Vlogmas: a YouTube Christmas Special [YouTube]

Day 14

On the fourteenth day of Vlogmas, YouTube gave to me:

Gift Cards Are The Christmas Equivalent of Red Cards (Myles Wheeler [itsamemyleo])

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"I want to see Pokémon themed lights," Myles decides firmly, holding out a hand to help you down from the tall bus step. "D'you reckon anyone's ever done Pokémon themed Christmas decor?" He's got his camera pointed at you, just like always.

You shrug. "If we find some, we ought to go inside and congratulate PJ on his grand accomplishment." Myles laughs at that.

You're happy to see Myles, even if only for a night. He's Heidi's cousin, but he's got to be one of your best friends, and you look forward to his coming to stay almost more than Heidi herself. The three of you have had countless good times over the years, and even though you don't see him as often as you'd like, the moments when you are together are never disappointing.

"Have you got all your shopping done yet?" you ask almost fifteen minutes later. The two of you are standing in front of a particularly showy display of Christmas lights that is tuned to music. Unfortunately, the two of you are on foot and don't have a radio, so Myles has been making up his own song to go with the patterns, much to your entertainment.

He turns his camera to you. "Actually, I was thinking about getting everyone a warm hug."

You raise your eyebrows. "Oh, Myles. Not in the current climate."

He pauses for a moment, then pans the camera back to the lights. "Yeah, you're right. I'll get them nothing."

You hook your hand in the crook of his elbow as you start to walk towards some different lights. "Seriously, man, what are you getting Heidi? I hope you put some thought into it after last year's Shake Weight debacle."

Myles shrugs. "I was just gonna play it safe and get her a gift card to Primark. That way there's no way she can get mad at me."

"Myles!" you groan. "You can't get her a gift card. She'll be so upset!"

"Why?!"

"Because it's a gift card."

"Why on earth would receiving free money make Heidi mad?"

"Because," you sigh. "You're, like, her favourite family member. You're supposed to know her well enough to buy her something personal." You shake your head. "No, a gift card will not do."

"Please, oh great one," Myles says dramatically. "Tutor me in the art of gift-giving."

You pull him in the direction of the nearest bus stop. "Come on. I don't think the shops have closed yet. If we're lucky, we can snag something cute for Heidi and still have time to look at lights."

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Oh, how plans change. What started out as a tour of the Christmas lights around town transforms into a hapless shopping spree and then again into just scurrying through Harrods, dicking around with the holiday displays and gallivanting about the toy department like overgrown children. Myles has his little camera out the whole time, and you can't wait to see the vlog he'll surely post in a few days - or, knowing him, weeks.

You do end up finding something for Heidi's gift and leave the store breathless with mirth and general good feeling. As you step out into the street, you look around at the lights strung across all the shop fronts and smile. You got to see some Christmas lights, just... not exactly the kind you expected to see.

You lean your head against Myles's shoulder and close your eyes briefly, letting him guide your steps. It's been a good night. Another adventure for the books. You're feeling quite full of them lately. So nice and full of lovely times...

"Hey," Myles murmurs, shaking his shoulder gently. "Look."

You open your eyes and follow his finger up to an arrangement of red and white lights. You grin and let out a disbelieving laugh.

They look like a Pokéball.

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A/N:

Seriously though some of the people out here go REALLY nuts over putting up Christmas lights. All I can think about is the electric bill

Happy Christmas
virtues