A/N: Yikes, life got really busy there for a minute! I know it's almost been 3 weeks so - thank you all for being so patient :) Please enjoy this chapter! And don't forget to R&R!
Chapter 10
Kyle propped himself up on the bed, waiting. He stared up at the ceiling, imagining how things could go wrong, imagining how things could go right. He felt his heart skip and he nervously shifted against the pillows.
But it was just then that Cartman angrily burst through the door. Startled Kyle, (mostly naked except the boxers he was wearing…. but they currently weren't concealing much) jumped up and then fell onto the floor, tangled in the bedsheets he tried to cover himself with.
"C-Cartman! What the hell are you doing here?! Get out!" Kyle stammered, although it sounded like the last thing he wanted was Eric to leave. He knew he wasn't a good actor but why was he so nervous? Having wrestled with the sheets and won, he stood up (now covered in a makeshift toga) trying to seem confident. This had all sounded so much easier when he planned this with Stan and Kenny. But now, facing Cartman he felt paralyzed, unable to concentrate on anything other than how cute Eric was when he was angry.
"What are you doing here!" Cartman accused right back. Snapping Kyle back to reality although he couldn't help but notice Cartman's eyes were fixed on the sheets [scarcely] concealing Kyle's excitement.
It was enough to make Kyle shiver and he felt himself turn the same bright red as his hair. He fidgeted with the sheets anxiously.
Abruptly, Cartman closed the door behind him, standing directly in front it. "I'm not leaving," he stated in a tone that dared Kyle to disagree.
Kyle, never afraid to challenge Eric, gathered up his clothes with one hand while clutching the sheets covering him with the other. "Fine. Whatever fatass. I'm going to find Butters"
"You're not leaving either," he stated matter-of-factly. His voice, his body language all told Kyle this wasn't up for discussion.
Kyle felt the familiar compulsion to fight back rise within him. Defiance flashed in his eyes, a darkening green, narrowed with determination and a little of that rage - that cold anger, uncontrolled and relentless - that he kept locked deep inside. It was a resolve that Eric assumed Kyle had inherited from generations of his Jewish ancestors fighting unrelenting oppression, and he admired it deeply.
"Seriously what is your fucking problem!" Kyle spat. His voice loud this time, with no trace of anxiety.
"You" Cartman replied smoothly, moving in easy steps towards Kyle. It was amazing how fast Cartman could change his whole demeanor. It was he who was determined now, as if he had traded with Kyle and given him his anger in exchange.
Kyle gave a sharp laugh, like a choke, "How am I your problem?! I don't annoy you, harass you and make your life a living hell every chance I get!"
They now stood face-to-face, bodies almost pressed together. Cartman could feel Kyle's breath in hot, angry short breaths against his lips.
"How can you still not understand?" he questioned, his brown eyes unblinking, searching Kyle's face as he continued, "Can't you tell how I feel? How I've always felt? Seeing your face every day. Seeing you smile at everyone else. Wishing you would smile at me – really smile at me – just once. Wishing those eyes – those beautiful green eyes (Cartman raised his hand and softly brushed Kyle's cheek) – would look upon me kindly instead of burning me with hatred. Wishing I could tell you how much you mean to me. But I couldn't because you'd never believe me if I did. I know what I've done and said to you…and I'm sorry, sincerely…but honestly Kyle, would you notice me otherwise? Can you really blame me for not knowing any other way to make you see me?"