Chapter Text
An abrupt crash signaled Cartman's arrival that morning. Kicking open the heavy steel double doors, the young man burst into the corridor with unnecessary, disruptive force.
As the loud sound echoed through the hallway, jolted students from every direction turned towards the source. Upon seeing Cartman, most had deflated. A few had scoffed, while others had rolled their eyes.
Backpack hoisted over one shoulder, Cartman strutted through the hallway with amplified bravado. As he passed by onlookers, the young man was quick to glower. After his week-long absence, it was crucial that he established precedent. Omega or not, he was not one to be crossed.
Cartman was quick to accost the first alpha to cross his path. “What the fuck are you looking at Craig?”
“What? Do you think you can get the better of me?” Despite their overt difference in stature, Cartman kept his shoulders squared and his head held high. Baring his newly developed fangs, the omega radiated ferocity. “Do you think you can trap me in the janitor's closet and pork me until I squeal?”
“Well go ahead and try, douchebag.” The omega sneered. “I've been waiting for an excuse to taze your ass.”
In turn, Craig let out a sigh. However, before he had an opportunity to counter, the omega had moved on to the next alpha. "Fuck off, Heidi! You had your chance!”
At that point, most students had turned away from the scene. All too familiar with Cartman’s track record, no one wished to be his next target.
As Cartman traversed the hallway, a satisfied smirk crept over his face. His position in the school hierarchy was secure. Despite his presentation, nothing had changed; he was still the most badass junior at South Park High.
The omega quickly moved on towards his locker. While he dug around for his Spanish book, his attention was diverted only momentarily. Unfortunately, that was enough time for the next alpha to approach.
The very instant he had slammed the locker door closed, Jimmy was at his side. “Oh, h-h-hey Eric! How are y-you doing?”
For a moment, Cartman stared blankly at his schoolmate. Was this all life had in store for him? No more than five minutes prior, his mother had dropped him off and he was already attracting alphas like flies on shit! His brows furrowed in disgust as he reached for the whistle dangling around his neck.
As the shrill sound rapidly filled the hallway, Jimmy winced, pulling away as much as he could without losing his footing.
While the enemy was distracted, Cartman whipped out a can of pepper spray from his belt holster. Without so much as a second thought, he released its contents directly into the face of the alpha.
“J-Jesus christ what the fuuuh…” Jimmy shook his head in pain and confusion. Squeezing his eyes closed, he wailed, “What the fuuuuh…”
It wasn't long before the alpha toppled over. “what the fuuuuh... what the fuck!”
While Cartman stepped around him, the alpha continued to curse and scream, crutches flailing about as he grappled with the immense pain.
The omega continued down the hall towards his central group of friends. From a distance, he could see Kenny and Stan shaking their heads in condemnation. Paying no mind to their stares, Cartman was the first to initiate conversation.
“Sup.”
Disgust was written all over Stan’s face. “Dude. What the hell?”
“As I'm sure you have already gathered, I have come into my gender.” Holding out his arms, Cartman gave a little spin. “I'm an omega now. I know, what a surprise.”
"It's pretty sweet.” As Cartman spoke on, his chest swelled with pride. "Finally, I understand why God blessed me with beauty. I feel so much more connected with my body!"
Amid his proclamation, the omega’s focus was abruptly diverted.
“Oi Donovan!” Cartman shrieked, “Keep your eyes off my virginal omega body!”
At the other end of the hall, Clyde frowned at Cartman and then turned away, resuming his conversation with Token.
“Jesus Christ! When will they learn to leave me alone?” Cartman let out an exasperated sigh, “It's difficult enough to live in this world as an omega without all of this unwanted alpha attention!”
Without missing a beat, Kenny commented. “Mmmph mmmph mmmph.”
“Uh, excuse me, Kenny?” With a raised eyebrow, Cartman placed a hand on his hip, “You better check your beta privilege. I'll do what is necessary to protect myself.”
“After all, you know what they say…” The omegas eyes veered to the right as he spoke aloud to his friends, “If you give an alpha in inch, they'll take you behind the bushes and fuck you in the ass!”
“Oh come on dude, mellow out.” Stan griped. “It's Monday. Class hasn't even started and my ears are ringing."
“What? Because I'm an omega now, I can’t speak my mind?" Cartman puffed up. “Fuck you Stan, you sexist pig!”
“To you, I may only be good for one thing.” Working himself up into a frenzy, Cartman held up a finger for emphasis. “Well guess what? I am more than just a pretty face! I am a strong, independent omega with plenty of ambition and character. There is no way I am going to sit back and let you or anyone else speak for me!”
