Matt Sturniolo one shots

Take me seriously

-x-

Recently Matt found himself trying harder than a brother should when getting Nick and Chris to listen to him. If he wasn't getting talked over he was getting drowned out by Chris's laugh or Nicks jokes because it seemed as though everything they said and did was somehow more important than anything Matt had to say. 

He was trying to not take it personally but being him he found himself in his room at night constantly thinking about what Chris would say to nick that made him want to respond. He felt like a bit of a freak watching Chris and how he would respond to situations and somehow without fail he always made Nick laugh and if it wasn't a laugh it was at least a reply which was more than what Matt was getting.  

He knew that Nick wasn't mad at him for anything and he would still answer Matt just less frequently and when he did answer it was short and snappy. Matt found himself trying to be Chris and do what he was doing so he could fit in with his brothers more. He listened to his music and started losing his style and instead started dressing more street style. He swapped out the hats for beanies and the corduroy pants for baggy jeans. Of course neither of his brothers commented on it and Matt was starting to think they didn't even notice. He felt forgettable.

-x-

The incident that first started it was a month ago when Nick was out with friends and came back with two bags of taco bell. He had texted their shared chat asking what both Chris and Matt wanted from the drive through and they both responded. But when he got home and came into the living room sitting down next to Chris on the couch. Out he pulled Chris's order and of course he took it thanking his brother and Matt was left sitting on the other side of the couch waiting for his to which Nick looked in the other bag and said.

"Oops, Forgot yours sorry." 

He remembers sitting there in disbelief how could be forget when he went there it was more like he just didn't want to get his. Nick pulled out his food from the remaining bag and Him and Chris started eating without another look in his direction. He remembers going to bed that night feeling upset, not because of the meal itself but because he was really that forgettable.

-x-

"How about a roulette wheel and we write the punishment or prize you get when you land on it!" Matt says smiling looking over at his brothers who laid spread out on their couch. 

The sun was setting and a Sam and Colby YouTube video was playing quietly in the background on their tv.  He watched as both Chris and Nick don't even look up at him let alone acknowledge he even said anything. He frowns looking back down at his phone.

"What about blind, mute and deaf baking challenge. Part 3." Chris pipes up looking over at Nick for his approval. Which of course Nick is looking at him smiling.

"Yes they always get the most views!" Nick agrees as he gives Chris the thumbs up. Matt was starting to believe he was in fact invisible.

"Can I be Mute this time. I've been blind and deaf already." Matt asks as he places his phone down in his lap looking over at his brothers trying to join in on the conversation. 

"You pretty much already are mute, so nothing new there" Nick says as Chris lets out a laugh at the comment. Matt feels his stomach drop at the jab, he knows he shouldn't be sensitive and just laugh it off but with the blows becoming more targeted and frequent Matt was finding it hard to laugh it off.

"You guys make me feel invisible so why would I bother trying to talk anyways." Matt mumbles before grabbing his phone and walking to his room not bothering to look at either of them.

With that he throws himself onto his bed hiding his face in his pillow. That was the first time he had come back at Nick in recent months. He guess he just didn't know what to do and emotions were running high. He flipped around to face the ceiling just as he heard a knock at the door. 

"Go away." Matt yells.

"What was that about?" He recognises Nicks voice from the other side of the door.

"Nothing just leave me alone I'm going to bed." Matt says as he pulls the blanket over him shutting his eyes. Of course Nick never does what he wants and he pushes the door open walking over and sitting on the chair at his desk. 

"Matt, I don't like you saying I make you feel invisible." Nick mumbles after a beat of silence. He looks over to the top of matts head where he can see the hair poking out over the duvet.

"I don't blame you." Matt says slowly pulling the blanket down to look his brother in the eyes. Nicks face drops and a frown pulls at his lips.

"What do you mean?" Nick pulls the chair slightly closer leaning over resting his elbows on his knees to get on the same level as him.

"I am invisible, you never look or acknowledge me unless it's to have a go at me." He says looking him in the eyes even as tears start forming in his eyes. Nicks frown deepens and he reaches forward to rest his hand on his shoulder.

"I didn't know I was making you feel that way." Nick mumbles.

"Why won't you ever take me seriously. I'm always the bud of the joke and I even tried to be more like Chris. More outgoing and funny and you still ignored me. It's like it was never the way I acted but it was just me." Matt lets a tear fall at the confession and a thickness lay heavy in the air.

"Matty are you serious. I never ever thought I was making you feel like you needed to change to get me to like you. I love you so much it's breaking my heart knowing you feel like this." Nick says as tear start welling up in his eyes. He looks at his younger brother and he feels a wave of guilt wash over him he can't believe he let him feel this way because of his actions.

"I'm Sorry." Matt mumbles. Nick feels his heart break all over again, it wasn't his fault.

"Don't Apologise, this is not your fault at all. It's nothing to do with how you act okay and its everything to do with me. I haven't been a good brother at all and I wasn't even aware I was doing it. I am sorry Matt." Nick rubs his hand over Matts shoulder trying to show him or more like prove to him he means it.

"It's okay." Matt says and he moves top sit ups resting against the wooden headboard.

"It's not but I will make it okay I promise." Nick says opening his arms silently asking for a hug to which Matt agrees nodding his head. The brothers share a meaningful hug and Matt feels a weight lift off his shoulders, they were going to be okay.

-x-