Chapter 2: Embarrassing Welcome
March 2003
A week later, Atem was sitting up, his arm still in a sling. He had color in his cheeks and looked healthier than the teen they had found the week before. "This time is so strange. You will have to teach me the customs."
"Of course we will, anything you need to know, feel free to ask." Yugi smiled.
A doctor in scrubs entered the room, picking up the chart from the door. "Atem Mutou, how are you feeling?"
Atem looked over at Grandpa questioningly.
"Sorry Atem, we gave the doctor our last name because we didnt know if you had a surname or not." Solomon explain
"That is okay. What is it?" Atem asked, used to doctors and nurses waltzing into his room at odd hours.
The doctor went over to a white board and put up an X-Ray. "Do you see this dark spot on here?" he asked indicating the spot. "This is what looks like the tip of a sword. Now that you're stronger, I'd like to remove it."
"Are you sure that's what it is doctor? Atem? How on earth did you get the tip of a sword in you?" Yugi asked looking slightly uneasy.
"I was fighting someone and the stabbed me. The sword tip must have broken off. It's common." Atem was more concerned about the idea of removal. "What are you going to do to remove it?"
"We would put you under and open you up to remove it." The doctor explained.
Atem's eyes widened. He only understood the second half of the statement. "No."
"What's wrong Atem, don't you want to get better and be relieved of the pain." Yugi asked.
"Where I live, being cut open was extremely dangerous. You could easily die." Atem explained.
"I can assure you that you will be under the best care and we can handle any complications." the doctor assured him.
"You won't feel a thing Atem. They will either put you to sleep or just give you enough anesthetic so you don't feel them working." Yugi assured him.
Atem gave him a level look. "You promise nothing will harm me while I'm under as you put it?"
"I promise no one will come into my operating room while you are asleep." The doctor assured him.
Atem nodded. "Then you may do it."
"Prep him and I'll meet you in the OR." The doctor nodded to the nurse and left.
"We'll be here when you wake up." Yugi assured him, squeezing his free hand.
"Thank you." Atem whispered as they got up to leave.
"No problem. You're a Mutou whether you like it or not." Grandpa chuckled as he led Yugi out of the room.
Yugi and Grandpa waited in the waiting room as hours passed. Finally a the surgeon met them and smiled. "He came through like a champ. He'll be in recovery until he wakes up and then you can see him once they move him back to his room."
"Thank you, doctor." Yugi nodded.
"Mr. Mutou?" a nurse asked an hour later.
"Yes" Solomon answered.
"We have him in his own room and is awake, asking for you."
"Thank you. Hey Yugi, Yugi wake up my boy. Atem's awake and is asking for us." Solomon said gently shaking his grandson.
Yugi stirred and looked blearily around. "What's up?" he asked sleepily.
"Atems awake if you want to go and see him."
"Of course, he must be scared." Yugi followed the nurse and entered the room.
Atem was lying in bed with his head slightly raised. "Hey..." he croaked.
"Hey yourself, how are you feeling Atem"
"Tired...Did they get it?" Atem asked, reaching over to take Yugi's hand.
"From the looks of it they did." Yugi said taking Atem's hand but spotting the bandages.
"I have a question..."
"Sure, what's wrong Atem?"
Atem looked over at Grandpa. "Do I still have a place to stay...even with all the trouble I am...?"
"Atem, your no trouble at all, of course you can still stay with us. We can't wait to take you back home." Solomon smiled
"We could ask if they could transfer him to the hospital in Domino. I think it would be easier on him for his first plane ride to be drugged up." Yugi smirked.
"Plain?" Atem asked blankly.
"He means airplane. I know you used to travel by boat back in Egypt but now to get from here back to Domino we have to fly. Good thinking Yugi, maybe I should go and ask the doctors about it." Solomon said patting Yugi's back.
"Is it that bad...?" Atem asked.
"No way, flying is really fun." Yugi smiled.
