Author's Note: This was one of my favorite chapters to write, so I really hope you like it. Thank you all so much for reading, I know I say it a lot but I can't thank you enough. :)
Also, when I wrote this I actually had no idea "Christmukkah" was a real thing. Literally just found out about five seconds ago. Huh.
Chapter Thirteen: Happy Christmukkah, Here's the Kicker
"What's your favorite color?" Butters asked.
"This is stupid," Kenny whispered as he sat across the blonde on the floor of his bedroom.
So far this was how their winter break had gone. Each day was spent visiting Karen, snowball fights, sledding, Christmukkah (what Kenny and Stan had "invented" long ago so Kyle didn't feel so alone), hot cocoa, sleep overs, video games, movie nights, "Kingdom Hearts", and "therapy sessions." And by therapy it was simply Butters asking Kenny ridiculous questions in attempts for Kenny's voice to go back to normal.
"Is not," Butters whined and rolled from his bed and onto the floor next to Kenny with a loud thump.
"It is when you already know the answers," Kenny retorted and laid down on the floor alongside Butters. They hadn't talked about what happened between them the night before winter break. It seemed like a silent mutual agreement to never bring it up. "Fine, orange," Kenny sighed in a huff, yet he wore a smile. Butters beamed and they both looked up at the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. The air was chilly in Butters' room; that's why he was in a blanket. Kenny, on the other hand, simply wore his old grey hoodie that hung baggy on his lanky body. Both boys had slightly turned their heads to face each other.
"How is Karen today?"
"She got to eat Jell-O so that's an improvement. And she's starting physical therapy to get back to walking tomorrow. But other than that it's about the same, sleeps a lot, talks a little. It's hitting her randomly and hard about mom... and that Stuart hasn't visited her. She's opening all her presents on Christmas... she wants Kev to come but I doubt he will."
"Can I join?" Butters asked, Kenny shrugged and nodded. "It's sure nice to hear you talk again," the older boy scoffed, barely. "I have an idea!"
"Hmm?" Kenny questioned lazily as he propped his head on his arms like a pillow. As he bent his arms back his shirt lifted and Butters couldn't help himself from staring at the sliver of skin peeking at him from under his shirt.
"Why don't you try singing?" Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Singing is used for speech therapy, it could work to project your voice. It didn't work for me but I'm like Mumble from "Happy Feet."" Kenny chuckled, he doubted that. "But you're like... amazing. At singing." Butters quickly added the last part when catching Kenny's smirk.
"What would you like me to sing?"
"Your favorite song." Kenny sighed heavily at this and pondered about what his favorite song was. He didn't really have a favorite song or artist or even a favorite genre of music he listened to. He grew up with classic rock, rockabilly, and country. He used to listen to teenwave but he outgrew that shit real fast. Dubstep sounded like dial-up, Gwar and Amon Amarth reminded Kenny of Kevin's raunchy booty calls he had the displeasure of hearing due to the fact they shared a room up until Karen let Kevin have hers three years ago. He did like rock, and techno was always fun to do his dorky little dance to. He was indifferent to top 40s. And he was favorable to bands who had awesome guitarists. So Kenny decided to sing his mom's favorite song, the one she always sang to him to sleep when he was younger.
"I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind
Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, all your money won't another minute buy
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind..."
Kenny finished singing with a little bit of vibrato in his voice and felt his throat was sore due to lack of use and suddenly singing crescendos. He rubbed at and cleared his throat, then looked at Butters who was silent. Finally he looked at Kenny and shook his head in awe.
"Why are you not in choir?" Butters cried, "we need you!"
"I can't afford the deposit," Kenny answered truthfully, voice at a strained higher volume. Butters grimaced and sighed heavily.
"Well that was amazing. And Kansas? I sure haven't heard them in a long time." Kenny smiled and looked up at the plastic stars again.
Silence fell over them and Butters finally looked away from Kenny and toward his dresser. His heart fell and he felt nervousness rise as he turned back to Kenny, who wore a calm expression as he stared up at the stars with his arms tucked under his head. He had never found the time and place to say this, and if he had thought coming out to his best friend had been difficult... then this would be even worse. But considering all he made Kenny do the past few days, he should do something in return.
"Ken can I tell you something?" Butters asked quietly, nervously, and Kenny nodded. "Well, r-remember when we were kids and the girls played with the fortune teller and you all wanted me to get it and so I had to dress up as a girl?"
"Marjorine?" Kenny asked with a smirk, "ha, yeah, I remember." Butters' face fell, causing the older boy to tilt his head, "why?"
"I still..." he trailed off and covered his face in his hands. Kenny was suddenly struck with realization and nudged Butters.
"Just for fun? Or...?" he didn't finish his sentence and Butters shrugged his shoulders before mumbling something incoherently. Kenny sighed as he lifted the smaller boy's face in his hand.
"Lee, c'mon..." he coaxed gently. Butters couldn't tear his gaze away from Kenny's oceanic puppy dog eyes.
"Some days... I dunno... I just feel like I'm Leopold... but then others I feel like I'm more like a girl. B-Bebe told me it's called gender queer or bi-gender and that it's common. But I-I understand if you..."
"Please, for fuck's sake tell me the name of your... female side is not named fucking Marjorine." Butters blushed darkly.
"No, I don't really... have a name, I just don't think of it that way." Kenny shrugged.
