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“You guys up for a walk?”, Nick asked, looking up from his phone.
The three have spent yet another full day inside, and it was slowly driving them crazy, they needed to go out and do something, even a simple walk would do.
“Oh god yes, I physically can’t sit still for another minute,” Chris didn’t waste any time before getting up, not even waiting for them to finish the conversation.
“Sure,” Matt sighed, “Guess we’re going now.”
They got ready and left, deciding to take the longer route, so that they could pass the 24/7 store and get snacks on their way back.
So in the calm of the late evening, the brothers strolled through the dimly lit streets, the sound of their footsteps drowned out by their laughter. The fresh air and the quietness of the night was a welcome reprieve from the confines of their home and the fast-pace of their lives.
"Can you believe Nick actually thought the basement was haunted?" Chris laughed, throwing an arm around Matt's shoulders as they both turned to look at Nick.
Nick groaned at that, already knowing he wouldn’t be spared from their teasing. “Ugh, can you let it go? We all heard the same freaky sounds, sorry if I have common sense and choose to not go looking for danger.”
Matt chuckled, shaking his head. "It was literally just the freezer, but try telling that to Mr. Critical Thinking over there.”
Nick rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "In my defence, it was a very spooky sound," he retorted, his gaze briefly darting to a passing car before returning to his brothers. He instinctively paid attention to every car driving pass them, always watching them from his peripheral vision until they were out of sight. He was scared easily and lived by the phrase ‘better be safe than sorry’, a trait the other two often made fun of him for.
"You and your paranoia," Chris teased, nudging Nick playfully.
"Just being cautious," Nick muttered, relaxing again after the car finally rounded the corner.
As they continued, Nick noticed one of his shoes was untied and crouched down to re-tie it. “Oh yeah sure, go on, don’t bother waiting or anything,” he muttered sarcastically, as the other two didn’t bother stopping and just continued walking, trusting that he’d catch up in a moment.
There, now stay like that, he thought as he finished. As he straightened up, his eyes immediately searched out Matt and Chris, who were still walking and chatting a few yards ahead. Nick moved, ready to re-join them, when another car suddenly came from around the corner, making him shift his attention towards it.
Though he was neutrally a bit paranoid, Nick honestly expected this car to pass them without a hitch, like all the rest, but a sense of dread washed over him as he watched this particular car speeding wildly in their direction.
What the fuck, is the asshole drunk or what, showing off? Nick froze momentarily, now fully focused on the car’s movements. He’s not seriously gonna-
"Matt! Chris! Look out!" Nick screamed out as he realised the car wasn’t stopping, his voice edged with terror.
Matt turned at Nick's shout, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the car. Oh fuck-, his mind screamed in panic, all kinds of alarms going off in his head.
The car that would end up haunting their nightmares was now only a few feet away, its growing headlights momentarily blinding the two.
At the same time, Chris turned and then felt Matt's grip tighten on his arm, a silent acknowledgment of the impending danger. Shit, there’s no time-, his thoughts were a jumbled mess of disbelief and confusion.
Though it took them only a second to realise what was happening, by that point the car was already too close and moving too fast, they physically couldn’t move fast enough to dodge, they didn’t even really have time to panic when-
in a blur of motion, Nick sprinted towards them, driven by a desperate need to protect his brothers. Since he wasn’t that far behind them, he reached them in seconds and he vaguely took in their progressively more horrified expressions as he pushed them with all his might, everything inside him screaming savethemsavethemsavethem!
For him, this moment was a jumble of instinct and raw fear, more intense than what he’s ever felt before in his life. Luckily, Nick was still able to see himself successfully push them both out of the way, feeling instant relief at knowing his brothers were safe, before the impact of the car against his body overtook his senses, a searing pain exploding through him, and finally nothing.
Matt and Chris were fully aware that they’d feel pain in the next few seconds, though it turned out to be far worse than anything they could’ve prepared for. They were surprised at first, when they felt a rough push and the resulting impact against the ground, instead of the crushing weight of the car they were expecting.
But looking back, seeing who exactly it was that saved them… Matt and Chris would both swear that watching the sacrifice Nick made play out in front of them hurt more than the actual impact would’ve.
"Nick! Oh my God, Nick!" Chris's voice was laced with shock and fear as he scrambled to Nick's side, checking him over, not knowing if he was even able to touch him without making his injuries worse. "This isn’t happening… Nick, hold on, please, say something, Niiiick!"
