Second Dream

Seto found himself standing outside the Game Shop. He took his hand back and stuffed both into his pockets.

"Let me guess," he said, "the present?"

"From a few hours ago."

"Stretching the definition, aren't you?"

The pharaoh glowered up at him. "Don't argue semantics with me. We made a deal."

Seto motioned to the marque draped in flashing Christmas lights. "And what, exactly, would I have to learn from the dork brigade?"

"Mokuba's in there."

Seto's arm flinched back. He stared at the blue door with its wreath and red 'closed' sign. Through the window, the lights were still on. He could see Yugi's grandfather behind the counter, wiping down the glass. The sight brought forth the unpleasant memory of that first day, his first loss, and the events that followed. As he stared, thick white flakes fluttered down in front of his eyes. He looked up and watched them fall. The image reminded him of a screensaver from an old computer.

"Well?" The pharaoh asked.

Seto squared his shoulders. "Fine."

As before, he walked through the front door as if it wasn't there. Yugi's grandfather didn't look up as he walked by, passed the counter, through the little hallway at the bottom of the stairs, and into the living space. The whole shop smelled of bittersweet chocolate and pine. The couch was pushed back against the kitchen counter and a small tree was erected next to the television. Mokuba was in the tiny kitchen with Jounouchi's sister, Shizuka, talking over a pot of something steaming on the stove. Jounouchi and Honda were each standing precariously on stools at the windows, arguing as they struggled to string lights around the window frames. Yugi was standing behind them. From the look on his face, he'd given up on organizing the two idiots a while ago.

The image of the two of them falling flat on their backsides crossed through Seto's mind and he failed to suppress a chuckle. He left the three men to their frivolity and went instead to stand near his brother to watch his interactions with the younger Jounouchi with growing suspicion.

There was a line of mismatched mugs on the counter and in the pot was what looked to be steaming milk. Mokuba was watching her stir it with a metal whisk with the same doe-eyed expression he remembered seeing from Yugi and Jounouchi when they looked at Anzu or Mai, respectively. The sight sent a surge of protective ire through him and he longed to push the two apart.

"This's how mom makes hot chocolate." The girl spooned cocoa powder into the pot. "I made her show me so I could make Katsuya some."

Mokuba's head lifted off his hand. "He doesn't get any?"

She shook her head. "Mom and dad divorced a long time ago. He had to stay here with dad."

He fidgeted with his fingers. "That doesn't sound right. You know, separating you guys like that."

Jounouchi's voice rose. "I still think you got the better part of the deal!"

Shizuka didn't bother looking over her shoulder as she called back. "That's 'cause you're not a teenage girl. Moms are the worst."

Mokuba laughed, though Seto could see the hint of sadness in his smile, which sent a fresh stab of guilt through his chest. It didn't seem fair now. Mokuba should have had the opportunity to see their mother and father too. He deserved to know them, their faces, to know he'd been loved by both of them, even before he was born.

"There!" Jounouchi and Honda cheered as they finally secured the lights.

Jounouchi hopped down from his stool and strode over. Seto recoiled, a disgusted sneer curling his lip.

"Don't know bout that." The blond leaned on his sister's shoulder. "Least you didn't have to deal with dad's drinking."

Shizuka's stirring slowed. "Yeah…"

Jounouchi scratched the back of his head. "Shit. It's fine. No biggie. Hey, you're gonna do the thing with the candy cane, right."

"Once the powder's dissolved. Be patient."

"Right right." Jounouchi snatched up the plastic bag his sister had been pulling ingredients from and started rummaging.

Seto stared at the blond, his mouth turned down. He'd never had the desire to learn anything about the other man. What more was there to know? He was annoying and loud and, somehow, adequate. Seto never gave any thought to his home life, let alone any behaviors that might have been caused by them. Much like how Seto's own pension for distance and privacy had been molded by his adoptive father's influence.

"Hey!" Shizuka cried. "Don't eat them all."

