Cartman wasn't really sure how to describe his feelings, or why he was having them in the first place. As each day passed, he became more and more on edge, but he couldn't really explain why. Normally, Cartman would be on top of such things. He would be in the middle of all the chaos, directing it. However, this time, Cartman felt more out of the loop than normal. Something was wrong, and he had no clue what it was.

However, he knew that the reason he couldn't think clearly as of late was because of Kyle. His friend was on his mind often, and it confused the hell out of him. When he was at home, he was thinking of Kyle. When he was at school, he was thinking of Kyle. When he was out walking around, he was thinking of Kyle. It seemed that Kyle was taking over his thoughts, and it scared Cartman shitless. Certainly, Kyle had often been on Cartman's mind, even when they were younger. However, his thoughts back then consisted mostly of plots and devious planning that would result in the Jew to be humiliated somehow. His thoughts now were nothing like that; in fact, he even found himself staring at Kyle in an almost carnal way.

Like now. He walked behind Kyle and Kenny, and his eyes glanced over Kyle's ass. They lingered there for a while before he realized that he was staring. He quickly looked away, hoping that no one noticed.

"Ok, well, we'll see you then!"

Kenny waved at them as Cartman and Kyle continued down the hall. Both of their classes were in the same area. Cartman quickened his steps so that he was walking next to Kyle. Cartman needed to talk to Kyle, but he wasn't really sure where to start.

"You can be such a fucking dumbass sometimes," he began. Kyle jerked his head toward him, shock written on his face. Ok, maybe that wasn't the best way to start. Cartman cleared his throat. "You shouldn't just run up to guys looking for a fight like that."

"He was probably going to punch Jimmy, or worse. Besides, no one should talk to anyone like that," Kyle responded defensively.

"I don't fucking care. It was dangerous, and you would have gotten your ass kicked if that teacher didn't show up."

"That senior thinks he can just bully people whenever he wants to. Someone needs to stand up to him!"

"But it doesn't have to be you."

"Well, I wasn't going to just sit there and watch it happen like the rest of the lunchroom."

"Someone would have helped."

"I really don't think so. I'm not the kind of person to just watch someone get hurt without trying to do something about it, Cartman."

Cartman pursed his lips. He probably knew that better than anyone. "I suppose. Just don't go running into a situation like that so unprepared."

Kyle's defensive demeanor seemed to deflate, and shook his head. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"You didn't worry me."

"Yes I did."

They both stopped. They had reached Kyle's classroom first. Kyle looked at him matter-of-factly, which always annoyed Cartman in the past. Now, however, it just made Cartman's stomach twist nervously.

Kyle shifted his backpack on his shoulder and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. That I worried you. I'll…" He looked down for a second, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear before looking back up again, "I'll be more careful next time."

Cartman stared, and for a long moment neither boy broke eye contact. Cartman felt extremely nervous for some reason, but in all fairness, Kyle didn't look very comfortable himself. Cartman remained still and unmoving, while Kyle fingered one of the elastic straps on his backpack.

Kyle broke the spell first. He licked his lips before biting down on his lower one, looking away. Cartman quickly looked away as well.

"So, uh… I'll see you after school?" Kyle asked, not looking at him.

"Sure."

"C-cool."

"Later."

"See you."

Cartman quickly continued down the hallway toward his classroom, his heart beating loudly in his chest. He could have been completely wrong, but he was pretty positive that Kyle had been just as uneasy as he was. This thought somehow comforted him.

-.-.-.-.-.

"There you all. I've been waiting forever, you stupid Jew."

Kyle rolled his eyes as he came up to where Cartman had been waiting. In truth, he had only been there a couple of minutes, but he felt like giving Kyle a hard time.

"Whatever, Fatass. Let's go."

They started walking, and at first, Carman didn't really know what to say. He shoved his hands in his pockets, twisting a loose thread on the inside around his finger. He stared directly at the ground as they walked, hoping that Kyle would come up with something to say.

