Chapter Text
"And there goes Kingston with the steal! He's off to the races, streaking down the court!"
"Look at that speed! He's like a blur out there. Can anyone catch him?"
The buzzer blares through the speakers of the television through the living room as the dejected groans of Matt and Chris follow right after the devastating defense of the team they were rooting for, seemingly hopeless for a win for this season.
“I can’t believe they completely missed their shot during the shot clock,” Matt grumbles against the lid of his root beer, his hair falling against his forehead after pushing it back in defeat during the final call. “Aren’t they performing a bit too badly this season?” He gazes to the side to look at Chris, who sits not too far from him, nursing a can of pepsi and a mild sour look due to today’s match.
“Today they’re shit, but during the last games- they were alright. I didn’t think Meylan would be weak with his offense today, they were doing so well from their previous games against the Warriors.” Chris shook his head while reaching over to grab the remote that was just beside the both of them, switching the channel to Cartoon Network. Might as well watch a totally different media to at least let him and Matt recover from their loss. Maybe an episode of Gumball could make them a bit more bright for today.
All Matt does is heave out a sigh before leaning his head back against the cushion of their couch, shutting his eyes. Chris nearly snickers from how his brother looked, it was funny seeing him defeated but yet again, he wasn’t entirely the only one dejected.
It was currently Saturday in the late afternoon, a lazy day with not much to do as they just finished posting their Friday video, leaving the weekend completely free for all three men. Matt and Chris planned to lounge in the living room and watch their awaited basketball game while Nick decided to have a meet up with his boyfriend- Mitch, who is the triplet’s schoolmate back in highschool. Both younger brothers are acquainted with him, as they were once together during their band practice days and they could safely assume that Mitch seems like a nice guy. A bit aloof at certain moments, can be questionable, but Matt and Chris never questioned Nick’s type.
Or maybe they did, but Nick was quick to dismiss their opinions altogether and all they did was giggle at their older brother’s snippy reply to them.
The familiar sound of keys jingling downstairs made his (and surely Matt’s) ears perk up, signaling that Nick just arrived home. But it was still 5:30PM, kinda earlier than the usual date nights he and Mitch had. Which made Chris confused for a moment but that’s something to ask once the eldest is in the same room as them.
“I hope he bought us some take out.” Chris grins at Matt, the latter chuckling at his greedy personality. It didn’t take long for them to hear the familiar footsteps going up the stairs, both of them watching as Nick emerges from below.
“Nick! Welcome home!” The youngest exclaims happily while throwing his arms to the air dramatically, forgetting how he was holding on to a can of pepsi and thanks to his brazen movement, it splashes a few droplets to the couch. Matt simply swats Chris’ thigh because of this while mumbling how he was an idiot but it was ignored effortlessly..
“How’s the date night? Did you get us some takeout?” He joked but he knows that Nick understands that he’s also genuinely asking about the whole experience. The triplets are so used to hanging out together and at the same time, provide each other random updates about all the things they do when they are apart from each other. Call them clingy, but it was just their thing.
Nick didn’t respond as he headed straight to his room, footsteps heavy and his shoulders slouched before the door to his room slams shut. The eldest not sparing a glance towards the two. Chris could not even catch how his face looked but his whole aura seemed off, giving out a clear hint that Nick and Mitch’s date night was definitely not the best today.
From silently understanding the whole situation, his eyes darted towards Matt, who was already looking towards him with a look.
“What do you think?” Chris pursed his lips, eyebrows scrunched together in worry.
After a silent beat, Matt sighs out, it was obvious that he’s getting worried as well. Completely not accustomed to Nick’s quiet behavior. “Maybe give him some time alone. They must’ve gotten in a fight or something.” He suggested as he pushed himself off the couch, grabbing the strewn black hoodie at the side.
Chris frowns, “where are you going?”
“Gonna buy him some ice cream,” Matt answers promptly while wearing the hoodie, frowning. He seems a bit nervous as it’ll be the first time in awhile he’ll be alone grabbing something from the grocery. “My senses tell me that he and Mitch are…y’know.” And Chris grimaces at the thought, it wasn’t a far off suspicion but based on how Nick is quiet right now, it might be it.
Usually when Nick is upset from an argument, he can be snarky and not let his brothers off the hook with his witty comebacks. But if it’s something entirely different, he’d often keep to himself and keep his mouth shut unless asked by either of them.
“Will you be okay?” Chris asked, knowing his brother’s anxiety when buying stuff alone in the grocery. His chest flutters when Matt nods, putting on a gentle smile and it only makes the youngest proud for how brave he’s being just to purchase some comfort food for their brother.
“You’re so cool, Matty! Good job! I could just give you a smooch right here right now.” He croons playfully, his lips fully puckered exaggeratedly with his hands reaching towards Matt to grab.
Matt rolled his eyes in exasperation but he grabs onto Chris’ hands before pulling him up from the couch, skillfully avoiding the youngest’s approaching kiss by ducking his head to the side and the both of them fall into a fit of giggles.
