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Stan stood in front of Kyleâs house, front door skinny and tall just like the redhead himself. He eyed it up and down, as if it were someone towering over him with an intimidating glare. He subconsciously gulped and a shaky breath left his mouth.Truth was, he really just wanted to knock so Kyle could let him in since itâd been a chilling day in South Park, leaves tumbling in the wind down the streets as the sky was swarmed with creamy grey clouds. Autumn was usually a season Stan didnât mind much, but when Kyleâs cozy home handed him the opportunity of being rugged up next to his super best friend while playing video games, heâd rather pick the latter.He shut his eyes, as if it were making the action go any faster, and quickly pushed his trembling index finger against the doorbell, a drawn out chime being heard from inside.As rapid as he did it, Stan skedaddled clumsily into one of the bushes growing right next to his childhood friendâs abode. Shuffling himself behind the fairly itchy shrubs heâd remembered Kenny hid behind once in fourth grade, he grazed his arm lightly on all the sticks heâd fumbled onto, cursing under his breath.Stan looked up from his neat little hiding spot, praying the tiny red pom-pom on top of his hat wouldnât give him away. He huffed in anticipation, his eyes locked on the entry of the house, just where heâd stood a moment ago.And just as expected, Stan could make out a faint âcoming!â And muffled noises of footsteps became louder as Kyle approached the door to let whoever rung inside.His view was covered mostly by tangled fern leaves and âoh god was that poison ivy?â But Stan knew without a doubt when he saw a cotton ball of red. His hair always burned vibrantly compared to everything else.Stan almost raised himself in order to see Kyleâs face clearly, but stopped before he did.âHello..?â He observed as Kyle, almost in a comical way that resembled a cartoon, darted his head from side to side scratching his puffy cloud of hair with a single finger. His eyes squinted and his eyebrows were pinched in confusion before he shrugged and simply walked back inside.Stan blinked dumbly. Not even a snicker.Usually when someone did this type of elementary school prank, theyâd at least let out a chuckle or gain something from the other personâs reaction. But instead, the boy dazed off into nothing as a sudden spill of unexplainable guilt came over him.Stanâs mouth formed into a crisp thin line and his eyebrows fell. Why the fuck did I do that.His cheeks became impossibly red, scooting himself out of his crouched and frankly uncomfortable position. He glanced over at the stone steps that led to the front door and took hesitant steps towards it. He tried being as silent as a mouse on a mission to find a piece of cheese, and awkwardly stood a little too close to the door once again.This time he placed a nice little double knock, immediately feeling stupid for not ringing the doorbell. Though, he was probably too embarrassed anyway.Whilst he waited for what felt like hours just standing in the cold Colorado air, Stan gnawed at his lip timidly before the door swung open. Kyle had his arms crossed and a brow raised. His head was held up a bit higher than it should naturally and Stan guessed he was a bit moody at the moment.Stanâs muscles moved on their own and a large and wide smile suffocated his features. âStan, did you fucking doorbell ditch me?â ah shit.He tried to scoff in a believably oblivious way, but failed terribly. âNo, why the hell would I do that? Iâm not that much of a loserâ He giggled almost anxiously, yet Kyle could sense it like the smell of a dead corpse.He sighed, but Stan could tell his face had shifted into one of amusement, a small smile taking its place on his lips. Stan smiled back as well, this time his nerves melted away as he did. Rose dusted his cheeks, but Stan assumed it was because of the warm homely air reaching him and not the fact that he was face to face with a grinning Kyle.Stan still didnât know why he doorbell ditched him.