Mended Hearts.
Part XIX.
About two weeks had now passed since the epic karaoke party held at Tolkien Black's house, with many of his classmates and longtime friends reluctantly and half-heartedly having to return to their usually busy schedules – including Wendy Testaburger herself.
Despite her going through many ups and downs over the past two months (especially with her ex-boyfriend David, who hadn't been bugging her with fifty text messages a day anymore and hadn't even dared to look her in the eye whenever they crossed paths in school), the teenage girl could admit that at least one positive thing had happened in her life recently – her father Sean had finally been dismissed from hospital and would need at least a couple of months of extensive rehabilitation and therapy to hopefully get to where he had been before his car accident.
However, Wendy couldn't really say that her love life had been going reasonably well.
Setting the messy situation with David aside, the almost kissing incident after Clyde's party and the kissing incident that had happened between her and Stan at Tolkien's party had definitely taken its toll on her as well – as she had been trying to keep some distance from her raven haired counterpart – outside of school, during breaks at school and especially in classes they shared.
Wendy had tried to avoid Stan as much as possible since the party, but that proved to be rather difficult since they had several classes together and were also in the same friend group.
And not that it had been particularly hard for Stan to do the same, as he had been doing his own part and avoiding nearly any interaction with his ex-girlfriend.
However, every time she caught a glimpse of him, she would feel a rush of emotions, naturally making it hard for her to concentrate on anything else and hide the increasingly growing blush in her cheeks. Even though the awkward and weird tension had been lingering between them, they would still catch occasional glances at each other, with neither of them still willing to make the first move and sort out the whole mess that had transpired.
But despite her best efforts to avoid him, Wendy couldn't deny the fact that she still had feelings for Stan – because every time she saw him, she would feel a flutter in her stomach and a warmth in her chest she couldn't explain, with her mind constantly cycling back to that memory of her daring her ex-boyfriend to kiss her and just how amazing it had felt to be in his arms again.
Her burgeoning feelings for Stan had been slowly but surely taking over many parts of her brain, so Wendy knew that she simply had to come to terms with the fact that she hadn't been over the raven haired quarterback in the slightest, and that she still loved him – if not even more than ever before.
While she was sure that their passionate makeout session had only managed to rekindle the exact same feelings she had been trying to deny all this time, Wendy still wasn't sure what to do and how to potentially fix things between herself and Stan – so she thought the lunch break with two of her best friends seemed like a perfect opportunity to ask both of them for an advice and hear out what they had to say about everything, but also to help her with sorting out whatever jumbled thoughts had been on her mind.
Some time later, Wendy was sitting with Bebe and Tweek at their usual lunch table, trying to focus on whatever conversation they were having and listening to bits and pieces of it – although her mind just kept drifting off, and she found herself staring absentmindedly at Stan, who was sitting a few tables away with his usual squad.
Bebe, noticing that her best friend was staring in the direction of her ex-boyfriend, simply nudged her in order to get her attention. ''Hey girl, are you okay?'', she asked.
Wendy shook her head, not wanting to share her thoughts with her best friends just yet. "I'm fine, just feeling a little tired.'', she lied.
Sitting across the two girls, Tweek swapped an unconvincing look with Bebe and glanced over at his dark haired friend skeptically. "You're not still thinking about that kiss with Stan, are you?", he asked.
The teenage girl fell silent, blushing and looking away, not wanting to admit the truth. "No, of course not.", she replied unconvincingly.
Bebe rolled her emerald green eyes in response. "Come on, Wendy, it's so obvious that something is bothering you. You know that you can just talk to us, don't you?''
Wendy, realizing that Bebe was once again correct, took a deep breath and decided to confide in her friends, setting down her fork and pushing the lunch tray away. "Okay, fine. Maybe I've been thinking about that kiss with Stan more than I'd like to admit it.", she revealed. ''And also about the feelings I may still have for him.''
Tweek and Bebe exchanged knowing looks.