"I refuse to allow this alpha-dominated world to crush my dreams!" Hands balled into fists, the omega shouted, "We live in the twenty-first century, Stan! No means no!”
In response, Kenny rolled his eyes. “Mmmph. Mmmph.”
“You can say that again,” Stan grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
At that point, Cartman simmered down. Ultimately, betas would never truly understand the plight of the fairer sex. There was no point in wasting his energy. So, with the subject officially dropped, Cartman moved on to his next concern.
“Where the fuck is Kyle?”
“I dunno,” Stan replied with a shrug. "Probably at home presenting. He's been out of school since the end of last week. He hasn't answered any of my texts.”
With that knowledge, Cartman adopted a shit-eating grin. “Fucking jew. It’s about time.”
Momentarily, it seemed obvious Kyle had developed into an omega, just like him. The very thought of the other boy suffering had Cartman feeling light and airy. All of the discomforts that came with presentation came to mind: cramps, vile urges, and feeling more slippery than a toad out at Stark's Pond. Cartman only hoped Kyle’s pain had exceeded his own.
In addition to Kyle being miserable, Cartman was also pleased to have another male omega in their grade. Even if Browflovski was a total jackass, Cartman didn’t want to be the odd man out.
Unfortunately, his euphoria was short-lived, as it was not long before Kyle made his appearance.
Oddly enough, Cartman caught Kyle’s scent before he saw him. As with most mature pheromones, key aspects of Kyle's youth scent were present. And yet, as much as it was the same, there were striking differences. While the young man still smelled of freshly cut grass with a hint of lemon, Kyle’s pheromones were more potent and oddly enough, muskier?
As soon as Cartman had turned to address the other boy, he tensed up.
“You have got to be shitting me.”
It appeared as if Kyle had grown a foot taller over the week. How the fuck was that even possible?
“Hey, guys.” To Cartman's complete horror, the deep timbre of Kyle’s voice sent a shiver down his back. Kyle? An alpha? What the fuck? That was straight-up bullshit!
“Hey man.” Stan easily replied to his friend's salutation. “Good to see you back. I took notes for you while you were out last week.”
“Thanks, dude.” the young alpha gave a slight smile as he removed his backpack. For fuck’s sake, even Kyle’s shoulders had become broader.
The very instant Kyle took notice of Cartman was marked by an abrupt change in energy. Posture rigid, there was a dramatic rise and fall to Kyle's chest as he brazenly took in the other's scent. As if under a spell, with widened eyes and a slack jaw, Kyle turned towards the omega.
While Kyle’s gaze raked over him, Cartmen felt an unfamiliar tingling in his core. Could the fucker have been more obvious?
It was just as strange as it was humiliating. Locked in place, Cartman’s face was burning up. Never before had he felt so unnerved, so vulnerable. Kyle was dialed in, appraising the omega like a juicy slab of meat.
Suddenly, as if to reject instinct, Cartman folded his arms over his chest. He wasn't going belly up for any alpha, especially not Kyle!
“I've got my eyes on you, Kyle." Cartman spoke out defiantly, "I won't fall victim to your depraved alpha Jew ways. Keep your hands where they belong or you're getting a face full of pepper spray!”
“Huh?” Kyle’s face scrunched up in disgust, “Because I'm an alpha now I have no self-control?"
Tone full of venom, the alpha spat out, “Fuck you, fatass. Don't be so full of yourself.”
Cartman quickly shot back. “Try saying that again without your nostrils flaring, you fucking pervert.”
"What!?” With that, Kyle was tomato red.
“Well, uh… You!” Scrambling for a rebuttal, the alpha stumbled over his words. “Then, maybe you shouldn't waft your scent around like a needy bitch!”
Looming over the other boy, Kyle jabbed his finger into his chest. “Omega or not, I'm not taking your shit, Cartman.”
Before, Cartman would have fought against Kyle’s challenging tone. However, having just presented, Cartman’s control over his instincts was shaky at best. Defenseless against the sudden influx of aggression, the best Cartman could do was suppress a tremble working its way through his body.
Oozing disdain, Kyle continued his tirade, “Quit being a cunt and fuck off!”
Cartman soon found his body was working against his interests. His thoughts were foggy. Every cell in his body was compelling him to bare his neck in submission. Of course, leave it to Kyle to use his dynamic against an omega. How unfair!
Luckily, before Cartman embarrassed himself further, Kenny came to his rescue.
