Author's Note: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh GX or any of its characters.

"Pretty." Six year-old Aster Phoenix pointed up at the crystal star ornament.

"Yes, pretty."

Looming above him was the kind tanned face of his father. The ornament in question hung off the edge of his finger off its gilded braided rope.

"Would you like to put it on the tree?"

"Yes!" The silver-haired boy cried happily.

Gently, his father placed the crystal star ornament in Aster's own fingers. "Easy now—don't drop it!"

"I won't," Aster promised him.

Lifting his hand high enough so the ornament would revolve on its extended string; Aster observed how the depths of the crystal glass were caught in a multi-hued fire of crimson, sapphire, and violet.

With careful consideration, Aster chose the highest branch of the tree he could reach to hang the resplendent ornament. The crystal star then glimmered at him from its perch due to the yards of colored lights that already encircled the Christmas icon. Indeed, the star appeared to be rather cozy in its dark green evergreen sanctuary.

"Good job," his father praised him.

Aster smiled in response before his father gathered him in up in his arms to kiss him on the cheek…

Aster's eyes snapped open. He was alone, and his father was not present.

Blearily, he took in the white marble fireplace, the champagne-colored furniture, and the soft glow of the lit Christmas tree.

He'd trade it all just to have his father sitting by him tonight for tonight, just for one night. But, no one could give him that Christmas present. The depression that assailed him this Christmas was no different from the fits of depression that seized him in its clawed grip every Christmas.

Happy families. Happy holidays.

That's what the media promised, didn't it? Aster had firmly decided at long last to switch the blaring TV off for the night with the sole purpose of not watching the happiness that could never be his.

Sighing heavily, Aster walked over to the tree. It was fresh. It was fresh every year, but his reaction to it remained the same. However, the ornaments that adorned it were an odd array of old and new. Antique Christmas balls, painted wooden figures, and one piece he always dreaded to see.

Fixing the crystal star with a long-suffering gaze, he numbly touched it with his fingers. It glittered a sort of welcome to him. In spite of his lonely, sour mood, he could still smile in remembrance.

How happy I was to put this star on that tree. How proud I was…

Giving into the overwhelming sense of sentimentality that was creating waves around his heart; Aster plucked the star from the tree and carried it back to the leather sofa. In a sort of wonder, he watched the colors shimmer and bend and change in the contours of the crystal. As his eyes misted over, the words of his father came rushing back to him across the reaches of time:

"My little star."

Five hours later, Aster could still be seen clutching the star ornament to his chest as he snored peacefully; comforted by dreams of his father.

"Happy Birthday, Aster..."

Author's Note: Since my muse has a one-track mind, I wrote another one! As soon as I saw a crystal star advertised somewhere, I knew I had to write this.