Author's Note: Well, I was going to wait awhile to post this as I'm trying to space update between how fast I can edit chapters. I'm also dealing with finals, am a week behind on Butters' Guide (I hope to have four chapters up by Sunday but I can't promise), managed to get sick (again), and some serious events have happened in my life the past couple days. I honestly felt like editing and updating would let me stop thinking for awhile. So here is the latest chapter!
I have a couple messages yet to respond to, but I just want to extend a thank you to any and all of you who have reached out to me and talked to me. You're all amazing. I also want to thank you for for reviews; they mean so much to me. Like I've said, if you want or need someone to talk to, just send me a message. I'll respond at really weird hours, but I will never leave a message ignored. Thank you for taking the time to read this story of mine.
Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Taking My Life Back
Kenny set down his anatomy book and took off his glasses as he rubbed his eyes. Kyle glanced over at him from the couch as he flipped through channels on his television.
"What's up?" Kyle asked, Kenny groaned and sat up from laying on his stomach on the floor.
"I'm killing my brain, that's what. Are your parents home? I need a smoke." Kyle rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"No, but I don't want you smoking," Kenny scoffed and slipped his glasses back on. He tossed his book in his backpack and hopped on to the couch next to Kyle. "That was forceful," Kyle said as his popcorn went flying. Kenny shrugged his shoulders and reached over as he took a handful. "Give up on homework?"
"Not everyone is a genius, Kyle." Kenny grumbled.
"Hey, I saw your last math test, Mr. B-plus." Kenny shrugged his shoulders and stole Kyle's drink from the end table. "Damn your long arms."
"That's because I'm doing half days and they let me take the tests at home."
"Do you cheat?"
"No, I just don't have any pressure."
"Okay, Tweek..." Kenny rolled his eyes and took another handful of popcorn. "You're gonna be full for dinner."
"No, I'm not. Your mother has made me an endless pit. I'm hungry all the time, it's awful. The only difference between your house and my house is that there's an abundance of food here and I am allowed to eat as much as I so choose." Kyle snickered and Kenny sneered jokingly.
"She doubled that meatloaf recipe for you."
"Bless her soul, that was delicious. But she's making me fat." Kyle choked on his drink as he heard Kenny's pout.
"What?!"
"I've gained five pounds since being here. And that's only been two weeks."
"What do you weigh now, like 120?" Kenny rolled his eyes and leaned against Kyle as they watched a re-run of "That 70's Show."
"No, according to the school I weigh 159 pounds now." Kenny poked his stomach. He was slowly working up to a decent weight. He'd get there, if his metabolism wasn't so damn high.
"Jesus, dude! Take the whole bowl."
"I just have a really high metabolism." Kenny grumbled, causing Kyle to laugh a little. "At least I'm gaining though, eh? Soon I'm gonna be like fat ass..."
"Nah, you won't ever be that bad. I don't think your body could handle it. You eat healthy and that's me saying that. Do you ever eat junk food?"
"Does popcorn count?" Kenny asked innocently. Kyle made a face then shook his head. "Then not a lot."
"See, you make me feel fat." Kenny rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the television for awhile. They were quiet and comfortable which was nice. It had been a long week of going back to school, even if it was for half the day, because people had interrogated him with where he had been and sitting for that long was almost a chore.
But it was Friday night and it had snowed some more so Kenny and Kyle were just hanging out. Kevin had been by earlier but he had worked a double-shift so he was probably passed out by now. And Karen was upstairs with Ike; at first the idea of them sharing a room had worried Kenny but he figured it was easier, somehow. And he didn't want to kick them out of their rooms. Half the time Karen ended up in Kyle's room anyway and he had gotten used to sharing his bed with both McCormicks.
"I'm sorry if Stan and I treated you differently for awhile, we just weren't sure how to go about the whole... process." Kyle finally said. Kenny tilted his head and couldn't help but yawn; his medicine was starting to make him sleepy.
"Kyle, what was I like that night? I mean... how bad was it?" The redhead grimaced and patted Kenny's knee as he turned to face him.
"It was scary, we found you all bloody and naked in a dumpster. You punched Stan in the nose and you just weren't you. I mean... I won't ever forget it. You were really fucked up."
