52

Whenever they had evening plans, Eric always got dressed before Kyle just so he could watch him get ready. He adored the way Kyle ruffled his wet curls with a towel, even if he had to reassure him that he still looked handsome although his hair was greying. He smirked to himself when Kyle stood in front of the wardrobe in his underwear, deciding on a shirt, and would offer Kyle suggestions from the bed. He anticipated the moment where Kyle spritzed cologne on his slender, firm throat. Kyle had been wearing the same scent since Eric had returned, and Eric loved it just as much at the beginning of the night as he did at the end – when it would prickle with sweat and meld with Eric's own, complimenting each other perfectly. Both variations of the scent were associated with sparkling joy, contentment, just how desperately they needed to be together.

Tonight, however, Eric couldn't partake in what had become a comfortable, blissful ritual for them both; couldn't appreciate the sight of Kyle fussing with his tie in the bedroom mirror. His attention was instead chained to the wrinkled paper in his hands, scarred with scribbled words and brimming with re-drafted sentences. It wasn't exactly encouraging when Eric had to stand up in about three hours and try to sound confident when reading them. He scanned the words for the hundredth time, his back hunched and his mouth opening and closing silently like a broken ventriloquist dummy.

"You've been going over that speech since this morning," Kyle pointed out.

When Eric looked up, Kyle was smiling at his boyfriend's reflection with a pretty combination of fondness and exasperation.

Eric blushed, he didn't know whether he was embarrassed that Kyle had noticed, or just warmed by his smile.

"I know, I just want it to go perfectly," he replied, sighing. "I don't want to fuck up my words or forget them in front of hundreds of people."

"You've addressed bigger crowds before though?" Kyle asked, turning around to face Eric and leaning against the dresser. "When you were president…"

"This means more to me than that," Eric returned as he stood up. He smoothed out the creases in the paper with his thumb. "Besides, I was nervous as hell even then."

Kyle exhaled softly, eyes brimming with endearment and his smile drawn tight with sympathy. "You'll do great, Eric. Everybody attending loves you, and they'll all be raving about your article."

It had been eight years since Eric returned and he had been making headlines ever since. After all, very rare is it that a missing person shows up after thirty five years of silence. The media storm that had descended was overwhelming as well as naively unexpected by Eric and Kyle, and there were journalists from newspapers and TV stations alike swarming the apartment building for days wanting to get their exclusive interview with Eric.

After creating a plausible story, Eric finally stepped outside to face the reporters with Kyle by his side. Even Eric was impressed by how effortlessly he recounted his made up tale, and each reporter's uncomfortable questions became easier to answer than the last. On countless cameras Eric revealed that he would be conducting no more interviews with the press, as he had more urgent, personal matters to sort through. But there was one interview he couldn't avoid, and that was with the authorities. After Eric insisted he had been in no way harmed and didn't wish to press charges against any anybody, the police eventually dropped the case.

In the aftermath, a party was thrown for Eric in South Park. When he and Kyle drove into the town, embraced by jagged mountain peaks and his slate as clean as peerless snow, he was glad that he was entering this dream-world with Kyle, to ensure him it was all very real. He felt even luckier when Kyle held his hand as they walked from the parking lot to the decorated community centre. The weight of all those missed years had weighed down on Eric and he felt haunted, the figures in his childhood floating and whispering like phantoms in his mind.

But when those heavy doors had swung open, and the room flooded with applause, and tears, and bright colours that Eric had missed, everything and everyone was alive again, even him: a part of himself that he didn't know had mourned so greatly for the life he once had.

Eric wasn't the only one who returned to South Park that night; Stan and Jessica flew from New Zealand with their daughters in tow, Kenny had blown off a recording session in LA to make it, and Butters and Bradley had booked their plane tickets as soon as they heard the good news.

Stan and Kenny were the first to break away from the amazed crowd, nearly tackling Eric in an ecstatic bear hug that Kyle was roped into. The four men shook and cried silently together, murmuring everything sincere that they had bottled up all these years. When the moment calmed, Eric called Butters over and with a surprised flash in his eyes he made his way over to his childhood friends, smile crumpled and head bowed before he was initiated into the embrace.