Luckily, he did. "So, I was thinking that maybe we could play a new fighting game that I just bought."

"It's not some lame ass game, is it?"

"I don't think so. It seems pretty cool. I bought it yesterday after school, but I haven't played it yet. I figured you'd like it."

Oh shit, here came that horrible twisting sensation in his stomach again. "Y-you thought I'd like it?"

"Yeah, I bought it so we could play together. I figured I could easily kick your ass with a game like that."

"In your dreams," Cartman retorted, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. "I'm the king at every game."

"I bet you twenty bucks that I kick your ass."

"Bring it."

Cartman paused, feeling a bit more confident. Cartman had to admit that he knew Kyle better than he sometimes knew himself, and he was pretty positive that Kyle was showing some interest. This knowledge made Cartman feel bold. "Although, considering all the bets we've had, one would think you would have learned your lesson by now."

Kyle snorted. "I'm positive I can beat you."

"I guess the stakes aren't so high with it being twenty bucks. Not like the leprechaun incident." He slyly glanced over, and he smirked in satisfaction when Kyle's cheeks flushed pink.

"There was no way in hell that I was going to suck your balls."

"But you did, remember?"

"That wasn't me, and you know it."

"I beg to differ."

"Ugh, you're so infuriating sometimes."

"Whatever. You would have liked it if you had done it."

Kyle shook his head. "No, not back then I wouldn't have."

He raised an eyebrow. "So what does that mean? That you'd like it if you did it now?"

Kyle's face lit up like a tomato. "For fuck's sake, Cartman, that wasn't what I was trying to say."

"Sure sounded like it. Besides, I thought you liked cock."

Kyle groaned, but didn't respond. Cartman just laughed. He was now rather positive that there was something going on between them, even though neither of them had the balls to point it out.

-.-.-.-.-.

"So I didn't tell my mom it was YOU who was coming over. I just said a friend was coming."

"Oh great, so she's going to shit her pants when she sees me?"

"You know my mom wears a skirt, Cartman," Kyle grinned as he opened the door. "Mom! I'm home!" he called. He turned back toward Cartman. "Besides, it's more amusing this way, don't you think?"

"Of course," Cartman smirked.

Kyle returned the conspiring smirk. "I thought you'd like that."

"Oh, good, you're home Kyle. Did you bring your frie-." As Sheila came into the living room, her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head when she saw that it was Cartman standing there. Cartman smiled as sweetly as he knew how.

"Why, hellllo, Mrs. Broflovski. I hope you have been well," he greeted her, putting his hands behind his back and talking in his obnoxious, child-like drawl. His voice had dropped a few octaves over the years, but the general affect was still there.

"Hello, Eric. It's been a while." Cartman relished the sour look on her face.

"Why yes, yes it has. Kahl here was so generous in inviting meh over tonight, and I hope that I'm not too much of a bah-ther."

"None at all. Why don't you boys go play upstairs, and I'll let you know when it's time for dinner."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Mom, we don't 'play' anymore. We're 16."

"Have fun boys."

"Argh." Kyle led the way upstairs, and Cartman tried not to stare at his ass as he followed him. "Sometimes she treats me like such a child."

"My mom is probably worse."

"At least you get what you want. I still can't tell my mom that I have my part-time job."

"Wow, I can't believe you've been hiding that from her."

"She'd freak if she knew. Plus, I haven't exactly told my parents that I won't be a lawyer when I'm older." He let Cartman enter his bedroom before he closed the door.

Cartman looked around. The room layout hadn't changed much. As a child, he used to know where everything was. He had snuck into Kyle's room on multiple occasions, and had even been allowed to hang out there once in a while. Now, however, some posters had been rearranged or removed all together, and instead of toys adorning the shelves and corners of the room, Kyle had increased his book collection considerably. Also, there was now a TV near the foot of the bed.

Kyle threw his backpack down near his desk and went to his TV. He opened up the new fighting game and put the disc in his playstation. He tossed a controller at Cartman.

