Author's Note: Well, it surely has been an interesting week. And I thought about it, as I have posted on my tumblr. But I felt I shouldn't keep myself away from talking, posting, writing, and whatnot because it's what I like. And I'm not exactly all there with it right now because I'm on some pretty awesome painkillers so I hope I make some sense. Anyway, I'm updating again. I'm not sure how often, but consider the hiatus over. It wasn't really a hiatus more just a week break and that's how people usually update, anyway. But that's okay. It was a week that let me think and a week that I needed. I mean I lost one of my best friends and could have potentially lost my own life Friday, but I didn't. And it made me re-evaluate everything, which is why I'm posting.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. This was one of my favorite chapters, so I hope you enjoy. And after I edited I couldn't believe how some of the stuff in here directly applies to my life right now; wow! (Note: I wrote this about four months ago.)
Chapter Thirty-Two: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
"Now, Agent Orange, I know this is a big night for you but you have to be patient. I know it's hard, but it'll be totally worth it and you will be greatly rewarded. Don't be nervous."
Kyle hesitated at his door, unsure if he wanted to open it as he heard Kenny's muffled voice from inside. Kenny laughed, which turned into deep coughs.
"Now, be a good Agent. I have faith in you." A moment's pause, "No, Chester, you can't do that... dammit." Kenny whined; Kyle opened the door slowly and peeked his head through the crack.
Kenny was laying on Kyle's bed with his kitten currently curled up on his chest. He was staring at Chester angrily yet pet him regardless of his feelings.
"How are you feeling?" Kyle asked as he stepped into the room. Kenny shrugged his shoulders and pointed to Chester. From where he was, Kyle could hear the kitten purr.
"He was given a mission and he failed, Kyle." He sounded pathetic. Kyle couldn't help but smile as he leaned on the door.
"He's a cat..." Kyle replied slowly. The blonde sent him a defeated look as he lowered his head and huffed sadly.
"He's Agent Orange!" Kenny cried, "I just wanted him to get me something." Kyle snickered and approached Kenny, who looked at him through slightly hazy eyes.
"How's the medicine treating you?" Kenny smiled dopily and Kyle chuckled as he felt Kenny's forehead. He could still feel a fever but sweat dampened his skin and had drenched his bangs that hung in clumps. "I don't know which of us is worse at getting sick..."
Kenny shrugged his shoulders and wiggled his finger in front of Chester, who batted at it sleepily. He laughed as the kitten bit his fingertip and clawed with his back paws at his hand.
"I'm really not that bad, I think your mom is overreacting." Kyle gave Kenny a look as he held up a thermometer. Kenny took it and stuck it in his mouth as he closed his eyes.
"Butters was wondering if you were well enough for him to come over, since he won't be able to hang out tomorrow he wanted to see you tonight." Kenny nodded and clutched his head. The redhead felt his flushed cheeks and grimaced slightly, then put the folded, cool wash cloth he had brought with him on Kenny's forehead. The thermometer beeped and Kenny read the number.
"Not bad," he mumbled, then let out a barking cough. His head swam and he laid back down on the pillow. Kyle took the thermometer from him and sighed as he read the triple digit number.
"Are you hungry?" Kenny shook his head and looked up at Kyle with tired eyes.
"I'll eat at work." He grimaced as Kyle scoffed. "I'm going to work, I have to."
"No, you're staying in bed. Besides, it's Christmas Eve, shouldn't the convenience store be closed?"
"It's a gas station so they like never close. And I have two jobs so..." Kyle shook his head in disbelief as he grabbed the comforter. "What're you doing?" Kenny asked, gripping the blanket tightly.
"You have to break your fever, you're overheating."
"That's 'cause I'm cold." Kenny pouted. Kyle sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of the bed. He pulled the comforter around Kenny once more and set down the glass of water he had brought with him on the nightstand. Kenny wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes again. "Kyle, I feel like shit."
There was a knock on the door and Karen poked her head in. Kenny groaned as the smell of food filled the room and she smiled softly at Kyle.
"Mrs. Broflovski says you have to eat a little, it's just soup." Kenny made a grumbling noise as he fell into a fit of coughs once more. "Kenny..." she coaxed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "When are you ever going to catch a break?" He laughed softly at this and Kyle snorted softly. That was a really good question.
"Kar, I really don't wanna eat." She rolled her eyes and put her hands on either side of his temples. He relaxed into the pressure on his head and covered his mouth as he coughed deeply.
"Just four bites? Like mama used to make you when you were sick," Kenny's eyes opened and she smiled at him. He sighed heavily and sat up, squeezing his eyes shut as light-headedness stirred his head. He felt like heavy mush.
He took the bowl and felt his stomach churn with nausea as he ate a spoonful of Mrs. Broflovksi's homemade chicken noodle soup. It had always been one of his favorite dishes she made yet right now it made him feel like throwing up.
"Butters is coming, right?" She asked Kyle, who nodded. Kenny stared at the half-full spoon and forced himself to swallow. His throat burned and felt scratchy as he gulped it down. "He is going to have a hey-day over you."Kenny shrugged.
"Do you think it's stupid I got Stan a Christmas gift?" Kyle piped up, Kenny raised an eyebrow.
"No, is it stupid I got Ike one?" Kyle shook his head, "not just Ike, I mean. We got your whole family one. I know we did for Hannukah too-"
"Karen!" Kenny gasped, in shock that she blurted out their secret month-long plan.
"Which you guys really didn't have to do!" Kyle interrupted, Karen shoved him.
"Of course we did, but if you or your parents or Ike wouldn't want them we wouldn't take it personal." Kyle rolled his eyes and smiled at Karen as he glanced at Kenny.
"That's what Christmukkah's for, right?" He said, Kenny grinned and chuckled a little.