***Kyle still let Stan inside however, thankfully enough; actually, there wasnât a single time Stan could remember that the redhead slammed the door in his face even when he really deserved it.Like that one night heâd shown up with some random girl on his arm, using Kyleâs house to âcrashâ at instead of just telling his mother he wanted a girl over. That reason being because he knew sheâd just wag a finger in his face like he was a little child and remind him about responsibility and such.He studied the room, like heâd done hundreds of times before, as if he was reciting every object and memory behind each framed picture. A tender smile stuck to his face. Every time he stepped foot into the Broflovski household, he felt so safe, so secure with Kyle.He thought back to the countless nights heâd called Kyle over the phone in his bathroom heâd locked himself in, trying to get away from the blaring thunder of arguments and smashed plates.His dad always seemed to find joy in throwing his motherâs expensive porcelain plates. Maybe thatâs why sheâd stopped collecting them after Stan turned thirteen.Kyle would then immediately head over and help him crawl out through the bathroomâs tiny window so he could sleep over with him. Stan remembered the warmth they shared back then, the warmth they still held in certain moments. He remembered the random tickle fights that would erupt under the sheets, when they laughed and giggled so much, Mrs.Broflovski had to peek through the door just to see if everything was okay.Stan slid comfortably onto Kyleâs bed, one heâd gotten so familiar with over the years. His eyes trailed the now dulled Terrance and Philip pattern on the sheets, yet he could tell theyâd just been washed. He wondered if Kyle had suspected Stan wanted to stay over.âDude, you gonna stop staring at the bed like itâs a piece of treasure?â Kyleâs grin crawled up his face into more of a teasing smirk, Stan swinging his head over to the other boy as he displayed a sudden flushed expression.His voice croaked for a moment, âYeah man, I was just wondering why you still had this piece of shit for sheetsâ He chuckled, darting a glance to the sheets once again.Kyle crossed his arms, like he often liked to do, and rolled his eyes in a head shake. All the signs of a playful attitude, Stan remarked mentally, his smile turning doughy. He liked playful Kyle. Actually, he liked every type of Kyle, the more he thought about it.âOh yeah, you wanna call my sheets a piece of shit? I bet you still wear those Terrance and Philip boxers you got back in fifth gradeâ He let out somewhat of a snort, Stan finding the noise annoyingly adorable.His mouth opened, stammered beginnings of words coming out. His face grew a dark red, Kyle chuckling slyly at Stanâs reaction. The redhead closed his eyes and leaned against the door frame in a snooty, I-was-right fashion. âBingo, MarshâStan slapped his hands over his knees and continued to gape dramatically at the taller boy. âBingo? Who the fuck says that? Are you some old man?â He blinked.Kyle wheezed out a breathy laugh, âHa, well who knows, maybe Iâm secretly 80 years old and I like playing bingo in my spare timeâThe boy tilted his head, his smile curving up slightly, âwhat the hell is autumn doing to you man? Youâre talking strangeâ Stanâs eyes followed Kyle as he slowly walked into the room, heading to his wardrobe.âHmm, yeah? Well, Iâm not as strange as you Stanleyâ His eyes were directed at the insides of his extremely neatly organised drawers, picking out a lime turtleneck and a black pair of jeans.Stan pursed his lips in a lack of a response and darted his vision elsewhere. Kyle hummed as he closed his drawer with a single hand, clothes draped over his other arm.He turned his head behind him, âIâm gonna go shower, donât go anywhere Marshâ he aimed a finger at him to make his point, before Stan lost the redhead to his bathroom, shutting the door almost all the way.He didnât say anything and watched as the door shifted backwards and forwards in little motions, before it settled on being opened slightly, a slither of light creeping through.Kyleâs bathroom was a blinding contrast of bright white tiles compared to his room, his walls still painted with the soothing dark blue Stan liked to just stare at sometimes.He flopped onto his back, a small crack coming from the action. He blinked slowly, his vision faintly hazy for whatever reason. He heard Kyle turn on the shower, blasting the noise of vicious running water through the door. Since it wasnât completely closed, steam seeped in easily.Stan lazily let his eyes close as he let the sheets under him huddle around his tired body. The noise cradled him to a sleepy state, and he swore he almost fell asleep in those few minutes.***The raven-haired boy sat up at the absence of running water and clear steps coming into the room. Stan groggily blinked and rubbed his eyes, for extra measure, before his gaze landed on a freshly showered Kyle.He stood at the entry of the bathroom door, steam still faintly pouring in from behind him. Kyle had a singular and quite small, Stan noted, towel wrapped around his waist as he held another one to his sopping head of curlsâ usually frazzled and wild like fire, turned to dampened locks of crimson.As he stared wide-eyed and silently at the tall boy in front of him, Stan could feel a wave of heat rush over his body. He boiled like he was drowning in lava, face undoubtedly red. He wasnât sure where his eyes should drift toâ whether it was his lively eyes hidden with a sparkle of concern or the very explicit towel hanging around his crotch area.