"Ready to get your ass handed to you?"

"In your dreams, Jew."

Kyle sat down on the bed, making room for Cartman. "So we're playing for twenty bucks?"

"I suppose. Although I would love another opportunity for you to suck my balls." He sat next to Kyle, making sure that there was enough space between them.

"Now that's in YOUR dreams, Cartman. Besides, if you lost, then you'd have to suck MY balls."

"Twenty bucks it is."

Kyle laughed, which caused Cartman to smile.

-.-.-.-.-.

Cartman didn't stick around too long after dinner. He was glad that he didn't make the more serious bet with Kyle, because he had lost miserably. Cartman had always been a sore loser, so he didn't want to resume the game after dinner. Besides, he knew that Kenny was coming over, and he wasn't sure he wanted Kenny to ruin his time with Kyle. So he paid up and went home, knowing that the next day he would visit Kyle at the video store.

And the next day, in fact, Cartman found himself entering the video store a half hour after Kyle's shift had started. He had wanted to come right when it had started, but he didn't want to seem too desperate.

"Finally!" Kyle greeted before Cartman could say anything. "What took you so long?"

"I didn't tell you I was coming," Cartman replied, a bit shocked.

"I was hoping you would, and you're late. I've been here a half hour lately, and I'm bored out of my fucking mind."

Cartman felt happy. "Well, I'm glad I could help my Jew with his boredom."

Kyle blinked, and Cartman wondered what the funny look was for. It took him a moment before he realized he had referred to Kyle as 'his.' He felt his face burn with the sudden realization.

Kyle grinned, obviously pleased. "Me too."

-.-.-.-.-.

"Do you work the same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Don't be late."

"I won't."

-.-.-.-.-.

"Do you know who I saw last night while walking home?" Kyle asked as he browsed the shelves. "Randy Marsh."

"And?" Cartman picked up a movie he didn't recognize, but frowned and put it back right away when he realized that Tom Cruise was in it. He hated that douche.

"Well, guess what he was wearing?"

He turned to look at Kyle. "Not his usual?"

"Nope!" Kyle laughed. "I bet Stan had a fucking fit when he saw his dad got into this craze."

"He should have seen it coming, though… his dad was always like that. He's a fucking hippie at heart."

"This is Stan we're talking about. He can be rather oblivious to the obvious sometimes."

"I guess. How about this?"

"No way, dude. That movie is shit. I can't wait to see his face tomorrow at school. I bet he'll be in a foul mood."

"He's always in a foul mood lately."

"This?"

"Faggy."

Kyle put the DVD back. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Let's not talk about that asshole."

"For once, I agree with you."

"It's weird, though. I've seen a few older people wearing different things. I guess it's catching on."

"Yeah, I saw Mr. Garrison yesterday, and it was kind of weird."

"Let's look at the porn section."

"You know I'm not allowed to let you into that area. You're not 18."

"Neither are you and you fucking work here."

"I didn't say I wasn't going to let you. I was just pointing out that I'm not supposed to." Kyle grinned, leading the way.

"Finally! We get to watch some porn!"

"I didn't say we could watch it. Besides, I told you before – if it's not something I'd like, then we can't watch it."

"Lame!"

"I know. I might consider letting you rent something, though. I'm interested in seeing what kind of porn you'd pick out."

"If you get to see what I pick out, then I have to see what you'd pick out."

Kyle laughed. "Curious about gay porn?"

Cartman shrugged, not really wanting to answer. "No."

He could see the red-head lift an eyebrow. "Wow, that wasn't very convincing." He observed.

Cartman just shrugged again. "Well, all the other movies in here are pretty bad…"

"Seriously?"

He made a non-committal sound.

"Are you saying you're willing to watch gay porn?"

"I don't know…"

"If you're curious, you might as well watch it with me. I am the resident gay in our age group."

"I probably won't like it."

"So? Think of it as a learning experience."

"I'm not gay."

"Just curious?"