"We knew it!", Tweek exclaimed.
Wendy groaned. "Yes, yes you did.'', she slumped her head in between her arms. ''But it's just that I don't know what to do about it. I don't wanna' potentially hurt him again or cause us to further drift apart.''
The curly blonde put a comforting hand on Wendy's shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. ''Just talk to him, okay? Communication is key.''
"That's easier said than done now.", Wendy said disappointedly, glancing over at Stan again, although catching the supportive glances of both of her best friends in her peripheral vision.
''Well, maybe this can motivate you to talk with him in private.'', Bebe began, immediately piquing Wendy's interest. ''When I asked Clyde if he wants to hang out this weekend, he told me that Stan was saying something about inviting him and the rest of the guys from the football team to hang out at his place, but he eventually gave up on the whole thing and said he wanted to spend some time alone, since his parents went to some weed convention.''
The raven haired girl nodded as she listened to Bebe's revelation, now feeling a bit more confident in taking the plunge and finally talking to Stan about everything that had happened between them recently.
However, she just didn't know when to do it or how to do it, so she decided to take a bit more time to think about her plans and conjure up the best possible approach.
And as the lunch break came to its end and the rest of her day went on, Wendy couldn't concentrate on anything else other than thinking about the possible conversation she would get to have with Stan.
While she knew she needed to talk to him, the thought of confronting him made her anxious, as well as the fact that she didn't know what to say or how to explain her actions – however, she was at least glad that she had finally come to terms with her feelings for Stan, and that she just couldn't deny those very same feelings anymore.
Later that Friday afternoon, Wendy was sitting in her room and flipping through her eleventh grade History class notes, albeit also glancing over at her phone every so often and thinking about the perfect moment to strike up a conversation with her ex-boyfriend.
But once the nervousness started gnawing at her insides, the teenage girl took a deep breath, reached for her phone and typed out a message to Stan, asking if they could talk in person.
'Hey, I know this might sound weird, but can we talk about what happened? I've felt really crappy ever since, and our friendship means a lot to me. I hope we can sort out this whole mess.'
After a few tense moments that definitely felt like forever to her, he responded with a thumbs up and a hesitant "sure."
Wendy's heart raced as she read the message, feeling relieved that Stan had actually agreed to talk to her in person, but also feeling nervous about what the conversation might bring – as she just hoped their upcoming conversation could clear the air between them and hopefully bring them back to square one with each other.
Well, hopefully.
Come evening, Wendy had more or less concocted a plan about what she wanted to do regarding Stan and the current state of their friendship (or whatever the hell they were now, since even Wendy herself wasn't sure how to label it), but more importantly, to talk with him about everything that had happened between them over the past few weeks.
After she had received a reply from Stan, she had asked two of her best friends for an additional advice, although both of them had surprisingly varying opinions on whether she should just keep the status quo with Stan going and keep skirting around the topic of her very obvious feelings for him, or she should muster up the courage and go talk with him about everything instead – Tweek had told her to wait just a little bit longer for the dust to settle down between her and Stan, while Bebe had been much more straightforward and had told Wendy to talk to him as soon as possible if she wanted them to be on somewhat normal terms again.
The latter option had definitely seemed like a more reasonable one to Wendy, so with renewed courage and exciting news of her ex-boyfriend being on his own that entire weekend, she drove to his place later that day – with clear intentions of fixing the whole messy situation between them and talking with Stan about everything that had happened recently, but with even bigger hopes of salvaging whatever was left of their friendship (if there was anything even left to save now).
"So much for almost ten years of friendship.", Wendy thought to herself bitterly as she parked her car in front of Stan's house and shut the engine off, pulling up the parking brake. "I just hope I won't screw things up even further by telling him how I truly feel about him.''
Getting out of her car and locking it behind her, the ravenette took a deep breath as she started to gather her thoughts and think about the way she would start the conversation with Stan, knowing full well that it wouldn't be easy, but also that it was more than necessary.
