Work Text:
Wendy
Wendy had a project in almost all her classes. And while most of them she was able to work with Kyle on, she still had a shit ton of work to do.
Which is why she currently sat in Tweek’s Bro. Coffee, having been there since getting out of school at 3pm, with papers scattered around her table. She was pretty sure it was around 5pm now, but she wasn’t exactly paying attention.
She looked up, wincing at the crick in her neck, when Kenny slipped up to her table, his work apron on and a cup in hand. He’d been giving her different drinks almost every hour she was working.
“For' the prettay lady in booth seven.” He wink and set the cup on the table. “You’ve been starin’ at tha’ paper like it’s the reason for all ya problems ever for like ten minutes. Wazzup?” He scooted into the seat across from her and leaned over to look at the paper.
Wendy rolled her eyes at his antics and sighed, putting her pen down and sliding the cup towards her, taking a sip of the hot beverage. “Stupid math.” She huffed, glaring at the paper.
While Wendy was in mostly AP or honor classes, she was just in the normal tenth grade math. She absolutely sucked at it, and she didn’t even have the excuse of dyscalculia like her boyfriend Stan did. And it wasn’t like anyone in that class could help her with the project, they sucked just as much as she did.
Kenny blinked. “Lady Testaburger, math is yer kryptonite?” He grinned cheekily, raising an eyebrow.
Wendy looked back up at him and narrowed her eyes. “Like you could do any better.” She growled. No offense to her friend, but he was failing almost every class as far as she knew.
“Sure could.” Kenny puffed up in pride. “Math is my one and only strong suit.” He adjusted to sit on his knees so he could lean further over the table, taking Wendy’s pen.
“Don’t you have work to do?” She questioned, glancing around at all the customers sitting around and at the counter.
Kenny shook his head, spinning the pen in his hand. “I’m on break.” He grinned and looked back down at the paper.
Wendy stared at Kenny with furrowed brows as he spoke, pointing at her paper with the writing tool. As she stared she realized she rarely saw Kenny without his normal attire of a parka and sweatpants. He was honestly..quite pretty.
His nose was slightly scrunched up, his face was a little red due to working around the hot machines all day, his hair was pushed back with a headband and his forehead was sweaty. As he spoke Wendy could see flashes of a tongue piercing she didn’t even know he had.
She shook her head and looked down at the paper, realizing she should probably be paying attention.
-
Maybe an hour or two later brought Wendy working easily on her history essay. With Kenny’s help on the math, she had finished the whole thing and could present it to her partner Bebe who was already freaked out about not being done with it and it being due in two days.
The shop had been vacant for a bit and Kenny kept bringing her drinks every once in a while, a teasing flirt or a comment about whatever she was working on coming with it.
“Alright, Wends, I gotta kick ya out, babe.”
Wendy looked up to see Kenny giving her a sorry smile while fluffing out his hair that had been pushed back by a headband for hours.
She quickly started packing up her stuff. “Closing?” She stood up out of the booth and slung her backpack over her shoulder.
Kenny snorted and handed her a to-go cup. “We closed like two hours ago, dude.”
Wendy stood with wide eyes as Kenny flicked the backroom light off and slid his apron off to hang it up. “Ken, what!? Why didn’t you just kick me out!?” She fished her phone out of her pocket and stared at the time. “It’s ten!” She screeched.
“Well, ya seemed comfortable here..” Kenny pulled his parka on and tugged the hood up. “I know workin’ on homework is hard at home sometimes.” He shrugged.
Wendy gulped. Maybe not for the reasons Kenny was thinking, but yeah it was hard to work at home. It was always quiet with both her parents normally at work all of the time or out of town, even state sometimes. She usually would invite her boyfriends Stan and Kyle over to fill the silence, but most of the time they would distract her from her work. She loved them, but she needed to get things done. She doesn’t ordinarily leave projects to the last minute, but she’d been hanging out with her boys more often.
“Thanks, Ken.” She gave him a strained smile as he zipped his parka up.
“Anytime, Wends.” He nodded, eyes scrunching up in the way she knew he was smiling. “Leggo.” He gestured to the exit.
Once outside, Kenny turned to lock the place up. “Cya tomorrow, Kenny.” She waved and went to start her walk home, pushing her scarf further up her face.
“Hey, wait a second.” Wendy turned back around and saw Kenny with his eyebrows scrunched, frowning. “I’ll walk ya home, gorgeous.” He said once he turned towards her after finishing locking the shop.
“You don’t need to do that, man.” She huffed out a laugh, her breath fogging in the air. Wow, she’s been hanging out with Kyle and Stan too much. Starting to call people man and dude.
“I’m goin’ that way anyways, it’s a’ight.” He held his hand out and Wendy hummed, intertwining their gloved fingers.
Kenny lived on the opposite side of town, Wendy knew that. But she wasn’t going to say anything, because Kenny wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Now that she was holding Kenny’s hand, she didn’t have a free hand to hold her scarf to her face, the cold wind nipping at her skin. The drink Kenny gave her occupied it. She shivered, she really needed to start wearing her thicker jacket. “Hey, Ken, what even-”
Wendy was cut off when Kenny stopped and dropped her hand. She stopped speaking in confusion, pausing and turning around to see what he was doing. Her eyes widened when she watched him unzip his parka. “Kenny-”
Kenny didn’t give her time to object. He took her drink and her bag, shoving his jacket at her. Blinking with a blank face.
She sighed and took it. She hated to admit she immediately felt better after slipping it on. She took her bag back, slinging it onto her shoulder before grabbing the drink back into hands. “If you get sick, I’m gonna laugh at you.” She announced, eyeing his dirty white tee.
Kenny shrugged, knowing she didn’t actually mean it. He took her hand back in his.
Wendy rolled her eyes. “What is this?” She asked, raising the cup. Kenny’s eyes flickered over to it.
