Chapter Seven- Second Date

"How did it go?" Yugi asked when Atem came upstairs.

"It was romantic. Kaiba wanted to treat me to an old-fashioned date. He wore a classic suit, offered me his arm, opened doors for me, helped me sit down, and ordered for me."

"Wow. That is old-fashioned. You liked that?"

"It fit with the fancy restaurant we went to."

"Sounds like Kaiba's trying to set a high standard or trying to impress you."

"Don't worry about it. I love all three of you and I don't see that changing anytime soon."

"Mmm. What's that?" Yugi pointed to the box Atem held.

"A gift from Kaiba. A prototype device." Atem set it on her bed, opened it, pulled out the device, and showed Yugi, giving him an overall look.

"It looks like an oversized electric razor," he commented.

"It is a razor; one to shave legs."

Yugi's eye widened. "Oh, wow! That's real thoughtful of him."

"I promised to let him know how it works. Of course, I need to read the instructions first and let it charge up."

"Kaiba did kiss you, right?"

"He did. Naturally, it was better than the first."

"Of course. Atem? Would you like to have lunch and a movie with me on Sunday?"

"Sounds perfect. What time?"

"I was thinking we have a long lunch around noon and catch a two o' clock movie."

"It's a date." Atem gave Yugi a kiss on the lips before taking her razor to the bathroom to charge it before reading the instructions. Yugi smiled as he went to his room. We've got a date Sunday! Plenty of time to buy a gift as well. Maybe Grandpa has some ideas.

"Did she like the razor?" Mokuba asked.

"Oh, yes. She recognized it as a razor when she saw the heads. I asked her to tell me about it once she's used it.

"Mokuba, everything went perfectly. I treated her like a lady and she seemed to enjoy it. I used every old-fashioned tactic and it made it a romantic first date."

"I think you missed on."

"Oh?"

"Giving her a flower, specifically a rose."

Kaiba nearly face-palmed at that but quickly rallied before he could. "I think the razor was a better gift than a flower. I'll leave that to her other boyfriends."

"She's got dates with them too?"

"She's having dinner with Bakura on Friday. Yugi? I don't know. They were supposed to have a date for a school bag and uniforms but that was the day she became a girl so the date was awkward. She's giving him a second chance since the first one wasn't fair to them."

"Makes sense, but wouldn't that look like she loves Yugi more than you and Bakura?"

"As long as Atem and I continue to date, I don't care if she loves Yugi or Bakura more than me. Besides, I think she knows how much I love her just from this date alone."

Bakura adjusted his tie and tried unsuccessfully to smooth down his hair while Ryou watched in mild amusement. "Bakura, are you nervous?"

Bakura gave a shaky laugh. "I suppose I am. This is our first date. No doubt Kaiba's already treated her to a fancy dinner. I've got to impress her as much."

Ryou shook his head. "Bakura, if she loves you, it won't matter where you go for your date."

"I won't let Kaiba steal her from me," he muttered as if Ryou hadn't spoken.

Ryou rolled his eyes. Bakura clearly wasn't going to listen to him. He knew the thief was the possessive type, not inclined to share with others. He wanted to be Atem's only boyfriend. I got the feeling that Atem would be happy to keep dating all three. I'm sure she'll tell Bakura that should it come up.

"Well, I'm off," Bakura said, breaking into Ryou's thoughts.

"Have fun," Ryou said.

Atem felt a little confused. Bakura had seemed happy when he picked he up, like that she was wearing the locket and a new dress. But once they were seated and had selected and ordered their food, Bakura became distant and sullen. Did I do something wrong or is there something else that's bothering him?

"Bakura, is something wrong? Would you like to talk about it?"

Bakura blinked before saying, "I was just wondering how your date with Kaiba went. I imaging it was fancy."

"It was and it wasn't really my style. I appreciate that you and Kaiba want the date to be romantic, but don't try so hard."

"I want you to love me instead of Kaiba."

"Bakura, I love all three of you and I will continue to do so. I don't love one more than the others. The day you asked me out, I saw a side of you I never did before."

"You did?"

"You were attentive and easy to talk to. I knew you truly loved me when you gave me the locket." She touched the heart and smiled at it.

Bakura beamed at Atem's words. He had toned down his obnoxious attitude, had a real conversation with Atem, and she was receptive to it. So, this is how one has a relationship: By being honest and open. "Atem, I am curious. What do you see in Kaiba that draws you to him?"

Atem pondered over that as their dinner arrived and during her eating. She swallowed a bite before saying, "I think I'm drawn to Kaiba's looks and charm. He's cold to anyone he doesn't love so only Mokuba and I see that side of him."

"So, he can be a softie but only two of you see that."

Atem gave a nod. "I feel fortunate to know both sides of him and look forward to more of that in the future."

"And me? Do you see the same thing with me?"

"Absolutely, though I could do without the side of you I knew before my change."

"So, I just have to get rid of that part. I could do that."

"Actually, there is a part I want you to keep."

"What part is that?"

"Your dueling part. Don't give that up."

Bakura grinned. "Oh, I definitely don't want to stop dueling."

"I feel the same way and I'm sure Kaiba and Yugi feel that way too."

"Speaking of Yugi, Ryou was told by Yugi that you have another date with him on Sunday."

"Yes. It's to make up for last weekend's date. My change was unexpected and resulted in an awkward date."

Bakura winced. "Sorry about that. I didn't know."

"It's all right. Yugi had asked that night before bed. Besides, you know I was surprised but happy when I woke up."

"Ryou didn't say what you and Yugi will do."

"A long lunch and a movie. A rather casual date, but I look forward to it."

"Perhaps our next date could simply be a dueling playdate."

"I'd like that."