In which the dueling is done with sleighs pulled by a three-headed dragon and a thousand Kuriboh's...

The ice-cold wind whipped around his face, stinging tears blurred his vision and his freezing hands gripped the reins frantically.

He needed to be faster than the wind, faster than the sun coming up before him. If he didn't make it in time it would all be over. Life as he knew it would seize to exist.

It wasn't usually like this in the night of the nights, the night he prepared a whole year for. Usually he had enough time to attend every child, to tend to them, even just a small moment. It was the best part of his existence – the waiting children, their from excitement and curiosity wide eyes as they sat with their families or stared out of the window to get a glimpse at him as he flew over them.

But not this year.

This year, the main clock that stopped the time for as long as he flew around earth, delivering presents, magic and hope had suddenly, without any prior warning sign simply resumed ticking.

And thanks to that fact there was barely time to take a breath – or a cookie for that matter. It was just aiming, striking, next and again aiming, striking. One shot off target, one second of hesitation and the plan would fail.

The only advantage was that people might mistake him for a shooting star if he dashed over the sky like that and he preferred to be mistaken for a dying star than for an UFO (which had happened before).

It was unsettling him greatly though. Never, in all those centuries he existed and did this job had the clock ever failed him – it was bound to his magic and the spell was technically impossible to break.

Now, someone had apparently found a way and he did have a very good idea of who that someone was.

He'd definitely need a very hot bath and a very hot chocolate with double caramel flavor when he got home today. If he came home unseen and impeccable as it should be and only after he'd given his new assistant a talking-to.

He was the only one he thought capable of breaking the spell of the main clock…

What was this mad man thinking? Manipulating the procedure like that?

How in the name of St. Nicholas had he even accomplished that?

Atem had many assistants over the centuries, some respectable, some ambitious, some idle, one even just a little bit too child-friendly but none of them could ever enrage, goad and fascinate him the way Seto Kaiba did.

Prideful, arrogant, bossy, gruff, infatu… no infuriating and aloof to name just a few of his dominant traits. He paced around North Pole as if he owned the place, not Atem, as if he had built it all and organized the most important night for thousands of years now, not Atem. And of course he was seeing improvements every where he looked. On more than enough opportunities he had to keep him and Mahad from kicking each other's hands in, only to continue to argue with him himself. Granted, he was right with his suggestions from time to time but you just didn't change century old traditions in a heartbeat.

On top of that the guy was ridiculously tall. It was a real pain in the neck that he had to look up at him all the time – literally.

But these eyes were the worst. These deep, expressive eyes, blue as the dusky night sky and clear as the ice surrounding them. He'd only barely kept himself from gasping when he'd stepped into the hall this morning, with his blue coat and white fur, looking like a very young, very handsome version of Father Frost.

He was like the forbidden fruit – ensuring misery but too appealing to resist.

And now he'd actually managed to turn Christmas Eve into a life and death race.

Atem was furious.

Partly because of the manipulated procedure, mostly because right now Seto with his monstrous dragon was in the damn lead.

Of course this wasn't a race to determine the winner but a race to escape their discovery.

Still that didn't mean that Atem didn't want to win.

It was all very confusing.

He couldn't recall the last time he had been racing the sky as fast as that, the last time he had felt so incredibly free. By now, the frosty wind burnt in his lungs, forced the tears horizontally out of his eyes and he was sure he'd lose one or two fingers if it continued like that any longer – and if the situation had been a different one he'd be crowing but now he needed to concentrate.

When and particularly how Seto had managed to fuse his three dragons into one, Atem had no clue. The whole flight over Canada it had been three but when their paths crossed again over Russia it was just one, but with three heads. With Mahad's help he had been able to multiply his guardian Kuriboh into a number so large, the little balls were darkening the sky before they merged them into one giant body.

The presents were spread over Scandinavia in the blink of an eye and after that all that was left was the racing duel home.

