Chapter Text
Kenny drops Butters off at a stop, it's his job that since moving in with Kenny's family he's been working at everyday after school. He got the job right after Thanksgiving in hopes of contributing to the McCormicks' household and so he and Kenny can start saving before moving out. Kenny's also been hard at work, having switched from City Wok to Tweek Bros as their employee rate went up following the extended menu of drinks they added. Not to mention the wave of new customers that come after their day jobs, scrambling to get Tweek's family's new drinks that are invented every week. Tweek leads all the shifts and most of the time it's him and Kenny, but sometimes Craig or Tolkien will help them if the store gets too crowded. Butters' job involves him babysitting kids at the local daycare, it allows him to recover from the trauma of his parents. At first he was petrified the kids wouldn't like him or he wouldn't do a good job. But a few months later, he's become the most popular chaperone amongst the kids, there's even a little girl that cries whenever he doesn't have a shift that day. He sometimes brings them treats and teaches them to play board games. He goes home to Kenny relaxed and positive; those kids are slowly healing him. But there's a bit of a catch.
After the incident, Kenny couldn't fathom leaving Butters alone even if to let him walk more than 20 minutes by himself. It slowly drives Butters a little crazy that his boyfriend is over tentative to everything he does. On the outside, he can't stand Kenny insisting that he be near him all the time. He can understand the guilt and commitment Kenny has to him as by this point it's laughable, but also fearing that the guilt is becoming too much to handle. Just the other day, he wanted to go to the grocery store to get some ingredients for pizza to cook with Karen. Despite it being a 8 minute walk from Kenny's house, he couldn't even get the door open with Kenny touching his shoulder to stop him.
"Where are you going Leo?" Ken asked. "Just to the store, we don't have cheese and olive oil and Karen wanted to make pizza." Butters responded, feeling a little tense.
"Why don't I go with you? I-II need to pick up some uh applesauce." Kenny nervously asked grabbing his arm with his other before lifting his head to Butters. "Oh! Uh yea sure Ken, you can get other stuff if ya want." Butters said. They get to the store and Butters walks himself to the dairy section holding a basket, thinking Kenny left to another aisle, he looks around to see him across from the dairy looking at cereal. Hm that's weird there's no applesauce over here, Butters thought. He takes a few steps to the left and hears steps behind him mirroring his movements, taking notice he takes a few steps right and hears the same feet following him. Not turning around and carrying on his business but he starts putting it together, Is he following me? Why? I thought we were at a point were we could trust each other, what is he doing? He finds the rest of the ingredients, even grabbing an extra item of snacking chips and makes his way to the checkout desk. He unloads the cheese, oil, and chips before Kenny comes behind him and places one singular pack of applesauce. Seeing it go down the belt staring at Butters as if Kenny was trying to tell him something. But he couldn't catch it in that moment.
…
He opens the door to the daycare as Kenny wished him off and drove away. Deep down he knows Kenny cares for him deeply, his actions and words prove that. It only amplified after what happened back in October that rocked their lives for the next year and a half. His affections show when they snuggle in Kenny's bed, when they get some alone time outside the house, even down to when he wants to cook and Kenny walks in and bears hugs him gently from behind. He knows and feels Kenny's feelings everyday and is more than happy that he feels the same. But the only thing confusing him is the sudden rise in extra attention Kenny gives him for the smallest almost mundane moments. Going as far as to be late to his afterschool shift at Tweek Bros just to drive Butters to the daycare. It doesn't make any sense.
He checks his name and greets the front desk woman, "Hi Tiffany, the kids seem ok today?", taking off his backpack and walking behind the counter.
"Oh hey there Butters! Yeah, and actually they've been endlessly asking when you were gonna be here. You know they love how engaging you are with them. You decided to come early huh?" she asked.
"Uhh yea pretty much, I just finished homework early I guess." I don't even have homework tonight but he insisted on driving me here. Pulling out his phone and scrolling to his text messages.
MyWildOne(Ken 🧡): hey! ur almost done with class right?
