Title: None for now, but welcome suggestions

Author: Daisyangel

Rating: T, but that's subject to change

Pairings: Ryan/other, Eric/Ryan eventually. H/C in background

Warnings: depicts some abuse

Summary: Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you? Ryan finds out how wrong that statement is. Can his team but especially Eric save him from his relationship and himself?

A/n why is she writing another story when she has so many to finish you ask? I know I have a number of stories to finish, but this story just came to me and I really want to start posting it. This story discusses sensitive subject matter of which I don't claim to be an expert about. I will do what research I can do, but I don't promise to be perfect. I hope you enjoy, don't forget to review. Also, I'm stuck on a title; all suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Well that's enough rambling from me, enjoy the first chapter. Oh and,

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone you recognize I only own Nick.

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"How many times do I have to tell you that my blue shirt goes better with these pants, Ryan?" came his boyfriend Nick's irritated voice as he held up the pants in question.

"Sorry I was distracted I thought I put the right shirt with the right pair of pants," Ryan answered shamefully.

"No, you didn't, jeez you can't even follow the simplest of directions how stupid can you be?" Nick spat back. Ryan just hung his head and mumbled another apology.

"Breakfast is ready," Ryan said softly. Nick nodded and dropped a quick kiss on Ryan's cheek as he walked into the kitchen. After serving Nick his food eggs, bacon, and toast Ryan settled down with his plate of food as well. Silence reigned briefly before Nick broke it.

"Maybe you should go back to the gym at the lab, you're starting to gain that weight back that you lost a couple of months ago. You don't want to get fat do you?" he said, looking shrewdly at Ryan's thin frame. Ryan glanced at his reflection in the sliding glass door, he didn't see the fat, but if Nick saw it, it had to be there.

"I'll stop by after work, speaking of work, I have to go," Ryan said, getting up quickly.

"Okay, I have a case in court today, so I'll be home a bit late. Have dinner on the table at 6:30," Nick instructed. Ryan just nodded as he turned to head for the door. All of a sudden Nick was out of his seat and across the room standing menacingly in front of Ryan.

"You answer me when I talk to you, you hear me?" Nick commanded.

"Yes, sir. I hear you," Ryan mumbled, averting his eyes.

"You look at me when you talk to me," Nick commanded and without warning his hand connected with Ryan's right cheek. Ryan stumbled back in shock, a hand pressed to his stinging cheek. He tried to fight the tears, but couldn't.

"Only wimps cry, are you a wimp?" Nick asked smugly. Ryan was about to shake his head no, but then remembered what Nick had just said to him.

"No, I'm not," Ryan answered as strongly as he could.

"Uh-huh, well I'm off see you tonight," Nick said as he leaned over and kissed Ryan's cheek oblivious to the pained look on Ryan's face then grabbed his coat and was out the door as if the last five minutes had never happened.

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Sighing, Ryan trudged into the bathroom to see if he had anything to cover up the bruise. He was hoping he did, it wasn't the first bruise Nick had given him, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Ryan winced as he reached up to look in the medicine cabinet and another one of Nick's bruises made itself evident. At least the one on his face was the only he had to try and hide. The others were hidden by his clothes. As he stared at his reflection in the mirror he began to see the fat that Nick pointed out at breakfast, making a decision he walked quickly to the toilet and knelt down in front of it. After reminding himself that this was for his own good, no one wanted to be with someone who was fat after all, he stuck his finger down his throat, forcing him to throw up the breakfast he had just consumed. After he was done, Ryan got shakily to his feet and grabbed his tooth brush. He needed to hurry if he was going to get to work on time. Deep down inside, Ryan knew what he was doing was wrong, and how Nick was treating him was wrong, but he couldn't make himself break the cycle. Ryan was sure he deserved all that he got even if he couldn't explain why. However, no matter how much he tried to ignore it; there was still that tiny part of Ryan who wanted to escape the hell he had been trapped in for the last three months. Things had started well between Nick and Ryan. They had met at a bar and hit it off quickly. A month after they began dating, Nick moved into Ryan's place. First things were still going well, but bit by bit, the outbursts and putting Ryan down became more and more common until it was a daily occurrence. Ryan wasn't happy, but he didn't know how to make himself happy again.

TBC?

A/n, who wants to beat the crap out of Nick now? I do, and he's my character. I hope you like this, review, please.