“Oh, it’s jus’ hot chocolate. I stopped givin’ ya coffee at like six, didn’t want ya up all night.” He grinned and Wendy was enamored by his tooth gap and crooked teeth. Along with the tongue piercing Kenny apparently had were angel bites that she also didn’t know he had. He must’ve had them out for work, for whatever reason.
“That’s sweet.” She commented, taking a sip of the drink and relishing in the hot liquid spilling over her tongue and warming her insides. “Do you take regular math?” She wondered.
Kenny shook his head, his free hand playing with the hem of his shirt. “I take junior honors.” He grinned proudly.
“Dude.” Wendy emphasized, gaping. “Fuck, and here me and Kyle are stuck in normal tenth grade math.” She huffed.
“Everyone’s on different levels.” Kenny tried to cheer her up and she rolled her eyes. They stopped on the sidewalk in front of Wendy’s driveway.
“Yeah, and you just happen to be above us.” She sighed and glanced up at her house. “Thanks a lot again, Ken. I really appreciated it.” She gave him a genuine smile and pulled him into a hug.
It was known that Kenny’s growth was stunted due to malnourishment, and it left him incredibly tiny compared to basically everyone in their grade. It was also known that the boy was hella perverted. Wendy avoided hugs with Kenny, she was around a head taller than him. The blonde came up to right above her breasts, if they were to hug, Wendy had no doubt he would bury his face.
Which was why she was surprised when he purposefully tilted his head and stood on his tippy toes to avoid her tits.
“Anytime, babe.” He winked when they parted and Wendy sighed, there he is. “I’ll talk to ya later.” He blew her a kiss and headed back the way they came.
Wendy watched him go until he was out of sight. She turned back to her house and pursed her lips. Back to a silent house.
She crunched through the snow up to her house, since her parents were out of state for a month or so, she didn’t find the need to shovel like they would force her to do.
She twisted the doorknob and was surprised to find it open. She was pretty sure she locked it when she left that morning. She cautiously stepped into the house and was immediately bombarded by two bodies.
She yelped as she was pushed against the now closed door. She blindly reached out and flicked the light switch on, blinking against the black and red hair buried into each of her shoulders.
“Stan? Kyle?” She blinked and brought her hands up, shoving her palms against their shoulders and pushing them back. Her face softened when she saw the tear streaks on Stan’s cheeks and Kyle’s red face.
“You smell like shit.” Stan sniffled and wiped his eyes.
“Stan!” Kyle glared at his boyfriend and punched his arm. He then turned and brushed a curl behind his ear, smiling sheepishly at Wendy. “He’s right, though.” Stan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
“What are you guys doing here?” She asked, ignoring their accusations as she took her bag off.
“You weren’t answering your phone!” Stan cried, throwing his arms out and grabbing Wendy’s shoulders.
“I told you guys I was working on homework after school.” She sighed, gently prying Stan’s hands off her to take her coat off. She paused when she realized she was still wearing Kenny’s parka, she cursed under her breath and unzipped it and pulled it off, bundling it in one of her arms and taking her phone out with her free hand.
“Why do you have Kenny’s jacket?” Kyle questioned, eyebrow raised.
“I was cold and he gave it to me.” She murmured, scrolling through her contacts to find Kenny’s.
“You were doing homework with Kenny? Are you paired up with him for a project or something?” Stan blinked, clearly confused.
“No, I was at Tweek Bros. and he works there. He let me stay two hours after closing to work and then walked me home.” Wendy furrowed her eyebrows when she couldn’t find Kenny’s contact. “Does Kenny have a phone?” She looked up.
Kyle shook his head, arms crossed. “Nah. Why’d he walk you home?”
“Dude, I dunno.” Wendy rolled her eyes and shoved her phone back into her pocket. “Don’t be playing possessive boyfriends right now, it’s just Kenny.” She eyed them. “Yanno, your friend?”
“Yeah, he’s our friend,” Stan glanced at Kyle as he wrapped his arms around himself. “Which means we know him..and he’s kinda a flirt. And a charmer.”
“Guys.” Wendy gaped. “Seriously? Kenny’s not a fucking dick. C’mon, he’s your fucking friend!”
Kyle sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You’re right. We’re sorry. Kenny’s not a homewrecker.” His posture loosened and he looked guilty. “He’s got a home phone if you wanna call in a bit. It’ll take him a couple more minutes to get home from here.” He added.
Wendy smiled and threaded her fingers through his hair to pull his head closer and kiss his forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Kyle’s face reddened and he just nodded. “Are you two staying here tonight?” She hung Kenny’s jacket up and kissed Stan’s head as well, not wanting to leave him out. God knows he gets jealous(insecure is a better word) easily.
“If that’s okay with you.” Stan hummed, a small smile on his face when Wendy pulled back. Wendy rubbed under his eye with her thumb, hands cupping his cheeks, and nodded.
“I’m gonna go shower real quick, you guys can go set up.” They quickly set off up the stairs at her words and she chuckled.
Whenever they slept over at her place, they had to sleep on the floor. Her bed was only a twin bed and would definitely not fit three teenagers. Her parents made sure she had a bed that would only fit one person. Wouldn’t want any boy sleeping in the same vicinity as her. Well look at her now, huh.
Wendy stepped out of the steamed bathroom, drying her hair off with a towel. She had one of Stan’s shirts on, one of the ones he specifically bought in a bigger size so it would be big on her. The downside of being taller than your boyfriends is that you can’t easily steal their clothes.
She hummed as she dropped the towel in the hamper and made her way into the kitchen where Stan and Kyle sat giggling to each other. She smiled at the two and took her phone off the charger that she set it on in there.
“Do either of you have the McCormicks’ phone number?” She plopped down into one of the free chairs and opened her phone to call.
Stan went to check his phone for it but Kyle cut him off. “Yeah, 8604206983.” He listed and Wendy typed the numbers into her phone.
