Beware The Water

Don't Tell

Don't tell Shorter.

Don't tell Shorter.

Don't tell Shorter.

What the fuck could that be referring to? "Don't tell me about what?" Shorter had his hand wrapped around the cold coffee mug. The question brewed in his mind all night and prevented him from resting. Even the smell of Lux's hair couldn't bring him comfort. All he could smell was the hint of cigarette smoke still hugging her body.

The drink sat lukewarm and untouched after the first sip. The taste in his mouth was sour, the ticking clock above the doorway kept him aware of the many minutes that passed, and Lux slept soundly in the other room.

He sighed, letting his legs stretch beneath the table while he slouched down into his chair and threw his head back. His hand dragged down his face, blocking the beams of light shining through the blinds. By the time his palm had already reached down to his chin and eyes cracked open, the sight of Lux was standing over and behind him waiting for her morning kiss.

"Morning." She smiled and brought her hands gently around Shorter's neck to lean his head back more and pecked his lips. "I didn't hear you get up."

"Thought you needed to rest more." The redness in his eyes said he was the one with the sleepless night. "Got your coffee machine plugged in. I can make you a cup if you'd like."

Lux plopped on the chair across from him and yawned while reaching her arms up to stretch. "That'd be nice. Thank you." She watched Shorter drag himself to the counter and watched the way he moved gingerly, like he was afraid to break something. "Sore from training?"

"Uhhh, yeah. A little."

"Need a massage?" She asked, curling her fingers.

"I'll be okay."

"You sure?" Lux asked in a coy manner and tiptoed her way over to him, wrapping both arms around Shorter's waist and resting her cheek against his bare back. "I can already feel how tense you are."

That move usually worked. Lux's lips felt soothing when pressed softly against his muscles and calming his bruises and aches. It would send shivers down his body and make him hard in the process. He would turn and lift her up quick enough to where she'd instinctively wrap her legs around him so he could bring her back into bed and show how much he loved her.

"I got somewhere to be in an hour." He told her while pouring the coffee into her pink mug that kept it warm. 

"We can be quick." She whispered, turning him around and giving him another tight hug from the front before gazing up with that look in her eye that he grew to love. That twinkle meant everything to him. It meant she was really happy. It meant he was her everything, yet something still felt off. The faint cigarette scent was still laced over her skin.

"I can't babe. I gotta start getting dressed." He pulled away and handed Lux the filled cup before leaving into the bedroom. Lux looked down at her drink and the way it lacked any creamer and extra sugar. He knew she hated her coffee black and always made sure to make it as sugary as possible before letting the mug make it into her hands.

Lux tilted her head to the side as if imagining the drink turning into the way Shorter normally made it for her. The hot coffee stared back at her with no love and absent of its sweetness.

She poured it down the sink.

Shorter was putting on his yellow hoodie, the one Lux liked to sleep in when she got cold at night, and grabbed his gym bag and keys.

"I thought we were going to hang out today." Lux said with disappointment to see that he was leaving.

"Coach Shibata wanted me to get some more training in. I have a fight coming up out of town next week." He walked past Lux before catching himself and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before walking by completely.