Finale

Seto eased his eyes open, rubbing his fingers into the corners to work out the crust and film left behind by sleep. He was laid out on his office couch, head resting against one arm and one of his legs hanging off the side. The overheads had been turned off at some point, but the office was lit by soft white light. He sat up, feeling the sore crick in the back of his neck and shoulders, then got to his feet. Out the windows, the lawn of the estate was covered in a thin layer of white. Thick flakes were falling from the sky, wilting like flower petals to disappear among the carpet of snow.

Seto went to one of the windows, unlatched it, and slid it open. A blast of cold air and wind met his face. He leaned into it, letting the chill shock his mind awake. The air smelled crisp and fresh. The sky above was a curtain of gray, a flat sheet that reminded him of someone.

Mokuba.

A gust of wind blasted snow against his cheeks and Seto shook his head with a faint smile. "I know. I'm going."

He closed and locked the window, pulled the tie from around his neck, and laid it on his desk. He picked up the phone and dialed his office.

His secretary picked up after the first ring. "Kaiba Corporation, Executive Office."

Seto kept his voice cool and even. "It's me."

"Mr. Kaiba! Good morning. I'm sorry. I tried calling your cell when you didn't come to the office, but you didn't answer. I hope you're alright."

"I'm fine." To his surprise, he actually felt it. "There is a problem though."

A nervous shiver worked into the woman's voice. "Yes, sir?"

"You're all there."

There was a brief silence. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. I'm closing the office today. Send everyone home."

"Really?"

"I'm not going to repeat myself. Go home and be with your families."

"Yes, sir! Of course, sir! Thank you, sir! Merry Christmas."

Seto had to force the words past his lips, though with not as much difficulty as he expected. "Merry Christmas."

There was a gasp from the other end, but he didn't give his secretary a chance to respond. He hung up the receiver and left his office.

He found Mokuba in the downstairs den, sitting cross-legged in one of the armchairs. The room was draped in understated opulence and Christmas cheer. Hardwood and leather. The fireplace mantle draped in garland and candles, empty stockings hanging from hooks. The fire in the hearth was warm and inviting. The tree in the corner was bedazzled in glittering blue, white, and silver ornaments. There was only one present under the tree, a squat square box.

Mokuba had a textbook open across his lap and a notebook balanced on his knee. He was engrossed in his homework, eyes panning over the pages while one hand scribbled notes. Every so often his other hand would turn the page.

Seto watched him for a while, leaning against the doorframe with one shoulder. He'd taken for granted how good his little brother was, diligent and kind. His dedication, his unwavering trust in Seto.

Never again.

Seto cleared his throat.

Mokuba glanced up, turned back to his work, then looked up again, his eyes wide and mouth dropping open. "Seto? But it's-" He checked the time on the mantle clock. "It's after nine. I thought you were at the office." The teen's brows raised as he took in Seto's attire. "Is that the same suit from yesterday? Why's it look like you slept in it?"

"I had a rough night."

"Apparently. You can't go in like that. The press'll have a field day."

"I'm not going in"

"You're not…" Mokuba unloaded his schoolwork onto the table next to him. "You okay? Are you sick?"

"No, Mokuba, I'm not sick. I've been doing some thinking. When was the last time we spent a day together?"

"Uh… I dunno."

"Then, seeing as I've closed the office for the day-"

Mokuba's brows disappeared behind his bangs. "You closed the office?"

"-I thought it would be a good idea for us to spend the day at home. Though I seem to remember you talking about some game you wanted, so perhaps we should make a stop out to-"

"Wait!" Mokuba raised his hands. "Waitwaitwait." He got up and hurried over. His eyes were intense as he took in Seto's face, as if he could find some discrepancy just from looking. "Okay, who are you and what've you done with my big brother?"

"Is it that hard to believe that I'd want to spend time with you?"

"Well… yeah. Every time I ask to hang out, you're too busy."

Guilt fell heavy on Seto's shoulders. He took Mokuba's in his hands. "You deserved better than that, Mokuba. If you're willing to give it to me, I would like a second chance."

Mokuba's eyes watered. "Really? You mean it?"

"It may take some trial and error, but I'm willing to give it a shot."

Mokuba snorted and wiped his face on his sleeve. "You at least sound like my brother."

"And while we're at it-"

"There's more?"

"Regarding this party Yugi and his idiot friends are having."

Mokuba laughed. "Okay, yeah, you're definitely still Seto."

"What time is it?"

Mokuba's eyes panned up as he thought. "It was… seven?"

"We'll go."

"Really?!"

