Chapter Text
Kyle's world seemed to stop for a moment as Stan's confession hung in the air between them. His heart was pounding in his ears, a maelstrom of emotions swirling inside him.
Shock, disbelief, joy, fear...it was overwhelming. He stared at Stan, his eyes wide and unblinking, his mind struggling to process what he had just heard.
He opened his mouth to speak, but words failed him. All he could manage was a strangled whisper. "You...love me?"
Stan felt like he was going to be sick from the anxiety coiled tightly in his stomach. He forced himself to maintain eye contact with Kyle, even as his brain screamed at him that this might be a huge mistake.
He could see the stunned expression on Kyle's face, so completely different from the resigned resignation he had before. He let out a shaking breath, bracing himself for the worst.
"Yeah." He confirmed, his voice wavering slightly. "For... for a long time."
Kyle's mind was reeling. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Stan, his best friend since childhood, the guy he had secretly longed for, was confessing his feelings for him.
His heart was in his throat, his hands trembling. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry as he tried to speak. "How...how long?" He managed to ask, his voice cracking.
Stan took a shaky breath, his eyes dropping from Kyle's to the bed. He had hoped to avoid this question, to keep that particular part of his heart a secret.
But he had made himself vulnerable, laid all his cards on the table. There was no going back now.
"Since middle school." He admitted quietly. "Since I knew the difference between liking someone as a friend and...and wanting more."
Kyle's heart skipped a beat. *Middle school.* That was years. Years of feelings he had never realized his best friend was harbouring.
He stared at Stan, searching his face for some sign that this was a cruel joke, but all he saw was raw honesty and vulnerability.
"Why...why didn't you ever tell me?" He asked softly, his voice raspy with emotion.
Stan managed a bitter laugh, the sound lacking any humour. "Why do you think?" He retorted, his eyes still fixated on the bed.
"I was scared shitless. Scared that if I told you...I'd lose you. Lose everything we have. Lose my best friend."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "So I pushed it down. Pretended it was just friendly feelings. But it's always been more, dude. Way more."
Stan's brain short-circuited for a moment as Kyle's lips crashed into his. He had dreamed, fantasized about this moment for years, but nothing could compare to the feeling of Kyle's lips on his own.
A thousand emotions flooded through him as he pulled Kyle closer, his fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt as if to anchor himself to this moment, to this reality where the impossible was suddenly within reach.
Kyle's hands found their way into Stan's hair, fingers threading through the dark locks as he deepened the kiss. His heart was pounding in his chest, his mind struggling to comprehend that this was actually happening.
He had wanted this for so long, had yearned for it in secret. And now, finally, he had it. It felt like a dream, like at any moment he'd wake up with nothing but cold sheets and stinging loneliness
Stan felt like he was drowning in sensation, in all things Kyle. Every touch, every taste, every smell filled his senses and sent his heart racing even faster.
He parted his lips, his tongue seeking entrance, wanting to explore every inch of his best friend, er, now boyfriend. His fingers gripped Kyle's hips, pulling him onto his lap, needing to feel his body pressed against his own.
Kyle gasped as he was pulled onto Stan's lap, a shiver running down his spine at the intimacy of their new position. He wrapped his arms around Stan's neck, pulling him even closer, his body flush against him.
He could feel Stan's racing heartbeat under his palm, could hear the soft moans that escaped his lips. It was overwhelming, the years of pining and suppressed desires finally coming to a head. He didn't want it to stop, didn't want to ever go back to pretending they were just friends again
Stan's hands roamed over Kyle's body, committing every contour, every curve, every freckle to memory. He broke away from the kiss, pressing his lips against Kyle's jaw, his neck, his collarbone, the places he had dreamed about touching for so long. He murmured words against his skin, words of longing and love and pure need.
"Dude... I can't believe this is real..." He breathed, his voice a whisper, as if scared to break the spell they were under.
Stan slowly blinked open his eyes, the first faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains. He was still half-asleep, his brain struggling to catch up to reality. But then he felt a warm weight pressed against his side, and suddenly everything came rushing back.
He looked down to find Kyle, still asleep, his head resting on Stan's chest. The sight of him, messy hair, peaceful expression, sent a wave of affection through him. He smiled, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair out of Kyle's face
Kyle stirred, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he gradually woke up. He could feel the warmth of Stan's body beside him, the slow rise and fall of his chest under his head. He cracked open one eye, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he saw Stan looking down at him.
He snuggled a little closer, burying his face against Stan's neck
"Morning" he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.
Stan chuckled softly at the sleepy greeting, his hand coming up to gently rake through Kyle's hair.
"Morning, sleepyhead." He replied, his voice just as hoarse.
He shifted, rolling onto his side to face Kyle, bringing them even closer together. He studied the other boy's face, taking in the sleepy eyes, the bedhead, the content expression.
"You know this is real, right? Last night I mean...this isn't some weird dream I'm about to wake up from?"
Kyle chuckled, his eyes still half closed as he reached up to lightly smack Stan's chest.
"Stop it. Of course it's real, idiot. You think I'd dream about you calling me dude all the time?" He said teasingly, but the affection in his voice was obvious.
He opened his eyes fully now, a smirk playing on his lips. "Besides... do I need to remind you of all the things we did last night to prove it wasn't a dream?"
A flush crept up Stan's neck as he heard Kyle's words, the memories of their night together flooding his brain. He bit his lip to suppress a smile, the heat in his cheeks betraying his attempt at stoicism.
"No, no you don't need to remind me." He said with a slight cough, his hand tracing a lazy pattern on Kyle's back.
He paused, his expression growing more serious. "Can I ask you something?"
Kyle raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Stan's tone. He shifted slightly so they were face to face, still comfortably pressed against each other.
