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Kenny woke up in a cold sweat, startled by the sight of a car hurdling towards him at speeds beyond what was legal in all 50 states combined. The teen heaved, fear encapsulating his racing heart, which his right hand grasped at as if he could actually hold it still. Sadly, a heart was within the body, and this new vessel of his was completely unharmed, not allowing his hand to comfort his heart.
He'd returned quickly this time, it felt as though all he had done was blink. If it weren't for his meta-knowledge of his curse, he would've thought he dreamt the entire death. Kenny pulled his knees up to his chest, breathing as slowly as he could muster to try and control his pulse. Slowly, his left hand reached for his phone next to him, turning the screen over and tapping it to check the date.
10PM March 22nd. He hadn't missed it entirely, but he was sure he'd just no showed something Stan and Kyle had planned.
Unfortunate.
With a heavy sigh, Kenny fell backwards onto his bed, his dusty blonde hair splaying across his pillow. He choked slightly, mucus building in his chest and throat as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
When was the last time he got to celebrate his entire birthday? A day to himself without death? A day where he didn't have to worry about the pain of dying and where he would end up for the time being afterwards?
He couldn't remember.
With little to no thought, Kenny gave into the emotion, letting the saltwater leak from his eyes and rubbing them harshly with his orange sleeve. He shook slightly, sobbing silently in his empty room. In all of his years in the McCormick house, he had learned to cry quietly. By now, Karen was likely asleep, and the last thing Kenny wanted to do was wake his little sister from a good night's rest.
She was probably wondering where he'd been all day.
Tap tap tap.
Tap.
Kenny jolted slightly, sitting up and looking around with a racing heart and caution; was somebody trying to break into his room? Worse, was somebody trying to break into Karen's room?
The teen stood, turning to his window with danger in his eyes until his indigo irises caught baby blue.
"Hi Ken!" His boyfriend smiled, his animated speech readable through the glass. Kenny wiped his eyes quickly, rubbing them slightly and pinching his own neck to check reality before looking up to make eye contact with Butters again; the other boy's face was twisted with concern; Kenny had obviously been crying, Butters knew him well enough to see the signs. "Can I come in?" Kenny nodded, making his way to the window and sliding it open.
"Hi, Leo." Kenny breathed, his voice raspy from the mucus still in his throat. He cleared it awkwardly, avoiding his boyfriends' eyes.
"Hi, Ken." Butters responded, bringing his left hand to cup Kenny's jaw and bring their eyes back together. "Happy birthday," he whispered, his voice soft with love and care. "I figured you didn't show up today for a reason." Kenny's lips twitched slightly, whether he wanted to smile or cry, he didn't know.
"Yeah. It was a-"
"You don't gotta think about it, Ken." Butters cut him off, taking Kenny's hands and letting himself in through the window. In a breath, his arms wrapped around the other. Kenny's arms followed suit, and the two just held each other for a moment; the dirty blonde shook slightly, his silent sobs choked by the collar of Butters' sweater. "I brought you something." The platinette whispered, breaking the embrace to remove his backpack. Carefully, he unzipped the bag, bringing out two small cupcakes and a small box.
"Here!" Butters exclaimed, holding the box out for Kenny to take; Kenny sat down next to him, crossing his legs and taking the box into his own lap. "Open it."
And Kenny listened, undoing the nicely done ribbon on the purple box and pulling out the object inside. To Kenny's surprise, it was a small bunny plush holding a heart; 'Always With You.' Kenny's mouth gaped; he couldn't find any words before Butters slid his cupcake towards him; he had lit the candle while he was distracted.
"Happy birthday, Ken." He leaned in, resting his hands over Kenny's on the plush. "I'll always be with ya, whether you're here, or... somewhere else, I guess." Butters finished awkwardly, bringing his sleeves up to wipe the tears Kenny didn't realize he was shedding.
"Thank-...thank you, Leo." Kenny choked, letting his sobs sound for the first time in years. Butters leaned in over the flame (carefully, of course), pressing a soft kiss to Kenny's lips. It was warm and soft, and Kenny returned it enthusiastically, smiling against those soft and familiar lips. "I love you." He whispered, prompting the other boy to pull back with wide eyes and a grin.
"I love you too, Ken." He responded, sitting back on his heels to sing a very awkward rendition of 'Happy Birthday (before I run home and definitely get grounded).' Kenny smiled, pulling the plush to his heart and watching his lover with stars in his eyes.
And Kenny blew out the candle, wishing to spend the rest of his lives with the boy he loved.