Warning: AU –Second World War

M-Rated!Contains coarse language, violent imaginary related to the context of war, and sex.

I do not own South Park. I do not own anything. I wish I was that f* genius!

"Kyle!" The redhead expectantly turned to the source of the calling and saw his little brother running to him. Ike crossed Nuremberg's main square in an amazing speed and jumped to his older brother.

"Ike!" Kyle blissfully cried out when he caught his brother in plain air and held his smaller body against his with great joy. They laughed loudly for a while, immersed in the happiness of being together again. But after a short while, Kyle placed Ike back on the ground. "Look at you! You grew so much! Look how tall you are!" He sincerely exclaimed and the smaller boy smiled proudly.

"Buba! My sweet, sweet buballa!" Sheila Broflovski said between pants, having run shortly after Ike. She stopped right opposite her eldest son and took a good look at him, her eyes glistering from sheer happiness and pride. She brushed one hand in his curls and then cupped his face in her hands. Green on green. Both shining the same light and happiness. Both shedding silent tears of joy and regret. Joy for being together again, regret for the time they were departed. After these short moments of mutual contemplation, they embraced in a tight hug. Kyle closed his eyes, enjoying the comfort and only opened them when he felt a squeeze on his shoulder. He looked up to see his father smiling at him, his eyes watery.

"Happy birthday, Kyle." Gerard Broflovski congratulated. Kyle quickly released one arm from his mother to wrap around his dad. He could fell two smaller arms envelope his chest.

"I love you! I love you so much!" Kyle said between his sobs, his words echoed only by his father, because Sheila and Ike were too emotional to utter a word.

…

The 26th may 1945 was Kyle's 20th birthday. It was a real coincidence that he was reunited with his family on this date. And man… that was the best birthday present ever! He knew this day would remain imprinted in his memory for the rest of his life. It was the first time he actually felt like the war was over. Because it was the end of 'his' war. The end of his family's struggle for survival. Kyle's 20th birthday marked the end of years of torment, suffering, fear and uncertainty. And it also marked the beginning of a new chapter. All his prayers had finally been answered. He found his way back to his family. They were finally reunited in a world of peace. Something he dreamed off for so long time, to the point of starting to lose hope. But it happened and now it was time to build a new life on the ruins of an old one.

Kyle was sure he couldn't asked God for a better birthday. But the end of the day brought sadness with it too. Because it was time to pay goodbye to the Stotch family. It was time to say goodbye to Butters. Kyle would never forget the look on Butters' face. How he struggled to be brave for the Jew and try not to cry. His large blue eyes were watery, but he smiled, even if it was the saddest smile imaginable. It was a heartbreaking moment. Kyle realized he didn't want to depart from him. He felt he was paying farewell to a long lost cousin or brother. The redhead found it particular that they had so few things in common. Their personalities and views on life were so opposite. And yet, in less than a monththey gained such a strong bond. Butters was, beyond doubt, Kyle's greatest surprise. The blonde gave him unconditional support, love, care and friendship. And he didn't ask for nothing in return. He expected nothing in return. All he wanted was Kyle's friendship, which he gave, with all his heart.

…

A few days later, Kyle and his family made a trip to Offenbach. They wanted to find out what had happened to their house. They hoped to find some personal belongings in it. Some remaining objects that would carry happy memories from the time before the Jewish oppression. Something to take with them, as a token of the Germany that once was their home, before they would leave this country for good.

The Broflovski weren't surprised to see the house was taken by a strange German family. This family showed nothing but shame and compassion and quickly welcomed the Jews. They felt so guilty, they even were willing to give back the house, but Gerald and Sheila refused. It wouldn't do them any good anyway. They had enough help to restart their own life, somewhere else and far away from this scarred nation. Above all, they could never find in their hearts the wickedness of doing such a thing. Because they knew this German family was as innocent as they were. It was true they had benefited from the costs of other's pains, like many other German families. Only, they were blinded from the horrible reality. Their only crime was to believe the words of one mad man. And as punishment, they were destined to live in a country whose independence was lost, whose economy was destroyed and whose reputation would be branded forever.

The Broflovski took their time searching for belongings. As expected, most of their things had vanished. Yet, here and there, a familiar object would surface. Sheila was happy to find a photo album with her boys' infant and childhood pictures still hidden in a secret place, never uncovered by the new family. Unfortunately, Gerald had less luck and lost all his work. All that was still left were a few of his Law books. Apparently the new family had though it handy to keep. Ike found out his bike was being used by the 7-year kid living in his old home. He allowed the child to keep it. He was already too big for it and besides, the thing had become really old and spend. As for Kyle, he couldn't believe his eyes, when he found his bright green ushanka hidden somewhere between old clothes. Stan had offered it when they were children after he had suffered from a dreadful otitis. He picked it with great care and took it like if it was the most valuable object the house had. The Broflovski soon left the house, the memories it carried being too heavy to remain any longer and thanked the German family for their kindness. Afterwards, they took off the Marsh's home. The doorbell wasn't working, so Gerard knocked on the door several times, but nothing. There was silence inside the house.