Matt, his hand shaking, was on his phone, calling for an ambulance. "… we need an ambulance at XYZ —Please, hurry!" His voice broke, filled with raw panic.
Matt joined Chris on the ground next to their unconscious brother, as they both held Nick's hands, their own shaking uncontrollably. "Hang in there, Nick. You'll be okay. Everything’s gonna be fine," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
The ringing in Chris’s ears got louder and louder, his vision progressively foggier. "You're going to be fine, Nick. You hear me? Why did you do that, you idiot. You have to be fine," he said, barely making out the words, his chest was getting heavier and it was now almost impossible to breathe. He felt like he was under water.
“Chris… Chris! Look at me,” he heard Matt shout next to him, but it felt far away. His brother sounded panicked, but for some reason it didn’t feel important now. Nothing did. He didn’t have the energy to concentrate any more. His whole body was heavy, but Chris forced his head to move and locked eyes with Matt, who was staring at him wide-eyes, tears running freely down his face.
Matt was yelling something again but Chris couldn’t hear. He looked back down and stared at the still form of his brother, whose skin was now a concerning shade of grey. This isn’t happening…
The wail of the ambulance sirens eventually pierced the night, its flashing lights casting an eerie glow over the scene. The paramedics quickly took control, their movements efficient and practiced.
It took some prying to get Matt away from Nick, he was freaking out, crying hysterically and unwilling to let him out of his sight.
Chris on the other hand, was completely catatonic, not responding to anything going on around him.
As Nick was loaded into the ambulance, Matt and Chris were escorted to a second one, where they were also checked out. Since Chris was apparently in shock and unresponsive, the paramedics focused on bringing him back safely, while two police officers relied on Matt to explain what happened.
It turned out that there were two people in that car, both high out of their minds. They were taken to the hospital in another ambulance, but it was unsure whether they’d make it. Not that anyone cared at the moment.
During his haze, as Chris’s consciousness fought to crawl back from the fog, he heard some whispers here and there, unrelated words or parts of sentences that didn’t tell him anything. The only clear thought he could form in his own mind was the word Nick, repeated over and over again.
Chris managed to move his eyes a bit and regain notice of his vision long enough to realise he was inside of a moving ambulance, seated across from Matt, who had red-rimmed eyes and looked absolutely wrecked. Where’s Nick… he thought vaguely, feeling bile rising up his throat at the disgusting dread that started growing in his chest at the absence of his other brother.
From his side of the ambulance, Matt noticed a slight change in Chris’s expression and thought he was finally coming back to himself. The paramedics told him that Chris was in shock, his mind was trying to protect itself after being unable to deal with the prospect of losing his brother, so it just shut down.
But he was wrong, as the next moment, Chris was throwing up, eyes unfocused, seemingly still very much out of it. Matt just bent forward, putting his head in his hands and closed his eyes roughly, silently sobbing as the medic rushed to take care of Chris.
Please no, please let them be okay, please don’t let Nick end up gone, please, Matt cried desperately in his head, feeling like his whole body was on fire from the dread and anxiety.
The last 20 minutes were the worst of his life, watching that car close the distance between them in seconds, then one of his brothers sacrificing himself, taking the hit for them, and the other then literally lose his mind over it. Matt felt so alone and panicked, worried over losing one, if not both of his brothers. Please just let this nightmare end.
.
.
.
After arriving at the hospital, Chris was slowly put in a hospital bed, where they’d continue to monitor him until he’d eventually make it out of his unresponsive state on his own. Matt was of course allowed to remain by his side, so they at least got to wait in a private hospital room for any news on Nick, as opposed to the shared waiting rooms with uncomfortable chairs.
The sterile white walls of the hospital seemed to close in on Matt and Chris as they waited, the ticking of the clock a relentless reminder of the hours dragging by. Chris, now marginally more present, sat hunched over in his chair, his eyes unfocused. Matt, eyes red and swollen from tears, kept an active watch over him, while his own heart pounded with dread for the other.
Eventually the door swung open, and a doctor entered, her face a mask of professional calm. Chris's head snapped up, a glint of alertness piercing through the haze of shock.
"How is he? How's Nick?" Matt jumped instantly, not caring if he came across as rude, his tone heavy with hope and fear.
