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If there was one thing small towns loved, it would be their traditions. Things like holidays were a big thing in South Park because it finally gave the people something to do other than gossip. So no matter how small the holiday was, it was always a grand festivity.
Currently, the whole town was buzzing about Valentine’s day. There were pink bows and heart decorations everywhere you looked; it felt like a hallmark card. Normally it was easy to ignore if you didn’t have a Valentine but, for Kenny McCormick, it was anything but easy. Seeing all the town couples so overly in love made him frustrated and jealous beyond belief.
It wasn’t like Kenny never got cards or chocolates. His friends all traded gifts when they were kids, a tradition that continued into their teens, and he got the occasional confession from a random girl who bought into the rumors about him and swore they were in love with him despite not knowing a thing about him. They all liked to think he was this cool, quiet bad boy. That was more Craig’s thing.
Even now, two weeks before the actual holiday, the town was buzzing obnoxiously. Kenny groaned as he stepped up to his locker, tugging the hood of his parka off as he put in the combination and resigned himself to another year being completely single. He doubted he’d get a date even if someone caught his eye.
When the door to his locker opened he was a little startled to see a little paper card flutter to his feet. He picked it up carefully, looking over the soft blue paper before unfolding it. Inside was a handwritten note, swirling cursive in sparkly blue ink with little hearts around the page.
“My Kenny,
You have no idea who I am, and that’s fine, but I can't live another day without you knowing how I feel. You’re the most perfect person in the world to me and I love everything about you.
I love the way you sometimes snort when you laugh, even though you think it makes you sound like a dork. I love when you smile so wide I can see the cute gap between your teeth that I always want to kiss. I love how protective you are over your friends and your sister; you’re such a good person. My hero.
I have more to say and I'll tell you a little every day until I gather the courage to tell you who I am. Until then, know you have all of my love.
Yours forever, my love”
By the time Kenny finished reading, his face was ducked in his parka to try and hide the dark flush on his cheeks. He’d been given the random note over the years calling him cute or smart, but this? This was detailed. This person knew him and paid attention. And it brought a warmth to his chest he’d never felt before and he found himself looking forward to their next note.
The note was carefully tucked into the inner pocket of his parka before he gathered his books and ran to class to keep from being late, ignoring his friends’ teasing about how red his face was. Thankfully they weren't able to bring it up until they were in the line for lunch.
“Dude, what happened to you this morning? You’ve been acting weird since classes started.” Stan spoke up, elbowing Kenny in the side teasingly.
“Your face looked like a damn tomato.” Kyle chuckled.
“I uh.” Kenny paused. There was nothing wrong with telling his friends about the note but he didn’t want them to make fun of him. It was special and he wanted it to stay that way. “If I tell you, no laughing about it. Bro pack code.” The bro pack code was something they came up with in sixth grade meaning something was serious and could not afford any teasing. The last time it was invoked was when Eric came clean about being in therapy and announced that he was actually gay, just dealing with a lot of internalized homophobia.
The boys shared a few looks before nodding seriously. Kenny waited until they all had their food and were sitting before carefully pulling out the letter. “You know how I never really get Valentines?” He paused, getting nods. “This was in my locker this morning. It's… it's really not much but I just- It felt different. Special. And I really hope I get another note soon.” He could already feel his cheeks reddening.
Kyle carefully took the paper when he offered it, Stan and Eric reading over his shoulders. “Dude. This is super sweet. Any idea who it could be?”
“Not a clue.” Kenny sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Honestly, if they keep writing like this, I don't think I'll care. Eric could be the one to confess and I'd give them a chance.” He ignored Eric’s indignant “Hey!” and took the note back, tucking it away carefully. He didn’t want to ruin the fragile paper; already planning to hoard every sweet, love-filled note.
“Well dude, I hope it works out. Let us know if you get another note, yeah?” Stan grinned. After that they all turned to their food, Kyle started talking about his science project, and Kenny was left to happily daydream about who his secret admirer could be.
The next morning he found himself nearly running to his locker, hoping for another letter. He wasn’t disappointed. He caught the blue paper before it fell too far and unfolded it carefully, heartbeat quickening before he even started reading.
“My Kenny,
I saw your reaction yesterday and I don't think you’ve ever looked more beautiful. I've never seen you blush like that and I can only hope that means you liked my letter.
You always look beautiful to me. Other people would argue, pointing out your messy hair and ratty clothes, but that never mattered to me. Every time I see you, you look like a prince from my dreams. Your eyes always sparkle so beautifully when you’re happy; and how I love to see you happy. I love the little freckles on your skin that only show in the right light and how the ones on your cheeks look like little stars. And when I catch your eye and you give me that little playful grin of yours? I swoon every time. I hope to catch those smiles for all eternity.
Yours forever, my love.”
