Title: Seto Kaiba's Christmas Carol.

Author: Mrpointyhorns
Rating: T
Pairing(s): S/J, hintings of YB/YY, and onesided T/YY
Beta: None

Warings: Yaoi, Slight Fluff, mentions of child abuse

Spoilers: none

Summary: It's the typical Christmas Carol story, with Seto as Scrooge, Yami, Marik, and Bakura playing the spirits of Christmas. Only Seto's not exactly a scrooge, his past holds little happiness, and his future holds no sign of despair and Joey is 'handcuffed' to Seto. Still can Seto learn something from this holiday classic?

Chapter 2

Even though it was the day before Christmas Seto had to work. He had given the majority of his employees the day off. Seto could not enjoy that luxury however because he had to keep his business running. He had felt bad when Mokuba had yelled at him when he heard of Seto's plans for the day, but he knew that if he wanted to spend Christmas with Mokuba than he had finish up his work today.

Seto's plans had changed slightly after he had dropped Mokuba off at Kaiba Land so that the young boy could spend his holiday with his friends. While he was leaving the park a little dark spell had hit him. Now he was connected loosely with Joey.

Instead of being a pain like Seto had thought Joey was sitting quietly in front of Seto's desk waiting for Bakura to show up with the counter spell. Joey had initially complained about spending his day in a stuffy office, but after about twenty minutes he realized that complaining would get him no where.

Joey had remained quiet for over four hours now. He asked a few curious questions, before finally asking Seto for a pad of paper and a pencil. Joey lazily drew pictures of his favorite Monster cards. While he surprised Seto with his patients Joey had been surprised by the fact that Seto had promised to finish quickly.

He was also surprised to find that the few people working in the office were there because they chose to work holiday hours instead of going home with their family. Joey didn't realize that Seto could really be a good boss. After everything with the board of Seto's company Joey was certain that Seto was just a money grabbing scrooge. Joey knew that if he was working he would want Seto to be his boss. Still Joey was getting tired of drawing and he wanted something to do, or someone to talk to.

Seto was the only person around so he began to talk to him. Joey wasn't saying anything that had any importance and it was distracting Seto from his work, this annoyed the young billionaire. "Shut it!" Seto snarled. "I'm trying to get this work done so I can spend some time with my brother tomorrow! If you keep distracting me then I will have to come in on Christmas too." Seto explained. Although he didn't sound it or look it Joey could tell he was hurt at the thought of working on the joyous day. Seto saw Joey sympathize with him and he reached over to tug his pen out of Joey's hand.

"But Seto, I'm bored," Joey whined. "I have family too you know. And I can't be with them either because I'm stuck here with you. And even though my Dad probably hasn't even gotten out of bed yet, I'd still prefer it to this."

Seto sighed, "I understand that it's boring. I'm sorry." Seto said. He was talking to Joey like he wasn't working furiously on some drafts, and yet Joey could see him working. "Are you really comparing me with your lazy father?"

"He's not lazy!" Joey defended. Although it was true Joey's Dad was lazy and a drunk, among other things. Even if he was neglectful, and sometime verbally abusive he had never physically touched Joey.

Seto lofted a brow at the way Joey had to shout that defense. Joey sighed and lowered his voice, "He just doesn't care."

"I see," Seto said. He said this without looking but Joey sort of liked the way he responded. Seto didn't judge or tease him, he just understood. "I have to be here a couple more hours Joey, if I give you some work to do will that entertain you a bit?"

"Sure I'll help you Seto. As long as I don't have to walk too far," Joey was surprised that Seto even wanted him to help but he was glad for something to do.

Seto laugh, "No, I think we'll bruise if we run into each other one more time. It's not really hard. Will you just stuff these envelopes? Just make sure to fold the letters in thirds and the address is showing when it's in the envelope and then put stamps on them. My assistant is off today, it would be helpful to him, and I'll pay you for your time."

Joey nodded to the instructions but stopped from starting on the stack of letters and envelopes on his side of the desk. He felt his jaw drop a little, "Seto you don't have to pay me. I'm stuck here what else do I have to do?"

"I have to pay you. I ruin a business and I pay the people that work for me. It would be wrong of me not to." Seto explained.

Even though Joey was fine not being paid he didn't mind the extra cash he would have for working with Seto. If he worked for the few hours they had left in the office he could make enough to pay for all of his lunches at school. So he didn't argue again and he got to work.

The only thing that interrupted them was when an employee that was working popped his or her head in to wish Seto a Happy Holiday. Or the time Seto had to go to the copy room and Joey had to follow. Seto had to get Joey three new stacks of letters for Joey to stuff, but those things were all necessary. Especially, the employees, the few that remained always had a basket of goodies to give Seto for the holiday and Seto had a bonus for them. Even lowest man in the company received a bonus, everyone was very grateful. Joey was mostly grateful for the sweets.

Joey sealed the remaining envelope with a wet sponge and put it on top of the pile of letters. Seto had stopped typing a little while ago and was getting his briefcase ready. It was dark outside of the sky scrapper and the clock read eleven thirty. "Wow it's late." Joey yawned.

"I know. We're leaving. If we're any later I wouldn't be home before midnight. I want to spend the entire Christmas with Mokuba not just a few hours." Seto explained. He opened the top draw of his desk and pulled out a lock box. After unlocking it Seto counted out five hundred dollars. He relocked it and put it away before counting the money and handing it across the desk to Joey.

"Seto this is way too much!" Joey gasped.

"No it's not. I pay my assistant more, much more, and you had to be here on Christmas Eve. Just take it Joey." Seto stood and grabbed his coat. "Besides, I don't want you complaining when you realize that you have to come home with me."

"I already knew that. And this is too much. But it's your money." Joey folded it and placed it in his wallet. He put on his own coat before softly thanking the president and owner of Kaiba Corp. Neither said a word on the way home.