"If I had a chick counterpart her name would be Kendall. And she'd be fuckin' ugly. I guess there's Kendra but I hate that name." Butters burst out laughing when hearing the sincerity in Kenny's voice. "What?!" Butters shook his head and stifled his laughs. "I'd have no boobs, I'm skinny as fuck so everyone would think I'm anorexic and I'd have a weird fucking face." Butters shook his head as tears of laughter streaked down his face. His body shook with quiet giggles and Kenny jokingly glared at him.
"I just think you'd be a blonde Karen but with blue eyes instead of hazel." Kenny shrugged but then shook his head.
"She looks more like mom, I only got mom's eyes... and the Gillan blonde hair." Butters nodded slowly, "mom's family," Kenny mumbled, as if that explained everything. To Butters, it did.
"Well you don't look like your dad."
"That's because he's all bloated from the alcohol," Kenny replied slightly jokingly, "do you dress like a girl then?" Butters blushed and gnashed his knuckles together. Kenny's eyes lit up. "You do. Can I see?" Butters sighed with nervousness and nodded slowly. He then went to his dresser and smiled weakly at Kenny before exiting the room.
Kenny knew Butters was very attractive, and he wasn't biased because he had been harboring feelings for him for the past three or so years. He was an average height yet had a smaller build. Butters even had curve in his hips and the hottest ass in skinny jeans Kenny had ever seen; even hotter than Bebe's... and damn. His hair was quite long but still shorter than Kenny's so he couldn't judge on that. Butters was hot, beautiful in a slightly androgynous way. And fuck it if Butters was gender queer or whatever the fuck he identified with, it didn't change anything except Kenny might be able to see Butters in a dress; and the thought of that was too much for Kenny to handle.
He would totally ask Butters out if he knew he couldn't do better. Kenny was headed nowhere fast; Butters was a genius. He would only hinder his success and tarnish whatever name he would make of himself. He'd always be there for his best friend, though; he just wanted to see him happy. It was a yo-yo of emotions; the way they acted like nothing happened even though less than two weeks ago they had made out with each other.
Kenny's thoughts came to a crashing halt as he caught sight of the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes upon.
Long, curly blonde hair cascaded on his best friend's shoulders. Elegant and almost professional makeup accentuated Butters' icy eyes, apple cheeks, and pouty lips. A simple v-neck light blue shirt clung to his petite frame and a pair of small, yellow, fleece pajama shorts reached his shaved upper thigh. Kenny knew the shorts rode up his backside and he silently begged for Butters to turn around.
He hadn't realized his cheeks were flushed and he wasn't breathing until he inhaled shakily. His blood flowed with lust he tried so hard to control. It was hard enough being around Butters, who unknowingly teased him with every giggle and playful touch that suggested something more than their current stance. It took all of Kenny's mental and physical strength to not pounce on Butters and... well he never really got passed that part. More like he wouldn't allow himself to.
Kenny just stared, with his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
"I-I usually sleep like this. I'd never go to school..."
"Hmm..." Kenny managed to hum and he shifted his body carefully before laying on his stomach, he grimaced at the discomfort.
"Ken, are you okay? You don't look so good." Kenny shook his head.
"I'm fine... you look great, Lee." He assured and took a slow, deep breath. Dammit to hell.
"You sure? A-about both things. I-I hope I didn't upset you." Butters murmured, placing a hand on Kenny's shoulder; he stiffened and tensed at the contact. "I'm sorry." Butters was squeaked in shock as Kenny lunged forward and entangled their lips together in as much want and passion he could muster. The smaller boy boy moaned in surprise and kissed back cautiously; he hoped with every caress of their tender lips that this would never end... but it always seemed to.
Kenny groaned quietly as Butters seemed to accidentally nip his lip. He couldn't help himself; his tongue parted Butters' lips and he rolled over so Butters could be more comfortable. The smaller boy's legs settled on either side of Kenny and he hovered over him, so close to touching but not quite.
"Lee..." Kenny whispered and closed his eyes as he began to suck and nibble the soft skin on Butters' neck. "Is this okay?" He felt the boy squirm and nod as his nails dug in his flesh. Kenny arched his back as pleasure and lust poisoned his blood. Butters pressed more of his weight down on Kenny; he desperately needed that friction. He couldn't... but it felt so good. Kenny hissed as he felt Butters adjust his legs, and possibly try to grind, against him. His hips rolled slowly, experimentally, and all Kenny felt was fire in his body as he felt the arousal of the smaller boy and his body so close to his.
His hands ran over Butters' back, over the curve of his spine, and to his ass.
"K-Ken..." Butters whimpered, his cheeks flushed and breathing ragged. "What are we doing?" Butters sat up slightly and put his weight on Kenny's lap. He slightly lifted Kenny's shirt and trailed his fingers up the smooth and bruised skin. He would kiss every scar if he could... make every wound and every hurt that marred Kenny's skin into something he could appreciate. He felt every muscle of Kenny's twitch from the caress and ever bone protruding from his skin as his breath heaved raggedly in and out. "I mean... obviously I like you and I think you like me too... I like you, okay? I just didn't think someone as good as you would like me and... I mean, you're my first real kiss and I sure want it to mean something."
Kenny sighed and his eyes fell as he twirled a lock of hair from the wig. He reached up and cupped Butters' face with his other hand.
"I can't do this to you," Kenny mumbled sadly, Butters tilted his head. "I can't be what you want me to be because that's not me. And I'm not good for you." Against his words, Butters shook his head.