âStan? Dude, stop staring, Christâ Kyle couldnât seem to look him in the eye, somewhat embarrassed by the awestruck and flushed face Stan held upon seeing him mostly naked.He couldnât help itâ Kyleâs skin looked as smooth and milky as porcelain, being splattered with wonderful dots that created lines and random patterns across his face and arms.He also appeared quite fit, possessing a slim yet athletic body. He wanted to touch his stomachâ he was less chubby now, unlike he was when they were younger. Stan missed it a little, he always thought he was cute like that.But this, this was too much for Stan. His eyes darted all around the place, feeling his skin burn and a guilty smile slip on his face. âS-sorry man, should I uhmâ get out of the room, or..? Since you gotta change, or whatever..?â He nearly sounded out of breath. Damn, my stupid body temperature.The two had always gotten changed together, it was like an unspoken rule. If one needed to get into something to wear, they simply agreed the other could stay in the room. Not a big deal. Itâd never been a big deal.But that was before, now, Stan had to physically tear his vision away when Kyle was getting undressed. Stan felt tingly insideâ it made his stomach turn queasily.Kyleâs eyes widened only slightly, âno dude, seriously, itâs fine! Just likeâ Donât look'' Stan nodded yet kept his sight ever watching as the two awkwardly stayed in their positions. The redheadâs cheeks reddened noticeably, his mouth tucked in a thin line.Stanâs eyebrows rose, âoh shit rightâ he turned his body away from his close friend, hearing the background noise of shuffling towels being removed and clothing being put on.For whatever reason, Stan stayed dead silent, intently focussing on Kyleâs rushed breaths and small grunts as he struggled fitting into his jeans.The atmosphere was tainted with an awkwardness that had never really been there before. Was it Stanâs fault? Fuck, he really took his time enjoying the view, didnât he?Stan shoved his face into the palm of his hands, sensing heat from his rosy cheeks. He let out a frustrated sigh, maybe we should just stay friends.***âYou seem more tired these days dudeâ Kyle, now fully dressed, said to Stan.He had his arms behind his head, laying calmly on his barely-surviving bed next to the raven-haired boy. The redhead glanced over to him, his face letting a neutral expression sit.Stan sniffed and forgot to answer. He had the words in his head, but when heâs sleepy, he often leaves the words stuck to his tongue, too tired to actually spit them out.Kyle knew this, as he knew everything about the boy, so he nudged him in the shoulder, which seemed to rattle Stan back to the present moment.âHm?â Stan returned the eye contact, deciding to ignore the lack of space between them.Since the bed was fairly thin, the two always needed to be a little closer than the average comfortable proximity tends to be. Though Stan didnât really care, despite what the flush on his cheeks might say.In return, Kyle chuckled. A very short, almost unnecessary chuckle. A single huff through the nose. Like a horse, Stan thought dumbly.Kyle brought his gaze back to the ceiling, Stan questioning whether heâd rather look at the wall than him. âI said you seem more tired, guess I was right, you got your head in the clouds manâStan rolled his eyes, as if it was an attempt to deflect the long rant he thought Kyle was going to give him about having a healthy sleep schedule. He placed his hands on his belly, watching as they raised up and down with each breath.He decided to answer in a simplistic response, not looking for any particularly deep conversation. âAutumn makes me wanna sleepâKyle shot him a knowing smirk and played along, âright, and I guess autumn makes me talk strangelyâ Stan laughed, feeling a warm ache in his chest.âYeahâ he muttered under his breath, yet knew Kyle heard him.âYou can sleep man, I donât mindâ Stanâs mouth slowly curled into a comforting grin, his eyes on the redhead as Kyle continued to stare deeply into the ceiling above. He didnât even need to say the words, he already knew he didnât mind.Moments like these where conversation was filled with nothing still brought a flutter to Stanâs heart. It reminded him of those sleepovers, once again, when heâd look to his side to see Kyle already having snoozed off far away into dreamland.He felt a bit stupid doing so, but Stan liked to stay up a while longer just to try and guess what he was dreaming about.Heâd study the way his face shifted and changed, finding it was a fun little game to keep him awake through long nights. Kyle had always been expressive while dreaming, and Stan thought it was endlessly endearing. It was almost funny how easy he was to read, even when he was asleep and unaware of it.Even up until now, heâd never told Kyle about those activities. He wasnât sure how heâd react to something so cheesy. Secretly, in the back of his mind, Stan wanted to wait a bit longer just to see if Kyle would eventually close his eyes and let his delicate eyelashes flutter close.Unfortunately, as the thought came to mind, Stan yawned out loudly, meaning he would probably be dead to the world in the next few minutes.