I don't own South Park - it's owned by the very talented Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

The Contest

by cell12

Chapter 25

Eric and Kyle played video games for a few hours, it was mindless but it was fun - and it took Kyle's mind off everything he had to think about. Cartman had every console and every game you could think of, he even had multiple versions of the same game.

"Why do you need two copies of this Call of Duty game?" Kyle asked, holding the two boxes in his hands.

"One's Xbox and one's Playstation," Cartman answered, "ah have friends on-line with each version, so ah need both for whipping their asses."

Kyle nodded, he knew that Stan had the Xbox version and he had heard that Craig got a PS3 just so he wouldn't have the same as Stan. It was silly really, only Cartman and Token had all the consoles.

"How did your mom pay for the consoles and all the games?" Kyle asked, thinking that some of Cartman's trust fund had been spent on him despite what he said.

"My mom is sleeping with the manager at the video game store," Cartman told his friend, "ah tell him what to get me for Christmas and birthday presents."

"The guy's married," Kyle guessed.

"His father-in-law owns the chain of stores," Cartman grinned, "he would be out of more than just a job if his cheating was ever revealed."

"You're blackmailing him," Kyle accused.

Cartman looked shocked, "Kahl if you were dating a single parent, you would buy the kid presents wouldn't you?"

Kyle sort of nodded.

"That's all this is," Cartman explained, "ah tell him what ah want as gifts and he gets them for me. Most of it he writes off as promotional items or in-store competitions."

"It still doesn't seem right," Kyle said.

"Kahl, the guy is cheating on a wife he only married so he could get his hands on her daddy's fortune," Cartman argued, "he's been seeing my mom, on a regular basis, for years. Ah think ah deserve something for all the times ah've had to listen to him in bed with my mother."

"I'm sorry Eric," Kyle said, "I can't imagine what it's like, having to deal with shit like that."

"Ah used to deny everything my mom was up to, pretend it wasn't happening and act like my life was better than everyone else s," Cartman mused. "It wasn't like ah was living in denial, ah was just too proud and ashamed to admit anything to anyone."

Kyle was struggling not to hug Cartman. The larger boy was clearly needing love and stability in his life.

"Ah act like an ass, most of the time, because it's easier," Cartman continued.

"Easier?" Kyle questioned.

"It's easier to deal with being hated by everyone than being pitied," Cartman replied.

"You could have told us," Kyle insisted, "we're your friends, we would have understood."

"Maybe now you and Stan are old enough to understand and be supportive," Cartman conceded, "but when we were younger this would just have been more ammo for you to rip on me with."

"You didn't mention Kenny," Kyle put his game controller down as he turned to face his friend.

"Kenneh's my best friend," Cartman told Kyle, "we might not have pranced around like you and Stan did but we got each other. His home and family life was shit as well, but for different reasons than mine. He used to sneak over to my house all the time and spend the night. Some nights ah would fall asleep alone on an evening and wake up with Kenneh snuggled up to me, for warmth, in the morning."

"You both should have told us how bad things were," Kyle tried to sound calm. He was feeling slightly jealous about the idea of Kenny sharing Cartman's bed - even though he knew nothing had ever happened.

"You and Stan knew and ignored it. Not that ah blame you, it's the way you were brought up," Cartman sighed, "Kenneh's parents and my mother's behaviour was ignored by the people of this town. No-one wanted to do shit to help the children who were stuck having to deal with it."

"We would have helped," Kyle started.

"Cartman stared deep into Kyle's sincere green eyes, "Maybe you would have, but do you think ah wanted anyone to know how bad things were? Do you think ah would have accepted the help?"

Kyle looked away, feeling guilty over how he had overlooked Eric's awful home life. It wasn't as if he hadn't known for years that Liane Cartman was a prostitute who used drugs, it's just that he never took the time to consider the way it had affected Cartman. He had considered it nothing more than a joke, something he could say to hurt the Fat-asses feelings when they argued.

"My life's not so bad now Kahl," Cartman said gently, noticing the guilt and pity in Kyle's face, "ah'm used to being independent and looking after myself. Ah'm older now and ah don't really need a mom any more."

"I'll always need my family," Kyle confessed, "they're part of who I am and what makes me happy."

"You're strong enough to survive without them," Cartman insisted.

