Work Text:
Stan Marsh was twenty-one when he dropped out of Denver University.
He went for a football scholarship and a chance to find out what could be done for a career.
Go Boone!
Ha.
It was all pointless.
Sometimes he looked at his friends and saw their brightness. Their hope. His super best friend, Kyle, glowed like an ember. He hated them sometimes.
Well.
No.
The majority of time he felt like hail coming down on a stormy night. Cold. Hard. Unwelcome.
Then one day his super best friend goes silent. What was he doing? Stan couldn’t say.
But it was more important than him.
Months went by and sporadically he tried to regain contact. But there was nothing. The occasional negative emotions he felt came through.
This time he felt…
Vengeance.
Anger.
Thunder.
Stan tried to hide his anger. He masked it with a kind smile and soft words. It didn’t work as well as he hoped. But maybe masking is a sign of weakness.
Why hide what it’s inside?
His dad used to say he was too sensitive, that he was “funny”, and that he was becoming a liberal pussy.
Randy never understood his world. He was dumb. An overgrown man-child. A speck of human filth.
Some days he finds his sperm donor sprawled on the couch from a binge of drinking and smoking weed.
Stan wonders.
He eyed one of the steak knives.
“Stan, you are my super best friend!”
Stan refrains.
One day Kenny stops by in his old truck. He is called o’le Betsy. His smile dropped when he noticed everything around them.
Cows were butchered.
Stan was getting them ready to be stored.
“S-Stan, man, you good?” he asked uneasily.
Stan cleaned up the truck. He looked at the blonde. “Yes? Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked with a sharp laugh.
Kenny stared.
“You ... .love animals. You never even wanted to shoot a buck when we were kids.” he responded.
Animals.
Humans.
What makes a difference anymore?
“It’s just part of working on the farm,” he said flippantly.
A lot of people checked on him after that. Wendy. His mom. Butters. Even Cartman. He snorted. Can’t they see that Stan doesn’t want their care anymore?
Ice is detached.
Cold.
It can make you bleed.
Stan drinks.
He smokes.
“Stan, you need to get your shit together. You can’t be doing all this all the time.” said Randy.
Sharon eyed him with concern. “We are concerned sweetheart.” she said gently.
Stan looked at Randy. His dad blinked as his eyes stayed still. “And you?” he asked softly.
Randy gulped. “I-I don’t have a problem, Stan. God.” he exclaimed.
He stabbed the steak with his fork. His parents eyed him. Stan smiles with wide teeth. “If you say so,” he said calmly.
Later that night Stan looks at the framed photo of him and Kyle. They were eight, maybe? It was during a birthday party. His smile was toothy and Kyle was beaming.
He traced the photo with his fingers. They were getting long. Who was this boy in this photo? Did he ever exist or was he meant for Kyle’s memories?
What would Kyle want him to do?
Stan remembered his optimism. His fire. The way he stood tall and let his principles guide him.
None of his thoughts ever include hurting Kyle. It’s an odd thing, isn’t it? Perhaps he’s his angel.
The one guiding him towards moral reckoning.
Stan continues drinking.
Then he meets Craig Tucker.
What a coincidence.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Craig Tucker is a rich kid from the suburbs of Chicago. A drifter. Remarkably privileged and not grateful for it.
Stan watches as Craig ends up in their friend group with a sense of disgust. Who could be so rich and yet so utterly charmless.
He smiles.
“I’m Stan. It’s nice to meet you dude.” he said.
Craig eyed him.
For the first time the stoic boy wasn’t able to speak sharply. Bluntly. A few words. His words were careful.
“Craig, as you heard. Nice to meet you.” he said evenly.
The stoic man looks at Tweek and then looks at Stan.
Craig narrowed his eyes.
What’s this?
This is new.
Stan never follows the men. He’s not so depraved that he doesn’t understand where the line is drawn.
But Craig isn’t as smart as he thinks he is. A long look at the light fluttery blonde hair on Tweek’s head. Looking at Stan a little too long when he thinks the farmer isn't paying attention.
He was going to investigate when Kyle came back from Spring Break. His eyes were bright and smile was wide as he came to greet Stan.