It started to ring and she put the phone up to her ear, stretching out to rest her legs on Stan’s thighs.
“Why do you just have it memorized?” Stan gave Kyle a puzzled look, wrapping his fingers around Wendy’s ankle and squeezing lightly.
“I have all of my friend’s numbers and home phones memorized.” Kyle said proudly.
“McCormick’s household, this is Karen speakin’!” A young girl answered the phone and Wendy held her finger to her lips to shut her boyfriends up.
“Hey, is Kenny home?” She asked sweetly, tucking an arm under her breasts and other arm.
“Yeah! One moment,” There was a shuffling noise before a yell. “KENNY!” Wendy held the phone away from her ear and gave Kyle and Stan a wide eyed look. They just shrugged, probably used to Kenny’s(most likely) sister.
“Kare!” A hushed and crackling voice that Wendy could make out as Kenny yelped. “Kev’s sleepin’, be quiet, ya dickhead!”
“OW!” Karen screamed.
“Yer so fuckin’ dramatic, fuck off!” There were more shuffling noises before Kenny’s voice came more clearly into the phone. “Yello?”
Wendy stifled her snickers. “Hey, Ken.”
“Why hello, Wendy Testaburger.” Kenny’s voice was still quiet, but flirty like normal. “Couldn’t get enough of me, could- KAREN!”
Wendy snorted, brushing her hair out of her face. “You left your jacket with me. I was just wondering if you wanted to meet somewhere specific at school tomorrow so I can give it back.”
“Oh! Yeah, I’ll jus’ stop by yer homeroom don’ wo-” There was a squawk and thudding from the other side of the phone and Wendy really couldn’t contain her giggles. “Ya lil’ shit!” There was a breaking glass sound and squealing laughter. “I’ll hit ya up tomorrow mornin’, babe.” Kenny growled into the phone, and Wendy would be lying if she said it didn’t make a warm feeling pool in her stomach.
“Alright,” she giggled. “I’ll cya then.”
“Lookin’ forward ta it, Wends.” And then the line went dead.
Wendy sighed, a smile on her face as she also hung up.
-
Stan
Stan sat on his bed, staring at the wall. The moon shone through Stan’s open window, bringing the cold wind and the sound of crickets with it. He breathed out heavily, blinking away tears.
It was one of those nights, where he was just sad. Normally he’d call Wendy or Kyle, talk to them for a bit, text them even, sometimes they would come over to cuddle. But both of his partners were at the Academic Decathlon for however long, he couldn’t remember what they told him. He didn’t want to call them, or text them, and bother them while they needed the time to rest or study.
So he sat there stupidly overthinking at 2am. Alone and he itched for a drink. He sighed once again, flopping down onto his back and looking up at his ceiling. Cans of energy drinks and teas hung from strings, clinking around softly from the breeze coming from his open window. He remembered when he put those up, it was Kenny’s idea.
“Dude, wha’s with the giant trash bag?” Kenny asked with an eyebrow raised. “They all yer tissues from jerkin’ off?” He nudged a toe into Stan’s thigh with a grin.
Stan squeaked and inched away from Kenny with a playful glare. “Nah, dude they’re all my recycling and shit. Haven’t gotten rid of them yet.” He shrugged. It wasn’t that big of a bag either, well, it was a big bag, but it wasn’t that filled yet.
“Why dontcha hang ‘em?” Kenny tilted his head, lips pursed.
Stan looked over to Kenny with furrowed eyebrows. “Whaddya mean?”
“Like,” Kenny looked up at Stan’s bare ceiling. “On yer ceilin’?” He hummed with a small smile. “C’mon,” he dropped his gaze back down to his friend. “Yer entire room is all decorated and shit, it’s amazin’. But yer ceilin’ looks hella borin’. Yanno wha’ I mean?” He had a glint in his eye, and Stan knew that glint.
“We’re not tying cans to my ceiling, Kenny.” He sighed with a deadpan expression, looking up at his ceiling. It was kind of bare. All of Stan’s room had trinkets and posters, it was colorful, and homely. But Kenny was right, his ceiling was boring.
“Okay.”
Stan blinked and looked back down at Kenny. The blonde never just gave up on an idea, what the hell was wrong with him?
“But I know yer thinkin’ yer ceilin’s borin’ now, huh?” He grinned and Stan groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “So lez decorate!”
“Whatever.” Stan rolled his eyes. “Go nuts, Ken.” He picked his phone back up.
Kenny hopped off the bed and put his hands on his hips, looking around the room with a furrowed brow, scrunched nose, and pursed lips.
In the end, Kenny ended up putting the bisexual flag that previously lived under his bed up on his ceiling, hung the cans, and in the corner above his bed was a net of his stuffed animals that were stuffed in between his bed and the wall beforehand.
While he wasn’t immediately on board with it, embarrassed by his kiddy stuffed animals and not out as bisexual yet, as well as thinking the cans would clink and get annoying immediately. He quickly came to terms with it, and liked it.
It was nice to look up and see his childhood stuffed animals above him, their worn fabric when he reached up to run his fingers down them made him feel nostalgic. His mom saw the flag and was quick to accept him, Stan was happy to not have to come out himself. And the cans weren’t annoying at all, they were a nice sound when it was silent and Stan felt as though he was going insane. They twinkled, and the way they did almost felt like Kenny put specific cans next to each other for the sole reason of sounding angelic and magical.
He tilted his head and huffed in a mix of amusement and annoyance. On his door was a stupid poster of Harry Styles with a cat filter that Kenny insisted he put up.
“What the actual fuck is that, Kenny.” Stan stared in horror at the thing presented to him.
Kenny grinned and craned his neck to look at the poster he held in front of him, it was almost as tall as the blonde. “It’s Harry Styles!” He snickered.