Then why..." Atem was getting too tired to finish the sentence, still sleepy from the anesthesia.
aww, i'll let you sleep" Yugi sighed happily
A week later, Atem was released to go to Domino Memorial to finish his recovery. The plane landed at Domino Airport and Atem was taken by ambulance to the hospital. "You might want to let the gang know we arrived." Grandpa told Yugi, as they headed to the hospital.
"Oh, good thinking"
Sending a multiple message to his friends
"Hey guys, im back from Egypt and we have a new friend with us that I would like you to meet, we are just heading to the hospital so meet us there if you want."
The gang arrived as Grandpa and Yugi arrived at the hospital, having a shorter distance to go. "Hey, who is this friend you got?" Joey asked by way of greeting.
"You'll meet him soon enough if you follow us up to his room." Yugi smirked "And hello to you to Joey."
The gang followed Yugi and Grandpa up to the room Atem was in. "Do you have a twin?" Tea asked, turning her eyes from Atem to Yugi.
"He's no relation actually." Yugi chuckled.
"I better say hello." Tea looked a little flustered as she went over to Atem's bed.
Atem stirred, opening his eyes and Tea came into view. "Have I gone to the afterlife...?" he asked sleepily.
"No Atem, you haven't." Yugi chuckled. "Atem this is Tea. Tea, Atem." Yugi said introducing the two.
"Nice to meet you..." Atem smiled sleepily.
"Hi." Tea said with a blush.
"Hey I'm Joey and this is Tristan" Joey said pushing past Tea.
"Nice to meet you...Is this Japan? It looks like Egypt..."
"Yeah you are in Domino Japan." Yugi said.
Atem was finally released a week later, though still in a sling. He groaned as he tried to figure out the clothes Yugi had left him, coming to the conclusion that it was impossible to put on by himself. "I have to face it. I need help." he muttered, sitting in the nearest chair.
Knocking lightly on the door Tea smiled "Atem, are you ok, do you w-" Tea said opening the door on a half-naked Pharaoh.
Atem turned pink. "I am sorry, I did not expect you too soon."
"I can go if you want me too. I-I'm sorry for walking in on you."
"No, stay. I need help dressing." Atem gave her a pleading look. "I must face that I am useless with one arm."
"Are you able to stand up again? I can help you put that shirt on."
Atem got to his feet with one hand and tossed her the shirt. "Thank you. I do not think I could work those...what are they called?" Atem looked confused as he glanced at the jeans on the bed.
"You mean buttons, I suppose you need help with those pants too." Tea giggled nervously.
I will." Atem nodded. "Why do you feel uncomfortable around me?"
"Other than the fact that I'm a girl and you are guy and I don't know you all that well either." Tea blushed "I'm sorry if I offended you."
"No worries. I was a Pharaoh. People were covering their real feelings around me all the time to prevent offending me. Your honesty is refreshing." Atem smiled.
"You were a Pharaoh, Yugi never told me that. Now I really do need to mind my manners."
"There is no point. I can tell what you really feel." Atem tapped his temple.
"I suppose you expect me to call you, your majesty." Tea teased.
A shadow passed over his eyes. "Please do not..." he looked away.
"Sorry, I just thought I should be a little more respectful since you are a King."
"Was," he replied quietly.
"Would you like help with those pants now?" Tea asked changing the subject.
Atem looked back at her, appreciating the subject change. "Yes, please."
"Sitting down on the bed will be easiest."
Atem sat on the bed, nervous. "I know I have been out of it since we met. I did not say anything to make you uncomfortable around me, did I?"
"No you didn't. You commented on my school uniform but nothing too bad."
"Exactly what did I say?" Atem's cheeks turned a deeper red.
"You only noted how much clothes have changed since your time." Tea said as she helped Atem with his pants.
Once Atem was dressed, Grandpa and Yugi had arrived. "You're dressed? Good. The doctor released you so you're free to go. But you have to leave in a wheelchair."
"Not those silly contraptions." Atem groaned as Yugi brought one over.
Once Atem was dressed, Grandpa and Yugi had arrived. "You're dressed? Good. The doctor released you so you're free to go. But you have to leave in a wheelchair."
"Not those silly contraptions." Atem groaned as Yugi brought one over.
