The classroom was quiet as they stood there. He glanced at her a few times as he absentmindedly checked and rechecked the books in bag. Why is it so hard, just fucking ask her already! He scolded himself, squaring his shoulders. It's just something minor and stupid, what's the worst that can happen-no, don't fucking thing about it! He scolded himself. Awe, but why not? You know it's more likely to happen than what you hope? A useless pile of shit like you isn't worth someone like her. That ever-persistent voice hissed in the back of his mind.
"Is there anything I can help you with, so you don't run late to practice?" Terry offered, her voice like the first rays of sun piercing through the darkness of clouds, pulling him out of the vicious cycle of self-deprecation.
"Tomorrow after school, come over to my place." He suddenly blurted out. It was obvious it was completely unexpected from how she raised her brows. The cute look of confusion was not helping his nerves at all. Don't look at me like that right now dammit! I'll end up saying something stupid! Why are you so damn cute?! He felt the tips of his ears start to heat up, trying to hide the blush from his cheeks. "It's not for me or anything, Yugi really misses you and wants to see you again. He keeps talking about you to mom too so now she wants to meet you too. Gramps is gonna be there, but I'll keep him in line like last time. So…yeah, come over." There was a moment of silence, but it felt like an eternity as he felt her examine him. Those ever-observant eyes that he wished would see him instead of studying him. Unable to keep her gaze he looked down at his bag.
"Is that a request or a command?" She finally spoke up and he looked up to see her bite at her lower lip. The simple act had his heart pumping faster. She was laughing at him and all he wanted to do was punish her lips for teasing him. He let it slide though, seeing her genuinely herself was worth so much more to him.
Ha, look at me…wrapped around her finger and she really doesn't have a fucking clue. "Cheeky as always I see." He rolled his eyes at her, but gave a small smirk. "You should know by now I don't do requests."
"Demanding as always I see." She playfully threw the statement back at him. "I don't mind coming over though, I just need to let my dad know. He won't mind I'm sure and if it gets too late he'll probably send Marik and or Joey to come get me to avoid any night trouble. You don't mind me coming over though, right? I mean going to meet Yugi and your mom, I can see them when you're out, so I don't bother you." He nodded in agreement at her words, approving of the plan when she suddenly spoke up about the visit.
Wait, what? Why wouldn't I want to be there when you come over? Seriously?! You put that much stock into it? I swear…you're slowly trying to kill me. "When have you ever cared about not bothering me?" He flicked her forehead. "You barged your way into my life. Not having you around is more trouble than having you around. If I really didn't want you around, I wouldn't have sat there bored in a library while you read."
"This is very true, well if you don't mind then and father permitting I'd love to come over for dinner." She smiled as she rubbed the spot he flicked, the warmth was back in her smile and it eased his worries. Resting his hand atop her head, he stepped closer to her.
"Of course, I don't mind, idiot. I don't have practice tomorrow so I can come get you your place to show you the way over." He spoke a little softer.
"Sounds like a plan." He slid his hand down to cup her cheek as she looked up at him with such a vibrant grin. It was such a relief to see her smiling comfortably again. It was not forced or tensed, which had been bothering him. He had no idea what he would have done to Seto if she continued to look so troubled. Leaning closer, he pressed his lips to her forehead.
"You're finally smiling properly again…I was worried." He whispered, against her skin. You look best with that foolish carefree smile.
"I'm sorry, I'm better now…honest. Just, the whole Kaiba thing really threw me for a loop you know?" She softly spoke, placing a hand over the one that held her cheek. "Thank you, for caring about me." She moved her head back so she could properly look at him and give him a sincere smile of gratitude.
"Least I can do for all the shit you put up with me." He chuckled lightly and stepped back. A peaceful silence hung between them when the sound of a whistle made her look at the clock.
"You're gonna be late for practice, you better hurry up!"
"Huh, oh yeah. I'm heading off…why don't you come watch? Unless you want to read?" Terry chewed at her lower lip at the offer to watch. He wondered what she was thinking about in that overactive and perceptive mind of hers. "I'll come watch, I just need to return some books actually, so I'll come right after ok?"
Library? Seto is there. His jaw tensed at the thought of her going there alone. He wanted to say no and say she should just come with him, but he could tell by the resolve in her eyes she wanted to move forward. "Alright, see you there." He nodded, grabbing his bag and heading to the left while Terry turned right and did as she said she would. Atem had turned to watch her disappear around the corner before he went to the locker room. He was on the field in no time, the coach not giving him any trouble thanks to Jonouchi. As much as he was worried about her going to the library, he was unable to ignore the pep in his step at the simple fact that she said yes. It's not a date you moron, you told her it's for Yugi! You're doing this to help her get back on her feet, just…dammit quit grinning!
