Underneath All Your Layers.

(Louis' POV)

Nick drags me in through the door to our flat, slamming it shut behind me and pinning me up against it.

"Louis, what the hell was he doing here?!" he shouted.
"I-I don't know!"
"OH, YOU DON'T KNOW, HUH?"
"N-no I don't!"
"Stop stuttering, you look weak!" I completely froze under his grip.

Nick has never, ever, insulted me and meant it.

"W...W-what?"
"I said, you look weak."
"B-but..."
"No buts, Louis. You look weak, and you're starting to act weak, which will make you weak!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
"STOP STUTTERING!"
"I c-c-can't when you're ye-elling at m-me!"

And that was when the first hit came.

Nick raised his large hand in the air, it swung. Next thing I knew, the hand collided with my cheek, sending me collapsing on the floor.

"Louis, you know I love you-"
"Do I, Nick? D-do I?" I whimpered.

He's right.

I am weak.

Nick crouched down to my level, his eyes blown and ablaze with fury and adrenaline.

He cupped my reddened cheek in his strong, large hand, and I whimpered in pain. He only gripped harder.

"Louis, I love you, but sometimes you fuck up and...And you need to learn a lesson. You have to be...Punished. And I'm the one in the postition to do it to you. So, whenever I hit you, and trust me Lou, you're gonna fuck up again and this will happen again, I need you to know that it's for a reason. You can't just go around doing whatever you want. I only do it because you deserve it. I love you, okay?"
"Okay..."

Nick tightened his grip further.

"I said, I love you."
"Nick...I'm sorry I-" His nails dug into my face.
"Say you love me, too, Louis! SAY IT!"
"I l-love you I'm s-s-sorry!"

Nick chuckled lowly, slapping me again and shoving me down.

"Oh, and Lou?"
"Y-yes...? I asked, my voice trembling in fear.
"No one, I repeat, NO ONE, is to find out about this, got it?"
"Y-yes, Nick."
"Good boy. You're sleeping on the couch tonight. Goodnight Lou."

And so it began.

Notes

Jesus Christ I suck at angst

~A