A/N: Sorry It's been so long! D: Life has been hectic. But I do hope you guys are enjoying it! :)

Chapter 7

January 15th Con.'D

He had messed up. Oh man, had he messed up. The stinging vibration that fluttered through his cheek was every bit an indication of just how bad he had fucked up. Or perhaps, depending on how he wanted to look at it, he had sealed the deal. He had been able to convince Kyle that he wasn't the good guy that Kenny had try to tell him that he was. In fact, hopefully, Eric had proved that he was anything but. And yet, his heart still pounded and fluttered as if it was the best thing he had ever done.

When he got to his house, he raced inside and slammed the door shut. He had to leave the outside world behind, because shit. He had fucked up big time. Anxiety coursed through his body in time with his pulse, and god damnit what the hell did he do?

His phone was blowing up in his pocket, but he wasn't about to answer it. Not a chance. He did NOT need anyone—especially a certain blonde—telling him just how bad he messed up. But the honest question of the hour was...did he regret it?

Did he regret knowing how soft Kyle's lips were now? Or the way that when he pressed back for just a god damned second, butterflies seemed to take flight? Did he regret doing what he had been wanting to do for...jesus, for how many years now?

The messages escalated rather quickly to calls. His phone screamed its high pitch squeal of wanting his attention. Reaching into his pocket, he snatched out the latest iphone model and turned the volume to silent. He had long ago taken the vibrate off. That wouldn't stop anyone from calling, but it would give him a while of silence before he had to answer to the consequences fully.

Or so he thought.

Just as he had collapsed onto the couch Kenny barreled through the door. The blonde hadn't even knocked.

"Dude!" Kenny flailed his arms around looking at the brunette. "What the fuck?!" He spluttered before a grin split his face and he cackled at the enraged flush that covered Eric's face. "What..." He snickered before almost doubling over in silent laughter. "Like...what even? He was so shocked! A-and his face!" The blonde broke into full on cackling as his legs gave out. "Shit man!" He grinned eyeing the brunette—who did NOT find it quite as amusing as the blonde. "So was that like..an official move?"

"Kenny..." Eric sighed brushing his hands over his face. "Shut up. Please?" He had never felt quite so humiliated. Who the fuck spends their life making a single person angry and then turns around in the heat of a moment to kiss him?

Eric Fucking Cartman apparently.

"Jesus, dude." Kenny giggled sitting up and taking a deep breath. He tried to put on his serious face, but it had never really been there. "That was either the most brilliant move you have ever planned, or you shut your brain off."

"Kenny...I'm serious. I really need you to shut up." The blonde did not miss the pleading note in his friend's voice. Heaving a sigh, the blonde fell into place beside the brunette and leaned into him.

"Dude," Kenny sighed softly resting his head on the strong shoulder of his friend. "You...You did it, ya know? I mean...you've dealt with everything up to this point." Kenny sighed as he pondered what he was going to say next. Cartman grunted beside him, his face pushed deep into the palms of his hands. "You've built up this persona...that you've GOT to be the bad guy. And I think, with that, comes the idea that everything you do is set up to ruin everyone's life. That includes yours," Kenny pointed at him as his eyes glanced up towards the ceiling, as of he was thinking of what to say or how to phrase it. "I don't think you need to be embarassed..."

"He's going to hate me Kenny. No matter what happens...I'm the bad guy. That's why I got you at the party. That's why I make him angry. So that he won't ever have to know that...that...god fucking damnit." Cartman hissed pinching the bridge of his nose tightly. The pressure that had built up due to the emotions had cleared only minutely. But it did help to alleviate the headache that was building rapidly behind his eyes. "He's going to turn me down...and then what huh?"

"And then I think you need to fucking talk to me before you make that fucking decision for me fat ass!" A third voice broke into the conversation. Cartman leapt from his seat and stared at the ginger haired teen that stood across from him. Of course Kenny had left the fucking door open.

"Shit," Kenny giggled excitedly from his spot. Cartman dug his elbow into the thinner boys ribs.

"Kenny...shut the fuck up." Cartman groaned with a roll of his eyes. Kenny simply smiled up at him as if he were an angel that had blessed his life. In fact, he was more like a curse. If Kenny hadn't been around, Cartman would still be in his comfortable little bubble.

"Don't fucking ignore me!" Kyle stomped his foot. Rage contorted his face, and matched his features to his hair. He was getting close to completely blowing his fuse and Eric found it pretty damn hot—even thought it wasn't the best of times to do so. "I am right here, and Eric Cartman, you will fucking explain why you kissed me. I deserve to know."

"He saved your ass. A lot." Kenny chirped from his seat with a finger held up as if he were making a point. Eric ground his teeth next to him. Instead of being able to focus on the anger that coursed, and probably throbbed with his pulse, he was imagining just how he could grind Kenny into the ground.

Kyle's eyes narrowed at the duo sitting on the couch. The wheels inside of his head visibly turned as he turned the statement over in his mind;taking it apart and reading between the lines.

"What do you mean?" Kyle eased the tension in his shoulders as he stood straighter.

"I mean-" Kenny yelped when Cartman dug the heel of his shoe into the top of Ken's foot.

"He means jack shit jew. Get the fuck out of my house. I didn't invite you in." Cartman stood from his position on the couch. Kyle took a step back, but otherwise held his ground. The rage that had momentarily faltered, came back ten fold.

"Not until you fucking answer me!"

"You never asked a fucking question, Kike. Therefore, I have nothing to answer." Cartman crossed his arms glowering at the smaller redhead. Kyle pursed his lips and inahled deeply. Eric braced for the screaming match that was sure to come. What he hadn't expected was the lips that had landed on his—nor the force in which they had landed.

Spark had danced just behind his eyes as almost pulled back. His mind had froze whenever Kyle had touched him. Then it clicked.

Holy fucking hell.

Holy fucking hell in a hot tub.

Kyle Broflovski was willingly kissing him, and he wasn't pulling away.

The damned butterflies returned ten fold to his stomach. Luckily, he was able to react through them and push his lips back against the ginger's.

And it was fantastic. And his arms wrapped around the lithe waist that nearly quirmed under his grasp. Kyle's arms came up to wrap around his neck.

And then there was Kenny fucking McCormick.

The blonde released probably the loudest god damn whoop that anyone in South Park had heard.

Then Kyle had been startled by the noise and jerked back as if he had been burned. But his cheeks were a different shade of red—more flushed than raged. It was more beautiful on his features than the rage that Eric had come to love so much. But he wouldn't give in. The conflict that took place within the jade orbs was enough to convince Eric that he couldn't allow Kyle to fall in love with him.

He would ruin Kyle's life. Much like he had ruined his mothers, and probably even his father's. After all, most everyone around the brunette was miserable to some degree. That was the only reason Eric could think of. The only explanation that Eric could find that made sense; his mother's prostitution, his father leaving, Kyle hating him, Kenny monetary brokeness. There was probably some way, some how, that it could all be linked back to the brunette.

And as much as he enjoyed the way that Kyle fit in his grasp, he wouldn't do that to the redhead. He had too much fire to be put out. There was no possible way that Eric could handle watching the flames die.

He would be the water that put him out.

Without wasting a second thought Eric shoved Kyle away. He hadn't meant to cause the redhead to stumble back that hard; hadn't meant for the boy to fall, slamming his elbow on the entertainment center. Eric didn't even mean to back away from Kyle with a look of confused horror.

But that was just it.

He had done it.

He had ruined his only damn chance to really be with the redhead. Of that, Eric was sure.