Page 101 of Your Pace or Mine

The adrenaline Darius had been running on left his body all at once, and he felt his legs collapse beneath him. Suddenly, someone was wrapping a foil blanket around him and gently cradling his head. He opened his eyes and was sure he was hallucinating because it was Jamie, there with him at the finish line.

“Thought you were in London,” he gasped, pushing himself up to a seated position.

“As if I’d miss this,” Jamie scoffed. “Now go get your silver medal,Olympian.”

After hydrating and recovering, Darius accepted a congratulatory hug from his sister, a pat on the back from Coach Anders, and a surprisingly warm embrace from his father. Then, he made his way to the podium to accept his medal, barely able to hold back the tears of utter joy as he shook hands with his fellow Olympians. Though nervous of the reception he might receive, Darius thought back to Coach Ellison’s words all those months ago about his grandmother and seized the chance to try out some of the Oromo he and his father had only recently begun studying together. He offered his congratulations to the gold medallist, Taye Mekonnen—one of the Ethiopian runners and a celebrated veteran of the marathon— in Ethiopia’s most widely spoken language, hoping it wasn’t a misstep. Taye smiled at him, praised the attempt, and then gently corrected his pronunciation—in flawless English, naturally.

Later that night, as they shared cocktails, snacks and a charcuterie board in Jamie’s hotel, Darius hung the medal around Jamie’s neck and asked, “So how much clout will it get you to be dating an Olympic medallist?”

Jamie laughed. “Ugh, well, it’s not a gold medal,” he groused.

Darius flicked him on the nose, and Jamie kissed his boyfriend thoroughly before giving the medal itself a quick peck that had them both descending into laughter.

Darius felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude in that moment. They’d faced their share of challenges, but they’d come through stronger. Together.

“You know,” Jamie said, nudging Darius with his shoulder. “You’re not so bad at this relationship thing.”

Darius smiled, his heart full. “I’ve had a good coach.”

Jamie grinned at him. “It’s almost like love is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Darius chucked a handful of popcorn at him. “Absolutely not, straight to jail, that was a ridiculous cliché.”

“Clichés exist for a reason.” Jamie laughed, then kissed him.