"What'd I do?" Kyle sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"You were just so scared. You thought I was going to hurt you and then said if I made you feel good then you would be quiet. And then you thought you had bugs in your skin. When we got to the hospital they had to sedate you because you were scared because they had to touch you."
"Shit..." Kenny whispered, looking at Kyle with a squeamish look on his face.
"I was worried sick. But I just told you everything was going to be okay."
"I'm sorry," the blonde murmured, "and it's okay, by the way. About how you two were. I wasn't myself either. I'm still not... not completely. I mean, I'm still scared. I hate the dark. But I hate being alone in the dark more. But I'm getting bettah!" He said, imitating Monty Python which caused Kyle to burst out laughing. Kenny grinned and settled in the couch.
"Well, you're dealing with it way better than I would. So, kudos to you, dude." Kenny smiled and tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in his mouth after it bounced on his upper lip. Kyle rolled his eyes and stood up. "Is it okay if I head out for a bit? I'm studying with my partner at the library." Kenny gave an awkward laugh and wiggled his eyebrows at Kyle, who rolled his eyes.
"Your partner. Does that mean you and Stan will be at the library? Or will you and Stan be parked outside of the library?" He teased, causing Kyle to huff and grab his coat. "Because if that's the case I'll just be quiet and you can go upstairs and act like no one's home!"
"That's not the case. But fine, Stan and I are going out on a little date. Is that okay? I mean, will you be okay... alone?" Kenny nodded and picked up the bowl of popcorn.
"Aren't Kar and Ike upstairs?" Kyle nodded, "I'll be fine, anyways. I'll probably end up falling asleep 'cause I took my medicine and it knocks me out cold."
"I know it does, especially when you take it in the middle of government." Kyle sang, then waved as he walked out of the door.
Kenny sighed heavily and laid back on the couch. He finished the episode of "That 70s Show" and flipped through the channels aimlessly. Nothing seemed to appeal to him, so he ended up watching the news.
It was weird, being in Kyle's house without his friends. He hadn't been left fully alone for two weeks and although it was kind of nice it still felt awkward because he felt like an imposition on the Broflovskis. They assured him multiple times that they were happy to help out but Kenny couldn't help but feel as if he and Karen were just added stress.
The house was quiet and he turned on the lamp next to him so it wasn't completely dark in the living room. His eyes grew heavy and soon he gave up on his battle against napping. Damn the comfy couch.
His nap was dreamless. He actually felt as though he were in complete control and still conscious yet asleep. He had heard of it from Kyle and Butters, it was lucid dreaming or something like that, and although that's not exactly what he was doing he was sure it was the closest he'd ever get to having a lucid dream.
Kenny startled when hearing a timid knock on the door and he slowly rolled off of the couch. He rubbed the small of his back as he smoothed down his sleep-mussed hair and he peeked through the eye hole. A smile grew on his lips as he opened the door.
"Well, hey there." Kenny mumbled, smiling at Butters who blushed a little in the doorway. "What brings you here?"
"If you must know-"
"Oh, I do. As current head of house for the next couple hours you must state your business." Butters pulled his hands from behind his back and held out a rose and a DVD.
"Date night?" Kenny smiled and quickly let Butters in after accepting the rose. The shorter boy was grateful as he shook off the cold.
"No way!" the ash blonde boy exclaimed, his voice giving out slightly and he coughed. "How'd you manage that?"
"Well, Kyle told my dad we were studying together and... well, here I am!"
"So this was a surprise?" Butters nodded and was slightly surprised as he felt Kenny hug him loosely. "I love it."
"Were you sleeping?" Butters asked as he settled on the couch. Kenny put in the movie "Up", which he knew was Butters' favorite movie, and shrugged his shoulders.
"I was watching the news, so I probably dozed a little." Kenny replied, "do you want anything to eat?" Butters shook his head and patted his empty stomach,
"I ate before I came over but if you're hungry you can sure eat. I won't mind!" Kenny shook his head and pulled out the leg rest to recline on the couch. He glanced over at Butters and saw he was watching the previews he probably knew by heart by now. Kenny smiled at the excitement in his eyes and felt his nerves kick in. This would be where he'd pull Butters on his lap or hold him as they cuddled to watch the movie. Except now his arms felt like jelly and he couldn't help but picture the face of the men who... he shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself. "You okay?"
"Just a little cold," he replied, grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch and pulled it over himself and Butters, who had also reclined in his seat.
