Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh
Tea bit her lip as she hesitated outside The Game Shop. Yugi's grandfather had injured his back yesterday which meant that he needed Yugi to come in and help run the shop. Deep down she knew that coming here right now was probably a mistake. But, at the same time Yugi deserved to know that his ex husband was back in town.
And it was with that thought in mind that Tea pushed open the door to the Game Shop and walked inside, as the small brass bell hanging above the door chimed.
"Welcome to the Game Shop how can I...Tea? What are you doing here?" Yugi greeted as he walked around the counter to embrace his friend.
Tea smiled, "Hey Yugi. It's been awhile." Tea replied as she hugged Yugi tightly in return.
Yugi chuckled, "Yeah. Since Halloween. How in the world did you survive without seeing me for that long?" Yugi asked.
Tea chuckled, "I guess we'll never know and I'll just be thankful that I managed it." Tea replied.
"So, seriously what brings you down to my grandfather's shop?" Yugi asked.
Tea sighed, "Well, to be perfectly honest Yugi I came down here to, well...warn you about something." Tea said.
Yugi frowned, "Why do I not like the way that you said that?" Yugi asked.
Tea sighed once more, her eyes drifting away from her friend to land on the duel monster display under Grandpa Motou's glass counter. She had many fond memories of all her friends crammed into this shop gawking at those exact displays. The cards might be different but the notion was the same.
After all, that same display was how Yugi ended up meeting Yami in the first place. Yami and Atemu had wandered into the shop in the hopes of buying some cards to help build Atemu a decent duel monsters deck. Apparently the one he'd had wasn't that good and Yami wasn't getting much of a challenge dueling against him.
Yugi had overheard Yami and Atemu's conversation regarding duel monsters and the aspiring professional duelist had jumped at the chance to face down some new competition. And so Yugi and Yami had squared off in front of the Game Shop. Tea remembered standing by the sidelines cheering Yugi on. She also remembered blushing slightly because she had wound up standing next to Atemu.
She had thought Atemu was handsome back then. And that attraction had only grown over the coming years, from a mere physical attraction, to a full blown crush, to now her being deeply in love with Atemu. That or the idea of who Atemu is in her head. She has always wished for a chance to finally find out if there could ever be something between the two of them. Maybe I'll finally manage to pluck up the courage and ask him out. Its only taken me what ten years?
The duel between Yugi and Yami had been absolutely intense. Neither duelist backed down an inch as they each traded blows back and forth, whiddling down each other's life points. She may not be an expert duelist and quite frankly she still wasn't. Yugi and Joey were the duelists in their group of friends. Well, and Yami had used to be quite the duelist when he and Atemu had finally joined the group although she hadn't heard about Yami dueling that much after college whereas Yugi and Joey were still trying to break onto the professional duel monsters stage.
The duel that would change all of their lives ended, much to everyone's surprise, in a draw as both Yugi and Yami's life points hit zero.
Yugi and Yami had shaken hands and her little minx of a friend apparently had sprouted some balls because the cheeky little guy had actually asked if Yami wanted to grab a bite to eat sometime. Exchange dueling tips. And Yami had agreed. And the rest had been history.
"Tea?" Yugi prodded, drawing Tea from her musings of the past and back onto her friend. Tea chuckled in embarrassment.
"Sorry about that Yugi. Got lost in my memories there for a moment." Tea said.
"No problem." Yugi replied before he fell quiet once more allowing Tea to try and find the words to deliver her message.
"I ran into Atemu a couple of days ago out at Domino Hospital." Tea said.
Yugi frowned, "Is it his father? I remembered hearing that he'd had a stroke. Is he alright?" Yugi asked slowly.
Tea sighed, "No, as far as I know Mr. Sennen is alright and recovering at home still. You remember hearing that Atemu moved back home to take care of him." Tea said.
Yugi nodded, "Yeah, I remember. That reminds me I really need to find the time to go over and visit him. I haven't really talked to Atemu at all since the divorce and I probably should. I don't want him to think that just because me and Yami parted ways that we are turning our backs on our friend." Yugi said.
