Request by The-One-Deadly-Sin
Kenny kicked rocks idly as he walked down the cold dark street. He loved this time of night, the quiet was a nice change from the drunk yelling at his house. The moonlight shone on the damp concrete, and made stars on the pavement as Kenny rounded the corner. He was so used to the routine of his late night walks that the quiet noise coming from an alleyway caught his attention. He pricked up his ears and followed it curiously, his chest filling with a strange mix of nerves and curiosity as he edged closer to the source, trying to make out what it was. It sounded like someone was breathing heavily, and he jumped in shock when he noticed a small lump curled up on the floor, shaking violently. He instinctively proceeded with caution, his movements instantly softening when he tripped a motion sensor from someones light and the small lump was illuminated with a pale white glow. As soon as he caught sight of the familiar blonde hair, his eyes widened, and he bent down. " Leo? Is that you? " He asked quietly. When the boy lifted his face Kennys heart dropped. It was red and tear stained, his hair wet and flopping over his eyes. " Oh my god, Butters what happened? " He said, wrapping him in a tight hug and not caring in the slightest that he was being drenched by the small boys wet clothes. He felt sick to his stomach when he noticed that his friend was hyperventilating, retracting his hug and placing his hands firmly on the boys shoulders. " Hey, hey buttercup look at me. " He said gently, already causing his breathing to slow. " Everything is going to be okay, Im here now, just breathe okay? Can you do that for me? " Butters nodded wearily as he slowly calmed down, finally focusing his eyes on the boy in front of him and looking hopeful for the first time that night. " Ken.. Kenny? " He asked. " Yea Le, Its me, Im here for you buddy and Im not going anywhere. " Butters smiled weakly, before breaking down into tears. Kenny quickly scooped him into a hug, ignoring the concrete digging into his knees and instead focusing on rubbing circles into Leos back and gently repeating phrases that seemed to help calm him down. " Ssshhh, everything will be okay, Kennys here, I've got you" His heart broke as Leo cried, and he hugged him closer to his chest. Butters clung to Kenny like his life depended on it, just the mere presence of the freckled boy bringing a wave of reassurance over him. Even though he was crying he felt calmer than he had all night, and safer than he had since he woke up. " Jesus you must be freezing! Im so sorry Butterfly. " Kenny suddenly said, tearing off his coat and wrapping it around Leo. Butters sniffled, and Kenny placed a warm hand on his cheek, wiping away a tear. " Everythings going to be okay" He said, warmly smiling into Leos eyes and trying to hide how much it hurt him to see his friend like this. " Come on, lets get you out of the cold" Kenny said, standing up and holding out a noticeably bony hand. Butters took it gratefully, shakily standing up and instantly Kenny wrapped his arm around him for comfort, desperate to get him inside. He knew just the place as he led them to the Tweek Bros coffee shop, grateful that they were open so late. He led Leo to a table in the corner, sitting him down gently on the padded seat before sitting down next to him and hugging him closer. Leo rested his head on Kennys shoulder, grateful for the contact. " Thank you Ken" Leo said shakily, wrapping an arm around Kennys torso and making his heart melt. It was late, so Kenny wasnt surprised when an unfamiliar barista came to take their order, seeing as Kenny was clearly not going to stand in line. " Can I get a hot chocolate please? Extra marshmallows" He said quietly, smiling at the woman when she gave him and leo a look of sympathy, nodded and scurried away. His stomach growled and he scrunched his face in pain, hoping more than anything that Leo didnt hear it. The money he would use to buy Butters the drink was supposed to be for his dinner, but Kenny was used to missing meals by now, always making sure that Karen had enough nutrition before himself. He honestly couldn't care less about himself right now, all that mattered was Leo. " Hey Buttercup, I completely understand if you dont want to answer, but.. What happened? " Kenny asked calmly, trying to be as respectful as possible. " I uh... My parents. They found my diary and... They.. Found something they uh.. Didnt like and.. They.. kicked me out. " Butters stuttered, sounding almost ashamed, like it was his fault. Kenny sighed. He wasnt going to press for details. Butters parents were always grounding him, or making him feel horrible about himself, and Kenny wished that he could do more to help. " You deserve, so, so much better than this shit" He said, gripping Leo tighter. " Do I? " Butters said sadly, looking up at Kenny. " Butters of course you do. You are the sweetest, kindest and most genuine person I know. If anyone deserves the best its you Le. " Butters eyes welled up with tears. To finally hear that he was good enough, that he didnt deserve anything that was happening to him, was exactly what he needed to hear. He smiled warmly, a huge weight lifted from his shoulders and a warm feeling in his chest, and surprisingly, a really strong urge to sit up straight and pull Kenny into a kiss. Kenny looked down at the boy, so happy that he was finally smiling. " Butters I wish that I could take everything that is hurting you and tell it to fuck off, and I know that I cant, but I promise that I will do everything I can do, even if it is only small. Im not the best person to help you, but I will try my best, because you are worth it. You are worth more to me than a million of anything else, and I-" Kenny was interrupted by the sound of the mug on the table. " Oh, thank you" He said, reluctantly placing the money in the girls hand as he did his best to pretend that he hadnt just blown his entire food budget on an admittedly inexpensive drink for his friend. " Come on Butterfly, drink up" He smiled, passing the mug to leo who let a tear of this time happiness fall down his cheek as he sipped the hot sweet and chocolatey goodness. He pulled away from the mug, looking up at Kenny. " How are you so perfect Ken. You're like my guardian angel. Im so, so grateful and I hope you know how much you mean to me. " Kenny smiled, chuckling lightly when he noticed a foamy ring around Butters mouth from the cream and reaching out to wipe it away. His thumb swept around the boys surprisingly soft lips, and Kenny found himself wondering what it would feel like to kiss them. " These are for you" The barista said kindly, as she placed two fresh pastries in front of the boys, handing Kenny his money back. " We're closing soon and these can't stay here overnight so free pastries for the two boys who look like they need them the most. " She smiled, walking away before either could object. " Aww gee, thank you maam! " Leo shouted after her, making Kenny smile. " You're so adorable. " He thought out loud, making Butters smile wider, showing his dimples and making Kennys heart skip a beat. Just the thought that he had managed to make Leo smile again was enough to fill him with joy, and he couldnt help but kiss his friends forehead. " I love you Ken" Butters said absentmindedly, immediately clapping a hand over his mouth, eyes widening as he realised what he had said. " Ive, Ive never.. Said that to anyone before. " He admitted nervously. " But I meant it. Ive been trying to figure this feeling out for a long time and, I think, no, I know, I love you Kenny. " Kenny placed a hand on Leos cheek, glad to feel that it had warmed up and was no longer ice cold. He was even gladder when Butters leant into his hand subconsciously, and knew what he had to do. He leant forward slowly, until their lips were milimeters apart and he could feel warm breath on his mouth, then whispered, " I love you too Leo. " He then gently kissed his lips, smiling when he felt the grin that his words had caused Butters to form. Kenny had saved Butters, in more ways than one. He really was his guardian angel.