Kenny glanced around the hallway, note clutched to his chest with a bashful smile. He knew it wasn’t likely he would catch his sender but he wished he could if only to tell them how much he appreciated their words. Tucking the note away safely so he could put it with the other one at home, he grabbed his books and hurried to class.
The routine continued every day for the week, five sweet letters tucked in a box beneath the floorboard in his room to keep them safe. He cherished each and every one, even reading them before bed just to feel the now-familiar warmth in his chest. What he wasn’t expecting was to wake up Saturday morning to find a familiar paper note sitting unopened beside his bed that wasn’t there the night before.
“My Kenny,
Sorry if it’s weird to leave this in your room but I couldn't wait until Monday to give you another note. My only regret is not being able to stay to watch the happy look on your face.
I saw you at the playground with Karen the other evening. I've watched you with her over the years and I've never seen a more caring sibling. When we were young I used to wish we were siblings just so I could have someone around to keep me safe and happy when things were hard at home. Now I'm glad we arent. Every time you smile at me in the halls I want to grab you by your stupid pretty face and press kisses wherever I can reach.
That doesn’t make you any less my protector. I remember when you used to dress up as Mysterion. I thought it was the coolest thing; you were so strong and brave, even back then. You even saved me a few times, once from myself. I wish I could be as brave as you. Maybe I can borrow some of your bravery to tell you who I am.
Yours forever, my love”
Mysterion? He hadn’t dressed up in his hero persona since seventh grade. Whoever his admirer was, remembered something from almost six years ago? And still cared about it? Didn’t think he was a dork for dressing up like a hero to run around town with his friends? God, he was becoming even more smitten.
After carefully tucking away the letter he got to work on his chores, hoping he would get another surprise letter tomorrow. He did, laid right beside his bed just like the day before and just as sweet as the last.
The next day, when he opened his locker, there was no note and he had no words to describe how much the icy disappointment in his chest hurt. After slamming his locker harder than necessary he stomped off to class, ignoring his friends until lunch.
“Dude, what happened? Was it something in the letter?” Stan asked worriedly, only making Kenny irrationally angry.
“There was no note! It was probably just a stupid fucking prank. As if anyone would ever-“
“Kenny McCormick?” A bored voice from behind him spoke up, making him turn in his seat. A boy he didn’t know stood there, arms behind his back, waiting for an answer.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been given the task to deliver for the next week. Do not ask who your admirer is, I will not tell you. However I apologize for not finding you this morning as I was instructed, my bus ran late.” The boy smiled a little, holding out a familiar note and a single red rose. “From your admirer. You’re welcome.”
Once Kenny took them from his hands the boy wandered off, leaving him staring at the gifts with a look of shock.
“Dude. What’s it say?” Kyle asked excitedly, shaking Kenny from his stupor and getting him to slowly open the letter.
“My Kenny,
Sorry for the change in receiving my notes. I have gifts for you this week that I can't get into your locker without having your combination.
I had so many flowers I wanted to give you, each with a more special meaning. Zinnia for eternal friendship. White Rose for reverence and new beginnings. Baby’s Breath for everlasting love. Pink Camellia for longing. Coriander for your hidden worth, that only I seem to see. But even all these flowers could not be enough. So I hope the Red Rose is enough to say the words I can't speak aloud just yet.
I love you. I always have and I always will.
Yours forever, my love”
Kenny sat there for a long moment, cheeks flush and mouth open, before slowly raising the rose to smell it. “…they said they love me.” He whispered, holding the note out to Kyle when prompted. He was still a little dazed from the warm feeling stirring in his chest.
“Holy shit, dude.” Kyle mumbled.
“Whoever this is, you better date them. Noone else in this town would ever put this much effort into wooing your ass.” Cartman huffed but they could all tell he was just as happy for Kenny as they were.
“I don’t care who it is. When I find out, I'm bringing them on a date. They deserve that much at the very least.” Kenny grinned, tucking his note away safely but holding onto the rose to sniff almost constantly the rest of the day, not caring how lovestruck he looked.
Every day the rest of the week that same boy, Kenny learned his name was James, met him at his locker to give him another letter and a small gift. Along with the rose he received a simple gold necklace with a little black gemstone (with a matching bracelet for Karen), a handmade plush shark the same orange as Kenny’s parka, a home cooked lunch with his favorite kind of pasta and cookies, and a silver utility knife with his name carved on the side.
Saturday and Sunday he woke up to see notes and gifts beside his bed. He was given a vintage car magazine completely wrapped and a new pair of shoes, good quality steel-toe brown leather boots. He also found out, later that morning, his admirer left a brand new tea set in Karen’s bedroom with a note telling her to have fun.
It’s official. Kenny was smitten. They could have given him nothing but the letters and he would be falling just as hard but seeing the gifts they gave to his sister, knowing how important she is to him, he couldn’t help loving them just a little more now. He couldn’t wait for Tuesday.
