Sturniolo Triplets One Shots

Fragmented Reflections: Nick Sturniolo's Battle with DID (Nick)

TW: This story contains references to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and the challenges associated with mental health, which may be distressing to some readers.

Nick Sturniolo sat in his dimly lit room, the shadows from the window casting eerie shapes across the walls. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. His YouTube career was thriving, and his fans adored him, but there was a secret he carried—a secret that he struggled to understand and control.
Nick had been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) a few years ago. His therapist had explained it was a condition where two or more distinct identities or personality states alternately control a person's behavior, often resulting from severe trauma during early childhood. For Nick, the trauma was something he preferred to keep buried deep within.
He glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "Are you ready to film?" he asked, but he wasn't sure if he was speaking to himself or one of the other personalities. Sometimes, it was hard to tell where he ended and they began.
His phone buzzed on the bed. It was a message from Matt: Hey, Nick. Ready for the video shoot today? We're doing the Q&A you promised the fans.
Nick typed a quick reply: Yeah, just give me a few minutes. He put the phone down and took a deep breath. "Okay, guys," he whispered to his reflection. "We need to be on the same page for this."
Suddenly, the familiar sensation of slipping away took over. He felt disoriented, his vision blurring. When he came to, he wasn't alone in his mind. One of his alters, a young boy named Noah, had emerged. Noah was around eight years old and loved to draw.
"Can I draw something for the video?" Noah asked, his voice timid and soft.
Nick nodded absently, trying to ground himself. "Sure, Noah. But we need to stay focused. The fans are expecting a Q&A, and I need your help to stay present."
But Noah was insistent. "I want to draw now."
Before Nick could respond, another alter, a teenage girl named Riley, took over. Riley was confident and charismatic, everything Nick sometimes felt he wasn't. "I've got this," Riley said, her voice firm. "We'll give them a great show."
Nick felt a sense of relief wash over him. Riley was good in front of the camera, and with her help, he knew they could get through the video. He grabbed his camera and headed downstairs, where Matt and Chris were already setting up the filming area.
"Hey, Nick!" Matt greeted him, noticing the subtle change in his demeanor. Matt was one of the few people who knew about Nick's DID and had always been supportive. "You ready?"
Nick nodded, and Riley's confidence shone through. "Absolutely. Let's do this."
Chris joined them, adjusting the lights. "We've got a lot of questions from the fans this time. Should be a good one."
The three brothers settled into their chairs, the camera rolling. "Hey, everyone!" Riley—speaking as Nick—began, flashing a smile. "Welcome back to our channel. Today, we're doing a Q&A, so let's get started!"
As they answered questions from fans, Nick felt a sense of normalcy wash over him. Matt and Chris bounced off each other's energy, making the session lively and engaging. Riley handled the answers with ease, making sure Nick's usual charm shone through.
But then, midway through the video, Nick felt a sudden shift. His vision blurred again, and when he refocused, Noah was in control.
"I want to draw," Noah said out loud, interrupting the flow of the Q&A.
Matt and Chris exchanged worried glances. "Uh, Nick? You okay?" Chris asked gently.
Nick fought to regain control, but the struggle was visible. "I—I want to draw now," Noah insisted, his voice small and pleading.
Matt reached out, placing a hand on Nick's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. We can take a break if you need to," he said, his voice soothing.
Nick's head was spinning, and he felt another shift. This time, it was one of his more aggressive alters, Mark, who emerged. Mark was protective but could be harsh and demanding. "Stop treating me like a kid!" Mark snapped, glaring at Matt and Chris.
Chris frowned, recognizing the change. "Alright, Nick—Mark—we're just trying to help."
"Help? You think you can help?" Mark scoffed. "You don't understand anything."
The atmosphere grew tense, and Nick felt trapped, unable to fully control the chaos within him. He could hear Riley trying to take back control, but Mark was strong and resistant.
"Nick," Matt said carefully, trying to reach his brother. "We're here for you, no matter what. Let's take a break and regroup."
Nick's body tensed, and he felt another shift, this time back to Noah, who was now scared and overwhelmed. Tears welled up in his eyes. "I just want to draw," Noah whimpered.
Seeing their brother in such distress, Matt and Chris immediately moved to comfort him. Matt gently took Nick's hand. "It's okay, Noah. Let's go upstairs and get your drawing stuff."
Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we can come back to filming later. Right now, we just want you to feel better."
As they guided Nick upstairs, the emotional rollercoaster continued to take its toll on him. By the time they reached his room, Nick was back in control, but he was exhausted and emotionally drained.
"I'm sorry," Nick said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I ruined the video."
Matt hugged him tightly. "You didn't ruin anything, Nick. We can always film another day. What matters is that you're okay."
Chris sat down next to him, offering a supportive smile. "We've got your back, bro. Always."
Nick nodded, tears streaming down his face. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."
As the day came to a close, Nick lay in his bed, reflecting on the day's events. He knew his journey with DID was far from over, and days like this would come and go. But with the unwavering support of his brothers and the strength of his alters, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they navigated the complexities of his condition, one day at a time.