Leo: Yea why?
MyWildOne(Ken 🧡): sweet! i'll be ready to take you to work when school gets out
Leo: But don't you have to rush to your shift at Tweek's and didn't he get mad at you for being late last time?
MyWildOne(Ken 🧡): yea but who cares yknow? surely he won't kill me for being 5 minutes late hehe
Leo: You really sure about that? You know I can walk to the daycare by myself right?
MyWildOne(Kenny 🧡): well yea but yknow…thought I help you get there faster than just walking 😁
Leo: Alright if you say so. Don't be crying to me when I come home and find out you got him mad again.
MyWildOne(Kenny 🧡): i swear on my life hehe
He's such a dork I swear, Butters thought. He makes his way to the room where the kids are and he's greeted with an up roaring screaming from them, "Butters!!". They all run and hug him, with some hanging onto his legs and inhibiting him from walking.
"Whoa whoa, hey there everyone! How are we all feeling today?" Leo asked sending his sunny smile back to the chipper kids. Attending to each of them and making sure they are all having fun with everyone, whenever there's a kid by themselves he makes sure that they don't feel left out and will have one-on-one's with each one. Handing each of them a cookie from his baking time with Karen the night before. "Remember to take a napkin so you guys don't a make a mess ok?", he instructed them as he walks around the play room.
His parents never cared to be hands-on with him, he was alone most of his childhood within that home. He didn't realize what he was doing was something he longed for as a kid. He chuckles at the realization that he came from a horrible place but found his place with the boy around the corner from his house that was waiting for him all this time. From a trip to a place he hasn't been back to.
…
He gets to one of the kids named Penny who slowly started to come out of her shell as his shift's came and went. She reminded him of himself, shy and a little meek in feeling comfortable expressing herself. She keeps to herself and when the kids try to include her, she runs away in fear and hides behind the whiteboard holding her cookie. Butters takes notice, places the empty package on a table and walks over to her. Sitting down next to her and pulling his knees to his chest looking back at the others enjoying their cookies. He knows she trusts him but still her innocence and longing to mingle with the others hurts him inside, he knows the feeling too well.
"Didn't feel like being in the crowd today either?" Butters asks her. She avoids eye-contact and takes a bite of her cookie. Before shaking her head no.
"I don't want to" she whispered and twisted her hair as a reflex.
"Oh well why not?" he asked.
"It's loud. But it looks like fun."
"I can understand that, I also felt shy and overwhelmed by that kind of stuff."
"You did?"
"Yep, but I found a way to not let it hold me back."
"How?"
Butters is transported back to when he sat alone on a bench at that age and watching the other kids playing. Feeling like an empty case that didn't have a place to be or go, but then there's a light that makes it come alive.
He looks up and thinks for a second and Kenny comes into mind. His point of view during Denver, then the hospital and then the first time they snuggled in Kenny's bed after he was discharged.
He turns to face Butters who is focusing on his face and mouth closed smile that makes his heart flutter. But it's an old memory, with palm trees and the ocean surrounding him.
"I kinda just went for it and didn't overthink it. I learned that waiting for something to happen was not gonna get me anywhere. You know, I bet if you said hi to one or two of them that they would be excited to talk to you. Would you like to try?" Butters asked her.
"What do I say?" she sweetly asked. "What if they don't like me?"
"Just tell yourself this, it's something I tell myself to help." he turns to her and puts his hand on his chest. "I'm a dragon, a dragon that is beautiful, but also strong. And sometimes when things don't work, a dragon needs a mirror to remember it's important. Ok repeat after me, I'm a dragon..."
She stands up as he sits on the ground looking up at her, "I'm a dragon"
"A dragon that is beautiful, but also strong…"
She closes her eyes, "A dragon that is beautiful, but also strong"
"And sometimes…"
"And sometimes…"
"A dragon needs a mirror to remember it's important."
"A dragon needs a mirror to remember it's important."