"I don't see how or why 'c-'cause you're my best friend, you're good for me like that... I just... like you a lot. I love you. And I don't want to turn out like Stan and Kyle. They're so confused and d-don't know what they want. But... I just... want you." Butters blushed and moved his hips against Kenny's slowly, causing the boy beneath him to hiss a deep breath. "And I'm pretty sure you feel the same way." Kenny held Butters' hand and smiled sadly.
"You're my best friend and I don't want to fuck that up." Butters took off the wig and wiped off the makeup with his hand. "I just... don't want to lose you." Butters shook his head and slowly lifted Kenny's shirt off of his torso. The boy beneath him squirmed slightly and blushed.
Too skinny, too gaunt, marred and bruised and beaten to match the weary soul within. Scratches and scars, colors of all types made his body a canvas of the effect of a punching bag. Butters ran his hands up from his navel, passed his hollow stomach and jutted ribcage, to his chest, and to his heart. He felt the organ flutter frantically beneath his skin with a beat much faster than he had ever felt. Butters then dipped his head and pressed a gentle kiss to his heart, to the faded autopsy scars and various bruises and scratches that lines his upper body.
"What are you doing?" Kenny finally asked hesitantly as his nerves of being unclothed finally began to settle. Butters smiled softly as he pulled his head away from Kenny's abdomen.
"Kissing you... the parts of you that no one remembers. The parts of you that have only been hurt."
Butters swore he saw tears in Kenny's eyes, yet the more experienced boy just smiled and enclosed his hand with his. Of course, Butters had to give up trying to kiss every single scar, he had gotten to 37, but Kenny had been attentive to each kiss. Butters didn't ask where or when, all he knew was Kenny's body was littered with horrors and pain no one remembered except himself, and that his mind, heart, and soul must be in the same scars and bruises. As he finally gave up and laid down next to Kenny, their temples touched as they silently gazed at the plastic stars, Butters made it his goal to make all of that hurt vanish. No matter what.
That night, or early morning, Kenny left Butters' house before Mr. and Mrs. Stotch woke up to check on their son; usually that happened at 5:00 in the morning. He tried sleeping in his uncomfortable broken bed with too-thin sheets and a freezing draft coming from the broken window. His mind wouldn't let him sleep, anyway. He was confused about what had happened between him and Butters; no one had ever been so intimate with him and yet it felt purely innocent. It was the weirdest thing... but it was Butters. He still didn't want to ruin his best friend's life, but he'd just have to see where things went from here.
Kenny turned right on the corner from Butters' house and headed up two blocks. There, he stood in front of Bebe Steven's house and grimaced slightly. It was still technically dark out in South Park, and her parents were light sleepers. But he needed her help.
Taking a deep breath, the blonde took a running leap and latched his fingers into the gutter of her house. Quickly, he swung himself up onto the slanted roof with ninja-like reflexes. Silently, he tip-toed to the second window and nearly slipped yet caught his balance. He quietly tapped five times on Bebe's window and waited. He was greeted with a gust of hot air and a baseball bat in front of his face. The blonde girl pulled back the bat when seeing it was Kenny, barely in time to avoid losing a couple of teeth, and set it on the ground.
"What the hell are you doing? Get your ass in here." She whispered in a growl and pulled him in by the collar of his parka. Not so gracefully, he stumbled in and fell on the white plush carpet of her room. He was still shocked at how girly her room was, even though he had been in there more times than her boyfriend. The walls were a Pepto Bismol pink and the floor was the softest carpet he had ever felt; it was probably more comfortable to sleep on than his bed.
"I need help." Kenny mumbled incoherently, then pulled down the hood to his parka. He discarded the wet garment on her floor and Bebe glared at him.
"At 6:00 in the God damn morning?" Kenny sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders. "Fucking Christ..." She set down the baseball bat by her bed and laid back down. He looked up at her from the floor.
"I heard you're the best with this kind of stuff." Bebe eyed him suspiciously a moment before a smirk crossed her lips. Interest gleamed in her eyes as she looked down at Kenny.
"Fuck, McCormick, are you coming out to me?"
"No. Well... no. Maybe. Yes. I don't know..." he responded, causing her to giggle quietly into her hand. Kenny exhaled lowly and rubbed his hands on his neck. "Butters told me he's gender queer. And... I want him to like... feel comfortable about it. And I want to do something for him to show that it's cool." Bebe nodded and ran a hand through her sleep-mussed blonde curls.
"Fuck him until he can't stand for a week?" Kenny rolled his eyes and shook his head; that was not what he had in mind. "I'm kidding, kind of. I don't know... what would you be willing to do?"
"Considering who I am... just about anything and everything." He responded, which caused Bebe to snort. "I just think this is something big... and he's probably scared shitless." Bebe shrugged her shoulders and yawned into her hand.
"You could dress in drag and do the hula," she jokingly suggested.
"I'm not a fucking lemur," Kenny grumbled and yawned quietly; he was ridiculously tired yet there was a lot he had to do and he couldn't rest.
"Timon was a meerkat, not a lemur," Bebe countered; the blonde boy shot her a dirty look and she rolled her eyes.
Kenny and Bebe had a weird relationship. Most people thought they were either in a relationship or couldn't stand each other. One day they could be giving each other bedroom eyes and sharing cigarettes at the back of the school and the next they could be barking insults at each other in the middle of class. What they had was understanding. They got high together and didn't question each other as to why they'd meet up nearly every night. Both knew it was to avoid some sort of shit going on in their lives but it didn't matter. They simply understood. And as the two hung out more they realized they were nearly the male and female versions of each other; she was a bitch, he was an asshole. The only difference was Bebe didn't die all of the time.