Atem glanced at his side, suppressed a smirk and set spurs so hard he was sure he'd hurt Kuriboh. He would apologize later, now he needed to get home first.

Before the sun rose, needless to say.

If only to soothe his consciousness.

The dragon's enormous wings cut through the air beside him but Atem kept his eyes straight ahead. If he got distracted now he would definitely loose (against the sun) and he simply didn't want that. Seto's ego was already bursting, he didn't need another boost.

Gritting his teeth until they gave a cracking sound, Atem mustered the last magic he had in his body, transferred it to Kuriboh and slipped through the barrier around North Pole only by a hairsbreadth earlier than Seto's dragons.

He heard him curse behind him but ignored the triumphant feeling inside him and concentrated on slowing the sleigh down and landing it safely.

The giddy sense of delight he'd felt in the last minutes vanished the moment the skids touched the ground and all that was left was anger and horror that Seto had dared to touch the main clock and risked not only their exposure but also and furthermost the spoiling of Christmas Eve for generations and decades!

Seto's sleigh was still sliding to a halt but Atem had already walked, no stomped over to him, grabbed the reins of this exaggerated, gorgeous beast and pulled harshly at it. "Are you completely mad?"

Slowly and with his head held as high as his loss obviously let him, Seto stepped out of the sleigh. He was completely unperturbed by Atem's rage and took his hat off with a peace of mind that brought Atem even more to the edge. If he weren't so tall, he'd probably slam him into the sleigh right here and there but instead had to crane his neck again while Seto towered over him as tall and as proud as ever. "I don't know what you mean."

"Feign your innocence somewhere else, Seto! The main clock has never failed me until this day and you're the only one besides me who knows how enough to sabotage it."

Blue clad shoulders simply shrugged. "So what if I did?! We made it, didn't we?"

"But at what cost!" Atem gestured to the still dissolving, hard breathing and kind of pale looking Kuriboh's. He had never summoned so many of them and if it wasn't for Mahad's extra magic, he wasn't sure if he'd even managed it. The poor little fluff balls were completely exhausted while Seto's dragons still roared majestically, standing their ground as proudly as their wielder.

"I really don't know why you're so angry." Seto grumbled, his blue eyes now flashing with anger as well and Atem watched closely as he forced the next words over his lips. "You won. You should be happy."

Atem groaned exaggerated.

Again with this stupid rivalry.

"I told you so many times that this evening, this job isn't about being best, or being first, it's about the children. It's about bringing them happiness. It's about faith and hope, peace and love. It's a magical night, where anything can and shall happen."

"Then why are we stopping the time and hide until it's all over?"

"We're not hiding, we're surprising them. Secretly."

"It's not a secret when they all know it's coming."

"That's not the point…"

"What is it then? So many children are looking out of their windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of you – how can you say this night is about them, when you don't even give them a chance to achieve their wish?"

Atem swallowed thickly, hoping Seto wouldn't notice.

"It's just a race against time if we don't at least slow time down! You saw for yourself how we had to rush because of it. What if something had gone wrong and we'd have had to make a detour…"

"It would have only increased the suspense."

"And then?"

"Why not make them aware of the magic around them!"

"Because they could have seen us!"

"So what? Seeing is believing. You've been hiding for all these centuries and still expect children to believe in you starry-eyed because their parents told them to, because it's what kids do? What if one day they stop? What, if you fade into the dust you were made of then? Is this what you want? You have to give them something to hold onto, something to grasp, a proof, not just an old as the hills, outdated fairytale. Your life depends on their believe!"

Atem narrowed his eyes. "So, you disobey my order because you're worried about me?"

Seto ignored the sentiment but lowered his voice and glance nonetheless. "I did not disobey your order. On the contrary, I carried your… our taskout and mastered it superbly. You know, I did."

