Drunk Hearts

The Lake and the Moon

It had been a couple days since Stan's therapy appointment, and neither boy brought the topic up. Not even Kenny, who was still concerned by Stan's actions, thought it would be a good idea to talk about. Kenny and Kyle could see how worn down Stan was, even though it was just one appointment. They didn't know what happened, what Stan said or what the therapist said, but after seeing Stan relapse, it wasn't worth furthering it. They just kept their thoughts to themselves, Stan would speak up when he was ready.

During those days, Stan kept himself busy with work and school. Since he didn't go to in-person classes, it was easier to focus and keep his mind off of what happened. He could sit as his desk and work on his computer without the stares of his peers from how drained he looked.

Now, Stan and Kyle were working on homework on the couch. They sat on opposite sides, but kept their legs interlocked while they typed away on their laptops. After some time, Stan closed his laptop and slid it onto the coffee table, slithering his way under Kyle's arm.

"Stan, you're blocking the screen," Kyle sighed, yet not moving.

"And?" Stan asked.

"Annnd, I'm trying to work."

"We've been working for hours, we deserve a break," Stan further nuzzled his head into Kyle's chest.

Giving up, Kyle closed his laptop and sighed in defeat, "okay, fine. What do you want to do?"

"Go on a date with me," Stan said sternly, it wasn't really a question more than a command.

"Aw, is Stanley Marsh asking me out on a date? I think he has a crush on me..." Kyle chuckled sarcastically.

Stan just rolled his eyes, "I miss Stark's Pond. It was one of the only good places about South Park. Can we go to Varsity Lake? We could bring blankets and my speaker and have a picnic just like old times."

After Stan was done spewing, Kyle couldn't help but form a toothy smile, "okay Stan. We can go to the lake."

As if he was a puppy who just heard the word "walk", Stan jumped up off the couch all giddy and raced to his room to grab blankets. Kyle snickered to himself and lazily pulled himself to the kitchen. He started making sandwiches for the two of them, but then a thought occurred. Stan suggested a picnic. He suggested something surrounding food. He can't remember the last time he did that, and it made Kyle smile sheepishly.

"I grabbed the biggest blanket I could find!" Stan yelled, running down the stairs. Kyle was surprised he didn't trip.

"I'm making us some sandwiches, anything specific you want?" Kyle asked with some hidden worry.

"Uh," Stan stopped to genuinely think, "I kind of really liked the one you made for my lunch the other day."

"You ate it?" Kyle couldn't hide his happy tone.

"Yeah! I know it was just a regular sandwich but I think it tasted better knowing you made it," Stan rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment.

Kyle didn't want to make a big deal out of it, even though it was. At least for him. So, he continued making the sandwiches. He would gladly make anything for Stan if it helped him.

"Oh!" Kyle remembered, "I got a watermelon from the store not too long ago. I can cut it up for us to bring too!"

Stan's face lit up, "I love watermelon!"

"I know, it's the flavor of your vape," Kyle scoffed in amusement.

Stan rolled his eyes and stepped into the kitchen, hugging Kyle from behind. He mumbled something into the back of his shirt, but he couldn't quite make it out. He just giggled from how the vibration of his voice tickled his back.

Once everything was packed and ready to go, they hopped into Stan's car and shot Kenny a quick text that they'd be leaving for a bit. The lake wasn't too far of a drive, so they were there within minutes. Stan parked and Kyle grabbed the basket he had put the food into, letting the other take the blanket. They settled on a nice spot in the grass close to the shoreline, but not too close.

"This is so fucking good, dude," Stan muffled as he chewed.

Kyle blushed. "It's nothing special."

"Of course it is! Anything from your hands is special!"

Kyle was almost overwhelmed by the amount of compliments Stan was giving him, but he also didn't mind. He liked it, liked knowing Stan thought so highly of him. After being looked down upon for most of his life, from people like his parents and Cartman, Stan was always a very nice, and comfortable, change of pace.

The boys talked and laughed while they ate, admiring the lake and how the colors of the sky began to shift as the sun started to set. Much to Kyle's dismay, Stan took many (MANY) pictures: of Kyle, of the two of them, of the lake, of the sunset. Everything felt right, happy. The warmth of the air and the smiles made the evening perfect.

"Kyle, hat off!"

"You're pushing your luck, Stan."

Stan forced himself in for a kiss on the lips, and while Kyle was distracted, Stan ripped his hat off and took as many pictures as he could. Capturing the kiss, the realization, the annoyance, and the aftermath.

They more or less skipped rocks into the lake. Kyle was pretty good at it, but Stan on the other hand was basically just throwing them with one plop.

"You have to angle it, here, let me show you," Kyle said as he walked over and grabbed Stan's hand that held a rock.

He placed it in between his fingers, their bodies touching.

"Just line it up with the water, and flick your wrist," Kyle explained, moving Stan's wrist an an example.

Still holding on to Stan, Kyle counted down and tossed the rock with him. Amazingly, it skipped about five times before going under. Stan shot his arms up in triumph, jumping up and down and shouting with glee. He hugged Kyle like he had just won the Olympics, but that's one of the things Kyle liked most about Stan. He could make even the smallest and trivial things seem like huge accomplishments, and his happiness was contagious.

By the time the sun fully set, Kyle and Stan were laying on the blanket and staring at the sky. Little by little, the stars popped out. Kyle had his arm around Stan's shoulders, and Stan rested his head against Kyle's chest. They wished this moment could last forever; holding each other in a beautiful environment, talking, kissing, and watching the clouds.

"Glad you didn't keep doing homework?" Stan asked smugly.

"Nah, I'd much rather be doing my work," Kyle replied sarcastically, causing Stan to roll his eyes and grunt playfully.

The air grew colder, but they didn't mind. Neither one of them wanted to get up. They wanted to stay right where they were for as long as possible.

Stan listened to the beat of Kyle's heart, and the butterflies in his stomach never seemed to stop. He shifted his head just a tad so he could look at him instead of the night sky. His pale skin was glowing from the moonlight, and it made his features pop in the most breathtaking way.

"Hey Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"I..." he hesitated, "the moon looks beautiful tonight."

Kyle smiled into his words, "yeah Stan, it really does."

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