Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

it was independence day weekend, and the kennedy’s were spending it at their summer cabin. kenny had been invited along this year.

“because you’re such a good friend to jack,” jack’s father had beamed at him. kenny fought to keep a straight expression as jack smirked.

kenny had loved every bit of the weekend so far. considering his family’s working class roots, he had never spent the summer in such nice areas. and to spend it with his favorite person in the world? that was better than anything riches could afford.

it had been a long weekend of swimming in the lake and frolicking through the fields. jack and kenny had finally gotten a few days to fully relax and enjoy each other’s presence. jack’s parents were enjoying the break from work as well. bobby had been brooding ever since his subpar report card came in on friday.

as wonderful as the weekend had been, there was one worry constantly tugging at the back of kenny’s mind.

fireworks.

ever since kenny was young, he had hated fireworks. it was partly because fire had always scared him. it was partly because he knew how much pollution and harm they caused. but it was mainly the noise, never failing to send kenny into a deep state of irrational dread.

but of course, he couldn’t bother the kennedy’s with such silly notions. jack had been talking all day about how excited he was for the firework show. besides, maybe it would be easier this time. kenny had learned to enjoy minimalist decor, disneyland, and starbucks for jack. he could learn to tolerate the fireworks.

and so they sat outside, mr. kennedy cooking on the grill, mrs. kennedy crocheting, bobby looking at student connect on his phone as if an intense enough stare could change the grades, and jack and kenny sharing a lawn chair, sitting as close together as they could without raising suspicion.

when the first firework erupted, kenny flinched. jack peered at him with concern.

“sorry,” kenny chuckled. “just surprised.”

but the fireworks continued to stream into the sky slowly, and they got larger and louder. kenny was gripping the armrest of the chair tightly to avoid jumping with each sound. he recoiled at the blinding streaks of light.

kenny slowly moved away from jack so his boyfriend wouldn’t feel him shaking. fortunately, everyone seemed too focused on the fireworks to notice him. well, everyone except-

“you don’t have to look so unhappy to be with us, kenny,” bobby snapped. “we didn’t have to invite you here.”

kenny wanted to cry. this trip was supposed to go perfectly, and now jack’s family would think he hated them. he was being so ungrateful, he ruined everything. another firework painted the sky red and kenny couldn’t take it anymore.

“i don’t, i’m not- i do want to be here,” he stuttered. “i just- i feel sick.” kenny shot to his feet and sprinted inside, running down the hall and into the bathroom. he slammed the door and clicked the lock shut, sinking to the ground and smothering himself with his hand to hold back the sobs.

the entire bathroom turned white as another firework erupted. kenny wanted to close the window but he was shaking too hard to stand. he heard rapping on the door.

“kenny, kenny please, open the door,” jack said. kenny shook his head even though jack wouldn’t be able to see it. he didn’t want jack to see him like this. he was supposed to be the strong one who was there for everyone else, he couldn’t be freaking out like this.

the door clicked open- he didn’t know jack could pick locks- and suddenly kenny felt a pair of arms around him. kenny squeezed his eyes shut, trying to pretend this wasn’t happening, that he wasn’t being so weak.

“is it the fireworks?” jack’s voice was soft, right next to kenny’s ear. kenny felt himself nod slightly.

and then jack pressed himself against kenny in a warm embrace, bringing his hands over kenny’s ears. kenny could feel jack’s collarbone against the back of his neck, his body moving slowly as he breathed. kenny leaned into jack, taking in the moment until he couldn’t tell where he ended and jack began.

eventually they stood up and jack walked kenny to his bedroom, and crawled under the blanket beside him.

“but your parents-“ kenny started.

“don’t worry about them. i’ll wake up early and sneak out,” jack said. kenny wanted to protest but found that he was too tired to. they lay there for what felt like hours, jack running his fingers through kenny’s hair gently every time another firework sounded. and then, for the first time in years, kenny fell asleep on the fourth of july night.

Chapter Text

kenny peeled his eyes open and squinted at the sunlight pouring through his windows. he felt that kind of rested one feels after taking a nap in the afternoon, where you wake up with dry eyes and a parched mouth and wonder if you were better off not sleeping at all. he crawled out of bed and dragged himself through the hallway.

it was only when he stepped into the kitchen and saw jack and bobby that the events of the previous night hit him. jack gave him a gentle smile from the breakfast table. bobby avoided eye contact with him completely. kenny sat down and got himself a plate of pancakes. he had survived the fourth of july.

jack cleared his throat a bit and gave bobby a Look.

“uh, kenny,” bobby said. “sorry about yesterday.”

“oh,” kenny sighed, not really caring anymore. “that’s okay.”

bobby nodded awkwardly and went back on his phone. jack looked annoyed and kenny found it endearing. jack always wanted people to talk out their issues and be emotionally vulnerable, but teenage boys weren’t built for that.

they continued breakfast as normal. somewhere outside a bird was chirping so loudly it made everyone’s heads hurt. kenny pushed the food around in his plate. bobby stole jack’s whipped cream from right off his pancakes. jack punched him in the arm hard enough to bruise.

bobby finished eating and ran off to facetime his girlfriend of the month.

jack smiled at kenny. “you know, you’ve just survived your first of our family holidays.”

“first of many, hopefully,” kenny laughed.

“my parents love you,” jack said. “i overheard them saying that you’re polite… and sUcH a GoOd FriEnD to me.”

kenny laughed. “well, let’s make sure we keep it that way. until we’re ready.”

“until we’re ready.”

kenny appreciated that jack didn’t say much about the previous night. they were both worn out though, so they curled up on the couch and watched their favorite show for the rest of the morning.

kenny could get used to vacations like this. more importantly, he could get used to a life like this. a life with his jack.