"What did you want then?" He asked tentatively, seeing no reason to question Seto's work today. It was superb, just like he said (overlooking the manipulating of the main clock of course…) and watched his every movement, the way his fists clenched and unclenched at his side, how his jaw tensed and the reflexive blinking of his eyes as if he dared him to speak his mind. And Atem read him like an open book. "My appreciation… was it that?"

Seto said nothing, just stared at him, stared down at him defying, challenging, outraged that Atem had hit the nail on the head in his very first try.

The smaller man could only sigh. "You don't need that."

For just a split second disappointment flashed in Seto's eyes but it was gone in such a quick way that Atem thought it was just a figment of his imagination and it got replaced with something akin to wrath. "Good to know."

He was about to push past him, but Atem grabbed his forearm and stopped him, speaking gently and steady.

"You don't need it because you already have it! Why did you think I chose you as my assistant? Just because I wanted someone to lecture and scream at from dusk till dawn?" He gave a short dismissive laugh, but actually it was partly true since he enjoyed their tiffs and arguments and the wretched fact was that he even found him, it, (damn it it, get a grip Atem!) hugely appealing. "I gave you the job because you have so much potential. You're a real talent, Seto. In all these years, I haven't seen anyone as studious and hardworking and thoroughly devoted to this task as you. And you take pride in everything you do and you're absolutely sure of yourself… Just why are you striving for my appraisal so much when your self-esteem is higher than anything I've ever known?"

Blue colored eyes lay calmly on him belying the storm that raged behind them.

Because I admire you his mind screamed but his mouth formed the words "Because you're the boss and everyone should strive to gain a better position than the one they already have." instead.

Atem gave the dry, small laugh Seto always longed to hear when they argued. "I feel like I should be worried about my job…"

Seto shrugged as he stared unblinkingly at him. He could feel the cold of his fingers seeping through his thick coat and the wind-induced tears had left smeared traces at his eyes. A small part of him acknowledged this as his fault but since he had won he wouldn't grant him the satisfaction of caring enough to worry.

When Atem finally let go of his arm, he shoved his hands into his pockets and took a small step away from Seto, his eyes not once leaving his. "I admit it was fun to race across the sky like that. Actually I haven't done that in ages; it made me feel like a whippersnapper…" He grinned, the use of this word made him feel ancient despite the fact that he didn't age at all. "But we can't turn Christmas day into a duel against time. We will work side by side. Are you content with that?"

The fact that he asked, made it seem like he really wanted Seto here, at his side but he wouldn't believe him so easily and straightened his back. "We'll see about that."

Atem opened his mouth to protest but suddenly didn't feel like arguing anymore.

He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose so…"

He'd said what he could say, maybe not what he wanted to say, but it was better than nothing, right? It was a start. And despite the look of it now, he was sure Seto would understand sooner or later. After all, he couldn't blame him for trying to proof himself to him. Even if his methods were a little extreme.

"Anyway, we've done our work for the night. Take care of your dragons, get some rest and… take a look at the joy you brought." The last part was uttered warily since he very much hoped Seto would join him to see how the children reacted to their presents (and the left-behind sweets and drinks) but wasn't sure if his pride allowed it. He met his gaze once more, smiled gently and nodded once. "You're dismissed."

Atem waited for any sign of reaction but Seto just gave a small nod himself and with a heavy sigh, he turned around and walked away slowly.

But really he wanted nothing more than to stay where he was and look at Seto some more.

Groaning inwardly at his own thoughts, he clenched his hands in his pockets.

Why was he being so stupid? They should have a professional relationship, nothing more, nothing less. He knew it and he should act like it.

But damn, it was getting harder each day.

"Actually…" Seto called out and Atem's heart as well as his footsteps stopped but he didn't turn around. He didn't trust himself enough for that at the moment. A moment of silence went by and he thought Seto had changed his mind when he spoke up again. "There's one present left."

That sentence brought Atem back from his sentimental feelings at once and reality hit him in the face colder and harsher than the wind in the sky before.