Butters waits for her, "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, okay here I go." she slowly walks over to a group of 3 girls playing with dolls and Butters watches. She says something and then sits herself down. There's a pause that he got a little worried about, but then seeing them hand her a doll and start talking put him at ease. She isn't smiling as much but seeing them talk to her and include her in their game brought him back to when he was a little kid again.
Images of little him glitches where instead of playing with others, he is in the snow drawing small doodles by himself. Until another kid walks in his line of vision, with a orange parka that covered most of his face. He didn't say anything but sat next to him in the snow and drew with him. It felt like a long time ago.
…
The rest of his shift went smooth and as the last kid got picked up and left, he got an idea that formed after helping Penny. He remembered that spring break is around the corner and felt that he could seize the opportunity to uncover more about Kenny. Especially, after realizing the change in attitude after a few months. We'll be able to afford it because of our status there. He can't fight me on it this time. Grabbing his backpack and locking the front door, not being surprised when he sees Kenny waiting in the first parking spot with his car. Butters walks from the door shifting his backpack further up his shoulder and raising his arm up for Kenny.
Kenny walks over and hugs him tight, "How was your shift? Hope those kids aren't tiring you out huh?"
"Nah, you know they like seeing me. They are bundles of energy for sure, but I don't mind it. Very sweet kids too." Butters responded. "Hey so what do you want for dinner? I stocked up on some healthy ingredients and was curious." Sitting in Kenny's car as he starts it to make their way back home.
Thinking for a second, "Well, we had pasta last night. So how about maybe your specialty dish?" Kenny turns to Butters with a mischievous glare.
"Ken, stop looking at me like that." Butters said only his cheeks blushed and his eyebrows don't agree with it.
"Why not Leo? You make it so good!" Kenny whined.
Sighing before caving into Kenny's sweet face, "Aw ok then you dork, fried rice it is. You're lucky you know how to get me to cave. You're so weird" He chuckles a smile back to Kenny.
"Cuz I'm your dork right hehe" Kenny said. "Yep, very much" Butters responded. His feelings remind him just who is across from him. That upfront, he is truly safe. He doesn't have to revel in anxious thoughts about what he is allowed to express. There's just something about Kenny that he can't stop thinking is more to him than what he says and does. He's always dismissed deep talks and I wonder why? I know you love me and I love you too. But you run away when I try to uncover that soul of yours.
…
Kenny parks the car just next to the curb and they walk inside. Karen greets them and hugs Butters. "Hi guys! Welcome back! So Leo, what are we having tonight???" She blissfully asked.
"Well your brother convinced me to do fried rice tonight, you down for that?" Butters asked. "Oooo absolutely! I've never had it and mom and dad are going to the bar tonight so we got the kitchen to ourselves." Karen responded.
"Cool! Now do you wanna help me get it ready?" Butters patted her head.
"Yes! Cooking Karen is at your service!" She salutes him. Kenny lets out a smirk at the thought of Karen helping, "So you're not gonna get scared to get near the stove this time, lil sis?"
"No! It just startled me last time! I got it this time! I'm ready to be helpful I promise", she complains back. Butters and Kenny laugh before getting started on the ingredients.
Butters taught Karen to cut the vegetables, while Kenny prepped the rice. Both of them are enjoying themselves, they may be just making a meal in the house, but in actuality it's one of their favorite routines to do together. Normally they do it together, with Kenny excitedly waiting for the next step in the recipe. With Butters calm nature helping him wind down after a chaotic day of school. Made even more possible with Kenny walking into the kitchen to the smell of food and interlocking his hands and arms with Butters as he tends to the dish. He'll bury his face into Butters' back and rub his face into his shirt, snaking his cut and bruised fingers around Butters waist and stomach. Wanting to take in all of him while he has him here. Turning his head around to marvel at what his favorite person is making for them. That's only few moments of the week when Karen has soccer practice and Stuart and Carol have evenings out. But even this feels rushed at times.
