Z-S: I know I'm late with this... I'm so sorry!
Diallo: We've had some problems...
Z-S: Hope ya enjoy!
"I've never seen him like this before."
"The poor dear, he acts as though he was completely heartbroken."
"I know, and the only one that he actually talks to is Orion."
"What do you think happened down there?"
"Your guess would be as good as mine, I was actually thinking of asking you the same thing."
"Oh, well I'm not aware of what happened… although, I think Santa knows, but he hasn't said anything."
Hearing the door opening, a pair of aged violet and warm hazel eyes turned to see the said man entering the building with a smile on his face.
"Where's Orion?"
"He's with Yugi," Solomon replied, looking up at his boss with an arched eyebrow. "Why?"
"I need him to retrieve a special letter," Santa smiled.
"What kind of letter?" Mrs. Claus asked, looking her husband over carefully.
"You'll find out," Santa grinned before looking over to see the desired deer walking toward them. "Orion, come here," he called, walking over to the deer and petting it on the head between its antlers.
Solomon and Mrs. Claus watched the exchange with curious and confused stares. Whatever was going on, it seemed to surprise the deer or at least made it sort of happy because it fidgeted with its hooves, as if eager to get the job done.
"Now off ya go," Santa chuckled as Orion took off running out of the building. Turning to look back at his wife and Leading Elf, he shook his head at their perplexed faces. "Meet me in the study in an hour, and you can help me decide on a 'special' gift."
Blinking, Mrs. Claus sighed as she watched her husband walk away toward the workshop. Shaking her head, she looked back over at the Lead Elf and shrugged. "I guess we wait for Orion to come back, but if you don't mind, I'd like to go see Yugi."
"By all means, be my guest," Solomon smiled, before turning around as someone tapped his shoulder before placing a clipboard in his hands. "Because I have to get back to work, double checking the gifts and making sure that the sleigh is ready for tonight."
Nodding, Mrs. Claus made her way down the winding hall that led to the Elf quarters. Stopping at the amethyst door with a large white snowflake on it, she took a deep breath before knocking. Not receiving a reply, she frowned lightly before knocking again. "Yugi, it's me."
After a few moments the door opened to reveal the young elf. Looking the other over, Mrs. Claus frowned at the red rimmed amethyst eyes as well as the disheveled clothing and tousled hair. Not able to help herself, she pulled the little one into a warm embrace. "Oh little one, what's the matter?"
Not answering, Yugi stifled a sob while snuggling into the warm, motherly embrace of the elderly woman.
Feeling her heart breaking, Mrs. Claus pushed her way back into the elf's room with him still in her arms while shutting the door behind them. "Oh Yugi, if I knew this was going to be the result of the task then I would've never brought you so much pain," she whispered, rubbing the little elf's back.
"No… Nana, I… I'm glad that I went on the mission," Yugi sniffled, his teary amethyst eyes looking up at the elderly woman. "It just hurts… it hurts to be away from him…"
Hazel eyes blinked before widening at the words. So little Yugi had fallen in love with the human he was sent to help. "You feel in love with him, didn't you?"
Nodding his head, Yugi wiped his eyes. "I don't want Yami to be sad, he finally started to enjoy Christmas again… but now… I think he may hate it even more."
"Did you kiss him?" Mrs. Claus asked smiling as a faint blush dusted those alabaster cheeks. "I take that as a yes."
Turning away from the woman, Yugi rubbed at his teary eyes. He wanted Orion to come back so that he and the deer could maybe run away for real and he could be back with Yami. The only things stopping him was the fact that he had actually earned his position as Head Elf… and well now he was afraid that Yami hated him.
"I wish there was something I could do…"
"I just want Yami…" Yugi mumbled, pulling away from the embrace to flop on his bed and hug his knees up to his chest.
MEANWHILE…
"Have any of you talked to Yami today?"
"I've called, but no one picks up the phone."
"I went over there earlier and his bedroom window was open. I knocked and rung the door bell like 20 times but no one answered."
"While Kura was doing that, I looked in the garage and his car was still there."
Jou sighed while running a hand through his hair, "I wonder why Yugi didn't answer the door or phone? I mean he's not the type to ignore ya or anything."
The other's shrugged at what the possible problem could be.
Shaking his head, Ryou fidgeted lightly. "Um… well… what if Yugi left," he whispered, all eyes turning to look at him in shock. "It's only a thought, but Yugi did look a bit off and everything… so maybe he snuck out and Yami is depressed."
"But… it's Christmas Eve… Oh damn, now Yami will lock himself up for good," Jou groaned, rubbing a hand down his face in frustration.
"I know, but we can only hope that Yami doesn't shut us out," Ryou smiled sadly while rubbing his hands against his mug of hot chocolate.
The others nodded, hoping that their friend would not lock himself away; they also hoped that maybe Yugi would come back… because the little one seemed to have a knack for keeping Yami happy.
Solomon couldn't help but arch an eyebrow in curiosity as he noticed the look on Santa's face. There was something going on, and it was a bit annoying at knowing what that something was. Hearing the door open, he turned to find Mrs. Claus entering the room.