She walked up to Stan's front door and knocked on it a few times, patiently waiting for him to answer it and hopefully not freak out once he would see her standing at his front porch.
After about a minute or so, the teenage boy finally answered the door, looking really surprised to see his ex-girlfriend standing right in front of him and actually having the courage to show up at his place out of nowhere,
"Hey, Stan.", the dark haired girl greeted, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Hey, Wendy.", Stan replied, his voice guarded, but also with an equal mixture of surprise and unenthusiasm behind it. "What are you doing here?", he asked.
Wendy plunged right in. "Look, I know things have been weird between us since the party, but I just wanted to talk to you about it. I really don't want things to be awkward between us anymore."
Stan looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Okay?", he said finally, stepping aside to let her in. "Come on in."
Wendy took a deep breath as she entered Stan's house, feeling nervous about the conversation they were about to have – knowing she needed to confront him about what happened, even if it was sort of uncomfortable for both of them.
"You know, when I said that I wanted to talk, I didn't necessarily think you would have the balls to come all the way here.", the dark haired boy pointed out as he closed the front door behind them.
''Well, you did agree to talk about what happened, so…'', Wendy pondered, raising an eyebrow at her ex-boyfriend.
"Yes, I did, but it's not like I wanted to do it in my house out of all places, but still.", Stan countered, letting out a slightly exasperated sigh. ''So, what did you wanna' talk about?''
''I've wanted to talk to you about everything that's happened between us recently.'', she began. ''Sorry if this comes completely out of left field."
Still surprised over the fact that his ex-girlfriend had chosen to talk in his house out of all places about everything that had happened between them over the past month, Stan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and let out a faint sigh.
''No, no, it's okay.'', he replied. ''I've wanted to talk about it as well, but just didn't know how to approach the whole situation without making myself even more confused about it."
Wendy felt a bit relieved over Stan's words, but suddenly remembered what Bebe had told during the lunch break, not forgetting about the possibility of her ex-boyfriend changing his mind and inviting his teammates from the football team over to his place to hang out anyway. ''Are you alone?'', she asked.
''Yeah, my parents are out of town for the weekend.'', Stan confirmed, much to Wendy's inner delight. ''They went to some crappy weed convention in Colorado Springs.''
They stood in silence for a moment, and Wendy could already feel her nerves getting the best of her.
"You said you wanted to talk about something?'', Stan asked, breaking the awkward silence between them.
''Yeah, of course.'', Wendy nodded, feeling her nerves settling. "It's about what happened after I dropped you off from Clyde's party, and also when we played seven minutes in heaven at Tolkien's party.", she said, feeling her cheeks flush at the memories of her and Stan being so closely entwined in the pitch black darkness of the closet. "But, it's mostly about what happened at that party.",
"I know it's been a couple of weeks, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.", she continued, looking directly at Stan.
He looked at Wendy, his expression softening slightly. "I haven't been either.", he admitted. "But I just don't know how to approach this entire situation without thinking about the potential consequences it might have for our friendship, or whatever we are now.''
''Whatever we are?'', Wendy repeated, slightly taken aback by his choice of words and with a hint of confusion in her voice. "What do you mean by that, Stan?"
"I mean, we used to be good friends, but things now feel different.", Stan clarified, his bright blue eyes downcast. "I don't know if we're just friends or if there's something more there, and I don't know how to figure it out without risking everything."
"Used to be good friends?"
"Well yeah.", he responded. ''Good friends don't kiss each other that way we did, Wendy.''
''I know.'', she shrugged her shoulders, her face dropping into a frown. ''I just thought there could be something more to it other than us just casually making out.''
''But what if there actually is something more to it?'', Stan began, taking a step closer and looking at Wendy with a vulnerable expression. "The thing is, Wends, I've realized that I maybe still have feelings for you.''
Wendy fell silent, not believing what the hell she had just heard.
Stan potentially still having feelings for her? Him potentially feeling the same way?
