Chapter Text
When Kenny opened his eyes, he expected to see Satan staring down at him with disproval. Maybe Pip would be chattering away in the background next to the flames or maybe he would see Chef making his way over to curiously question how everybody back on earth was.
Instead, the surroundings around him presented white walls and a white ceiling. He blinked forcibly to adjust to the bright light and every voice and sound seemed so far and distant.
Had he made it to Heaven? After all this time?
“Cartman, if you don’t stop drooling crumbs all over the floor, I’ll kill you.”
Nope, definitely not heaven.
He spoke the first words that came to mind with a rash, dry voice. “Kyle?”
“Kenny… you’re awake.” No, that was Stan’s voice. “Dude, how’re you feeling?”
“S’everyone okay? Where’s Kyle?”
“Kyle’s sleeping, but he’s right here. You’ve been out for about 22 hours and he hadn’t really slept until I came down here and forced him to.” Stan paused and sighed. “He was really, really scared for you. We all were.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m here for the free pudding.” Cartman remarked with a mouth full of food.
Stan practically growled. “That pudding wasn’t for you, fatass! It came with Kenny’s meal!”
Kenny’s eyes began to shift into focus to see Stan sitting on the edge of his hospital bed. He wore a watery smile and his eyes were puffy from an explanation that would only conclude to crying. Kenny felt the worn-out pillows that sat him upright, and his eyes searched for a certain redhead.
He found all his muscles relax when his eyes found Kyle, who was slumped on his side fast asleep. He looked more worn down than Kenny had ever seen, but otherwise unharmed besides the scratch on his knee and the bandage on his arm.
Kenny felt the need to cry, but against his better judgment, he sucked in a deep breath and looked to Stan. “What happened? Is he hurt?”
“There's barely a scratch... It’s a miracle you two aren’t dead.” Stan began softly. “The earthquake wasn’t very powerful anywhere outside of the bathroom, which is where you guys happened to be. The room is a complete wreck; some people started spreading rumors that you died when the ambulance showed up. Kyle said that you did something to stop the earthquake? You saved his life.”
“Did something to stop it? Why am I not dead?” He questioned thoughtfully.
“Kyle got you out of there just in time.” Stan added gently. "Listen, I'm gonna go get the doctor to let him know you're up, okay? Cartman, c'mon."
"Why do I have to go?"
"Because we can't leave your fatass alone with Kenny's food!"
Cartman began his complaints as Stan practically dragged him out of the room.
Kenny felt himself nod. Being the asshole that he was, Cartman slammed the door shut on his way out.
The noise was enough to make Kyle flinch awake, but all fear left his eyes at the sight of Kenny.
"Oh my god... you're okay!"
Kenny didn’t waste a second. "How much do you remember?"
Kyle sat up, shifting uncomfortably and biting his lip with hesitation. "Everything... I remember every bit, Kenny." He seemed to question himself more and paused a moment before continuing. "Do you?"
"I— I should be the one who's apologizing." Kenny didn’t see the point in hiding anything at this point. "I like you, Kyle. And I'm sorry that I do."
Kyle opened his mouth to object before he took a deep breath, looking into Kenny's eyes with a remising smile. "You know, I think I've learned something today."
"Oh god, Ky."
"Because the thing is, you don’t have to be sorry. I think a part of it was the universe realizing I liked you too. And it might sound strange, but I think you admitting your feelings could've stopped it. The moment you... confessed, the earthquake stopped. I've never seen anything like it. I know it sounds crazy, but it's been almost 24 hours and nothing bad has happened to me. I think it's because you confessed. I think the universe was trying to... find a way to set us up."
"But how do you know for sure?" Kenny was desperate for a sense of safety for Kyle. He needed to know that luck as bad as that would never happen to him again.
"Well, it's kind of a long story. After the ambulance came to take you away, they had to bring me to a small little room to patch me up and check for injuries. There was a bunch of sharp objects in the room, but not once did I even come close to danger. When I realized the bad luck might be over, I had to make sure by taking the stairs up here instead of the escalator. I didn’t use the banister, and at some points, I even closed my eyes, but I never fell. Never even stumbled. It's been 22 hours and not one bad thing has happened to me. It's been 22 hours and the worst thing I've experienced is seeing you out cold in a hospital bed."
Kenny didn’t know what to say. The calming taste of relief flooded through his brain, and he found himself letting out a laugh. "You talk so much."
Kyle smiled at the familiarity of the light in Kenny's eyes. "I've been told."
It was comfortably quiet for a few moments before Kenny's grin was replaced with a look of pure fear. "But be honest... do you really think it's over?"
"I do." He replied with little to no hesitation.
Kenny felt Kyle gently grasp his hand. "And... do you want to be like... more than frie—"
"I do."
For the first time in a long time, Kenny felt like everything was going to be okay.
Maybe the universe had a place for Kenny McCormick after all.