By the time the sky started to get dark, Stan began to question what Kenny did for fun.

He couldn't complain, though. While the day had certainly been dangerous, hanging out around train tracks and wondering around the forest areas of South Park, Stan could comfortably say that it was 10× better than sleeping in the whole time.

Around the end of the day, Kenny led him to a giant boulder on the side of a road that usually had drivers. After they climbed to the top, he explained that he and some of his friends would come up here after school, and pass the time by throwing rocks at strangers cars.

"So you just hold it like this while throwing, and it'll actually put a spin on it-"

He aimed and threw, watching it land and leave a dent on the poor guy just passing through. The guy might've shouted something at them in response, but made no effort to stop and lecture them. In return, both of them ignored it.

"What would I get if I manage to break a window?" Stan mused, finding a rock the size of his fist.

"If you don't hit anybody on the way in, a very pissed off neighbor."

"No- I mean point-wise."

"There are no points. Not everything's a competition."

"Competition makes it more fun." He insisted.

Kenny's eyes narrowed.

"Let's just see if you can handle hitting cars."

He scoffed, "Handle it? Please."

"There's your car now."

Stan aimed, and threw, watching in horror as the car he chose swerved violently. Luckily, it pulled over on the side of the road before it could crash into a tree.

When he saw someone climbing out of the car, Kenny grabbed Stan's arm, and pulled him away from the scene to avoid getting in trouble. Despite the protesting shouts of the stranger they screwed over, they managed to weave in and out through enough neighborhoods to lose him.

Once they got to stop, Kenny glared at Stan.

"We're never doing that again. Ever."

"Okay. But if anyone asks- I won."

Stan got punched in the arm.

__________

The last part of the day was spent on an area that was far from the giant boulder. Kenny trekked through patches of trees to get a secluded area not too far from Stark

"The ground's damp," Stan muttered bitterly, sitting down on the ground anyways.

"Everywhere is damp, it's been snowing." Kenny followed his lead.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

Kenny slowly pushed him down, and laid down right next to him to do what he wanted to do in the first place.

Stargaze.

He looked over at him, watching as the confusion melted right off his face, and got replaced by pure wonder. He muttered something under his breath, so it was too quiet for Kenny to hear, but he assumed that it was something to express his surprise.

It left Kenny wondering if he's ever seen the night sky before.

Still, he couldn't help but smile at the look on his face. It was the face of someone in shock- like a kid getting exactly what they wanted on Christmas day without knowing that they'd get it. The look was nice to see- and even nicer thinking that you were the cause of it.

When Stan turned his head, they locked eyes.

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. For a second they stayed like that, staring at each other with a comfortable smile, up until Stan decided to talk again.

"Thank you."

As if it was possible, Kenny's smile got wider. Stan returned the smile, shoving him slightly.

"I haven't really paid any attention to the sky, so stargazing isn't something I do often." he admitted, "It's really something, huh?"

"I get to see it every night, so I'm not as ecstatic as you are."

"You come out here every night to look at the sky?"

No. There was a giant hole in the part of the ceiling hanging above his bed. It let in some unwanted weather, but overall was a good place to go to if you wanted to get a good view of the night sky. His sister loved it, so he didn't really bother patching it up.

"Sure."

"Sure?"

"I- let's just say, I don't have to go here to see it."

"Oh."

Kenny decided to change the subject, "What, have you never been stargazing?"

"I just said I don't."

"...right."

"Where do you usually go to get a clear view of the sky?"

"Where do you think?"

Stan's gaze returned to the sky.

"I'm normally cooped up in my room at night, so I don't get to see much of this."

"You're in your room playing with your animals, when you could be staring blankly at the sky and doing nothing else?"

"I know, crazy."

The silence settled in for a few minutes. Apparently, it was too long for Stan to handle. Kenny caught on to it when he scooted closer, and tried his best to strike up a friendly conversation

"You could get murdered out here, y'know? Shot in the head while resting, hit with a car while looking at the sky-"

Unfortunately, he was really fucking bad at it.

"Yeah yeah, I get it. Thanks." He didn't need a reminder.

Stan snorted.

"Of course, I shouldn't stay inside because of that, huh?"

"No."

"I mean, there are also ways you could get killed inside your house. It could be an accident, hitmen could-"

"yeAh-" His voice cracked, and he gritted his teeth together, "I get it."

"What? Don't tell me I'm scaring you off."

"Death's just an uncomfortable subject for me."

Stan pursed his lips, giving the sky another glance. He didn't discuss it further, and Kenny silently thanked him for it.

"Here's a fun question-"

"Shhhhh." Kenny put a finger up to his lips to keep him quiet, earning a confused glare from the other.

Now. This is your chance.

"Just... keep quiet. Enjoy this moment."

Stan turned his head to face the sky again, and Kenny did the same.

Kenny missed his chance.

While Stan put on a small smile, Kenny couldn't help but stare blankly with a frustrated frown. He convinced himself that he did the right thing. Though opportunities came like this once in a lifetime, it wasn't the right time. It was too soon- what if the other didn't even want it? Would he really mess up a friendship because of something like this?

"Hey," Stan's voice had him snap out of his thoughts, "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good."

"Oh."

A pause.

"Do you think you could spot any constellations from here?"

Kenny snorted.

"God no."

__________

The walk back to the house was mostly quiet.

Kenny thought that it would've been more exciting until the very end, but it was actually the opposite. The moment they reached the house, the part before the steps that lead to the door, Stan suddenly stopped walking. Kenny turned to ask what was wrong, but Stan talked first.

"Hey, what do you think of Kyle?"

"I haven't had a real conversation with him, so no opinion."

"Do you think he's a nice guy?"

"I can't say. Where is this coming from?"

"Do you think I could egg his house without getting in trouble."

Kenny's eyes narrowed, and he couldn't help but take a step back.

"Not tonight."

"I don't want to do it tonight- I just mean in general."

"Uh... No? He would probably figure it out."

"How though?"

"He's probably known you long enough to know that it would be you?" He tried. He really didn't want Stan egging this guy's house- Though he didn't have an opinion on him, Kyle didn't really seem like a bad guy.

Stan, thankfully, let out a sigh, and walked towards the door.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Yeah, well, I have to go..." He muttered awkwardly.

"Oh- Thank you, Kenny. Today was really fun."

Stan put a hand on his arm.

"Uh, anytime, man."

"Seriously, It's... I can't remember the last time I had fun on my birthday, of all days."

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed this one."

"Can you do one more thing for me?"

"Depends on what it is."

His eyes narrowed.

"Kenny, hold still for a second."

"Uh- okay? Can you let me in on what you're-"

Stan interrupted him with a kiss.

It wasn't on the lips, just a peck on the cheek that seemed to last forever in Kenny's mind. And when he finally pulled away, a small smile graced his face.

"Thanks."

Stan slammed the door on his face not long after that.

Kenny was frozen in place for the longest time. When it registered, and he finally snapped out of his daze, his expression

"WHAT."