Kenny
Staring up at the sky, Kenny sucked in a breath and absently prodded his cheek with his tongue. Each footstep echoed down the empty street, an ode to how quiet the world around him was. He'd always appreciated the silence. No matter how many people you surrounded yourself with in futile attempts to pretend you weren't lonely, in the end, the empty blackness would return and you'd be alone again. Kenny had discovered long ago that it was best to make peace with the dark rather than fear it.
Tasting the ridiculous lipstick he'd stolen from Kyle's mom still on his lips, Kenny pulled a face and wiped off the remaining color from his lips. Just because he dressed up like a girl for the fantasy game didn't mean he had any love for the stupidly sparkly crap that women spread all over their faces. He understood its place in the universe, but he'd had too many instances of accidentally gluing his eyes together with mascara to enjoy it.
Of course, that was the price he had to pay to go through the game unquestioned. He was surprised, actually, he'd expected either Kyle or Stan to confront him about letting them have the stick. Neither of them had. Kenny was almost disappointed. Then again, there was the reason he'd dressed up as a girl. It was because if he looked like a woman, people would let him get away with anything including meddling in everyone's business and controlling Cartman's actions nine times out of ten. He supposed that Kyle and Stan were too wary to actually bring up the matter, probably because they were sure they'd be implicated in the process. Well, all the better for him.
After all, without him, how would anything get done at all?
Speaking of things that he'd messed with… Kenny turned around briefly. Though he couldn't see Tweek's house, he could imagine it. Among the many things he enjoyed observing, Tweek had recently become quite a prominent feature. He'd always enjoyed the odd, twitchy boy, but things had gotten so much more interesting when Craig had been added to the mix.
Tweek had continuously been a source of entertainment for Kenny. When he'd first seen the boy, back when they were in kindergarten, he'd thought, as everyone else did, that he was weird and off-putting, but unlike everyone else, Kenny had found this something to encourage rather than suppress. Now, he wouldn't be so arrogant as to claim that Tweek's whole school experience had been his doing, but he'd certainly worked hard at keeping the boy just as crazy and paranoid and fascinating as ever. And every now and then, he'd flit through Tweek's orbit and check to make sure the boy wasn't completely losing his mind.
If he was being honest, it went deeper than just curiosity. To Kenny, Tweek had always represented an interesting class of humanity. It had started when the shorter blond had first told Kenny that he'd seen you die just y-yesterday! What are you doing here!? WHY ARE YOU ALIVE?! It had sort of snowballed from there. Kenny had never been sure how to coax the blond into friendship, so he'd just done his best to be there when his crazy parents were being especially heinous and he'd made sure to keep Tweek from growing too complacent with solitude.
All in all, the boy had never really encouraged or deterred Kenny so he'd decided that it was all okay. In love and war, all was fair, after all.
Craig, on the other hand, was a very different story. Kenny had picked him out, among others, as another interest of his. Not quite to the extent that Tweek was, but Kenny certainly made sure to irritate the boy just enough to keep himself in the Noirette's periphery. They were similar after all, and Kenny loved nothing more than to bother people. To be fair, it wasn't that he tried to bother anyone, he just liked to keep most people on edge, people were more likely to trust him if he did. Be too nice and people suspected you, be too hostile and people were off-put, but if you could be just annoying enough to hit the sweet spot, people would tell you anything.
Then again, Craig had never told Kenny much of anything. No, the boy had been forced to figure out most things on his own. It helped that his sister and Craig's little sister were best friends. That gave him as much of a way in as he needed. So sometimes, he'd show up in Craig's room and sit on the boy's floor and talk to the Noirette, even though the boy didn't usually talk back. Though Craig openly disliked him, Kenny suspected that this was mostly because the boy was jealous that he made not caring look so fun. And Kenny knew, or at least suspected, that Craig needed some people around that were unafraid of him simply because they were, not because they were friends with the boy.
Even if they weren't friends, Kenny had been sure to keep enough fingers in the boy's life that he could insert himself wherever he pleased when he so desired. It was an art. Kenny had lived enough lives to master it.
Never in a million years had Kenny ever expected two of his little projects to collide so spectacularly. But they had, and they'd end up joined at the hip. A perfect example of why you should never combine a lonely, neglected child with a lonely, abused one. You ended up with a codependent relationship that was strong, close and oh so dangerous. And yet Kenny enjoyed it in a certain way, because even though he had to coax it along at times, the two of them were turning into the most interesting thing he'd seen in a long while.
Take just today for example, who would have ever imagined that Tweek and Craig could turn a perfectly normal fight into a Grecian Tragicomedy fit for a stage? Well, Kenny had, but he was the exception. Even so, it was impressive how well the two of them did with the limelight on them. He would have predicted Tweek fleeing and becoming a shut-in again but apparently, they were bent on defying his expectations. And what about Craig? That stoic little pebble had turned into a protective mama bear so quickly Kenny was almost proud.
