Chapter Text
Stan Marsh lays hungover in bed
groaning in agitation as he burrows himself deeper into his blanket, in a feeble attempt to block the bright suns rays piercing through his curtains.
he had been doing this sad attempt to return to sleep for a while now, he was outright refusing to begin his day.
Summers at Tegridy Farms were excruciating.
He had practically nothing to do all day, whatever friends he had lived ages away and for the most part, were off working real jobs and making something of themselves.
Whilst Stan was practically forced to work at his egotistical fathers farm, a place in which he despised.
It served as nothing more then a constant reminder of his fathers inconsiderate and self indulgent nature. Nothing more then a by-product of him prioritizing his idiotic business ventures over his family, completely disregarding their wellbeing.
Stans room was thickly coated with the musky aroama of weed, tied with the sharp pungent smell of alcohol. He lazily rubbed his temple, his head was throbbing with a painful ache, consequences to his late night indulgences.
Stans enviroment and overall pessimistic view on life had turned him into a pretty cynical individual, this made him kinda unbearable to be around according to his friends.
he learned to cope with this through substance abuse, usually alcohol, yet in recent years marijuana was added into the mix. It was a form of escapism for him, to distract himself from his "shitty" reality.
Although he would never admit it to himself, he really was his fathers son.
He tightened his grip on his blanket, after alot of effort, his eyelids began to grow heavy, his mind began to settle, he could finally feel himself slowly driffting back into sleep.
just as he was about to succumb to slumber the loud shrill of the door bell echoed abnoxiously throughout the house, harshly julting Stan back into reality.
He irritably set up. Scowling as he threw his pillow on the wooden floor, completely abandoning the hope of any sleep
His first instinct was to just ignore it, like he usually does, let someone else answer the door, but then he realised that he was the only one at home.
Great.
He stared blanky at his wall in lethargic contemplation until once again the quiet was cut by the piercing ringing sound, snapping him out of his daze
"impatient asshole" he thought, sluggishly heaving himself out of bed.
He ran a hand through his unruly dark hair, the unmistakeble smell of weed wafting after him as he maneuvered throughout his home.
he wasnt going to bother try and fix his dishevelled appearance.
He leaned his weight as he pushed open the heavy door, the latches clicked into place revealing a bright glaring sun that disorientated his vision.
He winced and rubbed his eyes, squinting to try to make out what was infront of him.
Two men in white dress shirts, narrow black ties and thick black nametags stood clasping small books, one blonde and the other brunnette, grinning unapologetically.
Fucking Mormons.
"Hello!, I'm Elder Graham and this is Elder Harrison, can we talk to you about the wonderful Church of Latter-day Saints?" the brunnette chirped enthusiastically.
Stans brows furrowed in distain as he scrambled his brain for a reply, he hated how overly positive mormons were, it felt forced and unauthentic.
He began to mumble a faulty response until the light haired one spoke up, his eyes widened in recognition.
"Stan Marsh?"
His heart dropped, the realisation dawned on him, he could recognize that unwavering positive attitude from anywhere.
Gary Harrison.
The Mormon kid that had gone to his school for a little bit back in South Park, The guy that Stan was set to fight with and instead got invited to family dinner. The same kid he pushed away and mocked for his religion. A kid who only wanted to be his friend.
There was a long pause "Hi uhm ..Hi Gary." he stammered suddenly growing self aware and embarrased for his own lackluster appearence, tugging awkwardly at his sleeve. He was certain they could smell the weed off him.
Gary looked well.
the bright sun illuminated his pale blonde hair and he had a handful of freckles plastered across the bridge of his nose, his eyes were bright and full of vigour, his uniform complimented him nicely.
Thats not weird to think is it?
"Oh Wow!" Gary said turning to his partner
"Graham this is an old classmate of mine from South Park!"
Gary formed a genuine smile while he scanned Stans face.
Stan felt his chest tighten.
He was slightly taken aback by his posititive attitude, last time him and Gary interacted they weren't on great terms, he didnt think Gary had held a grudge all those years or anything, but he atleast expected him to be a bit weary, or maybe Stans just immature.
Stan wishes he had atleast said something to Gary himself, he didnt even had the guts to apologise, He was too much of a self righteous asshole back then. Stan felt a lump of shame curl in his throat.
"Lovely to meet you sir! " Graham exclaimed hastily grabbing Stans hand and shaking it
causing stan to slightly jolt.
"Its lovely to see old friends isnt it?"
Stan faltered, another pause.
"What are your thoughts on God? " Graham continued, a wide grin on his face.
Stan stared at him pensively, until Gary interrupted
"Sorry Graham, im almost certain Stans not interested in what we have to say" he laughed sheepishly, deescalating the situation. He gave Stan a reassuring look.
Stan felt the knots in his chest strain.
"...Alrighty then! " Graham retorted a slight hint of confusion laced through his tone.
Elder Graham stepped backwards, glaring at Elder Harrison.
".. Well it was lovely meeting you uhm..Stanley, but we really should move onto the next house! "
Gary stood still for a moment, staring blankly at Stan, then he began to nod in agreeance.
"Yes i suppose thats right, it was nice seeing you Stan" he commented, followed by a warm smile.
Stan could feel his guilt burning through the tendrils of his body, he wanted to apologise for him and his dickhead ways.
He understood that Gary probably doesnt even care like at all anymore, but he doesnt understand how he thought he was in any position to turn away such a nice person from being his friend, he would do anything for that now.
being constantly alone in this hell of a farm was driving him insane, plus the short time Stan had been friends with Gary, he remembers foundly, yes Gary was unusual and unlike his other friends but he did genuinely enjoy being around him.
He liked how Gary made him feel.
Elder Graham and Elder Gary began to make their way down the steps of the farms porch.
Stan swallowed his hesitations and tenatively called out
"Uhhm...Gary?" he stammered, digging his thumb into his palm.
Gary turned around, Elder Graham kept walking.
"Yeah Stan?" an innocent smile spread across his face.
"I just wanted to..uhm...uh"
he inhaled sharply.
" I'd like to apologise for being an asshole...all those years ago and uh.. I..I understand you're probably over it and shit and this is stupid but I really should've said something because you're a really nice guy I-"
Gary let out an airy laugh, playfully patting Stans shoulder.
"You really dont have to do that Stan" he assured.
Stan exhaled, he had been holding his breath.
"But thank you, I appreciate it, It really is nice to see your face again Stan"
A warmth seemed to creep up stans neck , Stan felt as though his chest was about to concave
Gary watched stans face in what almost looked like genuine admiration.
A moment had passed and a slight change in expression seemed to flicker over Garys features, as if he realised something and reminded himself of it
Garys mood appeared to dim slightly
he stared into the clouds for a moment, lost in thought. Until eventually glancing back at Stan.
"I do have to go now Stan, but ill definitely visit soon so we can catch up okay?"
Stan felt a smile forming on his face. finally someone to distract him from his own self deprication, for atleast a bit. It was a kind gesture on Gary's part, Stan understood it was most likely out of pity, but he felt too isolated lately to let it bother him.
It was something to look forward to, something he really needed.
he wasnt gonna let Gary know that though. God that would be embarrasing
""
Stan watched as Gary walked off in a slight jog to catch up with Elder Graham.
smiling as he closed the door after him.