"What'd you get him?" Kenny asked quietly as he examined the spoon. Kyle dug in his pocket and pulled out a small box. Kenny's eyes bugged out of his head and Karen gasped as he opened it. "Shit that's a ring," Kenny spluttered. He was thankful he hadn't taken a bite or he probably would have spit the soup all over Kyle.
"Is that an engagement ring?"
"Or a promise ring, I haven't decided."
"Shit, son!" Kenny exclaimed, as he held the box in his hand. "That's the shiniest thing I've ever seen in my life." Karen looked at it over Kenny's shoulder and Kyle grinned.
"D'you think he'll like it?"
"The ring or the question?" Kenny asked, "either way, yeah."
The door to Kyle's room opened again and Butters smiled happily as he entered the room.
"How's the patient?" He asked, smiling at Kenny. His face fell, however, when seeing the box in his hand. "Whatisthat?" He gushed with wide eyes. Kenny quickly handed the box to Kyle, who cleared his throat and pocketed it.
"Kyle's Christmas present for Stan," Butters sighed with relief, which slightly surprised Kenny, and kissed his forehead. "And the patient is well enough to work," he shot a glare to Kyle who scoffed.
"With a fever of 103, I think not." He countered, rolling his eyes as Kenny hummed the tune to Foreigner's "Hot Blooded." Karen giggled and scooted over so Butters could sit by Kenny as well.
"One would think I was on my death bed," Kenny grumbled, causing two pairs of eyes to narrow darkly at him. "Just sayin'."
"You need to finish your soup." Karen said, her brother sighed heavily and picked up the bowl. Butters smiled and pulled his hand from behind his back. The dark blonde boy smiled as he took the rose from Butters' hand and set it on the pillow.
"You didn't have to," Butters shrugged his shoulders and couldn't help but smile at Kenny. He looked half out of it and more exhausted than usual but happy to see him.
"Course I did, roses are kinda our thing when you're not doing well." Kenny chuckled quietly and squeezed Butters' hand as he took a deep breath. The struggle was evident; it was easy to hear the hitching and wheeze as he inhaled. "So, was that a ring ya got Stan?" He asked Kyle, who nodded.
"It was intended to be an engagement ring. But... we're only juniors in high school and I didn't want people to-"
"Screw what people think, Kyle." Butters barked, "I mean, really. You and Stan know your relationship better than anyone else. You wanna spend the rest of your life with him, right?" Kyle nodded, "you can't imagine a day without him?" Another nod, "and you want to marry him?"
"Of course, someday." Kyle said wistfully, glancing out his window to Stan's decorated house, though he knew inside it was hardly cheerful this year. Stan was going to come over in a bit because he couldn't handle his parents' arguing.
"Then if you wanna be engaged be engaged. Be married. Why let a stupid paper tell you what you and Stan are?" Kyle gazed at Butters with an awe-struck expression. He shook his head slowly and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.
"You are completely right, dude." Kyle said quietly. He was completely baffled at his speech and was quite embarrassed he hadn't realized that himself. Kenny beamed at Butters and hummed happily as he looked at his boyfriend.
They talked for awhile, later in hushed voices after Kenny dozed off, and Butters ran a hand through his sweaty hair. He was worried, but Kenny was almost always sick with something. He wasn't exactly used to Kenny not having a cold and then it would switch from a cold to allergies. It was a vicious cycle that Butters thought was sadly adorable.
He thought Kenny made the cutest faces when he sneezed; he also had a funny sneeze. It wasn't loud like Stan's, although Butters was fairly sure he did that on purpose to make Kyle laugh. Kenny's sneeze was strangely quiet; he'd freeze, except his nose would scrunch and he'd squeeze his eyes shut, and sometimes Butters was surprised his eardrums didn't explode.
But now he was breathing shallowly, which worried Kyle and, more so, Karen. He seemed fine, however, and Butters couldn't help but think he looked adorable with flushed cheeks and hazy eyes.
"Did you get Kenny anything for Christmas?" Kyle asked Butters, who nodded. Karen tilted her head and Butters pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. "What is it?"
"It's a drawing."
"Of?" Karen asked, examining the small sketch.
"Well, I thought Kenny could get that one," he pointed to the key, "and I could get that one," he said in reference to the heart with a keyhole. "As tattoos sometime. I know he wants some." Butters grimaced as he saw the looks on his friends' faces. "I j-just didn't know what else to get 'cause I know he doesn't really like presents."
"No, he'll love it," Karen said as she examined the intricate heart and key. "It's your thing and he was talking about getting a tattoo for his seventeenth- Chester, stop!" She exclaimed quietly as the kitten pawed at Kenny's face. He grumbled quietly and stirred in his doze. His cat resorted to batting at his hair.
"Do you think it's the flu?"
"Nah, my mom thinks it's bronchitis or a cold. It sucks he's sick on Christmas Eve." Butters ran the back of his hand over his cheek and Kenny turned his head in his direction. He smiled and Kenny's eyes fluttered open momentarily before closing once more.
"Bright," he mumbled hoarsely. Karen quickly got up and turned off the light and Kenny sighed contentedly. "Thanks... I feel weird." Kyle chuckled and Kenny turned on his side. Quiet snores soon filled the room and Butters sighed softly. "Mm... Lee?" he asked, coughing almost pathetically.
"Uh-huh."
"Thanks for the... for the rose. I love it. I'm sorry I'm such a-" he made a face as another fit of coughs consumed him and he took in a rattled breath, "bummer." he finished airily.
"You're not a bummer, you're sick. Could he use like an inhaler or something?" Kyle shrugged his shoulders.