“Mmmph mmmph.” Pushing his way in between the pair, the beta attempted to reason with the alpha. “Mmmph mmmph mmmph.”
The beta’s words took Cartman by surprise. He couldn’t recall the last time Kenny had taken his side. Granted, Kenny had sent a few jabs his way, but of course, that was to be expected of his smart-mouthed friend.
What followed threw everyone through a loop. If Cartman had not seen Kyle’s behavior first hand, he probably would not have believed it.
In response to the beta's reasonable request, Kyle ran his tongue over his exposed canines. Digging his heels into the tile, the alpha slouched over, widening his stance. Kenny was a true friend through and through, so why was Kyle rearing up as if to attack his mortal enemy?
As fearless as ever, Kenny refused back down. Even when Kyle began to growl, he remained firmly planted between the two.
Fortunately, amid the alpha’s display, Cartman found his bearings.
“It's alright, Kenny.” Placing a hand on the beta's shoulder, the omega nudged him to the side.
“Go on Kyle, tell me how you really feel. Or, even better yet…” In an instant, Cartman had whipped out his phone and shoved it in the alpha's face. “Go on and share with my followers what you actually think about omegas.”
“Care to repeat what you said Kyle?” Cartman fearlessly probed, “You know, that bit right after you scented me without my consent?”
“Go on, say it.” Under the alpha’s hateful gaze, Cartman egged him on with impunity. “That's what I thought. Not so apt to call me a cunt now, are you, Mr. Big Bad Alpha? Your time is up!”
“Do not test me, Cartman.” The alpha replied pointedly through gritted teeth.
Taking note of the clenched fists at Kyle’s side, Cartman could hardly contain his glee. Once again, the omega had gained the upper hand.
“Oh? Only a minute ago you were spouting off about self-control… Huh…” Looking away, Cartman hooked a finger in his mouth. “I guess I'm not so full of myself after all.”
Cartman braced himself for what was to come. Kyle was a lot of things, condescending, calculating, deceitful, but if there was one thing the alpha was not, it was a coward.
The omega considered how Kyle would retaliate. What would it be: an act of violence? Further pheromone suppression? Verbal abuse? Whatever came his way, Cartman was more than willing to pay the price for ruffling Kyle’s feathers. After all, there was no sweeter victory than to prove Kyle wrong.
And yet, to his complete surprise, the alpha did not act out. Instead, Kyle drew a deep breath, threw his backpack over his shoulders, and made his way down the hall.
Immediately Cartman called out to him. “Hey! Come back here!”
However, before Cartman had a chance to chase after him, the first bell rang and Kenny was dragging him to their first period.
To Cartman’s surprise, the school day proceeded in a typical fashion. There were a few looks here and there, but the omega was quick to challenge any unusual attention.
On the surface level, Cartman remained cool, however deep down, he was still fuming over Kyle.
In retrospect, Kyle being an alpha made perfect sense. He had always projected superiority over others. Plus, the guy had the worst temper out of anyone in their grade.
His mother warned him about crappy alphas like Kyle, throwing their scent around, taking no consideration for how it affected others. That asshole always played the nice guy, but of course, Cartman knew better.
Fuck Kyle.
The alpha was a hypocrite at best, and a sociopath at worst. A prick, a true scumbag.
So, why the fuck had Cartman’s body responded to the alpha’s scent? This undeniable fact had the omega writhing in fury.
Lunch was awkward. The group sat in a row at the school lunch tables, Cartman on one side, and Kyle on the other. The alpha went out of his way to avoid interacting with Cartman and of course, this behavior only infuriated the omega further.
Deadset on returning whatever discomfort Kyle had brought unto him, Cartman made deliberate jabs to get under the alpha’s skin. It started off subtle: off-handed comments, threats laced in niceties, only for it to devolve into outright name-calling. Cartman even went so far as to painstakingly outline a scenario in which he would seduce Kyle’s father. Rose petals on the bed, candles on the nightstand; the whole shebang.
Out loud the omega contemplated fucking Kyle’s mom but ultimately decided against it. After all, he would probably die after being swallowed up by such a massive hairy cunt.
Despite his best efforts, Kyle did not so much as cast a glance in his direction. Once the alpha was finished with lunch, he and Stan took off, spending the remainder of their break elsewhere.
Incensed by Kyle’s disinterest, Cartman’s rage spiraled as the day progressed. The alpha’s newly enhanced features were taunting him. The musky undertones of Kyle’s scent, his strong jawline, and of course, his fierce piercing gaze; by the end of the day, Kyle was living in his head, rent-free.