“Where is he? Can we see him?” Chris added, voice cracking due to his chaotic state of mind.
The doctor offered a small, reassuring smile. "Let me start by saying that the surgery was successful. While his injuries were extensive, we managed to stabilise him. Your brother is a fighter, that’s for sure."
Matt's breath hitched, and Chris leaned forward, both brothers clinging to the doctor's every word like a lifeline.
"He's badly hurt, though," the doctor continued, her voice steady. "Both arms are broken, and he has several broken ribs and internal bleeding that we've addressed."
A sharp intake of breath from Chris filled the room, his hands gripping the edges of his hospital bed, as if to anchor himself in the whirlwind of emotions. Matt just stared at the doctor wide-eyed, barely hearing her over the sound of his racing heart. Their minds reeled, the mental image of their strong, protective brother laying broken, covered in casts and bandages causing a fresh wave of tears to blur their vision.
"The worst was his head injury," she continued, pausing for a moment to give the two time to process. "The blow to the side of his head was worrying, and we needed to shave a part of his head to operate. He'll recover, but it'll be slow. Our prediction is that he’ll be completely fine in a few months, but until then, he'll need care, someone will have to help him with tasks in his daily life, even things like eating, showering and going up and down the stairs will be impossible for him to do alone. You don’t need to discuss this now, but if it isn’t possible for anyone to take care of him at home, we can arrange-“, she was instantly cut off by both brothers stopping her train of thought.
“No!”, “No, no, there’s no need for that!”, they fired rapidly, then looked at each other for reassurance as they prepared to continue.
“Sorry,” Matt instinctively apologised, “but we don’t need any other options, we’ll take care of him.”
“Agreed, we’ve got it, we’ll take care of him 100%, whatever he needs,” Chris reaffirmed confidently.
The doctor gave a genuine smile at that. “That’s good to hear, I’m sure his recovery will go smoothly under your attentive care. We will discuss the details of his recovery plan later, there’s just one more thing I need to warn you about before you can see him…”, she trailed off, eyeing them warily, “the location of his injury was quite unfortunate, even in terms of head injuries, so it’s highly likely that the scar will take up to a few years to heal, and it will likely never fully fade.”
"A scar... but he'll be alright?" Matt asked, voice cracking.
"Yes, with time and care. You'll both need to be there for him, emotionally as well as physically" the doctor emphasised, her gaze soft but firm.
"We will, without a doubt," Chris said, his voice stronger now, the protective instinct for his brother cutting through his shock.
The doctor nodded, noting the determination on their faces. "He's been set up in another room, and although he's still unconscious, you're welcome to see him."
Both brothers stood up quickly, almost in unison. "Can we go now?" Chris asked, the urgency clear in his voice.
"Follow me," nodding her head, the doctor turned, leading them down the hallway.
The walk to Nick's room was a blur. Matt and Chris braced themselves as the door opened, revealing Nick lying still and pale against the hospital sheets, his head bandaged where his hair had been shaved. The bandage covered his forehead, revealing how painfully obvious the scar will end up being.
Chris approached the bedside first, reaching out a trembling hand to gently touch Nick's. "Hey, kid," he whispered, "You're one stupid fucking idiot, you know that?”, he choked as he said this, eyes filling with tears. “I don’t like badmouthing anyone behind their back though, so you better wake up fast, so I can do it to your face.”
Matt moved closer, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. "Remember how you always give me shit for getting hurt?" he managed a weak chuckle. "Guess you've outdone me this time."
Chris stood there, rooted to the spot beside the hospital bed, his gaze fixed on the steady rise and fall of Nick's chest. Their brother was hurt, unconscious, there was no way he could answer them, and the silence was oppressive. Chris closed his eyes, willing the tears to stay at bay, but they betrayed him, streaming freely down his face.
Useless. I was completely fucking useless. His thoughts were a cacophony of self-loathing. When Nick needed me most, it was like I wasn't there. I just...froze. Completely shut down. The memory of his own mind retreating, leaving his body unresponsive in the wake of the accident, left a sharp sting of humiliation. How can I look Nick in the eyes again, he literally sacrifices himself for us, and I couldn’t even take care of him afterwards…
The guilt he felt was sickening, it burned deep in his stomach. The longer he looked at his broken brother, covered from head to toe in bandages, the worse his disgust with himself grew.