"I might have one of Stan's extras. He keeps a nebulizer here too but he hasn't used it in awhile." Butters shrugged and Kenny clutched his head again. Karen quickly left and returned with the wash cloth that she had dampened once more with cold water. She wiped his forehead and neck before pushing on his back.
"C'mon, sit up," she said. Kenny did so, looking woozy as he reached for something. Butters allowed Kenny to grip his shoulder and he took little gasps of breath as he stared with unfocused eyes at his sister. "You're sweating buckets, take off your shirt."
"But I'm freezing."
"Kenneth..." she warned, he sighed and slowly wriggled out of his long sleeved pajama shirt. He laid back down and she applied the cloth over his forehead. "Do you want to take any more medicine?"
"It's fucking cough medicine. Hate that shit," he grumbled. Butters giggled and Kenny smiled as they remembered a similar time.
He was awake yet silent as the three continued their conversation. Ike soon joined them out of boredom and began spouting off various illnesses Kenny could have.
"It's not labyrinthitis, Ike!" Kyle cried, "quit reading WebMD."
"I'm not! I just always wanted it when I was younger 'cause it had a cool name!" he fought with a blush, Kyle gave him a look and shook his head slowly.
"It's a cold," Kenny mumbled for the first time in nearly twenty minutes.
Kyle had let Butters get in his bed with Kenny and he was currently being Kenny's personal space heater. He could feel the fever radiate from his body yet saw goose pimples cover his arms and back as he shivered under the blankets. Butters put an arm around him and let him rest on his chest.
"He is probably right, I mean, he has colds all the time. I'm prone to migraines and getting the flu. Not the throwing up one that isn't really the flu but the stay-in-bed-for-five-days flu." Karen said, Kenny nodded and coughed deeply. Butters rubbed his back and frowned as he felt sweat coat his hand.
The door to Kyle's room opened once more and Stan stood in the doorway. He wore a scowl and looked about ready to punch something. Kenny startled at the loud noise and Butters ran a hand through his hair as he settled down and closed his eyes. Kyle, on the other hand, ran up to Stan; the two began whispering quietly.
"What's wrong, Stan?" Butters asked as they sat down at the foot of the bed. The black-haired boy scoffed and shook his head as he stared at the floor. Kenny sat up slightly and gazed at him curiously.
"You can talk to us, dude," Kenny mumbled in a gentle tone. He grew tired of leaning on his elbow and collapsed against Butters once more.
"That's funny, coming from you." Stan growled, causing Kenny to recoil and Butters shot a glare to him. Silence filled the room and Stan sighed heavily. "Shit, I'm sorry... I just..."
"You're right," Kenny replied in that quiet tone Butters hated to hear. His voice wavered, mostly do to being sick, and he looked at Stan with that same unfocused look. "But right now I'm not the one about ready to punch a baby. So what's up?"
"My parents... went on a double date." Stan mumbled.
"Well that's nice!" Butters chirruped.
"With other people..." Kenny whistled lowly, then moaned quietly as the pitch hurt his head.
"Well yeah, that's a double-"
"Butters, my dad went with another woman and my mom went with another man. Just to fuck with each other 'cause they're both too chicken to get a divorce again. Fucking bullshit." Butters' eyes widened and he blushed in embarrassment. He had seen it before, kind of. Except as he thought about it, he realized he didn't want to think about it at all.
"Dude, that sucks. Are they gonna be calm by tomorrow?"
"Your mom too?" Kyle asked in slight surprise.
"Yeah, my mom too. She's doing it to spite my dad. And fuck if I know, my dad knocked our tree down and I spent fucking forever putting it back up. I don't even give a shit anymore, it's not like they fucking care about anyone else except themselves. Shelly was s'posed to come down but I called and told her she shouldn't waste the money." Stan mumbled, "this fucking sucks." His voice broke.
Kyle stiffened as he saw Stan bow his head. He looked completely taken aback as the black haired boy rubbed at his eyes, and even more so when Kenny suddenly appeared practically out of nowhere and hugged him. He felt a little upset at the fact that the blonde took his place, but he felt Stan's hand squeeze his and he settled slightly.
"I'm sorry," Kenny said, "seeing your family completely fuck up and you're in the crossfire and there's nothing you can do sucks. But it's Christmas and you've got another family right here." He gripped the wall and felt his head sway as his body finally caught up to the fact he had moved.
"Yeah," Kyle agreed slightly dismally. Stan smiled at his boyfriend and rubbed his eyes as he nodded to Kenny.
"Fuck, when you're right, you're right." He said to Kenny who shrugged his shoulders and slowly laid back down. The black-haired boy hugged Kyle tightly and kissed his cheek as they held hands. "Besides, Shelly is bringing Kevin to... re-introduce him to my parents. You wanna be there for that?" He asked Kenny who gave a barking laugh, which turned into a cough.
They talked and joked around as they always had. Except now Karen and Ike were in on their inside jokes and seemed rather interested in what they had to say. All of them spent nearly two hours just hanging out and doing absolutely nothing. Kenny was half-asleep yet responsive against Butters' shoulder. Stan and Kyle were cuddling at the foot of the bed, and Ike and Karen had created a game to play with Kenny.
Due to his half-asleep state he was more open to sharing things, they had found. So now they were asking him silly questions in attempt to get the most ridiculous answers. It seemed as if he was dreaming with some of his responses, and although Butters didn't think what they were doing was entirely right, he couldn't help but giggle at some of the things he said.
A knock on the door was heard and Mrs. Broflovski appeared. Kyle smiled at his mom and Stan leaned up slightly away from Kyle's chest as a blush appeared on his cheeks.
