This story is becoming a pain in the ass. Why? Because I really want it to finish, but I can't get myself to end it! It seems as if I need like another 5 more chapters to properly finish it, etc. This chapter really isn't affected by this… Leave me a review telling me what you think. To finish as plan and get this thing over with (so I can continue Nostalgia: My Past Neverlasting—READ IT PLEASE!) or prolong this further… if necessary.
Faith
Chapter
29
"I'm really glad you finally told someone else," muttered Kyle as they were walking home that afternoon.
Stan nodded silently, turning away. "You've told me already. At least six times."
"Pretty sure it was seven," Kenny piped up as he leaned forward to catch sight of Kyle on Stan's other side. "And that's only when I've been around you guys."
"So ten, then," concluded Stan. "I mean, this happened first period. It's like, what, three in the afternoon now?"
"So, maybe I'm that proud of you," said Kyle. "I mean, you've taken a pretty big step by telling someone else."
"And maybe Clyde will finally get the justice he deserves," said Kenny. He frowned for a second, looking between the two boys and then added: "Shouldn't you two be holding hands or something?"
"Well, uh… Stan's hands are dirty so I don't want to hold them."
"Oh…" Lie.
"Well, actually," began Stan as he corrected Kyle, "we weren't sure if you'd be okay with it…"
"Why, dudes?" Kenny asked. "I mean, you're a couple, right? I frankly don't care if Kyle's holding some hand that isn't my own. 'Long as he's happy."
"Thanks," said Kyle. Kenny smiled as the two other boys moved closer to one another. "I guess this is where we depart?"
"Yeah," said Kenny, waving a goodbye. Stan and Kyle waited for several moments, watching the boy as he walked away.
"Things are gonna be better now, then?" asked Kyle. Stan frowned, turning away slowly as he began walking once more. "Stan?"
"Never the same," Stan muttered. "As long as he's gone… as long as Cartman's still around…"
"I thought you told the officer about ANTIGSA and Cartman?" asked Kyle, frowning. Stan shook his head slowly, causing Kyle to gape at him. "What'd you tell him then?"
"I told him everything," said Stan, "but I didn't mention any names…"
"Why, dude?"
"I dunno… I guess I didn't really think about it…"
"But after all he did?" Kyle asked in disbelief. "Did you do it on purpose?"
"Not intentionally… I think."
"Stan!—" but Kyle didn't finish. He turned to Stan, and as he looked at the boy he sighed. "This isn't really the best conversation to have on Valentine's Day, no?"
"Yeah… I mean, like I agree with you... if that makes sense." He paused for a second, looking at the road ahead of him. "You aren't… doing anything today, are you?"
"That's about the sixth time you've asked me," said Kyle, smirking. "Seems like we both have that problem, then."
"Well… so then you can still come over to my house then?"
"Sure dude, see you there?"
-
Stan was nervous.
Kyle was due in about five minutes, and as the raven-haired boy stared at his front door he gulped. Tablecloths?—check. Food?—check. Tickets to a movie?—not yet, but that wouldn't be too hard—check. But the one thing that he'd need the most that night definitely wasn't ready yet: himself—and, perhaps, courage.
His parents were gone, at least, as they had their own date to attend to. And of course, using the same reason, Shelley was also gone from the house—out with her boyfriend that was at least five years older. He was thankful, most definitely, as that would mean he'd have the house to himself…
With the doorbell's ring Stan shook his head from thought, his mind immediately racing faster than his legs could ever run. Gulping he walked forward, and slowly approached the door. Out of habit he peered outside the adjacent window, though as he caught sight of Kyle's beaming face he realized he didn't even need to look. Taking one final breath, Stan opened the door.
"Hey dude," greeted Kyle as he stepped inside. Stan merely stood in shock and wonder as the Jewish boy helped himself inside—had Stan told him to dress formally? He wore black dress pants, which were easy to describe; but describing his top was more difficult. For the most part it was a dress shirt, white in color; but he also wore what Stan deemed to be a sparkling ruby-colored vest on to, which dazzled as he walked under the light. "Happy Valentine's Day!"
"Thanks…" muttered Stan, looking down at his own clothes. While a polo shirt and jeans were generally considered to be decent, compared to Kyle and he's poorly dressed. He let himself be taken into the Jewish boy's embrace, smiling a little as he rested his head on Kyle's shoulder. "I made dinner…"
"Really?" Kyle asked, peering over Stan's shoulder to look at the table. It was dressed in red tablecloth, for obvious reasons, and as Stan brought the boy over to the table he smiled. Candles had been a good addition after all.