"What has you in such a good mood?" He heard a familiar voice from behind him to see Jonouchi.
"Nothing in particular," he shrugged and forced a frown. It was a terrible attempt he gathered since Jonouchi just laughed at him. "The fuck you laughing at?!"
"Your sad excuse of a frown, geez! Just be happy man, I don't mind! I'm glad something has you chipper. Or should I say…someone?" He gave a sly grin as he leaned in closer to Atem who leaned away from the nosy blond.
"The fuck you on? What makes you think this has to do with someone or anything?" He tried to throw him off course with harsh words. Will you leave me alone, idiot! The hell you trying to do making a scene like this?!
"What? Yami likes someone? That's new!" A teammate chimes in and soon the others circle around them. All of them chatter, poking and prodding him in amicable jest. He did not like this jest, though deep down there was a warmth in him he had forgotten about. The small hole in him started to fill without him realizing it.
"I don't like someone, Joey is just being an ass!" He huffed and pulled the troublemaker in a headlock. "Look what you did asshat!" He huffed, the tips of his ears red as he scowled to hide his blushing.
"Ah, you're blushing! I knew it! There is someone! I know who it is!" Jonouchi laughed and sang, though it a bit faltering from the headlock.
"Oh, tell us! Tell us!" The others laugh and plead with the trapped blond.
"C'mon Yami, we're all bros, right?"
"Yeah, we're a team!"
"We won't screw this up for you! You can tell us!" They all genuinely grinned at him, leaving him a little dumbstruck. It was the opportune moment for Jonouchi to slip away and move just out of reach.
"Seriously, we're on your side Yami." He added, giving him a thumbs-up. A swell of warmth filled his chest, but he hid it away, frightened by the feeling and the acceptance.
"It's the new girl, right? Terry? It has to be!" Someone says.
"Oh yeah, totally has to be! Damn, you're so lucky! She's good looking!"
"What, no way! Man, I was hoping to ask her out…but if you're seriously into her I wouldn't do that to a teammate yo." One by one they chimed in, Atem unable to really refute or verify their assumption.
Wait, don't just, fuck! All of you need to just-what?! He turned to the guy who said he wanted to ask her out and scowled at him. "Yeah, you better stay away!" He huffed, everyone falling silent at his sudden outburst in all this before cheering loudly and giving heavy thumps of encouragement on his back to go with their words.
"I knew it…well, if you need help lemme know ok? I mean she's a sister to me so who better to ask than a brother? With that said though, being her brother, I will kick your ass if you hurt her." Jonouchi went from a grinning to as serious glare in an instant as he looked Atem in the eyes.
"If…if she realizes how I feel and it all works out, yeah I'd never intentionally hurt her. I can't say I won't, I screw up all the fucking time with my words…but I know I'd do everything to make it better again. I don't plan on standing around anymore." He sternly spoke, keeping Jonouchi's gaze without any sign of hesitance.
"Hey, don't forget about me." They all turned to see Marik nearby and walking closer. "I had a feeling you liked her from the way you were watching her…she, however perceptive she is, is blind to herself and knows nothing about romance. You not only have to deal with him, but with me as well if you hurt her. I don't give a shit about customs, you hurt my family and I fuck you up plain and simple." He said with an ever-present smile as he stood in front of Atem. "I'm a good judge of character though, I know you're a good guy, so I don't have anything serious to worry about." He pat Atem on the shoulder.
"Heh, yeah you got nothing to worry about and even if you tried I'd kick your ass easy!" Atem scoffed, but it was obviously just light banter since Marik laughed it off.
"I like you, you've got guts. I think you two are good for each other, even if you end up just being friends. You balance each other well from what I know of you so far."
"So, you have both our approval, don't screw up!" Jonouchi grabbed Atem into a headlock for revenge's sake.
"I didn't plan on it! Lemme go moron!" He scowled when the coach blew his whistle.
"Alright breaks over, back to work!" He shouted.
"That's my cue to leave…I'm gonna just take a seat over there and wait for you." Marik turned to Jonouchi as he pointed to a nice shaded spot a good distance from the field. "But where's Terry?"
"Alright, cool." He nodded. "Uh, my guess is the library."
"Terry's coming to watch today. She needed to return some books, she should be here soon." Atem answered calmly but was soon flustered as they two gave him identical teasing grins for knowing this bit of information. "Screw the both of you!" He flipped them both off and stomped ahead to the coach to hide how they got to him.