What the fuck?
“Stan, hey dude, you won’t believe how fucking insane my course lord has been. Studying law is a bitch, man.” he greeted as he went through the door with the spare key Stan gave him.
Stan stared.
“Did you not have a minute to answer a text message?” he asked sharply.
The redhead’s face fell.
“I’m sorry, Stan! It’s just so busy and then I got involved in so many activities it’s been hard for me to have a social life. Ma wants to put me under house arrest.” he said apologically.
Stan didn’t say anything.
Kyle immediately gave him a hug.
He closes his eyes.
A little ice melts.
For a little while he feels something relating to himself. Or little Stan. He coos at dogs in the streets.
Stan jokes.
Kenny smiles.
Craig watches.
Then the distance comes. Stan should have expected it, really. Angels have a lot of people to help. To sparkle their light among them.
Oh.
There’s the occasional text messages. They speak for a little while as months go by before it goes dead.
Kenny dies.
A part of him doesn’t feel surprised-like its routine-which doesn’t make sense.
Another part wonders how a soul filled with so much energy and love could go away so soon.
His parents are fighting more than normal. Sharon leaves. He stays with Randy. What else was he going to do?
Randy drinks.
Again and again.
He manages the invoices. As always. Their sales were low due to the cost of living.
Of course.
Stan manages the fields and preserves real vegetables and meat as a part of self-sufficiency.
Someone has to be an adult.
One day the Tweak’s are murdered. He receives a message from both Tolkien and Clyde.
His eyebrows furrowed.
Stan goes to the funeral.
Hears the rumors.
Kyle is back too. He looks lost. He tried to give Tweek supportive conversation but it sounded weak.
Craig stops him before he speaks to the angel of mercy.
“Don’t you wonder what it would be like if he could always be there?” the stoic boy questions.
Stan blinked.
What?
“Excuse me?”
Craig walks with him to the outside of the church. He was smoking his cigarette with ease.
“You brighten up with Kyle. You are almost….involved again. Why would you give that up?” he asked critically.
Is this guy seriously giving him advice on his life?
Stan laughed.
“Kyle is meant for great things. I’m not going to keep him from that. I’m not his keeper.” he retorted.
What’s with this guy?
Craig went to him.
They were almost nose to nose.
“Why not?” he said simply.
Then the stoic man went away and his eyes were wide.
….Who came into their town?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stan learns to hide.
He watches Craig.
Who is watching Tweek.
Clyde when he’s not around.
So that’s how it is. He’s a stalker. Possibly worse. He keeps his hood on as Craig goes inside and speaks warmly to Tweek.
“Everything will be just fine, honey. Nobody has suspected a thing.” reassured Craig.
Stan smirked.
“B-but the report shows something, Craig! What if they are watching us?” shrieked Tweek.
Craig hugged him.
Then grabbed his hand.
“Just follow my lead, okay? I won’t let you go down for what I did.”
Gotcha.
He goes to the cops. Stan gets the toxicity reports. He didn’t explain why or how he needed it.
The Tweek’s had an unknown compound in their system.
How did the cops not realize what was going on? Was Yates still in charge? Stan stared.
Fucking people.
It’s ridiculously easy to bribe an officer with immoral conduct. Little weed here, another here, and they are willing to let a lot of things slide. A corrupt cop was easier to work with than an honest one.
Even reckless driving.
Stan goes to Cartman’s home. Anybody who knows anything knows that he would have supplied it.
Luckily the fatass always had a healthy fear of him.
“Why should I tell you anything, Marsh? Everything has a price.” said Cartman. He was drinking a cheap beer.
He grabbed Cartman by the shirt. Kept his voice remarkably calm and smiled. “Because I can do more than just kick your ass, dude. You wanna find out?”
Cartman darts his eyes.
“Fine, you hippie.” he huffed.
Stan finds out Craig came to his home and asked for drugs. Blah blah blah. It confirmed what he already knew.
He eyed Cartman.
They always put up with his sociopathic behavior. Kyle was the most harmed by it.
Then he enabled a murderer.
Why does he live and the Tweak’s don't?
