(A/n: Thank you South Down. This a one-shot request I got from wattpad. Also I hope you all have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
Summary: Kenny likes Stan, and Stan likes Kenny although neither is aware of the other's feelings towards him. But what Kenny doesn't like is the insurmountable height difference between them.
Please enjoy)
Chapter 34: Fine The Way You Are
There are two things that grates Kenny's nerves: the first one is his height and the second is being made fun of for it.
Out of everyone he associates himself with, he is the shortest amongst them all. His friends, siblings, they've all outgrown him. Kevin is the oldest so his towering height is understandable, but Karen's on the other hand...The girl is only 14 years old, yet she's freaking taller than Kenny! That in of itself is humiliating enough, he would constantly be mistaken for her younger brother whenever they went out together. One time someone even thought that they were a couple! Jeez the conclusions people just jump to without thinking first.
As for his friends, Kenny mentally groans as he kicks at a stray pebble on the sidewalk, his fists clenching inside the pockets of his orange jacket. He doesn't even want to picture how he always stood out between the five of them, or better put - how he always 'stunted out' between them. The fact that Butters surpasses him by a mere two or three inches makes Kenny green with envy, cheating with that tuft of blonde hair of his. But Kenny isn't mad at him for that, rather he can't get mad at him. Unlike Stan, Kyle, and Cartman (Oh especially that fatass), Butters doesn't poke fun at him for being taller than him. That or he just doesn't care enough to tease him. Either way, it's nice to have one less person constantly joking about his stature.
It wasn't like this while they were growing up, and now that Kenny thinks back on it he wonders where and when in his life did he go wrong. He was an active and healthy boy, he even drunk milk like it was water - wanting to grow up big and strong from what his mother always told him. But here he is now - wandering through town not at all tall like he'd imagined himself to be at 18 years old. He has some muscles at least - to beat up assholes who think they can get away with dissing his height. Somewhere along the line he stopped growing while his friends, older brother, and younger sister didn't. It was complete bullshit.
At this point you're most likely wondering how tall is Kenny? Well he doesn't even really know himself. He believes that he's at least 5ft, he forgot when his last check up was but the nurses don't tell you your exact height accurately anyway. So, seeing as how his friends and siblings are all pass the five foot mark, Kenny assumes he's stuck at exactly 5ft. No one can tell him otherwise, with or without proof.
"Hey Mini Kenny!"
His heart picking up a slight pace, the teen pauses, averting his narrowing hazel eyes from off the ground and looking in the direction he heard the irksome sobriquet being shouted from. Across the street, he spots Stan waving at him, his other hand holding a pink leash. Stan looks both ways before crossing the street.
He may look annoyed, but Kenny is actually glad to see his black haired friend for he has a subtle but huge crush on the noirette. He likes when it's just the two of them together.
"You headed somewhere?" Stan asks once he stops next to Kenny.
Kenny hates that he has to raise his head to look him in the eyes, his glare hardening. "No, was just walkin' around. And don't ever call me that again." He'll never admit this out loud, but he doesn't mind it when Stan calls him weird or even cringy nicknames aimed at his godforsaken height. Sometimes Kenny finds them funny.
In Stan's eyes, Kenny resembles an angry puppy that will potentially bite your finger off if you piss it off enough. Stan is only partially ashamed to admit that his imagination of Kenny as a pup looks far cuter than his own dog, which is already getting restless by the way, whining and pawing at his feet for them to get a move on. He waves off Kenny's threat. "Yeah or you'll destroy my kneecaps, anyway mind if we walk around together? I still got a few minutes left to walk Sparky."
Feeling heat rising within his cheeks, Kenny looks away with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "Sure."
Their aimless stroll commences without anymore words exchanged between them, relishing the chilly evening air and the soft sound of passing by cars. Not many people are out, which is the norm here in South Park. The streets are always peaceful and quiet, no matter the time of day. Kenny is glad that when a mild gust of wind kicks in he has a reason to pull his hood over his head, his cheeks have been feeling like a mini heater this whole time, he's positive the blush has been annoyingly prominent.
Stan seems not fazed by the breeze with nothing on top of his head, his dark locks swaying in the current. Though he is disappointed that he can't see Kenny's flushed face anymore. He shoves his hand into his brown jackets pocket, to keep from inching the blonde's hood back. He'd risk losing his entire hand instead of a finger. He then wonders what would be a good conversation starter, usually Kenny already has a topic in mind to fill any sort of silence, but he appears disinclined to talk so it's up to Stan this time. Somehow, he feels nervous.
