Stan sat with Kyle a little longer. He stifled a yawn. The dark haired boy knew how important it was now to be there for his best friend, but God he was exhausted.
Liane had gone back into the room after the transfusion and had yet to come back out. 'I really want to leave but I'll at least wait until she comes back out.'
Stan's phone rang shrilly causing both he and Kyle to jump. "Sorry," Stan said instantly as he walked outside to talk more freely without getting dirty looks.
"Stan?! Are you okay?! I heard about Sheila and everything. How's Kyle holding up?" Randy was freaking out almost as if Stan had been the one injured.
"I'm fine Dad. And he's doing about as well as can be expected."
Randy sighed. "I know you really want to be there for your friend, but your mother and I talked it over and think you need to come home tonight. Of course, tell Kyle and Ike they are welcome to come as well, but I know he's in a dark place right now, so make sure you don't pressure him into it or anything."
Stan's dad rambled on. "I'll come home soon Dad and I'll be sure to relay the message. And, thanks it means a lot."
They disconnected.
When Stan walked back into the waiting room, he noticed Kyle and Liane speaking but couldn't make out much of what they were saying.
He sat down, deciding to wait for Kyle to finish and give the redhead some privacy.
"Thank you so much for what you did, Kyle." Liane sniffed slightly, her eyes still red and puffy.
Kyle shook his head quickly. "Don't thank me. It's the least I can do to thank him for what he did. I'm" Kyle looked down ashamed. "I'm the reason he's lying in the hospital bed. If it wasn't for me wanting him to go with me to confront my mother, he wouldn't be hurt. I'm sorry Mrs. Cartman. I'm so sorry." Kyle briefly made eye contact, preparing for the worst reaction possible. Mrs. Cartman was a single mother and Eric was her only child. Though she had issues, she loved her only son more than anything and Kyle knew this.
Kyle opened his mouth again to continue his apology, thinking her silence was a sign of deep seated anger when he was pulled into a tight hug.
"Don't you dare blame yourself for this sweetie. My little Eric was protecting you. He cares deeply about you. It's neither one of your faults that he got hurt. I promise, I'm not angry at you at all."
Liane released her hug and patted Kyle on the shoulder. "You're a great kid. I'm sorry you had to see that happen."
The two sat in silence for a bit.
"Would it be alright if I got to see Eric for a bit?" Kyle asked carefully.
Liane nodded. "Go ahead. I already granted you permission earlier, the doctors must have just forgotten."
Kyle was surprised. "But why? I mean, not to sound rude or ungrateful or anything."
She smiled slightly. "He would want you back there. And he would be pissed if I or anyone else stood in the way of that. Would you mind telling me what the confrontation was about though? Then you can go on and see him."
Kyle froze physically and mentally. 'What the fuck was he supposed to say to this? Well, Mrs. Cartman your son and I are gay together and well, we came out to my mom and I told her I wanted nothing to do with her picture perfect idea of what I was supposed to be? Yeah right.'
"Um, I told my mom I wasn't going to be the person she wanted me to be." 'Vague, like a boss. Smooth move, Kyle, NOT.'
Liane didn't look convinced. She tilted her head similar to Cartman when he was scheming in an 'I know something you don't know I know' way. "Is that so? Well, we can discuss the rest later. Go see him." She smiled lightly.
He blanched. "Okay." Kyle walked towards Stan who was motioning him over.
"I'm about to head home, dude. Are you going to be okay here or do you and Ike want to stay with us tonight?"
Kyle sighed. "I'm about to go see Cartman and Ike told me he's staying at Filmore's for the night with Dad's permission, so I'm not sure yet. I'll text you though okay?"
Stan pulled him into a hug. "Sure thing. Take care of yourself."
Kyle took a deep breath before going through the dreaded ICU double doors. He hated hospitals in general but it was even worse when he knew someone he loved was in one and not for anything minor either.
Cartman looked pitiful lying on the hospital bed. His skin was slightly pale and his torso was heavily bandaged. Kyle gently sat beside him on the bed, careful not to disturb any of the monitors attached to him. He gently took his hand in his own. "Hey Eric." He began awkwardly.
"I don't know if you can hear me, but please wake up. I miss you and I have something really important to tell you." He squeezed his hand tightly. "Your mom and I we need you to wake up. Please." Kyle's voice choked at the end and he resisted the urge to break down crying.
Kyle gently ran a hand across Cartman's face, he leaned in to kiss him on the cheek and was thoroughly stunned when a hand was behind his head pulling him to connect with Cartman's lips.
"Eric?! Thank God you're okay!" Kyle said while he was kissing him. Cartman grinned after kissing him again, wincing at the pain in his chest.
"Of course I'm okay. I'm glad to see you're all in one piece too, Jew. Figured you would do something hella stupid but good thing I was wrong this once."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "Shut up. I should probably go get your mom." Kyle moved to stand up.
"Wait," Cartman's eyes glinted conspiratorily, "what was it you wanted to tell me that was so important?"
Kyle reddened. "You heard that? It can wait until, later."
Cartman looked irritated, "No it can not. You will tell me now or I'll break up with you." The threat was so empty that the two burst into laughter right afterwards.
"Fine you know that's a lie. But seriously. I want to know." Cartman said softly staring into Kyle's green eyes intently.
"Okay," Kyle said nervously. 'Why am I nervous?! He confessed his love to me already, hopefully he remembers that. How stupid am I? Why wouldn't he remember? It's not like he got a head injury or anything.'
"Do you remember what you said to me before you passed out?"
Cartman blushed. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell. Sorry." But the blush had not gone unnoticed by his boyfriend nor had the quick pattern of speech gone undetected.
Kyle smiled. "I was just going to tell you, the feeling is mutual."
"What feeling are you talking about?" Cartman was still trying to play dumb.
Kyle rolled his eyes. "I love you too, you idiot." He kissed Cartman firmly on the lips.
Cartman's face was completely red now. "…well that sure escalated quickly."
Kyle very lightly bumped his shoulder on his uninjured side. "Glad that's out of the way. Shit was getting awkward."
"Hold my hand Kyle." Cartman whined.
Kyle faked an annoyed look but complied. "You know it seems as if everything has changed, but that not much has changed at the same time. That probably makes no type of sense so don't laugh at me."
Cartman grinned, "No you're right actually. Professing our love to each other was gay as fuck, but it just feels right. Just don't get used to me agreeing with you Kyle."
"Don't worry, I won't. Arguing with you is part of the fun." He winked at the larger boy.
"I'll go get your mom now, she'll be happy to see you're awake."
Cartman was reluctant for Kyle to leave. "See you later?"
"Definitely." Kyle leaned in and kissed him again, more passionately this time.
A/N: Hope no one got too freaked out. I could never kill off a main character. I feel like that kind of ruins the whole point of all the conflict and just makes it overall too angsty. Guess, I made up for the angst last chapter with teh fluff. Least of all I couldn't kill off Cartman. (is in emotional pain just thinking about it). Read and review!