Warnings: None for this chapter. It's a lot of cuddles. Stan is going through withdrawl.

Enjoy.


I don't know how long I've been crying now. Kyle moved us to his couch when I started and I've been sobbing into his chest since then. His arms are locked tight around me though and it feels nice to be on this side of a cuddle. It's like he's holding me together. My sobs die down to sniffles but still he holds me, stroking my back. It feels good.

"Feel better?" He gives me a squeeze. "Sometimes it's good to cry and let it all out."

I nod a little then look up at him. He's smiling softly and it makes my heart flutter a little. "What now?"

"You're staying in a motel right? I think you should move in with me."

I start to protest but he cuts me off, "It's not like you'll be a freeloader Stan you have a job. I want you here okay?"

Reluctantly after a moment I nod. "Okay…. We have to clean out my stuff then."

He pats me affectionately on the head, "I'll go grab a few trash bags and we can get your stuff."

"Okay." I smile a little at him. He grabs a few trash bags, I wash my face, and then we head to the motel together.


It's cheap and crappy but it's all I could afford right now. Kyle starts digging through the drawers and I do the same. He pauses though when he pulls out a bottle of whiskey. "Really Stan?"

I look down. "I have a drink in the morning, it helps me get through the day."

"Even if you're working? You know how dangerous that is!" He scolds me and I flinch away.

"Hey…. Hey it's okay." He touches my shoulder. "I don't want to see you get hurt Stan, that's all."

"I know Kyle…. There's a bottle in each drawer." I can't bring myself to meet his eyes.

"Okay, why don't you start packing your clothes?" I think he's disappointed but I can't tell. I nod in response and start packing away my clothes. I hear him throwing away the bottles and I try to ignore it, shoving my clothes into the bags. I don't have much. I tie up the bags when I'm done.

"Let's go." He says and takes my hand. I let him lead me out. He dumps the bag with the bottle in the dumpster. "This is a new start for you Stan, no more drinking."

"I won't drink again." It's going to be hard but at least I have Kyle to help me.

He squeezes my hand and we go to the car together.


Kyle insists we just share the same room. I don't bother arguing because his bed is softer then the couch and he doesn't have a guest bedroom. And besides its nice waking up to a warm body in the morning.

We unpack my clothes and by the time we're done I have a killer headache working up and my hands are trembling.

Kyle notices of course. He's always watching me. "Stan are you feeling okay?" He feels my forehead and generally fusses over me. "Lay down I'll bring you some pain pills and something light." He leads me over to the bed and makes me sit then hurries out.

I slide out of a few layers then crawls under the covers feeling more and more miserable. How long has it been since my last drink? It feels like too long but I know it can't be more then twelve hours. My whole body starts shaking. I tug the blankets tighter around me.

Kyle comes back with water, painkillers, and some toast. He coaxes me up and gets me to take the pills and eat the toast. He even tucks me back into bed. When he starts to leave though I reach out and grab onto the back of his shirt. "Can you stay with me?..." My voice sounds pathetic to me.

He softens tough and turns back to me. "I'll stay with you." He flips off the lights and crawls into bed behind me. His arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me back against him. He's warm. "It'll be okay Stan. I'm here for you." He warm breath ghosts over my ear.

"I know Kyle… thank you." I close my eyes and focus on sleep.