Vlogmas: a YouTube Christmas Special [YouTube]

Day 23

On the twenty-third day of Vlogmas, YouTube gave to me:

Jingle Bells, Joseph Smells, Caspar Laid An Egg (Joe Sugg [ThatcherJoe])

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"Are you sure you don't mind?"

Joe laughs that carefree chuckle of his. "Yes, for the millionth time. I would've said no if I minded, y' knobhead." He shifts the grocery basket from one hand to the other. "Now, what else do you need? Remember, Hazel, myself, and Jim and Tan all volunteered to bring drinks."

You nod, chewing on the inside of your lip. "And Zoe wanted to make a whole mess of cupcakes, not to mention the cookies Dan and I made a few days ago, and Heidi's going to make a pie."

"So we're pretty set on sweets, then." Joe drags a hand through his hair, brows furrowed as he thinks. "Are you having little snacky things or a proper full meal?"

You shrug. "Usually I get Ez to help me with cooking big dinners, but he's not getting back in town until Christmas, and PJ is busy until the party so he can't come over, either." You laugh through your nose and halfway jokingly add, "I don't suppose you can cook?"

Joe puffs out his chest. "I'll have you know I'm an amazing cook! Just ask Caspar, without me in the flat we'd both be fifty pounds heavier from exclusively eating TV dinners and pizza."

You grin and pick up a box of crackers for the basket. "I believe you, but I think I'll just stick with finger foods for this party. I don't have enough seats for everyone to have a sit-down meal, anyway." Referring to your list, you point down the aisle. "That means we need celery, and ingredients to make dip and sausage balls and spicy pretzels and..."

Joe glances at the already heavy-laden basket in his hand. "I think we maybe ought to've gotten a trolley."

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You tilt your head to the side and close one eye appraisingly. "I think it looked better where it was before."

Obedient Joe shuffles back to the right side of the step stool and adjusts the decorative garland accordingly, then looks over his shoulder for your approval. It must've been the fifth time he moved the same decoration, but only a hint of impatience tinges his otherwise cheerful smile.

"Perfect," you say, more for Joe's sake than anything. "Just copy that for the other lounge doorway, please." You pass him the second garland piece and go to finish wrapping gifts on the floor in front of the sofa. "Thank you again for doing all this for me. It would've taken me ages to do all this alone. I really owe you one."

"Ah, well," Joe replies breezily. "It's no big deal, honestly. Anything for a mate." A short pause as he sets the step ladder, and then: "Although I will accept that favour in the form of you visiting. I'll make a smashing dinner to prove my skills as a chef to you and we'll watch a film or something."

"You know, I haven't been in the Jaspar flat yet, only seen it in videos. It looks pretty hashtag swag, I must say." You smile, folding the wrapping paper around Phil's gift delicately. "You just want an excuse to show off, huh?"

"Mmm, maybe."

"Well, if I have to eat a wonderful home cooked meal in a trendy modern flat surrounded by beautiful boys..." You let out a heavy breath. "I suppose I'll go. But only to uphold standards of sociality, mind. I won't enjoy it one bit, no sir."

A piece of garland hits you on the top of the head. "You're full of it, you are."

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A/N:

One day left! :O Hopefully tomorrow's chapter lives up to all your expectations. :)

Happy Christmas
virtues