Wow, this took forever once again. And once again, I'm truly sorry. I hope it was worth the wait! Chapter 13 will be coming soon, as long as I don't have much homework this week.

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Before he knew it, Kyle found himself slumped over in the snow, surrounded by a strange sense of déjà vu. He was in the exact same position he had been in before Cartman found him several weeks ago and engaged him the argument that had ultimately led to the accident.

As the incident replayed itself in Kyle's mind, he began to feel slightly confused. Kenny's story didn't make as much sense as he once thought it had.

Cartman was standing right there! I definitely couldn't have been standing in the road for that long. Even if he turned to walk away, he would've heard the truck when it came. I was right all along then. He did leave me to die!

Kyle's eyes began to well up with tears, tears he wasn't even going to try to hide until he heard heavy footsteps directly behind him.

"Seriously Kahl, this whole running away thing is starting to get old."

Kyle was beyond controlling himself now. It just wasn't fair. Cartman managed to push him over the edge every time.

"Why the fuck do you care? Just go inside and leave me to die in some freak accident. Maybe you'll get lucky and it will actually work this time!"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Lucky? You stupid Jew, do you really think I want you to die?"

"Well considering the fact that you were willing to let me get hit by a truck, yes I fucking do."

"Oh Jesus Christ, is that what this is about? I thought Kenny told you—"

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT KENNY TOLD ME!!" Kyle had completely lost it now and showed no signs of calming down. "It's obvious it was a lie! You left me there, you wanted me to die so you could—"

"I FUCKING SAVED YOU, ASSHOLE!!" Cartman shouted at a volume that was equal to, if not greater than Kyle's.

But it was not the loudness of Cartman's voice that made Kyle pause in shock. It was the words he had said.

"…What?"

"Nothing," Cartman muttered, his voice now barely audible as he stared at the ground.

"No, you said you saved me! I'm tired of all these stupid lies between us. I want the truth, Cartman. This isn't fair."

Cartman sighed, defeated.

What the hell, I might as well just fucking get it over with. It's not like he'll believe me anyway. Stupid fucking Jew, he's the one who's not being fair!

"I just kind of pushed you out of the way, okay? I obviously wasn't quite fast enough, but it was enough to save your ass, I guess."

Cartman finally looked up into Kyle's face and was met with an expression that appeared to be a mixture of confusion, disbelief, and… longing?

"You know, you could be a little more grateful, Jew."

"But why?"

"Because I saved your life, dipshit!"

"No, I mean why did you save me?"

"It doesn't fucking matter."

"Yes it does because you've always wanted me dead! Now tell me why! For once could you just—"

Kyle never finished that sentence because Cartman had grabbed him by the shoulders and pressed their lips together. Kyle knew he should push Cartman away, but he didn't really want to. And without realizing it, he started kissing him back. But all too soon, Cartman pulled back, ending the moment. After a brief second of awkward silence, Cartman spoke again.

"That's why."

"What are you talking about?" Kyle was even more confused now than he was before, if that were even possible.

"I mean that's why I saved you, dumbass."

"What?!"

"Jesus Kahl, do I have to fucking spell it out for you?"

"But you hate me! And… and I hate you!"

Cartman smirked. "It's possible to feel more than just hate for someone, Jew. I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Besides, you obviously don't hate me that much, seeing as you were such a willing participant just now."

Kyle didn't know what to say to this because Cartman was right about that. Kyle really hadn't put up much of a fight. In fact, he feared that he welcomed Cartman's advances a little too eagerly. He didn't want to give the impression of desperation. Being vulnerable in front of Cartman was never a good idea.

Due to the overwhelming amount of confusion that was now circulating in Kyle's brain, it took him a minute to register the rest of what Cartman had just said.

Wait… did he just say he has feelings for me? Feelings other than hate?

"Kahl, you're shivering."

Kyle snapped back to reality at the sound of his name. He then noticed that Cartman was still clutching him close, almost possessively.

"Oh, I am? I didn't notice. I guess I'm just kind of cold."

Cartman raised his eyebrows skeptically. "You have on a coat, hat, and gloves. Plus, it's warmer than usual today."

Cartman was instantly reminded of the day he listened to Kyle's heartbeat as Kyle slept in the hospital bed. At that moment, something clicked in Cartman's mind and he reached out and brushed his fingers against Kyle's cheek. Kyle's entire body began to quiver, confirming Cartman's theory.

A crooked smile quickly made its way across the larger boy's face.

"You're not cold. You were never cold. You shiver whenever I touch you!"

To say that Cartman was enjoying this would be an understatement. He loved nothing more than knowing that he alone had the power to make Kyle's body react this way. The slightest touch gave him complete control.

Cartman then turned his attention back to Kyle, who was blushing profusely.

"I do not!"

"Oh really?"

Cartman wrapped his arm forcefully around Kyle's waist, drawing him back against his chest and a brief convulsion shot through Kyle's body. The involuntary shiver caused Kyle's jacket to ride up slightly in the back, meaning that Cartman's hand was now touching his bare skin. It was too much. Kyle abruptly jerked away.

"What the hell, Kahl? Just admit it, it will make everything so much easier."

"No, I will not admit it because it's not true!"

"Oh please! You can't deny it now, not after I just proved myself right. Would you like me to demonstrate again?" Cartman began to reach his arm toward Kyle once more.

"No! It's just fucking cold out, alright? Maybe you're not freezing, but I am."

"Well it wasn't freezing in the bathroom when fucking I picked you up and it wasn't—" Cartman instantly clamped his mouth shut for the second time in the last five minutes. Not even proving his point would be worth this revelation. But he knew it was too late. He had already said too much.

"Cartman… what… what are you talking about?"

"Nothing," Cartman mumbled just as he had earlier. But this time he was pretending to be interested in a particularly dirty patch of snow on the ground.

"But you just said—"

"For fuck sakes, Kahl! You can never let anything go, can you? I didn't hitch a fucking ride the day you passed out, alright? I just sort of… carried you back to my house and waited for you to wake up."

"You're kidding."

"No dumbass, I'm not. And it's your own goddamn fault for being so weak in the first place! I wouldn't have to keep humiliating myself like this if you could just fucking take care of yourself for once."

Kyle's jaw nearly unhinged itself. "You're telling the truth this time, aren't you?"

"Yes, unfortunately. A fucking 'thank you' would be nice."

"Jesus Cartman, that's like three miles! How did you—?"

"Actually it's only two, Jew boy. Besides, I'm a lot stronger than you give me credit for."

Kyle was still in too much shock to respond with any kind of witty retort. All he could manage to saw was, "You… you really do care about me, don't you?"

Rather than give a clear answer, Cartman averted his gave back to the dirty patch of snow. However, the sanguine color of his cheeks was the only confirmation Kyle needed.

After about a minute, Kyle finally spoke again.

"So what happens now?"

"I don't know. I don't fucking know."