Title: A Lifetime of Style

Disclaimer: I do not "own" South Park or any of its characters. The lucky bastards Trey Parker and Matt Stone do, however. I only own this plot idea.

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Chapter 12: Adulthood

Before Stan and Kyle know it, college graduation arrives. Kyle graduates summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, being recognized as the top graduate in the economics program. Stan graduates cum laude and is recognized as a top graduate in the English program, earning solid A's in all of his English classes.

Kyle applies to numerous jobs all over the country. The landlord allows them to stay in their apartment until Kyle gets a job offer. There's enough money left over in Kyle's college trust fund to sustain them. In addition to working on his novel, Stan writes a few articles for the Boulder Daily Camera for compensation in order to feel self-sufficient. Whenever Stan has writer's block, Kyle gives him his full attention. They'd walk around the town, grab an ice cream, or just spend time cuddling on the couch.

The boys quickly fall into a routine. In the morning, they get up, shower, shave, wash up, spend some early morning "alone time," and make breakfast. Afterward, Stan immediately works on his novel, while Kyle searches for more jobs and awaits that coveted offer letter. Afternoon routines include lunch and an intense makeout session before Stan spends hours writing and editing. In the evening, they would cook dinner. Afterward, Stan writes a little more, with an hour of TV time with Kyle. Finally, the day is wrapped up with shower, wash up, sex, and bed, although most nights, Stan would get up and write into the night.

There are quite a few times when Kyle feels a twinge of jealousy when he sees Stan furiously typing away at the computer. He feels as if Stan got what he wanted, while he's still an unemployed valedictorian desperate for work. The jealousy heats up whenever Stan comes in from the mailbox with letters. He's won a few more contests, and the prize money is quite hefty. Another letter states that several of his short stories have been published in literary journals. One night, Stan comes in giddy with a letter stating that a local literary presser has published a book of some of his short stories and journals. Kyle hugs him, kisses him, and takes him out to dinner to celebrate. It's not until they're in bed, naked bodies entangled in each other, that Kyle begins to seethe.

They get into a huge fight a few days later. Some hurtful words are exchanged, and Kyle ends up sleeping on the couch. The next morning, Stan wakes Kyle up to talk about it calmly and rationally. They talk, and Stan encourages Kyle to keep pressing on and researching his options. Kyle apologizes for being a jealous baby, and tells Stan that he truly is proud of him for his achievements. The two share a warm embrace and end up having blissful make-up sex.

Two days later, Kyle finally has some breakthroughs. He lands a handful of interviews, many of which are out of state. While Kyle is away interviewing in a city across the country, Stan runs into a literary agent. The agent asks Stan if he's ever thought of writing a novel. Stan tells him that he's got a first draft nearly finished, and after that meeting, he begins writing and revising obsessively.

One night, Stan is tearing a chapter apart and putting it back together when Kyle walks inside with his own letter. He nervously hands Stan the letter. It's a job offer from a business and political consulting firm. It's the job offer of a lifetime.

"Washington, D.C., huh?" Stan gulps.

Kyle nods.

"Okay."

"Really?"

"Anything for you, Kyle," Stan smiles, looking into his boyfriend's eyes with love as he strokes his cheek.

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