As soon as dinner was done, Terry tried her very best to help with the dishes. However, the boys had taken the lead on this and assured her that she simply relax and wait for them to finish. When she tried to stand in protest, Yugi and pushed his face up close to hers so much so that their noses were touching and she had to sit back in her seat.

"You're our guest, no doing anything! Don't worry, we have an awesome dessert ready!" He scolded at first but soon was grinning from ear to ear. "Be good and I'll make sure you get a big serving!" He quickly looked around before whispering this reward to her. "Mom makes the best, you'll thank me later." Terry found herself at a loss on argument, giving in with a small smile as she nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll be good. You better give me a big serving, promise?" She whispered back. Excited with her agreement Yugi stuck out his pinkie.

"I promise!" He hooked his chubby little one around hes and gave a firm nod. "Alright, don't go anywhere! We'll be right back ok? If grandpa gets annoying you can just tell him to leave you alone! He'll probably use tear drops to cry and make you feel bad. Don't fall for it at all! I used to all the time," he grumbled on as he hopped out of his seat. "I ended up doing a bunch of chores for him that mom asked him to do! He'll probably make you wanna do his chores too so don't fall for it!"

Oh if only he were simply requesting chores like that from me. She gave the best smile she could at the moment as she recalled all of the strong encounters she has had with the elder. "I'll be sure to tell him no and I'll make sure that he knows I'll tell you so he won't try fake tears."

"Good idea, and if he gets super trick you can use Atem's name!" He nodded his head once more. "Alright I gotta dry the dishes now! I'll be back soon!" He ran off to the kitchen, leaving Terry to sit alone at the once full table. She looked around at the decor of the room. It all had a warm and home touch, different from her own home but very much the same when it came to the comforting and warmth.

On a side table nearby she noticed a small line of picture frames and in each she noticed Atem, Yugi, their mother, their grandfather, and someone else. Curious, she got up from her chair and headed over to the photos. She picked up a large family photo.

That's Atem for sure...but with such a smile? It's so carefree...and happy. I wonder if he could still smile like that. Hah, his tooth is missing too! She bit back her laughter as she looked to Mrs. Muto, Sugoroku, and then a strapping young man next to his mother. That must be his father. Speaking of which, I haven't seen him at all. She realized, frowning a little at this.

"That's one of my favorite pictures." Terry jumped at the sudden voice from beside her, fumbling to catch the frame but managed to keep it safe.

"M-Mr. Sugoroku, you really gave me a scare there!" She sighed, placing the frame back in its place.

"My apologies," he chuckled softly as he looked at the photo she placed back. "Ah, it's been two years now...time simply just ticks on by doesn't it?" He hummed, rubbing his thumb on the glass.

"Two years…?"

"Ah, that's right. You probably don't know. My son, their father, passed away two years ago." It's been a little over two years now to be exact. It was such an unfortunate accident, but had he not...well, I imagine Atem would not be here." Terry felt her heart stop at the words, the thought of Atem not being around painful.

"What do you mean? I, no, I'm sorry...I shouldn't ask. It's not my place." She quickly stopped herself, looking back at the photo.

"Not your place? Hmm, I do wonder about that. I haven't seen that boy so lively in...well two years!" He hummed, motioning for Terry to follow him. She followed him to the living room, taking a seat on the sofa as Sugoroku settled into the one seater couch. With a satisfied sigh he melted a little into the cushion and sat in silence. Reveling in the much needed comfort, he closed his eyes. Terry silently watched, amused at the blissful expression at such simple comfort. "Now, where were we?" He hummed to life, sitting up a bit as he turned to look at her. "It was at the first few months of his first year in high school. Atem had been hanging out with his friend Jonouchi after school. Some punks started picking a fight, or at least tried to but he wasn't responding. My son had been heading home early from work that day and saw the commotion from across the street. From what I've heard, Atem was shoved out into traffic and my son ran across to push him back on to the sidewalk. He was hit by the car that would've hit Atem. He was taken to the hospital and for some time it was a lot of touch and go." Terry noticed the raspy old tone of his voice soon became more and more gravely as he spoke. His eyes were misted over unlike before with the fake tears and she knew he was in serious pain. She carefully stood up from her seat and knelt beside the grieving elder as she placed her hand over one of his.

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel angry over the loss of my son...not at Atem though. Never have I ever blamed that boy, my darling grandson was saved that day and I know my son would do the same all over again if it came to it. It's those brats that ran off...if I ever found them, I-I...I don't know what I'd do. An old bag of bones like me can't do much." He sighed, rubbing the tears from his eyes. "Anyway, that is...we lost him because of the accident and it seemed like we had lost Atem just s well. However, you've been bringing him back to us without even realizing it. You may not have known...but your arrival was on the anniversary of the accident. He was particularly cross that day with everyone...and when he came home, it was different. He was angry yes, but it was not the same dark brooding. We all thought maybe he was slowly accepting it...but it was in fact just you coming into his life." He smiled and placed his other hand over hers. "Please, keep taking care of our Atem."