"Do something outrageous, something completely not you. Something like..."
"Like dressing up as my inner sexy chick and shakin' my stuff around school?" Bebe looked at him oddly and slowly shook her head after a moment.
"You'd be a fuckin' ugly girl."
"Yeah, that's why I said in-ner." Kenny retorted, pronouncing the last word slowly. The blonde girl chuckled lightly.
"Well... you could join our girl power up routine for the student council benefit." Kenny tilted his head. "You know, the fundraiser for student council where it's pretty much a Battle of the Bands without the band because no one actually has a band. All of us cheerleaders wanted to do our own songs and no one would ever expect you to do that." Hearing the words he had said before caused him to seriously consider doing this. All signals were blaring and he felt highly uncomfortable... but maybe this was something he could do. He could sing okay... and she was right; no one would expect Kenny McCormick to sing as a girl for a student council fundraiser.
"What would I do?" He finally asked; Bebe grinned.
"We're all singing different female empowerment songs... I'm going to be singing "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj, Red is performing "Crazy Kids" by Kesha, Wendy "I Don't Care" by Icona Pop, and Nichole is singing "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga."
"How are those empowering?" Kenny asked in confusion. Bebe rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly.
"That's besides the point. Would you do it?"
"The only girl singers I really know sing rock." Bebe shrugged her shoulders and Kenny sighed; he could try listening to pop music for a little bit. But Karen didn't even listen to pop; her favorite band was Flyleaf. The closest to pop his sister even listened to was Lindsey Stirling, the instrumentalist.
"Well pick one, you want to do this for Butters, right?" She asked, Kenny nodded hesitantly. "What size of clothes do you wear? I'll buy you an outfit and you have to wear makeup..." he shrugged his shoulders. Been there, done that.
"I don't really know, I just wear Kevin's old clothes. He wears size 32," Bebe nodded slowly; his cheeks turned crimson.
"Well you're a twig and your clothes are a pound away from falling off," Bebe stood up and walked to her wardrobe. She dug around the third shelf and pulled out a pair of grey skinny jeans. "Try these."
Kenny caught the jeans as she tossed them and unbuckled the tightly secured belt. Just like she thought, his jeans fell from his bony waist in a heap on the floor and she whistled lowly.
"Damn boy, when's the last time you ate?" She asked as Kenny hopped into the legs of Bebe's jeans.
"Good question," he replied as he pulled them up his pale wispy legs. He zipped them and blushed a little darker as he realized they fit nearly perfectly, size wise, but were much too short.
"Jesus Christ these fit you better than me." Bebe gasped, "you're a skeleton, there's a turkey in the fridge for tonight. Do you want me to get it for you?" Kenny shook his head. "Well, those are a size five in girls which is fucked up 'cause you're tall. So you're going to wear whatever I find for you and let me do whatever I want with your face and body." Kenny smirked.
"With pleasure," he purred as he stroked her cheek. Bebe rolled her eyes and punched him lightly.
"Whatever, come over to my house in two days. I'll have everything then. Now get the fuck out of my room." She grabbed Kenny by the ear and dragged him to the window. He gave her a look, flipped her off and hopped onto the roof. He looked back at the pretty blonde and smiled softly at her.
"Thanks, B," he murmured, she nodded and sent a warm smile back at him.
"Hey, Kenny... merry Christmas." He nodded, waved her off, and hopped down the roof.
As he began his walk to the his house, his phone vibrated multiple times and Kenny realized someone was calling him; Karen. He answered the phone and heard a soft crying on the other end.
"K-Kenny? I need you." Karen sobbed in a whisper.
"What's wrong? I'm on my way..." Kenny trailed off as he stopped at the front the door to his house. He ran down the sidewalk, passed Kyle and Cartman's quiet homes, then Stan's, and Butter's, and everyone else. It was weird that everyone was sleeping. Everything seemed so peaceful.
"I don't know what's wrong..." Karen replied and wept quietly on the phone. Kenny said to her words of reassurance and encouragement; he knew she was in a fragile state. Her emotions were on haywire; sometimes she would have these anger fits that scared the shit out of him but the doctors all told him it was normal coping.
"You're gonna be just fine, Kar-bear. I'm almost there." Kenny told her as he ran passed Tom's Rhinoplasty and the old Hollywood Video. "Did you call a nurse?"
"No, I'm embarrassed." Kenny's eyebrows furrowed as he turned onto the next block and ran straight for the hospital in his line of vision. Soon he was in the doors and making his way up to Karen's room, still on the phone with her. She hadn't told him what was wrong, tried to evade the question, but he knew something was bothering her.
He found her standing by the bathroom with her hands wrapped around her stomach. Kenny rushed over to her and helped her sit down.
"What's going on?" He asked, yawning slightly. He only received about three hours of sleep; his eyes were watering as he tried to stay awake.
"W-well... I... I'm bleeding." Kenny tilted his head curiously and looked his sister over. There was no blood anywhere and she had to be extra careful not to get cuts.
"Where?" he asked, looking at her arms and head extra closely. Her eyes lowered and his face drained of all color. Oh. Oh crap.
"And my stomach hurts really bad and I don't want anything to be wrong..." Kenny took her hand and helped her to the bed. Karen looked up at him with terrified hazel eyes brimming with tears and he sat on the bed next to her.
"Karen, you're not hurt or sick, nothing's wrong..." oh boy. How was he going to go about this? Karen sniffled and tilted her head, just like her older brother.
