Ages: High School Sophomores

Kenny remembered something about a gift card. And Sally Darson. Earlier that morning he had been too high off painkillers to really notice anything else, if he was honest. Butters' smiling, cheerful face, his giggles (different from the ones Butters had when he was nervous, Kenny knew), a gift card... and Sally Darson. The rest, a complete blur.

In any case, Kenny didn't expect to find Butters sitting alone on the back steps of the school, hours after it has been dismissed. He heard sniffling and subconsciously tightened his parka strings before approaching his lonesome friend.

Butters was jerked out of his saddened stupor by the sound of approaching footsteps. He sniffled loudly and tried to quickly wipe his eyes without being too obvious. Whoever it was coming up behind him, Butters didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing him cry while he was down. He didn't feel like dealing with the ridicule today. When Kenny sat down beside him, Butters' shoulders instantly relaxed.

"O-Oh hey, Kenny..." He said casually, rubbing his face. Kenny quirked a brow at the teen across from him; Kenny could tell his face and eyes were red.

"Hey," Kenny replied, voice muffled like always, "What's wrong…?" It bothered him to the core to see the usually happy Butters so upset. He watched silently as Butters sniffled again and shrugged, attempting to seem unbothered.

"N-Nuthin' much. I-I think Sally forgot we were s'posed ta go on a date today, is all…"

Kenny blinked. So it had been adateButters had chatted up a storm about earlier that morning. Kenny frowned at the cold steps below them. How could he have missed that…? Butters on adate…?

Beside Kenny Butters sighed and looked up.

"It's almost five o'clock n-now. I-I should'a known I'd get stood up…" Butters bit his lip when his eyes started to sting again. He didn't want to cry in front of Kenny. He reached for his backpack and stood up slowly, the dress shirt he'd worn wrinkled from sitting for so long. "I'm just gonna go home.." He muttered, "See ya, Ken."

The farewell knocked Kenny out of his daydreaming and he stood up quickly, reaching out a gloved hand.

"Leo wait…!" His voice cracked behind his closed up parka. "Do you... do you still want to go out…?" He asked, his cheeks warmed slightly. Kenny watched as Butters stared up at him wide-eyed from the bottom of the steps. Kenny's stomach sank nervously; Butters must not have heard him. He opened his mouth to instead reply with a "goodbye" when a wobbly smile spread across Butters' lips.

"Y-ya mean it…?" Butters' heart fluttered in his chest. He'd always wanted to spend more one-on-one time with Kenny and now it seemed Kenny wanted to do the same! Before Kenny could reply Butters had bounded back up the steps and had taken Kenny by the hand. Seeing the smile on Butters' face put Kenny back at ease and he let Butters lead him down to the sidewalk.

"I'd love ta go out with ya, Ken!" Butters chattered excitedly. Kenny wondered vaguely if Butters meant it in the casual or romantic sense but didn't bring it up. He had his hand in Butters' warm one and he was going to dinner with adorable company - he wouldn't push his luck.

Kenny listened attentively to Butters talk about his favorite food and how he'd been so happy to get the gift card as a birthday present. Kenny realized it was easy being around Butters - the sweet teen liked to talk and didn't expect any sort of reaction from him, really, aside from the occasional nod or "mmhm" (which were Kenny's specialties).

Butters' eyes sparkled the whole walk to the restaurant and his grin never wavered once as he spoke with Kenny. Butters couldn't help admitting to himself that Kenny was a much better date than Sally. Everything happens for a reason, he supposed, and this reason couldn't have been any better. Kenny could visibly see the change in Butters' attitude and decided he really liked how happiness looked on him. From there his mind took a slight turn, and he gave Butters a once-over as they approached the only Bennigan's in South Park.

Butters smiled brightly at Kenny as he held the door open for him. Butters' face broke out into a huge blush when instead of a "thanks" Kenny responded with a "you look cute". Butters stuttered slightly, blinking as he tried to spit out a thank you. Kenny grinned and spared the floundering boy by sticking a gloved hand out to tussle Butters' slicked back hair.

"Hair looks kinda gay, though." He added. Butters laughed at the comment and grinned at Kenny when he pulled his hand back.

"I-I kinda agree. I hate doing my hair like that." Butters laughed, "but Mom said girls like it." Kenny laughed even more at that and patted Butters' back.

"Nice try, but maybe stick with the usual look. Suits you best." The comment left Butters feeling fuzzy and light headed as they were led to a table to sit. A small smile was stuck on his face that made Kenny feel successful in some weird way. Like he had accomplished something good.

The waitress smiled at the two and quickly got their drink orders in before walking away. Butters looked at Kenny for a moment, his smile slowly dipping when he noticed how baggy Kenny's parka looked on him. Kenny was too busy looking around the place to notice.

"Be sure ta get whatever ya want, Ken…!" He said, smiling at him and gesturing towards menu. Kenny blinked and looked down at it, suddenly acutely aware of the growling in his stomach. He nodded slowly, frowning slightly. The prices were greater than he had expected and he didn't want to give the impression he was only with Butters for the meal. Kenny simply nodded in response and Butters smiled as the waitress approached with their drinks. Kenny searched for the cheapest thing he could find that wouldn't seem like the cheapest while Butters told woman what he wanted.

"And what can I get for your friend?" The waitress asked. Kenny blinked and looked up, lowering his hoodie enough to clear his mouth.

"Date." He said simply, causing Butters' eyes to widen like saucers. "I'm his date." Butters' heart fluttered in his chest happily as the waitress laughed in a friendly way and corrected herself. Kenny ordered a plain burger and smiled at Butters when the woman walked away.

He'd managed to distract Butters whilst reaffirming to him he was taking their date seriously. He liked being able to kill two birds with one stone where he could.

Kenny decided to leave his hood completely down for the rest of the meal, enjoying how Butters' cheeks pinkened whenever he glanced up at him. Butters was on cloud nine as they chatted happily about school and friends and random things here and there. Butters learned that Kenny had never been to Bennigans before ("Woah, really? Well it's the best place in the whole wide world!") and Kenny learned that Butters wasn't allowed to drink soda at home ("Well look at you, being a rebel."). An hour and a half had gone by before Butters noticed the time.

"O-Oh geez! I-I gotta get home…!" Kenny frowned at how quickly Butters' smile dropped and he nodded. Kenny insisted on leaving the tip as they left quickly after paying. Kenny walked Butters to his house, holding Butters' hand for comfort. Butters smiled at Kenny as a thanks and spoke with him about the falling snow as they walked.

Kenny watched Butters' breath puff out as they approached his doorstep. Butters didn't want to leave Kenny but he knew he had to. He suddenly reached forward and hugged Kenny close, patting his back.

"Thanks for goin' out with me, Ken. I-I really had a great time." Kenny nodded and returned the hug before pulling away and stepping down Butters' front steps. Butters turned around and reached for the door handle when he was stopped by Kenny's voice.

"We'll have to do this again, sometime." He started, soft voice unmuffled and clear, "The next date will be on me." He finished before pulling his parka back up for warmth. Butters turned around and smiled hopefully at Kenny before nodding and waving goodbye. Kenny stared at Butters' closed front door fondly for a moment before nodding to himself and stuffing his hands in his pockets, walking home.

He found himself thinking of ideas for the next date all the way there.