"I didn't do anything...I only made him angrier that day." She laughed off, shaking her head lightly as she gave a genuine smile. "I will, I promise. He's someone...very important to me now. Even if you didn't ask, I would've been doing as I always been." Sugoroku smiled at this.

"Terry, where'd you go!?" They turn at the sound of Yugi's voice to see him holding a tray of desserts. "There you are! Did grandpa do anything?" He frowned as he set the tray down.

"No, no, not at all. He was just telling me a little bit about everyone is all." Terry laughed, taking her seat on the sofa once more,

"Oh ok, good! Here you are, mom's super fantastic flan!" He grinned from ear to ear as he handed the two of them a bowl. "Atem's coming too, he's grabbing some tea." He offered, hopping onto the sofa just as Atem came around the corner. Terry smiled at him, about to move from her seat so he could sit but he quickly shook his head.

"Stay, I'll justs it on the floor." He sat beside her legs and rested his head against her knee. She was a little surprised by him being so carefree in the open.

We're in his house though, he's probably more relaxed here than at school. Shelet the topic slide as she grabbed her pudding. Mrs. Muto joined them as soon as she was done drying her hands and they all comfortably sat enjoying the subtle and sweet pudding like treat which Terry agreed with Yugi on how delicious it was. A light conversation quickly unfolded from their as their asked about school and what was die to each of the boys. She scolded them openly as if Terry was not there, much to the two boys' embarrassment.

Yugi twisted and turned on the sofa as he openly groaned for his mother to stop while Atem just hid his face against Terry's leg and mumbled something incoherent which left Terry laughing at their expense. Mrs. Muto was quick to see what had gotten into them since they normally were nothing like this and was soon apologizing to Terry who assured her all was well.

No it isn't. Do you just like watching me being tortured? Atem grumbled, pressing a mindless kiss to the outside of her knee before biting at the spot and looking up at her with a glare. She snickered at his behavior, poking his forehead lightly as she silently resumed her sweet. Mrs. Muto pulled Terry into the conversations that followed, asking her all sorts of questions about her life to which Terry happily answered and gave the same recounts given to her classmates. She censored a little more details for the current audience, Sugoroku easily catching them from experience while Atem knew from having heard the tales before. He smiled a little to himself as she slowly relaxed around his mother, oblivious to the fact that his warmth was support enough for her to try and step out of her worries.

At the strike of ten, Mrs. Muto had realized the time had gotten away from them and soon was insisting Terry either go home now or spend the night with them. Not wanting to impose, Terry assured her that she had someone to pick her up.

"Jonouchi as well as Marik and his family live with me and my father now and they said they insisted I get picked up when I leave." She assured, fishing her phone out of her pocket to text them that she was going to get ready to leave soon. The two had responded in an instant of coming to get her. "Yeah, they'll come get me. I just feel bad they should come walking all this way. Maybe I'll meet them halfway. There's a point on the way from school where we split up." She motioned to Atem as she spoke.

"I'll walk you to the point then. I'll text them the details. You just make sure you have everything. I'm just gonna get changed and we can head out." He stood up from his seat, heading up before she could say anything.

"That's an excellent idea," Mrs. Muto agreed to make sure Terry was unable to argue. She was a little surprised by her son's willingness to offer and on his own accord, but it was a pleasant had been a long time since Atem showed anything outside of anger or apathy towards others. She knew it was out of hurt and she felt so helpless as a mother who was unable to reach out and help him. He had walled himself away from her and try as she might, he kept rebuilding where she had dismantled. She never gave up though and now there was someone who could help her. "It was a pleasure to meet you Terry, please do come over whenever you like Much like how Atem us welcomed in your home, you are more than welcomed here as well. Jonouchi and Marik as well! Don't be a stranger alright? Having another woman in the house is so refreshing!" She smiled warmly at Terry who nodded her head in agreement.

"Definitely, thank you for having me. It was a great pleasure being here!"

"Yeah, come again ok?" Yugi jumped into the conversation, grabbing his mother's hand.

"Of course, how can I not visit my friend!" Yugi beamed at this, puffing his chest with pride at her calling him a friend.

"Yes, do come again." Sugoroku grabbed a hold of her hand. "Though we must part, my heart will yearn for you until we meet again!" He tried to step closer but Terry had been yanked away by a force and they all turn to see Atem back dressed in casual clothes.

"Alright, let's head out already. Can't keep my eyes off of you for a minute you lecherous old man." He muttered under his breath as he pulled Terry to the door and she hastily said a final round of goodbyes.

"Oi, let me at least put my shoes on!" Yanking her arm free, she gave him a stern glare as she grabbed her shoes and slipped them on. "You complain about my running all the time and yet here you are, running yourself!" She rolled her eyes, Atem scowling at her words.

"Well maybe it's become a nasty habit because of a certain someone."

"Don't be so rude, maybe it's a secret thrill more so than a nasty habit. For all your complaints you're still there running." She lightly elbowed him as they stepped out of the house.

"Cheeky as always I see." He chuckled. "We're off, I'll text you guys when I'm on my way back home." He called out, the rest of the Mutos watching the two in amusement as they wave them off.