“You can fuck right off with that faggy shit, man.” Stan deadpanned and turned back to his computer.
“He’s gonna watch over ya.” Kenny decided, turning around and standing on his tippy toes to paste the poster on his door.
“I’m gonna have nightmares.” Stan murmured, staring at the horrific image out of the corner of his eye.
Now that Stan thought about it, he had a lot of things from Kenny in his room. He sat up, brushing hair out of his face, and looking around.
A dreamcatcher the blonde made in third grade, a white bucket that Kenny painted with a sunset on that was filled with paper cranes, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, plenty of drawings of Kenny’s were taped to his wall, a VHS tape of BASEketball, The Wall vinyl, a mixtape filled with Pink Floyd, Greenday, and The Beatles, and more that were probably hidden away in drawers.
Holy shit.
Why did he have so much shit from Kenny? He doesn’t think he even has that much from Kyle and Wendy combined.
There was a knock on his door and he furrowed his eyebrows, sitting up. It was two in the morning and only his mom was home, Shelly was at some friend’s house. Stan was shocked she even had friends honestly.
“Um..” Stan cringed at his broken voice, he hadn’t used it in a while. He cleared his throat. “Come in?” He stared at his door, it could only be his mom, but why?
However when the door was pushed open, it wasn’t his mom there, but a certain blonde.
“Kenny?” Stan furrowed his eyebrows, but let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “What are you doing here?” He unconsciously scooted to the top of his bed to make room for Kenny to sit.
“Hangin’ out, man.” Kenny grinned and nudged the door closed with his hip, his hands occupied with a cup. He carefully sat on the bed and held the cup out for Stan to take, which he did, peering into it. “It’s hot chocolate,” Kenny informed, basically reading his mind. “Yer ma said I could make some.”
“Did you wake my mom up?” Stan frowned, sniffing the cup before taking a cautious sip. No offense to his friend, but he didn’t exactly trust anything he made food wise.
Kenny smiled sheepishly. “Maybe. She said it was fine, though.”
Stan sighed and rolled his eyes, taking another sip. It was surprisingly good. “What’re you doing here, man?”
Kenny’s smile faltered. “Oh, yanno.” He shrugged and grinned, brushing Stan off.
Stan frowned, but didn’t push the topic. “You look tired.” He raked his eyes down his friend. His hair was thrown up into a messy bun, he had a dirty orange hoodie falling over his body down to his knees, he had black sweatpants that he was basically swimming in, covering his feet completely, he had a split lip and all of his jewelry that could be off was off, which was weird, because Kenny rarely took his jewelry off. He had sunglasses on for some reason actually Stan hadn’t noticed that for some reason-
“It’s two in the mornin’.” Kenny deadpanned, adjusting the sunglasses. “You look tired.”
“Why are you wearing sunglasses?” Stan asked instead of responding.
“Fuck ya mean.” Kenny frowned. “Am I not stylin’?” He pouted.
Stan rolled his eyes. “They’re stupid.” He said, because they are. They’re comically large bright orange heart sunglasses.
“Okay, dickhead, fuck ya too.” Kenny stuck his tongue out.
“Kenny, what are you really doing here, dude? I can just kick you out.” Stan threatened. Normally it would be an empty threat, but Kenny’s presence was honestly annoying him.
Kenny’s shoulders tensed and his face fell. “Is it really so hard ta believe I jus’ wanted ta hang out?” Stan could barely see his eyebrows furrow.
“Well- I mean, not at 2am.” He bit his lip.
“Well it seems to me this is the only time I can hang out with ya.” Kenny’s face hardened. “Ya never take up my offers.”
He felt a little bad now. Because Kenny was right, he had been avoiding him. He didn’t know exactly why, but he had been. He’d honestly been avoiding everyone except Wendy and Kyle. He just wasn’t feeling up for socializing.
“Well maybe I don’t wanna hang out with you.” Is what he said instead. “Ever thought about that?” He spat.
Kenny leaned back, curling his legs up. He sniffed. “Well, fine. Tha’s all ya had ta say, man.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and hopped off.
“Wait, Ken, I didn’t mean that.” Stan scrambled off his bed and caught Kenny’s wrist. “I’m sorry.” He said sincerely and gently tried to tug the blonde back to the bed. It didn’t take much, Kenny immediately sat back down with him.
“Are ya okay, Stan?” Kenny asked, slowly slipping his wrist down and grasping Stan’s hand with his own, intertwining their fingers. Stan didn’t even notice.
He knew he shouldn’t dump on Kenny. And he knew that Kenny was acting weird and he should be getting the blonde to dump instead but-
“Dude, I don't even know.” He blurted, squeezing Kenny’s hand unconsciously, Kenny squeezed back. “It’s been so, weird? Yanno? Life is turning on its head, I dunno.” Stan flushed, he didn’t even know what he was saying.
“Did something specific happen?” Stan shivered at Kenny’s voice. It was a thing the blonde did that Stan had noticed. Whenever a serious conversation came up, Kenny lost his accent and his shortening words. Stan didn’t know why he did it and he never thought to ask.
“I mean, Shelly taking a gap year really fucked with me.” He shrugged weakly. “I was really..I was really looking forward to..not being scared in my own home.” He cringed as his voice broke. “It would just be me and mom. And honestly? Dad has been absent from his house so much I don’t think he would realize if I didn’t spend the weeks I’m supposed to be there.”
He took a breath and Kenny took his other hand, scooting up to sit next to him. Stan liked the contact, it grounded him. He pressed their shoulders together.
“Is that it?”
That was another thing about having serious talks with Kenny. He somehow always knew when you weren’t saying everything you wanted to. And he wasn’t afraid to say something about it.
Stan leaned back. He would have rather laid his head on Kenny’s but the blonde was way too short for Stan to do that.
