The Curious Moves

by Genis Aurion

THE EDITED VERSION. In which Stan becomes jealous of Kenny’s bold advances.

5. All that work, for THIS?

5: All that work, for THIS?

"You know, Stan, you're really doing me a big favor, letting me ride (with) you every morning before school…." Kenny smiled, squeezing Stan's thigh.

"Dude, can you not do that?" protested Stan, though whimpering at the touch. "I'm trying to concentrate, here."

Kenny smirked. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I were Kyle." Stan choked. "But see, I've got a problem… even if you're doing me a big favor by letting me ride (with) you, it always seems… well, boring. For me, at least."

"I'm giving you everything I've got to offer," Stan said with a frown.

"Can't you make my ride a lot more interesting?"

"No." With that Kenny frowned, sinking back into his own seat as Stan continued to drive to Kyle's house. Oh, how he hated school nowadays…. "Kenny, can I ask you something?"

"Only if you make my rides more fun," had been Kenny's defiant reply. "Please?"

Stan sighed. "Fine. Now can I ask my question?"

"I'm all yours."

"Okay, well—ew Kenny that was not called for." Kenny laughed, but Stan merely shook his head and continued. "Remember what I asked you last Saturday?—at Kyle's house?"

Kenny frowned. "Not really, dude. But, knowing you, I'm sure it had something to do with Kyle."

"Actually, no." There was a pause. "It was about how you kept interrupting me just when I had gotten somewhere with him."

"Oh… that." He chuckled nervously as Stan slowed the car; he'd need the extra time to weed things out of Kenny, and they weren't in a rush to get to school, anyway.

"So… are you purposely interrupting me?" Kenny said nothing; his frown twisted into a half-smile, and he let out a low laugh as he cast an uneasy glance at his driver. "Well?"

"Don't look at me like that," muttered Kenny, taking in Stan's shell-shocked face.

"Just give me an answer, Kenny…."

Kenny sighed. "Put it this way, Stanley Marsh. I gave you my word, didn't I?"

"I… I guess so." Stan grumbled under his breath. "It's just… it's just that…."

"Just what, exactly?"

Stan could not answer him.

"Why'd you keep interrupting me, then?" Stan's voice was fearful, so pathetically so that Kenny had to struggle in keeping a straight face. "It's like you knew when to come into our conversation."

"Not intentionally, dude," breathed Kenny with exasperation. "I was on the other side of the fucking arcade, dude! It's not like I obtained super-hearing when I died." Kenny sighed, looking at Stan; from the boy's face it was almost as if Stan had believed that Kenny had acquired some sort of power…. "Let me make myself clear some, okay?"

"Sure," muttered Stan, turning away from Kenny.

"Stan, I—Stan, look at me!" and he forced Stan's face to face his own, consequently forcing Stan to stop the car. "Stan, I really meant it when I said I thought you loved Kyle more than I did. I do want you to have a chance with Kyle, even if it means losing everything I have with him now, only because I know he'd be much happier with you."

Stan frowned; to him, for some reason, it felt like this scene had been pulled straight out of some soap opera…. "I dunno, dude, he looks pretty happy with you." Stan turned to the road once more and pressed the gas—they were only a few hours away, now…. "You swear, dude? You swear you really want me to confess to Kyle… and that this isn't some sort of sick joke of yours?"

"I swear it." The two sighed in the silence, smiles forming on both of their faces. Stan was feeling particularly content and relieved now, but there was still one thing he wanted to ask…. "Ken… would you happen to know if Kyle's keeping any secrets from me?"

Kenny's eyes grew wide, but he turned away quickly before Stan could see his face. "W—what makes you t—think that, dude?"

Stan could feel his heart beating faster; did Kenny know something? "Ike was trying to tell me something about it," Stan said slowly. "He said we both had secrets we were trying to keep away from each other."

Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Everyone has secrets, dude." The car pulled to a halt in front of Kyle's house. "Even if Kyle does have a secret… it wouldn't be abnormal, would it?"

"But we're best friends!"

"—so? Best friends don't know everything about each other." In the distance the two could see Kyle locking his door. "Although, hypothetically, if Kyle did have a secret, it'd be easier than you think."

"Huh?" asked Stan absentmindedly, who had been gazing at Kyle and not paying attention. "Easier than I think?—you mean Kyle's secret?"

Kenny snorted. "No, of course not," he replied, voice full of sarcasm. "I meant Kyle. He's easier than you think."

XX

Stan was anxious for the bell to ring for several reasons:

1 – Now that he knew Kenny was on his side, Stan wanted to ask the blonde for advice on how to properly approach Kyle and confess to him without seeming like a complete R-tard.
2 – Stan had a sudden urge to get the whole ordeal done and over with, and throughout the course of the first half of the school day Stan had resolved to confess to Kyle, regardless if Stan could consult Kenny beforehand.
3 – Stan found his current class to be quite boring, and Stan knew that if his teacher's voice continued to drone on as it did, he'd surely fall asleep.
4 – His stomach grumbled at the thought of lunch, and the ringing of the bell would give Stan a chance to satisfy his hunger.

…and that list continued to grow, all until the bell, in fact, did ring.