Tea bit her lip, "Funny you should mention Yami." Tea said.
Yugi frowned, "Tea?" Yugi said slowly.
Tea sighed once more, "Okay, the reason Atemu was at Domino hospital was because Yami is in the hospital. I don't know all the details, but what I do know is that he was airlifted to Domino Hospital on Halloween and he's been there ever since." Tea said.
Yugi frowned. "That's...not good." Yugi said slowly.
Tea shook her head, "No, I really don't think it is. Whatever is going on with Yami its really not good. Atemu was in tears when I saw him." Tea said.
Yugi blew out a breath in frustration as he frowned, "So what exactly am I supposed to do now Tea? Yami and I divorced. Five months ago." Yugi said slowly and Tea could clearly see the conflict on Yugi's face. He clearly wanted to go and visit Yami but no doubt he didn't think that it would be appropriate for him to do so. And to be perfectly honest Tea wasn't sure if it would be either.
She remembered the many talks her and Yugi had about Yami and the affairs Yugi had said Yami had been having. She could not have been more angry at Yami on Yugi's behalf and the main source of her anger came from knowing exactly how Yugi felt. Tristan and her had been together since their freshman year in college. It was one of those relationships where everyone expected them to get together and Tea couldn't bring herself to refuse Tristan when he'd asked her out, despite the fact that she had truly wished it had been Atemu who asked her instead.
But, Tristan, like Yami, it seemed couldn't comprehend the concept of Monogamy. Tea had been faced with that unpleasant discovery their senior year. Her and Tristan were actually living together in an apartment when she came home from working the closing shift at Burger World. She used her key to come into the apartment and walked into her and Tristan's bedroom to see Tristan in bed with Serenity Wheeler and they were having sex. She'd turned and left the apartment in tears without either of the lovers ever knowing she'd seen them and spent the night over at Mai's apartment. She had made up a lie about her and Tristan fighting and left it at that and Mai was a good enough friend that she'd let the matter drop.
And Tea would be lying if she said that wasn't the only time she knew of Tristan cheating on her. She knew of 12 times for absolute certainty and suspected that there were more.
So, when Yugi had come to her and expressed his anger and his frustration at Yami having an affair with someone else she was able to understand exactly where Yugi had been coming from. The two had cried together as over the course of their conversation Tea finally admitted to Yugi about Tristan's cheating.
It was after one of their, sadly regular sob sessions, that Yugi had growled that maybe the two of them should have an affair. See how they liked having the shoe on the other damn foot. Tea couldn't bring herself to tell Yugi that it was a bad idea and just sat back and listened as Yugi made plans with Ryou to go to the big gaming convention next month and them having an affair was part of the arrangement. Tea was surprised that Ryou was so willing to go along with Yugi's plan but she wasn't going to dissuade Yugi from striking back at Yami. And she had thought that maybe in the long run that might have made some difference and at least made Yami think twice before he cheated on Yugi once again.
So, when Yugi had made plans to strike back she had merely gone home and laid back in bed beside the man who had been cheating on her for years. She didn't say anything as Tristan pulled her in for a kiss, his hands sliding down her body as she struggled not to cry when she was able to smell the faint scent of Serenity's perfume clinging to Tristan's skin.
She hated her life but she felt powerless to change it. Tristan was such a likable guy, no one would truly believe her if she said that Tristan was cheating on her. Joey no doubt would be particularly stout in his defense of one of his best buds. And he would become even more entrenched if Tea ever breathed a word that the woman Tristan was cheating on her with was Serenity.
So when Yugi and Yami's marriage had finally fallen apart and Yugi announced that he and Yami were filing for divorce she would admit she had been a tad overzealous with how she had slammed Yami on social media. Deep down she knew that she was taking out her anger at Tristan on Yami. And she typed everything she wanted to shout at Tristan into a big rant against Yami.
Yugi sighed once more before he shrugged, "I should probably go see him. Its the decent thing to do. Just because we got divorced doesn't mean I want him dead or anything like that." Yugi said.
