The coloring of the bruises were now settling in, Tweek firmly pressed back against the seat of Craigs' truck and squeezing his school bag to his stomach. His lip had been cracked and his left cheek was now the color of dulled violet. He had gotten off easy, Craig's face was a total mess. There was a slightly crusted dribble of blood from one of his nostrils, both of his eyes shadowed with purple and scratch marks at his neck. The more Tweek looked over, the further the guilt got to him, festering in his stomach and making him feel nauseas.

"I'm, hhh, sorry." He whispered under his breath, squeezing in tighter. Craig just grunted, shrugging it off. They stopped in front of a green two story house and Craig pressing the unlock button, watching his partner struggle against the confines of the seat belt until finally getting free. He hurriedly turned to get out, hand on the handle until Craig pressed the child lock, leaving him to smash his face in to the passenger window.

"D-dick." He muttered, pulling back and rubbing his face.

"Couldn't resist." Craig hit unlock again, this time letting Tweek out. "Hey, what are you doing this weekend?" He called out, Tweek shutting the door and walking around to Craigs' window.

"Nn, well, nothing really. I- might be working Saturday night though, till- nine." His eye twitched a little, "Uh, why, do you wanna do something?" The idea alone made his insides squeamish and his head feel fuzzy.

"Maybe."

There was a moment of tense silence before Tweek made a noise similar to a car letting out a gush of air. "Don't forget to put on ice before your eyes swell shut." He reminded. Craig nodded, letting Tweek shuffle awkwardly in to his home before driving off. What a mess.

Craig got home to the sound of his mother and sister having another famous shout match, sneaking in to the kitchen to fill a baggie of ice cubes before making it up the steps at top speed, shutting the door to his room. His room was thoroughly cleaned and orderly, he had a nice bed that was made so the sheets were correctly tucked in and without wrinkle, his desk was well organized as was the stacks of cds he had set beside it, and his guitar case was leaning upright against the wall. He tossed off his hat, changing in to sweats and admired his wounds in the mirror. Tweek really knew how to inflict the most damage he could on a guy, so why did he never try to fend for himself on a normal basis? He contemplated this while taking out his acoustic and laying down in his bed, closing his eyes and plopping the sack of ice cubes over the lids. He absentmindedly tugged at the strings, letting them vibrate against his fingertips. As much as he didn't want to admit it, this group therapy thing might actually be worth his time. It had gotten him to think in different ways already, though he wasn't sure if he liked that. His mind roamed in to its imagination zone, daydreaming different ideas.

He could always call up Clyde for video games, invite Token over too. He could also try to go to a party, but that all seemed so old. He was craving something new, struck with the idea that he was young. He should be out experiencing things, exploring the uncertain and going wild. His heart even skipped a beat at the thought, but he knew he probably wouldn't do anything out of the ordinary. He was a recluse; he didn't do much other than lay at home and stare at walls while working out new rhythms. Time went on; the ice cubes took to the warmth of his face until it was a pool of water, the orange and red sunlight tinting the water until it left completely. It was replaced with the artificial orange of the street lamps. He sat up, setting his instrument aside and taking the useless ice pack down stairs. Creeping down slowly and making sure the yelling was over. Once the coast was clear, he made it down completely to see they had made up, his parents and sister watching television together. His sister more so on the laptop than anything, but she was there, which was more than he was. He dumped the water in to the sink, tossing out the bag and browsing the cabinet selection for dinner. The instant mac and cheese looked exceptionally good tonight, yes, he would have that. He set it in the microwave, lost in thought again. It was the weekend, he had a truck and he had gas- he could go anywhere. The microwave beeped and he took it out, stirring it with a fork.

That night ended quickly, Saturday morning switching in to Saturday evening followed by the night. Craig waited no sooner to stop his instrumental meddling, packing up slowly, grabbing a drawstring bag filled with two towels and a change of shorts and heading to his truck. He was in no hurry, he wasn't even sure if his plan would work or not, but he had prepped for it the night prior. It would be a long weekend, too, some holiday- jewish perhaps? That left them four days, although now it was more like three. He left a note for his family, explaining the situation. He hopped on in, throwing his bag in the passenger seat and driving towards Harbucks. Contrary to popular belief that Craig felt nothing but anger and apathy, he was actually really nervous, anxious even, shifting in to park and watching a wild haired teen hang up his apron before locking the front door and testing a few times to make sure it was actually locked.