"Boys, are any of you- oh dear," she tutted upon seeing Kenny slumped against Butters. She felt his forehead and sighed heavily, "you shouldn't be up here. He needs his rest," she scolded them. Butters shrank slightly; he didn't want to get in trouble. If he got in trouble here then his father would find out and if his father found out then... he shuddered at the thought. But Kenny was sick and he wanted to be there for him. "Bubbeleh, did you make sure he took his medicine?"
"Uh... he said no."
"Kyle!" She barked. Butters couldn't help but think of her as a sort of Mrs. Weasley. Although there were many differences, she was a very caring person, albeit a little bitchy and opinionated. "All of you, downstairs, now." She fussed, causing her son to sigh heavily and stand up with as much attitude he could muster. Stan was trying to bite back a grin and Kyle glared at him with cold eyes.
"It's my damn room," Kyle grumbled, lacing his fingers with Stan's as they walked out. Karen smiled, apologized, and gave her brother a kiss on the cheek as she followed behind them, Ike was practically on her heels. Butters started to move from under Kenny's weight yet Mrs. Broflovski put an arm on him.
"You'll make sure he takes his medicine, right? I would hate to wake him, he hasn't gotten much sleep because of his cough. And.. and he looks comfortable." Butters bit back a smile as he realized she was fighting for an excuse for him to stay up there with Kenny. He nodded.
"Of course I will, I can go downstairs though, I mean-"
"Nonsense, like I said, if he's asleep let him sleep." She smiled knowingly at Butters, who blushed darkly and murmured a quick "thanks" as she walked out and turned off the light.
Butters turned on the lamp on Kyle's nightstand and dug his nails in the cardboard and foil wrapper on the Nyquil pills. He knew Kenny didn't like cough medicine; he didn't want to put him through that. He pushed on his back a little and Kenny lolled forward slightly, then righted himself.
"Wha... where'd everybody go?" he croaked sleepily. Butters hushed him and handed him two of the green pills. "What time is it?"
"Um... 11:30 or so," Butters said, "Kyle's mom kicked everyone out."
"Not you?" Kenny asked with a tired smile. Butters shook his head and handed Kenny the medicine. He took it with a sip of water that seemed painful. "Good." The bright blonde hummed with laughter at Kenny's smug smile as he laid flat on his back on the pillow and outstretched his arm. Butters laid down in the space between his shoulder and chest, then draped an arm loosely over his stomach. He made a happy noise as he felt Kenny's fingers dance slowly through his hair and tangled their legs together. They fit like the last two missing puzzle pieces. "Lee?"
"Hmm?" Butters replied as the light feeling of Kenny combing through his hair made him slightly sleepy.
"How... how do you see the future?" Butters felt a chill run down his spine as he heard Kenny's question. "I mean, with me. How do you see it?" He wasn't sure if this was him being delusional or if he was fully rational.
"Um... well short term I see us helping each other through our problems, getting through senior year, I'll ask you to prom in some super cheesy way," he heard Kenny chuckle, "and we'll graduate."
"What about after that?"
"Well, it depends on where I end up going to school. I'd like for you to go with me though, I know you aren't sure about college but if you decided to go we could go to the same school. Or if you don't go to college we could get an apartment and you could work while I go to school. I just... wanna be with you, Ken." He heard him hum happily and smiled. "Then either both of us will graduate, or I will... and then... the rest is ours to find out."
"D'you wanna get married?" The question was completely where Butters thought he was headed, which shocked him. He remained silent as he thought about his answer.
"I'd like to, but at the same time, like I told Kyle... why should we let a piece of paper dictate whether or not I can call you my husband... or my better half... or my partner in crime?"
"Because, I'm on the good side, remember?" Kenny replied, causing Butters to laugh. "I just dunno if I'd wanna get married. It's all too jinxy for me. Like why ruin a good thing when almost every married couple I've seen ends up either hating each other or at least slightly crazy?" Butters couldn't help but laugh out loud at that; he knew exactly how he felt. Why would they follow their parents' footsteps down a path of aggression and resentment?
"Well, then marriage is up for discussion. Do you see us going that far?" Butters asked him, Kenny nodded.
"I see us doing shit like Carl and Ellie. Like putting hand prints on our mailbox and growing old together and just being happy. I want you to be the one to secretly welcome the hoodlums in for cookies after I yell at them to get off our damn lawn." Butters chortled and grinned toothily. "I once envisioned us having kids."
"Did you just say "envisioned"?" Butters couldn't help but ask. Kenny laughed, then fell into a fit of coughs. "But that sounds perfect."
"Blame the medicine." The bright blonde smiled down at his darker blonde boyfriend.
"I thought you didn't want kids... but for play, what were they like?"
"No, I love kids. I just don't want my kid to have my sucky DNA. I don't know if this curse is genetic so I wouldn't want to attempt to put an innocent child through this. Our kids had the brightest blonde hair and the prettiest blue eyes... and a cute little stutter when they were nervous. They were little angels too. Kinda like little versions of you." Butters blushed and leaned into Kenny's touch as he brushed his hands through his hair.
"But cool... and they have little freckles under their eyes that you can mostly see in the summer or the winter. And they're good at art and dancing but sports too so they're not thought of as the weird geeky kids."
"And they like watching "Doctor Who" on Saturdays with you..."
"And "Supernatural" on Tuesdays with you."
"Only when they're older. And "The Big Bang Theory" on Thursdays with the both of us. What would our kids call us? Dad 1 and Dad 2?"
"Or Dad and Daddy." Kenny shrugged.
"What about... BroDad and DudeDad?" Butters snickered as he tapped his fingers slowly on Kenny's chest like a piano.
"Okay, BroDad." Butters teased, earning a wheezy laugh. "Did we just talk about that?" Kenny nodded and tightened his grip around his boyfriend, who snuggled closer to him.