Kenny was a physical person, and everyone had gotten used to that. Kenny was also very forward and those two things often went hand in hand. So Stan wasn’t exactly surprised when Kenny took Stan’s arm and put it around his shoulders, laying against his side.
“You know how I’m dating Kyle and Wendy?” Of course he knew they were dating, Stan rolled his eyes internally. Kenny just nodded against his chest. “I just, it’s weird. Yanno? It’s weird to be in a relationship with two other people. Especially people I’ve been so close to my entire life. Even then, I know they’re not going to leave me because I’ve been with them my whole life. But it doesn’t stop me from overthinking.”
Stan had those nights. Most nights were those nights. Even if he spent them cuddling up with his partners. It was different with Kenny. Kenny wasn’t something he worried about, Kenny was a factor that didn’t matter. He could sit or lay there with Kenny and pour his heart out and he was never worried about what spilled out of his mouth.
Talking to Kenny was a nice thing. Because whenever it was a serious topic, Kenny would listen, and give advice if he could. Kenny was a forward, blunt, honest person. Stan already had two of those people in his life, but they tended to dial back for his benefit, and he knew it.
They were silent for a while. Stan didn’t know how long.
Kenny doesn’t speak if he doesn’t have anything to say, or if he can’t think of anything to say. But lately Stan had found his friend speaking to fill the silence. “They won’t leave you.” It wasn’t necessary, it wasn’t advice. It was weird to hear Kenny say something unneeded. It sounded empty. Stan snorted.
Kenny gulped and sat up quickly. Stan blinked and looked over to him. “No, I’m serious.” Stan cursed those stupid glasses that blocked his eyes, Stan had been using Kenny’s eyes to understand him for years, it was weird to not be able to see them.
“It’s just like you said- they’ve been with you your whole life, yeah? Honestly in our earlier years they didn’t like each other that much in general, there’s no way they would leave you for each other. I know that’s what you’re most worried about, because if they leave you, they’re leaving the relationship with each other and you, it’s all of you that are the problem, but if they leave you for each other, then you’re the problem, yeah? That’s what you’re worried about, and trust me anyone who would leave you in general honestly is just an idiot because you’re an amazing person for real. Kyle and Wendy know you’re great, that’s why they’re dating you, they love you. I know you can’t help but overthink, trust me I understand, but you also need to know that they’re not going to actually leave you- that’s the important thing to be focused on. At the end of the day, even with all your thoughts about them leaving and you not being good enough, they’re still with you and they always will be even if romance doesn’t work out.”
Kenny takes a deep breath at the end and Stan just stares with wide eyes. Because in the thirteen years that Stan has known the blonde, he’d never heard him talk for that long. Kenny never rambled, and honestly now that Stan had heard him ramble? It suits him. Stan feels like Kenny should’ve always been talking this much. And he wonders why he hasn’t. If it’s because of himself, or his friends, or something else. But it just feels right for Kenny to speak that much. And honestly?
“Fuck, dude-” Stan chokes out, tears springing to his eyes.
Kenny’s cheeks flush and he takes Stan’s hands, squeezing them lightly. He smiles softly. “Sorry, that was a bit much..Do you get my point, though?” God, Stan really fucking wishes he could see Kenny’s eyes.
Stan thinks if he speaks he’ll either break down or throw up, so he just launches himself at Kenny and tightly wraps around him.
Kenny laughs a little in surprise and Stan buries his face into Kenny’s hair- fuck, its really soft. Tears leak out of his eyes and he bunches Kenny’s hoodie in his fists, letting out small cries.
Kenny’s always been a good hugger, the best honestly. Kenny brought a sort of comfort that no one else did, it was motherly but Stan wouldn’t wanna call it that since he totally found Kenny attractive.
Stan could feel Kenny’s sunglasses digging into his chest but he ignored the pain, hugging the blonde tighter.
“I love you so much, Stan.” A muffled confession. Kenny had told Stan he loved him multiple times, but it felt different this time.
Stan’s stomach flipped and he didn’t want to look further into it.
-
“Hey, sweetheart!” Wendy’s voice came through the other side of the phone and Stan smiled, tugging his hood up to cover it as he walked down the sidewalk.
“Hi, Stan.” Kyle’s joined in and Stan smiled wider.
“Hey, guys. I miss you.” Stan hummed as he kicked a pebble.
“We missed you, too. How are you doing? You sounded rough in your texts.” Wendy asked worriedly. Stan could hear Kyle bark out a laugh and Wendy scold him.
Stan winced at the memory. After Kenny had left, he immediately texted Wendy and Kyle to tell him how much he appreciated them. He was a bit hysterical however and not many of his words came out correctly.
“Uh, yeah, I’m good. I had a talk with Kenny, like, a serious one?” He bit his lip, nervous. But Kenny told him to just talk to them, there’s no way they would judge him and deep down Stan knew he was right. He always was.
“Kenny really knows how to get someone thinking, I won’t even lie.” Kyle sighed and Stan could imagine him shaking his head. Everyone’s had a serious talk with Kenny, the boy was amazing at cheering people up and at giving advice.
“Yeah, I was...yanno, sobbing a little when I texted.” Stan mumbled. “Not anything bad!” He quickly added. “He got me thinking, obviously, and I just- I really love you guys, okay?” He flushed and stared down at the pavement as he walked.
“We love you too, dude.” Kyle spoke up after a pause. “Do you wanna talk when we get home?”
“Um, maybe?” Stan shrugged, even though they couldn’t see him.
“Whenever you’re ready, babe.” Wendy said in a soft voice and Stan could imagine her smile, his face heating up.
Stan stopped at his driveway, seeing his mom’s car. “I gotta go, guys. Love you, cya soon.”
“Love you, too.” Came both of their responses, voices overlapping and Stan smiled as he hung up.
-
Kyle
Kyle stood in the instrument room, it was buzzing with nervousness and excitement. It was their first show of the year. He gulped and wiped his sweaty palms on his dress pants.