"But only for a couple hours. I may have closed the office today, but tomorrow is still a workday. I'm not losing sleep because of some inane Christmas celebration."

"I guess that's fair. You said something about going out to get me presents?"

"After I've had a chance to shower and change."

Mokuba shifted his weight. "I, uh, I got you something."

Seto's hands fell from his shoulders. "You did?"

"Yeah." Mokuba rubbed the back of his neck and went over to the tree to pull the lone package from beneath it. He placed it in Seto's hands. "I saw these reprints online and I thought, what the hell, I never know what to get you anyway. I mean, what do you get someone who has everything, right?"

Seto cocked a brow at him. He peeled the paper off the gift, revealing a four-book box set of a series he hadn't seen in years before last night. The covers were glossy, new, with bold blocky letters in faux gold leaf. Each of their spines was adorned with a different image; a red dragon, a gold ring, a white tower, and a jewel-encrusted crown.

A lump formed in Seto's throat. He tried to swallow past it, but found it impossible. With no warning, he wrapped an arm around Mokuba's shoulders and pulled him forward. All Mokuba managed to get out was a sharp yelp before his face was pushed into Seto's chest. Seto pressed his cheek into Mokuba's hair, trying to will the burning from his eyes.

"Thank you," Seto said.

Mokuba stiffened. The longer Seto held him, the more his tension melted away. The teen's arms came up, wrapped around his brother, and held him tight.

"I missed you," he said.

"I don't plan to leave you again. Never again."

Seto heard Mokuba sniff and had to bite the inside of his cheek. It was going to be a long, hard road to repair the distance he'd place between them, but he was ready to start that process, no matter what it entailed.

It was a long day, but, for once, Seto wasn't watching the clock. After brunch, the two brothers went out to a nearby shopping mall and came back with bags and boxes of countless gifts, most for Mokuba. There was a separate, smaller, bag filled with new ties for Seto. There was another bag filled with gifts Mokuba insisted on buying for Yugi and his friends. Little things. Warm gloves, hats, scarves, and the like. The teenager spent more than the required amount of time picking something out for Shizuka, but Seto said nothing to disway him one way or the other.

Back at home, they took lunch in the den while Mokuba enjoyed one of his new handheld games and Seto sat in a chair by the fire. He quickly rediscovered that, with The Hobbit open in his hands, he could forget the rest of the world existed. He could almost hear his father's voice reading it to him in his head. There was a faint sensation of someone's hand on his shoulder. He looked over, but the space was empty.

After dinner, it was time to head to Yugi's. It was beginning to snow again when they arrived. From the sound of the music heard muffled through the walls, the party had started without them. There was a sign on the door that read: 'Party Guests Come on In!' Mokuba was right behind Seto as they got out of the car, lugging with him a bag of gifts.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I'm not going to regret this, am I?"

"I hope not." Mokuba hurried ahead to the door. "Come on!"

Seto inhaled through his nose and squared his shoulders. The wind picked up and it felt like fingers brushing across his cheek.

Seto released his breath. "I know."

"You talking to yourself?" Mokuba asked.

Seto shook his head and walked over. "Just wondering what insanity overtook me to agree to this farce."

"They're not that bad."

"According to you."

Seto pushed open the door and they both went inside. There was a rack placed by the entrance filled with coats and scarves. Shoes were in a messy pile beneath it. The shop floor itself was empty. Laughter, music, and conversation could be heard from the living room. The same smells from the night before were heavy in the air. The brothers hung their coats, took off their shoes, and continued on through to the living space, Mokuba in the lead. There was all manner of cheering and celebration when he came into view.

Seto stepped up behind him and the room fell into stunned silence. Yugi was in the kitchen with his grandfather and Shizuka, lining up mugs of hot chocolate for their guests. Jounouchi and Honda had been near the tree, arguing about something from the look of their posture. There was no sight of Anzu or her friend.

"You actually came," Yugi said. Seto didn't miss the glance the other man sent in Mokuba's direction.

"My schedule was suddenly available," said Seto.

Mokuba's head tilted back and he didn't have to see to know the boy had rolled his eyes. "He means he changed his mind."

"So what finally got you off your high horse?" asked Jounouchi.

Seto was ready with a biting remark when he turned to look at the blond. The memory of Jounouchi comforting his brother when he couldn't stopped him.

He let out a sharp exhale and turned away. "Curiosity. I've been hearing a lot about Miss Mazaki's apparent friend and wanted to see her for myself."

There was a strangled noise from Jounouchi, as if he'd expected a response he had to defend himself from, but was left confused. When he spoke, his tone was low and he was not addressing Seto. "Did he just… not insult me?"