He found a seat at the table they always sat at, burying his head in his arms as he waited for the lunch lines to shorten. How exactly was he going to confront Kyle; Stan had no idea. He only hoped he could do it soon….

Stan was so deep in thought that he hadn't heard Kyle and Kenny arrive at his table.

"…so you want top or bottom, then?" Kenny was saying—and without a doubt Stan's ears had tuned into their conversation.

"…can't I have both?"

"I guess, though it's kinda hard…. Do you want top first, or bottom first?" Stan frowned, raising his head to see what was really going on between the two. "Oh, hey Stan."

"Hey, Ken." Stan gave a wave. "What're you talking about?"

"What's it sound like?" Kenny asked with a smirk, chuckling afterward.

Kyle seemed not so pleased. "Kenny won't give me back the pajamas I let him borrow."

"I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you," Kenny snapped. "I just wanted to know if you wanted (the) top or (the) bottom first."

A wink was all Kyle needed to relent. "Fine, bottom."

"Good," replied Kenny, smirking. "I really hate catching…." Kenny laughed as Kyle rolled his eyes, the two taking a seat on either side of Stan.

"Anyone see Cartman?" Stan asked, looking around.

Kenny had been the one to answer, though with disinterest. "Detention."

"I see." A silence fell amongst them as Kyle took a bite out of am unappetizing sandwich. "Kyle, you already had English today, right?"

"Yeah, dude," had been Kyle's reply. "How'd you find that test?"

Stan groaned. "Terrible, dude, I bombed it. I was so stressed about that free-response that by the time I finished it I forgot the whole back page."

"Really?" asked Kyle, his face with shock. "Dude, that's not like you at all?—that's something I'd expect outta Kenny, not you!"
"—hey!"
"—sorry."

Stan sighed; in truth it had nothing to do with fretting over a short-answer question…. The cause of his absentmindedness, without much surprise, was due to his worrying over his situation with Kyle.

…it had only just occurred to Stan what might happen if Kyle still rejected him. He had been quite excited in the light of Kenny's support, and he had barely given thought to the possibility of Kyle choosing Kenny over himself….

"Stan?"—and Stan was brought back to the present. "Dude, you sorta… blanked out for a second, there. You okay?"

"'course."

"Doesn't look like it," retorted Kenny, surprising Stan somewhat; he had completely forgotten Kenny had taken a seat on his other side… he had half-expected Kenny to sit with his boyfriend….

…unless he was encouraging Stan?

"I'm okay. Really."

Kyle sighed. "Fine, I believe you." A moment of silence. "Stan, aren't you gonna eat something?"

"What?" Stan asked absentmindedly… again. "What?—oh yeah."

Stan stood up, but Kyle halted him. "Before you go—"

"—I'm fine, really!"

"No, not that," and Stan quieted. "Do you think… you think you could drop off Kenny first today?" His voice trembled slightly as he spoke—at least, in Stan's opinion—and as Stan tried to read the boy's face Kyle flashed him a hopeful smile.

"Why?" Kyle's smile vanished. "Your house is on the way; it's so much easier to drop you off, first."

"Well…." Kyle was lost for words. "Well, I—"

"—he needs to pick up his pajamas," interjected Kenny. Stan glanced between the two boys; now that Stan thought about it, the occasion would probably give him a chance to finally confess to Kyle….

"Okay, dude. You gotta remind me though—I might forget."

XX

Stan was anxious for the bell to ring for several reasons:

1 –Stan wanted to ask the blonde before they split ways for advice on how to properly approach Kyle and confess to him.
2 – Stan had a sudden urge to get the whole ordeal done and over with, and throughout the course of the second half of the school day Stan had resolved to confess to Kyle before he got to Kyle's house, regardless if Stan could consult Kenny beforehand.
3 – Stan found his current class to be quite boring, and Stan knew that if his teacher's voice continued to drone on as it did, he'd surely fall asleep.
4 – Eric Cartman sat beside him. Enough said.

…and that list continued to grow, but the bell did not ring.

"Pst, Stan!" Stan chose to ignore him, staring profusely at the whiteboard. Oh how pretty those red and blue and green lines looked… oh wait—were those words? "Stan?"

It was only when Cartman punched Stan in the side when Stan reacted. "What?" Stan hissed in an irritated whisper, but Cartman only nudged at a scribbled sheet of paper on Stan's desk.

You're such a fag, dude.
Not only do you like guys
but you also let other guys take your guy.
Being a pussy-wuss and a fag is worse than
a homosexual Jew, you know.

Stan could only glare at Cartman after he finished. "What the hell?"

Cartman lowered his head. "You like Kahl, Stan…. Let's face it. We both know it."

"What makes you think that?"

Cartman looked around, mostly just to make sure their teacher wasn't around; she was at her desk, sleeping, as she always did within the last five minutes of class. "You've been gay for each other since preschool, Stan. And like, seriouslah?—you always stuck up for each other, you were always by his side, always protecting him—"

"—I was his best friend, Cartman."

"More like best butt buddeh." Cartman shook his head. "I like you, Stan, more than that goddamn Jew—"

"—don't call him that—"

"—so don't go sinking to his level." There was a moment of silence between the two. "Got that?"