"Of course. You can ask me anything." He replied, his voice softening with concern.
Stan took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. He traced his fingers lightly over Kyle's arm, not quite meeting his gaze.
"Last night... when we were... you know..." He trailed off, his cheeks burning even warmer. "What...what was that for you? Like, how did you feel about it?"
A flush crept up Kyle's cheeks as he remembered the passion of the previous night. He chuckled softly at Stan's awkwardness, his heart swelling with affection at the question.
"It was... perfect." He said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been wanting that for so long, Stan. And it was even better than I imagined."
He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Stan's ear, his touch gentle. "How about you? How did it feel for you?"
Stan's heart clenched at Kyle's words, the honesty in his voice soothing his earlier insecurities. He smiled softly, his eyes finally meeting Kyle's.
"It was... incredible. Better than I ever could've hoped, honestly."
He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing.
"But I didn't just mean... physically. I mean emotionally, I guess." He sighed, searching for the right words. "I... I need to know if this meant as much to you emotionally as it did to me."
Kyle's expression softened as he heard the vulnerability in Stan's voice. He reached out, gently resting his palm on Stan's cheek, his thumb tracing gently over his features.
"It meant everything to me, Stan. Emotionally and physically." He said quietly, his gaze steady and sincere. "I'm in this, you idiot. All in. I want you in every way I can have you."
He smiled, a teasing glint in his eye as he continued. "Didn't last night make that obvious?"
Stan felt a weight lift off his chest as he heard those words. A wave of relief washed over him, knowing that Kyle was just as invested in this as he was. He couldn't help but chuckle at the teasing remark.
"Shut up." He replied, nudging Kyle playfully with his shoulder. But his expression quickly turned serious again.
"But... you're sure about this? About us? There's no going back once we do this. And I won't be able to handle it if..." He trailed off, the fear of losing Kyle still lurking in the back of his mind.
Kyle's smile faded, replaced by a soft frown. He moved closer, wrapping an arm around Stan's waist, their bodies now pressed flush against each other.
"Hey, look at me." He said gently, waiting until Stan's eyes met his own.
"Yes, I'm sure. I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Look, it's understandable that you're scared, but Stan, I... You mean everything to me. There's no way in hell I'm going anywhere."
Stan's heart swelled in his chest as he listened to Kyle's words. The raw emotion, the conviction in his voice, it was enough to soothe the lingering doubts in his mind.
"Okay. Okay, I believe you." He replied, his own voice still a little shaky. He reached out, his hand coming up to cup Kyle's face, his thumb tracing over his jawline.
"But you can't blame me for worrying, dude. You've got no idea how long I've been scared shitless about losing you."
Kyle's expression softened further, his eyes searching Stan's face with a mixture of concern and affection. He reached up, placing his hand over Stan's, his fingers gently intertwining with his.
"I know, I know." He said softly, his grip on Stan's hand tightening slightly. "And I'm not blaming you for worrying. But I need you to trust me, okay?"
He paused for a moment, his expression turning sheepish, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"And to trust me when I say, I'm in this for the long haul. This isn't some passing
Stan swallowed, his throat suddenly tight. He'd known Kyle for practically his whole life, but he felt like he was seeing him in a completely new light.
"Yeah. Yeah, I trust you, dude." He managed to say, his voice just above a whisper. He allowed himself a small smile, some of the tension in his body loosening.
"And you promise to stick around, yeah?" He teased, his expression turning more lighthearted. "Even after you realize what a colossal pain in the ass I am?"
Kyle chuckled at Stan's question, his expression relaxed as he rolled his eyes fondly.
"I've known you since we were five, dude. I think I'm well aware of what a colossal pain in the ass you are." He retorted, grinning widely.
"And yeah, I promise to stick around. Even when you drive me insane, and annoy the crap out of me, and eat the last cookie. I'm sticking around."
Stan laughed, his earlier insecurity fading completely, replaced by a warm, affectionate glow in his chest. He pulled Kyle closer, their bodies completely pressed together, his arms wrapping tightly around him.
"Sap." He teased, a small smirk on his face. But he felt a flutter in his stomach at Kyle's words, the promise of a future together making his heart race.
"You're stuck with me, dude. No escape."
The rest of the day passed by in a bit of a blur. Stan and Kyle spent most of it lounging in Stan's room, alternating between talking, watching movies, and stealing kisses whenever they could. It was like they were both testing the boundaries of this new aspect of their relationship.
As the sun began to set, casting the room in a warm orange glow, Stan leaned back against the headboard while Kyle was sprawled out next to him, his head resting on his lap.
Stan's fingers idly played with Kyle's hair, the red locks slipping through his fingers like silk. He couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, a sense of rightness that he hadn't felt in a long time. He looked down at Kyle, watching him quietly for a moment.
"You know," He said softly, a small smirk on his lips, "We probably should start thinking about what we're gonna tell people."
Kyle opened his eyes, tilting his head back to look up at Stan. He'd been enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment, the feeling of Stan's fingers running through his hair. But at Stan's words, he let out a snort.
"Tell people? What, like make an announcement or something?" He said, raising an eyebrow in mock-amusement. "Should we make flyers?"
Stan chuckled, giving Kyle's hair a small tug in retaliation.
"Shut up." He said without any heat. "You know what I mean. Are we gonna tell anyone, or just let people figure it out on their own? Because honestly, I'm not sure I'm ready for the whole school to know."
Kyle's expression softened, his teasing demeanor giving way to seriousness.
"Yeah, no, I get it. I'm not really ready for that either." He said quietly, contemplating the issue for a moment.
"We could just... not tell anyone? Let it be our little secret, for now at least." He suggested.