Page 68 of We Are Just Us

Kieran looked at him, at his earnest confusion, his complete lack of judgment, his disarming sincerity, and realized there was no escaping this.

“It’s a douche,” Kieran said flatly.

Rory blinked. “A what?”

“A douche. For...cleaning. Internally. You’ve never seen one?”

Kieran saw the understanding dawn slowly across Rory’s face, followed by a grin so wide it should’ve been illegal.

“Oh, uh. Not attached to a shower. Did you buy this for me?” Rory asked, and he sounded touched, which made it so much worse.

“I bought it for me. For…hygiene,” Kieran said, face burning. “It wasn’t there when you showered before because I didn’t need it before. I haven’t needed one in...a while. But now…” He gestured vaguely. “Circumstances changed?”

Rory’s grin softened. “That’s really thoughtful.”

“Fuck you.”

“It really is! It’s practical.” Rory set the showerhead down, then crossed back to Kieran. “How does it work?”

“You are not—”

“I’m just asking.”

Kieran sighed. “You attach it. You adjust the pressure. You...use it. That’s it.”

“Huh.” Rory reached out and tugged Kieran closer by the wetsuit. “Well. Good to know.” He paused. “You done being embarrassed?”

“Not even close.”

“Good.” Rory bent down and picked him up again in one easy motion.

Kieran yelped. “What are you—”

“You need a shower. I need a shower. We’re both covered in sand, and I know for a fact you’ve got some in your ass crack.”

“I—” Kieran paused. “Okay, yeah, probably.”

“Definitely. I can feel it in mine, and I was sitting on my board. You were flopping around like you were trying to escape a predator.”

“That’s rude.”

“That’s accurate.”

Rory reached for the zipper on his wetsuit.

“I can do—” Kieran started.

“I know,” Rory’s hands were already at work. “But you’re injured. Let me help.”

He peeled the wetsuit down Kieran’s shoulders, past his waist, easing it over his hips with surprising gentleness. Kieran stepped out of it awkwardly, standing naked in his own bathroom, somehow the least comfortable person there.

Rory pulled off his own wetsuit in one smooth motion, and yeah—there was sand everywhere.

“See?” Rory said, turning on the shower. “We’re a disaster. Move over. I’ll adjust the temperature.”

Kieran stepped under the spray, hissing as the water hit his foot.

“Too hot?” Rory asked.