In the end, the omega could barely focus on anything else, not even where he was going.
Upon crashing into another person in the hallway, Cartman jumped back, startled out of his thoughts.
In response to the collision, Craig delivered a dismissive, “My bad.”
“My bad?” Cartman balked, “My bad!? Fuck you, Craig! How dare you use a crowded hallway as an excuse to feel me up!”
“Look.” The alpha responded in monotone, “I'm only saying this one time, Cartman, so listen up.”
“You being an omega doesn't change anything. You're still the same obnoxious, fat bastard.”
“I don’t like you.” the young man gave an impassive shrug. “Really, I don’t think anyone likes you.”
“Quit acting like I'm out to rape you or whatever. Not only is that an insult to my character, it’s disgusting. You couldn't pay me to fuck you with a bag over your head.”
As the moment hung in the air, Cartman’s scowl became more severe. Witnesses to the interaction exchanged hushed whispers as Cartman stood in silence, boiling over with rage.
Typically, Cartman had thick skin. It was a low blow, sure, But Cartman was more than capable of returning the favor. Comments about his weight did not affect him in the same manner as they had when he was a child.
Only, something about exchange cut deeper.
Perhaps it was due to the unfamiliar hormones running through his veins. No doubt, his heat had left him more sensitive than usual. It could also have been in part caused by all of the attention.
In the corner of his eye, the omega spotted Stan, Kenny, and Kyle watching from the sidelines. Usually, he did not mind their apathy. Cartman didn’t need anyone sticking up for him. Even so, the omega could not deny that the indifference in Kyle's expression cut like glass.
Soon, sinister insecurity crept into the recesses of his mind. He was an obese, unsightly omega whose ‘friends’ merely tolerated him.
As onlookers continued to stare and whisper, Cartman’s eyes moistened and his face became unbearably hot. He couldn’t bear the humiliation of crumbling in front of his peers, and for what? Something Craig had said to him? The guy was so dumb, he put airbags on his computer in case it crashed.
With a loud thwack, Cartman slapped Craig across the face. Onlookers gasped in shock and horror. Before the alpha could even register the transgression, Cartman had run off towards the exit.
Bypassing the bus, Cartman took off on foot. So overwhelmed with emotion. The omega didn't stop until he was gasping for breath at his doorstep.
Once the door was shut behind him, Cartman screamed, “Mom!”
After a moment had passed, Cartman called out once more, this time more drawn out and whiny. “Maaahm!”
Hastily, the woman shuffled in from the next room, “What is it, Poopykins?”
"That asshole Craig! He… He… He called me fat! And disgusting.” Cartman’s eye screwed shut as he frantically explained the situation to his mother. “No one took up for me! Not Stan, not Kenny… Not even that fucker Kyle!”
With a frown, the woman folded her arms over her chest. “Language, Eric.”
"I can’t help it, mom! I hate them all so much!" Hot tears rolling down his cheeks, Cartman threw his hands out in exasperation. “These goddamn hormones are turning my brain to goop!”
"I can’t believe I ran off like a coward." the omega shook his head in disbelief, “Craig got one over me. Fucking pea-brained Craig!”
“There, there… It’s okay, sweetheart.” Projecting a soothing scent, the woman held him close.
“Presentation is a difficult time for everyone.” Carefully wiped his tears away, his mother continued, sweetly, “It is particularly trying for omegas.”
“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but it is going to take a moment for you to find your way. Don't worry about disparaging comments. It will pass.”
“Especially about your looks.” Clearly insulted, his mother scoffed.
“You’re mommy’s little handsome man.” A smile graced her face as she gave him a deliberate once over. “Well, not so little anymore.”
As if it were a fact, the woman stated plainly, “When the time is right, you will find an alpha who will appreciate you just as you are.”
Before pulling back, she gently booped his nose. “What do you say we head to the kitchen? I'll bake you some chocolate chip oatmeal bars.”
After one final sniffle, Cartman replied, “Yeah, okay.”
A step behind his mother, Cartman felt a glowing warmth in his chest. Was this appreciation? As irritating as she was, the woman always had a knack for bringing him up. In her own way, she was good to him.
"Hey, Mom?"
Slowing to a stop, the woman turned to face the young omega. “Yes, Eric?”
Cartman was about to say thanks, but at the last second, he screwed his mouth closed. Yet again his pheromones were getting the better of him. How lame!
As the woman looked back at him expectantly, Cartman instead asked. “Could I have a scoop of ice cream on top of my bars?”
Once more, the woman smiled at him before turning away, “Of course, Sweetie.”