No, I love you. | BRATTERS |

That day.

The sun was setting as everyone slowly returned into the camp building. Lots of whispers could be heard about the little boy who almost ended his life just seconds ago.

Butters had asked his dad if he could have a moment with Bradley before he went home.

"Bradley!" Butters called to him, throwing his arms around him and giving him a huge hug.

After about a minute, he pulled away and saw Bradley's eyes glistening in the light, eyes full of tears. Bradley looked away, trying to blink them back.

"It's okay. Let it out."

Bradley blinked and tears raced down his face. He sniffled and wiped his face with his sleeve. He looked down, ashamed.

"Gee Bradley, you sure did give me a scare there.." his words trailed off as he looked away from the curly haired boy.

"Please never do anything like that again."

Biting his nails, Bradley's face turned a light shade of pink. He looked up into Butter's eyes.

"T-Thank you for saving me. How could I ever repay you?"

"Awh you don't gotta repay me! That's just what friends do !"

"Y-You still want to be my friend?" Bradley asked as his eyes widened slightly.

"Well of course! You're a really cool guy Bradley!"

Bradley's face turned bright red.

"BAD THOUGHTS. BAD THOUGHTS."

He yelled out while biting his nails and started quickly repeating bible verses to himself.
He did this every time he thought an "unholy thought" as the camp had traumatized him into doing.

Many kids never made it out, they literally would rather be dead. Whether it was a rope they found behind the camp or a gun they took from the camp's security- kids were ending their lives daily.

Bradley was now sitting on the grass, still muttering bible verse; now rocking back and forth.

Butters had sat down next to him, staring at him like he was trying to see behind an invisible wall.

"Were you always like this?" Butters asked, slightly titling his head before moving his gaze to watching the sunset.

Bradley's verses slowly trailed off as he looked up at Butters.

"Huh?"

"Has this kind of thing always happened to you, or was it the camp? People don't seem to like that place."

Bradley sat in silence for a minute. Butters waited patiently for a response; not really minding it took him awhile to come up with an answer.

"...It was the camp. They teach you that these feelings are... are wrong.
...

"But why are they wrong? Hasn't everyone felt confused before; at least once?"

Bradley let out a deep sigh.

"You don't get it."

"Get what?"

"This. What's going on. You're too innocent. I don't know how or why you got here, but you shouldn't be.. This place is for people that are fucked up. You're a perfectly normal good kid."

Bradley wasn't angry at Butters, He just envied his innocence; it felt unfair.

"... Gosh darn it. Now I'm confused again"

Bradley let out a soft chuckle.

They sat there for awhile, staring at the sunset, both losing track of time.
Butters parents had completely forgotten he was still there, as usual.

Bradley's parents couldn't give a shit when he came and when he left. He practically fended for himself at 8 years old.

Butters eyelids grew heavy, as his head slowly fell onto Bradley's shoulder. Bradley felt his cheeks start to heat up.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself down, he relaxed into the grass, gently placing his head on top of Butters, and closed his eyes.
Though he made him nervous, Bradley felt safe around Butters.