Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! of The 12 Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers

*Rated T for Teen

Singing Christmas Carols

The twelfth thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me is singing Christmas carols.

It wasn't that he didn't want to sing. It wasn't that he didn't like to sing. It wasn't that they were Christmas carols either.

It was that…he didn't know the words to any of the songs.

Joey had decided that they would get together in front of the fire before the Christmas tree, play some Christmas songs, and sing along.

But Seto didn't know any of the words! Joey did. Mokuba did. Even Kai and Jovi did.

But he didn't! He'd never had the opportunity to learn them! And he didn't want Joey to think that he didn't want to take part in their family activity because he wasn't singing. In fact, he really wanted to!

"Puppy?" Seto began, watching Joey put Christmas cookies on a plate. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure," Joey replied happily. "What is it?"

"Um…about this Christmas carol thing, I—"

"Don't think you're backin' out of this, Seto," Joey warned him. "You're gonna sing with the rest of us, even if it kills ya."

"It's not that! I want to sing with you, but—"

"But what?" Joey was actually quite surprised that Seto wanted to sing Christmas carols with them. It wasn't something he pictured the brunet doing, and he figured Seto would do anything to get out of it. This little bit of news, however, surprised him somewhat.

"I don't know the songs," Seto blurted. When all Joey did was stare at him blankly, he continued. "I don't know the words to the songs. I never had the chance to learn them."

There! He'd said it! But what would Joey think? He'd probably—

"Seto, it's okay if ya don't know the words," Joey replied softly, a look of understanding appearing in his eyes.

Seto's head shot up. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" Joey asked in disbelief. "It's not your fault if ya don't know the words. It just gives us a chance to teach them to ya, that's all."

"Thanks," Seto said shyly, averting his eyes.

"Come with me," Joey said, leading Seto out of the kitchen with the plate of cookies in his hand. He set it down on the living room table. The kids were already seated in front of the fireplace listening to Christmas carols. "Go sit down."

Shuffling around a bit, Seto saw Joey pick something up. Sitting down next to him, his Puppy handed whatever it was over to him.

It was the words to the songs!

Seto laughed in appreciation. "Hey, what do you say we start singing some Christmas carols?"

Everyone laughed, gathered round, and started singing.

It was amazing how much peace and goodwill one frantic, hectic holiday could bring. But that's the price you pay for family. You do what you can with however much or little you have, and cherish the time you share together.

Joey and Seto smiled warmly at their family as they sang. It was truly the best moment of their lives and they hoped every day they could treasure as much as they did this one.

End Drabble