"I'm afraid the Marshes have moved out. They don't live here anymore." Gerald turned around in a flinch to face an old man that walked over to them. "Oh, I remember you. You were that family that was deported years ago. You were hidden in that house over there, right?" The old man kindly said. He read the mix of surprise and suspicion of the Jews' faces and smiled. "I'm glad you all made it. I'm guessing you weren't deported to Poland."

"You seem to know quite a lot about the camps." Kyle assertively said. Most people had only recently learned about the camps and had no idea that some were worse than others, above all, that those in Poland were the extermination ones.

"Yes, I do. I was a member of the German resistance during the war." The Broflovskis stared at him with surprise. "I actually helped Stan with his plan in infiltrating the Nazi party."

"Stan never told me." Kyle said surprised.

"Of course not. He had to protect my identity and couldn't tell about my role in his plan to nobody. Not even to his best friend." The man wisely said while his kind smile never left his lips. He then turned to Gerald. "The Marshes moved to Switzerland, just before the end of the war. They told me you would seek them. Here is their address."

Gerald took the piece of paper and looked at it, recognizing Randy's handwriting. When he lifted his head to thank the old man, he was already crossing over the street, heading to his own house. Sheila and the boys' eyes were too following him and watched him enter his home silently.

"I knew a woman in the camp that worked for the resistance." Sheila spoke low, in a distant voice. "She belonged to a group called the White Rose*."

"What happened to her?" Ike curiously asked.

"She died." Was all Sheila said.

Her eyes were sad and yet she smiled tenderly while he caressed her younger son's hair. This was the last time Sheila would ever mention the camp again. She preferred to bury the past away and forget the horrors she once witnessed, in a time that already felt lived long ago. All Sheila wanted now was to think of the future, something she was deprived to do during many, many years. She wanted to give her children the life they deserved. She wanted her husband to exercise his profession with pride and dignity. Above all, she wanted to care for everybody and make sure her men never missed anything in their lives. And thinking of the past only would stop her new goals.

…

Two days later, Gerald and his family arrived by train at Splügen, where the Marshes had moved to. Soon they found the house from the address and he was pressing the doorbell. Sheila and the boys stood behind him and stared at the door with great expectation.

"Gerald! Sheila!" Sharon yelled when she opened the door, surprise and genuine happiness imprinted in her face "You all made it! Oh, I'm so glad!"

After warm greetings and welcomes, the Broflovskis were invited to come in the Marshes newest residence. In no time, they all sat in the leaving room, drinking tea, while Randy and Sharon recounted them the developments of the last days before the war.

"It was actually thanks to Kyle and that Nazi…What was his name again? Carter?" Randy asked unsure.

"Cartman." Kyle corrected, doing his best to look impassive. He was glad his parents hadn't insisted too much on the "Herr Cartman subject" since they were reunited again. He avoided to talk about the SS at all costs (just like his mother refused to talk about the camp) and gave as many vague possible answers to his overly concerned parents. Gerald in particular, had sensed his son's discomfort on the matter and succeeded to calm down his paranoid wife (who often mumbled words of rape and torture) so she would stop her compulsive insistence. The Nazi's name had thus became a taboo in the Broflovski family, but Kyle didn't know for how long. Because he knew everybody was dying to know exactly what had happened during those months he stayed at Herr Cartman's residence. But he had no intentions to tell them whatsoever.

"Oh, yeah. That was it!" Randy happily said, unaware of the strange glances the red-haired boy was receiving from his parents. "Well, your plan and his connections were just perfect. The Testaburgers managed to flee too. We all met, already in Switzerland. The Testaburgers and we stayed in the country but Stan and Wendy left it. They weren't willing to take any risks. Fortunately they succeeded in boarding in a commercial airline to Venezuela with their fake passports!"

"Stan calls us once in a while, just to let us know they are okay. I don't have their location or number, alas… Would be too dangerous." Sharon completed her husband's account while she poured more tea in her guests' mugs.

"Did he say anything about Cartman, Tucker and Donovan?" Kyle asked, purposely referring to Craig and Clyde too, in order to lessen any kind of suspicions coming from his parents.

"No, he never mentioned them. I believe they never crossed paths." Sharon said and Kyle swallowed dry. He was finding it hard to hide his distress and could feel his parents' eyes on him the whole time. Unlike her husband, Sharon Marsh sensed the tension in the living room. "But, please, tell me more about your plans to move to the United States. I'd love to know more about that." Kyle smiled inwardly and was grateful for Sharon's sensibility and wisdom. She was always the clever one from the two, as Randy proved himself often enough to be a real teenager in an adult's body.

