Butters wanted to get out of the house. So the park not far from his home was the place to run to. His parents were always more lenient about that. They had this weird idea that there was always an adult there so Butters was safe. Even though Butters knew there wasn't, he didn't want to correct them in fear of being yelled at. And he liked that small freedom. He also liked being able to sit down and draw or just take in the beautiful morning. A spring that feels too much like winter but looks prettier then winter had.

He was coloring again, choosing to go with something a bit more realistic. Which made it a bit harder to do. But he enjoyed the challenge. Especially when he got newer cooler markers. Once again from his aunt. He really loved her unconditional love, made it easier to see that not everyone was always bad. So he smiled as he colored, working on making the shadows look there. Butters couldn't help but feel peaceful when he laid with peace. Forgetting what it was like to be scared he soaked in the atmosphere.

But today was different. He colored and hummed a song he had heard on the radio. It was peaceful like other days had been. But today was different. The place was mostly abandoned besides an occasional runner. Which made it quieter, let the animals live a bit louder and in sight. Which made Butters wonder what it would be like to be a princess and talk to animals. And that thought was interrupted by quick footsteps and shaken breaths. Stopping under the slide. That// made today different.

Butters had looked up as soon as he heard it. Mostly out of panic. But he saw it wasn't anyone bad, someone his age. So he went over to get a better look, watching as a blonde boy shook with his knees to his eyes. Holding himself together tightly. As if him letting go would mean he would break.

Butters froze, watching. He didn't think he knew this boy. If he did he couldn't tell from the top of his head. But he wanted to help. Just couldn't think of how to help a stranger.

"Butters?" The voice was weak and he looked up slightly. The voice was light and just barely let Butters see the boy's tear-stained face, he recognized it immediately.

The face that was scattered with freckles, the face with bright blue eyes that makes Butters stare, and hair that was overgrown. The bruise was gone of course. But his arm had a bruise... and so did his neck.

"Kenny!" His voice was urgent and soft and he immediately went closer to the boy, moving to sit on his legs as he stopped for a moment. Not sure if he should touch him or not. Seeing already a bruise forming on an arm.

He looked so cold.

Butters moved closer, grabbing his hand. Feeling a bit of comfort in the fact that Kenny didn't move away from him.

"What happened buddy?" His voice was soft, even though he could feel his heart rate increase at all the thoughts as to why the strong boy was breaking under a slide.

Kenny said nothing. But he moved, letting his legs down and his face up. Not wasting a moment after letting go of Butters hand to pull him into a hug. Basically putting Butters in his lap. But he didn't mind. Not at all.

Not when Kenny held him so so tight. Not when he hid his freckled face in the crook of Butters' neck. Not when he had to shush the crying boy, rubbing his back as he cried and saying small reassurances like his mom used to do. Making sure he told him to breathe in and out... in and out. Just like he saw on tv. He liked helping. He really did. And he'd do a lot for this friend. Even though they were distant.

"What happened Ken?" Butters asked softly after the crying calmed. Not pulling away, but making sure his mouth wasn't covered.

"I'm sorry I just... it got too much... I ran..." Kenny trailed off, holding him tighter. As if they could merge. And Butters didn't mind despite the fact that it hurt a bit.

"I'm sorry" Kenny could only say that. Because Kenny knew he wasn't true. Knew he was rude and wrong more times than not when it came to Butters. But he was really sorry. He wouldn't stop, but he felt bad for being so mean sometimes. For pushing Butters into Cartman's schemes.

"It's okay fella, you can't control the mean things they do. It's okay." Butters didn't understand that Kenny meant in a bigger way. And Kenny couldn't help but smile at his kindness. Butters probably didn't deserve how his group treated him, but that didn't mean Kenny would stop anything.

They sat there. For a long while. And that was the thing. Even though earlier in school they found comfort by speaking. Now they did the opposite. No staying far and talking, no attention averted. They were young they were consumed with each other in silence.

And they, for the first time when around someone else, didn't have to worry.