They grow up so fast, Kenny thought to himself, wiping away an imaginary tear. And to think that none of it, or at least very little of it, would have happened without his masterminding the whole thing. It was almost impressive. Even Cartman hadn't been able to tear it down and goodness knew he'd been trying. Keeping Cartman from messing things up was a feat that even Kenny wasn't used to managing.
Grinning, awe-struck at his own ingenuity, Kenny turned his eyes to where he was going, unwilling to trip or something equally stupid. He was glad he did because the first thing he noticed as he turned the corner was a bowed figure with a fluttering cloak. Eyes widening, Kenny did his best duck and cover, darting out of the way of the person and into the bushes to the side of the sidewalk. He wasn't sure what made him do it, but he was glad he did because a moment later, he recognized the form as Craig Tucker himself, headed down the sidewalk with a backpack slung over his shoulders.
Keeping quiet, the poor boy watched silently as the Noirette approached. Narrowing his gaze, Kenny caught sight of the bruise on the side of the boy's face and the red-rimmed eyes. Taking note of both, Kenny nibbled on his lip as he worked out what he could only assume had happened. Headed for Tweek's house? Hmm… I wonder if Tweek knows why? Letting the thoughts dissipate, Kenny shrugged internally. I'll have to tell Karen to ask Ruby if she's alright.
Waiting patiently for the upset boy to turn the corner, Kenny softly crept out from behind his chosen bit of cover and straightened, sucking in his cheeks in thought. Funny how one walk can bring forth so much interest. Clicking his teeth together once, Kenny decisively turned back towards where he'd been headed and walked down the sidewalk, putting the issue from his mind entirely. Tweekers'll handle it just fine, I'd just be unwelcome.
Besides, he had somewhere he wanted to be. Mood souring at once, Kenny recalled the sight of a tearful Butters being yelled at once again by his dad and he frowned. Far be it for him of all people to comment on how parents should or shouldn't treat their children, but he was perfectly happy to place Butters' father firmly into the category of 'complete dicks'. The boy didn't deserve the shit that was leveled at him, but then, neither did half the kids in this goddamn town so Kenny supposed there was no point to complain about the matter.
Tugging the hood of his parka up and tightening the strings, Kenny stuffed his hands in his pockets and ducked his head down as a car passed him. They didn't stop to question why a kid like him was out at this time of night, but then, just because South Park was a small place didn't mean its residents cared much for each other. Kenny could confidently say that he liked it that way. Just cause he knew everyone didn't mean he wanted everyone to talk to him. No, he very much preferred to be in control of who he talked to and when he chose to converse with them.
Right now, all he wanted to do was get to Butters house so he could roll in through the window and onto the boy's bed where he could cheer the emotional boy up after the tongue lashing he'd no doubt received. That, to Kenny, sounded like a perfect way to spend a night. Humming tunelessly under his breath, Kenny looked both ways before crossing the street before hurrying to the other side. Just because he knew what getting crushed by a speeding vehicle felt like didn't mean he wanted a repeat.
Counting the houses, Kenny swerved into the Stotch's yard, carefully peering through their windows to get a read on where Butters' parents were. After all, the last thing he wanted to do was get the boy in more trouble. He didn't deserve that, not at all. Catching sight of the boy's mom in the kitchen and the boy's dad in front of the television, Kenny quickly darted around towards the side of the house were Butters' room was on. There was nothing to it really, he'd snuck into harder places.
Using a drainpipe that he knew wasn't going to fall on him, like Tweek's had that one time that he preferred to forget, Kenny swung himself up towards Butters' room, a smile on his face. He'd always adored the boy after all, ever since meeting him in fact. He knew full well that Cartman and the others had tried to replace him with Butters once, but he didn't hold that against the sweet blond. The boy wouldn't hurt a fly, much less maliciously try to replace someone. It had just been circumstances, and besides, Kenny almost wanted to thank the other boys for bringing Butters to his attention.
Creeping along the roof towards the boy's bedroom, Kenny jiggled the window carefully until he got the thing unlocked before slowly pushing it up and unceremoniously rolling through Butter's window and into the boy's room. Sitting up on Butters bed, Kenny found the boy in question staring at him from next to the door, half undressed, his Paladin headband still pushing his hair out of his face. As the boy turned bright red and tried to stutter something out, Kenny spread his arms wide and announced, albeit softly, "It's me Butterfree~ Betcha weren't expecting that, huh?"