Locking her eyes with his, Wendy realized that there was no way of them going back now that cat was out of the bag. "Stan, I also realized that I still feel something for you. That's why I suggested that dare in the first place, so I thought maybe if we kissed, it would help me figure out if those feelings were real or if it was just heat of the moment thing.''
''Okay…'', Stan replied. ''But let me ask you something: if you've been truly having feelings for me again, what held you back from kissing me further that night?''
Wendy sighed, looking down at her hands. "It's just that it hasn't even been a month since you broke up with Melissa.", she said quietly. "I don't want to be a rebound, Stan, you know? Also, I don't know if you feel bad about kissing someone else not even a month after your breakup.''
"You know that I broke up with her, don't you?", Stan retorted. "Like, almost a month ago."
Wendy nodded slowly. "I know, but it still feels like it's too soon.", she said somberly. "I don't want to make things more complicated than they already are."
Stan sighed sadly, running a hand through his hair. "I understand.'', he replied. "But, look, if me kissing you makes you uncomfortable in any way, shape or form, then I'm sorry for taking the dare and doing it."
The ravenette shook her head. "Are you seriously apologizing for that?", she asked, disbelief in her voice.
"Well, I figured that was the exact thing you've wanted to hear from me.", Stan said, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Wendy looked at him, feeling a pang of guilt. "No, Stan, that's not what I wanted.", she responded softly.
''Then what did you want to hear?''
"I don't know.", Wendy said, feeling frustrated. "I just wanted to talk about this and figure out where we stand.''
''Obviously nowhere, I guess.''
After a few seconds of awkward silence that had once again transpired between them, Stan spoke up.
''Can I ask you something too?''
''Uhm, sure?''
''Why didn't you pull away immediately after you dared me to kiss you, since you obviously think me kissing you so soon after my breakup isn't okay?''
Wendy shrugged her shoulders in response. ''I don't know, I guess I was just so caught up in the moment?''
''Okay, but do you realize that you didn't pull right away, or do anything to stop it from even happening? That's something I would totally expect from someone who continually tries to deny their feelings and brushes it all off under the pretense of me just exiting a long-ass relationship and someone who doesn't want to make the situation any messier than it has already been."
Wendy was stunned.
She hated to admit the fact that Stan was right this time around, and no matter how much her brain was working to come up with a quick counterargument, the teenage girl simply shrugged her shoulders in defeat.
"Well, maybe you're right about me not pulling away immediately, but I highly doubt that's going to change how things are between us.''
"What makes you think that?", Stan quizzed, taking a lingering step forward towards Wendy again, towering over his ex-girlfriend as he came closer to her.
He wasn't necessarily that taller than her, but the good eight inches he had in height compared to Wendy were enough to make him look imposing.
"No answer?''
"Oh shut it.", Wendy scoffed.
"Wends, do you seriously think I wouldn't have tried to kiss you if I didn't feel something for you again?", Stan asked gently, tucking a loose strand away from Wendy's face, with blush starting to spread on her face.
"Well, I don't know, but it apparently didn't stop you from trying to do the exact same thing the night I dropped you home from Clyde's.'', she countered, finding it harder and harder to now keep her gaze away from Stan's lips, noticing just how soft and kissable they looked.
''So, you don't think I would do it if I had been sober that night?"
"Yes."
''Are you really that sure?''
''Yes, I actually am.''
''Well, let me prove you wrong then.''
Not believing what she was about to say next, Wendy raised a daring eyebrow at Stan.
''Then do it."
Before she could even react, Wendy let out a faint gasp as she felt a familiar set of lips being pressed against hers. She also found herself being gently pressed against the wall, eyes wide open and with hands pinned right above her head – but most surprisingly, the feeling of Stan's lips captured in a lip-lock with hers.
He brought his hands up to cup Wendy's cheeks, thumbs gently grazing across her porcelain skin.