He’d taken odd jobs the past week and cashed in a favor from Eric to get him to chip in to get his admirer a gift as well. It wouldn’t amount to all they’d given him already but it was better than nothing. He’d found a silver charm bracelet and got charms matching a few of the gifts, a little shark, a rose, a book, a knife, and a little gold heart to tie it together.
Monday James was back, handing Kenny a book and two notes. “Open the white one last. Good luck.”
The book was a used, well loved copy of The Phantom Tollbooth, making Kenny smile a little. He hadn’t read this book since he was little but it was still a favorite. He set it carefully in his locker and opened the blue note.
“My Kenny,
I suppose this will be my last letter to you for a while. It feels a little bittersweet, like I'm already saying goodbye, but I'm grateful I at least got to tell you how I feel.
Please never forget me. Even if this ends up ruining the relationship we do have, please never forget the time we have spent together over the years. Even if your heart will never be mine, mine will always be yours. All I want is for you to be happy, to be able to see that beautiful smile on your face everyday, even if from a distance. I'm thankful to even be a part of your life, to be able to touch the warmth that comes from your smile, to hear your laugh. You’re everything to me. My angel. My hero. My love. My Kenny.
Yours forever, and always, with all my love.”
Kenny frowned a little. It was such a sweet note but he couldn’t understand why they were saying goodbye. Like they thought he could never love them back. Sighing, he opened the white note.
“I think I'm brave enough to show you who I am. Tomorrow after school, meet me at Stark’s Pond. I’ll be waiting for you, my Kenny.”
“Tomorrow.” He whispered, tucking the notes away safely and hurrying to class. He told his friends at lunch, keeping the final note safely in his jacket rather than showing them. Stan gave him tips for handling his nerves about meeting them, Kyle was excitedly hyping him up for his own little confession, and Eric was instructing him what to wear out of his meager wardrobe.
The next day he didn’t get a letter. That was fine. But it didn’t diminish his nerves about meeting them after school. He wore a pair of black jeans without too many holes and the new boots he was given, his cleanest plain t-shirt and black long sleeve under his usual parka. He even did his best to tame his messy hair and brought Karen’s comb in his bag so he could fix it again later before going to the pond.
All day he was restless, leg bouncing under his desk as he watched the clock, barely paying attention in class with the thought of their meeting taking all his focus. He had to be harassed by Eric at lunch to eat and even accepted one of Stan’s nausea meds because his stomach was turning so badly.
When the bell rang he barely said goodbye to his friends, grabbing the gift from his locker and heading straight to Stark’s Pond. He must have gotten there early because he was the only one there. With a shakey breath he tugged his hood off and fixed his hair, lower lip between his teeth as he stared out at the water.
Fifteen minutes later he heard footsteps coming near the bench he sat on, making him tense and debate turning around. Before he could make a decision a hand gently settled on his shoulder from behind while a note was lowered into his vision.
“Promise you won’t leave my life after knowing who i am?”
Kenny frowned and nodded. “I promise. Can I please know who you are? I’ve been dying to find out. You have no idea how much I loved your letters. And the gifts. You didn’t have to do all that for me.”
“I’d do anything for you.” The familiar soft accent behind him made him turn. Leopold “Butters” Stotch stood there, anxiously rubbing his knuckles together as Kenny stared at him. “Heya Kenny.”
“Butters?” He whispered, almost in disbelief. After everything he and his friends did to Butters over the years, all the shit they put him through, the boy still apparently had feelings for Kenny. Butters is such a good guy and he definitely deserved better than a McCormick. “I can’t believe it.”
Butters smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down at his feet. “I know. You were probably expecting some pretty girl to come confess. I just… Gee Kenny, I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. I ain’t expectin’ nothing. I just had to tell you.”
Kenny stared a little longer before smiling slowly. “Buttercup. I think you got somethin’ wrong.” He stepped closer, pulling the little box from his pocket and holding it out to him.
“What do you mean?” Butters opened the box carefully, letting out a cute little gasp when he saw the bracelet.
“I mean,” He took the bracelet and carefully clipped it around Butters’ wrist, bringing his hand up and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “You somehow thought that, after all you said, I wouldn't fall even the smallest bit in love with you.”
Kenny grinned at the other boy’s shocked face, reaching up to cup his cheek. “I’m not much, Butters. I don’t have a ton of money and I'm not the smartest or nicest guy around, but if I'm what you want, then I'll spend however long it takes working to be worthy of a guy like you. I think you’re the sweetest, cutest, most lovable boy ever and I want to learn to love you the way you love me. Will you let me?”
“‘Course I will, Kenny. I've always been yours.”
“And I'll be yours, Buttercup.” He smiled fondly, ducking his head to press their lips together in a sweet kiss.