The Steam Lounge

Disc 1 - Track 13

Reckless Love - Bleachers
"I would burn my dreams away just to stand in the thankless shadows of your reckless love."
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As she opened the door quickly, she walked straight into Joe wearing only a towel.

"Sorry I-" The brunette apologised but was cut off by him. He shook his head, his eyes wandering down her slight figure.

"No. Don't worry about it." He replied, walking past her and leaving the bathroom.

Mercy took a second to process the look he had given her. She shut the door quickly, jumping in the shower and getting herself clean in minutes. Her body felt like she'd been electrified after Pete had touched her, but she couldn't give in to someone like him. Just remember how much of a prick he was in the Steam Lounge, Mercy. There is no way in hell you could find that remotely attractive.

The hot water from the shower seemed to scold her back, making her feel weak. She suddenly remembered that she had barely eaten in the last few days. She was about to step out of the shower when she felt her legs give way and forced her to the floor with a loud thud. Shit.

Mercy wasn't entirely sure whether she'd blacked out or not, she just knew that she couldn't open her eyes. Honestly, she was sick of being so weak around these people. She heard a voice from the other side of the door, asking if she was alright, but she couldn't reply. Before she could take another breath the door swung open and shut again.

There was movement in the bathroom and the shower door was opened in a hurry. The water stopped running soon after, her skin becoming cold. A towel wrapped around her bare body and arms lifting her out of the slippery shower.

She was put down on the bathroom floor, aware of someone sitting to her left. "Hey trouble. Can you hear me?" A voice said, a hand resting on her arm. She mumbled in response, attempting to say 'yes' but failing.

The person laughed insincerely, trying to gain a better response from Mercy. He must have been sat there for five minutes before she managed to open her eyes.

She saw Pete crouched next to her, a smile spanning his lips as she laid eyes on him. "Welcome back to the land of the living. What happened, did you slip and hit your head or something?" He asked her.

Mercy still couldn't fully process anything. She noticed the tightness of the towel around her and found it strange. She was surprised he hadn't left her naked.

"Mercy?" Pete's voice called her back to reality, her gaze snapping up to look at him. "You alright?" He asked, looking worried.

"I haven't eaten yet today and I've barely been anywhere near food in the last few days. I should have got something before I went in the shower. I think I just caved under the hot water." She answered, maintaining eye contact with Pete.

"Yeah, it's not a good idea to shower after coming if you're dehydrated and hungry. Makes you feel pretty weak. I should have made sure you had something before I left you, it's my fault sweetheart. Are you sure you're okay now?" He asked. She nodded quickly.

He passed her the clothes from the other side of the bathroom, putting out his hand. She took it, using her other hand to hold her towel. "Get yourself dressed sunshine, I'll meet you in the kitchen when you're done and get you some food and pills." He said, sneaking out the door.

Mercy did as she was told, appreciating his sudden helpfulness. As she strolled out of the bathroom, Joe, Pete and Patrick all looked at her.

Patrick had a look of confusion on his face as he stood, ushering her away from the others slightly. "Where did you go this morning? I couldn't find you." He asked.