Forgetting a present was a thousandfold worse than the damaged main clock – it meant, somewhere out there was a child waiting and hoping in vain, it meant that he failed, when he was supposed to be unfailing and perfect.

Upon returning, he'd already activated his inner compass and tracking magic to find out just where he had to lead Kuriboh but stopped deadly in his track when his eyes fell on Seto again.

The present that was left, lied in his hand – a small, neatly in purple and gold wrapped package with a ribbon on top. Atem immediately recognized that it wasn't from his factory, that it was individual and hand-wrapped and his eyes went wide.

"A happy Christmas to you."

His mouth dropped slightly open and a shudder ran down his spine as Seto handed him the gift, his gift and Atem looked between the package and his assistant as if he expected one or the other to disappear in a cloud of smoke in the next second.

In all these years no one had ever given him a present – occasionally Mahad had given him a bottle of glogg at the end of the year but that was all. And why would anyone give him a present in the first place? It was supposed to be the other way round after all. Delivering presents was the reason for, the sole purpose of his existence.

He'd known from the moment he first laid eyes on him that Seto didn't give a damn about traditions and rules at all and he had proven as much well enough already but this… this took things to a whole new level.

This showed him that his talent was exceptional and that he should indeed fear for his job but all he felt right now was pride and pure, unbridled joy.

Impatience and nervousness were starting to crawl up in Seto's mind when Atem just stared at his gift instead of opening it and he stepped from one foot to another, clearing his throat softly. That had Atem looking up at him and he lifted his eyebrows, telling him to hurry up. It was obvious that the man was astonished, perhaps even flattered but that was no excuse to turn into stone.

Finally, Atem laughed apologetically and Seto watched him closely as he unwrapped the package slowly and carefully, obviously enjoying every second of it. Seto could tell from the bright gleam in his eyes that the other was dying from excitement and struggled to maintain his dignity like that, cold, red fingers trembling slightly as they fumbled with the ribbon.

Atem gave the smallest gasp when the paper was finally gone and it was all Seto needed to know that he hit the nail on the head. He noticed him swallow again before he slowly looked up to him and Seto hold his breath.

"I… Where did you…?" Atem stammered, wondering how Seto even knew he'd always wanted to have one of these, he's never spoken of it to anyone.A small, reasonable part of him hoped it was just a lucky coincidence but he knew that couldn't be because Santa always chose the right gift. It was the essence of his being.

He cleared his throat to steady his voice but he still sounded a little off. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

Seto nodded as if he wanted to say that he already knew that but his eyes had taken on a gentler glow and his smile was a relieved one. As much as Atem liked that look on his face though, he suddenly felt so guilty that he hadn't thought of getting him something as well.

One of Seto's dragons roared softly, breaking the spell between them and as Atem watched him caress the shimmering scales of his guardian, he came up with an idea that had his blood boiling already.

"You know… maybe we could race again some time? Not… on Christmas Eve of all days but the year does have 364 other days, so…"

The smirk Kaiba shot him after these words hit him right in his core. "Prepare to lose." He deadpanned with a low voice that Atem hadn't heard him use until now and he shuddered again, this time from excitement.

He laughed to mask it and then smirked at Seto, throwing his words right back at him. "We'll see about that."

With that he turned on his heels and strutted away proudly, Seto's gift safely enclosed in his hands, cold and exertion completely forgotten.

Seto watched him go and allowed himself to look at the other for a moment more before turning away too. He was glad it had worked out that well. Sure, it wasn't the triumph he initially wanted but another, more amicable, sweeter kind of success. One he appreciated just the same.

And when he turned around once more to get a last look at his retrieving figure, he got the feeling that this was what Atem was talking about the whole time when he lectured him about dreams and hopes and the spirit of Christmas.

This was a magical night, where anything could and should happen.

Thank you for reading and I wish you all a very merry Christmas! 3