STAN

"So let me ask you a question," I say deciding to lay everything out on the table. "How did you feel about Kyle dating Cartman? I mean…."

"I know," said Emma slowly glancing down for a moment. "I feel just awful about that. I had really terrible self-esteem back then. My body was changing and I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. After Kyle coming out and being bullied how was I going to tell everyone I was meant to be a girl. I pretty much kept everything bottled up."

"I'm not judging you," I reply. "I just wanted to know your side of the story because this really hurt Kyle."

"I'm not the one who really hurt Kyle though," said Emma. "It was you."

"Me?" I questioned. "How? He is the one who stopped talking to me."

"Well yeah….." said Emma beginning to play with her hands nervously. "You started dating some girl Jane or something. I don't remember now but I recall Kyle being upset about it. He was venting to Cartman about it one day and I just happened to be around." I didn't know Kyle had feelings for me. Had I known I would have never flaunted my relationship in his face. I shake my head getting back to the real matter at hand.

"How did you two start, you know…..?" I asked looking over my shoulder.

"He has his beer and food," said Emma. "He's not getting up, trust me. Cartman saw me dressed up as a girl one day after school. I was so scared he was going to blackmail me or tell everyone at school. I mean a gay guy is different from someone who is transgender. Instead, he was gentle and understanding. He actually started helping me look into treatments for my transformation since my parents weren't really supportive. He was the most patience gentlemen ever. I'm sorry I took him from Kyle but I fell in love with him before I knew it. There is no excuse for what I did but I feel like Kyle has always been in love with you anyway. I think Cartman felt this way too." The words sink in heavily.

"Thanks for explaining Emma," I reply. "You didn't have to answer any of my questions but you did."

"Anything for you Stan," she smiled. "Time for me to plate the food for dinner. Go on now, head back into the room with the guys." I walk away realizing that there was a huge communication flaw between Kyle and I back then. Things could have been so different had he told me how he felt. I wonder have I been in love with Kyle this whole time. I frown thinking I would know if I was in love. I dated other people and when he slowed down on reaching out to me…..I just let it happen. Someone in love would never do that right?

"Where you been?" asked Cartman as I sit down next to Tweek.

"I was talking to Emma," I replied.

"God bless you, most people find her boring unless they are trying to fuck her," he explains. He drinks from his beer and I notice Tweek looks glad I returned.

"So what did I miss?" I asked.

"Oh nothing…" said Cartman. "Talking about a little of this a little of that." I know he is lying Tweek clearly looks disturbed. I wonder if he now knows this was a set up as well. "You need another beer?" I look down at mine realizing it is close to being empty.

"Sure," I reply. Cartman grins as he gets up and walks to the kitchen. Seeing him smile so much is still weird. "You okay Tweek?"

"I am now," he sighs. "It was getting a little weird while you were gone."

"What did he say?" I asked. Tweek blushes shaking his head, oh boy. Cartman walks back into the room with my beer. He starts talking about the movie we were watching telling me what I missed while I was out of the room. Emma announces that dinner is ready and we all sit at the table. She made Cornish hens, with asparagus. The chicken had an excellent flavor, it was tender and not super dry either. I'm surprised Emma is not going to school to be a chef. The wine she selected went perfectly with the chicken. She said she found out about the wine on YouTube. For dessert, she did bread pudding. I'm beyond full when it is time for us to go. I can see why everyone wanted to come to the dinner party, this was truly a restaurant experience.

"We are going to get going," said Tweek.

"So soon?" asked Emma sadly.

"Yeah," I replied. "I have things I need to do tomorrow."

"Don't be a stranger Stan," said Cartman. "I want us to do this again before you leave."

"I will try," I reply not knowing what will happen. I want to talk to Kyle and clear the air about more than one thing. Tweek and I stand to make our way to the front of the house. I hug Emma and Cartman before stepping on the porch. Tweek wobbles a little clearly buzzed from the wine. "That wine got to you didn't it."