"I think so... blame Kyle, DudeDad," Kenny mumbled quietly. A tiny smile crept on his lips as he turned his head to look out the window. "It's snowing." Butters scoffed and gave him an amused look as he stared out the window with him.
"Duh, we live in Colorado." Kenny glanced to the clock. Ten minutes until Christmas.
"What did you do last Christmas?"
Silence filled the room as Butters hand stopped caressing Kenny's chest. He looked at him with sad eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
"I... didn't do much. I just spent Christmas with my family and then I went to the cemetery. I put a carnation on your grave. It woulda been roses but carnations are the Christmas flower. And they symbolize deep love." Kenny sighed heavily and held Butters' tighter. He felt his lips press against his jaw and closed his eyes. "I know you're tired but... can you stay awake a couple more minutes?" Kenny nodded.
"I'm sorry about last year, I know it-" Butters pressed his index finger to Kenny's lips to hush him. He giggled when the blonde kissed and pressed his tongue against his digit.
"Don't apologize, you couldn't help it... this Christmas is already a bajillion times better!" Kenny smiled sleepily and shivered as Butter grazed his fingernail over his lower lip as he slowly moved his finger down his mouth. He made a grumbled moaning noise and let out a breathy laugh that caused him to wheeze.
"Don't... you're already so tempting." Butters giggled and Kenny smiled, "you're incredible, you know that, right? I mean..." he trailed off, then furrowed his eyebrows. "Damn it."
"What?" Butters asked.
"I don't remember what I was going to say..." He grinned as Kenny pouted slightly.
Butters' phone vibrated and he pulled it out from his pocket. He sighed when reading the name of the sender.
From: Kyle
Sent: 11:56 PM
Karen says to make sure Kenny eats the last two bites of soup. It'll be cold but my mom won't let us come up to do anything about it. How is he?
"Hold on," Butters said to Kenny, who nodded as he sat up and scooted closer to the window. Butters watched him momentarily and couldn't help but smile. He looked like a little kid waiting for Santa.
To: Kyle
Sent: 11:57 PM
Okay, I'll do that. He's okay, pretty much the same as before. How's Stan? Sorry I'm not down there.
Butters set down his phone and crawled up next to Kenny who stared up at the sky with an angelic smile on his face. He took his hand and squeezed gently as he followed his gaze to the massive flurry of snow dancing to the thick blanket already covering the ground.
"I love snow," Kenny said, Butters nodded and he felt Kenny rest his forehead against his.
"I love you," he murmured back, causing Kenny to smile and avert his eyes from the sky to Butters' icy blue pools.
"I love you too," he whispered, teeth almost glowing as he grinned.
"Ken?" Butters piped up, bringing them both from their deep thoughts. Kenny's eyes refocused and he pulled away from Butters as he coughed into his arm. "I'm s'posed to make you eat."
"You don't have to make me, except Karen is so fucking persistent." He spoke slower, with a slight slur, and Butters saw his eyes begin to droop. He smiled and scooted back to the head of the bed. Kenny followed suit and reached for the bowl yet Butters stopped him. "...what?" He raised an eyebrow as Butters gave a quiet laugh and took the bowl and spoon. "You're not..." He trailed off and chuckled as Butters held the spoon up to his mouth.
"You're sick and I'm taking care of you while I can!" Butters chirruped as Kenny took the spoonful in his mouth and swallowed. He grimaced slightly and rubbed at his throat.
"Are you gonna do this all the time?" Butters shrugged his shoulders.
"How do you mean?"
"Well, I'm prone to illness... so whenever I'm sick are you gonna feed me... or hold my hair back as I puke...?"
"I've already done that. This spoon-feeding is a first though." he giggled, Kenny rolled his eyes yet smiled.
"What about sponge baths?" Butters blushed as Kenny waggled his eyebrows and stuck out his tongue. Instead of answering, he simply poked his tongue out between his lips.
"Maybe," Butters replied with a smile as he dipped the spoon in again. "Last one, mister." He saw Kenny's cheeks heat as he swallowed the soup. "Good boy."
"Whaddya want me to do, beg?" Butters smirked.
"Sometime, yeah." Kenny's eyes widened and he burst out laughing. He winced as he did so, and Butters chuckled softly. He patted Kenny's back as the laughter turned into coughs that wracked his entire upper body. After the fit was over, he groaned and laid back against the pillows. "I'm serious!"
Kenny smiled and stroked Butters' cheek.
"Someday I will, then. But you gotta make me, I'm not a desperate man."
"Someone's a little feisty," Butters commented, causing Kenny to smirk with his eyes closed. He settled against Kenny's chest again and listened to his rattled intakes of breath. "Hey, Kenny?"
"Hmm?"
"Merry Christmas." The dark blonde boy looked up with tired eyes at Butters, who was practically glowing with happiness. He smiled and ran a hand through his blonde wispy hair.
"Merry Christmas, love." Butters hummed happily and tenderly captured Kenny's lips in a kiss. He massaged their lips together slowly, yet the taller boy pulled away and shook his head. When Butters looked at him curiously and a little hurt, Kenny sighed, "I don't wanna get you sick."
"Well, then you can spoon-feed me and give me a sponge bath in payback if I do get sick." Kenny rolled his eyes with a smile on his face and pressed their lips together once more. Butters lost himself in the gentle caresses on his lips and his fingers felt electric as they cupped Kenny's cheek.
"I like being like this with you," Kenny mumbled as their lips unlocked with a quiet pop. He yawned and laid down once more; Butters curled up on his chest and pulled up his shirt slightly so he could caress his stomach.
"It's like it's just us... in our own little world, and no one can try to tear us apart." Kenny nodded and sighed in content at Butters' innocent and gentle touch.