“Thanks. You've been a lot of help.” he said before punching him.
Then kicked him in the balls.
Stan grabbed a steak knife.
“No! Stan, this isn’t right!”
“Super best friends forever!”
“Why are you looking at me like that, dude?”
Sometimes angels need help in giving mercy. Stan is just giving a helping hand. Kyle will understand.
Stan stabs him straight in the heart and leaves.
He destroys the knife.
Mercy is given for those who deserve it.
Craig confronts him one day in his home. Tweek isn’t with him. Apparently he’s doing things for the business his parents used to do.
“So you finally took him out. I wondered why that waste was still around. He was quite infamous around these parts.” he said with a satisfied smile.
What?
What did this guy want from him?
Stan stared. “I know you killed the Tweaks. What do you want, dude?” he asked warily.
Stan feels his hunting knife in his pocket.
Craig smiled.
“There aren't many people like me around, Stan. You are the first I have seen. Masking a pretty personality to hide the emptiness underneath.” he explained.
Hell no.
The fuck he isn’t.
Stan went closer. His eyes went as cold as the ice underneath. He gripped his knife. Craig chuckled.
“I’m nothing like you! I got rid of him because he’s a disease. A plague. A terrible fucking person.” he said coldly.
The stoic man went closer. Their lips were nearly touching. Stan recoiled. Craig grinned. “Why do you think I got rid of Tweek’s parents? They drugged Tweek for years. Surely you know. My bird needed to be set free.”
Stan clenched his fist.
“Why do you keep giving Fatass chances, dude? He’s a menace.”
“What do you mean me? We all did. And sometimes he’s not so bad. Maybe he’ll get, I dunno, therapy.
He unclenched his fist.
Maybe….Craig needs someone. A friend. That’s what Kyle would have wanted, right?
Right.
“I guess we share some similarities,” he said coolly.
Craig smiled.
“Do you need assistance getting the redhead here? I have the money for a PI if you need him back.” he offered seamlessly.
He blinked.
“It’s not like that,” he insisted.
Did Craig think they were romantically involved? Why was he acting like he had a right to Kyle?
“My offer is always open for a fellow…friend. Especially when he seems so important to your well-being.” the stoic man said with a wicked smirk.
…..What?
Stan stared.
“Tweek gave me purpose. Gentleness. Love. Kyle does that for you too, doesn’t he? Or something similar?”
Stan nodded.
“Angel of mercy.” he whispers.
Craig looks at his nails. They are trimmed. “The funny thing about angels of mercy is they are quite selfless but they don’t know they aren’t always…correct. They need a guide. A firm hand.” he mused.
He stood up.
Walked away.
“See you around.”
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kyle is back for the summer. He hugged Stan. Stan let his hands fall. The redhead frowns.
“I’m back! We can hang out. Just like old times.” he said happily.
Stan stared.
“Who are you?” he demanded. He took Kyle’s hand and squeezed hard.
Kyle hissed.
“Y-you know who I am. I’m Kyle. Your best friend. Is this some type of joke? Because it’s not funny.”
Stan let his hand relax. Kyle shakily sat down on his couch. He smiled. Things are as they should be.
“So what do you wanna watch?” he asked with a grin.
Maybe he could keep the redhead for a little while. If Kyle knew he was needed here, he’d stay.
Wouldn’t he?
Kyle stared. His hands were shaking. “D-don’t do that again. I’ll kick your ass. You hear me?” he barked.
Neither of them were gay. Bisexual. Or otherwise. But Tweek wasn’t a bird and Craig was happy, wasn’t he?
“You got it.” he said with a smile.
Kyle sat down.
Things are going to change one way or another this summer.
Later on during the summer the redhead hears about Cartman. He pales. “W-who would do this? I know he was terrible…but nobody deserves that.”
Angel of fucking mercy.
“Cartman dealt with a lot of shady characters dude. Probably made some enemies. It sucks but it was only a matter of time if you think about it.” he said offhandedly.
Kyle stared.
“What is happening to this town? Three people are dead. Tweek is distant. There’s this guy around town always staring at me. I had never seen him before. T-there’s other things too. This doesn’t seem like the South Park we grew up in.”
