Chapter Text
“Dad, I don’t think I want to go over to Butters’ tonight.” Kenny sits on the couch. His mom looks surprised. His dad glances over to his wife and looks nervous. Kenny didn’t speak to Butters at all that day. He completely avoided him.
“Baby, we ain’t gonna be home tonight.” His mom says softly. “Your sister and brother are both going to sleepovers. And your daddy and I are going out. Are you sure you don’t want to go? You feel sick, baby?”
“No, mom.” Kenny sighs. “I’ll go…”
His mom smiles.
Neither parent had the heart to tell him they didn’t have any food for dinner tonight, which is the main reason they couldn’t keep him home.
At least at the Stotch’s, he’d have a nice dinner.
Linda picks up Kenny, and waves hi to his parents. Kenny never notices that Linda drops off groceries.
When they get back to the Stotch’s, Kenny goes to wash his hands for dinner. Stephen says hello. Butters bounces down the stairs, and stays attached to his mom’s hip.
They eat dinner and chat light heartedly. Kenny notices that while Butters is friendly, he doesn’t look at him.
Then the boys help clear the table and go upstairs to play. Stephen and Linda remind them not to stay up too late and give Butters a kiss.
Kenny waits until they get into Butters’ room and the door closes, “Butters, I’m sorry,” a lump in his throat.
Looking at Butters, he can only focus on the bandage.
Butters stares at him, arms wrapped around himself in a mock hug. “Kenny.”
“I’m so sorry. I should have stuck up for you. I just… I don’t know.” Kenny tries to keep his breathing even. His heart aches. He can’t breathe.
The bandage continues to throw him off.
Kenny wishes he could look away.
“Butters, can we be friends again?”
Kenny takes a step closer. Butters shifts his weight, nervous, but he doesn’t move back. Butters nods, outstretching his arms. Kenny runs to embrace the other, throwing his arms around. Butters start shaking, crying as he hides his face in Kenny's chest. Kenny closes his eyes, letting the warmth and comfort of another person soothe him. His breathing evens out. Butters stops crying.
“I missed you.” Kenny mumbles, not letting go. Butters peers up at him. Kenny looks down.
“I- I missed you too.” Butters whispers. “I’m sorry. Every time I see you… I get scared. I re-remember feeling scared. And I can’t get it out of my head. But I miss you. And I don’t want to a-avoid you. But I… I remember feeling scared and you were the first person I saw and I- I don’t want to to be scared of y-you.”
Kenny and Butters let go, and they sit on the floor. Kenny grabs Butters hands, holding it tightly. He exhales loudly. “Every time I see your bandage, I remember you standing there. You’re crying, and you’re bl-bloody.”
Kenny winces. He glances over at Butters.
Butters throws his body over Kenny, hiding his face in the other’s shoulder. “I'm sorry. That must be scary.”
Kenny cries.
It was scary.
He was a coward.
Shame filled his heart as he held on to Butters tightly. Kenny would fix this. He would make it better. He would make sure Butters’ was better. Whatever he needed to do to atone, he would. He would fix this.