STUCK | MxMxM

Chapter 25

Theo didn't know how but studying with Joe had somehow become an every night routine. At first, he never really talked with the boy. Too scared of the consequences. But a smiley Joe, with shiny eyes and a pocket full of snacks, soon found its way past his walls. It was beneficial for him because he realized by explaining the things he'd learned to someone, he'd understand them better. He told Joe to ask him every possible question that came to his mind about every night's subject and like that, he'd — most of the time, not always — be ready for anything his father could ask. As a result, he wasn't coming short or stuttering so much anymore answering the man, but still, he loved to beat Theo up every few nights out of boredom. Or hatred. Probably both.

Theo got his highschool diploma at 15. He started university right away and for that, his father had him taken and driven back to an actual university every day. Joe would cut his sleep to be with him every night and until 21 — when he got his master's degree — they both survived on 4 hours of sleep per day.

He was thin. His father forced him to eat because it wasn't good for his social status if people actually noticed how sick Theo looked. But it was no use eating when you'd just burn it all by bleeding excessively or healing.
He didn't have a phone. His laptop was monitored. And if someone in university tried to approach him, the next day they'd somehow get distant. He was only allowed to talk to certain people whose social statuses matched Theo's and his father's.

Joe was truly the only good thing in his life. He could continue studying the pile of bullshit he was taught because Joe looked eager to learn too. He knew the boy could never afford such an education, so he tried his best to study better and teach his friend everything he could. But... something was changing and he didn't like it. Joe was mimicking him, the way he was taught to act 'as a Nobel'. The way he held himself, the way he talked, all of it. Joe was... he was probably trying to be 'at his level' and Theo hated that his friend felt the need to do so.

On Joe's 21st birthday, when Theo apologized for not being able to give him a gift, his friend asked him to close his eyes. He did. And then,... he felt warm, soft lips against his dry, chapped ones. His eyes had fluttered open right away. He'd been shocked. He had no idea what was going on or why Joe was suddenly kissing him like he'd seen lovers do at university. But his friend ended it at that; just a soft pressing of their lips for a few seconds.
"Can I do that again tomorrow?" Joe had asked.
And Theo didn't know how to say no, and a part of him wanted to experience it again, so he nodded. And just like that, as months passed and Joe kissed him on the lips every day, he realized he'd never wanted the boy to just be a friend.

They never went any further. Theo's body was always bruised. He was simply too weak to do anything more, and Joe never pushed. He'd gently caress his bruises, he'd kiss over the ones on his arms when he wore short sleeves but nothing more. He appreciated the thought but at the same time, it was quite sad.

And then...
'today' arrived.

The smell of the rain is the best, isn't it?

Theo chuckled soundlessly to himself, not wanting to disturb the lack of noise surrounding him. Joe wouldn't get it. He was never forced to stay under the rain as punishment while bleeding from several wounds. While hurting from never-ending pain. That was why he'd said it to him, trying to change his mind about the weeping sky. He had been dead inside for years now. Hell, he'd been dead since birth. Wasn't that ironic? Did that mean there was a death far greater, number and more painful than what he was living every single day now? He couldn't wait to experience it.

It was past midnight for sure but he had no idea what time it exactly was. He had been stuck in his bed for days until he was just too done with his own damn self, jumping up and out the door in a blink of an eye. Maybe it was the raindrops that loured him out of his safe place. Yeah, it must've been that. He had wished the panic of being outside would wash away the horror of being inside those walls.
He had walked under the warm shower provided by nature for a long time, giving up and lying down on the asphalt of the street when his legs started screaming at him. There was no one around so it didn't even matter. Even though he was out under the acid rain, having it hit his face and soaking him completely, he was still safe because there was not one human being around. He was okay like this.