"Ah, well now that everyone is here I want to share this letter that Orion retrieved for me with the two of you," Santa smiled, getting up from his desk with the said letter in his hands.
Mrs. Claus and Solomon both exchanged odd looks before the clearing of a throat brought their attention back to the white bearded man that was putting on his reading spectacles.
Dear Santa,
Ok, I know that this is completely a long shot and I could possibly be loosing my mind, but that's beside the point. This Christmas you sent me an Elf that made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time. He taught me what the true meaning of Christmas was. I always thought it dealt with the gifts, but he taught me different. It's the time to spend with family, friends and the ones that you love.
With all that said, I'm begging you to bring him back to me! Please, I don't think I would feel this way if it wasn't for him and I don't want it to go back to the way it was before with out him being here. He made me believe again and made me feel happy, but most of all I didn't feel empty anymore.
Christmas is said to deal with gifts and for all that I remember, you are the one that does all the gift bringing. So would you please bring back the gift that ran away from me? I mean what good are the holidays, if my happiness is else where? The greatest gift that I have ever received was wearing a jingle belled belt and was friends with a flying reindeer.
So please, Santa, if you can find it in your ability to grant one wish… I wish that you would bring my little Elf back to me.
Yami
"Oh my, he sounds so sad," Mrs. Claus sighed, walking over to her husband to look down at the letter. The writing style was very elegant, but there were blotches every now and then where it looked like water had smeared the ink. "He even cried writing this."
Nodding, Santa stroked his beard with his other hand. "I do believe Yugi made quite the impression on this young man," he sighed, putting the letter back on his desk.
"They were in love with each other," Mrs. Claus whispered, causing both males to turn to her. "Yugi told me how he felt, and judging by this letter, Yami feels the same way."
Solomon sighed. "What are we going to do? I do not want to see my Grandson like this… he would not live long with a broken heart."
"Then maybe we can grant Yami's wish," Santa suggested, leaning against his desk while stroking his beard.
"What do you mean?"
"By letting Yugi stay with him," Santa replied. "I know Yugi is Head Elf now, but I think there is a way he can stay with Yami and still do his duties here as well. Yami could even come if he liked."
"But that's breaking the code about humans coming here," Solomon argued.
"I'm pretty sure that we could trust Yami not to tell anyone, make it a special secret just between Yugi and Yami," Mrs. Claus smiled, wrapping her arms around her husbands left arm.
"Maybe, but how do you think they would travel back and forth with such haste? I doubt any of the reindeer could fly that fast," Solomon sighed, running a hand through his silvery gray tresses.
Chuckling, Santa shook his head. "Orion would kick me if I were to suggest such a thing, besides I was thinking of using a mirror portal. The travel is quick and no one would ever be the wiser."
Nodding, Solomon smiled as he looked at the two before him. "I just want Yugi to be happy."
"I'm sure he will be, I just hope Orion will cope without him," Mrs. Claus sighed.
"He's going to stay with Yugi," Santa countered, causing the others to look at him with widened eyes. "That deer needs something to do; he would sneak off and see Yugi anyways, so I'm deciding that he is now officially Yugi's responsibility."
"Oh well, maybe then I can keep everything in order with out him causing mayhem through the workshop," Solomon chuckled, causing the other two to join him. "Should I tell Yugi the news?"
"Just tell him to get ready, and we'll go and find the mirror," Santa smiled, bowing his head as Solomon did the same before leaving the room. Turning to his wife, he blinked as he was kissed on the cheek. "What was that for?"
"Nothing, you sly thing you," Mrs. Claus chuckled. "I bet you knew what was going on all along, didn't you?"
"Of course I did… I'm Santa," he smirked before leaning over enough to whisper the words of one of the carols that told other to not pout or cry because he was coming to town.
CHRISTMAS MORNING…
Yami sighed as he crawled out of bed. His hair was tousled and tangled and his eyes were redder than normal. Looking out the window at the snow covered ground, he shook his head sadly. 'I wish Yugi were here,' he sighed, casting a glance back to his bed where a silver and purple elf hat was sitting on the pillow beside his own.
Running a hand through his hair, he slowly made his way down the stairs, stopping at the bottom as he noticed the clump of mistletoe hanging on the entrance way. Recalling the kiss he and Yugi shared, he touched his lips before shaking his head and sulked his way into the kitchen.
Entering the room, he did a double take as he took note of the batch of cookies on the counter in a familiar Christmas tray. 'It can't be…' he mused before turning and running out of the kitchen and almost tripping over the rug on his way.
Stopping at the entrance to the living room, crimson eyes looked over the usual decorations before falling onto something that made his breath hitch. From his position the couch blocked a lot of his view, but there was no mistake in those two large antlers poking up from the floor with ribbons and tinsel decorating each prong.
Swallowing the lump lodged in his throat, Yami made his way over to the couch to see the one thing he had wanted for Christmas. There asleep against the large chocolate and cream reindeer was his little Elf.