…
About an hour later, the rice is grilled and all the vegetables and meat are mixed together. They all sit together to enjoy it, Karen can't stop making sounds of immense joy from the quality of the rice. Karen and Kenny are both enjoying it so much as they never got to have food like this before. "Leo, this beats City Wok!" Kenny exclaimed. "Yeah! I agree! This tastes so good! Thank you thank you!" Karen added.
"Glad you guys like it! It was just from a recipe I found online and I already had the ingredients, so yeah ha ha" Butters blushes. The rest of the evening follows with friendly exchanges between them. They even play a board game to get Karen tired so they could have some alone time. Butters knew it would be the best opportunity to bring it up. Especially, once Karen turned in for the night for the next day of 5th grade, and they can retreat to Kenny's room. Butters has all his clothes next door in Kevin's empty room but something about staying with Kenny just made sense and naturally helped him sleep better. He also couldn't be more than thankful to Stu and Carol for telling his parents off and finalizing the restraining order when they came to retrieve all his things. He heard it was ugly, so he doesn't let himself complain about anything, the last thing he wanted is the peace he's been given to become rocky. He's been through one chaos and he's not about to let it happen a second time.
…
They hear Karen close her door and rush to Kenny's room to lock the door. Butters sits next to Kenny on his bed, full from the massive amount of rice they just consumed. Karen's in her room down the hallway also dealing with her own food coma. He inches closer and his thigh meets Kenny's, Kenny then lays his head on Butters' lap and Butters strokes his hair, feeling every strand on his head. "Hey Ken, so I was thinking. You know we've been working really hard these past few months and stuff. But I wanted to ask you about next week"
"Oh what about next week?" Kenny perks his head up to look up at Butters.
Butters confused, "Did you forget that we have school off next week?" Placing his hand on Kenny's cheek.
"Wait we do?! Oh my fucking god I completely forgot." Kenny sprung up.
"I was thinking we should go on a little trip somewhere, just you and I to get a little bit of a break and well you know…" Butters said fidgeting his fingers together.
"Get a space to ourselves?"
"Yeah, I love being here of course. But don't you feel sometimes we need some alone time? It's not exactly easy to get a moment when it's close to knock out for the night."
"No, I agree. My sister is pretty nosy and there's times I wish we could well….yeah" They both turn away and blush very bright over the thought they are both sharing.
"D-Do you still have your Mahalo card? Because it means we only have to pay for the plane tickets to go back and stay with the people from last time."
"Oh yeah! I do it's over somewhere…" Kenny looks in each of his drawers before finding his Mahalo rewards card in his night stands' door. He never took it out of the drawer for safe-keeping. "Found it!"
"I still have mine too! Let's look at dates right now! I know it's Wednesday but we should be ok"
"Already got my computer open!"
"Ok so it looks like Hawaiian airlines does take our cards. I completely forgot man" Butters felt embarrassed.
"Yea so this trip will be next to nothing for us to go huh? Except for souvenirs and foods but we got that I feel like."
"Yeah looks like it." Butters pulled up the available flights and dates on his computer, luckily there was one that actually leaves on Sunday early in the morning. "How about this upcoming Sunday? Looks like there's still seats. I should probably book it now because all the people traveling for the break will be massive"
"Oh shit yeah I didn't think of that! Get it!" Kenny screamed.
"Ok it's booked and ready." But then Butters remembers, "Should we have told your parents first?"
"Uhhhhh probably yeah, but we can just say we're gonna go and then show them the tickets later. hehe"
"Alright then"
They turn in for the night and Butters nestles himself next to Kenny on his bed and spoons him from behind. Desperate to show his love and affection as Kenny always does for him. He kisses him on the back of his head and in his ruffled gold blonde hair. He whimpers a little to the kiss.
"Love you Ken"
"Love you too Leo"
"Looking forward to being in paradise with you." Butters says. Kenny turns around and hugs Butters with his head underneath Butters, buried in his chest.
"I can't wait for it to be here." Kenny softly says.
"Me too." As Butters wraps his legs around Kenny and they drift asleep together. Dreaming of the sun and sun screen to envelop them under a gentle palm tree.