"…"

Kyle grinned. "Will you watch it with me?" he asked again.

Cartman shrugged again. "I guess I could."

This seemed to make Kyle's day. "Come on, the gay section is this way!" He grabbed Cartman's wrist and pulled him along with him. Cartman hoped that he wouldn't regret this.

-.-.-.-.-.

Cartman couldn't believe they were doing this. It was so gay. "This is fucked up."

"Yeah, this is kind of corny, and… a bit over the top."

Cartman pursed his lips. He hadn't exactly meant the movie, but he would go with it. "You like this sort of thing?"

"Well, not exactly THAT."

"Will you stop looking at the door? No one is going to come in."

"I know… I just don't want to risk it."

"Pussy."

"We're watching porn, aren't we?"

"A cheesy porn."

"All porn is cheesy."

"Yeah, you're right."

Cartman didn't want to admit it, but the movie was making him uncomfortable and a little bit turned on. He shifted slightly.

"Do you like THAT?"

Kyle blushed a bit. "Well, I've never done anything with anyone, so it's hard to tell, but…."

"But?"

Kyle shrugged, blushing harder.

Now THAT turned Cartman on. "Good to know."

Kyle didn't respond. He looked too embarrassed.

-.-.-.-.-.

"Well, that was probably the weirdest thing we've done together," Cartman observed. He leaned against the wall of the rental store, studying Kyle as he locked the doors for the night.

"Yeah, I have to agree with you on that."

"I'm sure you enjoyed yourself, though."

Even though it was dark, Cartman could still tell that Kyle was blushing. Cartman loved it when he did that.

"I don't think you had such a horrible time yourself," he retorted quickly, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He tugged the door to make sure that it was locked properly.

"It wasn't so bad," he admitted.

Kyle snorted. "Good to know," he replied, echoing Cartman's words from earlier. "Come on, let's go home." He shoved Cartman playfully, and Cartman smiled. He walked next to him as they made their way down the street.

The whole situation made Cartman nervous, but he was starting to not mind. Something was going on between them, and Cartman liked it.

"Ugh, I don't want to go to school tomorrow," Kyle commented, keeping close to Cartman's side as they walked.

"Me neither."

"There just seems to be so much drama there."

"Yeah, and a whole lot of douche bags."

"Agreed."

Their arms brushed accidently while walking, but neither of them seemed to mind. Cartman didn't move away, and was pleased when Kyle didn't either.

"C-Cartman?" Kyle asked softly, and his tone made Cartman catch his breath.

"Yeah?" he muttered just as quietly, his chest feeling tight.

"I, uh… I'm glad we've gotten close."

"Me too."

"You're… really cool."

"Thanks. I think I'm pretty cool too."

Kyle chuckled, and their arms brushed together again. Cartman wasn't sure of it, but he was pretty sure it had been on purpose that time.

When they reached Cartman's house, they hesitated for a moment, smiling shyly at each other.

"So, uh… I'll see you tomorrow?" Cartman finally asked.

"Yeah. Same time, same place." Kyle tucked a curl behind his ear, and nervously rocked on the balls of his feet.

Cartman nodded dumbly, wanting to say something, anything, to keep Kyle there, but nothing came to mind.

"So, uh… see you then, Fatass."

"Night, Jew."

Kyle started making his way down the dark street. Cartman watched his retreating back for a moment before calling out to him.

"Kyle!"

The red-head turned around, his hair dancing in the breeze. "Yeah?"

"You're not so bad yourself."

He could tell that Kyle was smiling.

"I know!" Kyle replied cheekily, turning on his heel and continuing his way toward his house. Cartman smiled. He was still confused about his feelings, and didn't really know what the hell they were doing. He was vaguely aware of the obvious flirting they were doing, and he wasn't exactly against it. He wasn't sure where it was going, but he was pretty sure that he was happy with the way things were.

That night, it took Cartman a while to fall asleep that night, and it took even longer for his smile to fade from his lips.