Sturniolo Triplets One Shots

Rekindled Bonds (Nick)

Nick's heart felt heavy as he sat alone in the dimly lit room, the muffled sounds of celebration seeping through the walls. The faint echoes of laughter and clinking glasses mocked him, reminding him that his brothers, Chris and Matt, were out at some party, leaving him behind once again. This time, though, it stung more than usual. It was his 21st birthday, a milestone that was supposed to be celebrated together, like they always had.
He glanced at his phone, the screen lighting up with notifications—pictures and videos of Chris and Matt having the time of their lives, surrounded by friends and laughter. Each new post was a twist of the knife, a reminder that he wasn't part of their world tonight. Nick sighed, feeling the weight of their absence press down on him. He tried to shake off the feeling, reminding himself that they were just having fun, that it wasn't personal.
Yet, deep down, he couldn't help but feel the growing distance between them. It wasn't just tonight; it was the countless times they had brushed him aside, the moments they had shared without him. He missed the days when they were inseparable, when nothing could come between them. His mind drifted back to their childhood, to the countless birthdays they had spent together, the three of them against the world. How had things changed so much?
The room felt colder as he thought about the past, about the bond they used to share. He reached for his laptop and opened a folder labeled "Memories." There, hundreds of photos and videos documented their lives together. Nick found himself scrolling through old photos, memories of happier times. His finger hovered over a picture of the three of them, arms around each other, grinning at the camera. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring the image. How had they drifted so far apart?
His phone buzzed again, this time a call from Matt. Nick hesitated, then answered, trying to mask the hurt in his voice.
"Hey, Matt."
"Nick, where are you? We miss you!" Matt slurred, clearly drunk.
Nick's heart clenched. "I'm at home. Didn't think you'd notice."
"Of course, we notice! You're our brother!" Matt's voice was laced with a mix of confusion and hurt.
"Then why did you leave me behind?" Nick's voice cracked, unable to keep the pain at bay.
There was a long pause on the other end. "We didn't mean to," Matt finally said, his voice softer. "We just... got caught up."
Nick's tears spilled over, the years of feeling left out crashing down on him. "It's not just tonight, Matt. It's been happening for a while. I miss us. I miss being your brother."
Matt's silence was deafening. Nick could hear the background noise of the party, the laughter and music that he wasn't a part of.
"I'm sorry, Nick," Matt whispered. "We'll make it up to you. I promise."
But Nick wasn't sure if promises were enough anymore. He ended the call, feeling more alone than ever. As he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, he wished for the days when they were just three brothers against the world.
Eventually, Nick's eyes grew heavy, but he was jolted awake by the sound of the front door opening. His heart skipped a beat, wondering if it was his brothers coming back for him. He quickly wiped his tears and laid back down, listening intently. Footsteps echoed down the hall, growing louder until the door to his room creaked open.
Nick squeezed his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. He heard Chris and Matt whispering softly.
"He's asleep," Chris said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Should we wake him?"
"No," Matt replied. "Let him rest. We'll make it up to him tomorrow."
Nick's heart ached at their words. He heard the door click shut and the sound of their footsteps retreating. As he lay there, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and sadness. They had come back, but it still hurt to be left behind.
The next morning, Nick awoke to the smell of breakfast wafting through the house. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, hearing the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen. Curiosity got the better of him, and he made his way downstairs.
As he entered the kitchen, he was greeted by the sight of Chris and Matt bustling around, cooking a feast. They turned to him, their faces lighting up with smiles.
"Morning, birthday boy!" Chris said cheerfully.
"Happy belated birthday, Nick," Matt added, placing a stack of pancakes on the table. "We wanted to make it up to you."
Nick's heart swelled with emotion. He couldn't stay mad at them. They had made a mistake, but they were trying to make it right. He smiled, feeling the warmth of their love.
"Thanks, guys," Nick said, his voice thick with emotion. "I really appreciate this."
They sat down together, enjoying the breakfast they had prepared. The tension from the previous night melted away as they laughed and shared stories. It felt like old times, like the bond they had was as strong as ever.
After breakfast, Chris and Matt revealed their plans for the day. They had organized a surprise outing, just the three of them. They visited their favorite childhood spots, reminiscing and creating new memories. They spent the day at the park, played games, and even had a mini birthday celebration with a homemade cake.
As the day drew to a close, they sat together, watching the sunset. Nick felt a sense of contentment wash over him. They had their ups and downs, but at the end of the day, they were brothers. Nothing could change that.
"Thank you for today," Nick said, looking at Chris and Matt. "It means a lot to me."
"We're sorry for last night," Chris replied. "We never meant to hurt you."
"Yeah," Matt added. "We love you, Nick. We promise to be better."
Nick smiled, feeling the sincerity in their words. "I love you guys too."
They sat in comfortable silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Nick knew that they would face more challenges in the future, but as long as they had each other, they could overcome anything. And for the first time in a long while, he felt truly hopeful about the future.