DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi.
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Part 19: Téa and Yugi
By Shadow's Mirror
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"I think I'm ready now." Téa raised her head so she could look into Yugi's wide amethyst eyes.
"Me too." Yugi gifted her with his familiar sweet smile.
"What about Yami?" Téa blushed slightly. If he found out…
"Don't worry, I told him we were doing our homework. He couldn't leave the room fast enough!" Yugi gave her a reassuring look. "He's also in physical form, so there's no mind-link." Téa nodded and shifted into a more comfortable position on Yugi's bed. She took a deep breath.
"This is all so sudden." Her voice was soft and a little unsure.
"Not really. I've felt this way about you from the moment I first saw you." Yugi smiled at her.
"I… I have something to tell you." Téa's voice was now very hesitant and she looked rather tense.
"What is it?" Yugi smiled reassuringly at her. Téa tried to speak, but started to shake instead.
"I… Oh, I can't do it, Yugi! I just can't say it!" She was near tears as she looked helplessly at Yugi.
"It's okay, Téa. You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself." Yugi gently patted her hand. Téa smiled slightly at him and nodded.
"You're right. I know you're right. But… what if it comes out all wrong?" she asked softly.
"It won't. Just come right out and say it. Like Joey does!" Yugi winked at her and Téa couldn't help but giggle at the comment. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood and she loved him for it.
"I still can't believe that he and Seto Kaiba actually..." Téa was trying not to laugh. She'd been trying to talk them into being nicer to each other for ages, but that wasn't what she'd had in mind!
"Yami couldn't believe that Joey actually managed to turn the tables on Kaiba and beat him at it!" Yugi laughed and winked at Téa, who grinned back at him.
"Well Joey's had a lot more practice." Téa shrugged, then froze as she realised what she'd just said. She blushed and glanced at Yugi. "Um… I mean… Trust Joey to turn it into a competition." She smiled weakly. She really didn't want to have to explain her original remark.
"Relax Téa. Joey and Tristan have told me all their stories." Yugi grinned as Téa's eyes widened and her blush deepened. He leaned forward and looked deep into her eyes. "You're stalling, by the way." He smiled slightly as she sighed and gave him a sheepish look.
"I guess I am. I'm just so nervous. I've never done anything like this before." She tried to smile, but the anxiety was back in her eyes and her body was tense again.
"You'll be fine. Just put your heart into it. Like you always do." Yugi's voice was quiet and confident as he patted her hand again. He smiled at her and Téa managed to smile back.
"When you put it that way…" Téa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her eyes locked with Yugi's. "I have something to tell you." This time, her voice was more confident. Yugi smiled at her and nodded encouragingly.
"What is it?" As he spoke softly, his hand slipped into Téa's. She smiled gratefully and squeezed it.
"I love you!" For a moment her voice, as sure now as it had been hesitant before, seemed to hang in the air between them. Téa blinked and then let out a sigh of relief. She smiled.
"Oh Téa!" Yugi beamed at her. He was about to hug her when there was a sharp sound on the other side of the room. It took Yugi a moment to realise that the door had opened. He blinked in surprise, wondering why his yami was standing there with such a shocked look on his face.
"Y… Yugi! Téa!" Yami just stared at them for a long moment as he leaned against the doorframe.
"Yami?" Yugi blinked and frowned slightly. His yami had suddenly gone alarmingly pale. "Yami! What's wrong?" He started to scramble off the bed. Téa turned around and gave Yami a long look.
"Oh!" Her eyes widened as she realised what had happened. "You were listening at the door!"
"I didn't mean to! Really! I just…" Yami paused a moment and then continued more calmly. "Grandpa sent me up to find out if Téa is staying for dinner."
"Dinner?" Téa looked at her watch and gasped. "Oh! I didn't realise it was so late! Yugi, I promised I'd be home before dark…" She was off the bed in a flash, grabbing her backpack before she headed for the door. She paused to speak with Yugi for a moment, quietly so Yami wouldn't hear.
"I'm really sorry Téa, I thought we'd have more time." Yugi frowned slightly.
"That's okay. It was my fault that we didn't get straight into it." She smiled wryly at Yugi. "If I hadn't mentioned the upcoming tournament, we wouldn't have spent so long talking about it!" They both chuckled. "I'll keep practicing when I get home," Téa promised and Yugi smiled at her.
"Don't worry Téa, I'm sure tomorrow will go perfectly! Our play will be the best in the class, you just wait and see!" He winked at her and she nodded, reassured by his optimism.
"At least I finally managed to say that last line without stammering, blushing or laughing!" Téa rolled her eyes as Yugi chuckled softly. "Who would have thought that 'I love you' would be such a difficult line to deliver with a straight face?"
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