"I woulda brought something more your style but I felt like "Up" was a good decision. It's just so cute. I'd love to be able to fly away in my house with all those balloons. It'd be so fun." Kenny nodded and smiled as he rambled.
"You did too much, and you're right, it's cute. If I had a talking dog that would be the coolest ever. And I can't look at Kev the same way... I just picture this awesome bird and it makes me laugh." Kenny said with a smile as he scooted a little closer to Butters, which was something that did not go unnoticed.
"The first ten minutes is a better love story than "Twilight"."
"Hell, "Teeth" is a better love story than that shit." Butters tilted his head.
"What's that?" Kenny chuckled and shook his head.
"Nevermind, it was a stupid movie Kevin made me watch. I'm just saying of course it is, because "Twilight" is awful. Kyle told me this ridiculous idea of how Cedric is really Edward Cullen... it turned out to be a better love story than Twilight."
"Oh?" Butters asked, intrigued, Kenny nodded.
"Yeah, it involved Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Twilight, so two thirds of those are right up your alley." The bright blonde nodded enthusiastically. "So from what I remember he said the 10th Doctor went back in time to save Cedric Diggory but had to disguise himself as Barty Crouch Jr. and the only thing he could do was transport him to a really long time ago when there was a vampire who was "saving people." So, he took him to this vampire and the only way they could save him was by erasing his memories and telling him he was a weird vegetarian vampire named Edward Cullen. Cedric lives but he doesn't remember he's Cedric. That's the reason why Edward and Bella have bad chemistry, because he's supposed to be with Cho Chang and subconsciously he realizes this. But the Doctor did all he could to save him and he periodically checks on him. But Cedric can't go back because it would mess with some dimension stuff or a crack in the universe or something, I don't know."
"Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey?"
"Yeah, he said that!" Butters looked at Kenny, who didn't seem to understand what he had just said at all, and shook his head.
"Kyle has an incredibly valid point. And you're right, that's a beautiful love story." Butters said, watching the screen in silence as the the time line of Carl and Ellie's own tale played out. Butters was already sniffling and Kenny smiled sadly at his boyfriend.
Butters' breath hitched as he felt Kenny's arms loop around his waist and pull him back against him. They laid back on one end of the couch, their feet at the other, and Butters remained still as Kenny held him from behind. Tears slipped from his eyes from an entirely different reason now. He had been afraid they'd never be like this again. He felt Kenny's chin on the valley of his shoulder for a moment.
They remained silent until Carl sat in his chair, alone, and Butters felt Kenny innocently touch his arm.
"Is this okay?" he asked Butters, who turned his head and nodded.
"This is more than okay, how bout for you?" Kenny nodded and settled as he watched the animated film. "I've missed this." he hummed happily, turning slightly in Kenny's arms to face him. "I've missed you."
"Me too, I'm sorry I've been so... I dunno what the word is... temperamental?" Butters shrugged his shoulders and smiled at Kenny who still looked shell-shocked but happier. His eyes were actually light, he didn't look so pale and deathly. "But remember when I said if you ever wanted me to do anything if you wanted to? That still stands."
"Even if you're uncomfortable?" Kenny shrugged his shoulders and quickly flicked his eyes from Butters, to the screen, and back. "Ken, I wouldn't do that to you. Remember you said if I ever felt uncomfortable you'd stop? Well, same goes for you. I'm not gonna do anything you don't want to."
"See, the thing is, I do, I'm just conflicted." Butters laughed a little.
"Explain."
"It's not like suddenly I don't want to do anything, you know me better than that," The blond couldn't help but chuckle and nod, "it's just... when I think about it, my brain tells me I'm fucked up because what if it's like that... oh what is that syndrome I learned about in psychology? Stockholm Syndrome."
"No, that's where you sympathize with either your captor or the person who's been messing with you."
"Oh, well then that's not it." Butters giggled at his bluntness, but that was Kenny.
"But if you're saying you feel messed up because you went through something traumatic yet want to engage in certain physical activities you may have been forced to do... it's not messed up, because you're human. And I mean, I am kind of attractive so it's kinda a given."
Kenny's nose wrinkled as he laughed in an adorable way that made Butters' heart swell.
