'He's still kissing you!'

I don't want this…do I? This is gay! Really gay, of course I don't want this, I'm not gay! Jesus Christ! I shoved Kenny off of me, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. Kenny was about to say something, but before he could utter a word my fist was colliding with his jaw with an impressive smack. Kenny let out a low yelp before stumbling backwards in complete surprise.

"What the fuck Kyle? If you didn't like it you didn't have to punch me!" He licked his lower lip, I hit him hard enough to bust it, and blood was running down his chin. "I don't know what your fucking problem is, but the Kyle I used to know would never have hit anyone."

I was in complete shock. What have I done? I just hit one of my closest friends, all because I'm too afraid to admit I like him.

'He's right Kyle, you've changed, and not for the better.'

"Kenny…I didn't…I was just…" I couldn't figure out what I wanted to say, but it didn't matter, Kenny was in no mood to listen to any justification I could have provided.

"Just shut the fuck up Kyle. Maybe I crossed the line kissing you, I just thought my feelings were reciprocated…"

'They are.'

"…but even if they aren't, I thought you of all people would have been understanding enough not to hate me for it."

I didn't know what to say. I hated myself and I'm sure Kenny hated me even more…if that was even possible. I wanted to hug him, I didn't mean to. I'm just so scared of being who I am, I didn't know how to react, so I freaked out. I shouldn't have done what I did, but there was no way I could take that back now.

"Kenny, I'm so sorry…" tears began to collect in my eyes, I felt like such an ass.

'You are an ass Kyle!'

"Shove it Kyle. I'm just gonna leave. I can't expect you to keep this secret but if you even have an ounce of respect left for me you won't tell anyone." Kenny made his way for my door, blood still dripping from his lip. Fuck I really hit him hard. I was still speechless, there was nothing I could say to make this up to him. I really screwed this up big time. I heard the front door slam shut, just as I lay down on my bed. If only I'd accepted my feelings…

'He'd still be here, probably lying with you.'

I am such a fucking screw up. I could have had something good with that boy…that beautiful, charming, blonde-haired kid. It's funny, I'm only beginning to accept those feelings now that I've lost all chance at having them reciprocated.

'Life's fucking cruel Kyle.'

I need to make this up to him. I just have to. I can't bear the thought of him hating me, the thought of him not loving me tore me apart, I can only imagine how much worse I'll feel if he never speaks to me again. What can I do? What the hell can I do?

'Kenny loves green carnations.'

That he does, but I doubt a bunch of flowers is going to win me back my chance. I really need to think of something, I don't want to lose him. Right then something caught my eye, Kenny's left his bag here. There, at least now I've got an excuse to go see him!

I grabbed Kenny's bag and threw it over my good shoulder, before grabbing my wallet and house keys, heading out the door in the direction of town. I decided that on my way to get flowers I could think of some other way to make it up to him. Kenny always had simple tastes, maybe if I just show up with some pizza he might forgive me

I arrived in town a few minutes later, the florist wasn't very far from my house thankfully, so I didn't put too much strain on my leg. I bought the biggest bunch of carnations I could. I don't know why he loved these flowers so much. Any time he was in a suit, his boutonnière was always a green carnation. I mean, there are prettier flowers out there after all…

'Maybe it's because they match your eye colour?'

That's quite a romantic thought…I'd never pictured Kenny as being particularly romantic, then again, I never pictured him kissing me in my own bedroom. Or anywhere for that matter! I'm gonna go and get some pizza. What kind does he like? Damn it Kyle, friends for at least 14 years and you can't remember what Kenny gets on a pizza!

'Chicken, beef and double cheese.'

You know, sometimes my mind's not so bad at all. I really hope this works out, I do like Kenny, more than a friend. I just wished I had come to terms with it before today, then this whole mess could have been avoided. I hurried to the nearest pizzeria and then headed in the direction of Kenny's house. Thankfully it was still light out, and there hadn't been much snowfall, so travelling on a half-busted leg wasn't too dangerous. Though, Kenny's house was on the very outskirts of town, I really hope this pizza doesn't go cold by the time I get there. Carrying this bunch of flowers and a pizza with a sling is much more challenging than I thought, but I managed, only nearly dropping the flowers like five times, but they didn't actually fall, so it's all okay.

