Chapter Text
Nick’s stomach has been in all types of knots as of recently. Painful in some sort of way, but overall uncomfortable. He’s had stomach aches before but never something like this.
The Kenny-Cody drama was insanely stressful for the Bucks. Their best friend’s position as leader was being challenged for power-hungry purposes. They fought Kenny and Kota, they watched Kenny and Cody fight and single-handedly worsened things between them four. Cody went behind his and his brother’s back and started planting “leader-like seeds”. He couldn’t trust the older man anymore. Things were getting good between them two…
Nick and Cody seemingly gravitated towards each other before the mess became apparent to him and Matt. They would tease and do wrestling maneuvers to each other as a joke, but something came out of it. For the first time, Nick felt something. Yeah, he’s had little crushes but what he might feel for Cody seems stronger than that. Everyone has seen Cody—bright, blond hair. Bright smile. Tailored suits. Expensive cigars. He’s almost perfect and Nick is in awe every single time. The more time they spend together, the more Nick can see these sparks. Yes, they did a Tombstone Piledriver reversal in front of their friends, but those sparks are so obvious they could hurt someone.
The taste of power changed Cody. Kenny is never around and he saw an opening. Get into their heads and try to turn them against their best friend. It worked with Page. It was a little too easy seeing as though Hangman and Kenny weren’t all that close anyway. The Bucks accidentally superkicked Kenny and Cody got what he wanted at the end but with no group. No one could trust him anymore. Nick couldn’t trust him anymore.
He’s felt sick since. He’s still able to put on great matches but when he steps behind the curtain, all he can think about is Cody. The storm has passed and everything seems to be “back to normal”, but nothing is right anymore. Matt seems to be okay with Hangman blindly following behind Cody, so he should be okay with Cody trying to split everyone apart.
“You’re quiet,” Matt says, nudging his younger brother. They’re in a locker room getting ready for a show, and Nick has been nothing but silent. Pensive, even. ”What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” Nick said. “Just trying to get ready for tonight.”
“You’re usually more talkative…” Matt trails off. He sits next to Nick.”Talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Nick dismissed.
“It’s the Cody stuff, isn’t it?” Matt said.”Yeah, it’s been on my mind too. I mean, it’s like he wants to patch things up and move on but…”
“What if he’s lying…” Nick says. Matt leans in and looks at his brother’s face. His brows furrow as he tries to read Nick’s facial expression.
He looks defeated, Matt concludes. He looked even more defeated compared to after they lost in the Tokyo Dome. Something’s missing. “It’s Cody.”
“Yeah, we just said that,” Nick said.
“No, it’s more than that.” Matt says.”It’s you and Cody.”
Nick looks away from Matt.”We’re all affected by what Cody did.”
“But it’s more than that with you,” Matt says.”You think I don’t pay attention?”
“It’s nothing-”
“Don’t lie to me, Nick.” Matt interjects.”You can tell me anything.”
Nick sighs. Matt wouldn’t judge. The amount of times he’s ranted to Nick about his love life might be countless at this point. Matt would do it for him, so why not help him out? “Promise you won’t judge?”
“Unless you tell me something ridiculous like you never liked Cody this whole time, yes, I won’t judge my little brother.”
Nick tries to gather the words in his head as best as he can. Matt is patient (at least with him) and watches him. He finally looks back over at his older brother.”Me and Cody had something…” Matt nods as Nick gathers more words. “I mean, you saw it, right? Unless you were focused on Page then-”
“Keep this about you and Cody,” Matt stops.
“I don’t know what it is Matt,” Nick says, shaking his head.”I felt something every time I was around him. Like…warm…” The words elaborately escape Nick, they know he’s never felt like this before. Matt rubs his back: “Take your time.” “I wish I had more words to say.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Matt says.”I don’t wanna fill your head with feelings you don’t feel but I can at least help you.” He keeps rubbing his brother’s back.”You already told me how you feel…Tell me what you think about him.”
Nick tilted his head.”That’s not the same thing as feeling?”
“Not really,” Matt says.
Nick thinks for a second.”I think Cody is crazy for trying to take over the Bullet Club”
“Same here,” Matt said. “Keep going.”
“I think Cody dresses nice all the time for no reason.” Nick says, getting a laugh out of his older brother.”He’s the only guy walking around in a suit back here. He doesn’t feel out of place?”
“The suits are nice, though,” Matt adds.
“And that smile…”Nick starts. Matt furrows his eyebrows at his brother’s change in the conversation.”It’s really nice. Inviting. He’s always smiling.” Matt nods.”It’s comforting. Like I can look at him and know everything is okay. Well, before everything.”
“I got it,” Matt says. He stops rubbing his back.”All I can tell you is to keep thinking about what you think about him. Maybe you’ll find an answer there.”
Nick smiles a little.” Thanks, Matt.”
“You’re welcome,”