“Tolkien, dude.” Kyle looked over pleadingly at the boy who was tuning Kyle’s viola for him. He looked up and gave the ginger a pitying smile. “How’s my hair look?”
“It looks great, Kyle. I promise, you can even ask Jimmy if you want to.” Token reassured.
“No, I don’t want that much of the truth.” Kyle sighed and fell into a chair, burying his face into his hands.
“You’ve done this so many times, man, you’ll do fine!” Clyde clapped a hand on Kyle’s shoulder and Kyle peeked through his fingers to find the brunette’s wide grin.
“If it m-m-m-makes you feel be-be-better, everyone will be too focused on, mi-mi-mi-mi- sir big shot over here to even l-look at you!” Jimmy winked at Token who flushed and looked away.
“You do look amazing, Tolk.” Kyle nodded and Token smiled bashfully.
It doesn’t even matter anyway. No one’s there for Kyle specifically. Stan’s in the hospital, he had an asthma attack the night before and Wendy’s staying there with him, urging Kyle to go to his concert. “It’s the first one of the year, Ky!” She had insisted. They both really wanted to be there, Kyle knew they did.
His parents and brother were stuck in Denver, their car had broken down. It really seemed like the universe hated Kyle, honestly. He hadn’t bothered to even contact Kenny, having overheard Clyde say he was on babysitting duty and already asked him to come.
So Kyle was all alone this time. While he had his fellow orchestra mates, that only cheered him up a bit. He knew there was nothing anyone could’ve done to be there, they wanted to, Kyle couldn’t blame them for an asthma attack or a car breaking down. Or even babysitting.
They wanted to be there just as much as Kyle wanted them to be there. That’s what he kept telling himself.
He couldn’t help but think his parents were lying. His mom sure as hell didn’t like the idea of him playing an instrument when he presented it back in fifth grade. It took months of convincing to let her. It was a quiet instrument, Kyle would even practice at Stan’s house if she wanted! His dad always went along with whatever his mom said. And Ike most definitely knew nothing about cars, if the car hadn’t broken down he wouldn’t know the difference.
There were three loud knocks on the door and Kyle straightened up, snapping out of his thoughts. He snagged his viola and wiped his clammy hands once again.
“You guys ready?” Clyde grinned, his clarinet and Jimmy’s trombone in his hands.
“Not at all.” Kyle took a breath, shaking his head. They all laughed and Kyle nervously chuckled, pushing down his nausea.
Kyle looked out into the audience, glad that none of them could see how much he was sweating. While it was only the freshmen playing that night, it was four towns of freshmen. That’s a lot of people to be watching them. And yet still, not a single one was there for-
“WOOHOO!”
Kyle blinked. He…he knew that voice. He wasn’t used to it being so loud, but he knew that voice.
“YOU GOT THIS BABE!” A boisterous laugh after it and Kyle flushed, finding Clyde’s eyes with his own wide ones. The brunette shrugged with his own shocked look, grinning.
If Kyle squinted past the lights a bit, he could spot Kenny cheering in the front row. Next to him stood Karen, Craig’s sister who he didn’t remember the name of, and- Ike?
His brother waved, a small smile on his face.
Kyle’s eyes snapped to the conductor when he heard her voice. But his heart swelled, and he couldn’t stop the grin splitting his face.
The concert was finally over. Kyle was hot as hell and sweating balls, but hearing Kenny and his brother cheer made it worth it. To hear everyone cheer in general. He stood up with the rest of the orchestra and bowed, holding his viola out to the side.
When they were finally able to, Kyle rushed off the stage and back to the instrument room, quickly zipping up his viola.
“DUDE!” Clyde bounced into the room, smiling wide and immediately throwing off his blazer. “Did you see Kenny!?” He set Jimmy’s trombone down on a chair and started putting his clarinet away. “Fucker lied to me.” He sighed but his smile didn’t waver.
“Screw that, did you hear Kenny?” Token snickered as he entered the room with Jimmy hobbling behind him. He was missing his cello, which was to be left on the stage until Monday morning.
Kyle laughed breathlessly. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here for me today.” He followed Clyde’s lead and shed his blazer, rolling up his sleeves.
“He t-t-t-totally has a boner for you.” Jimmy teased, sitting down and tearing his forearm crutches off to start packing up his trombone.
Kyle flushed, but it was barely noticeable with how red he already was from the heat. “Fuck off, dude.” He huffed.
“Tell your boyfriend hi for me!” Clyde called after him with a giggle.
Kyle rolled his eyes and threw his blazer on his shoulder, adjusting his grip on his viola case. He swerved his way through the crowds of people, straining his eyes for any sight of Kenny and Ike.
He was starting to think they went home when he heard his name be called from outside the front door. He swiveled around and sighed in relief.
“‘Orry, man, we were overheatin’ in there.”
“Dude.” Kyle groaned.
Kenny grinned and Karen swooped in to take his viola case as Kenny pulled him in for a hug.
Kyle sighed and melted into him, resting his chin on the blonde’s hair and closing his eyes.
They pulled away after a moment and Kyle kept his hands on Kenny’s shoulder. “What are you doing here!?” Kyle still didn’t honestly believe it.
“Wouldn’t miss it fo’ the world.” Kenny said sincerely and Kyle’s cheeks heated once again despite the fact the cold nipped at them.
Kyle smiled at him thankfully and then turned to his brother, embracing the noirette in a hug. “I thought the car broke down!” When he pulled back Ike was shrugging with a grin.
“Kenny came and picked me up. Don’t think mom was very happy about it.” He scrunched up his nose.
Kyle sighed. “As long as you support me.” He ruffled Ike’s hair. The eleven year old swatted his hands away but his smile didn’t leave his face.
“That was great, Ky!”
