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The suddenly empty audience felt jarring when Eric stepped out onto the set, Kyle leading the way with a triumphant expression. He was dressed in black from neck to toe, his green ushanka the only remaining color gracing his appearance. The stage lights seemed to blind Eric.
“Take a look, fatass. I beat you! You aren't going on Dateline; what do you have to say now?” Kyle said, his voice sharp and smug.
Eric’s fingers tightened around the hem of his hat, which he held in front of his chest like someone in mourning. His mind raced as he glanced at Kyle, who was staring back at him expectantly.
He asked for a miracle, and here it was. Eric, for once, was speechless. He had been exposing his own secrets unwillingly for the past day and a half, beside himself with anxiety at the idea of going on Dateline and revealing all of the things he'd spent his whole life hiding.
At first, his plan was perfect. He'd get to go on Dateline and spew hate speech about Jews without consequence, which was ultimately just another one of his plans to rile up Kyle, as always.
But then his words and thoughts lost any distinction and everything that crossed his mind became a verbalized statement. Whether it was fantasizing about Patty Nelson (the first name that came to mind to stop himself from saying Kyle), admitting to secretly crying at night about not having a dad, or about his unsolicited sexual experiences as a child, it was all exposed for the world to hear. And he had none to blame but himself. Except maybe that kid who gave him the idea in the first place. Fuck Thomas.
But Kyle had saved him.
Eric’s eyes met Kyle’s. His mouth hung slightly ajar in shock, simply from the fact that Kyle did all of this just to help him, to stop him, whatever it was. He did it for him. Kyle just met him with an arrogant smile.
As soon as the thought of hugging Kyle entered his mind, Eric’s arms were already wrapped tightly around Kyle’s torso, his head burrowed in the crook of Kyle's neck. “Oh, thank you— Thank you, Kahl!” he half-sobbed. It was like a massive wave of relief had washed over him. His fingers dug into Kyle’s back, scrunching any fabric he could latch onto and pressing himself closer.
“What?” Kyle asked in shock, his arms hanging limply at his sides. The self-satisfaction had completely left his tone, instead replaced by confusion.
Eric squeezed tighter for a moment as he spoke, letting go halfway through. “I asked God to send someone to help me, and you came, Kahl! I love you, man!” Eric almost yelled, grabbing Kyle by the shoulders.
“No! I-I.. I beat you!” Kyle insisted, sounding less and less certain.
Eric stared directly into Kyle's eyes, his heart pounding. “You totally saved my ass, Kahl! You must.. really care about me,” he said quietly.
“Wh—” Kyle yelped in surprise.
Eric pulled Kyle into him, unaware of what even he was doing until it was too late. So much for hiding his crush. The thought had translated into an urge, the urge had become an action, and the action..
Eric surged forward, his lips nearly grazing Kyle’s. For a split second, he could feel his own breath fan over Kyle's skin, a cloud of hot air filling the miniscule space between them.
Instinctually, Kyle shoved Eric away from him before anything could happen. Kyle's eyes were glued wide open, his pupils blown as he watched Eric turn away all too quickly. Eric had his arms raised into the air in celebration while he danced erratically. “See ya, Kahl! I gotta get to a psychiatrist to control what I say!” he exclaimed.
He was a little sad that Kyle had pushed him away, but Eric expected nothing less from him.
~~~
“I’ve got a golden ticket, thanks to Kahl! I got a golden twinkle in my eye!” Cartman sang, running up the steps to leave the set.
Kyle watched in utter shock as the doors clacked shut behind Cartman, who'd spun around out of raw joy thanks to him. Now alone, Kyle stood on the stage with reddened cheeks and absolutely no idea what had just happened.
“What the fuck was that?” Kyle murmured softly.
He lifted his hand and gently touched the pads of his fingers to his lips, feeling the residual buzz where Cartman's breath had touched him. Wow.
Kyle's heart fluttered.
Maybe he should save Cartman more often.
Aw, shit!