"I'm not much of a cook," said Stan, leaving the kitchen for a moment. The room was silent for several moments, but it wasn't long before Stan returned with a bowl. "I had to ask your mom for help… but it's some sort of Jewish dish."
"I hate Jewish food, dude."
"I know which is why I cooked some other stuff, too." Kyle smiled as he waited for the rest of the food to come out. Overall there had been plenty of food to eat—some that even Kyle enjoyed—and by the time Kyle set his utensils down he leaned into his chair and sighed.
"Good meal," said Kyle.
"What?" Stan asked disbelievingly. "I didn't even get to… well, nothing really."
"Say it, dude."
"Spoon feed you." Kyle stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly finding the sentence odd; but as Stan turned away in embarrassment the boy broke out into laughter.
"Spoon feed?" he repeated, and Stan nodded. "Spoon feed? That's so… so…"
"Stupid?"—but Kyle shook his head.
"No, no… I wouldn't have minded… though I am a bit full now." Stan nodded, slowly turning his head toward Kyle. A look at his blue eyes and Stan turned away immediately; since when had the boy gotten so shy? "What's your favorite food?"
"Huh?"
"Your. Favorite. Food. Gee, Stan, it's not that hard of a question."
"Well, uh… spaghetti then, I guess." Stan sighed as he looked to his plate, hearing Kyle arise from his seat. 'Probably going to barf in the bathroom now,' Stan thought to himself, but he immediately changed his mind when he felt two arms wrap around his neck from behind.
"Open your mouth," said Kyle, and as Stan complied he found a fork being guided into his mouth. Spaghetti… his spaghetti. "I'm sure I could've been more romantic, but I don't care."
"The hug was more romantic," said Stan, chuckling; but as he turned around to face the pouting boy standing behind him he sighed. "Aw come on, don't take it like that."
"I'm not," said Kyle, smirking behind his pout. "But you definitely shook my self-confidence there."
"Sorry," Stan apologized. "Now… wanna help me finish this food?"
"You want me to help you finish? But I'm full!"
"Ah, you know what I mean," snapped Stan before allowing Kyle to place another forkful of spaghetti into his mouth.
-
The funny thing about dating, Stan decided, was how much harder it was to do even the simplest things. For example, back when Stan didn't have any particularly close relations with Kyle, he found it easy to touch the boy at random moments of the day. Yet now every time he wanted to hold the boy he was consciously thinking about how to do it, when to do it, if Kyle wanted him to… Especially at that moment, as the two watched a movie in the dark cinema, Stan found it extremely hard to even reach his hand over to the other boy's chair to hold his hand.
Why was it so hard?—holding hands, at least.
"Kinda sappy," Stan heard Kyle whisper into his ear, not failing in noticing how his hot breath felt on his skin. "The girl's just a bit too ditzy…"
"Yeah," Stan replied softly, turning back to the screen. He watched as the typical blonde airhead in the movie got assaulted by sexual innuendo—none of which she picked up. "You think she'd realize that the guy isn't talking about the bike she's riding on…"
"Yeah, perhaps." Kyle's gaze darted at Stan for a split second, though before Stan could notice Kyle turned back. Merely touching his hand… Instead Stan decided to tap his foot lightly on Kyle's, and as the boy turned his head for the second time Stan smiled, properly meeting his gaze this time around.
"Got your foot," Stan muttered, smirking slightly.
Kyle sighed. "You're putting up a very crappy footsie's war." Stan chuckled, not bothering to retaliate as he felt the other boy press his foot down hard on his own…
And then the movie ended. The two boys could hear everyone as they chattered and left the building, leaving the two in the room by themselves. Stan sighed, preparing to get up and leave, but as he began standing up he felt himself being dragged down.
"Stay awhile," Kyle said, pouting. Stan returned the puppy-stare for a second, but as Kyle persisted his mind turned to other things: the hand holding onto his wrist. Odd how the wanted things were being done for him…
"But I want to leave!" protested Stan.
"But we're alone…"
"If I hold your hand can we go?"
"…Fine. But I can take care of myself, you know." Stan smiled as he pulled the boy up, though as Kyle arose from his chair he took a few steps too many in the forward direction, and ultimately landing himself quite close to Stan. Even to this day Stan never figured out if Kyle had done it intentionally…
"Now where should I take you next?" Stan asked, earning a shrug from the boy.
"You've served me dinner, taken me to the arcades, bought me chocolates, and taken me to the movies. I think I'm good for the night?"
