⚠️TW: choking (who could've thought?)
Word count: ~1040
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"Is it on?" Chris asked his older triplet-brother, nodding at the camera.
"Obviously, Chris, don't you see the red light?" Nick replied, rolling his eyes as he adjusted the camera one last time.
Chris didn't bother to reply. Instead, he just rolled his eyes back and muttered under his breath, "Just making sure."
Nick, Matt and Chris were gathered in their cozy kitchen, ready to film their latest vlog: "Ranking snacks from the UK." The table was laden with an assortment of British treats, from Jaffa cakes, Hobnobs, Marmite. The camera was set up and recording, and the triplets were in high spirits.
"Alright, guys, let's get started!" Matt announced, clapping his hands together with enthusiasm. "First up, we have Jaffa Cakes. I've heard these are a big deal in the UK."
They each took a bite.
"Not too bad," Nick said, nodding thoughtfully. "I like the orange and chocolate combo. It's different."
Chris, on the other hand, made a face. "It's okay, but not my favorite," he said, pushing the rest of the Jaffa Cake away. "The texture is kinda weird."
Matt shrugged, finishing his bite. "I think they're pretty good. I can see why people like them."
Next, they moved on to Marmite. Matt spread a thin layer on a piece of toast and handed it to Chris, who eyed it warily before taking a cautious bite. He did the same for Nick, who looked equally skeptical.
"Ugh, this is awful!" Chris exclaimed, scrunching up his nose in disgust. "How do people eat this?"
Nick laughed, trying to swallow his bite without grimacing. "It's definitely an acquired taste," he said, shaking his head. "I don't think I'll be acquiring it anytime soon."
Matt chuckled, taking a small bite himself and wincing. "Yeah, I think this one's a miss for all of us."
As they continued sampling various snacks, the mood was light and filled with laughter and playful banter. They tried Hobnobs, which were a hit and way better than the Jaffa cakes.
Then, they reached the sausage rolls. Chris took a big bite, savoring the flaky pastry and savory filling. He started chewing and swallowed, but suddenly, his eyes widened in panic as he felt the piece of food lodge in his throat. He started coughing violently, clutching his throat.
"Chris? Are you okay?" Matt asked, his voice filled with concern.
Chris couldn't respond; he was choking. He shook his head and looked at his brothers with evident fear in his eyes.
"Nick! He's choking?!" Matt urged, "I don't remember what to do- what do we do?!" he continued, feeling extremely helpless watching his brother lose the ability to breathe in front of him.
Nick immediately sprang into action, recalling the first aid training they had received in school. He quickly positioned himself behind Chris and performed the Heimlich maneuver, his movements precise and determined. Matt stood by picking at his nails feeling extremely helpless, his heart was racing faster than the speed of light.
"Come on, Chris, you can do it," Matt said urgently, his voice trembling with anxiety. He watched intently, hoping that Nick's efforts would work and that Chris would be okay.
After a few tense moments, Chris coughed up the piece of sausage roll and took a deep breath, his face red and eyes watery.
"There you go. Are you alright, bud?" Nick asked, rubbing Chris's back in a soothing manner.
Chris looked a little shaky and on edge, the reality of how close he had been to losing consciousness hitting him hard. Now, he was able to breathe again, the relief evident on his face.
Chris nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah, thanks. That was... so scary."
(AN: tb to when I nearly choked on a flat round hard candy cuz it went the wrong way in my throat and I coughed blood for half an hour until I drank sm tea it melted lmao- or the time I nearly choked on an ice cube. Oh- or the time I was five and ate a fucking big ass nut and nearly died, had to be taken to hospital hahaha)
Matt handed Chris a glass of water. "Take it easy, bro. Maybe smaller bites and no rushing next time."
Chris nodded, still a bit shaken, before downing the whole glass in one go.
Nick looked at him as if he were crazy. "Slow down, the water isn't gonna disappear," he said, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and concern.
They all sat down, the mood a bit more somber but relieved. The camera had captured the entire incident and they decided to keep a tiny bit of it in the video, just as a lesson for their watchers to be careful. But most of it they wanted to keep private since it was such a scary moment for them, especially Chris.
"Well, that was intense," Nick said, trying to lighten the mood. "Chris, do you want to continue? It's okay if you're not up fo—" he got cut off by the younger.
Chris smiled weakly. "Yeah, let's do it. But no more sausage rolls for me." His voice was still a bit raspy.
Matt mouthed a concerned "Are you sure?" and received a small nod in response. He hesitated for a moment, then gave Chris a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Alright, let's get back to it. Just take it easy, okay?"
They continued with their taste test, determined to finish what they had started. Despite the scare, they managed to complete the video, their usual banter and laughter slowly returning as they sampled the remaining snacks.
After they wrapped up filming, Nick and Matt kept a close eye on Chris, just in case there were any further complications. They didn't want to take any chances after the earlier incident.
Chris, feeling a bit drained, decided to rest on the couch. Nick and Matt joined him, bringing a cozy blanket to curl up under. They put on a movie, the familiar sounds and scenes providing a comforting backdrop.
"Hey, you feeling okay?" Matt asked softly, glancing over at Chris.
"Yeah, just tired," Chris replied, his voice still a bit weak. "Thanks for looking out for me."
"Always, bro," Nick said, giving Chris a gentle nudge. "We're brothers, we'll always be there for you."
Chris smiled, his eyes already starting to close. "Yeah, I know. Love you guys."
"Love you too," Matt and Nick echoed, their voices warm and reassuring.
As the movie played, the triplets relaxed, the day's tension melting away. Eventually, Chris fell asleep, his breathing steady and calm, while Nick and Matt exchanged relieved glances, grateful that their brother was okay.
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