"Just one." He pulled a plastic-wrapped white and red candy hook out of the bag and clenched it between his teeth.

"Hey, Jou!" Honda raised a hand. "Spot me one a those."

"Katsuya!" Shizuka said, but her objections went unanswered as her brother lobbed one of the candies across the room.

Honda caught it and whooped obnoxiously.

Yugi laughed. "At least save enough for tomorrow."

"There's still tons." Jounouchi let the bag fall back on the counter and started unwrapping his treat. "Shizuka brought enough for an army."

The girl flushed. She pushed the bag to Mokuba. "Can you put one of these in each mug?"

"Sure." Mokuba grinned and set to work.

The striped candies clanked against porcelain as he dropped them in, their hooked ends catching on the lips of the mugs.

"You do this every year?" Mokuba asked.

"The hot chocolate or the party?" Jounouchi asked, the candy cane clenched between his teeth bobbing as he talked.

"Both?"

Jounouchi leaned back against the counter and looked over his shoulder at Yugi. A silent conversation seemed to pass between the two friends through raised brows and shrugged shoulders.

"Well… we always kinda got together for Christmas," Yugi said. "But this is the first Christmas after Anzu left for college, so it should be special, right?"

Jounouchi locked eyes with Honda and the two passed matching grins.

"Ri-i-ight," Honda said, "and you didn't wanna see Anzu in all that fresh New York fashion."

Yugi flushed red and they all laughed. "Cut it out, guys."

"Aw, come on, Yug," Jounouchi said. "We're just teasing. It's cute. Really."

Yugi's mouth pinched and he crossed his arms. "So, when's Mai flying in, Jou?"

There was a sharp crack and, for a moment, Seto was certain the blond had broken his teeth, but it was only the candy cane. Jounouchi was silent but for the steady crunch of his chewing.

He shrugged. "Got me there. She doesn't fly in till day after tomorrow. Has ta get a redeye outta London."

"What's she doing in London?"

"Dueling, what else? Last I heard she's workin through the ranks over there."

"Must be nice," said Honda.

"Shoot, she's winnin the money for it. Now I just gotta make my way out there too. Can't let Mai get ahead of me."

His friends stared at him. There was knowing in a lot of their faces.

His sister chuckled as she turned off the heat. "You sure that's the only reason?"

Jounouchi rounded on her. "Hey! Don't do me like that."

She rolled her eyes, shook her head, and addressed Mokuba as she took the pot up to start filling the mugs. "Don't let him fool you. He's been talking about Miss Kujaku nonstop for the last few months."

"I have not!"

The two younger siblings locked eyes, then started to laugh. It wasn't long before everyone else was laughing too, at Jounouchi's expense. Seto found the corner of his own mouth turning at the infectious good-natured playfulness of it all. He scowled, more at himself than the scene.

"Done!" Shizuka announced with obvious pride that made her smile shine. "Help me take these to the counter."

Mokuba took a mug in each hand and, together the two passed them out among the group. The friends gathered around the counter.

The smell was intoxicating. Chocolate and peppermint. It felt like something that would have been in his parent's house, perhaps on a snowy evening lounging on the couch.

Honda sidled up next to Shizuka with his mug in both hands. "Shizuka, you're an angel."

Jounouchi pushed himself between them, even though he'd already had a spot. "Five feet apart, dude."

"What?! I didn't do anything."

Jounouchi narrowed his eyes at him and lifted his mug to his lips. "Yet."

Honda flushed and turned pointedly away. The protectiveness was at least something Seto could respect, even if he found every other aspect of Jounouchi intolerable.

"At least Otogi's not here," Honda said.

"Yeah, don't need to fend off both you assholes."

"Hey!"

"Otogi's not coming?" Shizuka asked. "Why?"

"He had to cancel," said Yugi. "Something about his game launching overseas."

"So that's finally happening, huh?" Jounouchi asked. "Jeez, feels like forever since he announced that dumb game."

"It isn't dumb."

