Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh. But this is what would happen if I did.
A/N: Ok, major fluffy chapter coming up! Brace yourself!
XXX
The party was fairly successful, people arriving and lounging around. The week before had been pretty uneventful. He made sure to see all of his friends, having encounters with Mai, Duke, and Ishizu and Merrick.
Atem was sitting on the couch, enjoying the company around him, occasionally partaking in conversation, but really sorting through his heart, trying to find what it was here that he needed. Why he was here? Truly, purely, deeply, why?
His thoughts were interrupted by Yugi's voice. "Hey partner, you alright? Even when we don't share a body, I can tell when something is wrong."
Atem smiled at being called partner by him. "I'm alright… just thinking… I don't have very long…"
Yugi nodded in understanding. "I don't really know what to say to you besides, look into your heart. When you close your eyes, what do you see?"
Atem closed his eyes. He saw a figure, distant from him. It had it's back to him, and he squeezed his eyes, but still couldn't make out who it was. He opened his eyes and sighed.
Ishizu was talking to Tea when she noticed Tea's eyes wandering to the tanned, spiky-haired youth on the couch.
"You're in love with Pharaoh Atem…?" She asked curiously, raising her eyebrows.
Tea snapped her eyes back onto Ishizu. "I… W-what makes you say that?" She blushed.
"It doesn't take a millennium item to see the heart that you plainly wear on your sleeve." Ishizu smiled softly.
Tea blushed. "That obvious, huh?"
Ishizu chuckled. "Well, if you'll excuse me, there's something I would like discuss with Yugi."
Tea smiled and nodded.
Merrick joined Ishizu on her way to Yugi, and chuckled. "Young love, huh?"
Ishizu smiled. "Oh yes. And don't say young, you're only a year or so older than them. I've seen the way you look at the girl at the market."
Odion joined the conversation. "I've seen that too." He raised an eyebrow at Merrick.
Merrick blushed and nudged them. "As if you two don't have anyone in mind."
Atem glanced around the room to see the company. Serenity had Duke and Tristan on either side of her, both trying to impress her. Mokuba and Rebecca were sitting and talking on the floor, and Rebecca seemed to be flirting a bit. He glanced to the corner of the room, and quickly averted his eyes, blushing. Mai and Joey were making out heatedly, and Atem couldn't bear looking at them like that. Deep down, he really was prude. (A/N: Ah ha, I just had to add that). He noticed Tea rolling her eyes at Mai and Joey and chuckled. Her eyes flickered to meet his, and they both blushed and looked away, pretending to be interested in other things, Atem looking towards Yugi, who was in a discussion about dueling strategies with Odion, Ishizu and Merrick.
Suddenly, Tea stood. "I'm going out for some fresh air." She announced to the room. Everybody made a comment or a "Bye" in response, and Tea headed out.
Atem and Yugi briefly locked gazes and Yugi gave a nod and an encouraging smile. Atem also stood and excused himself.
Mai and Joey watched them leave and Joey said "You don't think…"
Mai smirked. "Oh, I think. I think they are."
XXX
Atem put on his coat and went outside, to come face-to-face with none other than Seto Kaiba.
"Hello Kaiba."
"Hello Atem."
There was an awkward silence between them when Kaiba said quickly. "I'm here to pick up Mokuba."
Atem nodded. "I see."
Another awkward silence followed.
"Welcome back." Kaiba said briskly.
"Good to be back." Atem replied.
After a pause, Kaiba added. "I hope to face you in a duel soon." He smiled.
Atem smiled back. "Likewise. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm looking for someone."
"She went towards the bridge." Kaiba said, and he smirked. "Good luck."
Atem blushed. "Um… thanks…" He walked off.
Atem walked slowly, looking up at the skies. No stars were visible, and it was fairly cold. Not the most beautiful weather. When he let out a breath, clouds of moisture hovered in the air.
He closed his eyes, breathing in the crisp air. The figure in his mind's eye was still blurred and out of focus.
He opened his eyes again to see the bridge Kaiba had spoken of. On it was Tea, leaning on the rail and looking out into the water. Atem also looked into it, dark and mysterious, but still unfrozen, despite the cold temperatures.
Tea was thinking the same thing when she heard someone come up behind her. She turned to see Atem next to her. Her face immediately flushed. "Atem! Hey!"
He smiled. "Hello."
The two were quiet, when Atem's eyes wandered to a place on the bridge right next to him that was blocked with cones. "I wonder what happened." He said curiously.
Tea shrugged. "I heard it rusted, so they had to take it out and haven't had a time to replace it."
Atem nodded and turned to face her. The two of them were in a similar position to the one they were in the other day by the flower shop.
Suddenly, white drops of frozen beauty descended from the sky.
The two looked up to the sky to see snowflakes falling from the sky.
Tea laughed. "Wow. The first snow…"
Atem smiled. "Snow… it's quite beautiful, isn't it?"
Tea nodded. "Yeah… sometimes the first snow seems the most beautiful of all… quite romantic…"
At that word, both looked to each other. Atem noticed a drop of white on the corner of Tea's lips. He leaned down and brushed them with his, warmth surrounding them. He pulled back to see Tea glowing red, and he blushed too, realizing what he had done.
"W-What was that for?" Tea stammered.
"Um… you had a snowflake on your lip." Atem said quietly. "I think I see another one…" He smiled and Tea looked up, also smiling.
No words were needed. Both of them understood their feelings without it. Atem leaned down and Tea wrapped her arms around his neck, as they went into a slow, deep kiss.
Tea stepped backwards, her heel knocking into a cone, and they both slipped off the bridge, their lips never leaving each other.
Together they were falling…
Falling deeper than ever…
They finally broke off from the kiss as they hit the icy coldness of the water.
"You okay?" Atem asked Tea when they rose to the surface.
"Better than ever."
The couple swam to the shore and collapsed into the grass by it, laughing.
"That was an experience, huh?" Tea asked when they recovered, still grinning.
Atem laughed. "Yes, quite an experience." He leaned over and kissed her once more. "And that makes it complete." He took her hand and they stood.
Tea smiled. "Lets head back before people come looking for us."
The two returned to Yugi's house dripping wet, with fingers interlocked. When they entered everyone looked up and the room was filled with laughs and sighs.
"FINALLY!"
XXX
A/N: Yes, they are now together. As everyone put it, FINALLY. I'm tired and extremely pleased with this fic. One of my best works yet, I think. But hold your horses, it's not over yet!