"Kenny!" the boy squeaked, his big blue eyes widening further as he squirmed under Kenny's gaze. "W-what are you doin' here?" He looked so worried, Kenny started to feel a little guilty. Lowering his arms slightly, the boy in the orange parka reeled back some of his excitement and attempted to look a bit more composed. Butters, meanwhile, stammered, "I mean, it's real late an' all, y'should be in bed!"
"Come on," Kenny coaxed, shutting the window behind him as if to solidify his position in Butters room. "Who needs to go to bed when there's you to talk to?" Flopping down on Butters' bed, which was a great deal more comfortable than his own, Kenny propped his chin up on his elbows and gave the boy a wide grin. "Trust me Butternut, there's nothing I like more than coming over here."
That was actually true, Kenny liked being around Butters more than he did most anyone, excepting his little sister. The boy was much kinder than the rest of South Park, and honest to a fault. Whereas most people got annoyed when Kenny showed up unannounced, Butters always seemed to be genuinely happy and though the boy didn't really mind annoying people, he liked that there was one person who actually wanted him around.
Suddenly jerking back into action, as if needing to do something, the smaller blond stumbled around trying to get out of his Paladin costume. "I-I dunno Kenny, I'm already in enough trouble as it is!" Watching the boy's back as he finally managed to pull off the turquoise tunic he spent most of his afternoons in, Kenny allowed his face to fall into a frown. Of course, he already knew that, but he would rather not tell Butters that he'd seen his parents berating him. It's embarrassing, after all.
So instead he pulled a pout just as Butters turned back to him and said, "Aww, what's that supposed to mean? Why would you get in trouble?" When Butters muttered under his breath, Kenny dragged his bottom lip in and nibbled at it. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have had a problem with coercing the information from them, but Butters was different. Kenny didn't like manipulating the boy, it always left him with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Thankfully, this time, it didn't take any coercion. "M-my parent's grounded me again," Butters' muttered, probably trying to sound mad but only sounding pitifully upset. Heart lurching, Kenny held back the anger that always surged up when he heard of the continuous injustices leveled at Butters by his parents. Instead, he watched as the boy struggled into his soft pajamas while he continued, "If they caught y'up here, I'd b-be in all sorts'a trouble."
Sitting upright so he could cross his legs under him, Kenny pulled down the hood of his parka and said, "Come on, grounded again?" choosing to completely ignore the second part of the sentence. When Butters turned to look at him, Kenny let a sympathetic expression come over his face. "What was it this time?"
"It wasn't even m-me!" Butters exclaimed softly, crossing his arms over his chest and wandering over towards his closet. "It was Craig an' Tweek and them all breakin' Craig outta detention! I didn't even think it was a good idea! I told y'at lunch, it's s-stupid, it'll only get us in trouble an' stuff. " Feeling a knot of guilt well up in his chest, Kenny pulled a face that Butters didn't see. He couldn't help but feel partially responsible for the whole thing. It had been his idea, after all, to break Craig out of detention in the first place. "But now I'm grounded 'cause they all got in trouble for it an' my dad doesn't want me t'get any ideas or nothin'."
Stuffing his own thoughts back into his skull, Kenny spread his arms wide and said, "Come on, do they really think you'd do something like that?" Shaking his head, tutting under his breath, Kenny said, "Your parents just don't know you that well Butterfly, you're much too smart to be breaking anyone out of detention."
Looking up at him, Butters turned pink and mumbled, "Ah, well, I dunno 'bout that, I guess I just don't got the guts t'do something like that." Hanging up his costume, Butters stared into his closet for a moment more before closing the doors and wandering over to his light switch. "Y'all are much more brave than I am."
Disliking the self-deprecating tone Butters had somehow picked up, Kenny shook his head and frowned as the boy turned the lights out, leaving only his bedside lamp on. "You know that's not true, you're one of the best warriors in the whole game!" Kenny insisted truthfully. "We wouldn't be doing nearly so well if it weren't for you."
Shuffling towards his bed, Butters climbed into the thing and huddled up under the covers, his toes digging under Kenny's leg as if to warm them up. "I'm not gonna be much use t'anyone for a few days," he told Kenny, resting his arms on his knees, which he had drawn to his chest. "I'm gonna be trapped up here for so long, y'might finish th' game without me!"
Leaning towards the boy, Kenny bent down till he was able to look into Butters' eyes before saying, "Don't worry, as the Princess, I'll make sure to visit you every day if I have to." He meant it too, he'd do anything to get Butters to smile, even just a little bit. Just as he'd hoped, the blond smiled slightly and turned pink, as he was given to do when anyone complimented him. "Besides," Kenny continued, physically having to shake himself away from staring into Butters' eyes. "I'll bet you anything Tweek and Craig will be in detention for at least a day after this debacle."
