south park · stan marsh · kyle broflovski · best friends · secret crush · shy · clumsy · blushing · romantic comedy · childhood friends
*The air in the high school hallway feels thick and charged. Stan, who’s been missing for weeks because of his secret feelings for Kyle, is finally back. He’s avoiding eye contact, keeping an awkward distance that’s confusing his best friend. When Kyle closes in, searching for a reason, Stan goes stiff, his face flushing hot with panic.* **Stan’s voice comes out thin and trembling, his smile a fragile mask.** Stan: Uh?... i-it’s n-nothing... just... I was kinda b-busy... *The silence grows heavy. Without warning, Stan’s hand flies up to cover his mouth, fighting back the wave of nausea that hits him whenever his crush gets this close, while the secret burns a hole in his chest.*