Stan put down his blunt angrily.
Who the fuck was watching Kyle? His angel? Who felt they had that right? Stan got his heart back.
Kyle jumped.
“W-what’s wrong?” he stuttered.
Is Craig trying to take what isn’t his to take? Kyle belongs to their friends, to Stan, but not that demented freak.
Stan recovers.
“Just thinking about how much I want to kill that asshole who thinks he can keep harming people. Piece of shit.” he spat.
Kyle’s green eyes are wide. He went closer to Stan. “You know I’m upset too but don’t give in to the anger. You aren’t like this. We’ll deal with this together.” he said softly.
……Together?
Stan softens.
He must see.
“Together,” he agreed quietly.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stan goes back in his hood.
It’s remarkable how much people don’t pay attention.
He watches Craig. Who is watching Kyle. Then he gives a smirk at Stan. Points. Then gestures to himself. “Delicious, isn’t he?” he mouths.
He clenched his fist.
Stan turns away. He needs to intervene. Get Kyle away. Maybe hold him somewhere.
Kill Craig.
Goddamn it.
He should have never trusted Craig. Fucking piece of shit.
He goes to Kyle’s. Shelia is welcoming as usual. Stan waits on the redhead with excess energy.
Kyle greets him with a happy smile and they go to his bedroom. His eyes follow his small form.
A woman couldn’t protect him. Not the way he needs. Not the way Kyle would protect others.
Stan tackles him.
Kyle is laughing.
“W-why are you so excited? You and Wendy get back together?”
Wendy?
He blinked.
Stan held his cheeks. He looked. Kyle’s bright eyes were as infectious as ever. His smile was dimming. His super best friend darted his eyes.
“You know what I need, don’t you?” he murmured.
Kyle struggled under Stan’s bulky form. He gave up after two minutes of attempting to leave.
Stan took a curl. “You are so small. Yet so strong. I worry about you, you know. You get yourself in so much trouble sometimes. Remember the ginger cow situation?” he continued.
Kyle tried to speak. He put his finger on the other man’s lips. “Nope. No arguing.” he said calmly.
Stan experiments.
He kissed Kyle.
Hmm.
Nothing.
The redhead gasped. “Stan, what the fuck-“ he almost yelled.
Stan rolled his eyes.
“Don’t be such a girl, Kyle. It didn’t mean anything.”
He stood up.
“Well, are we going to play games? I was thinking we would play Red Dead Redemption.” he suggested.
Kyle stared.
He sat down hesitantly. Looked at Stan. Stan smiled at him. He knew that he’d understand.
What are super best friends for?
They played games. Kyle was unusually quiet. Stan watched the redhead with worry.
Was it Craig?
When Stan left he pulled the redhead in a bone crushing hug. Kyle squeaked. He looked at his angel.
“I’m here for you. Anybody fucks with you know I got it. I mean it. Don’t you dare not tell me if something doesn’t happen.” he said icily.
Kyle just nodded.
Good.
Unfortunately there were some things Stan didn’t plan for. The one day he was distracted by Randy’s bullshit Kyle was taken.
“Sharon? Sharon?” called out Randy with a pitiful sniffle.
Stan rolled his eyes.
“Fucking useless.”
He goes to the coffee shop. Tweek was working the counter. He slides him a note. Stan grabs it and leaves.
Clyde stared.
You waited too long. Now you’ll see what happens if you don’t protect your belongings. Or don’t. This is a lesson we all need to learn.
Stan rushed to Tweek’s apartment. Clyde was calling after him. He ignored him. This was more important.
Who could say that about someone they love? Kyle was idealistic, a little naive sometimes, sheltered, and sometimes a bit of a firecracker.
But Stan didn’t own him.
He slammed the door open. Craig was smiling. Kyle was gagged and tied up. He was unclothed.
“How could you, you demented prick? I thought we understood each other.” he snarled.
Kyle’s muffled voice was trying to speak. Tears were coming out of his eyes. He looked at Stan with pleading eyes.