"I had no idea wine could be this strong," he whispers.

"It can be," I replied. "Let's get you home." Twee hangs on to my arm and I let him because he is seriously struggling. He starts humming a song he has in his head. I have to say a drunk Tweek is a very happy Tweek. I mean he is always happy but I have never seen him hum or sing before. I have never seen him this far gone.

"Stars so pretty tonight," he sighs looking up. He almost falls but I catch him.

"Pay attention Tweek," I warn. "You're drunk and can't afford to star gaze right now."

"They look like they're glowing tonight," he explains. "Like let's stop and really look at them." I stop and look up and he is right. The stars look super bright. I feel Tweek tangle his fingers in between mine holding my hand. Is Tweek into me? I'm going to have to let him know as nicely as I can I'm not interested for now I let him hold my hand as we walk back to his house. We get to his porch and I can see the lights are off inside.

"Your parents' home?" I asked taking my hand back.

"Yeah, they are probably asleep already," he explains. "You know they open tomorrow since we are off." I laugh because neither of us wanted Cartman or Emma to know we are off. They probably would have pressured us into staying. "I don't think I would be any good tomorrow anyways."

"For sure," I agree. "You be safe okay." Tweek nods looking at me intensely. He leans in quickly planting a kiss on my lips. Tweek massages his lips against my own. He is a good kisser but I love Kyle. Just kissing Tweek feels wrong despite me not being in a committed relationship. I shake my head out of the kiss. "Ummm…Tweek"

"D-did I misread that?" he asked clearly embarrassed.

"Yeah…." I replied to him slowly. "Um, I think you're a great guy…" Tweek holds his hand up.

"You can save me the you're a nice guy speech," he replies looking like he is holding back tears. "That is all I ever hear."

"That is not a bad thing," I reply defensively. "You are a good guy."

"Good guys always finish last…" he sighs. "Or they're straight."

"Maybe there is someone for you, you haven't considered…" I suggest. I know Kyle would kill me if he knew I opened my mouth but this could be an opportunity. "What about Craig?"

"Craig," he snorts. "He is so….rude, he is selfish, he doesn't have a job…" Man, that does sound really bad. From what I have seen he is all of those things Tweek just stated.

"He can't be that bad since you guys are friends," I reply. "Maybe you should give him a chance."

"F-friends are different from lovers," says Tweek. "Craig is a great friend but a lover…I don't know about that. He never takes anyone seriously. He is always fucking someone different. It's like he is not pleased drinking the same coffee over and over." Man Craig must really get around.

"You never know until you try," I say. "You can do what you want Tweek. Like I said you are a really good guy and I just want you to be happy. Who knows…..maybe Craig hasn't found that perfect flavor of coffee." Tweek shrugs looking down blushing, he finally looks up meeting my eyes looking very sad. I can't help it, I'm in love with Kyle. "Don't worry, you will find someone but I think you should really give Craig a shot." Tweek blushes and for the first time I think he does like Craig. "Do you have feelings for Craig?" His face now turns red as he begins to twitch. Fuck, I pat his shoulder to give him a boost of confidence. Tweek nods yes in agreement.

"I think I love him…"he says above a whisper. Holy shit.

"You need to tell him," I reply thinking about Kyle and I. "Don't let him think you don't feel the same way." Tweek tilts his head.

"Feel the same way?" he questions clearly puzzled. Shit. I run my hands through my hair.

"I think Craig loves you too," I reply. "Um he seemed to not like you spending time in my presence."

"You're just so nice…."says Tweek with his voice shaking a little. "Craig is just so…..oh god…..does he love me. I don't know…..I can't….." I pull Tweek in for a hug and I know he is appreciating it very much. He hugs me tighter before pulling away.

"I'll see you later okay," I tell him. "Relax man, everything is going to be okay." Tweek nods before disappearing into the house. I breathe a sigh of relief glad that he didn't try to kiss me again. I walk off down the street ready to get home ready to have my talk with Kyle.