Although it took Wendy a few seconds to register what the heck was going on, as soon as she felt Stan's soft lips against hers and his hands now clasped tightly around her waist, she allowed the emotions to get the best of her and kissed back the teenage boy just as passionately. She had one hand snaked around his neck, while her other one found its way to his soft hair, knotting her fingertips as their kiss got prolonged. Wendy's temptations skyrocketed even more as she felt Stan brushing his tongue against her supple lips, then down her jawline and her neck, which in return made her feel extremely weak and as if her legs were about to turn into jelly.
Thank goodness that Stan was definitely strong enough to hold her, which he further proved by grabbing onto her hips and pinning her against the wall for some additional leverage. Instinctively, Wendy wrapped her legs around his hips and kissed him hard on the lips.
Stan felt himself getting completely lost in Wendy, enamored by every little thing that made her completely flawless in his eyes – and the tiny murmurs and whimpers of pleasure she had begun to expel, only fueled his desires even more. Her porcelain skin also felt soft and smooth underneath his touch, lips soft as ever.
And for a while, the two raven haired teenagers forgot about everything else: the past, the present, and the future – as all that mattered was here now, the way their bodies fit together, the way their lips moved in sync.
Eventually, they pulled away from each other, both breathless and flushed.
Wendy looked up at Stan, unsure of what to say. "I-I don't know what this means for us now.", she said softly.
"I don't either.", he admitted. "But I do know that I've missed you. And I don't want to keep pretending like I haven't had any feelings for you at all."
Wendy's heart skipped a beat.
"I know we've had our issues in the past, but I'm willing to work through them if you are.", he said firmly, cupping her face in his hands. "I've never been more sure of my feelings for you than right now. It took me quite a while to realize that I still have them for you, and I honestly thought they might just go away after some time. I guess I've been so wrong, haven't I?"
''Damn straight you were.'', Wendy giggled.
Without another word, Stan grinned and captured their lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Wendy melted into him, feeling as if all of the pieces were finally falling into place. She whimpered as his lips suddenly left her own, and started moving towards the soft skin of her neck instead.
''Do you have any idea just how many times you've crossed my mind in the past two weeks?'', Stan asked, now placing open-mouthed kisses on Wendy's neck and coming dangerously close to her pulse point. "And how much I've wanted you since we kissed at Tolkien's party?"
The teenage girl shuddered underneath the sudden, yet incredibly desirable huskiness in his voice, not even bothering to stop what they were doing right now. "I've wanted you too, Stan."
"Well, let me show you then.", he replied, resting his forehead against hers. "Show you how much I want to be with you."
Wendy couldn't believe what she found herself saying next, but since she had been so consumed by her pining and longing for Stan, saying her next words definitely made sense.
"Okay, then show me."
Stan pulled back slightly to look Wendy in the eyes, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation in her expression. Seeing none, he then smiled and leaned in again to capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring out all the pent-up desire and passion he had been holding back for so long.
Wendy responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting all the feelings she had been holding back for so long to flow freely. She smiled into their kiss, feeling a new sense of hope and happiness she hadn't felt in a long time.
And with their lips entangled and arms wrapped around each other, both Stan and Wendy knew that any attempts at trying to deny their feelings for each other would be futile now, but they could also agree on one thing becoming more crystal clear than anything else.
There was now no way of them ever going back to being just friends.
Well, what else can I say about this chapter other than fucking finally?
Stan and Wendy finally confessed their feelings for each other, and it surely was about goddamn time they both stopped denying them! I hope I at least nailed the whole slow burn trope with these two, because that's definitely one of my favorite tropes in fiction and I've really enjoyed using it in this story so far!
For the next chapter, all I'm gonna' say is that Stan and Wendy's relationship will get developed even further. It will also be the first chapter to contain sexual content, which means that I will probably have to change the story rating from T to M, just to keep you guys safe. :)
Good news is that the next chapter is almost complete, so if you all keep on being as awesome and supportive as you have been so far, I'll put the chapter up later next week!