Disclaimer: I don't own Dan or Phil. I also don't own any other YouTubers you may see in this story (such as KickThePj [PJ Liguori],crabstickz (Chris Kendall) sprinkleofglitter [Louise Pentland], etc.), any real life references you may see, social media (Primarily YouTube, but also Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.), music/song references, as well as artists/bands (such as Muse, MCR, etc.), and whatever you recognize. I am not creative enough to own that stuff :P I do own my OC, Abigail Elizabeth Woods, who I think is creative...?

Alright, I hope you enjoyed all that multi-update — I'll work towards Chapter 31 before the New Year. Hopefully all these updates makes up for the cliffhanger about 'bout to throw on y'all :')

P.S- Everything up until this point was pre-European TATINOF. There is a gap between chapter 29 when they are about to go on European tour, and now is the aftermath. Dunno if that makes sense, but I am keeping it as "canon" as possible. If there are any contradictions, don't bother pointing it out — it's all fiction after all, I suppose.

Chapter 30: Red Christmas

Abi sighs when she closes the cashier — it was Christmas Eve, but it didn't feel like it.

"Are you going to close up, Abi?" Rosa asks, sweeping past the front desk. "I understand if you wanna get home to Phil and Dan early."

Abi blushes softly. "I could close up, Rosa. I'm sure you have somewhere to be on the holidays with some special people, right?"

Rosa's eyes twinkle. "Suppose so. It'd be nice to start prepping for my surprise visit to some very important people."

"Then go," Abi stresses out, leaning of the counter and took the broom right out of her hands. "Jonathan already left thirty minutes before closing, and you should've been gone even earlier — you are the owner, after all."

"Jonathan's a lazy bastard, that's why he went home," Rosa says smugly. "Go home, Abi. I'll leave fifteen minutes after you."

She grabs the broom out of Abi's hands before she could respond, and Abi closes her open-mouth and grins.

"Fine," she says, walking around the counter to get her jacket on the coat-hanger. "I owe you one for this, Rosa. Whatever you want, I promise."

"That won't be necessary," Rosa says after some hesitation. "Have a happy holidays, huh? Tell the dear ol' boys the same thing, if they ain't busy playing video games like pre-teens."

"Oh god, you have no idea," Abi giggles as she slips her jacket on. "I have to act like their mom just to get them down for dinner. 'Gaming-mas' was a terrible idea."

"Is it stressing the poor lads out?" Rosa asks, the sound of popping gum drowning out her accent. "Phil 'specially. Does he want to see me?"

Abi sighs. "To be honest, he doesn't want to see anyone. I don't know how they made it through the European tour without Phil breaking down, or how they are even filming videos. As soon as they finish, Phil either starts editing or goes downstairs. It's taken a toll on all of us — including his family."

Rosa frowns. "Poor boy. Maybe he should swing on by at my place before his family comes over this Christmas?"

Abi stops in her tracks, her arm mid-sleeve. "How did you know they were coming over?"

Rosa blinks. "I assumed they were coming over, no? Or does Dan's family come over?"

The absence of her name in her sentence barely fazes Abi, but she ignores it for the sake of answering the question.

"No, Phil's family is coming over."

"Lucky guess, I s'pose," Rosa says, clicking her tongue. "Should I come over then?"

"If you want," Abi answers. "It might brighten him up a bit"

"Phil? Not bright?" Rosa asks incredulously. "Well that be ridiculous. I'll come over if he wants...it'll definitely fire him up, that's for sure."

Abi grins and swings her messenger bag over her shoulder. "Then I'll be on my way! Hopefully I'll see you later, but if not, ciao for now!"

"Ciao indeed," Rosa mutters when she's sure Abi is on the other side of the glass door, and smiles.

"I'm home for the holidays," Abi sing-songs when she enters the house, with grocery bags in her hands. She is greeted by Striker circling around her excitedly, a small jingle sounding with every step. She kneels down and pets him, noticing his new collar and looking up to see Dan.

"Glad you made it home safely," Dan says as she stands up, already helping her with her things. "Rosa let you off early?"

"Quite the opposite almost happened, actually," Abi replies as they walk to the kitchen island and set the bags on the surface. "I was going to close up, but she was so insistent on closing up. Since I got back, thought I might as well do some groceries before Phil's parents come over."

"I nearly forgot about that, honestly," Dan chuckles, taking some of the food out of the bags. "What did you end up getting? Should I start heating the oven for some intense baking?"

"No, I ended up marinating the ribs we had a few nights ago, so I will finish those up after I change. As for everything else, I bought a turkey and you can make cookies or something."

"Did you get the mince pies that were on sale at that bakery down the street?" Dan asks. "I heard those were pretty good; traditionally-made as well."

"Yeah, I did," she says pulling the tray of pies out. "They nearly made me drool on the tube. I think the person sitting beside me was having the same idea as well — I would've scarfed all of those pies down."

"Do I have to make cookies?" Dan asks. "I was thinking of making those monster pops we made for Halloween on my channel."