"Then why... why am I bleeding... down there?" she ended with a whisper, embarrassed beyond reason. He could tell. So he wrapped his arm around his not so little sister and laid back on the bed.
He could call Bebe. She was bound to be awake right now. She would be a lot better at explaining this than him. But Karen barely knew Bebe and she'd be really scared and would lie and say nothing happened. Kenny tried to remember what he learned about the scientific aspect of the female reproductive system and grimaced. This was a conversation he never wanted to have with her; then again it was better than the sex talk he had been intentionally avoiding for years.
"Kar... you know you're a girl, so you have all those girly bits." Kenny tried to keep a straight face as Karen gawked at him with a fiery blush on her cheeks. "And I'm a boy, so I have all these guy bits."
"Kenny!" She gasped, covering her mouth so he couldn't see her grin. He snickered and ruffled her hair.
"See, you won't ever know what happens to guys when they get older. But girls, you gotta know that... here we go..." he reassured himself. Karen's smile faded as she searched his face for answers. "Well... when a girl reaches a certain age, she starts getting tits. And then training bras and the sports bras and then the pretty lacy things that hook in the front..."
"Ke-en!" She whined, covering her face in her hands.
"It's called puberty, Mr. Garrison taught you that."
"Yeah, but then she was Ms. Garrison so it was really awkward because she talked about how tight cunts are the best." Kenny's jaw dropped in shock; it was the first time he had ever heard Karen curse. He didn't even think she knew what that meant. Quickly, he wiped the look off of his face and sighed heavily.
"So, I'm working with a gender-confused... history teacher." Karen nodded once. "Great. You shoulda heard what he said to us. Anyways," he interrupted himself when catching his little sister's curiosity beginning to peek in her eyes. "So, you know the whole you get breasts, you gotta shave your legs and your armpits..." he trailed off and rubbed his neck with his hand awkwardly as he mentally scrubbed his brain of the thoughts currently running through his head. "'Cause only the French don't shave that shit and you gotta do that." Karen nodded and pointed to her smooth legs.
"I got that from mom when I was nine."
"So why didn't she tell you about getting your period?" Kenny asked, Karen shrugged. He groaned softly and shook his head. Someone above or below was laughing their ass off right now. "Did she mention the menstrual cycle at all?" Karen blinked. "The time of the month? Aunt Flo? The week she wanted to kill dad?"
"Didn't she always?" Karen and Kenny burst out laughing; only they would see the humor in that.
"Well, okay... as your older brother, I have to inform you that your body is changing a lot. A girl, once a month, has her period. Only girls, but Cartman thought he got his because he ate too much Chipotle. What happens, is for like... five days I think, you bleed... down there..." he cleared his throat, "because you have unfertilized eggs. So they just... turn into blood and ick. I don't know why it's five days, but Wendy and Bebe say it hurts like hell. You crave chocolate, you get cramps, and bloated and all puffy, and you want to watch chick flicks. There are a couple of things you use so the blood doesn't get on your clothes and all over. Tampons and pads. Pads you just kinda put in your underwear and tampons you... insert it. I don't know how."
"But why do girls get it?"
"Because, girls have babies and it's part of the menstrual cycle or something like that. If you don't get pregnant, once a month you have your period because you're getting rid of the unfertilized egg."
"So it's a potential baby."
"No, because... well yeah, but in your case no."
"Why not me?"
"Because you're never having sex. End of discussion on that." Karen scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Kenny nudged her. She wouldn't look at him. "I can't think of my baby sister like that, c'mon, Kar-bear..." The brown haired girl sighed and looked at him with wide eyes.
"So what do I do, Kenny?" Karen asked him. "I don't like this..." She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his stomach as she laid on him.
"You just... be a big girl, because you're not little anymore. You're not a girl anymore, you're a young woman. And pretty soon I'm gonna have to be chasing guys away from you 'cause you're gonna be a real spitfire." Karen blushed and looked up at Kenny.
"You think so?" He nodded and smiled at her innocence. He had saved that. He had saved her.
"You're the only one of us poor souls who got some good looks," he told her and she shook her head.
"All the girls in my class always asked about you. And the younger girls too. They thought you were some mysterious character... like a real life Edward Cullen or something." he gave her a dirty look, "well I didn't agree with them, I always told them you were like Dean Winchester." Kenny snorted.
"That's my sister..." he mumbled.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked, he nodded once more. "If girls get periods because they have unfertilized eggs, then what happens to guys if they don't make a girl pregnant?" Kenny shrugged.
"Nothing really, the little guys just chill out until duty calls." Karen nearly lost her jaw as she stared at her brother in shock; he thought it was pretty clever. "Guys are way different than girls. They don't really deal with anything like that."
"Why not?"
"Because they deal with... other things..." he trailed off and looked away once more. "And that is something you'll never find out about. Or witness."
"But I'm not a little girl anymore!" Karen fought back. Kenny smiled sadly.
"To me, you'll always be."
Karen laid back down on Kenny with a huff and traced the scars on his arm. The one on his shoulder was her favorite; it went with the freckles to make the big dipper.
"Do you need me to get you anything?" Kenny asked her, realizing she probably didn't have any of the feminine hygiene products he had spoken about. Karen shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I'm hungry, so I'll be back in a minute."
Karen nodded and closed her eyes as Kenny left her room. He sighed heavily and first walked to the nurse's station, where he asked what he should do in this situation. The nurses smiled at him and told him he was a great brother for all that he's done for her and her nurse, Amy, quickly went to her room. Kenny waved them off and walked down the hall to the vending machine.