"Yes I am," Kyle accepted, "but I don't have to and I wouldn't want to. Even when I go to college and after that, I'll still want my mom, dad and Ike to be a big part of my life."

A wistful look filled Cartman's face for a second, like he was trying to imagine something he would never have. Then the look was gone and Eric resumed his usual arrogant expression, "Ah suppose you think of your friends the same way?"

Kyle smiled, "It's hard to imagine a life without my best friends, we've had so many adventures together."

"Do you include me in that?" Cartman asked.

"Yes, I must be used to your insults and bad behaviour," Kyle poked at Cartman, trying to elicit a smile, "I've put up with you for this long."

Cartman struggled to hide a smile, leaning away to avoid Kyle's fingers, "It's still a little early for bed, do you fancy a hot chocolate drink?"

Kyle placed his hands on his lap, trying to look innocent, "Is it diabetic friendly?"

"It's sugar free," Cartman pulled a pained expression, "so, of course, it tastes like crap."

"You think it tastes like crap and you still want to give some to me?" Kyle teased.

"You'll probably like it," Cartman answered, "since you've never tasted the good stuff."

For lack of anything better to do, Kyle followed Eric into the kitchen and stood in the doorway - watching as the larger boy worked. He recognised the jar as the same brand his mother buys for him and smiled. Of course Cartman wasn't following the instructions.

"You're supposed to put some in a mug and pour on boiling water," Kyle pointed out as he watched Cartman heating milk on the stove.

"Have you tried it like that?" Cartman asked, "It tastes disgusting! Now let me create my masterpiece."

Kyle continued to watch as Cartman poured the hot milk into the two mugs, stirring each one with a long-handled, small-headed balloon whisk until they frothed.

Kyle reached for one of the mugs, only to feel the whisk tap the back of his hand, "Patience Kahl," Cartman told his friend.

Kyle waited while Cartman grated dark diabetic Chocolate over the drinks, "Can I have it now?" He asked.

Cartman nodded, then watched as Kyle lifted to mug to his lips, "What do you think?" He asked.

Kyle sipped, "It's better, a lot better. You should try it Eric."

Cartman smiled at the complement and took a sip of his own drink, "It's still not as good as the real thing."

"Well it's the best I've ever had," Kyle insisted, putting his finished mug down.

"Ah guess ah'll have to practice Kahl-friendly recipes," Cartman said.

"Really?" Kyle felt the hope rise in his chest, was Eric subtly letting him know that he wanted them to be together - for real.

"Ah'll be stuck doing all the cooking when we go to college," Eric started rinsing the mugs out, "so ah might as well start working on some more healthy recipes now.

Kyle felt slightly put-out that Cartman wasn't thinking about spending more time with him, the larger boy was only thinking about having to share an apartment, "It will do you good to eat more healthily as well," he answered defensively.

"You don't have to keep pointing out how fat ah am Kahl, ah got the message years ago," Cartman looked really hurt as he pushed past Kyle and went to sit down.

"Please," Kyle caught Eric's arm and turned the larger boy to face him, "I don't want you to think I was trying to hurt you."

"Mah mom crammed me full of unhealthy foods from an early age. It kept me quiet and listless so ah wouldn't bother her while she was entertaining. Later on ah started comfort eating," Cartman stared at Kyle, daring him to comment, "sometimes food was the only thing ah could turn to."

"And now?" Kyle asked.

"Any time ah'm upset or really angry ah start eating junk food," Cartman confessed, "sometimes ah go weeks, eating healthy and losing weight. Then something bad happens and ah have a junk food binge. Of course then the guilt and self-loathing kick in and finally the depression and more comfort eating. It's a cycle ah've been stuck on all my life."

"I didn't know," Kyle tried to comfort Cartman.

"You think that ah wanted to be fat Kahl? No fat kid wants to be fat," Cartman told his friend, "there are usually reasons behind the eating, you just have to look for them."

"You use food as a way to cope with your problems?" Kyle asked.

"Who was there for me to turn to?" Cartman spat, "My mom? It's impossible to have a normal conversation with her. Ah don't have any other family that ah'm close to. My friends, the same friends who call me Fat-ass all the time and treat me like shit? A teacher? Hell no, can you imagine any of the teachers at school caring enough to help a pupil with their problems?"