âI might sleep too, wanna hold me?â Kyle asked so casually, and so, Stan complied, without any complaints.He shifted and shuffled closer to the taller boy, his hands finding the soft fabric of his turtleneck. One hand snaked around his waist while the other went to his clothed neck, feeling the ghost of Kyleâs calmed breaths.Kyle didn't utter a word and Stan could feel as he smiled. Stanâs chest sprouted with content and decided to close his heavy eyes against Kyleâs chest.***Stan had forgotten to bring a toothbrush, so he just used the backup one Kyle owned just in case. Thereâd been various instances when Stan would forget his toiletries that Kyle bought extra stuff just for him. It made sense after all, he did stay over frequently.He stared as the toothbrush moved in circular and rapid motions, invading his mouth, the process somewhat therapeutic to him.It was a pretty small one, the bristles old and cracked. He never noticed the difference though, but he knew the redhead would beg to differ.He remembered at one sleepover he accidentally used the wrong toothbrush and Stan heard Kyleâs whiny cries from the bathroom. And when he came in to check on the desperate mewling, Kyle started weeping about how his teeth hurt like hell.Stan admits, he did snicker a little at the young Kyle talking with his mouth full of bubbly foam, tears spilling like a child who couldnât get that lollipop he wanted, but immediately felt a pang of guilt.With messy and knotted hair he should probably cut and actually brush once in a while, Stan spit out the white foamy substance and wiped his mouth using his bare hand. Kyle would probably call him gross.Using his drowsy eyes, he looked towards his sleeping best friend in the mirror reflection, a small smile showing. He looked so peaceful and managed to maintain a perfect head of hair as if was a beautiful blossomed flower, the petals poking out from all sides.Stan quietly, as to not wake him up, walked back into the bedroom and took a random sweatshirt he found draped over his desk chair. He didnât bother to actually register what it looked like or anything. His skin was irritated by the fresh air of Colorado mornings and he needed to cover himself up before heâd freeze to death.Stan made a quick check in the petite, and quite useless, mirror Kyle had sitting on his desk. Heâd had it there for a few years now, but it puzzled Stan as to why heâd need it the first time he noticed it.Werenât chicks the only ones who needed a transportable mirror on them at all times to make sure their makeup was perfect? Kyle doesnât wear makeup. At leastânot that he knew of.But then again, heâd only bought it after the whole class list incident, so maybe it had something to do with that. But even so, Stan was convinced he really didnât need one. His radiant locks always managed to get Stanâs heart racing.After using his fingers to flatten some strands of hair that were bending the wrong way, Kyle let out a high-pitched dreamy groan. âStan..? Why are you.. awake?â Stan darted his head to the side, grin growing wider at being able to listen to Kyleâs airy morning voice.âCouldnât sleepâ was all he said, watching as Kyle squinted his eyes and snatched his thin glasses from his side table, as he did every morning without fail. It was like his body was programmed to do it by this point, placing them on the bridge of his nose perfectly on the first try.Head tilted, the sides of his mouth dipped, he asked, âWhat do you mean, dude? You always sleep in for hoursâ Stan shrugged in response.As Stan headed to the door to go down to the kitchen, he was stopped by the boy whoâd just awoken. âIs that my sweatshirt?â He asked in more of a tiny voice, Stan swinging his head over his shoulder to meet wide googly eyes.He wasnât sure if it was because of the lighting or something, but Kyleâs face seemed slightly pinker than usual. He answered him with a simple âyeahâ and continued his way down the stairs.Kyle let a sigh escape his lips.Did he really look that good in some sweatshirt?