Functional
Chapter 9: Still Difficult
"Thanks for coming back down Kyle," Gerald said as he gave his son a hug, "I know that you guys were all the way in San Diego."
"You don't have to thank me," Kyle replied, "Of course I'd come back for something like this."
Kyle had gone to see his father by himself, leaving Stan with the kids. Everyone at the reunion who had come from South Park had been forced to return because Sharon had been good friends with Sheila.
Gerald ushered Kyle in to the living room, where Ike was sitting on the couch. He stood and pulled his older brother into a hug.
"It's been a while," Ike said, but it didn't sound like the joke it was meant to be.
"Yeah," Kyle replied.
They both sat down at the same time and Gerald sat in an armchair next to the couch.
"When did you get here?" Kyle asked Ike.
"Last night," Ike replied, "I'm staying here with Karen, we should meet up sometime. I've missed my nephews."
"Karen McCormick?"
Ike nodded, "She lives in New York too, we started up a relationship a while ago."
"I seem to recall you telling me about it actually."
"Yeah, well ma's not going to meet her grandson."
Kyle looked to Ike in shock, "Wait… you…?"
Ike nodded.
Kyle gave a small smile, "Congrats bro."
Ike smiled back, he wasn't bothered by Kyle's subdued reaction. The news was bittersweet and Kyle would have been much more excited if it wasn't for their mother dying a day before.
"You guys caught up?" Gerald asked.
Kyle and Ike nodded.
"I'm thinking of having the funeral tomorrow," Gerald sighed, "We need to have it as soon as possible."
"I'll get the day off work," Kyle said, "I'll call them when I get home."
"I can't stay down here long," Ike chipped in, "Classes are still on and I can't miss a lot of them."
"Can you boys help me with the arrangements?"
"At least we know the synagogue's going to be free," Kyle tried to lighten the mood, but the joke fell flat.
Kyle was home at eight-thirty. Ethan hadn't gone to bed because Stan had thought that Kyle would want to see him when he got home. Kyle lifted the boy up and hugged him close, kissing his forehead gently. Stan could clearly see that Kyle had been crying.
"You should be in bed," Kyle said softly, his voice was scratchy and hoarse.
"Sorry Daddy," Ethan said as wrapped his arms as tightly around Kyle as he could.
"I think I'll be nice and let you stay up a bit longer."
Kyle sat next to Stan and perched Ethan on his lap.
"Why are you upset Daddy?"
Kyle shared a look with Stan, "I'm not."
Ethan shook his head, "You are."
Kyle nuzzled his son's hair, "You're a clever boy."
Kyle stomach made a loud noise that made Ethan giggle.
"We saved you some pizza," Stan said.
"We got pepperoni!" Ethan announced as if it was the most important fact in the world.
Kyle glanced at Stan, pepperoni was his favourite.
"It was Ethan's idea," Stan explained.
Stan got up to heat the leftover pizza, whilst Kyle staying in the living room with Ethan perched in his lap. The boy was getting tired and curled up as he snuggled closer to his dad. The blue eyes he shared with Stan were starting to droop.
Stan brought the pizza in and took Ethan off Kyle's lap.
"Say goodnight to Daddy," Stan whispered as Kyle took a large bite of the pizza.
"Night," Ethan yawned.
Kyle stood and gave Ethan a kiss on the cheek as Stan took him up to bed. He finished the pizza and followed Stan upstairs, meeting him as he left Ethan's room. Kyle went into their own room and got ready for bed, even though it was early for them, wearing some green pyjama pants and one of Stan's high school American football jerseys, Stan followed suit, pulling on an old T-shirt and just saying in his boxers, they could cuddle when they were in bed.
"You okay?" Stan asked finally.
"I think so," Kyle replied, "It was… sorting out the arrangements made it all real, you know?"
Stan nodded, "I understand."
"Dad was trying so hard to stay strong, but you could see it in his eyes. He was distraught."
"When is it?"
"Tomorrow at ten," He got up, "I need to call work and get the day off."
Kyle grabbed his mobile and stepped out, he returned moments later.
"Got the day off," He sighed as Stan gathered him back in his arms.
"Do you still want me to go with you?"
Kyle nodded, "Definitely, I couldn't do it alone. You'll probably have to sit a few rows back, but I just need to know that you're there."
"That's okay, I'll go with you."
"After everything's over, we can take the kids to Shakey's or take them for milkshakes. Something like that."
Stan smiled, "They'll appreciate that."
Kyle nuzzled Stan's chest, "Seeing them happy always cheers me up."
"You're going soft on me," Stan laughed, "What happened to Big Bad Kyle?
"He married a pussy," Kyle was cheered up slightly by the turn in conversation, Stan had a knack at doing that, "You've rubbed off on me."
Stan pulled him into a gentle kiss, which Kyle returned.
"You always know how to cheer me up," Kyle said when they pulled apart.
"I've known since we were kids," Stan replied.
"I know, you're just amazing like that."
Stan always got a warm feeling whenever he was complimented, especially by Kyle. He tightened his grip on his husband.
"You've been making me so proud recently," Stan said softly, "Not that I'm not always proud of you. Recently you've had so much shit to deal with, like the stuff with Jimbo, the stuff with your mom, Garrett and now this. But you're walking through like anything's barely happening around you, only ever really showing me how much it's affecting you."
Kyle nuzzled Stan's neck, "You're the only one who understands me at every point in the day, I don't feel like I have to act strong with you."
Stan kissed his forehead, "Let's get some sleep, you've got a big day tomorrow."
They asleep wrapped around each other, Kyle's face buried in the crook of Stan's neck.
"Oh, hey Kenny."
Kenny waved at his fat friend, "Hey, I'm just dropping by."
"Come in," Cartman stepped aside to let Kenny into the hotel room.
"Oh hey Kenny," Wendy said, she was typing on a laptop, "What brings you here?"
"I'm just dropping by," Kenny shrugged, "I just a text from Karen, Sheila Broflovski's funeral is tomorrow. I think it'd mean a lot to Kyle if you were there."
"Oh crap," Cartman frowned, "Yeah, we'll go."
"How are things with you two?" Kenny asked.
"We're doing great," Wendy smiled, "The date for the wedding should be set soon, we're think two weeks from now."
"So Cartman," Kenny turned to the other man, "What did you sell when you were travelling?"
Cartman looked to Wendy, "Should I tell him?"
Wendy nodded.
"Stolen goods."
Kenny's eyes widened.
"I used to take things people had stolen and were valuable and sell them," Cartman explained shamefully, "That's why I had to travel. When we finally settle back here I'm going to be a car salesman."
"No wonder you never told us."
"I'm sorry."
Kenny smiled, "As long as that's behind you, I don't really care."
