♡︎ Matt Sturniolo Centric One-Shots ♡︎

Better Without Matt {Nick & Matt}

They're filming for a video; Haircut Adventure Vlog #4 when Nick Sturniolo finds himself alone with his youngest brother. Their waiting for Matt to get done with getting a haircut. Chris's speaking, Nick is only half listening from where he's sitting in the driver's seat when Chris says it. But after it's said, out there in the open, it gains his full attention immediately, he mulls over Chris's comment. And frankly, Nick shouldn't. He knows Chris doesn't mean it, he's not naive enough to think his brother does because Chris would never mean something so awful about Matt. He doesn't think Chris has the heart to mean it. That's their brother, they both love Matt very deeply, more than anything. But Nick also knows one of Chris's biggest downfalls to be his brother's thoughtlessness, Chris's inability to fully think a comment through before spouting it aloud. Uncaring of who gets caught in the crossfire of what'd been said, It's what gets the youngest in so many unfavorable situations.

In short, Chris is careless with the things the youngest says, it's not that the brunette tries to be. Nick's more than aware that that isn't it, Chris isn't trying to hurt Matt. It's more so that Chris can be ignorant with social cues - Chris doesn't take in account Matt's sensitivity. Never realizes that not everyone can come back from comments the way the youngest does. Never knowing the effect it might have on someone until it's already been said. That's the problem.

''We're vlogging just fine without Matt, he's the liability here let's all be real,'' Chris says it so casually, as though it were small talk about the weather. Common knowledge even. And not about something as false as their brother being the weakest link of their channel.

His lips purse. When Nick doesn't outright respond Chris goes on, taking his silence for agreement. It isn't. Chris shifts in the passenger seat, arms flailing excitedly, and turns to him.

''You know our Youtube channel would be better if it was me twice and Nick,''

Displeased Nick grimaces at that. Fully knowing then and there that the bits going too far, what Chris says is normally funny, whether he likes to admit it or not. It's no secret that Nick can get in line with the harmless teasing. He partakes in it too, but this? This isn't any of that, this is cruel at best, hurtful if it's anything. And Nick wants no part of it.

''No, don't be disrespectful that was disrespectful,'' Nick rebuffs, not bothering to flick his eyes up from his phone. He feels his brother's eyes stuck on him.

''No,'' Chris protests, voice dragging out like it's secretly funny and that Nick's just ruining the fun. That he doesn't get what Chris's saying, ''I mean like me twice instead of Matt, and you,''

It's still not though, it isn't amusing even in the slightest. And now Nick's just incensed because he'd shut Chris down once as it was. Does he really need to do it twice to get the message through?

Apparently so,

''And that was disrespectful, I already said it was,'' Nick snaps. Unable to control himself from shutting his brother's antics down again. Restlessly, he shakes his head, ''I don't know what more you're wanting me to say,''

''Well then Matt needs to step up his game if he doesn't want to be disrespected,''

''You know what, that's fucked up, Chris,'' Nick snipes back.

The amusement flies from the youngest's face as though it were never there, a defensive look settling in its place.

It's not focused on for much longer because Matt jogs out soon after, expression optimistic. And as Nick watches the younger, takes in that rare expression on the younger's face. He can't quite get over the pit in his stomach at knowing the younger will have to see this.