“I tried giving you advice. You seemed to have some sense after killing the fat tub of shit. Then you can’t retrieve the love of your life. What do you expect, Stan? Someone needs to explain the ways of the world to you. You are naive.” he said disappointedly. Then Craig gave Kyle a wink.
Kyle started kicking his feet and the muffled sounds were increasing. Stan ignored him. This wasn’t the time.
“Kyle is my best friend. I don’t own him. No matter what you say. We are fundamentally equals.” he said firmly.
The redhead calmed down slightly. Craig dragged the chair closer to him. He smiled. Then he felt his hair. “Then you don’t mind if I take him, do you? He’s not my type, personally, but if you aren’t looking after him then Tweek and I can take him.” he said as he continued playing with the curl.
What the fuck is he playing at?
Kyle freaked out and started to kick his feet in every direction. He didn’t go very far.
“Fuck no, Tucker. You aren’t taking him anywhere. So help me. If you don’t let him go I’ll kill you.” he snapped.
Kyle’s eyes went wide.
“This is why I got rid of Cartman. He’s evil. Just like you. You claim to care but you are a goddamn sociopath.” he growled.
Craig took off the gag.
“Stan, please, don’t! He’s going to hurt you.” he blubbered as tears came out.
“So sweet. So kind. Not unlike my tweety-bird. I wonder what he’d taste like.” the stoic man said teasingly.
“Fuck you, over my dead-“ said the redhead before Craig punched him in the jaw. Kyle briefly fell down in the chair. What did he do to make the redhead go down so easily?
Stan stood up.
Craig repeated the action.
“You’re dead.”
Stan attacked with vengeance. Craig dodged as much as possible but his reflexes were weak.
He felt his boouie knife.
“Tell me what you did,” he ordered.
Craig was breathing heavily, his stomach cut open, and glaring. He looked at the redhead. “Just gave him some drugs to knock him out. Fucker is so tiny he will be affected more then most of us.” he spat out.
Stan stabbed him in the heart.
He went over to Kyle.
“Angel? Are you okay?” he whispers with tears down his cheeks.
Kyle blinked hazily. “W-what happened? Who is Angel? Did we meet someone?” he mumbled.
Stan smiles in relief.
If an angel of mercy dies then there is no hope in the world. Nothing worth waking up too.
He picked Kyle up. Held him in his arms and continuously rocked him. The redhead giggled.
“Dream Stan, why are we doing this? Did I eat some bad s-shrooms?” he asked with a laugh.
Stan put his finger to Kyle’s lips.
“I got you, dude. You won’t ever have to worry about anyone like that again.” he said softly as he sang an old lullaby.
Kyle dozed off.
Stan took him to his car and took him to the farm. He texted Ike to tell their parents Kyle got a little fucked up at last night’s bonfire and won’t be back for a bit.
He sat him down on the couch.
The next day Kyle wakes up. He hugged Stan. “I-I had the worst dream! I thought that Tucker guy kidnapped me and you murdered someone and there was all this crazy talk.” he rambled.
Stan smiled.
“You got real fucked up last night. Apparently you and Kenny decided to try something new. You know how reckless he gets sometimes.” he responds with a snicker.
They spend time together. Kyle looks at him with a sense of adoration and….fear? That’s weird though. His best friend would have no reason to be afraid.
Stan goes to a crossroad.
What was that quote?
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by. And that made all the difference.”
Kenny and Kyle spend a lot more time together. The blonde is reassuring. The redhead is angry. Frightened. Distant.
He narrowed his eyes.
The blonde confronts him one day. His blue eyes are compassionate. Weary. “We think you need help, Stan. Ky’s worried. I’m worried. We are all worried.”
Stan stared at the door.
Who is Kenny?
Who is Stan?
“I-I need the angel to guide me.” he slurred.
Kenny blinked.
“W-what? What are you talking about?”
Kenny dials a number on his cell phone. “Kyle? Hey, I think he needs you. Or something. I dunno. I don’t know what to do.” he said.
Kyle?
Stan smiles.
Kyle comes. He lets himself in and sees Stan lying on the couch. His eyes were glassy and red.
“W-where the fuck is Randy? Kenny, he’s always here!” cried the redhead as he went around the house.
