Pairing: Seto/Jou

Beta: Daisey

Disclaimer: They don't belong to me, damn it!

Notes: Wrote for the DCC Challenge at 'A dragon's lair' group.

One moment more - Prologue

Mokuba looked through the entire mansion for the mistletoe that he'd purchased last year to hang on the front door, his frustration growing when he continued to come up empty handed. Eventually, there was only one room left to search and, seeing no other solution, he decided to go to his brother bedroom, even though he knew that Seto might possibly kill him if he was caught. Okay, maybe not kill, but ground him for the rest of his life.

The raven-haired teen entered the huge room and, without wasting time, started looking for it. Exhausting all other possibilities, he turned his search to his big brother's closet. His quest for the mistletoe still proved to be futile but despite this, he didn't come away entirely empty handed.

Holding a very old piece of paper that had been carefully folded many times, Mokuba walked to the bed and sat down on the edge. His curiosity getting the better of him, he opened up the sheet, smoothed out its wrinkles, and realized it was a letter. A very old letter. He began to read.

"Dear Santa Claus,

I know that you give presents only to good boys, but I decided to write anyway. Today is the day my brother and I move to the Kaiba mansion. Mr. Kaiba looks like a good person, and I would like to think that finally Mokuba will have a real family.

That is why I'm writing to you. ForChristmas this year I want just one thing: happiness. I ask that this new home, this new life, brings happiness to me and my brother. If you could do that for me, I promise not to ask for anything ever again.

Seto Kaiba"

Mokuba sat as if frozen, gaping at the paper until the sound of his brother entering the mansion penetrated his shock. Pulling himself together, he quickly ran out of the bedroom, entering his own and locking the door. He flopped down on his own bed, repeatedly running over the words that he'd read in his mind.

Eventually an idea began to form and with it, a sweet smile curved up the corners of the boy's mouth.

"I promise you, nii-sama, that your wish will become true."

He just needed a little help. And, he knew just whom he should ask.

Jou smiled sweetly at the gift on his hands. Sure it was a little early for a Christmas gift, but who cared? He hugged the small Red Eyes Black Dragon, laughing at feeling the Santa hat tickling his bare arms. Shizuka had surpassed herself with the present, and he couldn't be happier with the item she'd chosen for him. He smiled down at the dragon again, the sound of the phone bringing the blond from his thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Nii-san!"

"Hi Shizuka!" the teen replied happily. "I just received your present!"

"What?" The girl sounded disappointed. "It shouldn't have arrived so early!"

Jou laughed and put the phone between his shoulder and neck. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" he teased lightly.

"Mom's let me spend Christmas with you! Isn't that great?"

"No shit!" he exclaimed excitedly. "And when do you arrive?"

"Tomorrow! Isn't that great?"

"Sure it is!" As he spoke with her, he looked through the mail on the table, a large envelope catching his attention.

"Could you pick me up at the airport?"

"Yes, what time?"

"One pm. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course it is! I'll see you tomorrow, at one pm."

"See you soon nii-san! Good night!"

"Good night!"

He hung up the phone and, the envelope in his hand, he went to his bedroom, locked the door, and sat on his bed, his heart pounding on his chest when he noted the return address. Gingerly, he ripped it open, and a large folder dropped onto his lap. Within minutes the blonde was avidly reading, his smile growing wider and wider with every word he took in.

TBC