Page 139 of We Are Just Us

“Hey,” Rory said.

“Hey.”

Rory studied him for a second. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I…” Kieran opened his hand, holding out the necklace. “I want you to have this.”

Rory’s eyes dropped to the necklace, then back up to Kieran’s face. “What is it?”

“St. Christopher. Patron saint of travelers. Safe journeys. Protection.” Kieran’s voice was steadier than he expected. “It was my mom’s.”

Rory didn’t move.

“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to,” Kieran continued quickly. “I just thought today, with the competition, it seemed like the right thing. Like she’d want you to have it. For luck. Or protection. Or just…because.”

He was rambling. He knew he was rambling. But he couldn’t stop.

Rory reached out slowly, taking the necklace from Kieran’s palm. He held it carefully, reverently, like it might break.

“Kieran,” Rory said quietly. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

Rory swallowed. Hard enough that Kieran could see it. His eyes got bright in a way he was clearly trying to fight. For a second, he thought Rory might cry. Or say I love you. Or pull him into a hug and never let go.

But instead, Rory looked at the necklace, then back at Kieran.

“I love...it,” he said.

And somehow that broke the moment enough. Took the edge off the sentiment. Made it manageable.

Kieran exhaled.

Rory put the necklace on. The silver chain settled against his chest, the pendant resting below his collarbone.

He looked at himself in the mirror. Touched the pendant lightly.

“How’s it look?” Rory asked.

“Like it belongs there.”

Rory turned to face him fully. “Thanks. This means more than…” He stopped. Swallowed. “Thank you.”

Kieran nodded. His eyes stung. Needed to break this before it got too heavy.

“Alright,” Kieran said, forcing a grin. “Enough sentimental bullshit. You’ve got a competition to win, and I’ve got sandwiches to pack. Let’s move.”

Rory laughed. Soft but genuine. “Sandwiches?”

“Turkey and Swiss. Your favorite. Don’t act like you’re not impressed by my domestic skills.”

“I’m very impressed.”

Their eyes met as the morning light spilled through the back window, catching the silver of the necklace where it gleamed against Rory’s chest.

Then Kieran turned and headed back to the kitchen.

“Get dressed,” he called over his shoulder. “We need to leave in twenty.”