Bottle Green

As Soon as I Met You

(Craig's focus)

(A/N-- Craig is 22, Butters is 21, Token is the same age as Craig. Thanks to whoever's reading this!)

     "Hey, Craig!" One of the choir boys walked into the chapel's main room, his blue eyes sparkling. The youngest of the pastors, Craig Tucker stood at the altar, preparing the space for the next day's mass. The other's ocean blue eyes flickered up to the blonde before him, lighting up at the sight of him.

     "Hey, Butters," The raven answered with a creeping smile. "What's up?"

Butters stepped forward, looking over the altar. Straightening the candles to his desired 'perfect symmetry' he always liked, the boy went on. "A few of the priests an' the rest of the choir is going out for a walk to Stark's Pond for some good chill time. Wanna come with?"

Craig gave a prompt nod, taking a step back to study the altar from a distance. Deeming it ready, he turned to Butters. "Of course, why wouldn't I? You guys stole my idea anyway," He joked, fake shoving the choir boy. "When are we leaving?"

     "Well... the others are kinda already outside... so now, if you'd like!" Butters chirped. Craig rolled his eyes, giving a dry chuckle. The pastor walked to a nearby pew, picking up the canvas bag he'd sat there the beginning of the day. 

     "I've gotta go home anyways. Alright, let's go before the others start getting antsy," Craig murmured, straightening his chullo hat before walking down the aisle. His dress shoes clicked on the expensive marble tile flooring, the pleasant rhythm echoing through the giant building. 

Butters rushed after the taller man, his face clouded with thought.  "Hey Craig, can I talk to you about something?" He squeaked out after a long moment of silence, struggling to push open the thick rosewood door. The pastor reached forward, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He pushed the door open with much less effort, watching in silence as Butters fumed.

     "Yup. What's wrong?" Craig answered, stepping out and holding the entrance open. The tiny boy fiddled with the hemming of his shirt as he paced in front of the door. After some silence, Craig went on. "Dude, you said you wanted to talk. Talk."

     "Craig, IthinkImetanangel," Butters' speech slurred as his speech flowed like a waterfall. "Idunno, hejustcameouttanowhere andaAAAAAH!"

The pastor sputtered for a moment, cutting the boy off. "Calm down, man! Listen, you have no reason to worry, child. You can tell me whatever you need with no fear, Leo." He placed a hand on Butters' shoulder, trying to calm the other. The blonde gave a sigh, pausing.

     "I think I met an angel, Craig. He said my name and everything!" Butters explained. He started gushing entirely, his face going red from loss of breath. "He was so sweet and chatted with me but no matter what I thought it was like... he could hear my thoughts. He told me not to be scared and hugged me so tight... but he looked like Kenny! I think--" The boy stuttered for a moment. "I think he was Kenny. I never got the chance to ask him."

Craig stood silent, bewildered. "But... but how? Are you sure it wasn't just a dream or sleep paralysis?" He stood entirely still, staring down at the choir boy. "Kenny's been dead for seven years!"

     "Yes! I was fully awake when I met him! Token was there too, he'll tell you what it was!"

**********

     "I dunno what it was man, but it was freaky."

Craig shivered at the thought of Butters literally being touched by an angel. He'd always heard about these kinds of things. Token explained the situation. Everything was normal until one detail came up.