I’m always so energetic, Nick’s always complaining I can’t stay still and the one time he needed me to act, what do I do? I freeze. Useless… I let my mind turn to static when he could've... He couldn't even finish the thought, the terror of losing Nick too overwhelming.
At the same time, Matt paced back and forth at the foot of the bed, his movements erratic, a stark contrast to Chris’s stillness.
Why didn't I see it? The question played on an endless loop in his head. If only I'd been more aware, paid more attention... Nick wouldn't be lying here. The guilt clawed at him from the inside, a monstrous pain, feeding on his shame and regret. He stopped pacing and stood still, his eyes locked on Nick's bandaged head. The image of his brother, so full of life and now so still, was unbearable. I always space out and rely on others to think for me… I always get to be carefree because Nick does all the thinking for me, his hands, now cold and trembling, gripped the edge of the bed, and this time, it nearly cost us everything.
The brothers were locked in their heads by their individual prisons of guilt, each torturing themselves with their own failures. The cold truth that they could have lost Nick because of these failures was a poisonous pill that refused to be swallowed, leaving a bitter aftertaste of 'if onlys' and 'what ifs'.
Their internal torment was broadcast on their faces, but even as they battled their own demons, they stood united by their brother.
They stood there, side by side, the steady beep of the heart monitor a comforting sound in the otherwise silent room. They knew the road to recovery would be long, but as long as Nick was with them, no amount of work or setbacks would get too much.
.
.
.
A little over five days after being brought into the hospital, Nick slowly opened his eyes.
He had to blink a few times and wait for his eyes to adjust to the sudden light. To be fair it wasn’t really bright, but it was still a stark-contrast to the darkness he got used to. The room he was in was dark, he quickly understood it was night-time, but there was just enough light coming through the glass part of the door for the room to be softly lit and he could clearly make out everything around him. It was immediately obvious that he was in a small private hospital room, since he was the only patient there.
He could hear the beeping and whirs of the machines behind him, then looked down to his body on the bed and registered the various tubes sticking out of him. He guessed one of them was delivering a pain-killer, since he only felt heavy and numb, despite expecting basically everything to hurt, based on the hit he took. He was covered by a thin sheet, so he couldn’t see the state of his body, but he saw both of his arms were in casts and he felt that a part of his head was covered in bandages and medical cloth. At least I’m alive…
His brothers were on each side of his bed, sat on what could only be extremely uncomfortable hospital chairs, leaned forward and resting their upper bodies on the bed, arms draped over the uninjured parts of Nick’s body. Fast asleep.
Nick took a moment to really look at them; they both seemed completely exhausted. Their hair was dirty and messy, their faces looked almost hollow, as if they somehow lost weight in the (what he assume was a) few days they were here. The most noticeable were their eyes though, even in this dull lighting he could tell they’ve been crying, eyes still red-rimmed, with dried tear tracks around them. I don’t want them to cry over me, he thought sadly, instantly feeling guilty over worrying them, despite knowing it wasn’t really his fault. They both seemed otherwise physically fine though, so Nick’s heart felt lighter in knowing that he saved them.
His thoughts were cut short when Chris unexpectedly groaned and lifted himself up a bit to try and find a more comfortable position to sleep in. As he was moving around a bit, he instinctively looked over to Nick to check on him, and Nick’s heart started beating faster with anticipation as he waited for Chris to realise he was awake. Their gazes locked, and the next moment felt unreal. Chris’s eyes widened in shock and he stopped blinking, as if scared that it was all a dream and Nick would disappear if he looked away.
Nick knew he wouldn’t be able to say much right now, so he decided to send him a weak smile and ask “Did I look cool?”
His voice was raspy and quiet, but it was enough to wake Chris from his trance and he moved with such speed to get closer and hug him it almost made Nick dizzy. “Nick, Nick, thank fuck, Nick, we thought… fuuck, kid, oh my god…”, Chris was crying, unable to stop repeating his name. He was hugging Nick as best as he could in that position, face buried in his neck, one hand running over his shoulders, around his neck, face, … like he couldn’t get enough of him and needed to touch him to make sure he was there.
