Pain. Pain in the head. The hips. The mind. Whatever else.
As soon as he became self-aware, it all kicked in.
Hangover.
"Sonuvabitch." Stan groaned and shifted in his bed, trying to lay flat on his back but the shakiness from his hangover was making it a chore for him. He was slightly calmed by the gentle placement of a wet rag on his forehead.
"Guess you won't be going to school today either then, huh?" Cartman asked, glancing at the clock, which read 7:03 am.
Stan shot his boyfriend an amused look. "No."
Cartman simpered before it slowly faded. Yeah, there would be penalty for that. And he didn't like missing school. But he didn't want to leave Stan here alone like this, either. Even though he wasn't allowed to complain; being fully aware of the consequences each time he drank.
"Stan?"
"Hnnー what?"
"Can I ask; why did you do this?" Cartman questioned him. Normally he'd have never asked anyone something like thatー he'd been hanging around Kyle too much lately. He became fond of starting profound conversation to get to the bottom of a mystery. Damn Jew.
Stan sighed. "I just wanted to drink, and I guess I got a little carried away."
"Bullshit," Cartman quickly responded, lightly bringing the bottom of his fist in contact with the top of Stan's head. "You wouldn't do this for no reason. Spill it."
Stan was silent for awhile, pleading blue eyes peering at the larger male, as if searching for some way out of this conversation, but Cartman's eyes showed no mercyー they were firm and demanding. Finally, Stan turned his head to the side, avoiding eye contact.
"Dad."
"Uh-huh... what about him?"
"He was drunk yesterday morning."
"Go on...," Cartman pressed him.
"And...," Stan sighed shakily and put a palm to his cheek as to compose himself, "he beat my mom."
Cartman's mouth fell open.
"And then hit Shelley."
Cartman wanted to interrupt.
"Then turned to me."
Fiery anger built in Eric's stomach.
"And I locked myself in the cellar."
He slightly calmed down.
"Then I don't know. I drank."
Cartman's features contorted in distress as he gently took Stan's hand in his own.
"Sorry, cutie."
That nickname always made Stan smile silly. "M'fine."
"You know, there's a such thing called child services."
Stan shrugged. "Doesn't happen often enough to count as abuse."
Cartman squeezed his hand and bit his lip. "Wanna take you and Kyle far away from here. Just go somewhere else. We can stay there together. Just us. Only got each other's shit to deal with. And that's still a lot of shit. But none of this shit at least. Shit."
Stan laughed a little, before groaning in pain at the sudden movement. But his smile stayed. "That would be nice."
"Soon, just you wait," Cartman assured him, patting his shoulder. "Really though, if we want a successful future and want to be able to support ourselves," Cartman said, "we should start by doing our homework."
"..later."
Cartman laughed loudly. "Okay. Later. "
They both knew it was unlikely.
decided to make a small two-shot to add a little context
thanks for reviews n.n