***Stan and Kyle nested themselves on the slanted roof, looking out to the houses opposite Kyleâs house. They observed and admired the vast and empty sky, silence filling the air along with the occasional white noise of wind.Stan had his arms wrapped around his knees while Kyleâs legs dangled out, hands planted on the tiles behind him.âYou sure your parents donât want you home right now?â Kyle always seemed to be the one starting conversations now, Stan mentally noticed.He rocked his body back a little and let his head look up above them. âNah, plus Iâd much rather be with you than with anyone elseâ The words fell out naturally, as if they both already knew. Even if sentimental phrases were never really shared between them.Kyle felt blush creep up his ears, Stan being able to notice even in the dark setting. He seemed to be averting his gaze more often nowadays.He quirked his head to the side, âwhat, you donât want me here with you?â The side of his lips perked up just a tiny bit, Kyle flushing even more as he turned away. âShut up, you know I doâThey both laid comfortably in their spot, only breaths being exchanged from time to time. It was nearly as if they were communicating, in their own strange way.Stan enjoyed the cooling breeze against his nostrils and hair, it could lull him like a mother does with a baby.It was a miracle they hadnât fallen off the house by now, Stan thought. If Kyleâs mother knew what they were doing, sheâd probably throw one of her bulky boots Stan was convinced she only bought for threatening her children with.He thought of the times when theyâd go to the waterpark together and Stan would end up seeing, at least one time, Mrs.Broflovski slapping her youngest child with a large boot. It sent shivers down his spine, he was glad Randy never did anything like that.Words shattered through the atmosphere, once again by Kyle, âyouâve been here the whole day. Itâs niceâ he commented mindlessly, as it was just meant to be up in the air, no conversation needed to go with it.Stan hummed and thought about something else. His mind browsed through memories, the past. The younger version of himself goofing off with a younger Kyle. Heâd always felt the way he did with the redhead, maybe thatâs why he didnât realise sooner.Then he was suddenly thinking about the future, something heâd generally rather push as far down in his head as possible. Itâs always been something he fearedâ something he avoided. Stan didnât like the thought of stepping even a single foot into the unknown, especially if he pictured it as a deep hole that could eat him up at any second.But he envisioned Kyleâ taking his hand and assuring in hushed words that it was alright. Stanâs eyes slowly creeped onto the redhead, taking the sight of such a person sitting there next to him. He could bask in the warmth and safety he radiatedâ no matter where he went.A grin continued to linger sweetly on his lips, and a thought managed to slip by him. âWhat if we spent the rest of our lives togetherâ his tone was relaxed and nonchalant, probably not even being aware of his own suggestion.He watched as Kyle stiffened and his emerald eyes widened into stunned saucers. He steadily turned to meet him once again and lounged his arms over his legs, though while clutching onto his jeans tightly like heâd never let go.His entire face was painted with a bright redâ his mouth having dropped bashfully. âHuh..? Dude that sounds pretty gay.. are you likeâ proposing to me..?â His question was laced with hesitance and he pulled the fabric that covered his neck with a finger to release some heat.Kyleâs face cringed and flustered. Stanâs vision darted back to the sky again, warmth spilling over him as well. âUh.. I.. I donât knowâ a wobbly chuckle left his mouth along with his words.Kyle blinked and without a word, had his eyes somewhere else.The raven-haired boy shifted his head beside him and locked eyes with Kyle, fearing heâd lose his breath doing so. He managed to mumble out what he wanted to ask, âdo youâ like like me?âHe noticed Kyleâs hands gripped tighter. He heard a gulp, Stan in awe at how the moonlight struck the redhead. How it highlighted all the wonderful details he adored and had gawked at thousands of times in the past. âUhm⌠I think soâHe whispered, but Stan could only hear his heartbeat drumming in his ears, and he knewâ- this is what he wanted. His hands began to sweat, clammed and surely just as flushed as his face.It didnât bother him. Unlike all the other times heâd spent at his house, Stan moved just a little closer that time. The two no longer had their eyes on the sky surrounding them, only on the other.Stan let his teeth show as a wide smile brimmed over his features, Kyle showing a shy yet large grin. âI do like like you, Stanâ he breathed on his lips, stomach turning to knots. Stan chuckled and brought himself closer, wishing to never be apart from the redheadâs touch ever again.