"Monster pops?" Abi replies incredulously.

"Christmas themed, of course," Dan says with a roll of his eyes. "Did you buy some icing ingredients for the cookies? I might be able to use those instead, and if Phil didn't eat all the white chocolate my parents sent over, it might work."

"Phil's mum is allergic to nuts," Abi points out.

"We can use fun-butter," Dan counter-attacked with a smile, sliding behind her to get to the fridge. "Mrs. Lester is all about that soy, you know."

"For the last time, peanut butter is not peanut butter if there is no peanuts in it!" Abi giggles. "Sure, go ahead. We'll all know it's a lie."

Suddenly, they heard someone bump into the couch from the living room, followed by a small groan. Dan and Abi exchange looks and hurried into the living room.

"Phil?" Dan says after some silence and awkward silence. "Did you...bump into the couch?"

Phil looks at them with bags under his eyes and nods, almost ashamed. Abi bites her lips, trying to bite back her questions.

"Are hungry?" she prompts. "I can spare a mince pie before your parents come."

"Editing," Phil gruffly answers, shuffling past them. "I was going to get some coffee."

"Phil, you look like you barely slept last night," Dan points out. "I can edit if you want, I just don't want you sleep-editing — we're not those kinds of YouTubers."

"S'fine," Phil mumbles, nearly putting the salt in his empty coffee mug. Abi catches him doing it when they follow him back into the kitchen, and takes the mug. She dumps it in the sink, and Phil watches as some salt falls into the kitchen. He nearly blushes.

Dan sighs. "Phil, please get some rest. You're parents are coming over in four hours and you've barely had a wink of sleep."

"I have to finish editing," Phil repeats in a slur.

"Phil, you can barely stand," Dan says, his voice cracking a bit at the thought. "We have a joint channel for a reason, Phil — if you are tired, I can take over."

"We need this done for tonight, Dan," Phil mutters. "I don't care how much sleep I lose over it. Not like it matters."

"Phil, sleep is very important," Dan's voice rises with every word; "you out of anyone should know that."

"Didn't you want to film a video anyway?" Abi cuts in. "Dan can edit, I can cook, and you can film. Buy then, everything should be done and—"

"I'll edit, you cook," Phil snaps. "I don't need my audience seeing their sunshine-understudy like this."

Dan and Abi watch as Phil stomps up the stairs with an empty mug, stunned.

"What does he mean by understudy?" Dan says quietly, facing Abi. "He can't certainly feel like he's second-best, does he?"

"Does he usually?" she asks.

"Not really, but I do," Dan admits. "I wish he could speak up for himself, not only to other people, but to our community of fans. He deserves more than I do, but he doesn't deserve this."

Abi sighs quietly. "He'll be fine. He always is."

Dan frowns. "That's what I'm worried about"

Silence fills the gap between them and Abi clears her throat.

"Let's start baking, shall we?" she prompts, and Dan nods, the two turning on their heels and walking towards the kitchen once more.

After what seems like an eternity later, they heard the doorbell ring. Dan can immediately hear Striker barking, his feet skidding across the wooden floors and down the stairs in a rush.

"Coming!" Dan yells from the kitchen, already making his way down the hall.

"Sway them away from the kitchen!" Abi calls out. "I need to prepare the table — they can't see this mess of a table yet! Gahhh, the flour!"

"Phil?" Dan says over her. "Come down, your parents are here!"

He opens the door. Mr. and Mrs. Lester's flushed faces are the first things he sees. He smiles right away.

"Hello, hello! Come in!" Dan quickly says, ushering them in. He hugs both of them and grabs their bags as they walk in.

"It sure is freezing out there!" Mr. Lester chuckles, shaking Dan's hair firmly. "Daniel, lad, it's good to see you again. It's been too long."

"You too, Mr. Lester," Dan says readily. He then faces Mrs. Lester and adds, "How are you?"

"Good, good!" she responds. Abi comes rushing to the front step seconds after, taking her flour-covered apron off and throwing it to the side. She extended her arms out.

"Mrs. and Mr. Lester!" she exclaims, hugging both of them. "Welcome to our humble abode!"

"It's nice to see you again, Abigail!" Mrs. Lester says with a smile. "I see that you're taking the housewife role for the household?"

Abi scoffs. "Someone has to around here, or we just have Chinese take-out for the rest of our lives"

The two laugh, and they walk into the house and settle around the couch. Mrs. Lester looks over at Dan curiously.

"Where's Phil?" she asks. "He's usually down here by now."

Abi and Dan exchange brief looks and Abi speaks up.

"Editing, he says," she says quickly, not breaking eye contact with Dan. "He should be down here soon…"

"Is he still feeling poorly?" Mrs. Lester asks worryingly. "God, I can just imagine what my poor boy is going through right now."

"Us too, Mrs. Lester," Dan admits sadly as Abi stands up to go to the kitchen. "He has been a bit distant nowadays, and it worries us so much."