"I'm here now," Kyle told Cartman. The larger boy stared at Kyle, unbelieving, "Not just because of the contest, you're my friend and I care about you."

Cartman started to move towards the stairs, "Kahl, ah just want to forget about all this shit. We have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow and we'll need our wits about us."

"Am I sleeping in your bed?" Kyle asked.

"It won't be so bad tonight Kahl," Cartman told him, "ah have a double bed and no-one will be expecting us to be hugging and cuddling."

Kyle felt disappointed by Cartman's words, "What if we end up cuddling in our sleep?"

"Ah'll try to be careful," Cartman joked, "ah wouldn't want you to kick my ass with your Jew-ninja skills."

Kyle followed Eric upstairs and into his room, they undressed in silence and soon were both brushing their teeth in the bathroom.

"Did you think up a pet name for me?" Cartman asked.

"Not really," Kyle answered, "there hasn't been a lot of time for me to sit and think."

"Hmmm," Cartman's mouth was full of paste as he brushed.

"I could go with that thing I called you at the arcade," Kyle suggested, "cuddle monster."

Cartman spat out the paste, "Ah guess that's fine, it's not too embarrassing anyway."

Kyle left the bathroom with Cartman behind him, turning out the lights as he went. When he entered the bedroom, Eric turned out the main light leaving the room lit only by the bedside lamp.

"You know something Kahl," Cartman said sneakily. Kyle knew Eric was up to something, he could hear the mischief in his voice.

"What," Kyle answered, returning Cartman's playful tone.

Kyle felt Eric wrap his arms around his shoulders and hug him, "Cuddle monster loves his sweet peh," he joked as they started to play-wrestle with each other.

Kyle laughed, "Sweet pea loves his cuddle monster," he replied, grinning.

They wrestled for a few more seconds before spilling onto the bed, laughing.

"You never used to be this much fun," Kyle commented.

"We never trusted each other enough to hang out like this," Cartman replied, making no move to untangle himself from the Jewish boy.

"When this is over," Kyle said, "I don't want to go back to how we were before."

"Ah don't think we can Kahl," Cartman sniggered, "once you've sucked face with someone, you have to become friends - it's kind-of a rule."

Kyle snorted, "I never thought I'd see the day, Eric Cartman wants to be friends with me."

"Jew rat," Cartman joked, tickling the smaller boy.

Kyle tried to thrash his legs but they were pinned in-between Eric's. Instead he settled for tickling the larger boy's ribs. They continued for a few minutes until both boys were breathless and Cartman called a truce.

"Kahl ah don't want you to think that ah'm all emo shit because of all the stuff ah told you," Cartman said, finally rolling off Kyle and onto his back, "ah've had a long time to deal with everything and it doesn't bother me that much any more. Ah only told you all that personal shit because you might need to know for the contest."

"I kinda figured that," Kyle replied, between large gulping breaths.

"Smart-ass Jew," Cartman muttered kindly.

"Stubborn Fat-ass," Kyle returned, turning to snuggle up to his friend, "you're nice and warm though."

But Cartman hadn't heard him, he had fallen off to sleep.

Kyle was woken from a rather pleasant dream by loud noises coming from downstairs. It actually took him a few seconds to realise that he was at Eric's house and that the reason why he was so comfortable was because he was snuggled up in Cartman's arms. He didn't want to fully wake up, he didn't want to move but the noises continued and they were intrusive.

Kyle felt Cartman shift against him, "God-dammit," the larger boy muttered, "she had to do this tonight."

"What's going on?" Kyle asked as he shifted off his friend.

"My mother's home," Cartman replied, his voice set like stone.

Kyle heard the click of the bedside lamp being turned on and screwed his eyes against the light, "Is she alright?"

"One night," Cartman hadn't appeared to hear Kyle's question, "all ah asked is for her to behave herself for one night."