The commotion was enough to awaken Matt, who was immediately hit with a wave of dread and panic, since he could only see Chris covering and holding on to Nick and crying. He stood so fast he knocked over his chair, “Chris what’s happening, what’s wrong with him?”, he yelled with such intensity it forced Chris to let go of the hug and look back at Matt, revealing Nick, awake and smiling softly. Now it was Matt’s turn to freeze in shock, whatever words he wanted to say next got stuck in his throat, eyes opening impossibly wide. He then remember to breather again and inhaled loudly, and by the time it took him to take the two steps to reach Nick he was already crying. Matt hugged him on his other side, “Nick, oh thank god, I love you so much you asshole, Nicky, I can’t believe you’re finally awake…”, he managed to choke out in-between his sobs.
“Love you, Matt… Chris… don’t cry anymore”, Nick quietly rasped out, which only made them cry harder.
Chris was still hugging Nick’s other side, so their position was rather uncomfortable and awkward, but to them, in that moment, it was everything.
After a while of just hugging each other and crying until they calmed down, Matt and Chris let go off Nick just long enough to bring their chairs closer, then they sat back down, each on their own side of him, taking his hands carefully in their own.
“What did I miss?”, Nick asked. Matt and Chris looked at each other and hesitated for a bit, not sure what they could tell him without overwhelming him.
“What’s the last thing you remember, kid?”, Chris asked softly.
“I remember everything. Some shit stain loser, who was probably next level brain dead, was speeding towards you with no signs of stopping. I needed to get you out of the way”, Nick replied, his voice a mix between annoyed and anxious. Their expressions turned glum for a second.
“Y-yeaah,” Matt’s voice cracked, “well, you see, after that we-“, he continued to explain what happened, with Chris adding his own perspective at times, though he was completely dissociated for most of it, after shit hit the fan initially.
They explained what had happened, how panicked and absolutely terrified they were, how traumatic the entire night was. They told him that the driver of the car was completely out of it, he was treated for his own injuries and then arrested, he would not get away with this.
They told him how they weren’t sure when he’d wake up, since head wounds are always scary and unpredictable, but that they always knew that he would and they didn’t want him to be alone when he did. They also explained his injuries and the doctors’ prognosis, how long it would take for him to heal and they both promised to take care of everything and be there for him every step of the way.
Nick was calm through it all, he was happy to let his brothers talk while he listened for a while.
“Hmmm, after listening to that… it seems like I was the one who got off easy, huh?”, he smiled at them lightly, “All in all, I’d say we got lucky, this could’ve ended a lot worse. But that doesn’t mean I won’t complain every chance I get though, so you better prepare yourselves for that. And I also expect to be treated with first class service, I am not above abusing this temporary royalty position.”
Matt and Chris stared at him, honestly a bit surprised. They were worried and mentally prepared themselves for Nick to freak out, he was always the one who couldn’t handle even the thought of any injuries, much less going through something so traumatic and being rendered basically helpless for weeks. Now, not only did he wake up earlier than they feared, he also managed to keep the mood light and joke about his situation. They looked at each other and they couldn’t help but cry again in relief and happiness. They were really going to be fine ...
At first Nick got anxious that he said something wrong, when he noticed the others tearing up, but they quickly shut down that fear when they stared laughing through their tears and got up to hug him again.
“Shit, kid, you’re something else, you know that?”, Chris laughed.
They kept the conversation light for a while after that, catching up some more and discussing what's in store for them in the following weeks. But eventually, the conversation turned serious once more, when Nick asked about his head wound and the two were forced to tell him that not only a part of his head had been shaved, he’d also be left with a visible scar.
Nick didn’t feel like joking about that, he didn’t take it lightly at all. It was no big secret that he was often insecure about his appearance, more so than the others, so he was naturally worried about how he’d look like once the bandages were taken off.
“Oh my god, I’m going to look like an actual freak, there’s no way I can pull off a buzz-cut, I’ll have to wear hats, and I hate hats… this is the worst, why did this have to happen to me, ughh”, Nick groaned, leaning his head back and closing his eyes in frustration.
His worries and self-image issues were a real burden he always carried with him, and the altered hair style and scar would only deepen his insecurities. These issues were something Matt and Chris were fully aware off, and their guilt over what happened only worsened. After all, Nick only got hurt because he saved them, if only they paid more attention to their surroundings…
Matt and Chris shared a worried, guilty glance, having a silent conversation between them.
