Hold Me Tighter

Hold Me Tighter

OooooO

His hand lingered by the doorknob, finger barely brushing the metal as he took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves before entering the apartment. He was late coming home again. Work took longer than he thought he would, and he miscalculated the time he needed to get home. He knew what consequences happened when he was late. It happened the same way every time.

Unconsciously, his other hand went up to his face, running the tips of his fingers over the yellowing bruise staining the cheekbone. The results of the last time he was late. Covering up that one had been difficult, he was running out of excuses as to how he got his bruises and cuts. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he took one final deep breath and closed his hand around the doorknob, pushing the wooded door open slightly.

“You’re late again Jack.” He was greeted by a familiar voice. Swallowing the fear that welled up in his throat, he stepped in, closing the door behind him.

“I’m sorry Nick. Work was hectic today, and traffic is pretty bad at this time.” He fruitlessly tried to talk his way out of it, keeping his voice level, hoping this time it would actually work. The voice materialized into a body, hard eyes making contact with his.

“That was the same excuse you used last time,” Nick stalked towards Jack, causing him to back fearfully against the wall, arms held out in front of him.

“Please! You know that my work can get-“ He was cut off by a hand backhanding him across the cheek, decorative rings cutting the flesh deeply. Tasting blood, he gasped, going limp as Nick grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer.

“How dare you talk back to me!” He shook him as he spoke, causing his head snap back and forth quickly. “You don’t speak unless spoken too. Do you understand?” He nodded frantically, tears of fear welling in his eyes as he was shoved against the wall, head striking the plaster hard. Stars dancing into his vision, Jack slide down the wall, head now throbbing in time with his cheek.

“I would’ve thought you learned by now.” Nick’s voiced softened as Jack pulled himself to his feet. His legs didn’t feel like they’d support his weight but they managed. Flinching as a hand stroked lightly down his face and a body pressed gently into him.

“Why do you make me hurt you?” Nick whispered in his ear as he panted, fear making his muscles lock until he backed off. He didn’t say a word as Jack turned, making his way into the bedroom.
Sitting down on the bed, hearing the springs creak as his hand gingerly rose to his freshly injured cheek. He flinched, feeling the wetness and smelling the copper scent he wasn’t aware of earlier. He sighed, finding a tissue on the table beside the bed and pressed it to his face.

Nick must’ve been in a good mood tonight, letting him get away with what he considered a warning. Dealing with his wild mood swings, not to mention his running off to bars without warning, always coming home smelling of liquor and the results of whoever he managed to seduce that night.

It didn’t start out like that though. He’d been so charming, showering him with affection and touching him without the intent to hurt him. Then the name calling started. Degrading comments about his appearance, what he wore or what he did. He let those go, not to say it didn’t hurt him, but he ignored them. The first time he hit him, he made the mistake of threatening to call the police. Being hit so hard in the side that he couldn’t even breathe without it hurting afterwards made him change his mind about that quickly.

He thought about leaving then, but he couldn’t. The lingering fear that he’d get more that a beating if he ever left caused him to stay, tied him too tightly to this relationship. That’s why he was still here, staying with someone who didn’t care about him, but he cared about. He cared about him so much it hurt. He knew, deep down, Nick wasn’t a bad person. He just had a short, unpredictable temper.

Sighing, he adjusted himself on the bed, curling up on his side. His mind was numb, a comforting feeling, considering the pain that radiating from his injuries. His breath hitched as a tear slid out of his eyes, the only time he allowed himself to cry. He never could in front of Nick, without being sneered at and slapped even harder. Too deeply wrapped in his emotions and thoughts, he didn’t hear the door open, the mattress shift until he felt a hand touch his back gently. Flinching at the touch he knew should’ve been comforting, but filled him with a sinking sense of dread.

“Baby, I’m sorry, you know that I don’t want to hurt you.” Nick’s deep voice said gently in his ear, hand trailing over his side tenderly. Jack shuddered under the gentle touch; breath hitching and he held it, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing him sob. The same words said every time. They lost all meaning to him, coming from his mouth. He knew it wouldn’t change anything.