Tea nodded, "If that is what you want to do Yugi, then that is what you should do. As far as I know none of us have seen or heard from Yami since you told us you were filing for divorce. And he never showed up to court either."
Yugi nodded once more, "Yeah. I know. To be honest I haven't seen or spoken to Yami since the night I threw him out of our house back in April." Yugi said.
Tea lightly rested her hand on Yugi's shoulder, "I know this is a hard spot for you to be in Yugi. No one would think less of you if you didn't choose to visit Yami." Tea said.
Yugi was quiet for a moment before he locked determined gazes with Tea, "No one else might. But I would. Yami and I were together for together for almost ten years, and the majority of those were happy years. I owe it to Yami and to myself to see that he is at least alright." Yugi said.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Tea asked.
Yugi fell quiet for a moment, "You know Tea, that might be a good idea. You would be able to get Atemu out of the room so Yami and I could talk in private." Yugi said.
Tea nodded, although she couldn't help the blush that dusted her cheeks when Yugi mentioned Atemu, something Yugi caught. "You know Tea, Atemu won't ever make a move while you are still dating Tristan. If you want a chance with him you really need to dump Tristan." Yugi said.
Tea sighed, "I know that Yugi, but its hard. I'm glad that you had the courage to divorce Yami. I mean I want to break up with Tristan more than you know but..." Tea trailed off with a sigh.
"Then break up with him. You and Atemu can't be happy together popping out babies while you're still miserable with Tristan." Yugi said.
Tea chuckled, "You make it sound so easy Yugi." Tea replied.
Yugi shrugged, "No, its not. Its hard. But, you won't be happy until you take that step Tea. A step I will support you in one thousand percent. Tristan needs to go, end of story." Yugi said.
Tea nodded, "Okay. I promise to try, that's the best I can do." Tea said.
Yugi sighed, "That'll have to be good enough." Yugi said as he flipped the sign on the front door of the Game Shop to closed and locked the shop door. "Now, lets go and visit my ex-husband." Yugi said.
XXXXXXXX
Yami had been helped back into his bed after his failed attempt at walking. His father had been outside talking quietly with the doctor ever since Yami's legs had buckled beneath him. His mother was coping with what had happened by attempting to convince Yami to eat more of this disgusting hospital food despite not having the slightest appetite. God if it wasn't for Atemu I would be losing my mind right now. Yami thought to himself.
"Mom, I mean this the kindest way possible but, please for the love of god stop trying to shove mushy peas down my throat. I'm really not hungry." Yami said.
"Perhaps a burger and some fries might taste better."
Everyone in the room froze as they turned slowly to face the door where Yugi Motou stood somewhat awkwardly holding up a bag of burger world takeout like it was a peace offering.
Yami's mother froze as she stared at Yugi, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glared at him. Atemu slowly rose to his feet as he rounded the bed. "What are you doing here Yugi?" Atemu asked. For his part Yami was glad that Atemu spoke up because to be honest he was at a loss for words. What is there really to say to a person who ripped your heart out of your chest and stomped on it?
Yugi gave one of his awkward, bright smiles. "I heard that Yami was in the hospital, so I thought it would be a good idea to come and visit him." Yugi said.
Atemu's eyes narrowed before they flicked over to Tea who was hovering awkwardly in the doorway behind Yugi. "You told him." Atemu growled.
Yami frowned, What in the world is Atemu talking about?
Tea nodded, "I thought Yugi deserved to know that Yami was here. Yugi agreed." Tea said.
"And shouldn't it have been up to Yami to reach out to Yugi if that was what he wanted to do? He has more than enough stuff on his plate without you sticking your nose in." Atemu snapped back.
Yami sighed, the last thing he really needed right now was Atemu getting into a huge fight trying to defend him. He could defend himself thank you very much. "Ate, thank you for trying to defend me but its not necessary. If Yugi wants to visit me he of course has that right. Just like if I tire of speaking to him or we get into a massive argument I can always have him thrown out." Yami said.