"So you don't think I'm a masochistic psycho freak?" The bright blonde boy turned around to completely face Kenny and held up his hand for a moment before cupping his cheek. They had all learned that if you were going to touch Kenny, he had to see your hand before doing so.
"No, well... no. Not a psycho freak, anyway. But you've always been a little masochistic." Kenny pouted his lower lip and Butters couldn't help but press his lips to Kenny's.
As soon as he did he wanted more yet he felt Kenny flinch. He quickly pulled away and blushed in embarrassment as he saw Kenny's wide eyes.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't..." he didn't know what to say. It had been awhile since he had kissed Kenny and honestly he was getting a little desperate. He could deal with the other effects of their lack of physical contact but he loved kissing. More like, he loved kissing Kenny because the way he did it was almost hypnotizing and would make his mind short circuit and toes curl every time. Just the thought made him shiver and he crossed his legs.
"I've been awful to you," Kenny whispered as he reached a trembling hand to Butters' side. He felt his fingers delicately run over the fabric and it made him flush as more blood ran south. Damn.
Shocks ran through him as he felt Kenny's lips lightly caress his own and he instantly lost himself in the sensation. It was the most innocent kiss he had ever had yet it was enough to make him fully hard and he kind of hated himself right now. It was a gentle, cautious kiss, but it was a kiss nonetheless and Butters moaned as he ran his hands through Kenny's hair.
Kenny pulled their lips apart, he smiled as Butters tugged on one of his lip rings, and nestled his forehead against Butters'. Their breath was hot against each others and their noses barely touched as they just stared into each others' eyes. Butters saw Kenny's fear and that broken look he had for the past three weeks. But he also saw longing, not quite lust, but a need to feel something.
"I love you, I don't deserve you." Kenny whispered. His shaking hands caressed Butters' face as their lips hovered centimeters apart. Butters could feel Kenny's lips move, but they weren't completely touching and he wanted to close the distance. But this was Kenny's pace, not his, and it was driving him insane.
"I love you too, and... you deserve to be happy and in love. Are you?" Kenny smiled and Butters felt his hand run through his hair.
"Yes, with the most incredible person ever because he hasn't even brought attention to his stiffy." Butters blushed and Kenny smirked as he kissed the corner of Butters' mouth. "Even though if I were in your situation I would have probably made your hand go in my pants right about now."
"You do what you want to do, I'm fully capable." Kenny smiled and wrapped his arms around Butters as he pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
"I feel like a slut." Butters tilted his head. "Because I just feel so conflicted... I just... ugh."
"You're not a slut, we can just cuddle and finish watching the movie. But if you really want to we can at least try and I won't get mad and-" he was interrupted by Kenny kissing him with more force than before and it made him twitch. He melted into the touch and let his mind focus on the way his lips felt and how he tingled when he flicked his tongue over his lip. Oh God, he really missed this.
Instead of laying down, Kenny sat up and stared at Butters as he stroked his cheek. He reconnected their foreheads and placed his hands on his neck, slowly touching him, mapping him out. Butters closed his eyes at the gentle massage and shivered as his fingers feathered over his skin. He felt Kenny's lips kiss his hands and his fingers and Butters watched him as he did the same to his left hand.
He shivered as Kenny's cold hands slowly ventured under his shirt. He didn't want to scare him but he wanted to touch him as well, it wasn't quite fair. But he kept his hands in his hair and at the couch as Kenny seemed to begin his exploration of Butters' body.
They were innocent touches. There was nothing suggestive about the way he looked at him or traced his fingers over his flesh. It was personal. And as Butters watched him in interest he felt his heart stammer as he realized what Kenny was doing. Tears prickled his eyes and he smiled at Kenny, whose head just so happened to be right above his heart as his hands roamed slightly.
"Kenny..." Butters whispered, running a hand through his longer hair. "It's okay."
"I just want to feel you." He heard Kenny's barely audible voice. Butters nodded and relaxed at Kenny's innocent touches. He ran a hand down Kenny's back gently; he felt the tight muscles and would remember to ask Kenny if he wanted a massage later. His hands found Kenny's shoulders and slowly moved down his arms, and held his hands.
They remained like that, gently caressing and desperate to feel the other person's skin as they kissed and held each other.
"I trust you," Kenny whispered in Butters' ear, "I love you."
"You're beautiful," Butters replied, caressing Kenny's cheek. "But you have this look like you're about to like... attack."