Kyle started calling out Randy’s name. Then Sharon’s. Nobody answered. He immediately went to Stan and held his hand.
“Stan, tell us what’s going on. Please. We love you.” he pleaded.
Stan held his cheeks. Oh Praise Jesus, Heavenly Father, for I have sinned. Yet these glorious green eyes of an angel forgives me.
How could he ever be so lucky?
Kenny grabbed Kyle. “Dude. He ain’t right. Look at him.”
Kyle pushed him. “Stan is still him. He’s just….on vacation right now. I think.” he said softly.
Stan smiled.
“You let me do your holy work. Yet I sinned more than any man. Cleanse me.” he said.
Both of his friends stared with open mouths.
Stan stood up.
He was dizzy on his feet.
Kenny grabbed him. “Call 911, man! He needs to be committed.”
Kyle shook his head.
“No. They will put him in jail. Lie him back down.” he demanded.
His friends argued for several minutes. Stan looked at the ceiling. Were there other angels rescuing him?
Kenny laid him back down and went into Stan’s parents room. “KYLE! Come in here!” he yelled.
Kyle followed.
“Oh My God.”
They went back to the living room. Kyle was freaking out. “Fuck me. Randy’s dead. That’s three people.” he said as he paced.
“What? You mean he didn’t just kill Craig? Why didn’t you tell me! That’s kind of important information.” cried Kenny.
Kyle flew his hands up in the air.
“Because I think he’s doing it for me, alright? He developed this weird attitude over the last couple months.” he snapped.
Righteous angel…
Hear me.
Kenny stared at Stan.
“Is that what that angel crap is about? He’s obsessed with you! Or going through some sort of religious psychosis. Or both.”
Kyle blinked. “Yeah, I don’t know what that’s about. But he kissed me one day, acted really intimate with me, and held me down. Then he said he wanted to play video games. I thought I was losing my mind.” he said slowly.
Kenny grabbed Kyle roughly.
“Why the fuck did you keep that to yourself? That’s insane! H-he could of raped you or kidnapped you or fuck man! Do you have a death wish!?!??”
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Stan watched.
“Stan would never do that to me. He was trying to protect me. ….I think. I still don’t think he’d ever go that far.” he insisted.
Kenny sat down.
“Talk to him. I’m calling the police with or without you. He’s not going to be around Karen. You. Clyde. Fuck. We dealt with enough murder.”
Kyle went towards the couch and laid down on the ground. “I didn’t mean to forget you. I know you had your struggles. But it didn’t have to come to this, Stan.” he said softly.
The redhead held his hand.
“I see more of you in the afterlife.” he said with a grin.
Kyle squeezed.
“Things aren’t going to be easy, Stan. I’m going to pull for you to get a psych visit but they may not let it happen. You’re not well. I don’t know if sickness runs in your family or something broken you. But I’ll stay. I’ll advocate for you. I’ll take the blame for not saying anything. Tweek has been trying to get me to confess anyways. He’s mad, Stan.”
Kenny hung up the phone. “You ain’t saying shit, short stack. Tweek is just as guilty as we are. If Tweek expects us to say something then he will too.”
“But Kenny-“ protested the redhead.
“We are all going down if this gets out. Craig is dead. Tweek knew about his parents. Stan is literally losing his mind. We need to wait for double jeopardy and let Stan say what he wants and leave us out of it.” decided the blonde.
“You have to be tried first! That’s not how that works.” said Kyle.
Kenny sighed.
“Then we are going to bury this. Kyle, you can’t be a lawyer if word gets out. Tweek will probably get run out of town. Or God knows with this town. Stan has to take the fall.” he reasoned.
Kyle glared at the blonde. “Like I’m really going to be a lawyer after this. What do you think this is? I know what you did last summer?”
Kenny cackled.
Stan watched.
He blinked.
“W-what’s going on?” he croaked.
Why was Kyle here? Shouldn’t he be at home? Safe and tucked in his bed? Why was Kenny here? Why were they so worried?
Kyle was crying as he went towards him. He felt Stan’s black messy hair. He kissed his hair. “Bubbelah, we are trying to discuss the best way to help you.”
