Sturniolo Triplets One Shots

Echoes of Silence (Matt)

Matt Sturniolo paced the length of the small, rented cabin. The Versus Tour had taken a toll on all of them, but tonight was different. Tonight, Matt felt the weight of everything crashing down. Chris and Nick were out celebrating another successful show, but Matt had opted to stay behind. He needed the quiet, the solitude, to sort through the chaos in his mind.
He glanced at his phone, the screen lighting up with a picture of his brothers at a club. They were smiling, surrounded by fans, living in the moment. A pang of loneliness hit Matt hard. He couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong, that he was just a shadow in the bright lights of their fame.
His thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. It was a text from Nate.
Nate: Hey Matt, you okay? Saw the posts. Why aren't you with them?
Matt sighed, typing a quick response.
Matt: Needed some time alone. Just... thinking.
He tossed his phone onto the couch and walked out onto the balcony. The cool night air did little to ease the turmoil inside him. He loved his brothers, but lately, he felt like he was drowning in their shadows. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to find his own place, his own voice.
The door creaked open, and Matt turned to see Chris standing there, concern etched across his face. "Matt? What are you doing out here?"
Matt shrugged, avoiding his brother's gaze. "Just needed some air."
Chris stepped closer, his brow furrowing. "Why didn't you come out with us? We missed you."
Matt's heart ached at the words. "I just... I don't know, Chris. Sometimes I feel like I don't fit in. Like I'm just here because I'm your brother, not because I have anything to offer."
Chris's eyes widened in shock. "Matt, that's not true. You're a huge part of this. We wouldn't be where we are without you."
Matt shook his head, tears welling up. "It doesn't feel that way. I see you and Nick out there, shining, and I feel like I'm just dragging you down."
Before Chris could respond, Nick joined them on the balcony, his face pale with worry. "What's going on?"
Chris looked at Matt, urging him to speak. Matt took a deep breath, his voice trembling. "I feel like I'm losing myself, Nick. Like I don't belong."
Nick's eyes softened as he moved to Matt's side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You belong with us, Matt. Always. We're sorry if we made you feel otherwise."
Chris nodded, his voice earnest. "We get caught up in the craziness, but that doesn't mean we don't see you or appreciate you. You're our brother, and we love you."
Matt looked between them, the sincerity in their eyes breaking through the walls he had built around his heart. "I just want to find my own way, my own voice."
Nick squeezed his shoulder. "And you will. We'll help you, Matt. Whatever you need."
Chris stepped closer, hugging Matt tightly. "We're in this together. Always."
As they stood there, the cool night air wrapping around them, Matt felt a glimmer of hope. The echoes of silence that had haunted him began to fade, replaced by the warmth of his brothers' love and support. He wasn't alone. He never had been.
Together, they could face anything