"Pretty cold out huh?" Wow, good one Stan, mentioning the weather will surely have you two talking for minutes, he mentally scolds himself.
"Yeah, it is Fall after all," Kenny says with a humored scoff.
"Right..." Stan mutters, abashed. Kenny laughs at his embarrassment, then there's silence between them once again. It lasts for a short while until Stan recalls something.
"Oh yeah, how come you were looking so down a few minutes ago?"
Kenny grimaces. He just had to notice didn't he? "Take a guess."
It takes Stan nearly a minute to figure it out, he rolls his eyes. "Aw c'mon, there's nothing wrong with you're height dude. You're fine."
Kenny shoots him a glare. "Would you still think that way if you were in my shoes?"
"Honestly speaking yeah, I would." Kenny studies his features. But when Stan looks down at him, with a heart-melting smile, his face becomes so warm that not even the Autumn draft can cool him off. "Kenny, whether you're short or tall, I'll always like you."
Kenny was lost in a sea of sapphire until he heard the word 'like', and somehow that single word prompted him to speak. "I like you too." After realizing what he just said, he stops in his tracks, a horrified look developing on his beet red face.
Stan does the same, but his expression looks a bit hopeful. "You...what?"
"I-I uhh..." Kenny didn't mean to blurt that out, even if it's true. But since he did, he can't take it back. "Fuck it, I said I like you too!" Too embarrassed, he tugs his hood down to hide his madly flustered face.
Slipping the hand loop of the leash down to his wrist, Stan closes the small distance, smiling so big that his jaw is starting to feel sore. Kenny likes him too, he seriously can't believe it. Perhaps he should have Kenny repeat himself one last time, that way he'll be thoroughly convinced. "Kenny?" When he doesn't budge, Stan gently grips Kenny's hands, noting how small they are compared to his own but can pack quite a punch. Gently, he forces Kenny's hands to pry off his hood, but he keeps his head down, his ears red. Stan lowers their hands, but doesn't let go. "Kenny, look at me." He doesn't comply. "Please?"
With a groan, Kenny reluctantly lifts his head, his eyes unable to look directly back into Stan's own. Stan is using every fiber of his being to restrain himself from hugging the blonde as if he's his favorite childhood teddy bear, but he's being irresistibly adorable right now so it's kind of difficult.
"Can you say it one more time?"
"I already said it twice though," Kenny groans again.
"Pleeeease?"
Against his better judgement, Kenny finally looks at Stan, regretting it instantly when he sees the pleading pout on his face. Damn it, so he can look cute too huh? "Fine, I like you. There, happy now?" Stan suddenly wraps his arms around him, his face buried in his chest. He inhales a piquant scent of cologne, though faint and only for a few moments. Stan pulls back slightly, crisp air overpowering the cedarwood smell in the form of a tender breeze.
"I couldn't be happier," Stan says endearingly. He leans down and gives Kenny a quick peck on the lips, leaving the blonde dazed. Abruptly, a low buzzing sound startles them.
Stan reaches inside his jackets pocket, pulling out his smartphone. He frowns disappointingly at his illuminated screen.
"What is it?" Kenny asks, frowning also.
"Forgot I set a timer for how long I walk Sparky," Stan tells him as he turns his phone off and puts it back into his pocket. "It just went off."
Neither teen wants to leave the other's presence, especially not after the moment they just had. "Oh, well before you go..." Standing on the tips of his toes, Kenny presses his lips against Stan's. They stay like that for several seconds, then Kenny lowers himself back down on the soles of his feet. He grins at Stan's stupefied expression. "That's how you kiss someone."
Stan snaps out of it with a blink. "Wha-but I-"
"A peck on the lips ain't a kiss," Kenny deadpans, still grinning.
"I-I know that!" Stan glares at him, his blush deepening.
"Suuure ya do."
They then bid each other farewell, both boys experiencing a bubbly feeling in their chest as they go to their separate homes. Kenny starts to think that being short maybe isn't that bad after all, but then he recalls how he had to stand on his tiptoes to kiss Stan...Never mind, being short still sucks.
(A/n: Hope this was good fluff lol I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter will be up soon)