"Do you trust me?" Kenny whispered, a smirk creeping up on his lips. Butters nodded.
"I trust you with my life." Butters squeaked as Kenny tickled him. He wriggled around and tried to fight him off but gave up after awhile. He wrapped his arms around Kenny and laughed in his shoulders and finally, after being bored of his lack of fight, Kenny stopped. "Are you ticklish?"
"No..." He said, smile fading fast. Butters rolled his eyes and poked Kenny's side. He made a squealing noise, which caused Butters to look at him oddly. Silence passed over them for a couple of seconds before they both burst out laughing.
It reminded Butters of when they were younger and Kenny would sleep over. They would stay up late, way passed Butters' bedtime, and just touch each other. They would be chest to chest, legs tangled, and just hold each other and feel. To them it was innocent, to them it was just a way to say they were closer. Time fell away and it was just them in the middle of the night. Except here they were now, and Butters felt his desire melt away as something more flooded through his veins and swelled in his chest.
"Whoa, we're already to the part with Kevin's babies?" Butters turned to the screen and watched as the little birds ate the tennis balls and giggled.
"I always wanted one of them. Or Kevin."
"You can have my brother, he's tall enough." Butters snorted and shook his head as he ran a finger down Kenny's chest.
"You're tall enough, too. I'm sure we could find a way to play together." Kenny smirked and hugged Butters' tightly as he kissed his temple. "D'you want a massage?"
"What?" Kenny asked, laughing a little. Butters propped himself up on his elbows.
"A massage, your back felt tight and I'm real good at them. Everyone in the theatre department always has me give them massages. It's my magic fingers." Kenny smiled a little and shrugged his shoulders.
"I've never had a massage, if you want to." Butters grinned and hopped off of the couch. "What do I do?"
Butters knelt in front of him and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well do you want your shirt on or off?" Kenny shrugged, "it'll feel better off."
"Excuses, Stotch," Kenny mumbled, pulling off his hoodie and Kevin's old and threadbare System of a Down t-shirt. He looked at Butters, set his shirts on the floor and shrugged his shoulders.
"Now lay on your tummy." Kenny flopped onto the couch and turned his head to watch his boyfriend, who popped his knuckles. "Does your back hurt at all?" Kenny shook his head, "I'll go soft at first and if you want me to massage harder, I will." Kenny nodded and Butters slightly straddled him as he sat on the small of his back with his knees at his sides. "Is this okay?" Kenny nodded.
Butters pressed his thumbs in between Kenny's shoulders and he moaned loudly.
"W-whoa!" Kenny exclaimed, "that felt really good."
"Shh... relax," Butters said, scratching into the skin slightly. He was gentle as he kneaded his back but rather forceful as he tried to work out the knots that had built up over the years. Kenny seemed to be completely blissed out as he worked out the big knots in his shoulders and neck. "How stressed do you feel?"
"Suddenly you're a psycholohgodyes," Kenny gasped, growing silent as he worked out a knot. "Why have you never done this before?"
"I never thought about it but you need it."
"Mhmm..."
Butters giggled and pressed a kiss to Kenny's smooth back as he ran his hands over the skin.
"You have a sexy back, and a freckle right here." Butters pointed to one above his shoulder blade.
"How can a back be sexy?" Butters shrugged. "But thank you." The bright blonde hummed happily as he pressed harder into the muscle, causing a low moan to sound from the boy beneath him. He rolled his eyes at his sudden libido and coaxed more and more noises from Kenny as he worked.
Karen looked up from her book and glanced to Ike as he shut his laptop.
"What the hell was that?" He asked, glancing out his window. Kyle and Stan pulled into the driveway and he grimaced.
"I don't know..." Karen murmured, pausing the Punk Goes Pop CD in the stereo and listened. A loud, muffled moan filled her ears and she paled.
"Is Kenny alone?" Ike asked warily; Karen rolled her eyes.
"He wouldn't be doing that!" She hissed, running out the door. Ike followed behind Karen, who was terrified at what she may come across. She didn't want to find Kenny hurt or in an awkward position similar to what Ike had been insinuating. That happened once with Kevin; it scarred her for two months.
She stopped on the stair way and her cheeks turned red.
"Oh." Ike nearly tripped on her heels and peered down over her head.
Kyle and Stan stood in the doorway with slack jaws at the scene in front of them.