"Just you and me, Lee." He whispered quietly. The bright blonde boy nodded and hummed quietly as he cuddled Kenny. He listened as his breathing gradually went from strained, shallow pants to slow and deep breaths that rattled deep in his chest. Butters rubbed his arm soothingly as he pressed his ear to his chest and listened to the calm drumming of his heart beat.
He smiled as he heard the rhythmic thumping. He couldn't help it, he thought as he closed his eyes; hearing Kenny's heartbeat was the best lullaby he had ever heard. It was reassurance and love and everything he needed to feel. It was safe. It was home. He found his chest rising and falling in the same pattern as Kenny's and soon, he too, drifted off to sleep.
Downstairs Kyle, Stan, Ike, and Karen were watching "Frosty the Snowman" and drinking hot cocoa as they waited for Sheila and Gerald to go to sleep so they could talk to Butters and Kenny once more. Stan was resting against Kyle, who was drawing patterns with his fingernails on his skin. Stan held onto Kyle's feet as he wrapped his legs around his waist and gently gave him a massage.
Karen was braiding her hair in many strands as she glanced from the television to the stairs anxiously. She felt a hand on her shoulder and smiled softly at Ike, who squeezed her arm reassuringly.
"He's with Butters, he's fine." she nodded and leaned against the foot of the couch, still braiding her hair.
"You know, for all the times you said Kenny was overprotective, you are one mother hen." Karen glanced to Kyle who smiled smugly at her and she grimaced.
"I can't help it, it's just in my blood." That wasn't entirely true. She had seen him die from a cold and she did not want to lose her brother on Christmas. So she may be a little protective of him; she just knew how easy it was for him to slip away.
"Do you wanna go check on them?" Ike asked, "I know which floorboards squeak." Karen nodded and he led the way to the staircase, quietly explaining to her the intricate pattern that appeared to be a serious game of hopscotch. As they very slowly disappeared, Stan turned to Kyle and grinned.
"Alone at last!" he whisper-shouted, causing Kyle to grin as Stan turned around to face him.
"Are you gonna be able to come over tomorrow?" Stan shrugged his shoulders and sighed.
"Hopefully, it's gonna turn into a soap opera when mom and dad see Shelly's baby daddy..." Kyle could only imagine the expression on Randy Marsh's face when seeing the giant that was Kevin McCormick standing next to his only daughter. "It's weird, my sister's pregnant. I never thought that would happen. And with Kevin's baby... what the hell?"
"I never thought he would step up to the plate when he'd impregnate someone." Kyle responded, "if you need to come over then by all means just run over here. I'd be more than happy to see you on Christmukkah." Stan smiled and ran his hands through Kyle's auburn tendrils that fell in perfectly tamed curls over his porcelain face.
"I will definitely take you up on that offer." Kyle smiled and kissed him softly.
"How about another offer?" The redhead piped up, Stan looked at him curiously and furrowed his eyebrows as he stood up. "I was gonna wait til tomorrow but tomorrow is now today and I don't think I can wait anymore." He was on the verge of jumping up and down with excitement, Stan could tell, so he nodded as Kyle dug in his pocket. "Close your eyes." Stan did so, and honestly quite expected to see a condom in his hands and Kyle's perfect naked body giving him a lapdance when he opened is eyes; at least that's what he hoped for. "Kay, you can open them. But stand up first."
Stan did so, and as he opened his eyes he jumped back in alarm. Kyle knelt on one knee in front of him and Stan stared at him with wide eyes. His eyes flickered to his hand, where a small velvet box fit perfectly in his small, soft hands.
"Wh-wha...?"
"Stanley..." Kyle said, then shook his head, "shit, I don't even know what to say."
"This is a really shitty time to be speechless, Ky." Stan choked, his voice cracked a little and his eyes were wide as he stared at his taller boyfriend; he didn't even know if he was breathing. The redhead nodded and with a trembling hand, took Stan's own shaky hand in his.
"I don't remember a lot about when I was younger, but what I do remember is you were always there. From the first day we knew each other I knew you were going to be a crucial part of my life. You were the person I aspired to be; strong, funny, brave, caring, and so in touch with yourself. But as we got older I realized you saw the same in me. We've always been together; two halves necessary to survive. If you had told me three years ago we would be dating I probably would have laughed because I didn't think I'd have a chance with you..." Stan felt his heart pound in his chest and his eyes burned. Kyle's breath hitched and he squeezed his hands tighter, for reassurance.
"You've always accepted me as I am and have always shown me how to be the best person I could be. When I look in the mirror I don't see me, I see you. Because I know you are such a part of me that I can't let go and I can't live without. Some people believe in soul mates, some believe in the red string of fate and maybe they're right. All I know is you are my soul. You are my life. My light. And if I have an invisible red string then it's stuck to you. I know you know all of this because you've said it yourself. But... Stan, you've had my heart all along. I mean, who wakes up at 3:30 in the morning because their boyfriend needs to take a piss? That just doesn't happen. You and I know each other. There is nothing unsaid between us. You know my soul, my inner workings, you know my heart is yours and has always been yours. You're my best friend, the love of my life, and... I want to spend every waking moment of the rest of my life with you."
Kyle took a deep breath and lowered his eyes as tears fell. It was wrong... he should have prepared a speech. But he looked back up and saw Stan's eyes were wet as he gazed at Kyle lovingly, adoringly. Neither of them were breathing as they waited for the other to move, or say something.
"K-Kyle..." his voice was wet although he wasn't crying. He appeared to be struggling though; his eyes were full of tears.
"Stanley Randal Marsh will you marry me? It doesn't matter when. It can be ten years from now. Or twenty. Or fifty. It doesn't ma-"
"Kyle, you're ruining it." The redhead clamped his mouth shut and searched Stan's face for any answers.
"Ruining what?"