A strong arm wrapping around his chest, pulling him back into what everyone else would consider comforting warmth. To him, it burned him to his bones, telling him he was going to be hurt. Involuntarily, his muscles tightened, not wanting to be moved from his current position. Feeling himself being shifted roughly onto his back, pinned down against the sheets.

“But, if I don’t teach you, how else are you going to learn?” Nick said quietly into his ear. Jack caught the dangerous undertone it held and stayed still, although his eyes remained wide. He stared at the ceiling, not making eye contact with the man on top of him. He felt lips on his, dominating and taking his breath away at the same time. He choked, more from the lack of air as his mouth was forced open, a tongue taking over his mouth. He struggled slightly, lungs burning for air, but hands pressed against his chest, warning him to stay still.

Jack began to feel lightheaded from lack of oxygen. Right before he felt like he was going to pass out, Nick broke the rough kiss, breathing harshly. Jack panted, dragging much needed air into his lungs as Nick’s hands roughly pulled at his shirt, ripping it right down the front, scattering buttons over the bed as he pulled it off, throwing it to the floor.

“Nick, please, I-“ He was cut off by a stinging blow across his face, only adding to the pain he was all ready in from before. Nick grabbed his shoulders, pushing him down against the mattress roughly. He should’ve known better that to try and talk his way out of it. It happened every time he tried.

“You have no say in this, understand?” He whispered into his ear, roughly seeking out a nipple, pulling it painfully. Jack winced, back arching against his will as Nick plundered his mouth again, digging his teeth painfully into his lower lip.

Jack felt nauseated, both from being hit and from what was about to happen. Trying to make himself go limp, he clenched his eyes shut, trying to stop the stinging at the corner of his eyes. Hands traveled downwards, trailing over his stomach, over his hips, and stopping at his belt buckle.

Hissing as his belt was undone and pulled from its loops as Nick sat up, all his weight on Jack’s hips as he wrapped the soft leather around his fist, pulling the material down his legs with his free hand, exposing him. His eyes widened, fear intensifying as Nick got off of him for a moment, kneeling by his side. He didn’t dare move, try to escape. He’d get it worse if he did.

“On your stomach,” Nick growled, roughly pushing over into the desired position. Splayed out, arms resting on either side of his head as he felt the mattress shift, felt Nick standing over him as he raised the belt, bringing it down against his bare skin. Metal buckle biting into his skin, stinging as the skin was broken, Jack cried out, muffling his face in the pillow. Tears trailed out of his eyes, getting absorbed by the pillow as Nick whipped him again, punctuating each blow with harsh grunt. Jack’s back arched, hands now gripping the sheets tightly.

Shaking with pain, Jack barely felt Nick climb back onto the bed, sliding the beltless hand under Jack’s unresisting hips. Even through the pain and dizziness, he still had the mind not to try and resist. His breathing was fast and hitching as Nick positioned himself behind him, hardness pressing against Jack’s backside.

Growling and sweating, Nick thrust himself into him. The new sensation of pain caused Jack to arch up, head rising off the pillow as he cried out loudly, eyes still clenched tightly shut. Nick dropped the belt, pressing his hand against Jack’s mouth tightly.

“Now, we don’t want the neighbors to complain now do we?” Nick asked sweetly, panting as he pulled back before slamming into him, dryness and no preparation tearing the tender skin. Jack whimpered against his hand, gasping as he was thrust into repeatedly, each rough movement causing his head to throb, his face to ach and his stomach to curdle. He could vaguely feel Nick press himself against his back, breath rasping hot against his ear. He buried his face into the crook of Jack’s neck, teeth grazing the sensitive flesh.

A drawn out growl, hand tightening around his mouth and hip, signaled the end of his undeserved punishment. Growling, Nick moved off him, letting him collapse against the mattress. His chest burning, muscles shaking with fear and pain, Jack watch with blurred vision as Nick tenderly brushed the hair out of his eyes. He would’ve flinched if he had the energy.

“You know, it hurt me to do that to you,” He said quietly, gently in his ear. “If only you’d just listen to what I say. You could have avoided all this.” He move away from him, watching impassively as Jack curled onto his side, his body giving into his injuries as he closed his eyes, feeling the dizziness and nausea subside as his mind shut off, allowing his body to repair itself as he slept.

OooooO