“Quit being an idiot and go check on Nick, Christopher.” The older hooks an arm around Chris’ shoulders before dragging him towards Nick’s room, playfully ruffling his brother’s soft and long curls as a little action of encouragement.
Matt leans in to press a gentle kiss to his temple, making Chris feel warm and fuzzy at his sudden show of affection. “I’ll be back in a bit.” He utters with a smile, detaching himself from Chris before going downstairs to their garage.
After gathering his thoughts together and fixing his hair, Chris decides to finally make his move, giving a few short knocks onto Nick’s door and opening it slowly.
"Nick?" Chris peeks through the ajar bedroom door, "you okay there, bud?"
All Chris could hear was a soft sniffle and the rustling movement underneath Nick's thick blanket before seeing his brother's lovely familiar face pop out from below. His words were caught short in his throat as he noticed Nick’s tear streaked cheeks that shone dimly under the purple LED lights.
"Oh Nick..." Chris didn't let a second pass as he made his way through Nick's door, dipping himself into the bed with his arms wide open for the older one to melt against, another flurry of tears dripping from Nick's eyelashes as he was enveloped in Chris' comforting warmth and presence.
Nick isn't so vocal when it comes to these things as he was not used to it, feeling oddly embarrassed when voicing out what he needs but he was more than grateful enough to have brothers- like Chris and Matt- to understand him without having him say anything. He just could not find the strength of telling what he needs but somehow, Chris and Matt, get it instantly.
Nimble fingers brush through his disheveled hair as Chris gently rubs his scalp just the way he wants it. This only pulls out yet another emotional sound from Nick as it was a touch that perfectly encapsulates love and care, the one he had been begging to have from his now ex-boyfriend, who completely misunderstood what he was asking for.
“Being in a relationship sucks ass…” Nick grumbles wetly. Chris couldn't agree more.
"Could you tell me what's wrong?" Chris asked gently while peering down at him. The both of them are now in a comfortable position on Nick's bed, Chris laying against the headboard with Nick sprawled on top of him, his blanket covering the both of them but mostly Nick as he felt more cold thanks to the ac.
“Currently single, I guess." Nick mumbled against Chris’ shirt, fluttering his eyes close as he basked in the feeling of his brother’s gentle strokes that is pretty great at tempting him to fall asleep. “Mitch and I fought, the dumbass completely missed the point of why I'm pissed."
A hum rumbled off of Chris’ chest, a response of understanding but he was also bummed out on how they didn't work out. He was low-key rooting for the both of them and he was hoping that he’s the right guy for his brother.
“Why were you angry anyway?"
Mitch and Nick have been together for nearly 7 months now, so seeing them ending the whole relationship over a fight which could be resolved through proper communication is something Chris would be sad for. But at the same time, he completely understands if it is entirely something that can’t be talked through. Eitherway, he just wishes the best for his brother.
He feels Nick stiffen up against him, making him pause midway from brushing through his brother’s hair, and he could now definitely tell that Nick is trying to reflect whether what his reasoning is valid or not. And Chris was quick to immediately shut down all the possible doubt that could brew in Nick’s pretty head.
“C’mon, Nick.” Chris coaxed with a smile, still peering down at Nick and he knows how the other refused to look at him eye to eye as to not let him see a close up of his crying face. It was too vulnerable for Nick and Chris respects his pace in growing comfortable with being open to expressing his tears to them. Chris wishes for Nick to know how beautiful he still looked despite being teary, but it doesn’t fully relieve the hurt that he feels in his chest for seeing his brother in pain like this.
“Is it wrong for me to- ask something from Mitch?” Nick asks slowly as he subconsciously buries himself deeper into Chris’ chest, effectively wiping his dripping tears and snot across the younger’s shirt embarrassingly enough. Plus he was not entirely sure why he was asking Chris about this out of all people, if it were Matt it would be more convincing- especially in terms of relationships. But Nick knows that Chris is more than capable of offering great views to what he’s about to share.
“I would ask for a sense of initiation and affection from Mitch, since I’m usually the one planning everything out or just initiating the whole ordeal. Would that be too needy of me?”
Chris shakes his head. “No, definitely not. You’re just being honest to what you want.”
Nick sighs, guilt and shame slowly creeping up his back but it is soon brushed away by the gentle graze of Chris’ hands down the expanse of his back. Chris is undeniably good when it comes to physical affections and comfort out of the three of them. “I really don’t think you’re being needy, Nick. You’re just asking for a reciprocation of your energy from Mitch and more effort from him, which he wasn’t able to do. And that’s not your fault at all.”
“Wouldn’t it be my fault for asking so much or for having standards such as that?” He grimaced.
“What you're asking for is the bare minimum, honestly.” Chris hums casually before saying, “in fact, he’s at fault for having you
ask
for something that should be given in the first place. He’s the one who's got lapses here, Nick, not you.”
Oh , Nick thinks incredulously to himself. Is this even Chris I’m talking to right now?
“Nick?”