"Tweek!" Said boy jumped, dropping the keys.

"Urgh, Craig, what're you- doing here-" He pulled at his hair, flustered.

"I was bored and I needed something to do." He pressed his lips together in a line for a moment before speaking up again, "I was going to go somewhere and I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming along."

"I don't know if that's a good idea, uh, where and for how long?" Tweek started to make his way over when Craig motioned for him to get in, doing just that.

"Just somewhere fun and new. I promise it won't be anywhere weird, besides after yesterday I know not to test you. You're pretty good at fighting, you know. Also you might want to pack an overnight bag, or two, just in case." Craigs' insides were doing flips, hoping Tweek went along with it. He didn't know him that well, but he figured it would be fun- and it would only be a few days if he did say yes. Tweek was quiet, weighing the idea.

"If you can promise to get me home before school and that, ngh, this isn't a trick, then yeah. I guess… I'll go…" He trembled. Craig could still smell the coffee stench wafting off of him, pulling up to his house.

"Alright, I'll give you ten minutes. Maybe pack a bathing suit, just in case." He unlocked the doors, Tweek darting out and disappearing inside the house.

Tweek was a mess, hurriedly shoving clothes and all the other necessities in to a sleepover bag, deciding to refill his thermos with some coffee. There was always a pot brewing at the Tweak household. He too wrote a scratchy note, saying he'd be staying with Craig and he'd be home before school. They wouldn't really care; they'd probably be rejoicing that he was out with a friend. With two minutes to spare, he clambered in to Craigs' car, heaving and readjusting the seat belt. Once that was settled he took an exceptionally shaky drink of coffee and attempted to relax while Craig shifted gears.

What was once nine in the afternoon became midnight, they were still on the road. A highway, actually. Tweek had noted the time but paid no mind until the sun started to greet them. Then he was a little bit freaked out.

"Ngh, oh god, where are we going, Craig? Where are you taking meeeee." He had finished his coffee supply, including the backup cup and was now folded in half, knotting his fingers in his hair and pulling them.

"I thought we'd go to the beach, or something." He shrugged.

"But South Park doesn't have a beach. Colorado doesn't have a beach." He started to hyperventilate. "Where are we going?" He began to make moaning and groaning sounds, rocking.

"Tweek- relax- we're just going to go to a beach, this is going to sound really stupid," He paused, "But it's only about fourteen or fifteen hours to California and besides we're almost there. Well halfway. It'd be stupid- well more stupid- to turn around now, so please don't freak out."

"CraigI'veneverbeentoCaliforniaI'veneverbeenoutoft hisstatewhywouldyoudothatohJESUSwhatifsomethingbad happenswherewillwestayohGOD." Tweek was dragging his stubby finger nails against his arms, head in between his legs. Taking deep breaths.

"Yeah, but we can just stay in my truck and it'll only be for the weekend. It'll be fine." Craig tried to think of things he could say to lessen the blow. Never been out of South Park? That must've sucked. "Just think you'll get to see your first beach or something. And uh, the ocean. You haven't seen the ocean right?"

Tweek stopped his mumblings, lifting his head to shake it no.

"Okay, great, you'll see the ocean for the first time. It'll be fun." Craig tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "Also, it's a good time to sleep now. If you want to. Do you even sleep?"

"I… don't really sleep too well." Craig merely nodded.

"I have a cd case if you feel like flipping through and picking something. It's on the side pocket thing." He made a gesture, thoroughly distracting Tweek with the task. Good. They drove for a while in silence, stopping at a McDonalds to pick up some coffee for both Tweek and himself, getting an extra-large Iced Tea as well. Those things were loaded with sugar and always made him feel jumpy and awake, which was great when Tweek started to doze off with his cheek pressed to the window as to not tempt him. Just a few more hours and they would be there.