Shifting under the covers, Butters sighed and said, "I guess you're right…"
"Of course I am!" Kenny said brightly sitting up and putting his hands on his hips so he could puff his chest out proudly. "I'm always right about these kinds of things Butterscotch, just you wait. Those two will be stuck in detention, practically sitting in each other's laps for at least two days after this."
Giggling, Butters grinned and said, "Y-you've gotta point there, they are awful close, aren't they?" His eyes lit up as he thought about it, as if the thought of Tweek and Craig made him strangely happy. "I mean, I thought they didn't much like each other, after fighin' like they did, b-but they seem to be buddies now!"
"You don't know the half of it," Kenny crooned, falling over so he was resting against Butters knees. Waving his hands ceiling-ward, Kenny continued, "You'd have thought that they wouldn't get along after beating the stuffing out of each other but look at them now! Those two are joined at the hip, they are inseparable if you ask me."
Letting out another one of his cute giggles, Butters agreed, "They really are! They're such good friends, it makes me happy to see Tweek finally found someone t'talk to. He was so lonely before, y'know?" As if an idea had just seized him, Butters let out a little gasp and asked, "D-d'y'think that maybe, I dunno, Craig and Tweek have got crushes on each other?" When Kenny straightened abruptly and turned to look at the boy, Butters flushed and quickly continued, "I mean, I know they're both boys an' all, b-but that don't really matter, r-right?"
As I've said before, the poster children for seeing what you want to. Unable to come up with something coherent to say, Kenny finally settled on laughing and half tackling the boy in a hug. "Oh Butters, my sweet, adorable little ball of confusion, you're so precious. So precious," he cooed, picturing Tweek and Craig together and snickering at it again. "Wouldn't that just be the bestest if they ended up together?" Letting go of the spluttering blond, Kenny fell back on the pillow next to the boy and spread his hands wide. "Tweek and Craig, the best couple you'd ever seen."
Relaxing against his own pillow, Butters admitted, "I think it'd be real sweet if they got together, y'know, cause they're so close now." Leave it to Butters of all people to see a romantic relationship where everyone else is too blind to seen anything but a platonic one. Grinning, Kenny rolled over and snuggled up against the boy, delighting in the embarrassed squeaks he managed to provoke from Butters.
"I think it would be amazing," Kenny agreed, stilling as he curled up over the covers that Butters was curled up beneath. Taking a moment to just quietly breathe, listening to the other boy's breathing as well, Kenny mumbled through his face full of covers, "Of course, you know South Park, they'd probably hate them for it."
"I dunno about that," Butters answered back, his voice sounding tired, making Kenny feel his own exhaustion begin to creep up on him. "I think we're getting' better, doncha think? I mean, m-maybe we're not all that nice right now, b-but I think that if they did end up fallin' in love an' such, people wouldn't mind all that much."
"I hope you're right Buttercream," Kenny commented, rolling over so he was staring at the ceiling. Sitting up, even though he could have lain next to Butters all night, the boy continued, "Of course, we'll need to finish the game first, otherwise Cartman will make their lives hell."
"Eric's not all that bad," Butters insisted, fidgeting with his covers as he got comfortable. "H-he can be a big ol' meanie sometimes, b-but I think he's just lonely." Closing his eyes, the boy finished, "Deep down, he ain't all that bad. No one's that evil once you get down to their gooey center."
Staring down at the boy, fighting the burst of jealousy that leaped up, Kenny muttered, "I suppose you're right Butterfly, I suppose you're right." As he watched the boy's body relax as sleep claimed him, Kenny reflected that it didn't take a lot of digging to get to Butters' gooey center.
As the boy slipped into sleep, Kenny slowly slipped off of the boy's bed and turned off his bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness, all except for the windows, which cast moonlight over Butters' bed. Clambering back onto the boy's bed, Kenny looked down at the peacefully sleeping boy. His hands were drawn close to his face and his lips were parted slightly like he'd been about to say something else but had fallen asleep before he could.
Staring down at the boy, Kenny felt that by-now familiar flutter in his chest and let out a long, slow sigh. He'd memorized every bit of the boy, from his pale, river blue eyes to his floppy, bleach blond hair, to his soft, round face that screamed innocent and kind. Really, Kenny knew that he was only torturing himself with what he couldn't have, but he hadn't exactly had a say in the matter. Sometimes, his brain did what it wanted and he couldn't stop it or even begin to slow it down.
Which was probably why he'd fallen head over heels for Butters after first meeting him.
Puffing out his cheeks, Kenny let out a soft laugh and said, "Latter Butternut, keeping being you for me, alright?" When the sleeping boy didn't answer, Kenny turned and pushed open the window before slipping through it and clambering onto the roof.
After all, he'd see the boy tomorrow. For now, there was a lot he had to do.
