Alex returned the squeeze, the slipped his hand free to pull at a simple chain around his neck. The key that his father had given him ages ago hung there. "Dad gave me this one ages ago. My school money went there, and Birthday money and stuff. Could you put this one on too?" He held up the other key, and felt George take it and add it to the chain. They clicked together as they fell against his chest, and Alex tucked them inside his shirt again.
Crying had exhausted him, and he felt like he could curl up and sleep for weeks, but there wasn't anything he felt less like doing. Maybe he'd sit in the sun by the window for a while. At least he could feel the warmth of it.
"Family's good," he said after a moment. "You don't get to pick them, but I kind of like mine." He sat another moment, then grinned. "Hey, wait. I thought Fabian was your middle name."