Chapter Text
*Author's note: Hey! This is a continuation of my previous work titled "Plushie Confession", originally it was a story that was meant to be a one and done thing. But I realized I wanted to explore more of this story and expand it a lot. I'd highly recommend reading that one first before this one, but it doesn't really matter. Hope you enjoy this one too, and please leave comments on places you think would need improvement or parts you like. I'm committing myself to getting better at writing so any pointers are greatly appreciated. Thanks! My twitter: @sooshi_bean
Kenny couldn't be more happier than to be with his cute boy now, Butters in return couldn't be more grateful that Kenny came into his life. Navigating their relationship only brings our boys closer and closer together. School isn't the place to show their affection, after all this is high school and they already know what some kids are tempted to do when secrets like this get out. As so, Starks Pond is their place to escape to after school and from home as no one visits the old creek anymore. On occasion they will hang out at Kenny's house as his parents aren't in a responsible state to bat an eye about their son. But Kenny feels that deep down, they know. Do they want to say something? Or do they wish not to? Or do their temptations matter more in the moment?
The other three already figured it out after Kenny started hanging out with them less and less. They didn't take it to heart thankfully, with Stan being the one to have a deep talk with Kenny about the happiness he has found. He's always cared for Kenny as almost a little brother and he feels a responsibility to always check on him, despite their lives getting more and more busier by the week. Kyle with basketball, Cartman with D&D, and being club president of the animal charity club. He's on a daily text basis with Kenny so he'll get the answers he needs after school.
Finding Kenny at the furthest corner from campus to talk. "Hey dude"
"Hey Stan..."
"Sooo, you and Butters huh bud?"
"Yep." Kenny blushes and soft smiling too.
"For how long? I assume it's been for a while, because I've seen a change in you."
"Since April, during our short day trip to Denver, it just kinda worked out when I was honest with him. I have been feeling so much for him ever since I got roped into going to Hawaii with him."
Stan sits next to Kenny facing the sunset as it's Friday and the weekend is here. The sky is a glorified gradient from purple to orange...an orange Kenny can get behind.
"It's just...something I didn't expect to happen to someone like you. I mean you were obsessed with playboys when we were kids and you've had girlfriends too..."
"I'm not putting those behind me because I think those were real, even at the age of 9. I definitely felt something for them at the time. I don't know who I am, but I just know what I'm feeling now with him is real, so real. Real to the point I sometimes think I'll be just fine, with him by my side."
"Now that you tell me, I think I get why you've backed out of hanging out with us when Cartman is with us..."
Kenny interrupts, unable to even hear that bastard's name and that his brothers since kindergarten would even still consider him a friend, "That's it Stan! You think after what he has done to Butters since we were kids, that I'd want him around Butters more often!? Absolute fucking not! I'm not putting him through all that again, he is still uncomfortable to even see Cartman, and sometimes I think he loses faith in himself. It breaks my heart to see shit like that!"
He folds his arms over his knees and buries his face in embarrassment and anguish. Clearly, disturbed by what he just said. Assuming his boyfriend isn't able to grow into the best version of himself? I can't force him to face his fears. At least to the point where he can stand up for himself. Cartman's caused enough damage starting from when we were kids. What should I do?
Stan breaks the silence, "I'm sorry too dude."
"For what?"
"I was thinking the other day back to when we would all play together all those years ago and remembering a couple of things we collectively did to Butters, you with the ninja star, Cartman playing bad cop on him, gaslighting him into writing that book. I guess that was before you went to Hawaii?"
Sigh "Yea pretty much, I still to this day hate myself for being the partial cause of this and I want to make it up to him. The fact that I developed feelings and ultimately now we're dating, I feel a responsibility to not only make him happy but help him find his way, that he is able to accomplish anything."
Stan is shocked to see Kenny saying stuff like this, the kid who would say and do the most insane things to himself back then, showing a tender and caring demeanor. Even better towards someone else.
"Anyway I called you here, because I wanted to ask a favor." Kenny continues.
"Oh ok what is it dude?"
"Do you still play your guitar"
Stan's eyes are pleasantly shocked, "Uh yea on weekends mostly to drown out my sister's complaints at college. Why?"
Kenny stands up level with Stan, looking at him intensely.
"Since Jimmy is involved in the school band he also still has it on the drums. What I am asking is can you bring back Crimson Dawn but not as heavy metal? I want Butters to play on stage with us at the State Fair...if it's the only way to help him make that first step of finding his confidence, then it would mean a lot to me if we played together again. But this time playing a song that Butters and I can perform together."