Chris spoke up then, unable to hold in what’s been bothering him any longer. “Nick… we’re so sorry about what happened to you. We’ll be by your side doing all the heavy lifting. I love you so much and I know you love me as well, but Nick… please never do anything like that again, not for me,” the more emotional he got, the harder it was to speak clearly, “You two are what matters the most in the world. I couldn’t live with myself if you died protecting me, I’d never get over it. So I wanted to say thank you, thank you for being so selfless and loving and an amazing brother, I’ll never forget what you did for me, for us… but please never do it again… Okay?”
Chris choked by the end, as he started crying again, so Matt continued the thought, while Nick just stared at them wide-eyed, temporarily speechless. “It’s actually so insane, you- you literally jumped in front of a speeding car for us… you didn’t even think about it, you just moved. You could’ve died and you still did it to protect us… I’m still in shock honestly, I just can’t, I- …”, he had to take a deep breath to steady himself, “I’ll never be able to make it up to you, the sacrifice you made for us… but I promise I’ll do everything I can to make recovery easier for you… just please… don’t ever do that shit again, not for me”, Matt spoke with love and affection, but also steadied his voice when needed, to show how serious he was.
Nick looked between them, his shock shifting to quiet understanding as they went on.
He then took a moment and then replied, “Chris, Matt… you got it all wrong, I wasn’t being selfless, and none of it was your fault. I saved you because I couldn’t handle it if you died. I knew you’d be sad if I died but I still chose the less painful option for myself. Because you getting hurt would destroy me more than getting injured ever could. I’d never be able to just let someone hurt either of you, I’ll always protect you, no matter what it might mean for me”, he didn’t notice Chris flinch at that, “so I’m sorry for being selfish, but that’s just how it is when it comes to you”, Nick finished, matching Matt’s earlier intensity.
At this point Chris couldn’t remain quiet anymore, “We understand that dude, but we all feel the same, so we should all consider each other’s feelings a bit more. We’re each other’s priorities and with that I don’t mean we shouldn’t protect each other, we would both do the same in a heart-beat, but we just want you to value and protect yourself as much as you do us”, Chris explained softly.
Nick looked at him confused. “I do value myself, what do you mean?”
“Nick honey… you were more worried about your appearance than you were about your injuries…,” Matt explained sadly, “we promised we’d be there for you, always. That includes your mental health as well, and your self-image is a big part of that. You need to learn to see yourself the way we see you.”
Nick’s heart started beating faster at that, nervous that they were finally seriously talking about his issues. None of them were stupid or blind, they realised how big this problem actually was; Nick’s poor self-image directly impacted his mental health, and as someone who didn’t accept himself fully, who didn’t value himself the same as he valued others… Nick was more likely to put himself in danger, especially if it meant protecting others.
“I can’t do that Matt, at least not right now”, Nick’s voice was shaking, “but I’ll work on it. I don’t know how, but I’ll try.”
“You won’t have to do it alone kid, we’ll be with you every step of the way, reminding you you’re worth everything and more”, Chris said smiling, rubbing circles on Nick’s skin with his thumb, “and for the record, I still think you’ll look great, shaved head and all, but we’ll get you hats or wigs if you really want that, the expensive ones too.”
“He’s right Nick, we’ll say it as many times as it takes. I also think the scar will make you look cool as fuck,” Matt started, but was interrupted by Chris, “Yeah, a real badass!”
Matt just sent him an unimpressed look, then turned back to Nick, “For now you just need to focus on getting better. We’ll deal with the rest together, one step at a time.”
“Thank you…”, Nick exhaled quietly, closing his eyes as he tried to take control of his intense emotions.
Chris got so happy watching his brothers caring and loving each other, he was so happy Nick woke up and was talking with them again, about his issues as well, being open and honest… He was so glad and happy in that moment, sitting so close to his two favourite people, talking about their feelings and being there for each other, things finally looking up after days of pain, guilt and loneliness…
He was so happy he couldn’t stop himself from starting to laugh softly, smiling so wide it hurt, with a few tears escaping as well.
Nick and Matt turned to look at him confused, then they looked at each other and smiled, immediately understanding what Chris was on about. They joined him, all of them now laughing quietly while holding on to each other.
After they calmed down again, Nick was completely worn out. Despite not being awake all that long, their emotional conversations took a lot out of him. Matt and Chris wanted to talk more, but they knew their injured brother needed a lot of rest if he was going to get better. Everything will be fine now anyway, they had all the time in the world. They reassured Nick it was okay to go back to sleep and that they would be here when he wakes up. Nick was asleep in seconds, but Matt and Chris remained awake by his side, watching him for a little while longer.