"Not really," muttered Stan. "I don't know what you mean by 'sinking to his level'—" but before Cartman could reply the bell had rung, Stan being quite quick in jumping out of his seat. "Besides, according to you, I'm already worse than he is."

Stan left without another word.

XX

The ride to Kenny's house seemed longer than ever, and waiting for Kenny to return the pajamas seemed even longer.
But it wouldn't be long now, Stan knew…. It was time to face his fears.

XX

"Wanna come in?" The question had been so sudden that, being as Stan was so lost in his own train of thought, Stan had looked at Kyle as if it had been a forbidden question to ask.

"Wha?"

"Come… inside… like, you wanna get outta your car and stay awhile?"

"I don't…" but suddenly a light bulb seemed to appear somewhere inside his brain. He hadn't confessed to Kyle yet, being the dunce he was, but if he took his offer…. "Sure, I'll stay." And smiling, Kyle led him inside the house. "Where can I…?"

"Anywhere's fine," Kyle replied. Stan nodded, putting his book bag near his shoes—he should've left it in his car, but Stan had had too much things going through his head to think about that. "Ike's not back from his convention thingy and parents aren't home." He flopped himself on a chair. "Wanna watch TV?"

"Sure," and with that Stan took a seat next to him.

For the next hour—or was it even an hour?—the two watched television in silence, staring with awe as the top ten game plays of the day were recounted, laughing as they watched RealTV, and raised their eyebrows toward Barney's 2500th episode. Stan had already anticipated Kyle's change of channels—perhaps to watch Red Racer, or even Terrance and Philip—when he instead found the television being shut off.

"Stan?" and in the silence of the room Stan had no choice but to reply. "I was just thinking… I wanted to apologize."

"Oh?" Stan asked, raising an eyebrow. Apologize for what? Many theories were running through his mind, and he was praying to Jesus—and all his super best friends—that it turned out for the better. "F—for what?"

"For… ostracizing you the past few days." Stan frowned. "Like, when I was with Kenny… I think I might've forgotten you were with us half the time… so I wanted to apologize for… you know… ignoring you."

"You didn't ignore me," Stan said with a laugh, though it quickly faded. "I understand, dude. You were just… happy with… him… that's all." It was painful for Stan to say, but it was the truth… wasn't it?

Now or never, Stan thought to himself, and he knew it better than his conscience did. But he barely even knew how it was going to happen, what was going to happen…. Stan was scared. "K—Kyle?"

"You're not mad at me, are you?"

"No, not at all, but…." Stan bit his lip and shut his eyes tightly. "I'vegotsomethingtoaskyou."

"You've got a what?" asked Kyle confusedly, and Stan reluctantly clarified himself. "I know, dude."

"You do?"

"'course," Kyle said smugly. "You've been meaning to say it for a while, haven't you? Unless it was that thing about lying, in which case I really don't—"

"Not that," interrupted Stan, and he returned to being downcast once more. In truth that somewhat had to do with it, but…. "It's what I wanted to tell you… for a while now, actually."

Kyle made no reply. Stan almost feared that Kyle already knew what he was going to say, and worst-case scenarios were already forming in the back of his mind. But he couldn't back out now… and there was no Kenny to interrupt.

A deep breath. A sigh. Another deep breath. Then, a confession.

"I… like… you…." Very unconfidently, but he had said it. He found himself relaxing, though his mind was still completely in fear, and as he continued to stare at the television he found the strength to repeat himself, this time a little louder. "I like you, dude, and I've… liked you for a while now."

There was a painful silence between the two now, and Stan refused to look at Kyle. Seconds passed as minutes, minutes as hours, and he wasn't sure how long he could keep ignoring Kyle….

He wanted an answer. He wanted an answer, and even though he wished it was to his favor he couldn't handle the unnerving silence between them.

He turned to Kyle.

Kyle was smiling.

Kyle was smiling! At him!

"Really, that's what you've been meaning to tell me?" Kyle said with a bemused expression, and for a moment Stan's euphoria died.

"You mean…?"

"Yeah, dude!" said Kyle, laughing loud enough for eavesdroppers outside the house to hear. "About time!"

"About… about time?" stammered Stan, but before he could get a response from Kyle the garage door sounded. He turned to Kyle once more, who was already standing up from his seated position. "Kyle?"

"Parents are home," Kyle said with an apologetic smile. "Gotta go greet them, you know?"

"But you can't just leave me like this?" pleaded Stan, looking down. "What the hell's 'about time' supposed to mean?"

Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose I do owe you an explanation, don't I…?" Stan nodded profusely, as if it had been a stupid question to ask. "Well, I'll… I'll give you one later. But seriously, my mom gets pissed if I don't greet her when she gets home, so… it'll have to wait, k?"

"Sure… I s'pose." Stan nodded reluctantly and, as he watched Kyle turn the corner, chose to do the same.

XX

However, Kyle never told Stan his reasoning—or at least, not that night—for several reasons.

1 – Kyle never got the "opportunity."
2 – Kyle's mom consistently found reasons for Kyle to be occupied, and Kyle refused to talk while he was doing chores.
3 – Kyle's parents were quite the talkers during dinnertime, and Kyle found no opportunity to let slip even the smallest comment to Stan.
4 – Kyle's mom wouldn't let Stan sleepover because it was a weekday—though, as Stan realized on the drive home, that hadn't really mattered to her before.