"Has he talked to you guys about what has been happening?" Mr. Lester presses. "I heard about the unfortunate address leak as well — the terrible things that have been happening to you guys are unimaginable."

"Admittedly, we've been scraping through nowadays," Dan responds. "It's been quiet here, but we were hoping that you would be the people to change that."

"Has he went on Twitter at all?" Mrs. Lester, mumbling her gratitude to Abi, who was passing some hot chocolate around. "Has he been active at all?"

"Unfortunately, no," Abi answers. "Other than 'Gaming-mas', he hasn't even touched his laptop or his camera. I'm kind of worried for him, mainly because the pressure that all his fans are putting on him…"

Everyone remains silent until Mr. Lester clears his throat.

"So, Daniel, how are things with you?" he says quietly, before breaking into a small smile. "Met anybody who has swept you off your feet?"

Abi and Dan both blush, sinking into their seats.

"No one in particular, sir," Dan mumbles, and Abi bites her lip. Mrs. Lester chuckles.

"There are too many touchy conversations with you guys 'round here, huh?" she jokes.

"Yup," Abi giggles softly. "How about you, Mr. and Mrs. Lester? Done anything memorable since we've seen you last?"

"Nothing much, no," Mr. Lester responds. "Though, we did go to a bar for our anniversary a few weeks back. Boy, did we run into some strange people. This one girl in particular, with an odd looking animal tattoo had an unfortunate encounter with us that night—"

"Most Lester's do," a voice cuts him off and everyone turns around to see Phil, wearing a blue Christmas jumper and a small smile. Mrs. Lester covers her smile with her hands and tackles Phil into a big hug.

"Oh, Phil," she says, voice nearly cracking. "You're here."

"In one piece, luckily," Phil jokes. "I thought you were going to get mad that my first hospital encounter was because of drug overdose."

"We know what the situation is, son; we're just glad that you are okay," Mr. Lester replies, squeezing his hand tightly. "It's better than hearing that you smashed your nose into a wall playing trains."

Phil laughs for the first time in forever. "The pressure of being conductor is pretty scary, dad — if you had only known, you wouldn't be joking as much as you are now!"

Everyone shares a laugh, and Abi squeezes his hand as Dan ushers everyone into the kitchen.

"Change of mood for the parents?" Abi whispers, grabbing his wrist and pulling him back slightly. "You can spill whatever you are feeling."

"No need to ruin Christmas," Phil says with a soft smile.

"Why the sudden table-turn?"

Phil looks down with a blush. "I heard you guys talking about me. How you were so worried for me. It...it admittedly made me feel better, only because I knew that someone cared about how I felt."

"We always do, Phil!" Abi replies with a grin. "You are number one to all of us here. I'm sure millions of people feel the same way."

Phil lets a genuine smile out, pushing down any other feelings he had.

"Thank you, Abi," he says quietly, pulling her into a hug. "I was thinking, when the parents leave, that the three of us can film a Christmas video?"

Abi's eyes twinkle. "I'd thought you never ask."

The next day, everyone says goodbye and they part ways with Phil's parents. Dan helps Phil edit the Christmas video after their exchange of presents, and Abi does some paperwork in her room for work. Striker sits on her bed as she hums a familiar tune. Through her earbuds, however, she can still hear Dan and Phil's banter as they argue through the walls.

"No, Dan, you're not putting Comic Sans there!" Phil says with a laugh. "You've done that too many times, and it's getting annoying!"

Dan raises up his hands. "You asked for help, I give you that and some over-ironic memes."

"You're such a diva to work with," Phil chuckles, "if only everyone saw this side of you. Everyone would pity me."

"Blah blah blah," Dan giggles, and Phil rolls his eyes and continues to edit.

Dan looks down at the bed and smiles.

"I miss this," he whispers. "Sitting on your bed and editing together."

"Kinky," Phil says smugly.

"Oh, shut up!" Dan exclaims, playfully punching him. "You know what I am talking about. I honestly enjoy this time together...it makes me feel a lot more better with where we stand."

Phil looks up and nods, blood rushing to his cheeks.

"I miss this too, Dan," he mumbles. "I hope the new year brings back the old years."

They hold eye contact for a while before the doorbell rings. Phil clears his throat.

"You edit — I can go get it." Phil stands up, and Dan nods.

" 'Kay, you spoon."

Phil rushes down the stairs and opens the door. His eyes widen.

Everything about her was red;
her beanie,
her jacket
her cheeks
the gift in her hand.

"What the fuck are you doing here," Phil hisses. "I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from us."

Rosa smiles widely. "Now is that any way to be Mr. Sunshine, dearest? I, your humble girlfriend, is just stopping by to exchange gifts."

The box in her hand was dark red with thick, yellow string splitting the thin box into four sections. Through a crack in the box, all Phil saw was silver.

"Merry Christmas, darling," she whispers when Phil's panicked eyes met hers. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Reviews are always welcome — Merry Christmas :)