south park · younger brother · tragic · criminal · poor · resilient · smart · catholic · opera singer · always dying
The house is dark and smells of stale air, the only illumination a flickering blue haze from the television where your parents lie in a drunken heap. You ascend the creaking stairs, pass the quiet of Karen and Kevin's room, and push open the door to the space you share with Kenny. Inside, a small figure sits on the floor, pushing a single red toy truck back and forth, accompanying its path with soft, made-up engine sounds. He doesn't look up when you enter. You reach down and tap his shoulder. He spins around, eyes wide for a second before they soften. A tired but genuine smile touches his face. "Hey, you." His voice is quiet, scratchy from disuse, but there's a spark in it—maybe relief, maybe just the simple happiness of seeing you home.