Stan figured he could probably wait a day or so….

"Good evening, Stan," greeted his mother, but Stan took no notice. About time…? What was that supposed to mean…? Was Kyle already expecting such an answer…? "Stan, are you okay?"

But Stan only continued in climbing the stairs. Why was Kyle so happy, though? Didn't he even think about Kenny?—did about time even mean Kyle liked Stan back too? Or maybe….

"Turd," and at the sound Stan lifted his head. There, in front of her, stood his sister. "Get outta my way or I'll beat your ass with grandpa's walking stick."

"Too tired," mumbled Stan, and he willingly let her pass. He waited momentarily for her to pass, but it seemed she wouldn't move. "Hurry up already…."

Yeah… about time…. "You're not yourself."

"Like you're the one to notice," snapped Stan halfheartedly. Really, that's what you've been meaning to tell me…?

"I'm your psychopath sister, Stan. That doesn't mean I won't notice when my brother responds differently to one of my threats." I know, dude… Kyle had known for a while already….

With an irritated sigh Stan took to finishing the flight of stairs, barely acknowledging Shelley's gaze as he passed. He pushed into his door, frowned, then turned the doorknob, and then pushed into his door once more; he collapsed on his bed with a thud, staring into the ceiling as he frowned.

Had Kyle… had he made those excuses earlier to avoid an explanation?—but why were Stan's hopes so high up? Kyle already had Kenny, after all….

He didn't hear his door creaking open as he stared at the dots above him. Kenny probably told Kyle what Stan was going to confess… yeah, that was it. How else would he have known what Stan was about to say? Surely it hadn't been because of all the times he had tried before…?

Maybe it was just another arcade game… maybe Kenny was right. Indeed, Stan had to keep trying, but… maybe the "tokens" had been Kenny depositing a few bits of information into Kyle's mind?

He was almost positive now that Kenny had told him. His mind searched for other possibilities, but his search came without results. It couldn't have been his failed attempts; it was like Kyle already knew he liked him, and in all his failed attempts… well, in those futile tries he had barely leaked anything….

"Stan," muttered a voice, but Stan paid no attention. What would his sister know about the matter, anyway?—she was just a heartless girl who happened to be related to him. She had had boyfriends, sure, but… this was surely different.

His mind, now positive this had all been Kenny's doings, switched to others matters. What of Kyle's response? He badly wanted to believe that Kyle liked him back, but the odds were all against him. Why would Kyle like him, of all people? Sure, the straight issue was no problem, but at the same time… Kyle already had someone. Even if Kyle did like him… he wouldn't so easily leave Kenny for him, would he?

But then, Kenny had said he'd be willing to lose Kyle to him… which made no sense to Stan, now that he was thinking about it. What boyfriend in their right mind would give up his relationship with another person? Sure, maybe he was Kenny McKormick, who probably thought he could find someone else if he tried, but… it seemed a little fishy now.

Unless… Kenny told Kyle that view too, along with everything else?

"It's about Kyle, isn't it?" and at that moment Stan chose to glance at his sister. She was more observant and persistent than he thought… though, as Stan finally managed to recall, she did help him twice with the issue….

Stan was grateful for her therapy sessions.

"I told Kyle," Stan mumbled quietly, so quietly that Shelley asked him to repeat. "I told him I liked him, and… I dunno how to think of his response."

"I thought you guys were already boyfriends?" she said, chuckling. Stan's expression, however, told her to stop. "What'd you mean by 'think of his response'?"

"After I told him… well, he said something like 'about time' and started grinning madly." Stan sighed, still staring at the ceiling. "I don't get it."

"He was smiling, wasn't he?" Shelley frowned. "I'd take that as him accepting your confession."

"Yeah, but does he like me?" Shelley gave no reply. "That's what I wanna know. I've been looking to this point for so freaking long, and now… I don't know."

Shelley smiled apologetically, muttering something he couldn't hear. "The way it sounds to me, I can't tell if he likes you or not. For all you know he could've accepted your confession and still not like you." She made her way to the door. "Maybe you should just stick with being friends, Stan. The two of you are nearly boyfriends anyway, the way you two snuggle against each other when you share a bed."

Stan turned red, though he still remained staring at the ceiling. "We do not—"

But Shelley chose to ignore him. "Anyway, turd, don't lose sleep over it. I hope you feel better soon… so that I can go back to threatening you and making it worth my time."

For once, Stan laughed. "Okay, I will."

XX

Stan woke up the next morning to a start.

His alarm was ringing, but he had woken up a few minutes before—yet it still rang. The sounds of an irritated Shelley could be heard, even from inside his room, but still the alarm didn't turn off.

It was only after a good three minutes when Stan emerged from his closet, using a spare hand to silence the alarm. With much trouble he pulled on a sweatshirt, and once that was finished he reentered his closet to find a good pair of jeans.

He'd do it that morning, on the car ride. He had more courage this time, of course, since this time he knew what he wanted out of Kyle, what he wanted to happen…. Even thinking about the plan made him happy, how he had finally done something on his own, without Kenny.

Yet he still had to worry about getting ready for school. And oddly enough, that seemed to be a harder task.

