Sheraton Academy

Deal Me In

Rating: PG-13. Warnings: drugs (weed used for medical purposes)

Christoph had started by asking Kylie if he could really sit down and introduce him to his boyfriend. Kylie had lit up so brightly at the idea that Christoph almost felt guilty that he didn't actually care that much about meeting Jen. It was what Jen could possibly supply him with that he was interested in.

They met for coffee one afternoon, and when Kylie had gone for a refill of his tea, Christoph turned to the ex-raver and started, "Jen, I'm looking for –"

Jen threw his hands up and out. Brick wall. "I don't have anything."

Christoph frowned. "I'm just –"

"I'm clean and my room is clean and you can send anyone you want to test me and search my stuff. Clean."

"Okay, fine," Christoph sighed. "Do you know anyone, then?"

Jen crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head, about to speak when Christoph said, "It's medical. Jen, my medication makes me so fucking sick I have to sleep with a trash can next to my bed so if I wake up puking in the middle of the night I don't choke on my own vomit. Half the time I can hardly eat. Please. I know you're on watch, but can you send me to anybody?"

Jen opened his eyes but didn't drop his hands. Finally, he sighed and said, "You know Josselin Clearwater?"

Christoph shook his head.

"You will. He knows everyone who's anyone and almost all the nobodies. He probably has, like, a binder or something. He won't be able to get you anything, but he might be able to point you to someone who can."

***

"No, I'm sorry," Josselin said. His brow was furrowed tight as he shook his head, lips tight in thought. "Stacey might be able to do something. He works with herbs and reiki and stuff like that."

"Fine." Chrisoph's voice was terse, sharp. "I don't care. I'm willing to try anything, Josselin."

"I'll introduce you," Josselin said. "Do you know BSL?"

"What?"

"I'll take that as a 'no.' He's Deaf. I'll go with you to translate."

***

"I ...don't think I have what you're looking for," Stacey signed slowly. He stood on his toes and snapped twice in front of Christoph's nose. The taller boy looked away from Josselin and back to Stacey.

"Don't look at me," Josselin said. "Look at him when he's signing to you. You can hear me just fine."

"I could make you some really strong medicinal teas or ...maybe mix you up a blend of oils to burn in your room to help soothe it. But I can't do anything to actually get to the root of the problem."

Stacey frowned and tapped his foot, thumb pressed against his chin as he thought. He glanced over to Josselin and made a sign the other boy didn't translate. Josselin almost grimaced and signed something back. Stacey shrugged helplessly. Finally, Josselin sighed and nodded.

"I can introduce you to Khairi," Josselin said hesitantly. "But ...he's very antisocial. He doesn't get along with people well. I don't know if he'd even be willing to help you if he can. And ..." Josselin held his hands up hesitantly, as if trying to hold Christoph back. "And you ...you can't do your flirting thing. You just can't. He'll freak out."