Kenny and Butters were oblivious to their company. Butters was giggling as Kenny practically writhed beneath him.
"A little harder, shit, right there."
"Dude! My couch!" Kyle cried, causing Kenny and Butters to both jump and Ike to cackle with laughter. Butters turned around and Kenny whined as his hands pulled away from his back.
"I feel like fuckin' jelly," he mumbled as Butters stood up with his face redder than a cherry. "No, don't stop," he whined.
"It was a massage," he explained, "he said his back was hurting." Kenny scoffed and sighed happily as he remained in his position. "We were watching "Up" and-" he glanced to the television, which had been playing the opening theme on repeat for quite awhile, he realized.
"I didn't jizz all over your comfy couch, if that's your concern," Kenny mumbled, finally sitting up. "I can actually move my neck..." Butters giggled and hugged Kenny tightly. Kyle rolled his eyes and Stan couldn't help but laugh. It was nice seeing them both happy.
"I thought you were hurt," Karen grumbled as she walked down the stairs. Kenny shook his head.
"Sorry, I've been told I'm kind of loud." Karen rolled her eyes at Kenny's half-joke but smiled nonetheless.
"I didn't know Butters was here." Butters waved to her and handed Kenny his shirt, although he wasn't minding the view. Kenny pulled on the faded shirt but left the hoodie off.
"Yeah, date night. He got me a rose." Kenny held up the flower and Butters blushed. "Why are you back so early?"
"Because we're taking the ACT tomorrow, same with you." Butters' face fell and Kenny looked at him curiously.
"I completely forgot. My dad's gonna be real sore-"
"Well, I'm real sore so fuck him." Kenny grumbled with a smile. He had meant his back, but suddenly Butters' hugged him and was apologizing repeatedly. "I meant that you should continue your massage, not anything else. If you have to go..." Kenny pouted his lip, "then fiiine. But... I figured we could do something else before you leave." Kyle and Stan groaned and Butters stared at him with wide eyes. "Not that."
Karen giggled and Ike was watching his brother curiously but kept his smile to himself.
"Well, if you got something else planned..." Butters trailed off, blushing. Kenny grinned and looked around the room.
"Out. All of you. This is our super awesome surprise date. We have to finish it properly." Kyle rolled his eyes and dragged Stan up the stairs by his hand and Karen just grinned at the two on the couch before running up the stairs with Ike. Butters turned to Kenny, who pulled up the Broflovski's family laptop they let Kenny now predominantly use.
"What're you doing?" Butters asked warily. Kenny held up his hand and grinned as he typed something in. He flipped the laptop to Butters who giggled as he looked at the pink screen. "You remembered?"
"Duh. While we were all playing "World of Warcraft" you were playing this. We've played "Kingdom Hearts" and "World of Warcraft" together... but not this. So, you can show me a little bit." Butters' eyes lit up as his childhood game was right in front of him.
"Well, it's an MMORPG..."
"I hope the boys aren't still up," Sheila said to her husband three hours later as they walked up the sidewalk. Gerald sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders.
"They're sixteen, I'd be worried if they weren't," he said as he opened the door. Sheila walked in and set her coat on the rack and gasped.
"Oh, Gerald, did you have any idea?" She asked, pointing to the couch. The middle aged man looked to where she was pointing and couldn't help but smile.
Kenny was fast asleep on the couch holding Butters Stotch in his arms tightly. They looked comfortable with their limbs intertwined. Kenny's head was burrowed in Butters' shoulder as the smaller boy rested on Kenny's chest. He turned to his wife and laughed quietly.
"I would never have guessed," he replied quietly, "we should leave them, it's late."
"But his father will be upset and Kenny-"
"His father is a hypocrite and if Kenny's comfortable then we shouldn't interfere. C'mon, let's go upstairs." He took his wife's hand and smiled at her as they walked up the stairs in silence in order to not wake the two teens.
Gerald turned momentarily as he heard one of the boys mumble to the other and couldn't help but feel... comfortable. He and his wife had helped bring them up, and maybe something was in their water when they were younger to make them all develop feelings for each other but in a sense they were like family to him. And to see them happy, well, it warmed his heart.
He yawned and turned off the hall light as he walked up the stairs, leaving the two boys to sleep peacefully for the first time in what felt like years.