But when Liane shyly parted the crowd, the men dispersed and silence settled. Despite the wrinkles on her face and her perfectly styled white hair, her shimmering eyes were the first thing Eric noticed. Those eyes were what he remembered most, the physical detail of his mother that always pierced through his murky image of her. She had swayed and smiled, as if her world was finally aligning again, her grown-up son in front of her after she had lost him for so long.

Eric remembered his mother being gentle, but stood in front of him eight years ago she had never seemed more delicate or fragile. She had clutched her failing heart, mending and breaking all at once, and Eric wrapped his arms around her to ease the ache, to let her know that she would never have to live without him again. Despite her frailness, she had sobbed and clung to Eric, not caring how tightly she held on, not caring how strong her son was and how tall he stood over her. Over the raucous applause Liane had whispered in his ear, "for years I dreamt you would come back to me," and Eric burst into tears before he could stop himself, needing his mother to hold him. But Liane happily regressed, shushing him and stroking his broad back like no time had passed at all.

When they were both ready, Liane let go and introduced Eric to her husband. It was a sheepish introduction, but Eric smiled at his beaming mom over Peter's shoulder when his stepfather hugged him. While they talked, Liane and Kyle embraced and Eric overheard her say "all we had to do was believe, Kyle. You're taking good care of him, aren't you?" Kyle had nodded, dabbing at his eyes with his wrist before Liane chuckled and pulled him in for another hug.

A few months after the party, Kyle and Eric announced to their family and friends that they were in a relationship. They were the only ones who were surprised. Apparently the way they looked at each other all evening gave them away.

However keen Eric was to start his new life with Kyle, they both understood that it would be an adjustment for Paige. It wouldn't be fair to expect her to come to terms with her dad's new relationship so quickly, and they didn't want her to come to the assumption that Neil was being replaced.

So they decided that Eric could stay with Kyle until he got a job and a place of his own, and that they would take their relationship slowly. It was jarring, but Eric figured that time was now on their side and when their relationship had been so bizarre and unorthodox in nature, it felt nice to act like any other couple; going on dates, rebuilding their levels of intimacy and doing things independently as well as together.

When he wasn't spending time with Kyle, Eric was on the job hunt, and enrolling in a community college course in engineering. Eric naturally excelled, and his charisma and skill level quickly secured him a great job in a wildly successful firm. He was then finally able to go on an apartment hunt, but since he and Paige had bonded so well, and since he already had a key to Kyle's apartment and a place in his bed, Kyle told Eric there was no need. That his apartment was Eric's home now too.

Shortly after Paige's fourteenth birthday, Eric was offered a promotion at work which meant he would have to relocate to the firm's Californian division. To Eric's surprise, Kyle was just as eager to move as he was, especially when they found their beautiful, secluded condo in the hills. It had been three years since they made it their home. Meanwhile, Eric had been making waves not just in work but in the scientific community as a whole with his thoughts on and research into the possibility of time travel. They reached fever pitch when Eric was asked to write an article on the matter in a leading scientific journal, and the accolades kept pouring in; one of which was a grant for his firm which he was to receive at a gala honouring advancements in technology.

"Can I see it?" Kyle asked, hands tucked behind his back coyly as he stared at the piece of paper.

"What?"

"Your speech?" Kyle's smile grew wider and he stepped forward.

"No," Eric smirked, folding the paper and tucking it into one of his back pockets. "It's a surprise."

Kyle shoulders slouched and he rolled his eyes. Copying Eric's smirk, he moved in closer and rested his hands on Eric's waist.

Kyle's bold, emerald gaze was trained on Eric. He was simply at mercy to Kyle's teasing

"You don't think I'll go there?" Kyle asked, his hand flying to Eric's pocket and squeezing. The paper crinkled, but Eric suspected his speech was the last thing on Kyle's mind. Kyle pulled him closer, mouth twitching in a half smile. "But if you insist on it being a surprise-"

"I don't want to spoil anything for you," Eric interrupted, grinning down at Kyle and prickling under his touch.

"Then I understand," Kyle replied.

His hand didn't move and his gaze didn't falter, even the smallest of Kyle's actions could make Eric feel incredibly wanted.

"Any excuse to feel me up, huh?" He teased.