Kyle got the breath knocked out of him when Karen rammed into him with a hug. He chuckled and set his hand on her head, scratching it in affection. “Thanks, Kare.”
“It was okay.” Kyle looked over and saw Craig’s sister with a bored expression, yet he could spot the bit of awe behind it. “I wasn’t really paying attention.” She shrugged.
Karen let go of Kyle with a scowl and shoved the girl. “Tricia!” She scolded.
“Thanks.” Kyle deadpanned, but held his hand out for a fist bump. Tricia reluctantly obliged.
“Ya were amazin’, dude.” Kenny plastered himself to the ginger’s side and wrapped an arm around his waist.
Kyle warmed up immediately, his stomach flopping as he threw his arm around his friend’s shoulders. “Thank you, Ken.” He said earnestly.
“I gotta drop Trish and Kare at Tucker’s house, and then Ike at your’s.” He said as he started to lead Kyle to the parking lot. “Yer parents' car didn’ really break down.” He whispered and Kyle bit his lip.
“Yeah, I assumed.” He sighed, squeezing Kenny’s shoulder and glancing behind them to make sure the kids were following.
“Kenny!” Kyle looked back and saw Clyde waving at them.
“I’ll call ya later, Donovan. I’m sorry!” Kenny called back without stopping in his stride.
“You’re seriously ditching Clyde for me?” Kyle asked in surprise, a small grin creeping onto his face. Clyde and Kenny were known for being incredibly close since high school started.
“‘Course, man.” Kenny shrugged, getting in the car and waiting for Kyle to get in as well before continuing. “I was here fo’ ya, not him.”
Kyle’s heart beat faster.
“Thanks, Ken.” Kyle said once again as they stopped at his house. They’d already dropped Tricia and Karen off. Ike hopped out immediately, Kyle took his time.
“Hey, wait,” Kyle frowned and twisted back around, his leg already out of the car. “Ya wanna go out fo’ a bit? My treat if ya want Mickey D’s.” Kenny grinned. “I’ll drive ya to Hell’s Pass afterwards too.”
Kyle slowly slid his leg back into the car and slammed the door shut, he glanced up and saw Ike giving him a thumbs up before slipping into the house. “Sure, dude.” He smiled.
The two sat at a sticky table in a dimly lit McDonald’s at one in the morning and Kyle couldn’t be happier.
They were the only ones in the restaurant, giggling and talking loudly to themselves. The workers surprisingly hadn’t kicked them out or told them to shut up yet despite them having been there for an hour or two.
“Ken,” Kyle prompted, sipping on his shake after he calmed his giggles. “Did you seriously drive to Denver to pick Ike up?” He brushed curls out of his eyes and it was only then he realized he still had his hair out, he flushed.
“Yeah, dude.” Kenny stole a fry from Kyle’s tray and the ginger didn’t bother to stop him. “I know how much this shit means ta ya.” He hummed. “Ike told me tha’ ya always go ta his shit, he wanted ta go ta yers.” He smiled.
Kyle looked down, his hair falling in his face as he smiled bashfully.
“Oh! Tha’ reminds me..” Kenny twisted and started rooting through his torn up bag. “I dunno how it reminded me, but it did…” He mumbled. “Aha!” He pulled a camcorder out and set it on some unused napkins.
“You got a camcorder?” Kyle furrowed his eyebrows, sliding his food out of the way and leaning closer.
“Just fo’ ya, babe.” Kenny winked. “Picked it up on my way ta Denver, recorded the concert. Thought I could give it ta Stan and Wendy. I knew they were prettay bummed ‘bout missin’ it.”
Not only that but the three of the boys had a tradition to record every game or concert they all had to put on tapes and look at in years to come. Kyle was sure this would just be a missed one, even though in all their years they hadn’t had a missed one.
Kyle’s heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. “That’s so thoughtful of you, Ken.” He watched as Kenny put the camcorder away.
As he stared at the ripped bag he was reminded just how…poor, Kenny was. And how much money the blonde had spent on him just that night. He had driven all the way to Denver to pick up his brother, drove to North Park from Denver for his concert, drove to South Park from North Park to drop his brother off, from South Park to East Park to bring him to McDonalds, and then he was about to drive from East Park to North Park to bring him to Hell’s Pass, and back to South Park to go home.
That’s a shit ton of gas he had to pay for. Not to mention he bought a camcorder to record Kyle’s concert, and then bought Kyle McDonalds.
“Anythin’ fo’ my baby boy.” Kenny cooed and jutted his lip out, booping Kyle on the nose.
“Okay, fuck off, man.” Kyle laughed and swatted his hand away.
“Oh, by the way,” Kyle bit his lip, more? Kenny pulled his hoodie off to reveal his dirty white tee and Kyle almost choked on his drink.
It wasn’t often Kyle saw Kenny without a hoodie or a parka, he relished every moment he did, but he never got used to it. Kenny’s twig arms that were covered in scars always impressed him, because despite how small they were, he was still one of the strongest people Kyle knew. He was always reminded how long Kenny’s hair was when his hoodie or parka was off, hanging off his shoulders in waves. He never knew how it looked so soft and clean.
Kenny then pulled sweatpants out of his bag. “Since yer stayin’ at the hospital tonight, I assumed ya wouldn’t wanna sleep in yer concert clothes.” He handed the clothes over the table and Kyle blushed even fiercer. “The pants are Stan’s. None of mine woulda fit ya.” He chuckled.
“What would I do without you?” Kyle snorted, though he held a hint of a genuine tone under it.
Kyle stood at the door to Stan’s hospital room, Kenny’s hood tugged over his wild hair. His eyelids were heavy and his vision was bleary. He could feel the gunk in the corner of his eyes but his limbs were too molasses-y to lift and wipe them.
He breathed in, the sterilizing air was a harsh difference to the crisp cold mountain air that Kyle had been inhaling all night long.