Help him?
Stan grabbed Kyle and pulled him on the couch. “You’re worrying too much. And why are you calling me what your mom calls you?” he said as he kept Kyle close to him.
Kenny stared.
He tried to take Kyle away gently. Stan pulled him back and put him underneath his arms. “What the fuck is your problem lately? You think I’m not protecting him enough or something?”
“Man. I’m gonna ask you once. Let Kyle go. You know I’m carrying.” said Kenny.
Stan hugged Kyle. “It’s okay, you’re okay. You’re safe.” he cooed.
Kenny motioned for his gun. Stan tightened his grip. “You kill me. You kill both of us. We live and die together.” he said.
“Stan!”
Stan put his hand on his lips. “Remember? I don’t want you to die till I do.” he said solemnly.
Kyle shrieked.
“You’re hurting him, Stan. You aren’t helping him.” said Kenny.
The sound of sirens sounded faint. Stan raised an eyebrow. “Then I guess you are going to explain to the officers what you did.”
Kenny was a threat. He had to be taken out. Just like Cartman. Craig. Tweek if he starts talking.
Stan kissed Kyle’s hair. “Relax, sweetheart. Kenny is going to go away for a while.” he said sweetly.
Kenny looked around.
“P-please. Listen to Kenny. He loves you.” said Kyle. His voice was soft.
Maybe angels do need to be guided.
Stan smirked.
“Kyle’s life is in your hands, Kenny. I told you if something happens to me he goes down with me. Your choice. I got a nice little hunting knife riiiight in my pocket.” he said.
Kenny held his head down.
“What do you want me to do?” he questioned.
Stan smiled.
“Go and put your hands all over Randy’s body. Sharon’s too. I think she’s in…the barn or something? Shit, dude. I can’t remember. But make it quick. DNA. Then you will cry and confess. If you try to switch up on me I’ll find Karen.” he decided.
Kenny did so.
Stan grinned. He put his hand on Kyle’s face. “I think it’s time we become roommates, don’t you?”
Kyle didn’t say anything.
As soon as Kenny came back he waited. Stan smiled and held a crying Kyle in his arms. He rubbed his back.
“I don’t care what you tell them. But don’t implicate me or Kyle here. I’m not dealing with that shit.” Stan said harshly.
Kyle will forever guide him home.
The cops came inside.
Kenny took the fall. Nobody could find an actual motive or reason so he was placed in jail and waited to be charged.
Tweek tried to talk to Stan.
“Kenny didn’t do anything, Stan! You are letting an innocent man be charged for your crimes.” he yelled.
Stan brushed Kyle’s hair. He had the redhead stay home. It’s the only way he wouldn’t be hurt.
“This started with you and your crazy boyfriend, dude. You want Kenny to come back up? Make something up. Take the fall. Go nuts.” he said.
Kyle stayed in his barn when Stan wasn’t at home. When the redhead was home he stayed in his bed.
Chains weren’t necessary. The redhead wanted to stay close too. He was so afraid.
“F-fuck! Y-you are putting way too much pressure on me!” cried the blonde as he twitched.
Stan put Kyle in his lap. The redhead didn’t say anything as he was hugged. Then he looked at Tweek. “Shouldn’t have done the crime then you wouldn’t be doin the time.” he said as he put Kyle next to him.
Tweek shrieked and went out.
The anxious blonde killed himself.
Predictable.
Stan yawned and cuddled up to the redhead. He looked at Kyle’s fearful green eyes.
“How can I keep you close, Ky? I feel like you are fading away.” he whispered in their bed.
Kyle froze.
“Maybe we need to achieve closeness the way other people do. Be inside each other. Feel each other's warmth. What do you think?”
Kyle squeaked.
“Please no!”
Stan kissed him on the cheek. Then the neck. After so long of not having any warmth it lit a match.
“You are amazing. Maybe this is why you are my super best friend. My angel of mercy. Because you complete me.” he breathed.
Kyle shrieked.
“Baby, shush, I’m not going to hurt you. I know you haven’t been with many people so let me lead everything. Okay?” he coaxed.