"Really?" Stan asked, pouting. "Well then… I guess I'll gladly escort you home, then."
"Why thank you, monsieur." Stan laughed as the two left the building, earning several odd glances at the sight of their entwined hands. It was Valentine's Day, Stan thought as they walked away; they should be expecting it…
"What's in that bag of yours?" Kyle asked curiously, but Stan shook his head.
"Don't worry about," said Stan, suddenly turning away from the main road. "This way…" Kyle yelped helplessly as Stan led the boy on a different street… almost a dirt road. The detour was admittedly beautiful though, with the starry night sprinkling doses of light here and there, illuminating the scene perfectly. He could hear their footsteps as they walked upon a bridge, feeling the wood now under them. "Here."
"Here?" Kyle repeated, and Stan nodded. In the middle of a bridge…? "What's here?"
"Well…" said Stan, turning away. "You know… we just sorta… started dating…"
"Yeah, 'course I know."
"Well, I just… I just wanted to ask… What exactly is it that you like in me?" Kyle raised his head, biting his lip; and although Stan could see fatigue in his eyes he could also see tears.
"Why do you care?"
"I'm just curious," Stan replied, keeping his gaze fixed on Kyle. "I just want to know…"
"Stan… I don't know… I like you. Everything about you, really. Not really anything in particular…"
"But I'm not perfect, if that's what you're implying…" And as Kyle looked down toward the ground Stan stepped forward and placed a hand on Stan's shoulder, causing the boy to shudder. Was this the right way to end Valentine's Day?—but there was still… "I'm sorry for acting the way I did… I really am… Can you forgive me?"
"'Course Stan… it was my fault too. That's what best friends are for, right…?" Stan nodded, breathing heavily. Though oddly enough… something felt wrong about this… though maybe it was merely the awkward feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Close your eyes." Kyle frowned, raising his head once more.
"What?"
"Close your eyes, Kyle. And don't look." Kyle hesitated, not sure what was going to come, but a few moments later he found himself closing his eyes, waiting patiently for further commands. Stan smiled, though his face twisted with nervousness…
"Open yours hands." Kyle frowned at the request, but nevertheless he opened his hands as he was told. Now or never…
"Stan?"—but Kyle didn't finished his question. His face turned from confusion to curiosity, and then even to pleasure—all as Stan placed an object—maybe objects—into his hand.
"Open your eyes," Stan whispered softly, and Kyle needed no telling twice. Hand still grasping the objects tightly he widened his eyes and grinned.
Roses. As he had thought.
"Stan—"
"I never officially asked you out, really," Stan explained, lowering his whole body onto one knee. Kyle raised a finger to his eye as he held the roses in his hand, all the while watching the boy as Stan raised a single hand. "This is gonna sound so sappy… Will you, Kyle Broflovski…" Stan found himself turning awfully red, but as he looked upward to meet Kyle's glance he found himself unable to stop; "…allow me…" It was almost like he found his courage merely by looking at Kyle's face; "to take your hand…" He sighed one more time, and as he lost himself in Kyle's green eyes he took one final sigh; "and perhaps… lead you through the years… together?"
"Stan, I-I… Of—" But Kyle never finished his question, for when Kyle was about to finish the sentence the two boy s heard a distinct cough. Both boys looked around, and as they searched the dim area their eyes fell upon a single girl standing at the foot of the bridge, hands shaking at her side.
And then it all hit Stan—the dream. How had he forgotten? He had been on a bridge… right? And he had been with Kyle… holding hands… and Wendy had been yelling at them… and then…
"I want you back, DAMNIT!" shrieked Wendy.
Roses fell to the ground. A boy sighed and shook his head violently.
Oh shit.
Uh oh...
Review as necessary. I'd expect a good amount of reviews since I finally updated... though I'll admit I could've made this better, somehow... I just want it to end!
-Zak
Author notes: THREE IMPORTANT THINGS!
first, I have some sad news. cjmarie has finally ended her story, Where'd You Go? and it depresses me beyond belief. She's made notes of making a sequel, so you know what I ask you to do? convince her to make the damn sequel!
second, I started a really good story (in my opinion, and I've gotten on average 6 or 7 reviews per chapter so far) recently, and I really appreciate it if you take a look. It's only four chapters long as of now, so it should be a quick read to see if you're interested. It's called Nostalgia: My Past Neverlasting. (and as a teaser, I'll even tell you that in this fic Kyle's... mute).
and third, remember to tell me if I should make this longer by about five chapters to fit in some extra stuff, or just keep it the way it is, as planned.