Atemu sighed but turned to head back to his chair. Yami sighed once more he had a feeling that this awkward and more than likely tense conversation would go a lot smoother without a bunch of people piping up from the sidelines. "Atemu, why don't you head down the the cafeteria and get something to eat? Mom, why don't you go see if you can find dad? Trust me, I'll be fine." Yami said.
"Are you sure baby?" Yami's mother asked, her eyes still narrowed as she glared at Yugi.
Yami nodded, "Yes, I'm sure mom. I'll be fine. I promise." Yami said.
Yami's mother sighed before she set the spoonful of peas she'd been trying to feed Yami back down on his mostly untouched lunch. "Alright. I'll be down the hall with your father. If you need anything don't hesitate to call for a nurse." Yami's mother said.
Yami nodded, "I will."
And with that Yami's mother left. Atemu however stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the side of Yami's hospital bed. "I'm not really hungry for hospital food at the moment. I think I'll stay right here." Atemu said.
Yami sighed, "Ate? Please." Yami pleaded.
"If you aren't in the mood for hospital food Atemu, you and Tea could go down the street and grab something from that little cafe." Yugi suggested.
Atemu locked eyes with Yami for a brief moment before he finally sighed and pushed himself off Yami's bed. "Fine. I'll go, but I'm not going to be gone long." Atemu conceded.
Yami nodded, "That's fine Ate." Yami said.
Atemu turned and gave Yami's hand a reassuring squeeze before he headed out of the hospital room, Tea immediately following him down the hallway leaving Yugi and Yami alone.
Yugi gave Yami another awkward smile as he shuffled further into the room and pulled out a wrapped burger and a container of fries which he set on Yami's hospital tray. "I got you the Big Burger minus onions with double cheese and bacon. That is what you still like from Burger world, right?" Yugi said awkwardly.
Yami sighed as he reached out with his one hand to try and unwrap the burger, "Yes Yugi. My taste in food hasn't changed that much in five months." Yami said. It was harder to unwrap the burger one handed than he would have liked to admit.
"Here, let me help you." Yugi said when he realized Yami was struggling. Yugi quickly unwrapped the burger before handing it to Yami.
"Thank you." Yami said as he accepted the burger from Yugi and took a big bite. After 4 days of eating nothing but disgusting hospital food this burger literally tasted like ambrosia.
Yugi sat on the edge of Yami's hospital bed before he unwrapped his own triple stacked burger with cheese and bacon. And the two ate their burgers in awkward silence neither knowing what to say to the other.
Yami finished his burger first before turning his attention onto the fries while Yugi continued to munch on his own food. Yugi swallowed the last bite of his burger before he turned to Yami, "So, what happened to you?" Yugi asked.
Yami shrugged, which once again turned into a wince. "I've been told I was T-boned by a drunk driver while heading home from work on Halloween." Yami said.
"But, you're alright at least. Right?" Yugi asked.
Yami nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Doctors should be releasing me from the hospital sometime in the next few days. Then it's just going to come down to letting my body heal from the damage. I'll be fine in no time." Yami said. And yes, Yami knew full well that he was lying to Yugi but he didn't really want to see the pity in Yugi's eyes when he admitted that he found out earlier today that he was paralyzed from the waist down and that he might have to spend the rest of his life bound to a wheelchair.
"Well, that's good isn't it? So, are you going to be heading back to, I'm guessing Gin City, or are you going to stay here in Domino for a while?" Yugi asked.
"I'm probably going to have to stay here in Domino for the short term. I'll probably end up staying with my parents for awhile until I'm able to head back to Gin City. My apartment complex isn't exactly crutches or wheelchair friendly so until I'm able to be more mobile it would be better for me to stay here in Domino." Yami said.
"Well, that might not be a bad thing. I mean, there is so much that was left unsettled between us. Between you and everyone really." Yugi said.
Yami frowned, his hand pausing halfway to his mouth with the fry he'd grabbed, "I'm sorry Yugi you'll have to explain that last statement to me since as far as I'm concerned everything seems pretty settled." Yami said sharply.
Yugi frowned, "How could you consider things between us settled? You up and left. That didn't settle anything." Yugi said.