"My first few moments as your fiance." Kyle dropped the box as he covered his mouth with his hands and stood up from his bent knee.
"Y-you say yes?"
"Yes!" Stan shouted, then covered his mouth when he heard movement from upstairs. "Yes, fuck yes." Kyle sobbed as he was squeezed in Stan's tight embrace and he held him back as tightly as he could. They swayed together, Stan pressed countless kisses to his forehead and kept nodding. "T-this was my Christmas present?" he asked in disbelief. He hadn't stopped smiling. Kyle nodded and picked up the box and pulled out the ring.
"I thought it was you the moment I saw it. I had it engraved..." Stan examined the intricate designs and felt the tears burn his eye. He turned on his phone's screen and shined it on the inside of the ring. "You be the reason, I'll be the rhyme." he read and laughed as he looked to Kyle.
"Our song..." Kyle nodded and cupped Stan's cheeks in his hands as he kissed him fervently. "I love it. I love you. God, I love you Kyle Broflovski." He heard Kyle sniffle into his chest yet felt him laugh. Stan joined in with him and ran his hands through his hair as they kissed once more. They didn't separate until they needed to take a breath and that moment, Kyle took Stan's left hand and slid the ring on his finger. Stan looked at it and let out a heavy, happy sigh. It was a perfect fit.
"Do you think it'll be okay to wear it?" Stan nodded at Kyle.
"I'm never taking it off again. This is the best Christmas present I've ever had. You're amazing, Ky." The redhead blushed and ran a thumb over his cheek.
"You may regret saying that tomorrow," he whispered seductively, causing Stan's throat to grow dry.
"Huh?" Kyle laughed and squeezed his hand.
"You'll find out tomorrow, dear. It'll be worth the wait." Kyle whispered, pressing his lips to Stan's once more. Stan smiled against him and trailed his hands over his lover's body as they kissed.
"Well, I hope so." Stan wasn't sure what else to say; he knew nothing could disappoint him now. "God I don't wanna go home."
"You have to... you have to wake up at home on Christmas. You're staying on New Year's Eve, remember?" Stan nodded glumly and held Kyle's hand as he pouted. "I'll see if you can stay the day after too." the black haired boy grinned and pressed their noses together.
"Deal... shit, Butters is still up there. He should probably head home too." Kyle nodded and glanced up the stairs. He didn't see any lights on, so he tried to follow the steps his brother took. However, several boards creaked loudly and each time he winced. They approached his room and found Butters and Kenny both fast asleep, with their foreheads pressed together and their limbs tangled.
"Butters? Butters!"
The bright blonde boy startled when hearing his voice calling to him from his sleep. He jerked awake and looked up with scared eyes, expecting to see his father, yet settled when meeting the gaze of Kyle and Stan.
"W-what?" He asked, remaining in Kenny's tight, protective hold. He could feel the heat pouring from him and his heart thudded in time with his deep breaths.
"It's late, and I mean I wouldn't care if you stayed the night but... your parents probably won't want to wake up to your empty bed." Butters groaned sleepily and nodded.
"I have to go home and put the presents out anyway... geeze, it's already 1:30?" He asked, yawning as he tried to sit up. Kenny's hold was strong however, even in his sleep, and he found himself stuck in a cuddle. "Kenny..." he whined, trying to wriggle away.
"Don' move the lamp." Kenny mumbled in his sleep as he shifted slightly. Butters bit his lip to keep from laughing as he kissed his cheek.
"I'm sorry, Kyle, I'm sure you're awful tired. I hadn't meant to fall asleep." The redhead shook his head and shook Kenny gently. The dark blonde slowly opened his eyes and groaned dismally. He took in a half breath, which was interrupted by a furious set of coughs. His garbled moan was heard and he turned to Butters who wore a frown.
"Ken, I'm sorry we woke you, but I have to go home." Kenny shook his head and reached for Butters' hand. "I'll see if I can come over tomorrow, okay?" He mumbled something no one could understand and squeezed Butters hand. "What was that?" he held up his index finger and froze in place for a moment before sneezing twice.
"I said you should stay," he mumbled, his voice deeper and scratchier than usual.
"I would if I could but my parents will ground me if I don't put out the presents and-"
"Why do you put out the presents?" Kenny asked groggily, loosening his hold on Butters.
"Because I have since I was seven and found out Santa wasn't real. My parents said I made them miss sleep so on Christmas I put up the presents to pay for the years they missed out on sleeping in or something, I dunno, I haven't questioned them."
"Santa's not real?!" Kenny cried, with horror in his face, then he snickered as Butters laughed nervously, "That's stupid. You should stay here... so you can wake up on Christmas and unwrap your best present." Butters giggled and Stan face-palmed.
"You're sick, none of that."
"And not in my bed!" Kyle grumbled, causing Butters to roll his eyes and smile.
"Well... how about I come over tonight?" the blonde looked to Kyle for confirmation, he nodded, "and stay the night because my parents are going to Virginia with my grandma over New Year's Eve..."
"Wha...?"
"There's your first Christmas surprise." Butters chirruped. Stan and Kyle even grinned as Kenny flailed excitedly in the bed and squeezed his boyfriend tighter than he thought he could. He hummed happily and kissed Butters' forehead before letting him go.
"I s'pose," Kenny said, "I'll walk you home." Butters shook his head.
"You're sick... and if my dad's up I don't want him seeing you. He'll bar the windows." The other couple glanced sadly at each other as they listened to Butters and Kenny.
"Well I'll do what I usually do. And I'll wear two coats. I'm feeling better. I feel happy!" Kenny started quoting "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" which made Kyle roll his eyes. "Please...?"
"Fine, but you have to wait for your Christmas present 'til later."
