Work Text:
Kyle and Cartman had been fighting. A lot. It was nothing new but after knowing the two for over a decade, Kenny was feeling a little burnt out and he could tell that Stan was too. What Kenny didn’t know is whether Stan felt as… nervous as he did. Kyle and Cartman’s fights have gotten more intense in recent years. Stan always sided with Kyle of course, justifiably so, but despite how justified that choice was, Kenny didn’t want to ‘side’ with anyone. He wanted them to feel like best friends again, even if they bickered sometimes, even if they were all flawed pieces of shit, he loved them as much as he hated them.
That’s why he suggested this sleepover at Kyle’s, just like old times. His parents were on a trip with Ike so there would be no interruptions. It was nice. They ordered pizza and put on Terrance and Phillip, even though Kyle hates that show now, Kenny insisted, as if watching their childhood show would bring back the days their friendship felt simpler. Perhaps it worked for a moment, but Kenny started feeling so damn nervous.
They were going to be seniors this coming school year, which means next is college. He couldn’t afford college and that cruel God of theirs knows he wasn’t getting a scholarship of any kind, hell it’ll be a miracle if he even graduates with how much is on his plate. Everyone will drift apart, he’ll talk to the guys less and less until they forget how close they ever were. With the way Kyle and Cartman had been fighting, maybe they won’t even last until graduation. He could see it, Kenny would drop out to focus on work. Stan and Kyle would finally cut Eric off before Stan disappeared back to the farm. Cartman would probably get fucking arrested or something and it’ll all be over. Broken. Like his real family-
“You okay, man?”
Kenny blinks, looking over to Stan whose voice broke him out of his stupor. He looks around, Eric was sound asleep on Kyle’s couch and Kyle was also asleep leaning against said couch while sitting on the floor. No wonder it was so quiet, save for the low murmurs from the TV. Stan must’ve lowered the volume when Kyle fell asleep.
“Dude?” Stan speaks again, “did you take one of your edibles while we weren’t looking?”
Kenny rubs his hand over his face, “Nah, I’m all here.” How long was he in his head for? It was so hard to remember anything from the night that he wondered if he really wasn't sober. “Um, Stan?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think our friendship will last?” He says without thinking it through. “Um. The four of us, I mean.” He winces at his doubling down.
He keeps his eyes on his legs, not wanting to look up at Stan’s expression. He wonders if it was unchanged or confused or thoughtful or surprised that Kenny would ever think they should even stay friends. Why should they? They bring out the worst in each other.
“Um…” Is all that Stan gets out. Kenny sighs, Stan was the last person he’d go to for a heart to heart, well, before Eric.
“Forget I said anything, I just…”
“Think we’re done? That senior year will be the final nail in the coffin for the four of us?”
Kenny wasn’t expecting to feel a lump in his throat from that. It was exactly what he was thinking anyways. Not to mention it was probably for the best, for Stan and Kyle at least, probably for him too, maybe for Cartman, it was for the best, he had to get over it.
“Dude.” Stan says.
Kenny blinked out of his thoughts again, he guessed he was supposed to reply but would be humiliated if his voice cracked or something, so he held his tongue.
Stan continues, “I think… The four of us have been through so much shit together, nothing can break our bond, even if Kyle and Eric kick and scream the whole time.”
Kenny stays silent, Stan continues.
“Even if we make new friends in college, who the hell is going to have the same experiences we’ve had together? Who is going to understand how it felt to grow up in this specific corner of hell? We’ve spent a lifetime together and that’s gotta count for something, right?”
Kenny finally looks up at Stan, but Stan isn’t looking at him, he was just staring vacantly at the TV.
“And I’m not just saying that to be hopeful, I’m not exactly thrilled to consider myself bonded to Eric Cartman forever, but I really believe we are, no matter what happens. Don’t you agree?”
Huh. So much for not going to Stan for a heart to heart. He somehow felt a lot more at ease, his shoulders were no longer tense and he no longer had that lump in his throat.
Maybe Stan was wrong. Maybe he was just saying whatever he thought would make Kenny feel better, although Kenny doubted he had the emotional intelligence for that. Maybe their friendship really will crash and burn no matter what. But for right now, they were together. And despite everything, Kenny cherished it.
“You know what, Marsh?” Kenny says, “I think I do.”