tristan, and Bakura. But I never gave you a kiss after I woke up." She said effortlessly.

"Wha- oh, that's okay!" Yugi screeched. "It's not a big deal. That was such a long time ago!"

"But, I'd still like to make it up to you." She said smirking at him.

Yugi looked at her with bewildered eyes. "Ah, you don't have to."

"I want to!" Téa smiled at him.

Yugi's expression told her he was not expecting that reply. "I …uh, ok?"

She smiled warmly at him, and moved closer to him. When Téa tilt his face with her two hands so that his lips and not his cheek was in front of her lips, that's when Yugi really realized she wasn't trying to kiss his cheek.

Téa's and Yugi's lips meshed together and they kissed for the first time. The kiss made Téa feel good- warm, fluttery even. It made her feel happy. It kind of reminded her of Atem's kisses. But there was also something foreign about Yugi's kisses and she liked it.

After sharing a kiss, they settled into each other. She pressed herself into Yugi's arms as he held her and she breathed in his scent. She never thought that she'd get this chance again. Calamity flowed through her. It didn't matter what had been real and what wasn't. Téa was going to enjoy the now and cherish all the good that had been in her memories. She gingerly rubbed the ring that Atem had given her on her finger, as she placed her head on Yugi's shoulder, smiling at all the positive experiences she remembered and was having. She'd be ok.

The End

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I have included a FAQ below. This story was written to be experimental with my writing and I always had this ending in mind. I often read stories about Atem coming back from the dead, but sometimes it left a sour taste in my mouth. Atem deserved to have been at peace. So, I put a twist- Atem was alive, but their friends were not.

This story was about healing and overcoming the adversities that come in our life. Téa lost first Atem, then her friends, and then Atem all over again. It's traumatic, but she sought out help within Atem, her friends, therapy, and other outlets. That's what I implore all of you to do when faced with difficult times.

FAQ:

Q: I don't understand, what had happened to Téa?

A: It was left ambiguous. We don't know if Téa really dreamed everything up, or perhaps it was an alternate reality, or something else completely. There's also the question of the ring she found. So, it's up to you to decide what really happened! If it makes you happy, I'd like to think it was some sort of alternate reality.

Q: So Téa ends up with Yugi?

A: Yes. But she never forgets Atem. Just because she ends up with Yugi doesn't mean she loved Atem any less. Their love story just had to end prematurely. I like to think she's soulmates with Atem/Yugi.

Q: Did you always have this ending in mind? Why did you kill Atem?

A: Yes, please take a note at what I wrote in my Author's Note above. As for killing Atem, he was always dead. I just had him be alive temporarily 😉 in the story and in a weird way.

-*~ -*~ A GOODBYE AND FAREWELL ~*--*~

Finally, I want to announce that I am leaving the YGO Fanfiction Community, at least as a writer. I will be adding a few more chapters to Paparazzi, but after that's complete I'll be done. I won't say I won't ever write here again, because who knows? But for now this is a goodbye. Life has gotten busy and pulled me in different directions. I also might try to write again on another platform (DM me if you want my social to follow for that), but it's uncertain for now.

Thank you to the community and friends I've made along the way. I will cherish the time I have spent on here with you all.

Warm wishes and a warm goodbye.

~Startistica