A Siblings Advice

Sibling tag: What would I do without you?

Joe's POV:

"Hello and welcome back to my channel! Now seeing as today marks my debut on Zoe's channel all those years ago, we thought we would recreate something special: The sibling tag!" I cringe at the sound of my own voice, like I do every single time I record. You would think i'd be used to it by now, considering this is my career since my youtube channel took off but I just can't get used to filming seriously. The pranks, the messing around and the fun shit I have no issue with at all but anything where I've got to do a remotely seriously introduction and I struggle insanely, which is ridiculous but thankfully Zoe understands. "Zoe, can we take again, I just cant get my words right today at all, I don't get it. I'm not even good at my bloody job." I laugh in an attempt to distract myself from the frustration which is building. Always the voice of reason, Zoe smiles and readjusts the camera, "Lets break for a while, rewatch the old sibling tag and laugh at your younger selves before we embarrass ourselves on the camera." As she hits play on the old video, a wave of nostalgia clearly hits both of us and we subconsciously lean a little closer to each other, all sibling bickering and witty banter has disappeared for this tender moment.

"Hey Zo? Do you ever just stop to think how crazy the last few years have been? Like how much has changed since back then and how different we are now. Im still a scrawny shit only im spottier and have a terrible haircut, your hair is so different and you look so much more mature if you get me." I smirk, waiting for her to react to my dig but notice the truth behind it. We are growing up, maturing and moving through life without even realising, without taking notice of how far we have come. " Shut up Joe, are you saying im getting old? Cheeky! But yeah, I was saying this to Alfie the other day, where has time gone? Im 25 now! Look how cute we are back there, in my old bedroom at mums! I used to thing I was so cool, God how annoying!" She laughs, flopping back on the sofa. " You're still annoying, you always will be because you're my sister but Zo just look how far you've come! Zoella over here now has her own makeup brand, bath products, books, multiple youtube channels, merch, millions of subscribers, the serious boyfriend, the house...Zo you've done bloody brilliant for a little girl from the West country. I don't say it much but i'm so proud of you. Ah jesus, this nostalgia has made me soft. " I groan, wrapping her in a one handed hug before pushing her off me jokingly. She grins over at me with the famous "Sugg smirk", " Well Joey, that was an awful lot of emotions for you in one speech, you good there? Can we get back to filming again?" Giving myself a quick shake, " yeah course I am, emotions are back in their lockbox and hidden away again." I chuckle, straightening up again.

"Hey Joe? All joking aside, thank you. I really needed to hear that, this week has been....trying to say the least. I'm proud of you too little brother."

Zoe's POV:

Joe little emotional outbreak has left me feeling a little unsettled as we finalised filming our updated sibling tag, it isn't like him to let his feelings show, even ones such as pride and nostalgia. The two of us are just chilling in the living room now, armed with a cup of tea and a pack of digestives and once again Joe turns the conversation to the past. " Remember when mum and dad were fighting and we used to hide under the covers and eat the biscuits than nan used to sneak us. We would sit and gossip for hours, about school, teachers, shitty friends, best friends and the people we liked. We would sit planning our future. How did we bloody get here Zo." he sighs. " Jesus Joe, you're feeling deep today. What's getting to you, how come this is all hitting you today?" It's weird, he isn't normally like this and it makes me wonder what is going on in that head of his, it almost scares me a little

"Alright Joseph, spill the beans, there is clearly something going on with you so open up. This isn't like you at all so I know it's got to be something big and as your sister, it's my job to make sure you're alright." I start, determined to encourage him to stop being a "Lad" for a minute and get in touch with his emotions. In the past, these type of conversations have always been a safe space between us, knowing that nothing said will ever leave the den we have created; we could spill our darkest secrets and not another soul would ever know. He sighs and leans back, grabbing the cushion from behind him, " I don't know Zoe, I just feel like my life is disappearing and i'm not actually getting anywhere. You've got it sorted, the house, the boyfriend who you're going to marry, the plans for kids and the business. I can't even get a text back, nevermind a serious relationship. That girl I told you about? She has been blanking me for weeks and I don't even know what i've done. Caspar is always with his girlfriend and he said he was pretty serious about her, wanting to move in with her as well so i'll be on my own again. I just don't know what to do with my life? Is it time to leave YouTube and maybe grow up...i can't be a lad forever I suppose." Running his hands roughly through his hair, I can't help but watch this sudden change in emotion, a sense of anger or maybe frustration and all I want to do I pull him close and cuddle him silly but I know that's not what he needs right now; he needs to talk it through. "Joe, stop right there. Your youtube channel is taking off now, you have achieved so much with books planned, movies and other upcoming projects that you won't even tell me about! So what if she is blanking you? You don't need a girlfriend to be happy, to be you! If Caspar went for a walk off a bridge, would you? Just because he has the girlfriend, doesn't mean you are any worse than he is so please, for my sanity and your own, STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO CASPAR LEE PLEASE." I finish, delivering a sharp slap to his arm to wake him up a little and push my point across.

Next thing I know, Joe has wrapped me in a hug, chuckling lightly to himself, " Thanks Zozebo...i reckon i needed that. You're right, i don't need a girl to make me, me...i'm so much better at making an arse out of myself alone anyways...that way no one other than me gets hurt." Once again, i sit back and watch Joe's emotions change, his earlier frustrations dissipating and a new found sense of happiness taking over as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders. Inhaling once again, " And for the record, your girl is out there, in a far away corner of the world, probably telling a shitty joke and making others laugh in a very similar way to you. And when you find her Joseph, you'll know because she will take over your world. Us Suggs fall and fall hard, just look and Alf and me? I reckon when you find her, it'll be at some massive event that you've been invited to, you'll fall fast and it'll be marriage and baby Suggs flying all over the place and you will love absolutely every second, worshipping the ground she bloody walks on because I know you Joe! You're a secret romantic and it WILL happen for you." I finish, smiling at the grin on his face as he starts taking the camera down and tidying up. He glances at me and utters those famous sibling words.

"What would I do without you?"