Chapter Text
Stan loves parties. Kyle does not.
Kyle loves likes Stan, though, so he tolerates parties here and there. Which really means he follows Stan to every party the other needs him at, which is most. If there's alcohol, Kyle is going. Because if Stan doesn't have a designated driver, the reckless idiot will try and drive himself, and Kyle refuses to let that happen. And Kyle does things for Stan that most who volunteer to be designated drivers wouldn't, but Stan needs.
Like taking Stan outside during a party with some water and a granola bar on hand when he needs to sober up a bit, the redhead always making sure to keep a box of Stan's favorite granola bars in his car so he'll have a snack for the other when needed. Stan has yet to figure out that they're stashed in Kyle's car, typically too drunk to think any further than his usual assumption that Kyle is actually a witch that only uses his powers to conjure up granola bars from thin air. One of the very few things Kyle enjoys about going to these parties is watching a drunk Stan light up so brightly at the sight of something as simple as a granola bar or some other treat (unbeknownst to Kyle, it's the sight of him that makes Stan light up, not what he brings).
And Kyle, after driving either a very chatty or very sad drunk Stan home, will always make sure he drinks some water and has a small snack before letting him lay down. And if needed, rub soothing circles on Stan's back and do his best to not let his hair fall into his face as he heaves into the toilet. Hold him and offer soft words of reassurance as he sobs into Kyle's chest, carding pale fingers through dark hair. Because for some reason, Stan is almost always a sad drunk once the party's over. And every single one of these nights, before leaving the other's house to go to his own and hopefully get some sleep himself, Kyle makes sure to set Stan's alarm (especially on school nights) before setting a cup of water and a Tylenol on his friend's dresser.
And as much as Kyle hates the feeling of sweaty teenagers pressing up against him as the bass beat of whatever shitty pop song playing practically vibrates through him, or the overwhelming discomfort that comes with the burning scent of alcohol and vomit, Kyle cares about Stan more. And Stan makes Kyle feel needed, which is something the teen hasn't felt otherwise in quite some time.
Outside of these nights helping Stan, Kyle tends to feel pretty useless nowadays. When Kyle was younger, he had always been the 'golden child,' the kid that every parent wanted. He was intelligent, a straight-A student without much effort at all. He was almost always honest and was usually the voice of reason among his rather unruly friends. But now? He almost regrets being that kid, everyone's expectations for him now sky-high.
Every day now is a struggle for perfection, the words "I expected better of you," growing more and more common in his home. Kyle is just so tired, and now it feels that no matter how hard he tries, it's never enough. He is never enough.
So yeah, as shitty and as selfish as it sounds, Kyle almost enjoys picking up after Stan after a long night and taking care of him. Because Stan needs him on those nights, and deep down Kyle knows that one day Stan won't need him anymore. So for now, the redhead is going to soak up the rare feeling of purpose for as long as he can. Kyle would be lost without it- 'will be' his mind corrects, because it's only a matter of time before Stan wakes up and realizes that he can do better than the redhead.