"Well," Honda said, "if it ain't a damn Christmas miracle."

Seto bit his tongue.

Shizuka took one of the mugs from the counter, squeezed past Yugi's grandfather, and held it out to Seto. "Thanks for coming. Here. It's probably not as fancy as you're used to, but it's my mom's recipe."

Seto considered her for a moment. She wasn't bad looking, for being Jounouchi's sister. Most importantly, she was kind to his brother, even when he wasn't around. He supposed that was all that mattered.

He took the offered mug. "Thank you."

There was another moment of shocked silence, broken when Jounouchi leaned over to whisper to Honda.

"What the fuck just happened?"

Honda raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

The blatant confusion on the mutt's face was almost more hilarious than his rage. Seto hid his smirk by taking a drink from the mug. Creamy semi-sweet chocolate with a refreshing kick of peppermint coated his tongue. Shizuka was still standing in front of him when he drew it down, a nervous dart to her eyes and the clenching of her hands.

"It's decent," Seto said.

She seemed to relax. She turned her smile on Mokuba and he blushed. "You need help with that?"

"Oh! Yeah." The two teenagers lugged the bag to the counter. "We got everybody something."

"You got them something," Seto corrected.

"It was your credit card."

"Stop giving them ideas."

Mokuba started handing out the packages.

"You didn't have to do that," Yugi said as Mokuba handed him his gift. "We didn't get you anything."

"I wanted to," Mokuba said. "You guys've been so nice to me, I wanted to pay you back. It's not a lot, but-"

"They're perfect!" Shizuka's eyes sparkled at the pink wool gloves in her hands, interwoven with strands of shining silver thread. "Thank you! I love them."

Mokuba rubbed the back of his head. "It was nothing. Really."

With that, the spell over the room broke. The lilting Christmas music was drowned out by excited conversation and the tearing of wrapping paper. Seto took the opportunity to sit on the couch, cross his legs at the knee, and silently enjoy his drink. No one seemed to pay him any mind, which was how he preferred it. The atmosphere was, despite his misgivings, comfortable.

Mokuba pulled the final two packages out of the bag and laid them side by side on the counter. "Wasn't Anzu supposed to be here by now?"

"They got held up in traffic," Yugi said. "They should be here soon."

As if on cue, the bell over the shop door chimed.

"Sorry!" Came Anzu's voice. "Traffic was a nightmare!"

"It's okay," Yugi called back. "Everyone else's here."

Seto watched the doorway, his mug to his lips. There was a tightening band of anticipation in his chest, though he didn't understand why. Anzu's friend was, more than likely, no one of great importance. Just another starlet wannabe. A shallow girl with dreams bigger than she knew what to do with.

Anzu entered first. There was much rejoicing from Jounouchi and Honda. Her eyes locked on his and she gave him a mischievous smirk.

She turned back to the shop interior and called back, in English. "Come on. I want to introduce you to everyone."

Her friend answered in kind. "Just a second. I can't get my boots off. You should've told me to pack different shoes."

Anzu laughed. "Sorry."

The voice tickled a faint recognition in the back of Seto's mind. He lowered his cup, one brow raising. The owner of the voice entered and the cup nearly slipped from his fingers. The beating of his heart picked up in tempo.

Long white hair, pale as the falling snow. Alabaster skin. Eyes clear and blue as tropical waters. Her white cable knit sweater was too big for her, but she'd belted it at her waist. It was no wonder they'd been so adamant about him coming. Looking back on it, he should have guessed that this was the circumstance. The woman looked like she could've been Kisara's twin.

Seto whipped his head around to Yugi, but the other man just smiled and shrugged his shoulders up. He became keenly aware of everyone watching him.

Anzu laid an arm across the girl's shoulders. "Guys, this is Shaye. She's my upperclassman, so be nice. She doesn't speak a lot of Japanese."

"What d'you take us for?" Jounouchi asked. "We're not animals."

Seto scoffed. "Arguable."

"Damn it, Kaiba!"

Seto smirked, trying to look calm as he settled back against the couch. Then his eyes locked with Shaye's and his mouth went dry. There was an intensity to them as she took him in. For once, he felt self-conscious. Perhaps he shouldn't have taken off his coat after all.

Anzu walked her friend around the room, introducing her to each of her friends in turn. Shaye's greetings were clumsy, her pronunciation of the few Japanese words she knew a little off, but she was obviously trying her best. She was a stranger in a strange country surrounded by people who barely spoke her language. She laughed when Jounouchi and Honda spoke to her in broken English. She didn't even try to keep up with Yugi or his grandfather. She was pleasantly surprised when Mokuba responded in perfect English, for his age anyway. Then it was Seto's turn.