"And you had just admitted you cheated on me and I said we needed to take a break. You know, separation. Perhaps some marriage counseling...things like that. THATS what I'd had in mind. So imagine my surprise when I get served with a divorce decree. So, since you told me by filing for divorce that you didn't want to try and fight for us then why the hell should I? So I signed the damn thing and did my best to move on with my life." Yami said.
Yugi's frown deepened as he fisted Yami's hospital sheet, "Well at least I had the balls to admit that I had cheated on you." Yugi said.
"And I have told you probably over a hundred times I NEVER cheated on you Yugi. Not once. Hell, it never even crossed my mind as something to do. Mana is my assistant. That is it. She has never been more to me and she never will be more to me than that." Yami snapped back.
"Why do you keep denying it?" Yugi growled.
"Because I didn't DO it! Think about it, use your brain for once in your god damned life and THINK. What would I possibly have to gain by continuing to deny ever having an affair? Denying it, if it had been true, serves me no purpose right now. You are just so hung up on the idea because by continuing to say that I was guilty of having an affair then it makes, in your juvenile mind, what YOU did not as bad. Which is wrong. Childish and just plain wrong." Yami snapped back.
"Then why the hell did you refuse? Why wouldn't you want to have kids? We had been married for four years, it was the perfect time for us to have children, what logical reason could you have given for refusing?" Yugi snapped right back.
"How about the part where you declared I was the one who needed to have the invasive medical procedure. And then I was going to be the one who you then fucked up the ass and had to carry the children. Me the one who went to work every day and earned us a living while you sat on your lazy ass at home, watching television. Playing video games and 'practicing' for your debut on the international duel monsters stage that is NEVER going to happen. If anyone should have been the one undergoing to the medical procedure and pushing out children You not me you should have been the one volunteering." Yami snapped back.
"Oh we're back to this garbage again? I thought that you supported me in my dream to become a professional duelist. Its what I've always wanted to do. As someone who claimed to love me you more than anyone else should have supported me." Yugi snapped back.
Yami rolled his eyes, "Yeah, and there was a time in my youth that I wanted to become superman. Then I grew up and got a real job. You should have done the same instead of wasting your life trying to achieve something that will never come to be." Yami snapped.
Yugi's eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists tightly at his side, "I am not wasting my time YAMI. I am working hard to achieve my goal and I am getting close." Yugi growled.
Yami rolled his eyes once again, "And by that you mean you spend your time opening booster packs your grandfather doesn't make you pay for while living off the alimony you get from me every month. Sound about right?" Yami hissed.
"And my application to the Domino Duel Monster's tournament next month was accepted. And if I place in the top five in that tournament then I qualify for the regional tournament in December. And what is so wrong with taking advantage of the help my grandfather is able to provide me? When you are dealt an advantage a smart duelist takes advantage of it and makes the most of what they have. I have access to a lot of cards so why shouldn't I use them to strengthen my own deck and make me that much stronger when I enter tournament play." Yugi argued.
Yami rolled his eyes once again before he pushed his tray away from himself, including the half eaten bag of fries. He wasn't hungry anymore. "Get out. I'm done dealing with your crap. You can come back and see me when you finally decide to grow up." Yami snorted before adding, "Which means I don't foresee you coming back again. Ever."
"Why you..." Yugi growled as he took a steps towards Yami, fists clenched tightly and amethyst eyes narrowed in complete and utter fury.
Yami pressed the call button for the nurse. Apparently there was a nurse hovering not far away because she came striding into the room less than a minute later. "Is there something I can help you with Mr. Dark?" The nurse asked.
"Yes. If you could be so kind as to show my visitor out. I believe he and I have discussed all that we need to." Yami replied evenly.
"Of course Mr. Dark." The nurse replied before she turned to Yugi, "Sir, now if you would please follow me and I'll escort you to the elevators." The nurse said.
"Coward!" Yugi growled.
"Sir, please follow me to the elevator otherwise I'm going to have to call security." The nurse said, her tone firm as she looked at Yugi.