Kyle followed Cartman as he went out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Cartman stopped at the foot of the stairs and Kyle had to lean to one side to peer around him. What he saw was quite shocking. The front door was wide open and Liane Cartman was lying passed-out on the floor in the living room. She was dressed in an incredibly slutty outfit consisting of; leather mini skirt and jacket, fishnet stockings and bright red high-heels. Her face was plastered with make-up - although most of it appeared to be smudged. Her bag was tossed, casually, to one side - it's contents partly spilling out. Kyle could clearly see the bags of white powder, standing out in the low lighting. Her keys were still hanging in the door and her clothes appeared dishevelled, like she'd put them back on in a hurry. There was a clear odour of strong drink and marijuana, Kyle recognised the drink smell from Kenny's house and his occasional run-ins with a drunken Randy Marsh. It wasn't just fresh drunk though, it was the smell of vomit and stale alcohol. He knew the scent of weed from the kids who smoked it round the back of the school, but have never realised it could be so pungent.

"What happened to her?" Kyle asked as he watched Cartman drag her fully into the house, look outside briefly to check on her car and close the front door.

"The usual," Cartman replied, he was clearly not happy. Cartman pushed the bag closed, after cramming the spilt-out contents back in, and slipped it over his arm.

Kyle watched as Cartman lifted his mother and carried her up the stairs, "Is it always like this?" He asked.

"No," Cartman replied, "sometimes she doesn't make it home. Sometimes she brings her clients here. You never know from one night to the next, always a surprise, always fun," his voice dripped with sarcastic venom.

By now Cartman had carried his mother into her room and placed her on the bed. He was using a wipe to remove the worst of her make-up.

"How long have you been doing this for her?" Kyle asked, too stunned to feel embarrassed for asking.

"When ah was little ah wasn't strong enough to carry her up the stairs, so ah used to just help her onto the sofa," Cartman had stripped his mother down to her underwear and was tucking her into the bed.

"Has it always been this bad?" Kyle wondered, he was asking himself more than Eric, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"No it wasn't always this bad Kahl," Cartman replied, his voice soft, "she can't handle the drugs and drink as much as she could a few years back."

Kyle watched as Cartman propped a spare pillow behind his mother, "It's to stop her rolling onto her back and choking to death on her own vomit," Eric told his friend, after seeing Kyle's puzzled expression.

Kyle couldn't think of anything to say, the Eric Cartman he was seeing right now seemed so defeated and so hurt. His bravado and usual bluster stripped away revealing a desperately lonely person underneath.

Cartman lead Kyle back into the bedroom, once there he turned to face his friend, "Kahl ah'm sorry that you had to see that."

Kyle couldn't help but contrast his own parents against Liane's behaviour. Offering up a silent prayer to Moses that he had been born so lucky. He remembered what Eric had said about preferring hate to pity, "It's OK Eric, you can't be held responsible for her actions. If anything, I think more of you, knowing what you've had to deal with all these years."

"Can we just go to bed," Cartman asked, "ah just want this day over with."

They climbed back into bed and Eric switched out the lamp. Kyle immediately moved across to cuddle against Cartman.

"Ah'm OK Kahl," Cartman whispered, "ah don't need comforting like a child."

Kyle knew that Eric did need comforting, he just would never admit it, "I'm a bit cold," he lied, "could you just hold me and warm me up?"

Cartman wrapped his arms around Kyle, not speaking. Kyle snuggled in, resting his head on Eric's shoulder.

"Ah'm glad we're friends now," Cartman spoke softly, pulling Kyle against him, like a comforter.

Kyle chose not to answer, he was too relaxed and sleepy. All his tension seemed to melt away when he was in Eric's embrace.

"Are you asleep Kahl," Cartman's voice was broken and choppy, it sounded so vulnerable and sad.

Kyle could hardly believe it, Cartman was crying. He felt Eric's chest rise and shudder as the larger boy tried to control his sobs. Kyle couldn't help himself, he lifted up and turned to face a surprised Cartman, "Don't cry Eric," he said, bringing their faces together and giving his friend a gentle kiss.

Authors Note: A double sized chapter, I hope you all enjoy it. The chapter originally ended when Kyle and Cartman first went to sleep, but the second part seemed too short to be a chapter on it's own, so I added it on.

To answer the question posed by xXrainbowflowerXx, I'm not from the US so I struggle a bit when it comes to things like; how old you are for each grade, and what grades are elementary, middle and high school. Cartman is old enough to drive and they're talking about college. I always thought that this story was set in the summer break prior to their senior year starting. You can work out the ages yourself from there.

Kyman love to all my readers, cell12.