Kyle bit his lip, and Eric wanted to sink his own teeth into that full lower lip that he had sampled so many times before. Kyle nodded, his eyes dark and hooded.

"You look gorgeous tonight," Kyle said huskily.

"You don't look so bad yourself," Eric replied, raking his gaze over his handsome, sharply dressed boyfriend.

Kyle grinned, "Still got it."

Eric closed the gap between them and kissed Kyle's irresistible lips. Kyle readily responded, deepening the kiss and moving his hands to Eric's sides, tugging at his shirt greedily.

Many couples the same age as Eric and Kyle had noted how enamoured they both still were with each other (as if depleting passion was a pre-requisite for middle-aged couples). Even when they weren't being physically affectionate, every lingering look and smile and flirtatious comment was dripping with tenderness and desire.

But although they had shared their first kiss decades ago, their relationship as it was now was still very new. They felt so fortunate to be with each other, the notion that they were now able to spend the rest of their lives together was so heady, that they felt it silly to not spend every second loving each other, being grateful for one and other and expressing that gratitude.

Absence not only makes the heart grow fonder, but is also a potent aphrodisiac and their chemistry was still as explosive as ever. Even though they looked different to when they first made love all those years ago, under the stars, what they felt was the same; except for the added security they felt when they braced each other, how their longing touches echoed into the future they would have together.

"Crap, I'm creasing your shirt," Kyle muttered against Eric's lips. He loosened his grip. "Sorry…"

Eric shook his head, their nose brushed together.

"I don't mind," he chuckled.

Kyle still smiled apologetically, and Eric's contented reflection in those green eyes was too tempting.

"Do we really have to go tonight?" Eric whinged, his nerves coming over him in droves. "I'd much rather stay here."

There was a sympathetic crease in Kyle's brow.

Pressing his forehead to Eric's he replied, "Tell you what, when we come home we'll go straight to bed."

Droves of anxiety were quickly replaced by droves of something else.

"Deal," Eric grinned, at least he had something to distract himself with when his nerves threatened to get the best of him.

Kyle's smile brightened his whole face and he reached up to stroke Eric's cheek.

"Tonight will be great, and you'll be brilliant," he soothed. "So don't worry."

"Thanks," Eric smiled, giving Kyle a chaste kiss.

He was the only person who made Eric believe he could do anything. He had proved it, hadn't he?

"… And it is without further ado, that I'd like to present this grant to the brilliant Eric Cartman."

The rush of applause was Eric's cue to stand up and make his way to the stage. He squinted at the spotlight suddenly thrust in his vision as he left the table, Kyle's encouraging smile a buoy in the strident ocean of intimidating strangers.

Once on the stage he shook the hand of the man presenting him the grant (a noted, retired physicist who now dedicated his time to encouraging the younger generation to pursue science as well as financing 'innovators' in the field. He confessed to Eric and Kyle at the bar earlier in the evening that he believed Eric to be exactly that), and grinned down the lenses of the photographers below the stage, press passes looped around their necks.

The applause continued even when Eric took his place at the podium and laid out his crumpled speech in front of him.

"Thank you, sir. It's an honour ," he said, catching the microphone only slightly but it was enough to make the gala attendees settle down.

The silence was daunting and Eric's Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, he didn't want to cough awkwardly into the microphone.

"When my article on the possibility of time travel was published, the praise I received was overwhelming," he began. "But some of my colleagues in the more theoretical sphere of the scientific field where sceptical. And rightly so, I was discussing something that had been dismissed by the community as an impossibility. Some of them asked how a lowly engineer could be so confident in his research on the matter, or have anything valuable to say. This, I found rather baffling and certainly frustrating, since this criticism was coming from intelligent minds," Eric paused and smiled shyly when his comment roused laughter, as self-satisfied as clinking champagne flutes.

"Scientific theory and scientific fact are often wildly opposing things, and while we live in an era of rapidly advancing technology, there are still realms of knowledge out of our reach," Eric continued. "Engineering bridges that gap. It is engineers like myself that create the machinery, the computers, the technology that aids everyone in research and discovery."

In the dimmed room Eric could make out a few guests nodding solemnly, and Kyle's intent stare. He glanced at his speech and smiled at his words.