I was just about to knock on Kenny's front door before a final thought popped into my mind. I decided to take one of the carnations and break the stem about 3 inches from the flower, slipping it through one of the button holes of my jacket, my own little makeshift boutonnière. I raised my hand and rapped on the door.

'No response.'

I pressed my ear to the door. There was no sound of fighting, no sound of any disturbances or breaking bottles, Kenny's family wasn't home. I was just about to knock the door again before it swung open.

"Oh hi there Kyle!" I looked down and Kenny's little sister was staring up at me with bright eyes.

'Just as bright and blue as Kenny's…'

"Hi there Karen, is eh…is Kenny home?" I peered in behind her, there was no sign of anybody else being here.

"He actually just left about ten minutes ago, he said he was going to Stark's Pond, said he needed to get his mind off of something…say, is that pizza?"

'Great, more walking!'

"Thanks Karen! It is indeed, want a slice?"

She didn't need to reply, her grin was enough of an answer to me.

"Thank you Ky! By the way, Kenny will love the flowers, they're his favourite you know?" With that she gave me a final smile and a wave before closing the door.

'Oh I know Karen, I know.'

I sighed and picked up my things again, heading in the direction of the pond. It wasn't far from Kenny's house thankfully, so it shouldn't be too long of a walk, hopefully the pizza will still be edible by the time I arrive.

The sun was starting to set and a slight breeze had picked up, along with a little bit of snow. I wish I'd worn a scarf, I assumed I'd be in Kenny's house by now. Well, I hoped I would be. I had been walking for about five minutes when I could see Stark's Pond approaching. When I arrived, I could see a figure sitting alone. They were sitting on the bench that overlook the lake, the sun setting on the horizon opposite, it was quite a beautiful scene.

'Let's just hope what goes down is equally beautiful.'

I took a final deep breath before approaching the bench. As I got nearer, the dark figure turned orange. I could make out blonde tufts poking out from underneath, it was definitely Kenny. He didn't respond as I neared, maybe he was listening to music and didn't hear me. I reached the bench and sat down at the far end from him, before shuffling closer to him. As soon as our shoulders nearly touched, I lay the carnations on his lap. He jumped a bit. He definitely hadn't heard me, and I kinda did just sneak up on him.

"Hi…hi Kenny." I fidgeted slightly, the pizza box on my lap.

'It still feels somewhat warm…thankfully.'

"I just, I wanted to apologise for earlier."

Kenny let out a deep sigh, his breath condensing to water vapour just inches from his face. He pulled down his hood and held the flowers tighter, before turning his head to face me.

"These are my favourite, you know?"

"That's why I picked them. And I got you this, it's probably kinda cold by now, but I didn't expect I'd have to walk all the way out here to see you."

I opened up the pizza box, relieved to see a little steam still rising from the food.

"Chicken, beef and double cheese. You know me well Ky." He laughed and blushed a little bit.

"I just…I just wanted to make it up to you Kenny. I was an asshole earlier and I didn't mean it. Every fibre in my body hated myself for what I did." I caught a glimpse of the cut on his lip, it still looked quite sore, and his cheek was starting to bruise a little. "What I did was uncalled for. I just hope you can forgive me…"

I looked down at the ground as Kenny let out another sigh. Just moments later, Kenny had shuffled closer and placed his hand atop mine. I wish my shoulder wasn't fucked up, then he could've put his whole arm around me.

"Kyle, mind if I ask why you hit me?" Kenny's voice seemed relaxed, I'm glad…I'm relieved.