"My sister Ofelia moved to the USA four years ago…We should had followed her back then…. Anyway, she's living in Connecticut. I think it's a great place to start." Sheila Broflovski excitedly informed.

But Kyle didn't hear the rest. Instead, he's thoughts wondered off to Herr Cartman. He was dead worried with him and wished the other could send him some kind of sign or message. Anything that would let him know how he was. That he was alive and well. But the Jew knew it was practically impossible. He had known this from the very beginning, but was only really starting to understand the strain it was to carry this heavy load of anguish, fear and uncertainty. Kyle didn't notice, but while his mother and Sharon were engaged in their conversation, his father observed him closely. Gerald Broflovski was worried with his son's silence about the SS. It disturbed him greatly that the boy refused to talk about the fat Nazi by all means. He feared for the invisible scars his boy carried and needed to know what had gone on between them. He needed to understand what was Kyle's relation with Herr Cartman, so he could help him. So he could continue guiding and protecting his eldest son. And, for this sole reason, he decided to confront Kyle that very same evening.

…

"I've told you before, dad. I don't want to talk about him!" Kyle said annoyed, while he kicked some peddles. Gerald had decided to go for a walk with his son and explore the surroundings of Randy and Sharon's new home. They were to stay there another couple days, before they would leave to Zurich and catch a plane to the States. Kyle stared at the small ducks swimming in the pound's cool waters, under the shade of tall trees.

"Kyle, I'm worried with you. I can see you're not well." His father patiently said. "You cannot expect me to do nothing while I watch you suffer."

"I'm not suffering!" Kyle yelled. He turned his back to his father, unable to face him. Unable to look to his concerned eyes. There was a heavy silence. Kyle sighed heavily. It was a lie. And they both knew it. The redhead did the best not to give in to the tears of fury and sadness that threatened to spill. He didn't want to tell about Herr Cartman. He didn't know if it was because he felt guilty and ashamed for loving such a horrible person, somebody that had done great atrocities to his people. He didn't know if it was because of the homosexual nature of this relation. He didn't know if it was general fear of being misunderstood and judged by his father. He only knew he refused to answer. Just like his father refused to let the matter rest.

"At least, tell me if he ever hurt you." Gerald tried, desperate to make his son open up to him. Kyle's lips twitched nervously while he looked at the sky. Yes, he did hurt him often. He hurt him in the camp. He bullied him with hard work and degrading insults. He made him the bodies' fetcher and put him in the Dark Room. But that all ended in the summer of 1943. It all stopped when he became his bookkeeper. When the hatred died to give way to something else. To give way to love.

"Not personally." Was all Kyle was able to verbalize.

"I don't understand."

"His hatred directed towards Jews… Was only to others, not to me!" Kyle impatiently said while he turned around to face his father. "Look, we found a midway, okay? He didn't mistreat me in any possible way! I actually had a good life there. So please stop annoying me about Herr Cartman!"

With these final words, Kyle walked away, taking back the road that led to the Marshes. Gerald remained behind, staring at his son mystified. He believed his son's words. He had seen the sincerity in his eyes the day they left to Stan's factory. And today he had seen it again. But there was pain too. A lot of pain. He saw it in his eyes, in his voice, in his gesticulation. He was glad his son hadn't been hurt like Sheila often suggested. But he still worried for Kyle's present suffering. Because he knew it was related to the fat Nazi. The man could only think this "midway" Kyle referred to was some peaceful agreement. But he feared this agreement had led to some kind of friendship between them. Or worse, that it had surpassed friendship. Gerald Broflovski sighed defeated. He decided not to press on the matter anymore and let his son be. All he could do was to watch over Kyle. He wasn't a child anymore and had become a young wise man. Kyle had grown up and Gerald knew it was a matter of time for him to want to spread his wings and fly away. But even with the coming of that day, he would always be there for his son, in joyful and sad times. He would continue to protect, care and guide like he had done his whole life. And so, Gerald Broflovski, silently returned to the house too and never brought up the subject, ever again.

*The White Rose Movement was active between June 1942 and February 1943. It opposed Hitler, the Nazi rule and the war. It's probably the most famous of the civilian resistance movements that developed within Nazi Germany. The White Rose movement was made up of students who attended Munich University. Its most famous members were brother and sister Hans and Sophie Scholl. Members of the White Rose movement clandestinely distributed anti-Nazi and anti-war leaflets. It was while leaflets were being distributed at Munich University that Hans and Sophie Scholl were arrested by the Gestapo. They were seen throwing the leaflets around the university's atrium by a caretaker called Jakob Schmid and he contacted the Gestapo. This occurred on February 18th 1943. Sophie, Hans and Christoph Probst were the first to be brought before the People's Court on February 22nd 1943 (the People's Court had been established on April 24th 1934 to try cases that were deemed to be political offences against the Nazi state). All three were found guilty and sentenced to death by beheading. The executions took place the same day.