The Hideout // Petekey AU

xi.

Pete.

Scorching water pelted my back as I sat curled up in my small shower. I hugged my knees tightly to my chest, allowing the plentiful steam to envelop my body. The air outside the heated water was frigid; the contrast reminding me of my own emotions.

I heard the door open on the other side of the plastic curtain. "I have arrived and I brought scones," Patrick stated.

"I use to bring Mikey scones," I whimpered. I heard Patrick sigh deeply.

"No scones then, I guess. Hurry up, my emotional support services are not unlimited." I heard the door close.

I exhaled deeply and turned off the water. Getting dressed felt more strenuous than usual; nevertheless, I adorned an old band tee and gray sweatpants. I shuffled out of the bathroom and saw Patrick eating a scone on my couch.

"What the fuck?" Patrick asked, noting my appearance. "We have work in an hour, why aren't you dressed?"

I melted into the sofa. "I don't want to go to work."

Patrick rubbed his eyes, clearly feeling unsympathetic. "Dear god... what happened last night? Your text was extremely vague. It better be important for me to wake up over an hour earlier than usual."

"I went to his apartment."

Patrick's eyes widened, "Holy shit, you actually did it? I'm impressed."

I continued, "he wasn't alone."

"Oh..." Patrick's eyes widened even more. "Are you sure it was what you think it is?"

"Unless he has an extremely unorthodox relationship with a third mystery brother, then yes."

Patrick blinked. "Did mystery brother look like a top or a bottom?"

I huffed, "Patrick, that is not important." He stared blankly at me, evoking a sigh. "...top."

He frowned, "It's worse than I feared. I'm sorry, Pete, that's shitty." I glared at him, and he quickly continued, "Do you think it's new? Or something that's been happening this whole time?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Before the guy appeared behind... him, in just boxers, Mikey accused me of already being in a relationship with you and lying to him about it. Why else would he not just ask me instead of assuming the worst and ghosting me?"

"I mean, he wasn't that far off." Patrick stated. "It sort of would make sense for him to jump to that conclusion if he was already doing the same thing."

I shrugged, "Either way, he's with that guy and not me, and seems perfectly fine with that. I just... I thought he was different than that, you know?"

Patrick provided a sympathetic smile, "Yeah, I know."

I frowned at the small container of scones on the coffee table.

"You still have to work, you know," Patrick declared.

I groaned. "Fine."

Patrick forced me to change into real pants, and we walked together to The Hideout. Time passed slowly as we opened up and began the day. I felt lethargic, as if my body wanted to crawl back into bed and forget the world as much as my mind did. Periodically throughout the day, I wandered up to the loft and sat on the corner couch, so long as I could slip away without Patrick noticing and yelling at me.

I had been avoiding my phone since I texted Patrick around six am. I had a feeling Mikey would be texting or calling, attempting to explain himself. Finally, I mentally prepared myself and pulled out my phone.