Diabolical

Chapter 01

Story revolves around a physically and mentally abusive relationship. Please read at own discretion. Your mental health is more important than how many reads this gets! <3

How Neil managed to talk Charlie into auditioning for the local high school's production of Heathers was beyond anybody. Everyone knew Charlie would follow the other one around like a lost puppy on most occasions. Though, almost anyone could tell that the Dalton kid was definitely not someone who was built for theater. What happens behind closed doors. But it was opening night and it was surely happening. Neil wasn't technically needed to stick around as his character was already dead, but he stuck right beside Charlie's side when both boys weren't on stage. "You're going to do just wonderful, my darling. I know it." The hushed sentence brought a rosy gleam to Charlie's entire face, swooning into the touch placed onto his cheek. A grip held one of his hands so that he wouldn't start fidgeting again from his anxiety. After all, it was his first show and Heathers as his first show? Scary as fuck, even if he didn't have the biggest part. Still, having the role as Ram proved to be fun either way. "You know the notes, the words, the choreography. You're going to do absolutely wonderful, I can just tell. I know it." The once gentle caress on his cheek slowly grew into a tightening hold on Charlie's chin. He didn't even seem to notice until it felt as if it was tight enough to leave small bruises. "And now, what do I always say right before you go on somewhere without me, hm?" — "Do what I have to. Never interact longer than needed. Leave as soon as I can and come find you right away." This answer pulled a smile from Neil, though his eyes seemed a little disappointed. There was a fifth rule Charlie seemed to be forgetting, which would not fly even if he was due to enter in just a couple of minutes. "You almost had it all.. hmm." Neil did a very quick look around before landing a hit directly in the middle of Charlie's face. It was loud enough to draw some attention, though the eyes looking at them disappeared quickly. "Sorry, Charlie nearly tripped." His voice was but a mere whisper, but it brought the other boy shivers down his entire spine. A sort of punishment that Neil created every time his boyfriend set out of line or forgot a rule he'd created for them. Charlie did what he could to stifle the pained groan, eyes squeezing shut; the only reason he hadn't fallen back on the backstage floor from the punch was because Neil held him tightly around the waist, arm wrapped around.
"You make no eye contact, not even when people are speaking with you. Though... I suppose you can break just that one tonight for your scenes." Trying to ignore the pain that was spreading steadily into a headache, Charlie found himself only being able to give a nod. Thankfully, this satisfied Neil enough to let him go. "And don't even think about trying to wipe that blood from your nose or lip. You go on out there and put on the show like normal, like nothing happened back here. If anybody asks you afterwards, find some excuse. Now go on, honey, you're up." Even with the metallic red liquid dripping down to his lower lip, Charlie found himself giving heart eyes at the nickname. This was normal for their relationship anyways. Entering the scene, you can practically envision the reactions from both fellow actors on stage and audience members in their seats. Even if there were concerned faces all around, Charlie gave his lines and sang his parts as if he had no bloody nose at all. He wasn't the best actor of the night, not with Neil apart of the cast, but he didn't do bad at all. The director would have praised him for his hard work if there wasn't blood dripping down onto his costume.
Neil caught him by the arm after Charlie stepped off stage, a blinding smile on his lips. "You were just wonderful. Watching you out there was like falling in love with you all over again." They kissed only for a second, scarlet transferring from Charlie's lips to Neil's. They weren't needed until the cast bows at the very end of the play and there was quite some time from now until then. "Come, let's get you cleaned up now, okay?"
Many people still backstage tried to ask Charlie if he was all right and what exactly had happened. He was fine one moment and then was with a bleeding nose the next. "He easily overheats. He gets too overheated.. it all gushes out. We'll be back in time for bows, don't worry." Neil ushered them away to the nearest boy's bathroom. The steps there were very light and in small intervals. This was the thing with Neil in the relationship. He could get real mean, slashing at Charlie with his words and his fists, but then he'd be extra nice for the next couple of days afterwards. He kept Charlie in a dangerous cycle by doing this, warping his brain to link blatant abuse with extra love to follow afterwards. If he had just the slightest more wits about him, he would've tried to leave by now. Neil knew this and forced him to stay with threats and overwhelming amounts of comfort. The things he knew Charlie would long for after lacking them for years of childhood. They grew up together after all.
He let himself be led into the bathroom, feeling drunken with pain and a spurting warmth moving through his entire body. This school's paper towels weren't soft in the slightest, but were they ever? Truly what else could you expect from a public high school? The cold water on the paper towel stung as Neil began to wipe off what he could of the blood. The bleeding had already subsided by now, but the ache was still prevalent and would be for the whole night. It was just a matter of getting what dried on Charlie's face off now. "You really did so wonderful, baby. I'm proud.. beyond proud." Charlie's brain practically imploded on itself with sparks of serotonin. He allowed himself to swoon with his eyes closed, smile fixed in place. They were able to eventually get the caked blood off, Neil's hands extra tender around the other's nose as if he wasn't the reason behind it. He got water in his hands and scrubbed at his own to get Charlie's blood off.
"Absolutely outstanding." Neil complimented again as they walked backwards the backstage area, hand in hand. Most gave them suspicious glances, a few accusing scowls towards Neil. The overheating excuse worked only for some of the cast, but everyone else decided to keep a close eye on Charlie. For his safety. Neil wouldn't allow a single one of them to get too close to him. Nobody questioned either of them despite a few people really wanting to make sure that Charlie was gonna be all right.
The bows ended smoothly, some audience members were frowning with seeing the subtle scowl on Neil's face about the lineup they were in. Charlie was on the other side of the stage from him. It put a pit of anxiety into everybody's stomach for the rest of the night. As soon as the cast bow was over, they all dispersed backstage. Some hung around to talk with friends and family while others went immediately to change. "You guys.. you guys were awesome. Especially you, Charlie. I, uhm, I wouldn't have expected theater from you, honestly. But I- you did great!" Todd's words ran together hurriedly and his smile was a painfully obvious faked one. Neil took note of this. His eyes narrowed coldly, shooting flames directly into Todd's. The smaller of the two visibly shrunk back towards Knox, hand rubbing his upper arm.
"You make a great woman, Neil. Like seriously. These tits looked totally real." This was Meeks this time, trying to take some of the heat off of Todd as much as he could. Neil's face quickly switched to a bright grin, eyes sparkling. "Thank you, guys. Really. Charlie and I gotta get out of these clothes, though. But we'll catch up with you guys! Won't even take us ten minutes." Before anyone could protest against it, or even try to convince them to talk longer before changing, Neil was already walking off with Charlie following almost directly at his heels.
"You don't think..." Todd's words very just barely over a whisper, eyes staying on the floor. He kicked at a little bit of trash. There was a long, chest aching silence before Cameron spoke this time. His voice sounded as if he needed to clear his throat first before speaking. "We'll have to keep a closer eye on how Neil is around Charlie then. Try to do whatever we can that'll get Charlie away from him." The quiet that followed afterwards served as an agreement. Meeks had his arms around Todd in an unspoken comfort, Knox rubbing his back. The group of friends shifted uncomfortably as they waited through the longest twelve and a half minutes of their lives.