Kyle didn't see Stan for a few months after that. Kenny and Butters would mention him periodically and Kyle assumed they did the same thing when talking to Stan, but they never actually spoke to each other. Stan texted Kyle the morning after the party and apologized for all he had to witness, and Kyle responded with a short and sweet "It's okay dude, shit happens :) I hope everything works out". Stan didn't respond.
Kyle was pretty content with not seeing Stan, though. Being even remotely attracted to someone for the first time since the fourth grade threw him completely off balance for a couple weeks. He procrastinated studying and completely forgot about a few homework assignments. He was stuck in a hole he couldn't dig himself out of, but luckily the ground shifted around him with a little bit of time. Soon enough, he was back on track and not obsessively imagining scenarios involving himself and Stan.
On track to maintain his 4.0 GPA and graduate high school in a week, he can afford to relax now. Everything assigned from here on out is just busy work, so he finishes it quickly. This means he can enjoy his time playing video games with Kenny while Butters snores softly between them, head against Kyle's shoulder and legs kicked up across Kenny's lap. It's only seven in the evening, but Butters has always had a knack for falling asleep whenever he felt like it, wherever he felt like it.
They sit and play Mario Kart, whispering threats and taunts at each other as to not wake the blonde sitting between them. They've been in the same position for a few hours undisturbed because Kyle's mom is visiting family in Jersey and his dad took Ike to Canada for some sort of Canadian coming of age ritual.
That is, they're undisturbed until Butters' phone rings, blaring Toxic by Britney Spears. All three boys startle, Butters by far the worst as the sound pulls him from sleep.
He gasps a sharp breath, chokes on it, and gives a few aggressive coughs while looking around dazedly as Kenny tugs his phone from his boyfriend's pocket, checking the caller ID before answering on his behalf.
"Stanny boy, what's good? You're on speaker, by the way," He asks fondly.
"Where are you right now? I have big news but I need to tell you in person," Stan rushes out, sounding uncharacteristically enthusiastic.
"Uh," Kenny looks over at Kyle, who just shrugs. "We're at Kyle's," He says.
Stan is quiet for a moment.
"Like, Kyle? The redhead Kyle?" Stan asks, tone unreadable. Kyle frowns.
"Yes, Stanley, the only fucking Kyle I know," Kenny deadpans, rolling his eyes.
"Oh," Stan says, falling quiet for another moment.
"Just come here to tell them, I don't care," Kyle pipes up, glaring at the phone. He doesn't like Stan's surprise at Kenny and Butters' involvement with him, but he smirks at the stutter Stan gives in response.
"Oh, uh, I guess, um, yeah, I guess I can do that," Stan stammers dumbly. Kenny raises his eyebrows and looks at Kyle, smirking as well. Butters giggles sleepily and tilts his head up to gauge Kyle's reaction.
"Don't choke on your fuckin' tongue, buddy," Kenny taunts, laughing outright at Stan's scoff.
"Whatever, dude, send me the address, would ya? I'll grab Jimmy on the way," Stan concedes, hanging up abruptly when Kenny agrees.
"Wow, asshole," Kenny grins at his phone despite the insult he just labeled Stan with. "Thanks for letting him come over, though, Kyley. I haven't heard him that excited in," He trails off, furrowing his brows and staring at the controller in his lap.
"When his mom got him that guitar?" Butters offers after a moment.
Kenny shrugs, looking at him with a sad smile, "Yeah, I think you're right, Buttercup,"
