The door slammed open with a shuddering bang. It bounced against the wall, hitting Clyde in the shoulder as he burst through the door with an armful of boxes.

"What I'd say? Was I right or was I right?" The brunette dumped what he was holding onto the floor, and turned around to face his friend. Like a self-satisfied cat with a bowl full of milk, a smug smile peaked out from the corners of his mouth. "Told you we'd make it with time to spare."

Craig rolled his eyes, kicking the door shut behind him. The box of clothes he carried, he set it on top of a different one labeled "bed and stuff."

"Right, time to spare," the sarcastic teen drawled, "What was supposed to be a one day drive to New York turned into three, Clyde. My flight leaves in fucking ten hours."

"Then you better hurry up and help me unpack. You don't expect me to do this all by myself do you? My roommate is supposed to come in later this week. Can't leave a bad impression, ya know?"

Scoffing, Craig shoved at his best friend's head as he walked past. They both knew without it being said aloud, Craig coming all the way here with Clyde was something in and of itself. He didn't have to, but he did, spending his own hard earned money to help pay for gas and his own flight back home to South Park. If Jimmy and Token had tagged along for the ride, the trip would've been less expensive split among four people, but Clyde never mentioned it to them; never invited them to come. Perhaps it was callous of him to treat his friends as such, but the last few days he had left...For reasons he didn't want to delve into, he needed it where it was just him and Craig alone.

Craig leaned against the window overlooking the city streets. Life here seemed busy, so different from their hometown in Colorado. Cars lined the roads, honking, blaring while a throng of people bustled about. Even at night, New York City was a lively place; perfect for an idealistic person like Clyde to mature. There will always be something here for him to do, to preoccupy his time. Someone as outgoing, as exuberant and friendly as Clyde, will find a new group of friends in no time. Soon enough, he'll forget about his life back at South Park and the people.

"So this is where you're going to live from now on." Craig didn't take his eyes off the glass. "Fun. Too bad I didn't get into college here."

Dusting off his hands on his knees, Clyde joined Craig by the window. Playfully, he punched the noirette on his shoulder. "Pfft, whatever. You're going to a big city too." He turned to look out at the view, and lights from the billboards and signs flickered across his face. "L.A. isn't that different from here. Probably more wild, I think. I'm surprised you chose to go there for college."

Craig shrugged. "Good film program there. Thought I'd give it a shot. Who knows."

"Ah..." There was nothing else Clyde could say to that so he stayed quiet. Without another word to each other, they stood side by side, staring out the window as the world passed them by. Seconds turned into minutes, each of them counting down the hours until Craig would fly back home while Clyde stayed here. Ten hours wasn't much time left.

After a long period of silence, Craig finally spoke, "Clyde."

"Hm?" Clyde turned to the noirette. He caught a glimpse of piercing blue eyes before Craig grabbed him by the back of his neck and kissed him.

They didn't speak- nothing needed to be said. Silently and mutually, they stumble their way to Clyde's bare, unmade bed, stripping off one another's clothes and running hands over each other's body .

Clyde lost count of how many times they've kissed, and over the years, they've gone so much further than that. Back in middle school, it started off as a joke, something that could be laughed off between guy friends. However, the chaste kiss they did as a dare became a secret that bound them even closer together. Between playing around and idle curiosity, they kissed again and again until one day Craig decided to jerk Clyde off. They didn't make a big deal out of it, because it wasn't. Who cared if they helped each other masturbate? They were friends- best friends- that had no one else to fuck. Might as well give a guy a helping hand right? Ha.

The "joke" soon developed into how they fucked each other behind everyone's back without anyone suspecting a thing. Once they crossed that line- unable to stop themselves from wanting more- they quickly established a rule between them. So long as the both of them remained single, they could use each other for sexual release.

When they had sex, it was just that- pure, unadulterated fucking. It was the best part of being friends with benefits; there was no romantic attachments, no sugarcoated words, no coaxing. If they wanted to fuck, they simply told each other when and where and how they wanted it. Everything was clear cut between them.

Or at least it was supposed to be. As their senior year approached, and they chose colleges on opposite ends of the U.S., something changed. The lust that usually fueled their passion was gradually replaced by something else.

Clyde could taste that something on Craig's lips. Over the thousands of kisses they've shared, this one was different. He couldn't explain it, but it tasted of farewell and sadness, if one could taste such a thing.

The way Craig touched him, held him- everything about it was gentle and tender. Never before did Craig linger as if he wanted to savor him, memorize the outlines of his body. Ever since they started sleeping together, this is the sweetest, most intimate moment they've shared. Every kiss on his skin was a whispered worship. Clyde felt special, adored...So why was there a lump in his throat? Why did he want to start crying and never stop?

With no bed sheets, no pillow, no blankets, the only warmth they had was each other. When Craig pressed against Clyde, when their bodies connected and heat seeped into his deepest warmth, Clyde clung to the noirette with desperation. A fire was burning inside him, growing hotter and hotter with each stroke and caress upon his body. Dying, burning up from the pleasure filled agony, a moan so close to despair escaped his lips as found his reprieve in Craig's rigid frame. The feel of Craig on his fevered skin was like a balm of salvation. Sweat dripped down his body and he wondered if he was melting from the heat. But he didn't care. Beyond this moment, Clyde didn't want to think about what the future had in store for them.

Naked, in a tangle of limbs, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, when Clyde woke up, the box with the bedding was opened and a blanket was pulled up to his shoulders.

But Craig was gone.

No note, no text. In the middle of the night, Craig simply walked out to catch a cab to airport. He left without saying goodbye.


A/n: Don't worry! This isn't the end. There's one more chapter, and from Craig's POV this time.