.
.
.
It was now a month after leaving the hospital and things were slowly getting better. After leaving initially, the brothers called a hairstylist in hopes of saving/doing something with what was left of Nick’s hair, but sadly they were left with no choice but shaving it all off completely. Though he could barely look himself in the mirror at first, with the love and support of his brothers and adoring fans, Nick was slowly gaining back his confidence, learning to see his scar as proof of his strength and devotion to his family.
Today, Nick was finally getting his casts off. Though Matt and Chris taking care of his every need was fun at first, it grew old fast and Nick couldn’t wait to get his freedom back. A month with no video games, no editing, not even being able to eat or drink by himself… lets just say he’d go crazy if it went on for any longer.
So naturally, they wanted to celebrate. Since Nick still had to take it easy for a while, they decided to go to the movies – a chill activity with no strain to get them out of the house for a bit.
Matt and Chris were still overly protective though, they wouldn’t even let him carry their snacks and drinks, so they left him waiting on the side as they went to order and pay for everything.
That’s how Nick had been left alone in the lobby, occupying himself with reading various posters and observing people around him.
As he waited, the buzz of the crowd became a distant hum, until a piercing whisper sliced through the noise.
“Ewww, look at that guy’s head... that scar is hideous,” one woman’s voice snuck cruelly into his consciousness.
“Ugh, I know. Could it be any bigger?,” another chimed in, her words laced with disdain.
“It’s so disgusting I can’t stop looking at it, going out like that should be illegal, honestly.”
“Haha so trueee, I wouldn’t be caught dead looking like that anyway!”
Nick’s heart pounded, the noise around him dimming. He felt his face flush with shame as his eyes darted to the floor, trying to become invisible. They’re just empty words, they don’t know me, they don’t know my story, he repeated to himself internally. But it got to him, of course it did, and his eyes filled with tears as they continued spitting out insult after insult.
I can’t listen to this, he was about to leave, to escape the sting of their judgement, when the familiar banter of his brothers approached, laced with a rare edge of actual, unrestrained hostility.
Matt’s voice was utterly nasty, so venomous it could make anyone’s skin crawl, "Ohh my god that’s so rich coming from you, judging others when you look like that. At least Nick's hair will grow back, but nothing can fix your eyes being so far apart they’re basically on the side of your head, tell me, do you need to bob your head like a pigeon when you walk?”, he looked at the first one and put his hands to the side of his head to imitate her, then turned to the other, “And you, there’s absolutely no way you’re speaking so confidently when just the sound of your voice is enough to summon a demon, for fuck’s sake lady, shut the fuck up before all of our ears start bleeding.”
Chris, eyes narrowed in anger, continued where Matt stopped, "You’d think you’d try to at least have a decent personality, but nooo, it’s even uglier than your looks. Better watch your mouths and back off. Stay away from my brother."
(A/N: I would never say anything about anyone’s appearance like that and I don’t support focusing on that when arguing. Except if they start first and/or say anything about those close to me, of course )
The women, caught completely off guard, started spluttering and quickly scuttled away, faces flushed with embarrassment and anger, eyes filling with tears.
Nick’s head shot up, eyes widening and mouth hanging open in shock as he listened to his brothers destroy the two bullies. He quickly recovered though, mouth pulling into a slight smirk. Ohhh shit did not hold back at all. He shouldn’t have expected any less from them, honestly.
The moment the two women ran off, Nick felt the comforting presence of Matt and Chris joining him, their shoulders touching his, a protective barrier between him and the world.
“Are you okay?,” Matt asked, his voice soft. “Don’t pay their words any mind, kid, they’re nothing. You know that, right?”
Nick looked at him, nodding lightly.
Chris added, his hand finding its way to Nick’s back, “They were just a couple of goofs, their retarded opinion means jack shit anyway. You’re here, you're alive, and that’s all that matters.”
Nick met his gaze, the wetness in his eyes reflecting the movie posters around them. “I know,” he murmured, his voice a fragile whisper. “It’s just... hard, sometimes.”
“We know, bro,” Chris replied, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. “But we’re here, always. Screw what anyone else says.”
“Yeah, those trash fuckers are just... sad, really,” Matt chimed in, his usual indifference tinged with contempt. “You’re brave, Nick. Braver than anyone I know. That scar is literally proof of how much you love us, you should wear it with pride.”