Funyuns, cookies, Cheetos, candy bars, and Chex Mix stared at him tantalizingly. He figured he should probably go to the cafeteria to get something but this was cheaper and way more convenient. He chose a candy bar, knowing Karen hated crunchy food, and bought a bottle of water as well.
He returned to Karen's room, found it empty except the bathroom light was on, and he sat on the chair. Kenny inhaled the Butterfinger and downed the water in a matter of two minutes. His stomach growled with hunger yet he ignored it.
Karen returned, blushing and quietly thanking Amy, who helped her to the bed and told her breakfast would be brought to her before exiting the room.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Kenny?" Karen asked as she brushed her hair with the small brush on her table. Kenny shook his head. "All of the nurses have told me you're a great guy."
"Well, they don't know me now do they?" Karen rolled her eyes at his devilish smirk.
"You couldn't harm a fly. You are great."
"I nearly blinded Lee." Karen tilted her head, and Kenny's eyes widened momentarily.
"Who's Lee?" she asked.
"Butters," he replied monotonously. Karen nodded slowly and furrowed her eyebrows.
"No one calls him by his real name... can I ask you something?" Kenny nodded, "A. what is going on between Kyle and Stan? B. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"For both A and B; why do you ask?"
"I know Stan and Kyle have a thing, I saw Stan groping Kyle's thigh when they were here. You coulda seen that happening a bajillion years ago." Kenny snorted and smiled at his sister. "And Butters has got to be gay. And he saunters. And I ask because I'm your sister."
"When did they do that? I'll kill them. Does he?" Kenny asked, slightly amused. Karen nodded.
"Last time they were here. There's a little wiggle in his butt when he walks. It makes me laugh. Kyle is all stiff when he walks but he's really uptight. Stan is kinda flowy like he doesn't really care what's going on."
"How do I walk?" Kenny asked curiously.
"You walk like you're ashamed. Sometimes you goof around though. Like when you went all sassy that one night."
"I don't go "sassy."" Kenny retorted.
"You did so!" Kenny rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Karen, who giggled. "So, do you have a boyfriend?"
"No, but wanna know a super sibling secret?" Karen asked and Kenny scooted closer to her. This was just like when they were kids; they'd play this secret game for hours. Or find shapes in the stars and clouds. "I've liked Lee since I was twelve." His cheeks darkened as Karen grinned a shit-eating grin only ever seen on her older brother's face.
"I KNEW IT!" She cried excitedly, grinning from ear to ear. "You two would be adorable!" Kenny blushed even more. "Have you kissed?" Kenny remained silent. "You have! Was he good?"
"Karen..."
"What about second base?"
"Karen Annabelle..."
"Third?"
"Karen Annabelle Elizabeth McCormick!" Kenny hissed, his cheeks blushing furiously. "No."
"Kenneth Daniel Aidan McCormick," she giggled, using his confirmation name just as he had used hers. "Fourth?"
"I already answered no to third, what would make you think yes to fourth?" He finally answered her, then patted her shoulder twice. She scooted forward and he curled his legs up as he sat behind her. His fingers separated her hair into two parts and began to fishtail braid her hair. "So... you don't care?" He asked after silence fell over both of them.
"No, why would I care if you like dudes too? Especially..." Karen paused and looked to the side of Kenny and smiled sweetly, "Butters, hi!" Kenny's head snapped to the door and found none other than Leopold Stotch leading Stan and Kyle into the room. Butter's arms were full of presents and he set them down next to Kenny's small pile. His cheeks were red from the cold and he waved brightly at the two.
"Merry Christmukkah!" He chirruped as Kyle and Stan took off their coats and gloves.
Kenny's heart ached at the sight of the presents; he had never seen so many in his life. And the fact that they were for Karen made it so much sweeter.
"Guys..." Kenny choked, his emotions getting the best of him, "you didn't..." he trailed off as Karen hugged the three in a matter of seconds. Butters had tears in his eyes as he saw the McCormick siblings' reactions.
Kenny looked out the hospital window and took a shuddering breath as he gazed at the snowy view of South Park. This was what Christmas was supposed to be like. Nothing could penetrate his happiness right now; Karen was so blessed, so appreciated, and so loved. They never really had Christmas presents; if they did they were returned for money. The sight before him brought tears to his eyes.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to find Butters smiling softly up at him.
Sniffling, but not crying, Kenny pulled him in a tight hug. He whispered quietly in his ear and Butters blushed lightly when catching the soft-spoken words.
"This is the best Christmukkah ever. Thank you. I love you so much." Butters just hugged him and patted his back. Stan clapped Kenny on the back and Kyle hugged him loosely.
Butters set a chair by the tiny tree and after Karen sat down he handed her presents. And Stan turned the radio on to a station played round the clock Christmas songs and sat next to Kyle. Karen glanced at Kenny, smirked, and wiped her eyes.
"Thank you so much," Karen whispered as Butters handed her a present. The wrapping paper had little candy canes all over and was wrapped rather poorly. Karen didn't mind; her hands trembled as she opened the presents. Stan had gotten her some makeup, a green sweater, and a new Zac Efron movie.
Kyle got her a necklace, an iPod Touch, and a cell phone, to which Karen practically tackled him to the floor in excitement. She was crying now, and smiling more than Kenny had ever seen her. He felt his fragile and shell-shocked sister was finally happy.