Jounouchi shrugged. "It ain't gonna do shit compared to Duel Monsters, even with Pegasus backing it. He's playin a loosin game."

"At least he's trying," Mokuba said.

"Yeah, I guess." Jounouchi gave Mokuba a sideways glance. "Some guys just got better luck than others, right?"

"Wasn't exactly luck."

Yugi slid a notepad closer and scratched out a name on the list with a pen. "So that's…" He tapped the pen against the paper as he counted. "Seven? At least with Otogi not coming there's more food to go around."

"…Six."

There was silence for a heartbeat, then they all turned to Mokuba. The smaller boy was looking down into his mug, lazily stirring his hot chocolate with the candy cane. The friends exchanged glances.

Jounouchi set down his mug, pushed off the counter, and squeezed in next to Mokuba. That same protective urge filled Seto, causing him to clutch his sleeves in his fists.

"Kinda figured he'd say no," Jounouchi said.

"I tried."

"We know you did, Mokuba," Yugi said. "It's okay. There's always next year."

Mokuba shook his head. There was a sorrow, a defeat in the boy's face that filled Seto with guilt and shame.

"I don't think Seto'd ever come," his brother said.

"Cause it's us, right?" Yugi asked.

Mokuba nodded. "And… uh, I told him Anzu was bringing a friend."

"Bad move, kid," said Honda.

"I know, but I was desperate." Mokuba gripped his mug tight. "I'm worried about him. I know Seto can be a jerk, but-"

Shizuka finished for him. "He's your brother." She exchanged a look with her own brother and smiled. "I know how it feels. Even before you started dueling, I worried about you. I was worried mom'd get a call that you got on the wrong side of some gang and you'd be…" Her eyes watered.

Jounouchi hung his head. "Sorry."

"We were dumb kids." Honda leaned in closer to nudge Shizuka with his shoulder. "You can thank Yugi for pulling our heads out of our asses."

Shizuka gave a watery smile, then turned it on Yugi. "Thank you."

Yugi shuffled his feet. "Not like I did it on purpose or anything."

Mokuba's eyes darted between them. "Wish that worked on Seto."

"I didn't mean to take the attention," Shizuka said. "You go ahead."

"It's just…" he sighed. "I'm worried Seto's gonna be alone forever. After I graduate, I don't know what I wanna do. He's got this spot saved for me at the company, but I'm worried if I take it, I'm gonna turn out like him. Everyone's gonna hate me or be afraid of me or something."

"I'm sure not everyone hates him," Shizuka said.

Mokuba's, Yugi's, and Honda's eyes turned on Jounouchi.

The blond scoffed. "Hates a strong word. I don't like him, but, ya know, he takes care of you pretty good, so I guess that's cool."

"Really?" Mokuba asked.

Seto found himself equally surprised.

"I wouldn't have a problem with him if he'd leave me the hell alone. I ain't gotta say anything and he's gettin on my case for nothin'." Jounouchi took an angry drink from his mug. "Just sayin, not everyone can have it easy like. Some of us had to actually work to get where we are, ya know?"

Mokuba worried at his bottom lip. He knew that was wrong, Seto could see it in his face. There was that desire to defend him, to correct the record, to try and make them understand. Mokuba's tried to do it before, more than once, if Seto remembered properly. Despite that, his brother didn't do it this time. A defeated slump came over his shoulders, as if by the weight of their shared secret and Seto's overbearing presence, even when not around.

Seto lifted a hand to his mouth. Even when he was supposed to not be there, Mokuba could still feel him, like a specter, a curse, forever at his back watching his actions, his choices with an air of suspicion and judgment. He was doing it now and the realization hit Seto like a lead weight to his midsection.

"You guys…" Mokuba's small, hesitant voice brought Seto back to the moment. "You don't hate him?"

"I never did," Yugi said.

Jounouchi retrieved his mug and all but buried his face in it. "I ain't repeatin myself."

Honda scoffed and crossed his arms. "I don't like him, but I wouldn't wish death on the guy. I mean," he gestured at Mokuba, "he did a good job with you, so I guess that counts for something."

