Sheraton Academy

One Foot In Front of the Other

Rating: PG. Warnings: weed used for medical purposes, vague sexual content, HIV mention (with undetectable viral load)

The air was chill with late autumn. The deep green ivy covering the dusky brick of the school buildings had gone fiery red and golden yellow. Although Halloween wasn't much of a thing in the area Khairi had come from, here they ate it up, in the school and Village alike, and jack o'lanterns and skeletons hid around every corner.

Very few people came up on the roof this time of year. It was too cold. But, oh, the sunsets were beautiful to the ones who braved it.

And tonight's sunset was no exception. Khairi and Christoph sat on the rooftop with their legs dangling out in space, feet wrapped up in woolen socks beneath their sneakers, heavy hoodies and hand-knit scarves made by Stacey keeping their chests and throats warm and free of sickness. Khairi took a drag from his joint and passed it over to Christoph. As Christoph breathed it in, Khairi gazed off into space and said, "You know, I've always wanted to compete in a triathlon."

"Yeah?" Christoph coughed after holding in the smoke a little too long. He pounded his chest a couple of times and Khairi rubbed his back.

"Yeah," Khairi said. Christoph passed the blunt back, but Khairi held up his hand. The smaller boy ground it out on the brick and pocketed the remainder to save for later. Khairi reached around behind his head and pulled the ponytail holder out of his dreadlocks, snapping it around his wrist as his hair fell free. "When I was first diagnosed as HIV positive I thought my life was over. But meds are pretty good now. We've come a long way in the past few years, even if they can't figure out how to make one that won't make us sick."

Christoph chuckled and brushed his hair out of his face. The wind blew it right back in.

"I'm at six years and my levels are still undetectable," he continued.

"Undetectable for four," Christoph said. They shared a grin and a fist bump.

"So, you know, everything I thought was holding me back isn't really a barrier anymore. I run and bike and swim every day, anyway. I'm already in pretty good shape."

"Yeah you are," Christoph grinned. Khairi rolled his eyes, but let the comment slide.

"So I thought... why not do it for a cause?"

"I know there are runs for HIV research," Christoph said. "There's probably triathlons, too."

"Yeah," Khairi murmured. He pressed his palms to the cold brick and leaned back, kicking one leg out into the air, letting it fall again.

***

Khairi's head shot up at the knock on his door. He frowned. He wasn't expecting anyone. If Josselin was here to bug him about joining one of his stupid clubs again...

"Who is it?" he shouted.

"Guess!" Christoph shouted back. "Who else would want to visit your grumpy ass?"

Khairi's frown faded and he pushed himself up from the bed, padding to the door. Christoph was leaning against the doorframe in that infuriatingly sexy way he had, a folder in one hand, his wrist limp as he tapped the corner against his side. He handed it over.

"What's this?" Khairi asked. He flipped it open and started scanning through the pages.

"All the triathlons in the country. Most of them are in London which is... what, a three hour drive? But I'm sure I can figure something out if you want."

"This –"

"They're listed by organization, then location," Christoph said. He pushed himself up with a jaunty salute. "Enjoy your research."