"Just because I haven't decided to rejoin the Yugi fan club and start declaring that you shit rainbows like your friends do doesn't mean I'm a coward. I just know when a discussion with you is completely futile and this one is. So, I'm done dealing with you. Good-bye Yugi." Yami replied.
Yugi glared at Yami once more before he followed the nurse out of the room, leaving Yami alone once more.
XXXXXXX
Atemu and Tea made their way down to the cafe about half a block away from the hospital in complete silence. The cafe was a cute little one with a big glass display case filled with various pastries. The two made their way up to the counter.
"Hello, welcome to Kuri-bun Cafe, my name is Anne, how can I help you?" The perky cashier behind the counter greeted the pair. If Tea didn't know any better she would have thought the girl was probably still in high school.
"We'll take two coffees. One cream. Two sugars. And, I'll have a slice of carrot cake. You want anything sweet to eat Atemu?" Tea asked as she glanced briefly over at her companion who was staring moodily at the case, almost as if it had personally insulted him.
"No. I'm good." Atemu grunted before he turned and marched over to one of the tables beside the window and flopped down in the chair.
Tea sighed before she fished out her wallet and paid for the two coffees and her carrot cake and accepted the tray from the cashier and made her way over to the table Atemu was seated at. He had pulled out his cellphone and appeared to be texting someone. Tea was quiet for a moment while she placed Atemu's coffee in front of him before taking a fortifying sip of her own.
"So, how have things been?" Tea asked slowly. The last time she had seen Atemu he had been sobbing at 2 in the morning and that was a couple of days ago. She genuinely wanted to know if things had began to look up for her friend.
Atemu glanced up at her briefly before he turned his attention back onto his phone. "Fine." Atemu replied briskly.
Tea sighed, "Atemu, look I'm sorry if you feel like I betrayed your confidence. I didn't know that the fact that Yami was in the hospital was supposed to be a big secret." Tea said.
Atemu snorted as he set his cellphone aside and looked Tea square in the eye. "You can't seriously be that dense can you? After all the shit you and everyone else has talked about Yami you can't figure out why not telling the whole gang that Yami is here is a good idea. Yami needs to rest so he can focus on his recovery. The last thing he needs are people showing up to the hospital to pick fights with him." Atemu replied.
"You can't honestly think that Yugi came to the hospital to get into a fight with Yami. You know Yugi better than that. He's a great guy who loves Yami very much." Tea said.
Atemu rolled his eyes, "Yeah. Apparently Yugi loved Yami so much he decided to file for a divorce. Yeah, that sounds like he loved him to me." Atemu muttered.
Tea frowned, "Now that isn't fair. Yugi did everything that he could. Yami was the one who ruined their marriage. And I for one think its commendable that Yugi is once more trying to extend the hand of friendship. Not that Yami deserves it after what he did to Yugi, but I'm glad that Yugi is able to be the bigger person here." Tea said.
Atemu snorted, "Right, as if you ever bothered to hear Yami's side of the story. Yami didn't ruin their relationship. The most I'll be willing to grant was that they both played a part in their marriage falling apart." Atemu replied.
"Are you going to seriously just sit here and try and defend Yami's infidelity as not being the cause of Yugi and Yami divorcing?" Tea hissed.
Atemu rolled his eyes, "And I will say that I don't believe that Yami would have cheated on Yugi. Yami isn't that type of person. He put everything he had into his relationship with Yugi even though in my honest opinion Yugi never appreciated or even deserved half of what Yami did for him." Atemu replied.
Tea frowned, "Now that's just plain wrong. Yugi was great for Yami! Yami just didn't appreciate what he had." Tea snapped.
"I actually think that might have been Yugi. After all, it must have been so nice having a spouse that was slaving away working his ass off so Yugi could sit at home and do nothing. Whereas you, me, and Yami all got jobs Tea and made something of ourselves Yugi never bothered to do that. And following the divorce...despite Yugi getting some spousal support from Yami Yugi now has to at least pull some shifts at his grandfather's shop. Bet he just loves having to be a productive member of society now." Atemu hissed.