Shizuka shrugged her shoulders up. "I barely know him, but from what I've seen, he has to be better than he lets off, right? All the stuff he does with the parks and helping orphanages has to count for something."

Jounouchi's mug hit the counter with a sharp clack. "Oh, yeah! That's a thing, ain't it?"

"Easy to forget about it when he's busy trying to make everyone hate him," said Honda.

"Honda," said Yugi.

"You don't think so? That guy's either got a major superiority complex or he just hates the idea of people actually liking him. I'm all for looking on the bright side, but-"

"Mokuba?" Shizuka's worried tone brought the conversation to a halt.

Mokuba was crying. Tears flowed down the boy's face, slow at first, then faster as he stood there, with his hands clenched around his drink. While the three men stared in disbelief at the teenager, Shizuka shoved her brother out of the way to get to him and wrap her arms around him. Mokuba's cup tipped over in the bustle and dark liquid spilled over the clean white counter like an oil slick.

"I don't want people to hate him!" Mokuba clutched to her, as Seto imagined he would have their mother. "Seto's good! I know it! He just pushes everyone away, I don't know why. I'm scared he's gonna push me away."

"Hey, wait a minute." Jounouchi put a hand on the boy's head. "Kaiba wouldn't do that. He's a jerk, but he's your big brother."

"I don't want Seto to be alone." Mokuba continued as if not hearing him. "I want him to be happy."

The group was silent, save for Mokuba's sniffles, for a time. Jounouchi and his sister comforting him. Yugi hopped up on the couch and had to almost lay on the counter to touch his fingers to Mokuba's shoulder.

"It'll be okay, Mokuba," he said. "Your brother'll come around."

Mokuba looked up from Shizuka's shoulder to wipe his eyes. "You think so?"

Yugi gave him a sad smile. "I haven't lost hope."

"You talkin bout Anzu's friend?" Jounouchi asked.

Honda scoffed. "If we could get him to at least look at her, that'd be helpful."

Mokuba turned wide eyes on Yugi. "You think he'd like her?"

Seto didn't miss how Yugi and Jounouchi exchanged glances.

"Maybe," Yugi said.

"Gettin him here's the trick though, ain't it?" said Jounouchi.

"You think she'd come back next year?" asked Honda.

"I don't know." Yugi shook his head. "According to Anzu, she might not even be in New York next year."

Mokuba sagged. "Then there is no hope."

"We'll figure everything out tomorrow," Yugi said. "Let's just try and relax, yeah? It's Christmas. All kinds of good things happen on Christmas."

"Where'd you hear that?" Honda asked.

"Anzu. Apparently, Christmas is a huge deal in America. Like a…" He snapped his fingers until the phrase came to him. "A Christmas miracle. That's it!"

Mokuba snorted, sounding a little more like himself. "That's so cheesy."

"You feel better though, right?" Shizuka asked.

"Yeah." Mokuba detached himself from her. "Sorry."

"It's okay. We'll get this cleaned up and I'll make you another cup."

"Hey!" Jounouchi cried. "Why does he get two? You said we only had enough for one each."

"Mokuba gets two cause I say he does." His sister pulled the roll of paper towel off the holder. "Just for that, you get to clean it up."

She tossed the roll at her brother and he caught it. "No fair! You can't give the kid special treatment just cause he's cute."

Mokuba flushed, as did she. The room burst into laughter. With the heaviness gone the room seemed to once again glow with warmth. Conversations turned to less serious subjects. Seto barely took notice when the voices began to fade away and the haze invaded the edges of his vision. He didn't have to look to know that the pharaoh stood there, waiting to whisk him back to his body.

"Christmas miracle, huh?" Seto scoffed. "Is that what you are?"

"For Mokuba's sake, I hope so."

Seto looked down at him, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"In time." The pharaoh raised his hand. "Ready?"

Seto gave the scene one last look, saw his brother's happiness, and nodded.