"The human mind is a brilliant thing," Eric said. "It can create and conjure and dream. It is how artists channel inspiration, how mathematicians solve problems and where we discover our aspirations. For example, I have been with my partner for eight years. I love him very much and in my mind I hoped we would end up together. But my hope alone was not enough. The mind is incredible, but the human heart is the strongest force on Earth. It's the resilience of the human heart, the desire it fuels that drives us to achieve our dreams and goals. It motivates us, reminds us of the stakes, and can withstand a considerable amount of pain in order to get what it wants, what it knows we need as individuals."

Eric could feel the affection seeping into his voice, the smile etching itself on his face as he watched Kyle listen to him, his eyes shining brighter with every sentence.

"Without that immense strength," he continued, "scientists wouldn't devote their lives to research, parents wouldn't fiercely protect their children in the most frightening of circumstances, humanitarians would crumble under the pressure of willingly placing themselves in dangerous situations, and I would never have continued my research into a subject that seemed futile, would never have published an article that is influencing the scientific community in ways I never imagined. I also would never have ended up with my amazing, beautiful partner if it wasn't for my optimistic heart… how grateful I am that it never gave up on us," Eric said softly, eyes fixed unabashedly on Kyle, watching him swipe a tear from his cheek. "Anything is possible in the mind; everything is reality if we trust our hearts make it so. Thank you."

Eric was unprepared for the standing ovation, for the wolf whistles and cheers that rippled through the crowd. But he was glad that his speech had resonated with so many and with one person in particular. Kyle, who was clapping and beaming and letting his tears fall.

Eric's nerves rapidly dissipated following his speech, making the evening decidedly more enjoyable. He discussed his project and research in more detail with the rather intimidating guests who were sat at his table, he and Kyle both answered questions about their relationship and exchanged amused glances when the conversation turned to topics of which they felt very out of their depth; black tie events and vacation hotspots and sports cars. For every notable scientist in the room there were about twice as many millionaire investors who donated generously but cared very little. Eric didn't mind being out of their leagues. He and Kyle were comfortable, yes, but not wealthy, or extravagant with their money. However, it still surprised Eric how little envy or inadequacy he felt when surrounded by such affluence. It often struck him throughout these past eight years how truly happy he was, yet the rush never wore off.

When Eric and Kyle returned home, Paige was still out with her friends. They could've taken the advantage of having a free house to make good on their deal, but they were in no hurry. Besides, they could make the most of having the house to themselves when Paige went off to college next year – however odd it felt to imagine not seeing Paige every day. Eric assumed he would handle the prospect better than Kyle – seeing as he was forced to be independent from a very young age – but he still worried how she would fare, despite the confidence they both had in her.

Upon entering the condo, Kyle had kissed Eric chastely, taking his hand and leading him upstairs so they could begin their nightly routine. Eric had no doubt that once they were under the covers Kyle's hand would find his again, exchanging kisses in the glowing moonlight.

While Eric brushed his teeth, Kyle was probably undressing. But when Eric left their ensuite, the bedroom was empty and Kyle was still in his suit, standing on the balcony and gazing at the view.

"Hey, what are you doing out there?" Eric asked with a smile, before joining him.

"It's a beautiful night," Kyle answered, eyes trained on the glittering pool below and the lively town in the distance.

"Sure is…" Eric murmured, wrapping his arms around Kyle's waist and placing a kiss in his curls.

Kyle relaxed into the hold, head resting on Eric's chest and he turned his attention to the inky sky dotted with the stars that had evaded the snare of the city.

"What's that saying?" Kyle asked. "About the stars? I remember you telling me…"

"The stars are the window to the past and the future," Eric replied, he couldn't help but smile at the bittersweet twinge in his heart.

"Yeah," Kyle sighed, placing his hand on top of Eric's. "I like that."

Staring at the sky, Eric wondered if the stars really were windows, was his past-self looking at him? Weary, and yearning, but ultimately happy with the future he forged?

Kyle twisted in the embrace, wrapping his arms around Eric's neck and Eric's hands moved to Kyle's lower back.

"Why did you mention me in your speech?"

Eric's eyebrows furrowed. "Should I not have?"

