A/N: On a personal note, I just got a great new job! It's in my field and will end up giving me more time to write since I won't be running around like a chicken with its head cut off to three different jobs. In celebration, I hope my lovely readers will enjoy this chapter.
Ike made sure his mother wasn't trying to eavesdrop then bounded up to his brother's room. Predictably, Kyle's door was closed. Ike knew exactly what this meant. He smirked to himself as he could picture his brother saying the exact words he was thinking, proceed with caution. Ike gently knocked on the door.
"Come in, Ike." Kyle called softly. Kyle was laid on his stomach across his bed, lazily looking at his phone.
Ike sheepishly walked in. "How did you know it was me?" Kyle laughed.
"Please! You know mom would not be knocking that softly. Besides dad had a late night meeting at the office tonight. What's up bro?"
Ike broke out into a huge smile, "I just wanted to tell you that was totally kickass how you handled mom's bullshit tonight." He slapped his older brother on the back who blushed lightly. "Ike you know you shouldn't talk like that, eh fuck it, thanks. I don't mean to disrespect her but you know as well as I do if we don't say anything she'll run all over us."
"True that," Ike agreed, "So Kyle, I have to ask, what was up with you defending Cartman earlier?"
Kyle picked this moment to focus intently on his touchscreen phone. He was silent for a breath, "She was saying some really bad things Ike."
Ike stared his brother down, 'not so much in a mean way as a what the fuck are you smoking kind of staring', "..Have you forgotten Cartman's said some pretty bad things to and about you too?" Ike really had no serious issue with Cartman. 'Sure, he was a racist selfish pig, but Stan was a whiny baby, and Kenny was a poor promiscuous bum, so it was just par for the course that Kyle's friends had issues.'
"He's changed Ike. I swear, I'll bring him around sometime this week and you'll see." Ike's eyebrows shot way up.
"I was just playing Devil's Advocate at first, but this I gotta see. Even with mom here? Haha, she'll flip her lid." Ike was unusually humored by pissing his mother off.
"Yes," Kyle said confidently, "with both mom and dad here. If he behaves well, maybe she'll even reconsider the birthday thing."
Ike was still skeptical, "Not sure why you're going this far for him." Kyle shot him a dirty look, "But hey, I've got your back, but what if she doesn't?"
Kyle ran his hand through his hair, "Well, we'll just have to change the location then." He grinned. Ike grinned back.
"I like the way you think, bro." He winked playfully.
Kyle swatted at Ike, "Now get out of here! I have studying to do, but first tell me about this girl."
"Poopsie, I'm home." Cartman perked up slightly as he walked downstairs.
"Hey mom." He smiled slightly at her. "Need any help with supper?" He really had been trying to be more supportive of her and less childish since she had gotten a real job and quit her little escapades..
She shook her head. "I like cooking sweetie, besides I want to make your favorite tonight so you just go watch TV while I prepare it." He smiled and went into the living room.
The next day was Monday. Kyle greeted Kenny and Cartman at the bus stop. Though he was thoroughly confused as to why Cartman hadn't driven, he decided against talking to him much because of the weird harassing texts. School was just as boring as usual. 'Garrison droned on and on about some celebrity bullshit that no one gave a shit about excluding Butters and Bebe'. The majority of the class either ended up falling asleep or texting not so discreetly from behind a textbook. The other classes weren't much better. Cartman got after school detention for insulting Mrs. Chokesondick for the millionth time to which he replied, Fuck all of you' then proceeded to flip her off and walk out of the classroom. Kyle rolled his eyes. God Cartman was immature, but somehow still decidedly cute. After he left the room, Kyle's phone buzzed. What's up this week Jew?
Kyle responded swiftly Not too much. Thank God there's no more group projects though I was getting tired of seeing you everyday lol They had surprisingly gotten an A+ on the last one though.
:P whateva. So are you free at all this week?
Kyle was fully smiling at this point. Stan made a noise of irritation. "Kyle stop texting your little girlfriend. School's not over yet." Ah, he was probably still in a foul mood from the failed party, plus Wendy currently wasn't talking to him because someone *cough* Butters *cough* had told her Stan had called Bebe a stupid skank. 'Act like one get treated like one' was the extent to Kyle's feelings on the matter.
Kyle ignored Stan as best he could and replied again …Actually I wanted to see if you wanted to come over for dinner sometime. My mom might be a little rough, but she's a damn good cook.
Let me get this straight, you're inviting me to dinner. Just me? And your mom's going to be there?
Kyle received this text and fought the urge to blush. "Umm, K-Kyle, you're going to get in trouble for texting in class you know?' Butters smiled innocently. Kyle looked slightly embarrassed. "Not now Butters. It's uh important."
My whole family's going to be there. And when you say it like that it makes it sound awkward. But you're in right?