Tea opened her mouth to say something further before she snapped it closed with a sigh. Why exactly were her and Atemu arguing about how Yugi and Yami's marriage fell apart? Clearly Atemu was a bit too close to the situation since he had practically been living in the hospital since Yami was admitted. And sadly, perhaps Atemu did have the point. She truly had never heard Yami's side of the story. She believed Yugi, there was no doubt about that. Yugi said Yami was a cheater and she had personally seen how upset he had been by Yami's cheating. But, was there a chance that Yami didn't cheat? Tea didn't know. "So, other than being parked at the hospital how have you been Atemu? We haven't really had much of a chance to really catch up. And I missed my chance to talk to you at Kaiba's Halloween party." Tea said. She'd been a bit shy about approaching her hot friend dressed up in a very sexy Pharaoh's costume. Afraid that she'd end up saying the wrong thing and with her cheating boyfriend also attending the party that had the potential to go very bad. So, she'd hung back.
Atemu shrugged, "Nothing really to tell." Atemu said briskly.
Tea frowned before she set her styrofoam cup of coffee down a bit harder than she intended to on the table. "Okay, now you're just being an ass! I'm trying to talk to you, you don't have to be such a jerk. I know from second hand information that things have been hard for you. No one has really seen you since earlier this summer. You are still my friend despite the fact that Yugi and Yami went their separate ways. Me, Yugi, Tristan, Ryou, Joey, Duke, Serenity, Malik, Marik, Akefia...we all still care about you Atemu. You aren't alone." Tea said.
Atemu rolled his eyes. "And I'm just fine without all of you butting in with your fake, shallow concern. You all were just as content to cast me out of your lives as your were Yami. And quite frankly, maybe that was for the best. I don't really need the rest of you anymore than you need me." Atemu muttered before he rose to his feet. "I think I'm going to head back in. Make sure that Yami is okay." Atemu replied.
Tea got to her feet and grabbed a hold of Atemu's arm before he was able to walk past the table, "We did not cast you aside! Our lives just were catching up with all of us and you just stopped coming around. I saw that you came to the Halloween party, but you hung back and mainly talked to Kaiba. Yes, I should have made more of an effort to break away from the others to talk to you. But, I'm here right now aren't I? Shouldn't that count for something at least?" Tea said.
"Yes, you're here right now keeping me away from my friend. My friend who needs me and who I intend to be there for." Atemu said.
"And you heard Yugi and Yami! They asked to have some space to discuss things between them in private and we both are going to respect that!" Tea snapped back.
"And if they are still talking then I will wait in the waiting room until they are finished. I have no intention of breaking up their discussion. Not unless it gets to be too heated because that is not what Yami needs right now." Atemu said.
Tea groaned in frustration, "Will it honestly kill you to open up to me?" Tea asked.
Atemu shrugged, "Probably not. But, better be safe all the same." Atemu replied briskly.
Atemu made his way into the hospital lobby, passing Yugi who was on his way out. "Atemu." Yugi greeted with a smile.
"Yugi." Atemu replied briskly.
"It might not be the best idea for you to head right up, Yami was in a bit of a bad mood when I left." Yugi said.
Atemu snorted, "No doubt he is in a bad mood because you helped to put him there. Then again, that's what happens when two divorced people interact. I'm pretty sure I'll be just fine." Atemu replied.
Yugi rolled his eyes, "Well, don't say that I didn't warn you."
Atemu stepped into the elevator and headed back up to Yami's floor before walking back into Yami's room. Yami was starring out the window as Atemu plopped back down in his seat, "So, did you at least tell him where he can shove it?" Atemu asked.
Yami turned back from the window with a snort, "Yeah. Something like that. Did you have a good visit with Tea?" Yami asked.
Atemu shrugged, "I guess you could say something like that." Atemu replied.
Yami rolled his eyes, "You're terrible Atemu, absolutely terrible." Yami muttered.
Atemu grinned, "What can I say? I try. And worse still...you're stuck with me for the long haul." Atemu replied.
"Oh boy, lucky me." Yami replied.