(Previously)
Propping himself on the pillows and grabbing his laptop, Tweek allowed himself an hour of indulgence, to scroll through social media, to watch cat videos, anything that he could possibly entertain himself with. He was on to his third 'Cutest cat videos' of the night when a tab on the bottom right corner of his screen appeared.
Craig Tucker is calling you on Skype.
Tweek froze.
Craig Tucker is actively searching me out. What for? Is this some kind of sick birthday joke? Am I the brunt of a joke I don't even know?
The alert rang once, then twice, then thrice… Curiosity eventually triumphed fear and after a failed, haphazard attempt to tame his wild blonde hair, Tweek clicked the green button. A familiar face came into focus and Tweek chuckled when he heard that infamous monotonous drawl.
"About time you answered the damn call…"
What a sickeningly handsome scowl.
"I'm sorry I was caught up doing… stuff" Tweek ended lamely.
"By stuff you mean staying home on a Friday night?"
"And where exactly are you calling me from Tucker?"
"Since when were you so vocal Twitchy Tweak?"
Tweek rolled his eyes at the childish comeback, "What do you want Craig? Why'd you call me for?"
"A couple of us will be back in Southpark over Christmas, we were thinking to hit the ski lodge early January. Care to join us?"
Skiing. High up in the mountains. Thick snow. Avalanche. Death. Skiing is probably very dangerous. Tweek shuddered at his reasoning.
"No Tweek, there isn't going to be an avalanche."
Fuck, he saw right through me.
"I wasn't thinking of an avalanche."
Craig snorted.
"What do you mean by 'us'?" Tweek continued.
"Clyde, Token and a few of the other guys."
"Alright, give me some time to mull over it, I'll get back to you later."
Tweek thought he saw Craig's scowl deepen.
"Alright, alright. For God's sake Tweek, let live a little." Craig removed his chullo in mock frustration and ran his hand through his thick, brown hair.
Brown.
"Did you dye your hair brown?!" Tweek exclaimed incredulously.
"It's for the faculty play. It's only temporary," Craig replied a little too quickly and… defensively. Seemingly flustered, Craig immediately pulled the chullo back over his head, sporting a slight blush on his cheeks.
"A faculty play? Craig Tucker does faculty plays?"
An uncomfortable pause ensued.
Attempting to lighten the atmosphere, Tweek teased, "So what's the play about? Craig Tucker as Romeo?"
Another bout of uncomfortable silence.
Tweek couldn't help but burst into fits of hysterical laughter, "YOU, Craig Tucker, playing Romeo? Of all people, you?! Where art thou Craig?!"
Tweek swore Craig was mentally shooting daggers through the screen.
"Fuck you Tweek, I didn't have a choice, we had to draw straws."
Choking back the last of his laughter, Tweek replied, "No, I'm sorry, it's great Craig. Looks like you're having a lot of fun in veterinary school. I was just surprised that's all." Ignoring the nervousness bubbling within, he added thoughtfully, "I was just used to your darker hair. It's very flattering on you."
Craig's aforementioned scowl quickly fell and was replaced by a sickeningly handsome smirk.
"You think I'm handsome don't you?"
Yes, you are sickeningly handsome. It really isn't fair, Tweek thought to himself.
"No, you are an insufferable jerk."
"I am an insufferable, handsome jerk."
Tweek rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Anyway, how's New York? Still think everyone is shit?"
"It's been better, everyone's… less shitty now. The weather is getting pretty chilly though. I was stuck outside without proper gloves and a proper jacket, probably shouldn't have done that, I'm going to get a bad flu. Oh I don't want to get a fever, or a runny nose or aching muscles…."
Tweek paused mid-sentence and realized that Craig was still listening attentively, a thoughtful look gracing his handsome face.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I know I'm going off on an irrational rant again"
"No it's fine, it's good to see that you're…"
Before Craig could finish his sentence however, a familiar figure clad in a gaudy, orange parka burst into the room.
"Yo Craig, you were supposed to be at the rehearsal thirty fucking minutes ago. Are you jerking... Wait is that Tweek?!"
Much to Tweek's amusement, Kenny pushed Craig to a corner, hogging the screen with a bright and wide grin.
"Hi there Kenny, it's been awhile!" Tweek greeted pleasantly.
"Yes it has Tweek, and you're still looking at cute as ever," Kenny smirked, giving Tweek a suggestive wink.
Oh Kenny, I've always liked him. Sure he is lecherous but he's also equal parts brave, genial and genuine. Doesn't hurt that he's very easy on the eyes too, Tweek thought fondly.
"Fuck off Kenny, tell the rest I'll be there soon," Craig groaned shoving Kenny off his desk.
"Sure, take all the time you need, loverboy~" Kenny drawled, giving Craig another suggestive wink much to the annoyance of the latter. "I'd better see you on the mountains Tweek!" he added before leaving.
"Sorry about that, Kenny's a real dick. I'll have to get going now though, fucking dress rehearsal."
Fuck Shakespeare, it's my birthday, I wish you'd stay to chat, Tweek thought.
"It's fine, Kenny's entertaining in small doses. It's been nice chatting with you Craig, break a leg!" Tweek replied, forcing a smile.
Craig, on the other hand, stared at the camera in deep focus, as if willing himself to complete an insurmountable task.
"Tweek, I just wanted to say, happy birthday."
Craig remembered.
Tweek's stomach did a backflip before breaking out into a wide, genuine smile, "Thank you Craig."
Craig's mask of indifference was back on again and with a snort, he left the chat. Tweek however, was left in a euphoric daze.
Suddenly, he felt the fatigue in his body drain away, he was feeling infinitely better and his heart was lighter. It's been two years since he's packed his bags and moved to New Yok, but Craig Tucker remembered. Tweek was touched and contented.
Three days later, a parcel came addressed to Tweek and inside lay a pair of tasteful, green mittens and a short note.
Here's a belated birthday present.
Stay warm.
Best,
Craig
Tweek's worn them every day since.