He set down his mug as they approached, and stood.

"Shaye," Anzu said, in English, "this is-"

Seto interrupted, his English close to natural. "I don't need you to interpret for me, miss Mazaki."

Anzu raised her hands from Shaye's shoulders. "I'll leave it to you then." She nudged Shaye with her elbow. "Have fun."

Shaye looked after Anzu as she walked away, her face flushed a pale pink. The shade brought to Seto's mind falling sakura blossoms. She looked up at him and smiled.

It was the most brilliant sight he'd ever seen.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Kaiba." She held out her hand. "I'm Shaye Holmwood."

Seto shook it. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you know my name."

"Sorry, but I admire your work. What you've done with holo technology is truly impressive. I've been following your progress for a while."

"You've been keeping tabs on me?"

"Is that bad? I don't mean to be weird."

"You get a lot of opportunities to study holo-tech at Julliard?"

"Not if I was in a well-known program. I'm finishing up my senior year to be a cinematographer. I think your tech has a lot of untapped potential in the film industry. When Anzu said she knew you, I was kind of hoping I'd get the chance to talk to you about it if I came with her. I'm moving out to LA after graduation, so this was the only chance I was going to get."

That surely did explain a lot. If he hadn't come that night, he may not have ever met her. He would have gone on without ever knowing she existed. The knowledge of that, and the lone headstone at the top of the hill, sent a chill down his spine.

"Here I assumed you'd be in front of the cameras," Seto said.

She laughed. "Why? Because I'm good looking?"

Seto felt heat threatening to crawl up his neck. "Not necessarily. I've only ever heard of people going to Julliard to enroll in performance programs like Miss Mazaki."

"I grew up behind the scenes. My father worked on film sets, so I know a lot about the process. Can't say I've ever been interested in being in movies. I want to make them."

The corner of his mouth crept upward. "If that's the case, then you could just try calling my office once you get settled."

"Trust me, I've tried. I had a paper a year ago where I tried to explain the benefits of incorporating holographic technology into the filming process, but I had to scrap it because I couldn't get you as a source. Your secretary kept telling me your schedule was full."

"It normally is, but I think I can squeeze you in somewhere."

She blinked, head jerking in surprise. "Really?"

"When do you fly back?"

"Not until after New Years."

Seto reached into his pocket for his wallet to pull out one of his business cards. "Call my office tomorrow. I'll give my secretary your name and have her schedule you for my next open meeting slot. I'll have her move things around if need be."

"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba."

"I apologize for not being available last year. I hope that didn't ruin your grade."

"Not really." She slipped the card into the pocket of her jeans. "I have this recycle paper on the advent of the motion picture camera that I've been updating and reusing since high school."

"Is that common in America?"

"It's not illegal. I only had to bring it out one other time when I was going for my associates. Came out better than the first time I wrote it."

"Impressive."

"I'm flattered you think so."

Yugi's grandfather came up beside them, a fresh mug clutched in his hands, and handed it to her. "Here you go, dear."

Shaye stumbled out a 'thank you' and he walked away. She clutched the mug in both her hands, brought it under her nose, and inhaled deeply the rich aroma. Seto watched her with a growing swelling sensation in the center of his chest. She took a long drink, her eyes closing with the pleasure of the taste.

She licked her lips. "This is heavenly."

There was an unfamiliar stirring in the pit of Seto's stomach. He cleared his throat and crossed his arms over himself. "I suppose. For what it's worth, you're doing fine."

"Japanese wasn't exactly my second language of choice."

"And what was?"

"French. I wanted to take a semester in Paris, learn all about French filmmaking."

"Et comment était-ce?"

She stared at him in shocked silence, then laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth. "Incroyable. Je le referais sans hésiter." She stirred her drink. "Might be a while for that, though. I want to pay off my student loans before traveling the world."

"Seems you're getting a head start."

She hummed and took another sip, her eyes never leaving his face. "If you don't mind me saying so, Mr. Kaiba, you're a bit different from what I expected."

He raised a brow. "That so?"

"You always seemed like a bit of a hardass. Untouchable, you know?"

"Looks can be deceiving."

A flash of movement over her shoulder caught his eye. Standing in the doorway, in all his radiance, was the pharaoh, though he was not as corporeal as he'd been the night before. The makeup of his body was more akin to colored glass than flesh and bone. Seto glanced at Yugi, but the younger man seemed not to notice that his old shadow was standing only a few feet away. He was too busy fawning over Anzu. The thought to call his attention to the pharaoh crossed his mind, but the ghost shook his head and his voice resounded in Seto's mind.

