Chapter Ten - Epilogue
One Year Later…
Animal Friend and Loyal One return to the forest today and, the animals are pleased to see, they are holding hands and smiling. They walk together to the clearing where so many years ago they destroyed a device that they believed could predict the future. There, they lay down a blanket that Loyal One has been carrying under one arm and sit down upon it.
"Happy first anniversary," Animal Friend says lovingly.
"You say that like we're married," Loyal One replies with a smile.
Animal Friend says nothing but begins pulling food items out of a basket and arranging them on the blanket. The smell of their feast is appealing to the animals, and they know that if they approach Animal Friend, he will gladly feed them. Still, they remain where they are, unseen; this is a special moment for the two of them.
They sit and enjoy their meal, laughing and joking with each other. They tear through sandwiches, chips, sodas, and even cake. When they are finished, they lay back on the blanket with their arms around each other, staring up through the treetops.
"Hey, Kyle," Animal Friend says after a few minutes of this.
"Yes?"
"I love you…and I….I…"
"As eloquent as ever," Loyal One says with a slight smirk.
Animal Friend sits up and puts his hand in the basket.
"You said earlier that I said 'happy anniversary' like we're married," he continues nervously. He pulls a ring out and shows it to his beloved, who gasps in surprise. "What if we were?"
"Oh, my God!" Loyal One cries. "I will! I will!"
They throw their arms around each other and fall back onto the blanket, feeling each other and exploring each other's bodies. After a few moments of this, they begin to discard the clothes they wear in passion. It is at this point that the animals turn away. What the two humans do there in the clearing is not their business, so they give them their privacy. They have seen enough, however, to know that their slight meddling in the affairs of humans served its purpose; Animal Friend and his "Destined Mate" would now be together forever, the way it was always meant to be.
Kyle and Stan are married a short three months later, and nearly everyone in town shows up at Stark's Pond to watch. They even see people they haven't thought about in years, such as Big Gay Al and Mr. Slave.
"Oh, Jesus Christ," Slave says after the ceremony, "I'm so happy for you two."
"Thanks, Mr. Slave," Stan says, shaking his hand.
"This is just super!" Big Gay Al tells them. "I wish you both all the happiness in the world."
They thank them both once again and, after a bit more idle chit-chat, make their way around to speak with some of the other guests. One face suddenly catches Stan's eye, and he nudges Kyle and points. Near the road, leaning against a tree, is a man in a cowboy hat and plaid shirt. When he notices the couple staring at him, he tips his hat to them, but does not move.
"Stan, who is that man?" Kyle asks.
Stan smiles and looks at his husband.
"Just a travelin' man in a cowboy hat," he says.
A large group of giggling girls suddenly swarms in front of them, blocking their view of him. When they finally clear out, the man is nowhere to be seen.
"He…he disappeared again," Kyle says, shocked.
"Yeah," Stan replies, putting an arm over Kyle's shoulders, "but we'll see him again some day. Whenever we need him, he'll be there."
They turn and look into each other's eyes and smile. They kiss passionately, which causes a few people to jokingly suggest that they save it for the honeymoon. They break up and walk over to cut the cake, holding hands.
Fin
Afterthoughts: Sorry if this one is so short, but there's only so much a person can do with an epilogue. I'm not going to tell you at this point who the cowboy is, only that you'll find out in time. I intend at this point to use him as a recurring character and gradually reveal his identity and background. Till then, my lips are sealed. Let the speculation begin. See you all down the road….