Kyle smirked and rolled his eyes.

"No, no, I'm happy you did. I was just… curious," he replied. "I didn't help you write that article-"

"Without you there wouldn't have been an article to write," Eric interjected. "We wouldn't be standing here together."

"I guess so," Kyle nodded, he squeezed the nape of Eric's neck softly. "There's a part of your article that confuses me though."

"And what's that?"

"The alternate timelines that co-exist," Kyle replied, his gaze trailed to the buttons on Eric's shirt, as if he was still trying to figure out the math. "It seems impossible."

Eric smiled. "Well, think of it this way, this would never have happened if I hadn't frozen myself and wound up in the future. But there's still timelines that exist where I didn't do all that. Would I have made that discovery, written my article, nonetheless? Would we have ever fallen in love with each other? Would you have still married Neil and adopted Paige?"

"Possibly in the other timelines…"

"Right, but we're here now. In this timeline, I was young and stupid, and I convinced Butters of my dumb plan. I lost you, lost everything… and you lost me," Eric said the last part a little softer. Kyle winced and Eric swore he felt himself being tugged closer. "But I fell in love with you. You were in trouble, I helped you, and you fixed what was wrong with your life. You found a career you were passionate about, then fell in love with me," Eric grinned when Kyle flushed, but he carried on seriously. "We realised the timing wasn't right for us. But you made me see that I had to fight for you as well as give you your space. You let me find meaning somewhere else, and you fell in love again with a guy who made you happy. You started an awesome family that I'm privileged to be a part of-"

Kyle laughed, eliciting another grin. But Eric then sighed, remembering the next phase.

"Again, you lost someone you loved, while I spent years trying to get back to you. We had to hurt for a while…" Eric noticed that Kyle had ducked his head, pursed his lips. He hooked his finger under Kyle's chin and reconnected their gaze. "But here we are now. It took some time, but by then we were both ready and I was back where I belonged…" Eric moved his hand to place it on Kyle's cheek. "With you…"

Kyle's smile spread across his face as delicate and helpless as stray watercolours, and it burrowed into Eric's heart more than any masterpiece could.

"It's been difficult, and painful, and frustrating, but also humbling, and exhilarating, and unbelievable in the best possible way," Eric continued. "It's ours. Every event is like a star and when you step away and see the big picture it's a constellation. Sure, it's zig-zagging and intricate and a little messy but it's pretty spectacular."

Kyle nodded in silent agreement.

"So for all the lost years, all the heartache, and confusion, and sacrifice, I would never change it," Eric declared. "Because being here, with you now, holding you and the way you're looking at me… it was all worth it. What happens in the other timelines is irrelevant, because this is the best I could wish for. Who's to say that in each timeline this is where we'd be?"

Kyle exhaled, glanced at the stars and then returned his gaze to Eric and shrugged.

"Well, if we could fall in love with each other despite five hundred years separating us then we could fall in love in any timeline," Kyle replied. "To me we just seem too destined to be a fluke."

Eric grinned at his stubborn, believing boyfriend.

"Yeah, I think you're right. Maybe we're just a universal truth?"

Kyle beamed, before saying, "Exactly. And it may have been complicated and a long time coming but it was never boring-"

"We definitely took the scenic route."

Kyle chuckled, pressing his forehead to Eric and searching his eyes.

"Now… I don't care how long it took," Kyle continued. "I'm just glad that I finally have you."

Eric's gaze grew misty, and he whispered, "me too."

Kyle's mouth tugged in a half smirk before he reached up and claimed Eric's lips. Eric gladly surrendered, he always would.

"You know I'll love you forever, right?" Kyle whispered between kisses.

Eric's heart tightened and his breath snagged on one alluring, shining word. He nodded, his vision blurry.

"Forever…" Eric murmured, before he kissed Kyle again.

A/N: Here we are, guys. The end. Thank you all for reading! For all the follows, favourites, and reviews I could not be more grateful! This has been a long haul, but without your support I would never have made it. This story has been such a pleasure to write and a wonderful experience, and the encouragement I've received from everywhere has been amazing. I cannot thank you all enough. I have a few projects lined up for the rest of the summer, so expect to see those very soon! In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and the story in general and as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! You've been fantastic.