Let him be. He doesn't need to know that I'm here. It would only bring up painful memories. I don't want to spoil his happiness. Don't take for granted the chance I've given you.

Seto kept his eyes steady, and nodded, slight and quick.

The pharaoh nodded back and faded away.

Shaye looked over her shoulder. "What is it?"

"Nothing. A trick of the light."

"Here I was starting to worry you weren't normal after all."

He scoffed, but it lacked any harsh emotion. "With this group, you'd be surprised how rare normalcy is."

She raised her shoulders. "Normalcy is overrated. I'd rather be fun over boring any day."

"Perhaps you're right."

She smiled at him again and it occurred to him that he would do anything to keep that radiance on her face forever.

"Miss Holmwood." Mokuba came up to them, the last present in his hands, and held it out to her. "Here."

"Oh…" An embarrassed flush colored her ears. "I didn't think-"

"It's okay. It was kinda a spur of the moment thing anyway."

"You're sure?"

"Take it," Seto said.

She fixed him with a curious look. She held out her mug. "Do you mind?"

Seto took it and she retrieved her gift. Inside was a scarf; soft cashmere the color of cobalt with strands of shining, iridescent threads woven throughout. She gasped at the opulence of it and Seto felt warm satisfaction coarse through his veins.

"Thank you!" She hung the scarf around her neck and pressed the soft fabric to her face. "It's beautiful."

Mokuba grinned, then turned to Seto. "Shizuka got a camera for Christmas. Can we take a picture?"

"I suppose," Seto said.

Shizuka was all but bouncing on her heels by the tree, a nice looking cartridge film camera clutched in her hands. Shaye moved to separate herself from them.

"No!" Mokuba said, a bit too suddenly, making everyone turn and stare at him. "You can be in it. Right, Seto?"

"I don't want to ruin your family portrait," she said.

"Please?"

Shaye turned to Seto for support, the concern clear in her eyes. Seto never wanted to look away from them.

"If he insists," he said, "I have no issue with you being with us."

She looked between the two brothers, shook her head, and sighed. "If you don't mind." She set down her mug. "I would like some pictures to remember my trip by."

Mokuba grinned up at his brother, winked, and grabbed his wrist. "Let's go stand in front of the tree."

Seto and Shaye were helpless to do anything but follow. Mokuba positioned the two of them next to each other in front of the tree, then took his spot in front of Seto. As Shizuka lined up the shot, Seto's hand was drawn to the small of Shaye's back. Silky white hair flowed between his fingers. He saw her glance at him out of the corner of her eyes, but she said nothing, nor pulled away.

"Is this alright?" he asked.

She nodded, color high on her cheekbones. "If I tell you something, you promise not to think I'm weird?"

"I hold my right to withhold judgment, but go on."

"It feels like I know you from somewhere already, but I can't figure out where. You just feel so… familiar."

He watched her fidget, acutely aware of Mokuba staring up at them in surprise. No one else seemed to notice what she said. Seto couldn't look away, even if he wanted to.

His tongue was heavy in his mouth. "I feel the same."

She met his eyes and the world seemed to come to a stop. All activity, all ambient sound, faded away and it was just the two of them standing in space, the flickering lights of the tree reflecting in her eyes like starlight.

Shizuka's camera flashed and brought them crashing back to earth. "Sorry! Accident." Though from the very Jounouchi-like mischievousness in her eyes, it hadn't been. "Ready?"

The three of them retook their pose in front of the tree. Seto's hand slid from her lower back to rest on her waist and he thought he felt her lean into him. There was a faint weight on his other shoulder, but Seto didn't turn to look this time. He knew he would only see empty air if he did.

It would end up being their favorite picture together.

Not the second one, as once it was developed there was a distortion in the image at Seto's right shoulder, though he insisted on keeping it anyway.

No. That first picture Shizuka had taken that night was destined to be copied and framed in as many places as Seto could put it. Their bedroom, both of his offices, on the wall in the den. Even after years passed and more pictures were taken, it was that one he insisted on remaining. Mokuba's head was in the lower corner of the frame, but his mass of dark hair didn't take anything away from the true subjects of the photograph.

Seto and Shaye, staring into each other's eyes. Her smile. The gentleness of his gaze. There was something perfect about the image, something miraculous.

He needed to keep it out to remind him, as he sometimes needed, that miracles really do happen. Christmas, or otherwise.

The End