Still, he managed to get ready on time, and before long he found himself prancing down the stairs, almost literally. He was quite excited, partly because of his plan, but also because he needed a feeling to wash down the anxiety he was also feeling, a nervousness of perhaps finally getting the truth out of the situation.

"I'm leaving!" Stan yelled, and as he caught his sister at the garage he gave her a thumbs-up sign. Who would've thought that for once she would be supportive of something he did?—Stan definitely hadn't seen that coming. Still, it felt nice to know that at least someone was on his side, at the same level of knowledge as he was….

He exited the driveway and drove off in the opposite direction. He'd be picking up Kyle first, today, even though his gas tank wouldn't be too happy….

Kyle was surprised to see Stan in front of his house that early.

"Where's Kenny?" Kyle asked as he peered into the car. "Not here?"

"I still have to get him," Stan replied, and he noticed Kyle's smile fall. "Problem?"

"No, not at all…." He climbed into the front seat. "So, how's your morning so far?"

"Good," replied Stan, and the car fell into silence. Now that Stan thought about it, the two had never really had a proper conversation in his car, ever since he offered to drive Kenny…. With a sigh he pulled away, driving off to Kenny's house at a particularly slow pace—the same pace he had used when wanting to talk to Kenny for an extended period.

Kyle noticed this and asked him about it, but Stan only shrugged. "Wanna take my time?" Stan said as his excuse, and they traveled in silence for a bit longer. Any moment now he'd have to ask the question… waiting was no longer worth it…. "So…."

"So." Another silence. "You think that Mr. Ad—"

"I'm confused," interjected Stan, and Kyle found the rest of his own sentence coming to a halt. "I want to know something, Kyle."

"What?"

"I want to know… well, everything, really." Stan sighed, the car driving all the slower. "What'd you mean by 'about time'?" Kyle did not respond; he stared out the window, his eyes lingering upon each house they passed, and though Stan wanted to observe his behavior he forced himself to look back at the road… occasionally. "Well?"

"Stan…." Kyle gulped. "Stan, I've got a confession to make of my own."

"I know," Stan said lightly.

"You do?" Kyle asked aloud, but Stan remained silent; he decided not to tell him about Ike's suspicions. "But anyway, uh… I've kinda… known you liked me for a while."

"Oh?" Stan asked, some part of his conclusion coming true. "It sounded like that. But then…?"

"Lemme talk for a while," Kyle said, turning to Stan. "I'll let you talk afterwards."

"Okay." Kyle sighed, and then continued. "I liked you too… I mean, I've liked you for a while, but I was so unsure that you'd like me at all, especially since you're always so obsessed with one day getting back with Wendy. And then… I decided to tell you that I liked you, though I didn't say who I liked specifically, because I wasn't even sure if you'd accept me for not liking a girl.

"And then you said you said that you liked someone, so that gave me hope. And then, you had this genius idea." Stan raised an eyebrow at this, and Kyle only smiled. "You told me I should try doing things to see if the person I liked would return my feelings…. So then, I tried… doing stuff, but I guess they weren't really enough for you to see."

"But then… I dunno, I was going a little paranoid, not knowing if things would work out if I decided to ask you. I leaked to you that I liked guys, hoping you'd say something that'd make me feel better, but nothing like that happened. You just accepted it so freely, and though I found out you'd accept me, I didn't feel… ready to tell you.

"But then you asked me who I liked, and I panicked. So I… I dunno, Stan, I was so afraid of telling you that I made something up out of the blue. And then… this idea hit me. It was what you were saying before, to do things to make the person you like notice, and so… I thought that if I said I liked someone other than you, maybe you'd show some signs of jealousy. So, I told you I liked Kenny. But then I think I went too far with my idea, and I also told you we were dating."

"So you weren't seeing him yet?" asked Stan in disbelief, and Kyle affirmed the question.

"So then we had our little talk, and I was… sorta making things up along the way. And then you told me about this Pete kid—"

"There's no Pete kid," Stan said, completely forgetting about the person he had made up. "That was me…."

"Oh." A pause. "Well, when you were telling me about him I told you he could keep trying to have me. I still liked you Stan, but… I was scared I'd given up any chance of having you. So I left a hint, in case you'd take it as a chance to still try and have me, if you even did like me back."

"You got lucky," muttered Stan, who had apparently forgotten Kyle's request to keep quiet. "I did like you."

Kyle didn't seem to mind the interruptions. "As soon as I could I went to Kenny and told him my situation, and I guess I… sorta got lucky that you hadn't talked to him yet. I wasn't really expecting him to play along with the story—I only asked him to make a scene and to pretend he was breaking up with me. You know, just so you'd see me as available, and that you'd see my being available as a chance to act… so I wouldn't have to myself.

"And then he asked me why I told you we were dating in the first place, and I explained that too… and then, that's when he got this idea." Stan's car stopped in front of Kenny's house, looking at Kyle with curiosity; in the distance they could see Kenny making their way toward the car.

"Well?"

"Kenny had this idea that… well, I guess he could tell you himself." And with that Kenny opened the door to the backseat, exclaiming a rather loud morning greeting to the both of them.

"So, Kenny," Stan said as soon as they had exchanged greetings. "Kyle's telling me about this idea of yours."

