He hadn't been expecting Jim to wait for him outside work. He also hadn't been expecting him to attack him like that in public. The Irishman was very conscious about how rough he was outside their flat but apparently the stress had gotten to him this time. Jim's "work" often led to him being this way.

John let out a shuddering breath and rolled his aching shoulders as he walked back to the flat. He had woken up at three that morning to head to his job at the small diner down the street from their residence and then he had to run to the bus stop to make his classes at the hospital in time, then after his classes he had arrived at the bar where he worked in record time and then came his rather unfortunate meeting with his boyfriend which resulted in him being late to his job at the coffee shop. His entire body felt heavy with exhaustion, his limp acting up a little more than usual, and his shoulder pulsating with pain. A small, tired smile graced his features though: it had been pay day.

He quickly stopped in the Tescos a few blocks away and picked up some easily prepared food for the week ahead. Now laden with even more bags, he continued on his way.

The entire lavish apartment building was dark but for the penthouse; the top floor was blazing with light and another, larger weight settled on John's shoulders.

Jim was still up.

A cold, gnawing fear grew to grip John's insides, an icy chill that made his stomach clench and his hands tremble. He reached the door and fumbled around in his bag to find the key, when he did he went to put it in the lock but it fell to the ground with a small metal sound. He squeezed his shaking hands together and took a few calming breaths. He bent with some difficulty due to his leg but finally retrieved the key and opened the door. A look was cast between the stairs and the elevator but the twinging of his leg made it apparent that he could not make it up those stairs. The elevator dinged at every floor; since moving in he had grown to dread that sound, that small, harmless sound that took him closer and closer to whatever waited him at the top floor. The doors opened and John stepped into the clinically decorated flat; loud music was playing and take out containers littered the floors. He took a tentative step inside and heard giggling. Female giggling.

All his fear dissipated to be replaced by anger. His jaw clenched and he walked into the living room to find Jim tangled up with Irene on the couch. At least they're wearing clothes this time, he thought bitterly. Jim ripped his mouth away from Irene's and smirked at John before violently shoving the woman onto the floor. The scent of expensive cologne and Irene's disgusting perfume filled John's senses as he was engulfed in his boyfriend's arms.

"Johnny! I was waiting for you!" he turned to glare at Irene with dead eyes and barked, "You're no longer needed. Get out." Her face lit up in rage but she grabbed her shoes and stomped out of the flat, slamming the door for emphasis. Jim's lips landed on his in a possessive way and John pulled away, repulsed by how easily he could be cast aside. He pushed Jim's arms away and went to put away the groceries in the kitchen.

"Awww, love, don't be that way! She's just here to keep me company! If you didn't work so much then she wouldn't always be here!"

John slammed the box of tea he had been about to put away on the counter and whipped around and got up into Jim's face, "I. Am. Your. Boyfriend! She shouldn't be here ever! Regardless of whether or not I'm at work! That's not how this relationship is supposed to work!"

Jim's eyes darkened and his hands whipped out to clasp John's wrists in a bruising hold, "May I remind you that I am the one paying for your schooling. If you would like I could cut you loose from our little deal and let you go off and drown in the debt. Would you like that, John? You OWE me. I don't care if you don't like me having sex outside this "relationship". I don't care that you have to work three jobs. You will pay back every cent to me. Speaking of which, where is it?"

John stiffened in his hold and looked down at the ground. "Where is what?" he whispered.

The slap sent his head reeling and he fell to the ground, clutching the reddened area with a trembling hand. Jim stood over him, his dark eyes resembling endless pools of black, his face twisted into a grotesque smile. He knelt down next to John and stroked his cheek, "You made me do that. You make me hurt you like this because you won't listen to me. I'm trying to help you. Get you on the right path to becoming a doctor. I keep away the demons, don't I? I protect you, don't I?" John nodded into the cold hand, his eyes blank and unseeing.

He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out the pay stubs. Jim ripped them from his hand and planted a painful kiss on his abused face. "Let's go to bed, yeah?" John nodded again and let Jim guide him to the room.

He couldn't say no. He never could.