Cartman replied almost instantly, Sure I'll be there. Just make sure it's nothing too weird. What day?
How about Wednesday night so we can work together on the homework that's built up this week?
Done, Jew. See you then!
"Kyle Broflovski, this is your final warning." Mrs. Chokesondick slapped her ruler across her desk threateningly. "Unless you want to read your whole text conversation aloud I suggest you pay attention. Sheesh, I don't get paid enough for this piss poor job."
The bell rang not a moment too soon. Hell, Craig and Tweek were out the door before the bell had even rang, something about Tweek running out of coffee again. Craig was always so patient with Tweek, it was almost adorable.
"God I thought she'd never shut up." Kyle said to both Kenny and Stan, but only Kenny replied. Stan seemed to be ignoring him. "Stan what's wrong?" Kyle knew this afternoon he and Stan were supposed to have their talk but Stan seemed so distant. Was Stan closer to the truth than Kyle had guessed?
Stan finally spoke. "Meet me in my car. We'll drive to our usual spot at Stark's before we discuss anything."
"Okay." The ride there was unusually silent. On any other occasion the two best friends would be chatting along amicably, the lack of talking sincerely bothered Kyle but he respected Stan's wishes.
As Stan's truck pulled in between the trees, Kyle could take it no more. "What's your deal Stan?! Giving me the silent treatment, how freaking mature."
Stan turned to him. He gulped before continuing. "Kyle, please don't lie to me."
"Stan what's this about?" The redhead decided that no matter what Stan asked he would tell the truth. He owed him that much as his best friend.
"Is Cartman blackmailing you into being his friend again? I, looked at your phone in class today and saw you invited him to dinner. You can tell me the truth; we'll figure out a way to get him out of your hair and get back at him if he has some sort of dirt on you." Stan relaxed some after he had finished.
Kyle looked incredulous. He then burst out laughing. "Stan! You have it all wrong. Cartman's not blackmailing me into doing anything. I invited him to dinner of my own free will. I kind of like hanging out with him." Before Stan could interject, Kyle continued, "I'm not exactly sure what changed but his behavior towards me has done a total 180 lately. He's nice, he's friendly, hell he barely even insults me anymore."
Stan looked relieved Kyle wasn't being blackmailed, but was still unconvinced. " Now that you mention it, you're actually right. But how sure are you this isn't another one of his schemes? We both know you're way too good-hearted to him sometimes. Not sure at all why, though."
Kyle decided in this moment that he would be completely honest with Stan about his sexuality, too, just not that he was quickly developing feelings for Cartman. One little step at a time, Kyle.
"I don't know, Stan. I just honestly think he's genuine this time. But I do need to tell you something else. You have to swear not to tell a single person, not even Kenny or Wendy."
Stan smiled, "Why do you think I brought us here? This is our super secret best friends place." He said childishly, but endearingly.
"Okay, well, I think I'm gay. Not bisexual, but straight gay. No pun intended." Kyle closed his eyes, not sure at all how Stan would react.
"Are you sure Kyle? What about that girl you told me about?" Stan wasn't angry or repulsed, just shocked.
"She is actually a he."
Stan's eyes widened. "Kyle you know you're my best friend no matter what right? I won't judge you at all for being gay. Like who you want to. Date who you want to. You have my full support as long as they treat you right."
Kyle wasn't so sure that Stan would extend that graceful acceptance to Cartman, but since right now it was just a crush he decided this was good enough.
"Thanks Stan," Kyle said relieved. He then awkwardly extended his hand in a handshake. Stan shoved his hand out of the way and hugged him. "Dude you're like a brother to me. Look at me. Nothing has changed, okay? Looks like it's getting late, I'll swing by and maybe catch dinner with you and your family okay?"
Kyle smiled, wiping away a few tears. He was so lucky to have Stan as his best friend. "That sounds perfect."
Meanwhile at the Broflovski residence, Sheila was speaking in hushed undertones on the phone even though the rest of her family wasn't home.
"No! I don't want you hurting Kyle! Do you understand me?! But I want that Cartman boy taught a lesson by any means you deem fit. I don't want to see him anywhere near my house either."
The person from the other end replied boredly, "You're paying me very well, but you do realize his house is right beside yours right? So technically that would be near your house. Unless you want me to kill him? That will be a little extra though, even considering our past history. Murder cover up isn't easy."
Sheila gasped but was silent for a bit. Sure, she hated him, but would she want murder on her hands?
"For now, just teach him a lesson. Refrain from killing him. I'll be in touch." She hung up the phone with shaking hands. Sheila held her hands over her face; she wasn't crying but she was in a bad place emotionally that was certain. She spoke aloud in an attempt to console herself, "I'm doing the right thing. I'm just being a good mother."
She glanced at the clock. She had about 20 minutes to compose herself before Kyle and Ike would be home from school. Time to start dinner.