A Whisper of Time || Yu-Gi-Oh Book 1 ||

Chapter 14

Atem and Téa spent a long while sitting on the couch in each other's arms, occasionally pecking the other with a kiss. It was blissful happiness, a bubble where nothing existed beyond it. If only it were true. However, even the sweetest of things came to an end. In this case, Atem felt as if intruding in her home. It wasn't right of him to be here and what of her parents? Were they going to approve of a boy with their daughter? Strangely enough, Atem had never found himself in this place before looking for parental approval, it was something new to him.

"I'm sorry I came uninvited." Atem apologised quietly causing her to stand abruptly.

"Don't ever apologise for such a thing." Atem could only smile at the beautiful girl in his arms.

"Besides, my parents aren't here anyway. I saw the message they left me when I came back." Téa shrugged. "It's nothing unusual. They do it most of the time; their job demands it so I'm more or less on my own here." Atem felt even sadder for having left her, too.

"I'm sorry," Atem apologised again but Téa shook her head.

"There's no need to apologise, it's not your fault."

"But I left too, didn't I?" okay, that was a painful memory making her create a slight distance between them.

"I was... I am so attached to you, Atem. When you left, I felt completely and utterly alone. I've been like this with my parents for years, I know they love me but they're rarely present in my life anymore. Although I couldn't stand losing you, that was too much to bear." It broke his heart over and over again listening to her. Atem had caused her a great deal of pain; Atem did not deserve her.

"My precious Téa, I have caused you so much misery. I am not worthy of your love." Téa shot him a look of disapproval before cupping his handsome face with her hands.

"Remember that, loving you never was nor will ever be a mistake." Téa reassured him making the storm in his chest get wilder.

"Gods, Téa, I wish I were here to stay. I want to stay." Atem admitted loudly.

"Well, can't we find a way?" Téa asked hopefully but his amethyst eyes looked away.

"I wish there were. The gods did a favour to me only because of what I have done for the world. They were kind of indebted to me but not anymore and well, you know that they aren't usually too generous." Téa thought about Teana and the necklace.

"Oh yes, I do." Téa mumbled in agreement.

There had to be a way somehow. Magic and stuff existed, why couldn't a person return from the afterlife? Dartz had lived for ten millennia and Atem wished only for a normal mortal life; the one Atem was cheated of. Yes, there had to be a way and Téa was going to find it.

Atem saw all familiar determination in the sapphire eyes of the brunette. Was it for good or bad Atem didn't know but hoped whatever Téa had in mind worked because Atem did not want to leave her, not again, not ever. However, it was an impossible craving.

"I'm afraid I have nowhere to stay. Before you suggest it, I don't think it's right for me to stay in your home." Oh yes, Atem was just brought up differently, like the way five thousand years ago. Probably Atem thought of this as strongly inappropriate as he was a male of honour and he would not disrespect a woman this way. It was a lost battle here. There was only one other option left.

"Okay, there's another alternative." Atem picked up fast enough.

"You mean Yugi?"

"Yes, you're like brothers. He'll be so happy to see you again. I'm sure Yugi won't mind." Atem contemplated the idea not that he had much of a choice.