Butters had bought her a collar, a food and water bowl, and a new perfume that was purple and had glitter.
"What's this for?" She asked, slightly confused as she held up the pet supplies.
"I couldn't bring your last present in, no puppy policy..." he trailed off, Karen's face lit up and Kenny smiled sadly; another mouth they couldn't afford to feet. But Karen always wanted a dog of her own; she wasn't too fond of cats and hated Stuart's Rottweiler. In fact, no one really liked the Garland; Kenny felt bad about that.
"Is it a boy or girl?" Karen asked as Butters showed her several pictures on his phone. Her eyes shimmered with tears of happiness.
"Girl, she's an Australian Shepherd so she won't get too big. She'll shed quite a bit though." Karen laughed and scrolled through the pictures of the small puppy.
"Can I name her?" Karen asked, looking at Kenny and Butters. Both nodded. "Thank you so much, all of you!" She chirruped, standing up to hug Kyle, Stan, and Butters. They each murmured something in response and Kyle handed her something.
"It's not Christmukkah without mistletoe!" He chirruped. Stan rolled his eyes and shoved Kyle playfully as Butters gnashed his knuckles together.
Karen held the mistletoe over Kenny's head and giggled as she kissed his cheek. He ruffled her hair and picked up the presents he pitifully wrapped in newspaper. Suddenly he felt he had done wrong; his friends had outdone him. Now all that he could give her would be worthless.
But she smiled at him just as excitedly and opened them as timidly. She was probably afraid they'd be taken away from her, like every other McCormick Christmas. Only this was the Brothers' Christmukkah so her presents were safe and hers for the keeping.
"Ken..." she trailed off as she held the framed photo in her hands. A two year old Kenny with ever-messy ash blonde hair and curious blue eyes held his newborn sister and was kissing her cheek. The photo beside it was taken a year ago; Kenny, with his hood down and blonde shaggy hair blowing in the South Park's early winter chill, was holding a small, fragile Karen with glowing honey-green eyes and long brown hair on his shoulders. She wore a happy smile while he gave a crooked grin. His gloved hands held her knees protectively as they posed. They both looked happy and so similar yet so different. Those were his two favorite pictures of them.
He just shrugged and felt his cheeks heat. She rested against him and set the picture in her lap. It was nothing, it was stupid... and yet he spent a lot of money and time on the presents.
The next present she opened was a painting he had done after hours in art class. It was a landscape of Pike's Peak at sunset, only it was in Kenny's style so it looked very surreal.
"Did you do this?" Karen asked, Kenny nodded, and Kyle's eyes widened as he examined the piece.
"Dude, that's awesome!" He cried, Kenny mumbled a quiet thanks.
"I titled it "Karen Annabelle."" Kenny began, "because you loved Pike's Peak when we went, and the sunset always reminds me of when we were little." Karen held his hand as tears leaked from her eyes.
The next present was a pack of letters Kenny had written to her every day while she was in her coma. He told her it was so she could see every moment she missed. By now, tears fell heavily down her cheeks and Butters was sniffling. A CD by Flyleaf, who was her favorite band, a pair of earrings, a stuffed rabbit, and sock puppets followed those presents, in that order. She looked at him oddly as Stan and Kyle silently laughed when she held up the sock puppets.
"I made them in here one day and thought you'd enjoy them... I did, anyway." Karen stifled her laughter while Kenny pulled them on his hands and reenacted "Titanic." When the Rose sock finally let go of the Jack sock, Jack the Sock Puppet flew off of his hands and into the hallway. Roars of laughter ensued and Kenny stared sadly at his bare hand; that was not planned.
"Holy shit!" he cried; this was the first time his voice had a normal projection. His friends ignored this as he slipped back into a falsetto voice. "God damn it, Jack, come back!" he squealed and threw Rose the Sock Puppet into the hallway as well to join Jack. "And that's how we get to the beginning of "Inception". The end," he ended in his normal voice.
Karen was laughing so much her entire body shook, and Kyle burrowed his head in Stan's shoulder to stifle his laughs. Butters, giggling, retrieved the sock puppets and handed them to Kenny, who had met him halfway.
"I heard that, by the way," Butters told him quietly and smiled warmly. Kenny grinned toothily.
"So that's how you got by while I was out?" Karen asked as the two walked back into the room together. Kenny nodded once. "You're crazy," she teased and Kenny stuck out his tongue. He handed her one last present, wrapped in black paper and green ribbon.
"Last one, Kar-bear." Her eyes widened and, in silence, she opened it with shaking hands. Kyle looked at Kenny in confusion yet he said nothing.
Hundreds of small purple and green question marks fluttered across Karen and the floor when she opened the present. She gasped as she peered inside. Slowly, she pulled out a silver ring with an onyx gem and a strip of paper was attached.
No one said a word as Karen slipped the ring on her right finger and examined it. Green and purple filled in vine etches and she smiled adoringly at the ring.
"He was here..." she whispered, looking out the window. Stan's eyes met Kenny's, and the blue eyed boy gazed hard at the floor.
"We're not done here," Stan announced with a smile in his voice. Karen tilted her head and Kenny looked up; they couldn't have possibly gotten her more presents. Instead, Butters pulled out a small present from his coat pocket and handed it to Kenny.
"W-what?" He stammered in shock; they had gotten him a Christmukkah present. He hadn't wanted anything, or expected them to. This was about Karen, not him. He had plenty of things and seeing Karen happy was all he wanted.