Kyle got out of the bed and started to run.
Stan stared.
What the fuck?
He went to the back and found Kyle to the front. The redhead was going to the truck.
Stan held the keys.
“Forget something babe?” he said playfully.
He went up to the redhead. Bopped his nose. “Craig was so right, Ky. You got to watch out for your own.” he said as he grabbed Kyle.
“You killed Craig. Was that because of his ideals or because he threatened you?” asked his boyfriend with trembling lips.
Stan carried him bridal style. He laughed. How funny. Why didn’t he do this before?
He used one arm to open the door and made way to their bedroom. Stan sat Kyle down.
He frowned.
Maybe they shouldn’t make love yet.
“Why can’t it be both?” he said innocently as he laid on top of Kyle and kissed him.
“W-what? So you wanted me all along? B-but you kissed me before and you didn’t like it.” stuttered the redhead.
Stan blinked.
He stood up.
“Kyle, why aren’t you at school?” he asked.
Why is his best friend in his bed?
He recoiled.
Kyle grabbed his hand. “You’re coming with me. You are getting help.” he said.
What?
“What are you talking about? This is all super gay, dude. Like. If I thought you swung that way I’d have thought you’d know to go for Kenny. He fucks anything that moves.” he said with a chortle.
Kyle blinked.
“Do you trust me?” he asked urgently.
Stan blinked.
What type of question is that?
“…..yeah. I haven’t punched you yet despite you just hanging in bed.” he said slowly.
God.
Kenny or Cartman can’t find out about this. They get enough gay jokes as it is.
Kyle drags him to the truck. Stan is blinking rapidly as they seem to be running at lightning speed.
What’s going on?
They are at Denver Hospital. Kyle talks to the nurses. Does his insurance paperwork.
How does he know that?
He gets asked weird questions. Kyle is in the room and is holding his hand with teary eyes.
“What year is it?” asked the person…doing a psych evaluation?
What the hell.
“2022.” he said confidently.
The lady’s eyes widened slightly but she wrote it down. She asked a couple more questions. Invasive.
“Why do you need to know this shit? Like I said, I’m fine! I literally go to school downtown.” he shouted.
How could Kyle do this?
Stan gets put in a psych hospital. Kyle said that he had enough funds to make it stay awhile.
“Then I’ll figure out farm stuff so I can earn more. I’ll visit you every chance I get.” he reassured.
He scoffs.
Some super best friend.
“Angel of fucking mercy.” he sneered.
Stan blinked.
Months pass. Visitors come in and out. They have him on a bunch of different medications.
Apparently he suffers from religious delusions and has major depressive disorder.
He doesn’t fight it anymore.
His parents are dead. His dad and his mom are dead. Kyle refuses to tell him what happened.
Stan felt the tears pour out occasionally. It didn’t happen enough. His mom was wonderful. His dad was dumb sometimes but he meant well. What could have happened?
Kenny visits.
But he’s hard.
“Kyle doesn’t want me to tell you anything. But due to you being ‘super best friends’ or whatever he’s biased. You have to know.” the blonde said flatly.
Stan stayed quiet.
“Kyle has completely uprooted his entire life for you. Before that you basically kidnapped him. You are obsessed. If I see you do shit to Kyle or Karen I’ll kill you myself, got that? You can’t kill me. Wanna know why?”
…..huh?
“I. Can’t. Die.”
Stan grinned.
“You are fucking with me.”
Kenny showed funeral pamphlets. Different years. Stan stared. How could they have never known?
That’s amazing.
“You’re fucking cool man. Keep that shit here so I’ll remember.” he said excitedly.
Kenny sat it down.
“Bye, Stan.” he said sadly as he left the building.
Stan pretended to take his meds that night.
He didn’t want this feeling anymore.
He smiles.
Now he has two people he needs to follow.
“Oh my darling angel.” he sang as he looked at Kyle’s face.
Then he looked at Kenny’s funeral photo. He had it pinned to his wall. Stan waited till the song finished.
“God, I know you are upset with me. Kenny. Whatever. Tell me how to best serve you.”
He kneels.