"Would you like me to push you, Atem." Tea asked.
"Sure." Atem settled in the wheelchair, placing his good arm on the rest. "Take me somewhere with better food."
"How about we take you home, Grandpa is a really good cook." Yugi chuckled.
"Perfect. I could do with a good meal." Atem touched his flat stomach with his good hand.
"Well, what sort of things are you used to eating" Yugi asked raising an eyebrow.
"Usually what we could farm or kill." Atem said with a shrug of his good shoulder.
"Ok, im sure Grandpa will come up with something."
Once they were home, Atem seemed tired. "I think I need a nap. The trip has tired me."
"You still have alot of recovering to do. Come and lay on the couch while Grandpa cooks us some dinner." Yugi suggested.
Atem obeyed with a groan, closing his eyes. "Can I sleep here?" he asked jokingly.
"You would be very uncomfortable laying here, we are almost there, only a few more steps to the top."
Joey appeared at the top of the stairs. "I got an idea, if the Pharaoh isn't too prideful."
Clearing her thoat and looking down at Atem and then back to Joey, she asked, "What ever you are planning, be gently with him"
Atem looked down at Joey with tired eyes. "If it doesn't involve my having to climb the stairs, I am okay with it."
"Do you mind if I carry you up to Yugis bedroom?" Joey asked coming closer to Atem.
"I have been sleeping alone for the most part for these past weeks. Would you mind staying with me?"
"Oh um, I don't know, maybe it would be better to have Yugi with you." Tea said sounding nervous.
Atem smirked in a sleepy way. "You scared I will bite?"
"N-no, I will just sit here with you until you are asleep. Is that ok?" Tea said pulling Yugi's chair away from his desk and sitting down.
Atem sighed and closed his eyes, quickly asleep.
Watching Atem sleep, Tea started to feel sorry for the former Pharaoh seeing a slight frown on his face. "Poor guy, maybe I should sit with him." Tea whispered as she quietly moved from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed.
Atem could smell the perfume she was wearing in his sleep and his body started to respond. His face soon relaxed into a soft smile.
Knowing already how muscular Atems body was, Tea started to get a little curious, without waking him Tea gently glided her fingers over his chest "Stay asleep Atem, just relax." she whispered soothingly.
Atem sighed at her touch, as his body continued to respond.
Keeping an eye on his face so she could move her hand if he started to wake, Tea's hand slowly drifted down towards his thigh without her realizing until her fingers caught a "bump", making her gasp. "Oh no I hope I don't wake him up" she whispered in panic.
Atem continued to sleep, still smiling.
"Now that hes asleep I should get out of here, I shouldnt be touching him like that, I do kinda like him" Tea whispered as she got slowly up off the bed & snuck out the door still with a deep blush on her cheeks
Atem woke up hours later, a little disoriented as the room came into view. he saw he was alone. "Tea?"
Coming into the room to check on Atem, Yugi looked at him and then blushed. "H-hey Atem, I see you are feeling better." Yugi said with a blush.
Atem was confused at first and then realized what he was blushing about. "I had a nice dream."
"I can see that, you ready to get up and have some dinner"
"I do not need everyone to know." Atem looked mortified.
"Well do you just want to sit up here and relax until your little problem goes away." Yugi said blushing deeper red.
Atem looked affronted, not understanding what he was saying. "I am royalty! Nothing about me should be considered little!"
"Settle Atem, its ok. That's not what I meant, I'm sorry." Yugi said nervously after being told off.
Atem calmed down, as did his body. "You helped me by riling me up." he smiled.
"Want to come downstairs now?"
"Sure, if I can have help."
Wrapping his arm around Atems lower back and helping him up off the bed and then down the stairs. "Hey guys look who is feeling better." Yugi announced.
Atem didn't understand why Tea wouldn't look at him when he sat down beside her. "What did I do?" he asked her quietly.
"You didn't do anything Atem. It's me. I'm sorry, I'm so embarrassed." Tea whispered.
"Do not worry, I am not mad at you."
"Thank you Atem, you're really sweet."