He snaps out of his reverie as he tilts his head upward, suddenly having the confidence to finally look Chris in the eye despite his teary and disheveled look. Only to be greeted with his younger brother’s warm eyes and genuine smile. Stupidly enough, Chris looks more comforting and magical to look at thanks to the sun that was slowly dipping down, casting golden hues across his face. And Nick almost lost his breath but the affection and gratitude that washes over him was much more overwhelming.
It wasn’t surprising that Chris was quick to comfort Nick but what he’s more surprised about was how the younger one managed to remind him of something so obvious when it comes to dealing with relationships: self-respect. Nick almost wants to strangle himself for literally overlooking that- this is totally not him.
“Chris, you can be such a little shithead but you can be a sweet reminder to me too, huh?” Nick sniffled and all Chris did was contort his expression into fond confusion, his eyes widening while his eyebrows drawn together. The older one pushes himself off of Chris’ chest, making him wheeze at the weight exerted on his chest as Nick makes himself sit up from his comfortable position on top of his brother.
“Ow, Nick! You ass.” Chris groaned, rolling to his side with his hand dramatically gripping his chest as Nick wipes his tears off of his cheek with the back of his hand, unfazed. “You can just say thank you, y’know. I know I can be such a wise boy in serious matters such as this.” He smirks smugly once he was done recovering from losing his breath and all Nick did was roll his eyes, now sitting against Chris’ side.
“I cannot take you, a 20 year old, seriously if you keep calling yourself a boy.” Nick retorted but the love that squeezes his chest was harder to ignore. It was ridiculous how quickly he just recovered from the heartbreak, just awhile ago he was bawling his eyes out under the blanket but the sudden appearance of his younger brother, a few real statements, and the comforting touches from him- was enough to just pull him back to reality.
Of course, he’s still heartbroken and will definitely have to heal from the break up as he and Mitch have been together for awhile. But given the circumstances of living together with two of his stupid yet lovely brothers, Nick is more than sure that it will be an easy process of healing.
A hand gently cups his chin, guiding his head to look towards Chris who sits next to him with eyes that read past what Nick shows onto his exterior. The pad of Chris’ thumb brushes against Nick’s damp cheeks to wipe off the remaining tears once more, before the familiar warmth of Chris’ lips press itself against his skin delicately and it was enough to make Nick heave out a sigh of relief and content. He will be alright.
“You were a great boyfriend, Nick. You are just too good for Mitch and that’s his definite loss.” Chris says once he pulls away from pecking Nick’s cheek. Nick wraps his arm around his brother’s torso, silently needing more physical contact with him as he continues to listen to what Chris has to say.
“He’s lucky for experiencing what it was like to have you as his boyfriend.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, Chris,” Nick smiled before prodding his younger brother’s side, making him jolt from the sudden tickle. “Now enough, I might barf in my mouth soon if we keep basking ourselves in this lame ass heartbreak I’m having.” He sighs out, he wasn’t uncomfortable opening up to his younger brother but the longer it lingered, the more he realized how it wasn’t really worth it to be so hung up on the breakup. Or maybe he was just quick to detach.
Chris snickers at Nick’s obvious discomfort of lingering any longer to the topic. “Bro, I have the perfect remedy for that and Matt has it. We keep seeing this in the movies so surely enough, you’re gonna move on in no time.”
As if Matt holds some sort of super power (most likely, triplet energy synchronization), a knock is heard from Nick’s door once again before seeing it open by none other than Matt.
Chris beams at his arrival while scrambling to the side in order to greet the other, while Nick remains in his position on the bed as his eyes trailed down to what Matt was holding in both of his hands. Only to see the familiar plastic bags of Target and- are those ice cream tubs?
“Hey,” Matt grins sheepishly while he stands by the doorway, looking over at Nick to see how he was doing but it seems like the eldest managed to gather himself together once again and it was more than good to know that Chris managed to accompany him while he was still dealing with the fresh heartbreak.
“I got ice cream, three flavors just for all of us.”
Nick watches fondly over his brothers as Chris snatches the plastic bags from Matt's grip and telling him to grab some spoons for the three of them. Only for Matt to flick his forehead for how demanding his sounded before engaging into another dumb argument with the youngest and it did nothing but provide great comfort over Nick's entire being. As much as the two of them can be so annoying, they always make up for the amount of love and care they share among the three of them. Enough for Nick to completely forget about any heartbreak that just took place a few minutes ago. He was more than grateful for having two brothers that constantly test his nerves and at the same time, be the personification of how much love can be present in his life. Mitch was a good guy, but maybe he and Nick are just not meant for each other at all, and that doesn't bother him the slightest. Having a boyfriend is a plus but where Nick is at right now in his life- made him feel like the true winner despite all odds.
"Matt, the icecream are completely melted! These are like soup at this point!" Chris yells once he opened his own tub of ice cream, almost toppling it over Nick's bed after Matt punching his shoulder with a side of a snarky remark.
"Fuckin' idiots." Nick sighs, exasperated yet full of love.