It was different now that her and Atem were dating. It was weird because it didn't seem like anything had changed—since it seemed like they were nearly dating anyways—but everything changed. It was the small things. Not instead of simply holding hands, they intertwined their fingers. Instead of Tea grabbing Atem's arm, Atem sometimes held her close as they walked.
Téa's night attire began to cover her a bit less. Atem and Tea more freely and comfortably snuggled up against each other at night. Atem sometimes spooned her. She'd kiss him good morning.
Sometimes, they'd kiss quite a lot on her bed… or his bed, or in other places.
They went on dates. Sometimes to the new arcade, strolls in the park, to a pizza place.
Not Burger World. Not anywhere they had gone with their friends.
Téa's parents had surprisingly approved. It was only logical and very convenient they thought. Téa still hadn't told them that she'd overcome the nightmare issue. She didn't want them to send Atem away considering she had "fixed" the little issue Atem was helping her with.
Téa slowly got Atem to duel again. He didn't do it publicly, or with anyone else, but sometimes he'd duel her, or Grandpa Mutou.
Téa felt strangely happy since a very long time. Sometimes she'd remember Tristan's smile, sometimes Joey's laugh, sometimes Bakura's nervous gestures, or Yugi's eyes and it made her cry. Atem would hold her and he would cry too. She would hold him back. But it was ok. She was healing and he was healing.
Téa had tunneled a lot of her energy into dance as a way of coping. While she was left at a disadvantage because of her condition, and was not able to secure the lead ballerina position, she still got to be one of main ballerinas in the dance.
As Téa flattened out her tutu and breathed in before leaving to go to the stage, her heart tugged at her a little. Whenever she had performances, the boys used to come to them. They didn't know much about dance, but they cared enough to come to her performances to cheer her on. This was her first performance that they weren't at.
Realizing that she was starting to feel gloomy again, Téa tried to change her thinking. They were here in spirit, and that just meant she needed to make sure she put on a splendid performance to honor the beautiful friendship they had.
She would do it for them.
The dance was a success. Téa smiled as the other ballerinas all congratulated each other on a job well done. They should have gone to change immediately, but they were still too high on the thrill of the performance to retire into their dressing rooms.
After, a rounds of hugs and congratulations, they finally all decided to go change. When Téa turned, she was surprised to see Atem holding a bouquet of red roses. She shouldn't have been surprised, she realized. Of course, Atem would bring her roses.
She ran to him, and then widened her eyes not at the roses, but the people behind him. Mai, Duke, Serenity, her own parents, and the Mutou family where there.
Her hands went to her mouth. "Oh my goodness!" The group before her laughed, and Mai was quick to hug Téa first. "Congratulations hun. You were great out there." Téa sniffed and mumbled out a "Thank you."
Serenity was next. "Oh Téa, you were so graceful and beautiful out there! You made us so proud!" Téa beamed in thanks.
Duke threw his right arm around Téa. "It's good to finally see you! Sorry for not being able to come earlier." Téa smiled softly at him. Duke had been away traveling to China, England, and who knows where else to promote Dungeon Dice Monsters after his partnership with Pegasus. He had been sweet to call, but it was so much better to see her friend in person again.
"I see you still got it!" Duke added and Téa could only laugh.
Her parents hugged her the longest, telling her how proud they were of her. They got her a bouquet of bright and colorful wild flowers.
After a hug with both Mrs. Mutou, a congratulatory shoulder pat from Grandpa Mutou, and surprisingly Mr. Mutou (who was currently in town), Téa finally turned to Atem.
"These are for you." He said shyly, presenting the roses to her, and Téa wanted to laugh at how shy he was being. She felt the love she had for him pulse through her. "C'mere you," she pulled him to her, and kissed him sweetly as she heard Duke cheer in the background, and then a smack from someone—probably Mai.
As Téa pulled away from Atem, she gave a big smile. She missed Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Bakura, but she would be ok. She had Atem, and her other friends who would keep her strong, but more importantly, she had found her own courage to be strong for the friends she lost.
It has been a long while hasn't it? All I can say is that school is hard and it's been keeping me on my toes. Rest assure this story will be finished. I'm hoping to finish this story up by Autumn or Wintertime. There are some more twists and things in store.
As for the story, Atem and Téa are settling into their new romantic relationship. How does everyone feel now that Atem and Téa are together finally with the implications that are present? What do you think will happen next?
A review would definitely motivate me! :)
~Startistica