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There were a lot of things Kyle expected to happen in his life. Studying so he could end up in a hard-working career that would make his parents proud was one. Having Stan Marsh, his Super Best Friend, continue to be an everlasting presence in his life was another. And getting married to a nice girl and raising kids was perhaps another as well.
What he didn't expect was that only two of those things would likely end up being the case. The last one… well, not only realizing that he might be into guys but that his first crush on a guy would be said Super Best Friend certainly put a wrench in that ever being a thing. At least, the marrying a nice girl part, anyway.
Initially, when he made these discoveries in 7th grade, he was completely unnerved by them (moreso being attracted to Stan) and how desperately he didn't want to prove correct all those who either joked or legitimately assumed about him and Stan for years. He cherished their friendship deeply enough that he pushed the feelings deep down in hope they'll somehow go away.
They didn't. By the time he entered high school, he had come to accept these facts of his life, albeit in a bit of a begrudging way. He didn't want to view these feelings as something of a curse because when he put aside all the negative scenarios that his mind couldn't help conjuring up, they actually made him feel warm inside and gave him some level of confidence. Enough confidence that he could take on the world if he so desired. In fact, he gained enough of such that he decided he was going to finally admit his feelings to his long time best friend. Though the question was, how?
How was he going to finally broadcast his affection to Stan without either bailing out or messing up his words? That was when the memory of him singing a song outside Rebecca's bedroom window to impress her came to him and then he had his solution.
Was he really going to do this? Serenade to his best friend of practically their whole lives? The same way he did to Rebecca back then? It seems that would be the case tonight.
While walking home from the bus stop one Friday afternoon, he asked Stan to sleep over at his house this time around, as per their usual routine of doing so at each other's houses every weekend. Stan responded, "Dude, you don't need to ask. Of course I will!" Kyle said back, "Well, there's a reason for this actually. I have to show you something important tonight."
"Oh, really? Is it something bad?" Stan spoke with concern. Kyle assured him that it isn't and that it's actually something good. That had Stan's face light up with such a beautiful smile which always gave Kyle such a warm feeling inside every time.
After making their way into the Broflovski house, where they greeted the parents with their arrival, and up the stairs to Kyle's room, the nervous feeling hit the redhead once more. He even considered backing out of this and waiting for another time to tell him, but part of his mind reminded him to not give up so easily and that he's got this.
"So, what do you want to do first?" Stan asked. Kyle shook off the trepidation and replied, "Well, why don't we start off with some games? Bet I'll beat your ass in Splatoon." "You're on!"
So that was what they did for two hours until Kyle's mom called them down for dinner. After they were finished eating and headed back up, Kyle thought back to dinner when Ike gave him a look that he knew basically said "So are you going to say something to him finally?" That was when he decided to make his move at last.
Though it seems Stan was ahead of him by pointing it out, "Hey, so earlier, you said you had something important to show me tonight. I kind of wanted to see that now. If you don't mind, of course." "Right right, sure Stan. Give me a bit to get it." By "it" he means his old wooden guitar that he still had after all these years.
'Well, this was it. Finally time to sing the song that expresses my feelings for my best friend,' he mused as he sat on his bed across from Stan. The other gave a curious look at what was in his possession. "Oh, you're gonna sing me something? From the looks of it, it seems like you're about to serenade me there" Stan huffed out a small laugh after saying that.
That made Kyle freeze up in surprise. He knew Stan was likely joking, but nonetheless it felt embarrassing that the other inadvertently guessed correctly what he was about to do. His doubts started to well up inside him once again as he put his guitar down next to his side and looked down, his welled-up eyes unable to meet his friend's along with his shaking hands gripping his thighs.
Stan caught this and went to cup Kyle's hands in his. "Kyle, please don't cry. I'm sorry for making that joke, I want to hear you sing to me even if it IS a serenade." Stan attempted to assure the redhead with that smile that always made him warm. That certainly gave him back the confidence he needed for this.