Kenny's eyes grew wide, but after a few seconds he collected himself. "My idea… about having a threesome with you two?"

Now it was Stan's eyes to grow wide, but Kyle only shook his head. "We're being serious here, Kenny. He knows everything, he confessed everything yesterday. Your idea worked."

Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Well, good, I knew it would."

"But what was the idea?" Stan asked with an irritated voice.

Kenny laughed. "It wasn't really my idea, dude. It was Kyle's; he said he told you he was seeing me to make you jealous, but he had this crazy idea of making me pretend to "break up" with him so you'd see the opportunity. But then I had another idea… Stan, start driving, I'll tell you as we go to school."

"What?—oh, okay."

After a few moments Kenny continued. "I told him that we should actually start seeing each other. I remember him looking at me funny, but then I told him that his plan would be better, that I should probably stay by his side to be his boyfriend, so that I could flirt with him."

"To see if you'd be jealous," Kyle added.

Kenny nodded. "But then, Stan, you were being such a dickhole, and you began asking us to go on dates, and you were all supportive of our 'relationship' and stuff."

"—because I thought you were actually dating!" interjected Stan in his defense.

Kenny ignored him. "So then, without really telling Kyle, I sorta… intervened." Kyle frowned at this; apparently what Kenny was going to say next was new to him, too. "But Stan, you already know what I did. I started encouraging you to confess to Kyle, because I knew you liked him since… well, long before Kyle approached me. I even bailed out of the date you made for us so you could tell him."

There was a silence between the three boys, and as Kenny sighed Stan decided to drive a little faster. "So," began Stan, trying to make sense out of everything he'd just heard. "You're saying that all along we both liked each other?"

"And that neither of you had the nerve to mention it?" added Kenny. "Yeah, I'd say something like that. But… thanks to my help, you guys will finally be together!" He smiled, looking from Stan to Kyle, and though Stan tried to show his euphoria without removing his eyes from the road, he hadn't heard a particularly interesting response from the boy next to him.

"Kyle?" Kenny asked quietly, and Stan heard no response. They arrived at the school moments later, and he could faintly hear Kenny's muttering here and there, saying how he'd worked to get the both to realize the truth. But… something wasn't right.

Stan turned to Kyle.

He was crying.

XX

They were in the cafeteria, eating breakfast, and though Kenny usually took to enthusiastically, that particular morning he was treating to Kyle, who had been in a down mood since their car ride to school.

"Let him be," he muttered sharply.

Stan only watched from his side of the table. Why was it him—Kenny? He had just received the truth that morning, yet it was Kenny comforting Kyle, not himself…. If all they said had been true, why was it that the two were still so close to each other?

A horrible truth entered Stan's mind, but he chose to ignore it; his instincts had been right before.

"Stan?" began Kenny, and Stan's head turned to him. "Do you think you could… leave for a while?—I need to discuss something with Kyle."

"Uh… I guess." …and while he was gone they'd be talking about Kyle's situation with Stan…. Had the "truth" they had told him been a fraud?—had they made it up for Stan's sake?—because, if it had been the truth, there were still many things that weren't fitting in.

Like, for example, why Kyle was sad.

If it had been just a huge plan of his, why was he saddened by the results?—he had gotten what he wanted, hadn't he? And Kenny… he had been the one to suggest the relationship to Kyle, instead of agreeing to "break it off" with Kyle…. Had Kenny wanted that relationship?

Then it occurred to Stan… maybe they were talking about something other than… things… while he was gone.

It felt a lot to process—he didn't even know what to make out of all of the mess. Well, he knew one thing, and that was that he did have a chance with Kyle. But… did Kyle want him to have that chance?

Stan sighed, and continued walking. Thinking too hard about it would do him no good, none at all.

XX

He knew it was only a dream—a daydream—yet he didn't want to remind himself.
He had had this dream before, too.

God, he was worse than Kenny, sometimes.

In the eerie silence of the room there was a faint light, a light that somehow allured the raven-haired boy, his lips parting slightly in anticipation, his hands rubbing themselves together, all as if already knowing what he'd find on the other side of the bookshelves.

And of course, he somehow did know what the library's furniture concealed, and he was quite happy at the sight he saw—a very provocatively dressed Kyle Broflovski, tight black dress shirt parted partially at the collar, buttons undone, arms hanging loosely, red curls disheveled more than already possible, and his legs suggestively open.

"Happy to see me?" asked Stan in his deepest yet cheesiest of voices.

"No."

No?

Stan frowned, his head jutting immediately from the pit his folded arms created. No?—but it had been a dream… not the same dream… but a dream nevertheless.

He was half-paying attention to his teacher. Frankly he really didn't care much about the subject—he never did. And, as always, he couldn't wait to get out of it.

It had only been a dream, yet he seemed to be deeply affected by it. Kyle wasn't happy that Stan liked him back… but why?—or had those only been tears of joy?

No, Stan thought to himself, he wouldn't have felt down during breakfast…. He sighed, looking at the whiteboard in front of him: useless information, as always.

Stan knew what he had to do.

It was always the same solution, always the same answer, and he felt somewhat happy that it wasn't more complicated than it could've been. But still, with Kenny around, he'd need a way to do it—unless, this time, he tried doing it with Kenny around?—but at the same time, that would be difficult and awkward.

