WORST WAY | T. Thomas

14 | 'Subtle'

The steam from the shower had long since dissipated, leaving the air in the apartment warm and still. The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting soft light across the room, and for a moment, everything felt normal again.

Tanner moved around the kitchen, still a little disheveled from their passionate encounter, his hair slightly damp and tousled. He pulled out a mug from the cabinet, his movements easy, almost absent-minded, as he reached for the coffee grounds. Mae stood nearby, leaning against the counter, the warmth of their earlier connection still settling deep inside her. She couldn't help but smile when she caught sight of him, but that smile faltered slightly as her stomach twisted, a faint reminder of the discomfort that had been gnawing at her since she first woke up.

She watched as Tanner made the coffee, his hands sure and steady, the scent of the brewing liquid already filling the room. But to Mae's surprise, the smell, which usually calmed her, now seemed to curl in the back of her throat. She could feel the nausea creeping up on her again, making her stomach roll uneasily.

"Babe, you okay?" Tanner's voice broke through her foggy thoughts, the concern clear in his eyes as he noticed the slight shift in her expression.

Mae smiled weakly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, just—uh, just tired. I think." She reached up to rub her forehead, trying to ignore the dizziness beginning to swirl at the edges of her vision.

Tanner nodded, turning back to finish making the coffee, though he kept glancing at her, as if he could sense that something wasn't quite right. Mae reached for the mug of coffee he had just poured, bringing it close to her lips. Normally, she'd take a sip and sigh in relief, feeling that familiar warmth spread through her chest. But today...

She brought the mug to her mouth, and the instant the rich, bitter aroma hit her senses, her stomach churned. The familiar scent was now cloying, almost suffocating, and she felt her mouth go dry.

"Oh no..." She pulled the mug away quickly, her face contorting as the wave of nausea hit her with force. Her body stiffened, a faint gag rising in her throat as she fought to keep it down.

Tanner's eyes widened in alarm as he rushed to her side, his hand on her back. "Mae? What's wrong? You look pale."

"I—" She gasped for air, trying to steady herself. "I don't know... it's just the coffee. It's—God, it's making me gag."

She pushed the mug away, setting it down on the counter with a trembling hand. She stood there for a moment, breathing deeply, trying to suppress the feeling that was threatening to overtake her. She could see Tanner's concern growing, and that only made her feel more uneasy.

"You've never had that reaction to coffee before." Tanner's voice was soft, worried, as his hands gently rested on her shoulders. "Maybe... maybe you're coming down with something? Stomach bug?"

"No," Mae muttered, shaking her head, though she didn't quite believe it herself. "No, I don't think so... it's just the coffee."

But deep down, there was a small voice in the back of her mind—What if it's not just the coffee? She brushed it aside, trying not to let her mind spiral, but the nagging thought lingered.

Tanner leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You want me to make you something else? Tea or—"

Mae smiled faintly, her hand coming up to rest on his. "I think I just need a minute."

Tanner nodded, stepping back but keeping his gaze on her, a silent understanding passing between them. He didn't push further, but he clearly wasn't convinced that this was something as simple as a stomach bug or exhaustion.