Page 105 of We Are Just Us

“I’m so sorry,” Kieran said quietly.

“Not your fault.”

“It’s literally my fault.”

Another cramp hit, and Rory’s body convulsed and he made a broken sound as everything came out at once.

“Jesus,” Rory murmured. “This is humiliating.”

“No,” Kieran said firmly. “It’s your body doing what it needs to do.”

“I’m shitting myself in the desert while you watch. That’s pretty much the definition of humiliation.”

“I’m not watching. I’m here. There’s a difference.”

Rory laughed, weak but genuine. “That’s a very generous interpretation.”

“I’m a generous guy.”

Another wave. Rory braced himself, and Kieran kept his hand steady on his back.

“What can I do?” Kieran asked.

Rory was breathing hard. “Look away while my body tries to turn itself inside out.”

Kieran didn’t move his hand. “No.”

“Kieran.”

“I’m not leaving you out here alone.”

“I’m literally shitting in the sand!”

“I know.”

“And you’re just going to...what? Rub my back?”

“Yeah,” Kieran said simply. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Rory made a sound that might’ve been a laugh or a sob or both. His body seized again, and the tremor ran through him as another violent purge took hold.

Kieran moved his hand up to Rory’s shoulders, massaging gently, trying to ease some of the tension even though he knew it wouldn’t stop what was happening.

“You don’t have to do this,” Rory said quietly when the worst of it passed.

“I know.”

“It’s gross.”

“I don’t care.”

Rory turned his head, just enough to meet Kieran’s eyes in the dim light. “Why?”

“Because it’s you.”

Rory’s expression cracked. “Okay,” he whispered.

Another cramp hit, gentler this time but still insistent. Rory’s body was running out of things to expel, but it was trying anyway.