Nick was momentarily speechless, thinking over their words. “You’re right, of course I know that. It’s not even that I feel ugly or whatever, at this point I just hate everyone constantly looking at me. My hair and scar are so noticeable, no matter where I go, all eyes are immediately drawn to me. And no one even asks if we’re triplets anymore, since I look so different, they just assume you’re twins… I never thought I’d miss looking similar to you…”
Chris and Matt’s faces dropped in sadness, looking at their brother with pity and understanding.
“It’s just temporary though…”, Matt tried comforting him.
“Yeah, your hair will grow back in no time, most of the scar will be hidden then…”, Chris added.
Nick sighed, “Yeah, yeah, I know, don’t worry about it. Let’s just go watch the movie.”
Matt and Chris looked at each other in concern as Nick walked ahead. The moment lingered, a silent pact between them before they moved towards their theatre.
They settled into their seats, the lights dimmed, the screen came to life, and as the movie played on, Matt and Chris only had one thing on their minds. They couldn’t let go of what Nick said.
Eventually, as the movie was coming to its end, Chris suddenly straightened up, a large smile growing on his face.
“The fuck’s up with you?”, Nick whispered, confused and slightly warry.
“Don’t worry about it,” Chris whispered back, though he was almost vibrating in excitement.
He then turned to his other side to face Matt, gesturing for him to move closer. “Dude, I got the best idea…”
Matt just rolled his eyes fondly, “Oh god, should I be worried?”
Chris’s grin just widened.
.
.
.
When they got home later that night, Nick was still feeling a bit down, so he made the decision to just retire early. “I’m heading off to bed guys, I need some time to myself.”
“Good night Nick, we’re here for you if you need anything,” Matt called after him.
“Night buddy, call if you need us…”, Chris added and watched him retreat.
When he was out of view, the moment they hear the door to his room slam shut, Chris turned to Matt and grinned, raising his eyebrows in a wordless question.
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go, you goof,” Matt laughed.
And just like that, their plan was set into motion. They moved with such stealth a spy would be proud of them and silently left the house. They returned hours later, under the cover of darkness, their secret mission a great success.
The next morning, Nick shuffled into the kitchen, his eyes bleary from the restless night, his steps heavy with lingering thoughts. He prepared a small breakfast and went to eat it in the living room, where he continued to waste time on his phone.
After some time, he heard the door upstairs open and close, then two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs. Huh, Matt’s up unusually early, looks like they slept over in Chris’s room…
Nick saw them round the corner and was about to greet them but-
his words were caught in his throat, frozen by the sight before him. Matt and Chris stood before him, their heads bare, hair shaved off. And there, etched in vividly red ink along the sides of their heads, were tattoos—precise replicas of Nick’s scar.
For a moment, the world stood still, then emotion crashed into Nick like a tidal wave and his body moved on its own as he stood up, unable to remain still. Tears welled in his eyes, a tumultuous mix of shock, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of love.
“What… Why did you—” His voice cracked, the words tangled in his throat.
“We went to get these last night,” Matt began, his voice gentle, his eyes gleaming with the same emotion that choked Nick’s words.
Chris stepped closer, his smile wide and truly happy. “Now we look the same again.”
Nick wiped at his eyes, still in disbelief. “You guys are insane! You didn't need to do this for me.”
“Of course we did,” Matt said, moving to stand closer beside him and put a comforting hand in his shoulder. “You have that scar because you saved our lives. It's only right we carry it too.”
Chris joined Nick’s other side, nudging him playfully, despite the weight of the moment. “It’s only fair.”
Nick couldn’t help but let out a watery chuckle, eyes filling with tears. “You guys... I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say that you love us too, and that you’ll never forget how much of a badass you are,” Chris said, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Nick looked from one brother to the other, seeing not just their physical presence but the enormity of their gesture, the depth of their love and devotion. “I love you guys more than anything,” he affirmed, his voice thick with emotion. “And I won’t forget. I couldn’t, even if I tried.”
Matt gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We know, Nick. And we’re going to make sure everyone else knows it too.”
“That’s right,” Chris nodded, “your scar was always a symbol of your love for us. Now we have one for you too.”
Nick’s tears spilled over, and he didn’t hold back his emotions any longer as he pulled the two into a desperate hug. They’d be alright. Always.