He pushed the door open and was surprised to see both of his partners still awake and sitting next to each other on the hospital bed, giggling over something on Wendy’s phone.
It wasn’t unusual to see Stan in a hospital bed, Kyle was a little ashamed to admit he found Stan hot when he laid there. The noirette had asthma, he was anemic, he had a weird obsession with climbing things and broke or fractured a lot of bones doing so, and Kyle could vaguely remember visits because Stan had accidently overdosed on many things.
“Hey.” Kyle mumbled and the two finally looked up at him. He cringed at his raspy voice.
“Dude.” Stan blinked as Wendy rushed up and over to him. “You look and sound like shit, are you okay?” He scooted himself up to a sitting position.
“What? Yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry.” Kyle chuckled watery as Wendy took his arm and led him over to a chair. “Guys, I promise, I’m okay. Great even.” He grinned tiredly as they both stared at him worriedly.
“We weren’t expecting you.” Wendy hummed as she pushed the hood down and brushed his hair back.
“Hey! Are those my pants, dude? I’ve been looking for them!” Stan narrowed his eyes at Kyle’s legs and Kyle furrowed his eyebrows, slowly looking down.
“Nah, man..Kenny gave ‘em to me..”
“Are you high?” Wendy asked after a moment of silence.
“No!” Kyle shook his head and laughed. “I’m just tired.”
“Why’d Kenny have my pants?” Stan pouted, crossing his arms.
Wendy chuckled at his antics, tucking hair behind his ear. “You’ll have to ask him yourself, sweetheart.” She then looked back to Kyle. “That Kenny’s hoodie, too?” She raised an eyebrow.
Kyle pulled on the hoodie and looked at it. “Yeah.” He tugged the hood back up. “Comfy.” He nodded. It smelled like Kenny too, and if Kyle was in any other state he would’ve had the decency to not inhale the scent deeply in front of his partners.
“It’s like 4am, Ky, what are you doing here?” Stan asked bewilderedly, watching his boyfriend cuddle up to his friend’s hoodie in bliss with wide eyes.
“Ken drove me here.” He sniffled, laying his head on the edge of the bed. He then remembered. “Oh, uh.” He sat back up and dug into the hoodie pocket, scrunching his nose up at the trash before he pulls out the camcorder.
“What’s that?” Wendy tilted her head and sat at the bottom of the bed. Stan’s eyes lit up.
“No way, dude!” He laughed and held his hands out, Kyle deposited the thing into them. He pulled it up and started fiddling with it. “I thought he wouldn’t be able to..” Stan said under his breath.
“Yeah.” Kyle agreed, pulling his knees up to his chest and settling his chin on them. “He’s spent a shit ton of money on me just today. I feel bad. We were together for like, five hours!” He sighed at the end of his exclamation, squishing his cheek against his knees as he watched Stan carefully put the camcorder on the table next to the hospital.
Wendy furrowed her eyebrows. “How much?”
“Too much.” Kyle scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Like, try six driving trips of gas, a camcorder, and anything I wanted from McDonalds plus some.”
“Dude, seriously!?” Stan’s eyes widened and Wendy smacked his knee, he only glanced at her for a second. “No offense to him, but how’d he afford all that?”
“No clue.” Kyle hummed and smiled into his knees. “I thought it was nice though.”
“Yeah, you like to be pampered, don’t you, princess?” Wendy teased, booping his nose.
Kyle laughed and swatted her hands away, straightening up. “How am I gonna thank him?” Uh oh, he hadn’t even thought about that. He couldn’t just let Kenny spend all that on him and not pay him back at least a little!
“I think right now you need to sleep, hun.” Wendy hummed and tucked hair behind his ear.
“Maybe.” Kyle let out a breath, mind running with ideas of how to pay Kenny back.
----------------------
“We all have a crush on Kenny, right?” Wendy spoke suddenly one day as they were waiting for photography class to begin.
Kyle let out a breath of relief. “Oh thank God, I didn’t wanna assume.”
“I didn’t wanna say anything just in case.” Stan nodded, smiling tiredly as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Wendy chuckled at all of their oblivion. “Do we ask him out?”
“I dunno, would that overwhelm him?” Stan bit at his nails, glancing at the door.
“It’s Kenny.” Kyle deadpanned.
“How do we go about it?” Wendy tapped her foot, tying her hair back in a ponytail.
“I’m not sure, but he’s coming so shut up.” Stan hissed, and tried to appear nonchalant. But he ended up just standing very still and stiff and staring ahead.
Kenny slowed as he came up to them, furrowing his eyebrows at Stan. “Sup, weirdo.” He snorted, elbowing the boy as he took his spot across from Kyle and next to Stan. He adjusted his stupidly large sunglasses.
“Hey, Ken.” Wendy smiled as she finished her ponytail, dropping her arms.
“Hey, dude.” Kyle greeted, scratching his arm as his face heated up.
“Hey, guys.” Kenny grinned and put his elbows on the table, leaning in. “I was wondering,”
Stan finally shook out of his embarrassment and brushed his hair back, giving Kenny his attention.
“If y’all wanted ta go on a date with me?” He hummed, grinning at all of their slack jaws.
“Seriously!?” Wendy squealed, quickly steeling herself when she got weird looks from some of the kids around them. “I mean, um,”
“We were just talking about that.” Kyle smiled and leaned forward to rest his hand on Kenny’s, rubbing his thumb over the blonde’s knuckles. Kenny stared at their hands before looking back up at Kyle.
“We would love to, Ken.” Stan nudged Kenny with a wide smile.
Kenny let out a breath. “Thank God,” He pushed his sunglasses up to rest on his head and the others had to conceal a wince at the angry bruise under his eye. “I was a lil’ worried there.” He snickered.
Stan, Kyle, and Wendy glanced at each other before back at Kenny.
“No need.” Wendy and Stan added their hands to the pile and smiled.