And then it hit him. Of course!—why hadn't he thought of it before?

…now he just needed the bell to ring.

…any moment now….

…it would surely ring soon—his clock was supposed to accurate….

…goddamnit, why wasn't it ring—

Ah, there it was.

Stan got up to a start, hurrying his way out of the classroom. Last time he had gotten there before the both of them… he needed that to happen again.

But what if they had just been late?—what if they were there before him? That would surely make things harder….

But, luckily for Stan, they weren't. The familiar table was still empty, and no faces were beaming in his direction. He relaxed, setting his things on the top of the desk, taking a seat where he could see Kyle and Kenny come into the cafeteria.

Would it work?—Stan only hoped so. But then, there was still the chance of him declining, wasn't there? Yet somehow, even with that untrue dream of his, Stan knew he'd say yes… he had to.

Time seemed to pass much slower than usual as Stan waited for them. Had they left too early?—were they too late? Somehow Stan felt the two should already have arrived by now…. He checked his watch once, then twice, and then a third time, but still they didn't come.

…it was worse than waiting for a bell to ring, and that said a lot.

But they did come… eventually. Stan saw the two from the cafeteria's entrance, quite easily since the crowds of hungry students had long gone through that doorway. Kyle seemed to be somewhat better—he was talking to Kenny, at least—yet he wasn't himself… it seemed.

He waited for the two to come to the table before he stood up.

"You leaving?" asked Kenny with a questioning look. "I was gonna ask you… well, never mind." He sighed, turning to Kyle. "Are you going with him?"

Stan blinked; did Kenny already know what he wanted to do?—no, he couldn't have known. He hadn't told anyone he wanted to talk to Kyle… unless he was really that easy to predict.

Kyle frowned. "Am I…going with him?"

"Yeah, dude," said Kenny enthusiastically, and for a second Stan could've sworn there was a glint in his eye. "Stan stood up when we arrived… I figured he was waiting for you or something."

Kyle shrugged. "I dunno… I might've." He turned to Stan. "Am I going with you?"

Stan looked at his dazed look; he wanted to say yes, but maybe Kyle was only testing him… maybe he knew he really hadn't. Still, it was a good opportunity…. "Er, yea, you did…."

"Oh." Kyle turned to Kenny. "Yeah, I guess I'm going with him. Sorry, Ken."

"Nah, don't worry about it." He smiled, looking around. "I'll just find Cartman and sit with him." He gave a wave, and though both returned the favor Stan did so hesitantly. Kenny had just done him a favor, willingly….

Maybe they weren't against him after all.

"Where'd you say we were going?" Kyle asked curiously, but Stan said nothing, only continuing to lead the way. He was ahead of Kyle, but only slightly, and he could still see him from the corner of his eye.

"This way," Stan muttered, taking Kyle by the arm and steering him right, around the corner. He glanced at Kyle's shirt—black, collared, though probably coincidental. Stan suppressed a particularly unwanted feeling; coincidence it may've been, but he still wouldn't mind if that dream came….

"Are we going to the library?" Kyle asked curiously, and Stan said nothing, only leading. He was a shade of red, though, since the boy was right, but he tried to seem unfazed as they entered the doors of their school library.

"Mr. Marsh?" said a voice almost immediately, and he turned to the librarian at the desk. "And is that Mr. Broflovski beside you?"

"Yes ma'am."

She sighed. "I'll let it slide this one time. But you two seriously are a rowdy pair…." She waved them off, dismissing them, and Stan dragged Kyle to the back, past the bookshelves, to that table….

And then, they were there.

"Take a seat?" offered Stan, and Kyle found himself complying. "I wanted to know how you're feeling."

Kyle sighed; for a moment Stan wondered if Kyle would ask him why they were all the way at the library, not eating their lunches, but it seemed to pass his mind as he opened his lips to speak. "Fine."

"You sure?" Stan asked, leaning closer… unintentionally. "I mean, I could sorta agree with you, but—"

"Why am I here?" His question had been said with such force that Stan forced himself away from Kyle, looking at him as if something was wrong with him—well, something was wrong with him, but… in a different way.

"To see if you're okay…" said Stan slowly. "…without Kenny interrupting us and stuff."

"Why can't Kenny interrupt?" Kyle asked, and when Stan couldn't come up with a reply, Kyle merely continued. "I… I know why we're here, Stan. You don't have to beat around the bush."

"Or behind it," Stan said instinctively, and he turned red as he said it. "Er… that's something Kenny would say… no idea why I said that."

"Yeah," agreed Kyle, and the two entered silence once more. "Speaking of Kenny…."

Stan's face lit up: It was going to happen, Stan knew it. Any second now, he knew he would've solved everything about this mystery. He'd learn any moment now why Kyle was crying, why the two talked earlier… why Kyle had lied all those days ago.

But he knew he shouldn't rush him. There was a saying about that but he couldn't really think of it at the moment. All he cared about was Kyle, and what he was going to say….

"I'm sorry."

Stan's face flashed with confusion. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Kyle repeated. "For… this morning."

"You didn't do anything," Stan said truthfully; "…except cry, but that's normal dude. Crying shows strength and character, or at least I think…."