"Deal." He sniffled quietly and quickly stood enough to "prove" he was well enough to walk half of a block to Butters' house and back.
Butters slipped on his coat and Kenny zipped his up and pulled the hood over his face. His mouth peeked out, however, and his grin hadn't fallen once. Butters pulled back the hood slightly and felt his forehead.
"You're still hot."
"Always will be, Buttercup." The bright blonde boy laughed quietly and shook his head at Kenny, who beamed in pride.
"You are really cheeky, mister." Kenny stuck his tongue out and took Butters' gloved in his.
"So... d'you wanna eat dinner here tomorrow?" Kyle asked Butters, who shrugged.
"My parents are leaving at 4:30 but I can show up whenever."
"Why don't you come to my house first," Stan said, "if you want." Butters shrugged.
"I feel so wanted!" He said happily, Kenny smiled and squeezed his hand. "I don't wanna be an imposition at all for... for anyone. So if none of you guys want me comin' over just say so, okay?" Kyle shook his head.
"You do what you want to do, my house is always open. And half of my bed is now Kenny's so... you have a kind of place to sleep if you ever need it." Butters smiled at him affectionately, "if you wanna go to Stan's though then do so, it sounds like it'll be interesting." The black-haired boy scoffed and gave a nod.
"But... before you two go, we have a question to ask." The two blondes glanced at each other momentarily then looked to the other couple warily.
"Oookaaaaay..." Kenny said slowly, looking between his best friends.
"Will you be our best men?" Stan asked, holding up his left hand. Butters squeaked and started jumping up and down on the spot and Kenny let out a surprised laugh.
"Son of a bitch, you're engaged!" He whispered excitedly, then nodded. "Hell yeah I will. That's like... awesome that you'd ask me."
"And me! I'd love to! Geeze, you're gonna get married..." he grabbed Stan's hand and examined the ring on his finger in the moonlight.
"Wait, are you guys gonna have a bachelor party together...?" Kenny asked, grinning. Stan and Kyle looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
"I... don't know? This is like years away and-"
"I'm gonna rock that shit. As best men we throw your bachelor party. Or parties." Butters grinned and Kyle looked to Stan worriedly, who gave a nervous chuckle.
"Uh... Butters, wow, it's already almost two in the morning..." Kyle spluttered, suddenly very nervous and he no longer wanted to have this conversation. In fact, he hoped they would both forget about this conversation entirely, for years.
"I know what you're doing!" Kenny said, grinning as Butters began to lead him out. "There will be absinthe! And tails!"
"Tails?" Stan couldn't help but ask. Kyle nudged him and made a cut-throat motion as Kenny nodded.
"Yeah, sexy tails, I saw 'em on a website."
"Sexy tails?" Kyle slapped his forehead and silently begged Stan to stop asking him questions.
"Yeah, they're these animal tails with a plug on the end that you stick up-"
Butters shut the door before they could hear the end of Kenny's sentence. He looked to the tall sixteen year old who smiled innocently down at him.
"You are definitely feeling better and that better not be my stocking stuffer."
"Oh, it's not your stocking stuffer, it's your-" Butters covered Kenny's mouth with his hand and his cheeks flamed as he dragged him down the stairs, shaking his head as he suppressed his giggles. "Why do you keep doing that? It's not like I haven't said worse things in my life." Kenny said as Butters uncovered his mouth.
"Because, you're talking about something you'd stick up my ass," Butters whispered with an air of amusement as they sneaked out of the house. Kenny expertly shut the front door without a sound and smiled at Butters.
"I'm only teasing, I didn't actually get you a fluffy cat-tailed butt plug."
"Did you actually take the time to find them?" Kenny shook his head.
"I was researching and they happened to come across my research. They have vibrating ones too... tails, who woulda thunk it?!"
"Kenny!" Butters admonished with a laugh, grabbing his arm as they trudged through the freezing wind and thick blanket of snow. The taller boy smiled toothily and wrapped his arm around his boyfriend's waist as they walked down the quiet street. Most of the houses were lit and there were a couple of lights on in various houses yet Kenny wasn't worried about anyone seeing them.
Truth be told, he wandered the streets aimlessly nearly every night. By now he was sure he could walk it with his eyes closed and not bump into anything. No one knew about this, not even Butters, but he didn't view it as a big deal. He had done it as a child, sometimes as Mysterion, and it was just calming to him. It was weird to see the town so peaceful when he had seen so much violence and pandemonium on these very same streets. Kenny was sure that's why he was ill; he usually walked barefoot.
"I wish you didn't have to go... are you sure you don't want me to help?" Kenny asked, brushing Butters' hair back from his face. The shorter boy nodded and caressed Kenny's left hand.
"I will be fine, it won't take me very long. Just think... tomorrow we'll be just like we were. No interruptions." Kenny smiled and hummed as Butters kissed him softly.
"Well, in the future I'll be the one to put out the presents, okay?" Butters nodded and rubbed their noses together. "That means I get the cookies too."
"Don't forget the carrots for the reindeer."
"And lots of milk." They both smiled against each other's lips. "G'night, Leo." Kenny whispered, capturing his lips in another kiss. He was slightly nervous, doing that right in front of Butters' house, but he couldn't not. Butters, however, seemed completely calm as he held Kenny close. He laughed quietly as they separated.
"G'night Ken, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, darlin'. I love you,"
"I love you too. Now go back to bed!" Butters whispered as he tip-toed onto his front porch.
Kenny waited on the sidewalk until Butters disappeared and the lamp on his nightstand, visible from his spot, turned on. That was the sign Kenny always watched for; that Butters made it safely to his room. He flashed the light on and off three times and Kenny smiled as he slowly turned down the sidewalk and made his way back to Kyle's house, kicking snow over their tracks as he did so.