Page 162 of We Are Just Us

He leaned down and kissed him, mindful of the bruises.

When he pulled back, Rory’s eyes were closed.

Kieran kissed him again. Longer this time. Trying to pour all of it into the kiss. All the fear, all the relief, all the love he didn’t have words for.

When they finally broke apart, Rory opened his eyes.

“Thank you,” Rory said softly. “For staying. For being here. For not running when it got hard.”

“Where else would I go?”

“I don’t know. But some people would. Would have left.”

“I’m not some people. I’m not everyone.”

“No.” Rory agreed. “You’re not.”

Kieran’s hands remained on Rory’s knees. After a beat, Rory unclasped his own hands from his lap, reaching down to slide his fingers over Kieran’s knuckles, turning his palm up to lock their fingers together.

Then Kieran stepped back and quickly wiped at his eyes.

“Okay,” he said, voice steadier now. “We should probably get out of here before they change their minds about discharging you.”

Rory laughed. “Good point.”

There was a knock on the door. Jessica poked her head in.

“Everything okay in here?”

“Yeah,” Kieran said. “We’re good.”

“Great. Wheelchair’s here whenever you’re ready.”

“I don’t need a wheelchair,” Rory protested.

“Hospital policy,” Jessica said cheerfully. “Everyone gets wheeled out. No exceptions.”

Rory grumbled but didn’t argue further.

The wheelchair arrived. Kieran helped Rory stand, slow, careful, giving him time to find his balance, and then eased him down into the chair.

Marlene appeared with a vase of flowers tucked under one arm and a stack of cards in the other. Bill had gone to bring the car around. Samantha was dealing with the last of the discharge paperwork.

Jessica wheeled Rory toward the door. Kieran walked beside them, carrying the bag with Rory’s things.

As they moved down the hallway, nurses called out goodbyes.

“Take care, Rory!”

“Good luck!”

“We’ll see you for PT!”

Rory waved with his good hand. Tried to smile. But Kieran could see the exhaustion in his face. The thought of leaving the room, leaving the safety of round-the-clock medical care, scared him.

Kieran reached down and squeezed his shoulder. “I’ve got you,” he said quietly.

Rory looked up at him. Nodded. “Let’s go home.”