"Y-Yugi…" his voice cracked as he scrambled over the couch to get on his knees as amethyst eyes opened up to look at him.
"Merry Christmas, Yami," Yugi smiled shyly before blushing madly as Yami pulled him into his arms and hugged him.
"Oh Yugi, you came back!" Yami cried, hugging his little one a bit longer before pulling back enough to caress one of those smooth cheeks. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too," Yugi smiled, tears streaming down his cheeks to be wiped away by gentle fingers.
Not able to see his little one crying, Yami pulled Yugi back to him before leaning in and capturing those soft lips in a gentle and warm kiss. "You won't be leaving me again… will you?" he murmured, resting their foreheads against each other.
"I'm staying where I belong… with you," Yugi smiled, brushing his lips against Yami's before cuddling up closer to the other.
"But what about your family, won't they miss you?" Yami asked, nuzzling the others silky hair.
Pulling back enough, Yugi pointed to the large ornate mirror standing in the corner. "I can go back to the Workshop anytime by going through that portal, and you can come with me too," he smiled before feeling something nip at his back, causing him to look over his shoulder at the reindeer.
"Oh, and I hope you don't mind about having a reindeer around?"
Glancing over at the large reindeer, Yami wasn't sure if he could handle the deer or not, but at seeing how close the deer was to Yugi, how could he refuse. Reaching over to pet the deer, he smiled as his fingers shifted through the smooth plush pelt. "Something to get used too I guess, but don't you think he would draw a lot of attention?"
"Don't worry, we have ways around that," Yugi chuckled.
"I just hope he's housebroken," Yami smirked, earning a snort from the deer.
: Keep that up pal and I'll leave ya a very special present in your bedroom…Ow! I was just kidding! :
Yami chuckled as he noticed Yugi giving a sharp tug on one of the deer's ears. "His name is Orion, right?" seeing the nod, he smiled as he watched the deer get to its feet and shake off the stuff on its antlers, causing the tinsel and bows to fall into Yugi's hair.
"Hmm, I guess I get to unwrap ya now, ne?" he smirked, causing Yugi to blush as he dusted out the decorations before giving the other a gentle kiss.
Blushing, Yugi quickly got to his feet just as the doorbell rang. "Looks like you have company," he smiled, heading toward the door while pulling Yami along behind him.
Opening the door, Yami blinked as he spotted all his friends. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow as they all gaped at him as if he had three heads. "What?"
"Ya actually answered da door," Jou blinked. "We thought ya had locked yourself up in ya room or something."
"We're sorry that Yugi… left…" Ryou's sentenced died off as Yugi waved at him. "Yugi?"
"That's me," he chuckled, enjoying the look on the other's faces as they all looked at him.
"We thought you left," Malik replied.
"I came back," Yugi smiled.
"I thought that you said that you had no choice but to go back," Ryou countered.
"Yami brought me back," Yugi stated, wrapping his arms around one of Yami's. "He asked and they let me come back."
"Who?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told ya," Yami smirked, causing Ryou to pout lightly.
"Well anyways, good to have ya back Yugi," Jou smiled. "Any plans for the rest of the day?"
"Actually, we do have some plans," Yami replied.
"We do?" Yugi asked, curiously looking up at the other to notice the playful gleam in those ruby eyes.
"Yup," he smiled. "We'll see you guys later, alright?"
The others nodded and said their goodbyes before leaving and doing their own thing, leaving Yami and Yugi alone with each other.
"So what's your plan?" Yugi asked, blushing as Yami pulled him into another hug before capturing his lips in another brief kiss.
"I was thinking of flying," Yami smirked, looking back in the living room where Orion was standing.
Smirking, Yugi chuckled as he nodded his head and pulled Yami over to deer. "Sounds like fun, but I thought you didn't flying."
"I think I will learn to like it, especially since I get to hold you," Yami teased, watching Yugi blush as he climbed on Orion's back. Climbing up on the deer as well, he blinked as Yugi waved his hand, causing the large window to open.
Feeling arms snake around his waist, Yugi blushed even more as Orion jumped out of the house before going invisible and leaping up into the air. "Any place you want to go?"
"How about Tahiti or Hawaii, some place tropical," Yami suggested, nuzzling into Yugi's neck to plant warm kisses on the soft skin. "Any place as long as I have you and there is no snow."
"But what about having a white Christmas?"
"I'm holding my white Christmas right now," Yami smiled, hugging Yugi as Orion made a higher climb into the air.
"I love you… Yami," Yugi blushed, looking over his shoulder to gaze into loving crimson eyes.
"I love you too, Yugi… oh and by the way Merry Christmas and I must say, you are the greatest gift of all," Yami smiled, kissing Yugi once more.
: Thank you for flying Orion Airlines! I wish you all a Merry Christmas! :
The End
Z-S: There all done!
Diallo: Yup, about time too.
Z-S: Back to the other stories now -goes off to work on OTP-
Diallo: Hope you all enjoyed this fic, please Review!