Craig let out another long, drawn out sigh as he puffed the end of his cigarette out the window of their apartment. Three years. The goddamn years they had been living in this stupid apartment and every year that's passed, Tweek promises they'll move. Another promise he doesn't keep. Craig used to be able to dismiss his boyfriends forgetfulness passively as 'cute' or 'naïve', but even Craig hidden in his own thoughts can admit he gets annoyed by Tweek's forgetfulness and his outbursts and his resisting to do this or persistance on doing that.
The darker haired boy let his cigarette fall to the street from floors and stories below him, closing his eyes. Tweek hated these things, maybe that was why he smoked them so often. Passive aggressive is how Craig worked best because it required little to no conversation, just passively being aggressive. He didn't realized he had been leaning over the railings of their walk-out-window staring down until he walked in.
"Tweek why are you so late? You fucking know how much I worry when you don't call me." Craig accused without much reason. It was more or less a reason to talk to him, they never talked anymore unless they were arguing or talking after sex. Early mornings were the only time, nowadays, that Craig can say he is actually happy at home. "Answer your phone." He deadpanned, kissing the boy's cheek quickly and walking passed him to the kitchen without another word.
Tweek watched the boy and shook his head, groaning. "I had to work over. I thought you'd be happy that I was getting more hours." He muttered. When they had moved into this apartment three years ago they had both promised to find a job to help pay for rent and food and all the neccessities. It wahd been like a dream to move out of South Park, even if it wasn't that far away. Just somewhere they could afford.
Tweek found a job doing what he found natural, working at a local Harbucks. He'd been offered a manager's position several times. This meant more money, which they needed, but Tweek would always refuse it, feeling that it would put too much pressure on him. This is another thing that fueled their fights.
As did Craig's lack of a job. He had a job at the local paper, but after about a year of nothing but delivery work he had quit. What Craig had wanted was to be a photographer. Tweek supported him quitting and also supported him getting another job, which he never did.
Tweek followed him into the kitchen. "Did you make dinner?" Tweek asked, instantly moving to the coffee pot to pour himself a hot cup of coffee. At least Craig had made coffee for him.
"M'mm." Craig barely answered, nodding to the coffee and a pot of soup on their tiny apartment stove. If Craig couldn't offer Tweek money or a decent relationship, he made up for it at least occasionally with his passion for cooking. He usually covered that, at least. What happened to them? Craig used to make him breakfast every morning and kiss him off to work... He supposed that was just back when things were normal. When they were happy, when Craig had a job and could help relieve Tweek of some of the pressure he had to deal with at work. Granted if Tweek could just take the managers position at work, a lot of their problems would just be solved already. He knew better than to bring it up, though.
"Potato soup with vegetables." He clarified only slightly. "Bread is still baking, so..." He trailed off, sipping his tea as Tweek attacked his coffee. Craig still made it for him every morning, as a force of habit. He thinks Tweek still holds that close, the gesture of making coffee for him all the time, but really it isn't even something Craig thinks about as a good gesture to his boyfriend anymore. It's just something he does without thinking. He wouldn't admit that either though.
Walking over to Tweek, Craig took the mail off the table that said boy had brought in from outside, flipping through it mindlessly
Tweek hesitated for a moment, thumbing over the edge of his coffee cup as he stared into its dark contents before speaking, "T-theres nothing to look at but bills." he muttered, closing his eyes. He was so tired, but not a regular tired. He was tired of life in this apartment. He was tired of working so hard on their relationship and their financial stature. He chewed on his lip again before speaking again, "Someone told me today that Wal-Mart is hiring in their photo center...someone to take pictures of people's kids. Maybe you could..." he started.
He stood and returned to the pot of coffee to pour himself another pot. "It'd really help if you got a job again and you'd get to take pictures there..." he told him. He remembered a time when Craig always had his camera. Every moment they spent together had been a photo capturing moment, filled with bright colors and wonderful memories. He idly mused about how now nothing had color. The world was in sepia.
He looked up at Craig, swallowing hard. "I-i'm barely making enough to pay rent and that's with all the over time I've been bringing in...maybe you could...just for a while." he said as he sat back down at their small table.
For some reason, this time Craig didn't feel a boiling in his stomach. He didn't snarl at the blond's words and turn around to bark about how he's been trying so very, very hard (lies) to get a job. He wasnt trying at all, and he knew it. It wasnt as if he didn't care, it was that until now, hearing Tweek speak with...what the fuck was it just now? ...Hurt? He knew things needed to change. This wasnt the first time he'd felt this though, he knew the feeling was guilt. This same feeling is exactly what happened back in High School when he found out Tweek had secretly been in love with him for years... Bent over heals, he had to even go as far as adding.
"..." He could sense Tweek's breaths becoming more rapid as he turned himself around and faced Tweek. This was always the sign that Craig would blow up. He was going to get in Tweek's face and yell at him, shouting about how much he tried and how much he puts up with. "...I don't know if I still got it in me." Craig mutters, sitting beside Tweek at the table and setting the mail on the table, absently noting but not caring about a Reminder-Letter for the two of them to visit the Doctor soon.
Tweek was a little surprised when Craig didn't start snapping about how he was trying and it was Tweek that wasn't. That he should take that managers position and everything would be solved. That's how it always went when Tweek suggested that Craig stared looking for a job again. The blonde boy knew that he had stopped a long time ago.
He sipped on his coffee, trying to hide how surprised he was that his raven haired lover would even talk with him about it. "Of course you do, Craig...something like that doesn't just go away. You might be a little rusty, but I bet you still have it in you." he attempted to reassure him.
He couldn't tell if he actually meant it or not. He just really wanted Craig to go apply for the job. How hard was it to snap a few pictures of a child and get a pay check at the end of the week? "I think you should apply for the job...maybe it'll help you get your photography back into shape." he said, giving a small smile.
He rolled his eyes, but mostly just at the compliments being thrown his way. Tweek knew that, he was sure. "Ugh... Yeah, maybe." He frowned, closing his eyes as he leaned back in his chair. "I'll wake up and take you to work in the morning, then apply I guess."
Craig had no idea where this was coming from, this kinder and less angry side of him, but... it felt nice not to argue. To not be mad and feel unheard by this boy that at one time he could honestly say he'd do anything for. Now Craig knows he just makes it a chore to act as though he loves him. "'m sure it's a better solution than you taking on more hours...y'work too many as it is, I don't see you anymore."
Tweek gave a small nod and then smiled, kissing the boy's cheek. "That's wonderful." he said, feeling a little less exhausted than he previously had. It might be nice to be able to have a day off once in a while now that Craig would have a job of his own. It might even give Tweek a chance to work on his writing, something that he'd missed terribly, but just couldn't find the time for it anymore.
He kissed the boy's cheek again as he got up for his third cup of coffee. He stopped mid way to the pot and inhaled deeply, scrunching up his nose. "Is something...burning?" he asked and then looked back at Craig.
