Behind the Camera (YouTuber One-shots)

Jaspar

"Ultimate Balloon Prank On My Roommate" - ThatcherJoe

After the video

Caspar continued stabbing the balloons, relishing in each sound the balloons made as they burst into fragments. It would be hell to clean up later, but he didn't care. Joe was somewhere over near his bed, armed with a toothpick, while Oli was out like a light in Joe's room. Caspar had taken the prank bait all too easily, but he wasn't the only one who had suffered the repercussions.

A yawn from an unseen Joe reminded Caspar of just how long his roommate had been awake, planning and creating this room full of balloons. Not to mention Oli's addition, of a clown-mask jump scare. Oli had fallen asleep earlier by accident.

They'd sat on Joe's bed for only half an hour, seeing as Caspar's room was occupied, genuinely asking about the trip, and sharing stories that had happened in the time that the group had been separated. Joe was the one who suggested they begin bursting all the balloons in Caspar's room, so the recentely returned boy could sleep through the morning at least. Oli, who had laid back at some point, hadn't responded to the idea, and didn't move, even after Joe gently shook his ankle. Oli had collapsed into sleep from exhaustion, and unwillingly left the rest of the work to the two boys.

Yet somehow, Joe was still going, still helping Caspar clean up, even after he'd asked for Joe to go get some sleep. Joe had refused, of course, only causing Caspar to worry even more. He didn't want Joe hurting himself just because he was too stubborn to admit he needed sleep.

Wading through the balloons, he spotted Joe, sitting on the end of the bed. His arm was resting on his knee, and his hand supporting his chin, ultimately forcing his head to stay upright as he rhythmically stabbed at the balloons around him. Caspar sighed, tucked the toothpick in his pocket, and pushed through the balloons to Joe's side.

Taking a seat next to him, he leaned over and observed Joe's face. The poor guy was struggling to keep his eyes open, and fighting yet another yawn, a battle which he evidently lost, as his mouth gaped in yet another intake of air.

"Joe, come on, I'll sleep on the couch. You need to sleep, now." He quickly pressed a finger to Joe's lips, effectively keeping them shut, as he tried to protest. "It wasn't a request, Joe. You will go to sleep!" he added, as Joe turned his head to question Caspar's movement, the finger still resting lightly on his lips, which quickly turned to a glare as Caspar didn't answer, nor relent on his command.

As their staring continued on through the gathering silence, an idea was forming in Caspar's head. Sure, it was risky, but if it made Joe sleep, then what did it matter? He ignored the voice in his head telling him that Joe's needs weren't the only reason this idea seemed so great, that Caspar's own emotions towards the boy were desperate to be sated also.

Before he could change his mind, Caspar quickly brought his arm around Joe, in what could be passed as just a friendly gesture. He didn't stop there, however, pulling Joe closer to him, and pressing the sides of their bodies together.

Caspar stopped breathing altogether as he awaited Joe's reaction. What if he pushes me away, what if he rejects me? What if Joe decides he doesn't want to live with me anymore? What will I do if Joe never speaks to me again? Suddenly, Caspar's brilliant idea didn't seem so brilliant anymore. He started to panic even more, imagining all the possible negative outcomes and scenarios he could've caused by his stupid move.

Caspar was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the weight on his shoulder, nor the light breathing of his roommate next to him. However, when Caspar glanced over, he nearly jumped in excitement. Joe's head was resting on Caspar's shoulder! He was okay with it! Caspar's face immediately lit up in a giant grin. All this time, treading carefully around Joe, not wanting to make his feelings obvious, but at the same time not wanting to stay "just friends."

Caspar shivered as he felt something trail across his back, ripped from his excitement as pure fear set in. Was that a spider, or something worse? He tensed up, ready to leap away at a moment's notice, taking note of where Joe was, just in case he accidentally pushed the half-asleep guy into whatever danger lie behind.

Instantly, Caspar stopped. A hand had curled around his waist, on the far side from Joe, and Caspar could feel the pressure of an arm running across his back, leading up to where his roommate was positioned. Caspar relaxed into the grip, the smile returning to his face, although not quite as big as earlier. However, the emotions that created chaos inside Caspar only grew, as he realised both of them were arranged in a manner that, if Oli were to walk in right now, he'd know immediately that Caspar and Joe were done with being friends. Not that anyone could see them anyway, with the balloons still piling up just beneath Caspar's hairline.

That fact gave Caspar the courage and inspiration to follow through with his order for Joe to sleep. Letting his own arm fall across Joe's back, he murmured, "Sorry," and gently pushed Joe from his shoulder.

Joe let out a noise of disapproval, raising his head to watch as Caspar got up off the bed, and headed towards the door. Caspar had nearly reached the exit, when Joe managed to form the three words that stopped the blonde boy in his tracks, not moving an inch.

"Don't leave me."

Caspar, still frozen in spot, smiled gently, even though Joe couldn't see his face. "I'm not," he replied softly, finally moving to close the door, and reach out to hit the light switch. He stumbled back through the pile of balloons, managing to find his way back to the bed by memory alone, without accidentally hurting himself or breaking something.

Settling back down into the same spot as before, he sensed rather than saw Joe beside him, and took a deep breath. Curling one arm around the sleep deprived boy, he slipped his other arm underneath Joe's knees. When he didn't protest, Caspar slowly lifted him, and half carried him further back on the bed, stumbling on his knees, while Joe's head collapsed against his arm in exhaustion.

When Caspar had successfully maneuvered Joe up towards the head of the bed, he lay down beside him, able to see the other's face as Caspar's eyes adjusted to the light. Joe looked to be fast asleep, finally, and Caspar sighed in relief. He rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling, questioning the last 20 minutes, and everything that had happened.

Caspar tensed once more as the creeping sensation returned, only to recognise Joe's hand as it seeked out Caspar. Triumphant in it's exploration, Joe wriggled closer to Caspar until his entire body was against Caspar's side. Apparently not yet comfortable, Joe squirmed and twisted, until he lifted his head and placed it against Caspar's chest.

Caspar, meanwhile, could only smile, watching the smaller, yet older, boy make himself comfortable, hoping that Joe would finally get the rest he so desperately needed. Already, the first hints of sunrise were coming through the window, although the curtain had been drawn shut, and the actual light of day was still a fair way off. Absent mindedly, Caspar drew one arm around Joe, pulling him closer than he was before, while the other hand played with his hair, enjoying the feel of it's soft touch, even if he was ruining Joe's perfectly styled quiff.

Humming softly at the touch, Joe moved his hand until he found the bottom of Caspar's shirt, and quickly slid it up inside, causing Caspar to gasp. With his hand resting against Caspar's bare stomach, Joe was decisively content.

"Good night, Caspar."

"Good night, Joe."

Pausing, Joe added, "Love you," in a hushed tone that spoke clearly of his anxiety at rejection.

Caspar smiled. "Love you too." But Joe was already asleep.

Edit: Oml, I can't understand how I managed to write this so poorly. Like, legit, none of it makes any sense, or even fits in with the actual events. I am so sorry, this is quite possibly the cringiest thing I've ever written >o<