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It was the one thing, while growing up when he was young and his parents were still good, it was the one thing his father insisted. Going to the US military base for the Christmas everything. The tree lighting, the Secret Santa shop, the caroling singalongs and concerts. Jou didn't really understand the religious aspects of it - some kid's birthday and a bunch of old guys gave him a drum? - but he loved the decorations and food and the presents.
And the atmosphere, the kindness, the peace on earth, goodwill to men. Everyone was extra nice. Everything was extra pretty.
As Jounouchi got older, and his family disintegrated, he learned to appreciate the Japanese version. He took his middle school girlfriend to dinner. It was Burgerworld, and they both had to be home by their real dinner times, but it was Christmas eve, and the girl had been absolutely dazzled by the effort. She gave him his first real kiss.
And since high school, he'd tried to combine both sets of traditions into one perfect date: a little fried chicken, a little Bing Crosby, a little mistletoe, a few pretty lights, and voila! Holiday Magic.
And then he began dating Seto Scrooge McGrinch Kaiba.
"I don't understand why I have to go through all this expense and effort for a religious service that means nothing to me! At best, we are perpetuating this commercialized, gift giving masquerade, and at worst, we are making light of an event that has spiritual meaning to millions worldwide."
Jou banged his head against the wall. "Dude. It is one. Fucking. Day."
"Yes. One day. Not a month. Not even a week. One single day and yet we expend most of the quarterly budget on it."
"Stop talking about money! This isn't about how much money the company spends. This is about why you can't just join the rest of the damn world and celebrate this one damn day!"
"Give me one reason why I - why we - should celebrate the birth of an arguably fictional character?"
"Ok, don't celebrate Christmas. Do it for Hanukkah." Seto gave that the look it deserved. "Yeah, ok. Kwanzaa! It's non-denominational; it's all about community and family."
"And I'm sure it would be treated as misappropriation by the families and communities that do celebrate it."
"The winter solstice."
"Was last week."
"Oh, come on!"
"Jounouchi…. Katsuya, for you this date represents a time when your family was close. When love was easy. When life was bright and joyful. Is that correct?"
The stress melted some. "Yeah, babe. Yeah. I just want to share that with you."
"I appreciate that. Do you know what this date represents to me?"
"Tell me."
"Tuesday."
"Funny."
"I don't intend to be funny here. The 25th of December means as much as the 25th of November. At least the 25th of January has personal relevance - that I will celebrate, gladly."
"Thanks," Jou huffed. "Sweet, but not the point."
"Absolutely my point." Seto continued before Jou could cut in. "Gozaburo used to love the holiday season. Not for any decent reason, of course. He'd offer employees bonuses for sales goals that were mathematically impossible. He'd run ad campaigns that were designed by a psychologist to guilt people into buying our products. All those carols and tinsel remind me of commercials. Corporate policy allows anyone for whom this is a religious holiday to take the day off. For me it isn't, so I don't."
"So, you can't just take a couple days to enjoy some fun music and pretty lights because you can't get over a few cheesy commercials? Dude, sorry. If you got a point, I don't get it. I'm not saying the religious thing isn't real or that your old man wasn't an ass to you. But not all traditions are just about that. It's us - you and me - and Mokuba and Serenity - doing the same stuff together every year. It's a kind of chain memory. All the years kinda run together but it's all good." He took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't get this! With everything else, you are Mr. Tradition! We are gonna be at the temple at 11:50 New Years Eve. We do setsubun like fucking clockwork. Why you gotta shit on my traditions?"
"I do not 'shit' on your traditions. But I have no interest in participating in anything meaningless."
"Damn it, Seto! The holidays do have meaning!"
"Not to me."
"Well, they have a lot to me!"
"Which is why I don't prevent you from participating in whatever you wish."
"I wishto spend this time with my family and, damn it, you are the biggest part of that!"
"Katsuya. I would be bored and unpleasant, and undoubtedly we would argue."
"Because you can't be bothered to just play nice for my sake."
"I do a great deal for your sake. If you believe my rejection of eggnog and holly trees is a rejection of you, then -"
"No, no! That's not -!" He huffed. "Ok. What's it gonna take for you to go caroling with me tonight?"
"Me? Caroling?"
"I won't ask you to actually sing," he rolled his eyes. "Just hold my hand, drink cider, and look good."
"There is no exchange that would make that tolerable."
"Duuuuude!"
"Besides, tonight I plan to stay late and get a start on the year end financials."
"Oh, c'mon! Have a heart, here!"
"You always have plans with Serenity. I am not infringing on your time with her."
"She's got a date."
"Someone we've met?"
"Meeting him tonight for caroling. I wanted to make it a double date."
Seto looked thoughtful. Then he huffed, and pulled out his calendar. "I can meet you all for dinner. 16:50. Would that appease you?"
Jou tried not to rip his hair out. "I am trying to start a holiday tradition for us. Something we look forward to doing every year, together. Something our kids will look forward to doing with us."
"Our kids?" Seto scoffed lightly. "We don't have children. Our relationship isn't…even…. What are you doing?" he asked as Jou dropped to one knee and dug his wallet out of his pocket.
"Look, I've been trying to think of something all year, and I was figuring this was it." He pulled out a simple gold ring. "I even figured out the timing. During Twelve days of Christmas, right on '5 golden rings', right?"
"What is that?" Seto looked at the offered ring like it was a snake.
"DUDE! I'm serious here. I'm trying to start something for us together."
Seto took the ring as if it might shatter and read the inscription inside.
Two dragons one heart
"I suppose a night of caroling once a year wouldn't be too arduous. I, uh, don't seem to be able to…."
His hands were shaking. Jou took the ring and gently slipped it on Seto's finger.
"We good," Jou asked quietly.
"We are." Seto kissed him softly. "But get up. I don't want this to become some kind of tradition. This event is a one time occurrence."
"I guess I can live with that," Jou said, standing.