Kyle's hands slipped out of Stan's and picked back up the guitar, adjusting it in his lap and hands. "All right, here I go." The redhead takes one deep breath before his fingers start strumming the strings and his voice finally singing the long awaited words.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
No, he was not a fool. Not at all. He absolutely wasn't a fool at all.
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Yes, please stay. These feelings being conveyed are not sinful at all.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
That's right. They were meant to be. Everyone around them seemed to think so and he had to agree with that assessment.
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
'Yes, I'll take your hand. I'll even hold your whole life like it's a priceless treasure.'
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
They really were. Oh my god, they absolutely were.
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
Stan sat there in absolute shock, unable to believe that Kyle had actually serenaded him and with such a beautiful song at that. If he saw Elvis' ghost ever, he was going to profusely thank him for creating that song as it was the most touching love confession he ever received, especially from his beloved best friend.
"Well, that's what I wanted to show you, Stan" Kyle finally said after a minute of letting the song sink in a bit. "A way of expressing these feelings I've had for you for about two years."
"T-two years? Oh wow, Kyle…" Stan stated in disbelief, this somehow slipping past him all that time even though in hindsight, it definitely explained some peculiar behavior Kyle had displayed around him during that period.
"Yes, Stan. Two years. That was mostly me finding you attractive though. Only recently have I realized that my feelings for you are actually deeper than that. I've fallen for you, I love you" Kyle felt such a relief as he admitted this. He didn't care how Stan reacted for the time being, he was just glad he finally said it.
The words sunk into Stan and suddenly, he felt the urge to tell Kyle the truth: that he loved him too. That he liked him for just as long as the other boy had with him. However, he was extremely nervous that he wouldn't be able to talk or worse, he'd regain his ability to vomit whenever he was around his old flame. So Stan decided to respond to Kyle's feelings another way.
Stan leaned forward, cupped Kyle's face in his hands, and brought their lips together. Kyle was surprised for a brief second before he easily accepted it, closing his eyes and having his hands grip Stan's shirt tightly. They kissed for a little bit more before they both pulled back and stared at each other in awe, adoration, and love.
"I love you too, Kyle. Just as long as you. Always…" Stan stated breathlessly while both pressing their foreheads together and sporting that warmth-inducing smile that Kyle loves.
A half hour and change of clothes into pajamas later, the two Super Best Friends (now boyfriends) laid under the covers cuddling and basking in the glow of their love. They both still couldn't believe that this was real and not a dream that floated around for years.
They initially were going to talk some more, but the exhaustion from the excitement of today overcame them and they ended up asleep, Kyle's head resting on Stan's shoulder and their arms wrapped around one another.
The next morning, after waking up and confirming that the events of last night were real, the two came down the stairs and into the kitchen to have breakfast. They saw Kyle's parents at the table having their usual cereal and orange juice. They didn't see Ike there so it seems he hadn't woken up yet.
"Good morning boys," Gerald greeted the two as they sat down in chairs next to each other. The boys greeted him back and prepared to have their breakfast. It was when Stan was chewing on a piece of his waffle and Kyle was sipping his coffee that Sheila decided to speak up.
“Kyle, I must say, that song you sang for Stanley last night was very beautiful. I’m proud of you, bubbeleh.”
Both Stan and Kyle choked at hearing this and felt their faces heat up. “M-mom!” Kyle exclaimed in embarrassment after managing to swallow his mouthful of coffee. Stan’s embarrassment was strong enough to keep him silent.
“Sheila…” Gerald sighed, “Was it really necessary to let Kyle know that we heard him?”
“Wait… Did Ike hear me too?”
"Yep. Totally did." Ike answered, right on cue as he descended down the stairs and to his place at the dining table, his knowing smirk visible.
Kyle put his burning face in his hands and groaned. He could easily see them bringing this up for years to come. Hell, it'll likely get brought up at their potential wedding.
Wedding… Heh, baby steps, Kyle. Baby steps.
Kyle felt a hand on his shoulder, which prompted him to turn. He saw Stan who gave him yet again that warm smile, a look that read "I'm with you through this". The redhead beamed at the sight and felt his embarrassment subside.
The rest of the Broflovski family decided to not say anything and let the two have their moment. It was what they deserved.