Collection • TwoSetViolin

VI. Lactose

Summary: After dealing with a stomach bug, Brett realizes that he has another problem: milk. (1553 words, 5-10 minute read)

Warnings: None.

Notes: Inspired by my own lactose intolerant self getting milk tea today because I missed it :c

• • •

"Cheers to you not being sick anymore." Eddy grinned, raising his own cup of bubble tea.

Brett returned the gesture. "Cheers to me not getting anyone else around me sick."

The two of them tapped their bubble tea cups against each other's, before pulling out their straws and stabbing a hole in the lid. There was a satisfying pop, followed by both of them taking a large sip.

Eddy nearly choked on his tea when he saw that Brett had sipped nearly a quarter of the cup already. He coughed, clearing his throat before asking, "Why?"

"This is so good," Brett mumbled, his mouth full of bubbles. "I've missed you so much, pearl milk tea. It's been so long."

"Too long." Eddy chuckled.

"True, true. A day without bubble tea is already too long." Brett took another long sip, and the two of them walked out of the small corner cafe.

Before they stepped out though, Eddy grabbed a napkin. He waved it in front of Brett's face, leaving the confused man staring at the napkin for a few seconds before taking it.

"Why would I need a napkin?"

"Wipe your mouth. You somehow had milk tea spilling out of your lips."

Brett blinked, hastily wiping his mouth. He did miss bubble tea that much, it seemed.

• • •

Eddy knocked on the door. "Brett?"

No reply. Lines of worry etched his face as he opened the door, a glass of warm water in his hands. He took a look at Brett, who was lying down on his bed, curled up in a fetal position. His glasses were nowhere to be seen, most likely lost in the pile of blankets that wrapped around him. He looked like he was sleeping, but Eddy had a huge suspicion that the stomach pain was keeping him awake.

He walked over, setting the glass down on the table. "Feeling better?"

"I'll be fine. It just really hurts."

"It'll go away soon. Probably just from the stomach bug and your bubble tea." Eddy tapped the glass. "Drink some warm water."

"I don't want to."

"It's good for you. Come on."

"No." Brett buried his head in the pillow.

Eddy paused and took a step back. "I'll just leave it here for you, then. Drink some before it gets cold, alright? I'll check up on you in a bit."

Brett waited until he could hear the click of the door and Eddy's footsteps walking away. He lifted his head slowly, looking at the blurry blob that was his door, before sliding out of his blankets. The pain forced him to move slowly, but eventually, Brett had the glass of water in his hand, the heat from the water warming his hands up. He took a small sip to test for temperature and then downed the entire glass in a few greedy gulps.

He set the glass down next to him and curled back up in bed. Hopefully he'd feel better soon. The last thing he wanted was for Eddy to stay at his house again to take care of him at night.

• • •

"What did you have this time?" Eddy asked.

"I don't know," he grumbled. "It just hurts. Do you have Advil?"