"Well, we all chipped in to get you something, we would've done more but..." Butters trailed off, "well open it!" Kenny's fingers held the box in his hand and he remained still. They had outdone themselves...
A sob stuck in the back of his throat as he slowly peeled back the wrapping paper. A smart phone. He looked up with shocked eyes at his friends Karen who just grinned at him.
"How...?" he trailed off, unsure of what to say. He had no words, this was incredible.
"Well, you were on our plan anyway, and we figured you'd want something a little more up to date than that flip phone you've had for years... so I talked with my parents and Stan and Butters helped and we decided on this one." Kyle explained, Kenny shook his head and squeezed Kyle in a tight hug.
"You're the best," he murmured, kissing his cheek, which caused the red head to widen his eyes and blush a little. Stan's face was red when witnessing the sight, and Kenny held back an eyeroll as he tackle-hugged Stan.
"Don't kiss me!" Stan cried as Kenny squeezed him tightly. He stopped wriggling in Kenny's arms after the taller boy promised. The black haired teen groaned in anguish as Kenny kissed the top of his head, with a loud "mwah!" sound. Karen was giggling and Butters looked like a deer in the headlights as Kenny approached him.
"Thank you, Lee..." he whispered, wrapping his arms around the petite boy in a hug much longer than the other two. Butters just laughed nervously and rested his head on Kenny's shoulder.
"Ah, gee Ken, I..." Butters fumbled for words and finally ended up laughing again. "You're not gonna kiss me now, are ya?"
Kyle looked at the two curiously and hid a smile. Karen caught his look and laughed quietly. Stan looked at the two in confusion, then turned to Kyle who was watching them expectantly.
"I dunno," Kenny replied teasingly with a cheeky grin, causing Butters to falter slightly.
"O-oh geeze..." Butters whispered, cheeks a fiery red. He squeaked as Kenny kissed his nose.
Karen scoffed as they parted and Kenny shot her a death glare.
"That's all we get for you being under the mistletoe?" She asked, Stan raised his eyebrows and Kyle pushed Kenny forward. The blonde's cheeks turned pink this time and Butters looked ready to run.
"There is no mistletoe," Kenny mumbled warily; he had seen Karen holding the artificial plant... unless...
Kenny looked up and grimaced when spotting the mistletoe above his head. Karen and Kyle had to have plotted this together. Butters looked scared, his eyes shifted anxiously around the room and he jumped when Kenny's large skeletal hands covered his own.
"Merry Christmas, Lee," he murmured low enough for only Butters to hear. He closed his eyes and brushed his lips lightly against the smaller boy's. Like the last two times, Butters massaged his lips against Kenny lovingly and cupped Kenny's gaunt cheeks in his hands.
It felt right, heavenly, and Kenny never wanted to stop. Butters was warm and soft and he craved the euphoria he felt when touching the smaller fifteen year old. With Butters Kenny felt safe and home. He felt warm. Right.
He didn't know when their tongues began their normal dance. Or when Butters' hands got lost in his long hair. Or when he got so good at sucking on his tongue that it made Kenny moan softly and his entire body tingle and turn to mush.
Kyle cleared his throat, which prompted the two to separate with a loud pop as the suction on their lips separated. Butters quickly sat down on the chair farthest from Kenny and looked out the window. Kenny ruffled his hair awkwardly, wiped his tingling mouth, and blushed lightly.
"Jesus Christ it was a simple peck not a Hoover Vac competition!" Stan cried in awe at what he just witnessed. Kenny let out a nervous, high pitched giggle and sat next to a shocked Karen. Kyle looked at him expectantly, then at Butters, who was redder than a strawberry.
Karen blinked at Kenny three times, and he replied with a single blink. A grin spread across her lips and Kenny blinked twice. She just stared with blank eyes and an evil grin; he did not like her looking like that at all.
"Butters, you okay?" Stan asked. The small blonde stood up and kept his head low as he nodded.
"Y-Yeah, I gotta go. G-get home 'cause my p-parents are gonna be awful s-sore. Merry Christmas fellas, Karen. I-I'll see you tomorrow."
In a second he was out of the room and Kenny was on his feet.
"Wait, Lee!" He cried, racing out the door. But he was gone. "Dammit..." he trailed off, his stomach clenching uneasily as worry raced through his veins. "What?" He asked when turning to find three pairs of eyes on him.
"Lee?" Stan asked in disbelief. Kenny sighed heavily and paced the room. This was bad. Butters was pissed at him... he had never seen him so upset. He needed to go after him... but this was Karen's Christmas. He wasn't fucking up her day too. Karen smiled sadly and Kyle put an arm on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Kenny... it's not a big deal. Except you can't tell me you haven't been harboring feelings for him." The blonde glared ominously at the redhead through his bangs.
"Right back at you," Kyle blushed and refrained from making eye contact with Kenny.
"C'mon, I'm sure "A Christmas Story" is on, I love that movie!" Karen chirruped. Kenny sighed heavily and smiled weakly. He sat down on the bed with her as she put on all of her jewelry and wearable gifts.
As they all settled comfortably to watch the movie, Stan and Kyle sat much too close and Kenny swore Kyle was being groped, Kenny pulled out his phone and typed a message to Butters.
To: Butters
Sent: 10:58 A.M.
lee im sorry please text me?
He laughed with Karen, nudged the lovebirds warningly with his foot, and distracted himself from the horrible feeling sinking into his bones. After the movie, he checked his phone and felt his heart sink. No messages or calls from Butters.
Son of a bitch.