"I've…I've had these feelings for you for quite a while now. But I always repressed them. I wasn't ready to accept being who I was. I didn't want to allow myself to be gay. I just wanted to fit in and be what society…what my parents expect me to be. I was terrified that if I accepted who I was, that I'd be the only one. That everybody else would treat me like an outcast, especially my parents. I couldn't handle that. And I certainly couldn't handle the pressure of trying to hide it. When you kissed me, in that moment, I was forced to deal with that decision there and then. I thought that whatever I chose to do would decide how I would go about living the rest of my life. And quite frankly, I thought if I pushed you away, I would push away all the feelings I have for you. But when I hit you, seeing you in pain. Seeing you truly hurt, it just tore me apart, more than I've ever been before. I thought I'd lost you forever, and it was then and only then that I realised what I wanted. I wanted, and I still want, you. I want you Kenny, and nothing else."

'I'm proud of you Kyle. Well done.'

Kenny tightened his grip on my hand, I looked up at him. He was smiling, a blush spread across both of his cheeks, tears gathering in his eyes. He moved in closer, our faces just inches apart. I didn't want him to kiss me, I wanted to kiss him. I leaned forward, closing the last few inches between us, and I pressed my lips softly to his. But this time, neither of us were pushed away. In fact, we just pulled each other closer. His tongue brushed against my lower lip, asking for my permission. Almost instantaneously I granted his tongue access, and soon it was wrapped around mine. Moans and gasps escaped our mouths as we broke apart. For a few moments there was silence. I drank it all in. I was euphoric. I sat there, gazing into his eyes. You know, I never really liked my name much, until I found out what it tastes like when Kenny sighed it into my mouth.

Kenny bit his lip, wincing a little once he remembered there was still a cut there, before giggling at his own stupidity. "That wasn't so bad Ky, was it?"

I couldn't help but smile and blush as Kenny intertwined our fingers. It was such a perfect moment. And I got to share it with the perfect guy.

"So, how about we eat that pizza now?"

Kenny's eyes lit up at the suggestion. Within seconds he had the box reopened and was shoving a slice of pizza into his mouth. I don't know why, but I still found it incredibly endearing, and I couldn't help but laugh at how viciously he devoured the slice.

"What? It's really good pizza okay, and probably unlike you, I didn't have breakfast or lunch today!" Kenny had another slice, eating it a little more politely this time around, not that I cared. I was a slow eater, still working on my first slice. Kenny is right, this is a great pizza! What was making the moment, the pizza, everything so much better…was the simple fact that I was spending it here, with Kenny.

"So Ky…not to make anything seem rushed or anything, but I want a house in Boston and a vacation home in Sicily!"

I punched his arm and laughed at his remarks. Witty bastard. Who am I kidding, I love how cocky he is!

'That almost makes you sound desperate for a certain something…'

"Seriously though…Kyle, would you do me the honour…wait, hold on one moment!" Before he finished, he reached over to my jacket and pulled out my boutonnière, holding it in his hand. "Kyle Broflovski, would you give me the honour and privilege to allow me to call you my boyfriend?" Just as he finished, he reached over for my jacket, and replaced the carnation in my jacket.

'Kenny can be romantic when he wants to be.'

I sat there blushing, leaning over to place a tender kiss on his cheek before smiling and nodding, "Of course Kenny, it would be my absolute pleasure."

Eager to continue this fantastic act of courtship, Kenny got down on one knee and kissed my hand, before sitting up beside me, both of us in stitches laughing.

"Well aren't you a fine gentleman Kenneth?" I stuck my tongue out at him as he flipped me off.

"You know Kenny, I'm kinda glad you came all the way out here."

Kenny shuffled closer to me, holding my hand once again and resting them both on his thigh, "Oh, why's that?"

"Look…" I directed him out towards the lake, to the very opposite side, the sun was just beginning to set behind the mountains, its reflection glistening on the pond's still waters. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"It is, but not as beautiful as the sight right in front of my eyes."

I turned my head to see his gaze focused on me, a gaze that's met in all sincerity by mine, as I lose myself in his icy-blue eyes.

'At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out, they fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So you can waste your life drawing lines… or you can live your life crossing them. But there are some lines… that are way too dangerous to cross. Here's what I know: If you're willing to take the chance, the view from the other side… is spectacular.'

You are so right, this view is just spectacular.