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Ch 14

Kyle awoke to find Stan clinging to him. It was Sunday morning, and the light from outside filtered through the curtains. From the window, Kyle could see that the snow was melting away.

Kyle tried to sit up, Stan still latched to him. Stan opened his eyes.

"Oh, sorry." Stan apologized, detaching himself from Kyle. "Guess I got uhh… little cold last night."

"Whatever, you were totally scared that something was going to come and get you."

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yes huh!" Kyle playfully nudged Stan.

"You were shaking last night by the end of the movie, so don't even play that card with me."

"I'll admit, it was a little scary. Big deal."

"Pssshh."

"What do you want to do today?" Kyle inquired.

"Well, the snow's melting. We could do something outside."

"Like what?"

"Walk around town for a bit. I dunno." Stan suggested.

"That sounds nice."

"Really?"

"And just… talk."

The pair held hands as they strolled around town. The town bustled with people, out for a stroll as well. They turned a few heads, but Stan and Kyle didn't care.

"I'm proud of you, Stan."

"Why?"

Kyle was hesitant. "Because you made it to seven days sober."

Stan kicked a rock as it bounced down the sidewalk. It almost hit a passerby.

"You are seven days sober, right Stan?"

"Yeah. I am."

"That's why I'm proud of you."

Stan smiled slightly.

Well, you shouldn't be, Kyle. I still feel like I let you down. Stan would never say that out loud.

"Thanks."

Kyle nudged closer to Stan. He liked how close they had gotten over the last few days. Kyle realizing his feelings, Stan becoming sober, Stan's parents no longer sore at him. Everything was looking up. He didn't want that to change. Not for the world. But Kyle still felt like something was missing. He felt like his feelings only emerged when Stan was in a life or death situation. Kyle shook off the feeling. No. I like him more than just a friend, I've already established that.

Kyle squeezed Stan's hand.

"Let's go watch a movie."

"Alright." Stan replied. "But I don't have any money with me. We're going to have to get some."

The two headed back to Stan's house, only to be stopped by Cartman.

"Oh, would you look at that. A Jew and a Catholic holding hands. Isn't that a new one." Cartman called as he sauntered up to the pair.

"Fuck off, Cartman." Kyle glared daggers at the fat boy in front of him.

Cartman blocked the path. "Hey Stan, can I talk to you? Alone?"

"Why?"

"I need to ask you something. Something important."

Kyle shrugged and looked at Stan.

"You never ask me questions, fat ass. What's so important that you can't ask me in front of Kyle?"

"Go on, Stan. I'll go get the money while you talk to Cartman." Kyle hesitated before pulling away from Stan.

As Kyle walked away, Cartman pulled Stan into an alley.

"You fucking asshole…" Cartman began, raising a fist.

"W-what?"

"You think I would just forget about it when you shoved me into that locker? That's the reason I told everyone your love for Kyle over the intercom. And you with your stupid Jew rat… it makes me sick."

"What are you t-talking about, Cartman?"

"Oh, you don't remember? Well, let me refresh your memory."

"There's something more behind this, isn't there?" Stan began, Cartman raising his fist higher. Stan braced himself for a blow. Cartman aimed low and punched Stan in the gut. He stumbled back into the brick wall behind him, groaning.

"What is wrong with you?" Stan growled angrily, his face heating up in rage. He grabbed his side as the adrenaline rushed through his veins, dulling the pain.

"You know fully well what's wrong. I hate seeing Kyle happy. My entire life is dedicated to making his miserable. Don't you get it?"

"Then why aren't you beating up on him right now instead of me?"

Cartman raised his fist again.

"Okay, okay! Just… let me go."

"Tell Kyle that you don't want to be in a relationship with him."

"No."

Cartman punched Stan in the gut again. He kicked him in the shin, knocking him down.

"Hey, hey! What's going on back here!" an angry voice called from around the corner. Stan recognized it as belonging to Officer Barbrady.

"N-nothing officer," Cartman replied, helping Stan up.

"Get away from me, fat ass!" Stan shoved Cartman away, limping as he tried to stand up. Pain surged through his body. Stan knew what Cartman was doing. He had punched him in a place no one else could see, so no one asked any questions. No cuts, no bruises to be seen on the outside.

As Officer Barbrady removed himself from the situation Cartman moved closer to Stan. "Next time, I'll do worse."

Stan limped his way home.

What took Kyle so long?

"Stan? Stan!" Kyle rushed over to his friend. "Are you alright?"

"Fine. I just… tripped and fell on my knee. I'll be fine." Stan lied.

Kyle had a concerned look on his face.

"It doesn't look like you fell."

"I fell, alright?!"

"S-sorry."

Stan sighed. "I didn't mean to yell at you, Kyle. It just hurts, that's all. It was a stupid mistake."

"Let's just go home. We can watch a movie next weekend."

The two had arrived at Kyle's house. Stan and Kyle shed their winter coats and kicked off their shoes.

Kyle knew something was up when Stan started to hold his side.

"You alright, dude?"

"Yeah."

"Why do you keep holding your side?"

"I… don't know. It just hurts for some reason."

"Can I see?"

Stan didn't even know what it looked like. He didn't want to shock Kyle when he showed him the possible bruise.

Stan lifted up his shirt slightly. A big bruise covered his side, turning a deep purple.

"Stan. What happened." Kyle asked solemnly.

A few seconds ticked by and no answer from Stan.

"Stan."

"Cartman."

"Cartman what? Cartman did this to you?"

"Yes," Stan answered quickly. "But it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"'Don't worry about it'?! Cartman needs to lay off! Why did he do this to you?!"

"He told me it's because he doesn't like to see you happy. But I think there is a deeper meaning behind it."

Kyle crossed his arms. "That fat piece of trash… I'll beat him to a pulp if I see him again!"

"Don't even bother."

"Stan, he can't just push you around like that! I won't let him!"

"CARTMAN!" Kyle banged on the door to Cartman's house, with no response for several minutes. Kyle huffed as a click was heard, and the door unlatched and opened.

"Oh, hey Kyle. What's up?"

Kyle shoved the fat boy, Cartman stumbling back.

"Kyle, what the F?"

"You fucking ass hole! How could you do that to Stan?!"

"Do what?"

"Hurt him like that! He has a big bruise on his side because of you!"

"So?"

"'So'?!"

"Big deal. He deserved it."

"How?!"

"Because."

"Because why?!"

"Because you two aren't supposed to be together, you fucking Jew rat! You aren't supposed to be happy!"

"That's what Stan told me! But there's something deeper than that, Cartman, something you aren't telling us!"

"That's the reason! There is nothing else behind it!" There was sincerity in Cartman's eyes. "I just hate seeing you and Stan happy!"

"Do you even know what Stan has been through lately?! I am the only one who is keeping him happy! He's suffered through a lot, Cartman! Did you know that he went to the hospital twice? Did you know he overdosed? Did you know he's been drinking? No! Because you are a selfish piece of shit who only cares about himself!"

Cartman said nothing, pointing behind Kyle.

"What?!"

Kyle turned around to see Stan standing behind him.

"I knew you'd be here. I told you to keep out of this, Kyle."