Kyle said nothing, lowering his voice—which they should've been doing in the first place, granted they were in a library, but at least they hadn't been scolded at yet…. "What do you think of me?"

"What?" Stan asked again. "I don't—"

"What do you think of me?" Kyle repeated, looking into Stan's eyes as if expecting to find something there. "I mean like, after I started crying…."

"Oh…." Stan paused to think. "I didn't really think of it being much, dude. I mean, I didn't know why you were crying… I just sorta figured you had a reason."

"You weren't scared or anything?" Kyle asked, the tone in his voice changing. "You didn't think that I might… not leave Kenny, even if the whole thing had been a… fake?" He seemed to be biting tears as he was speaking, especially the last part, and though Stan felt a little something at hearing this, he ignored it.

"I might've thought that…." He gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Kyle, it's just that… after you told me the truth… I kinda got my hopes up. I thought it'd be so much simpler, since I liked you and you liked me…. I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be."

"But I am." Stan heaved a sigh, placing an arm around his friend.

Kyle shook him off. "You don't understand, dude, you really don't."

"Try me."

Kyle gulped. "Well, I mean… it was supposed to be a fake relationship! I wasn't supposed to take it seriously, and yet… and yet I…." Stan saw tears leaking from his eyes—but he didn't want him crying, not here, not now…. He raised a finger and brushed it along the bottom of his eyelid, trying his best to get him to stop.

"Kyle—"

"I don't deserve it."

"What?" Stan asked, confused. "Dude, you aren't making any sense."

"I don't deserve it," Kyle repeated frankly. "It's like I'm prancing between you guys, like I don't really care about who I'm with, just as long as I'm with the person who'll make me happier… but what will Kenny think?"

"Kenny supports you… us…." Stan sighed; that's why Kyle had been crying?—had Kyle been afraid that he'd view Kyle differently, that he wouldn't like him anymore because… because…. "Kenny wanted me to be with you, dude. He dated you so you could have me… as much as that confuses me, myself."

Stan blinked. "I won't like you any less, dude. I know you've liked me since the start, that you dated Kenny only for my sake…." He blinked again—their scheme had been quite complicated, even for him to describe…. ""If you're under the impression that I'll think that you don't like me with all your heart because you'd just left Kenny, you're mistaken."

"But what if… what if I liked being with Kenny?" The question rang through his ears, in through one, out the other, and it echoed as if it had purchased a second ticket to the ride.

"What if… you liked being with Kenny?" he repeated, and Kyle nodded.

"I like you, Stan, I really do…. And maybe it isn't Kenny I like, just the feeling of being with him…. But I'm scared, Stan."

"Let's say it is just the feeling of being with him… how do you know I can't give you that feeling too?" He tried to hold any anger as best he could, but he seemed to be doing a poor job of it; his voice was changing in pitches quite unexpectedly, but Kyle didn't seem to notice. "You'll never know, won't you…?"

As the words came out of Stan's mouth he realized how selfish he sounded, but before he could make an apology Kyle began to speak. "…but if I find out it was Kenny all along… wouldn't you be mad at me if I left you for him… again?"

Stan paused. "I guess I might be…." However, realizing that wouldn't help any, he continued. "But I've realized that it shouldn't matter anymore…."

Kyle frowned, and Stan laughed.

"Well, I mean…. Kenny sent me through this whole mess because he said you'd be happier with me than with him. And I suppose I'd agree too, but…. I dunno, if it turns out that you're better off with him, I'll completely understand…." He was only partially speaking the truth now, but it seemed the only way… selfish, he had said earlier, but… selfless, at the same time.

Kyle sighed. "This really doesn't make sense to me anymore, dude…."

"I know."

Kyle shut his eyes. "Stan… will you marry me?"

Stan's eyes shot open, almost falling off his chair. "What?"

But Kyle only laughed at his reaction, though he quickly stopped after the many glances around the room. "I'm kidding, but… I mean, if it's okay with you, could we…."

"Give it a try?" Stan finished, and Kyle nodded. "Uh, of course, dude…. That's what I've wanted all along."

And then they hugged. It definitely wasn't his dream, but it felt all the same to Stan, the same, blissful feeling sweeping over him…. It had worked out in the end. Stan wasn't even sure how it happened, but he didn't care—who would?—the boy was already in his arms, resting his head upon his shoulder….

The people around the room took no notice, too busy in their own studies—but it seemed that even if they did notice, their hug looked so friendly it didn't even matter… though, it was a tad long.

"We'll make it work," Stan muttered, letting his instincts speak for him, his eyes still searching around the room, his mind in never ending bliss….

One day they'd have to face the complications amongst them, but that could wait… it was over. Stan couldn't let go, he wouldn't let go, the euphoria sinking into him, his hunger dying off, his eyes seeing stars and eyes amongst the bookshelves….

Eyes?

Stan blinked, letting go, and as he stood up Kyle looked confusedly at him.

"Stan?"

But Stan only continued his way to the shelf, clearing some books as he peered through the holes. He frowned, looking on the other side, as if expecting to see someone suspicious—but he came back with nothing, no one.

"I could've sworn…" muttered Stan, but he shook his head. "Never mind, dude. Come; let's go back to the cafeteria. I'm sure Kenny's getting sick of Cartman by now…."