Sturniolo Triplets - Zombie Apocalypse

Almost a Happy Ending

Warnings: Cursing, Emotional Conversations, Implied Minor Character Death

Nick and Chris get to talk a bit on their way home to Matt

A/N: Just a shorter chapter. I wanted to include this reunion but still keep it separate from the main plot of the following M chapter, so here you go. Thank you for reading!

The Story:

Chris would never be able to explain the full range of overwhelming emotions that flooded through him the moment he heard that all-too familiar voice asking if he was okay after yet another brush with death.

Just moments before he was convinced that this was it, that he reached the end of the line, that he failed after all this time and wouldn't be able to fulfil his promise of returning home to his brothers.

Then, a seemingly random stranger intervened and saved him at the last second, allowing Chris to continue fighting for his life for at least a little while longer.

In all the frenzy he hadn't gotten the chance to thank the stranger yet, he hadn't even seen his face. But then, the instant the other addressed him for the first time, Chris could swear he felt an electric current travel all the way from his head, through his whole body, right down to the edges of his toes.

Chris's whole body started burning from the intensity of his emotions as he looked up and made eye-contact with the person he's been going through hell for to meet again.

Time remained frozen during the length of their bone-crushing, desperate embrace. Neither could see, hear or think about anything else. Nothing else mattered, not now, when they were finally together again.

As Chris cried, head buried in the crook of Nick's neck, he knew it has all been worth it. All the horrors he had to overcome on his way paled in comparison to this feeling right now.

The room was still, save for the sounds of their erratic breathing, the air thick with tension and disbelief. Sunlight leaked from the tattered window blinds, illuminating the dust that had risen from their frantic entry. The golden rays painted patterns on the floor, but neither of them noticed.

Chris's ocean-blue eyes, which had once sparkled with mischief and joy, were now filled with tears that ran freely down his bruised and dirty face. Every fibre of their being seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the moment, two souls intertwined by endless love and separation, finally reunited.

Nick reached out tentatively, fingers trembling, brushing away the tear trails on Chris's face. "Chris," he whispered, his voice hoarse from screaming and shouting earlier, "I- I...". Nick's voice was shaking so much he couldn't even finish his sentence.

Chris choked back a sob, his lips quivering. "Shhh, it's alright, I know", he said, tightening his grip on Nick's shoulder. They didn't need to say anything, they both understood each other fully without words, completely connected as always.

Now that the initial shock has died down a little bit, Nick took the chance to check Chris over, eyes scanning his figure for any injuries, taking in the torn clothing, the scratches and bruises, the way Chris slightly favoured one leg. "Are you hurt?" he asked, voice filled with panic. He was already looking around the room for where he discarded his backpack, knowing he still had some medical supplies inside.

"I'm okay, a few scrapes but I'll be fine once I rest. But, Nick, where's Matt? Don't tell me he's...?" Chris's voice revealed his panic by the end. He was so overjoyed at seeing Nick after two months of constant fighting, but now the moment was broken and Chris couldn't think of a good reason why Matt wouldn't be there with Nick. Was somewhere in this hellish city, left alone to fend for himself? Was he hurt? Was he...