Sorry for the long wait, I had trouble getting started on this chapter. Hope it meets with your approval!
Thanks again to all the people who've reviewed, it really makes my day when I see your comments!
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Damien stared at the couple across from him, his expression torn between bewilderment and morbid curiosity. His head was tilted to the side, mouth gaping open slightly and eyes squinting in confusion. Beside him, Pip appeared equally engrossed with the spectacle Craig and Tweek were unknowingly putting on. Though Friday nights at Shaky's Pizza were hardly known as subdued affairs, not even the rowdy, loud crowds could distract the two from their intense study of the newly-formed couple.
"How are they…?" Damien started quietly, trailing off when his interest was re-hooked by the conversation across the table.
Pip shook his head, clearly as baffled as his lover. "I haven't a bloody clue."
"It's like watching a circus freak show." Damien said in awe.
"Utter fascination over some odd, disturbing skill." Pip agreed, understanding where Damien was coming from and seeing the demon nod from his periphery. "It's rather hypnotic, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Have they always been like this?"
"I'm not sure. I can't recall them doing this before."
"How do you think this weird system evolved?" Damien asked, rapt attention still on the oblivious couple.
"My guess? Tweek's random thought-process."
"Or Craig's lack of impulse control."
"Or Tweek's inability to focus."
"Or Craig's boredom for normal conversation."
Damien and Pip fell silent again, watching their friends. Across the table, Tweek and Craig sat side by side in the booth. Craig had an arm around Tweek's shoulders and Tweek had a hand on Craig's knee, both eating with their spare hand and absorbed in their own exchange. It was no wonder neither had caught onto the fact they were being watched rather closely, as it likely took every ounce of concentration to follow their disjointed, winding conversation.
"Come on, Tweek. Just one visit to the shelter, that's all I'm asking. You'll like it, I promise."
"No." Tweek replied, before holding up his fork for Craig's inspection. "Is this a mushroom or a piece of spinach?"
Craig looked at the marinara-covered blob closely. "Mushroom. It's Italian, what did you expect?"
"I don't want to go to the shelter, Craig! I can deal with Hussy, but the shelter has huge dogs and lizards and stuff!" Tweek cried. "And Italian food is just as likely to use spinach as mushrooms."
"Nuh-uh. Mushrooms are right up there with tomatoes in Italian food; they're in everything. And the animals will be in cages, Tweek. Not to mention, I'll be there. Nothing will get you."
"What if I'm allergic to one of the animals and I go into anaphylactic shock? Oh, Jesus!" Tweek yelped, before taking another bite. "Gnocchi is one of the most popular Italian dishes and what does it have in it? Spinach, that's what."
"I like that word. Gnocchi. Gnocchi." Craig mused to himself. "And who doesn't know how to tell the difference between spinach and a mushroom anyway? It's like that whole Jessica Simpson, tuna vs. chicken thing."
Tweek glared at Craig. "I really hope you didn't just compare me to Jessica Simpson. Number one, she's a girl. Number two, she's retarded. And number three, that would make you Nick Lachey and nobody wants that."
"What if I bought an epi-pen? Will you stop by the shelter then?"
"Offering to stab me with a needle isn't exactly the best incentive, Craig. This whole thing can be avoided if I just don't go."
"Nick Lachey's not nearly as bad as some of the other boy-band rejects. If you compared me to, say, Joey Fatone, then we'd have a problem."
"He married a retard, Craig."
"Joey Fatone?"
"No! Nick Lachey!"
"What if I covered up the lizard's terrariums and put the bigger dogs outside? Then would you come?"
"Ugh, fine!" Tweek exploded.
"Yes!" Craig pumped his fist in triumph before kissing Tweek on the cheek.
"Do you think it's some kind of foreplay?" Pip asked Damien quietly. Though not quietly enough, as both Tweek and Craig turned to their friends with their heads tilted in curiosity. Oddly enough their expressions mirrored Pip and Damien's.
"Is what foreplay?" Tweek inquired.
"And who's doing it?" Craig asked, looking around the room.
"Nothing!" Pip exclaimed, while Damien drawled, "No one."
"You guys are so weird." Craig stated monotonously, Tweek nodding beside him.
Damien and Pip glanced at each other. Pip's lips quirked up in a badly-suppressed smile, which made Damien's lips twitch until suddenly and simultaneously, they both burst out laughing. That Craig and Tweek could call them the strange ones after a conversation like that – with straight faces, no less – was just too much!
"Fucking crazies, man." Craig shook his head.
"Tell me about it." Tweek commiserated.
This only made the Anti-Christ and the Brit laugh harder.
"If you guys are done riding your Nitrous high, we should head out to Bebe's place." Craig said, rising and throwing a couple of bills on the table. "If we don't leave now, all the booze will be gone. I'm not dealing with those assholes sober."
"It'll be cool seeing everyone again!" Tweek chirped, rising as well. "Almost the whole senior class is back, some just for Bebe's End of the Summer party."
"Whatever." Damien said, still chuckling. "I'm with Craig. Drinks first, then socializing."
"So let's go, then." Craig said impatiently.
"This is gonna be a night to remember!" Tweek declared happily.
For some reason, Craig got an odd sense of foreboding at those seemingly-innocuous, secretly-ominous words. But he forced the feeling aside with staunch determination. He and Tweek had been dating for six glorious weeks. Everything had been going brilliantly so far and nothing was going to ruin that.
Craig smacked his forehead and groaned.
Fuck, he probably just jinxed himself.
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"Goodness, Bebe certainly has outdone herself." Pip commented as the foursome approached her house. People were spilling out onto the yard, music reverberated through the area and two kegs were on the front lawn alone. Damien grabbed Pip's hand and made a beeline for the nearest keg.
"Beer bong." The demon breathed with trance-like focus.
"But Damien –"
"Beer bong, Pip!" Damien repeated insistently.
"Right-o, then. See you chaps later!" Pip shouted to Craig and Tweek as he was dragged away.
The two chuckled at their friends, making their way into the house with their fingers laced together. Tweek was, as always, completely oblivious to the stares and whispered gossip as they walked in. Sometimes Craig envied his social ignorance. Though Craig didn't put too much stock in the influence of the grapevine, it irked him more than a little. People were glancing at their joined hands; hushed and hurried conversations resulted. Everyone knew the back story of how he'd treated Tweek and how Tweek had left him. But how they'd gotten back together was still a mystery to most and the all-powerful gossip mill had created its own version, which went something like this: Craig was a cruel asshole who all but forced Tweek to be with him and Tweek was a dependent moron who was too weak-willed to say no.
It didn't bother Craig that people thought he was a rude, cold bastard. In most cases, they were right. Though, not where Tweek was concerned; Tweek was the sole exception and it did bother him that no one understood that. That people thought he could still be so uncaring toward Tweek was a vivid reminder of how he used to be, of the events that led Tweek to leave him in the first place. It hit a little too close to home and he didn't like it.
But what he truly hated were the half-pitying, half-disgusted glances some threw at Tweek. They still saw him as the sad, abused boy he had been and the thought enraged Craig. His Tweek was stronger than anyone he knew, including these worthless fuckers!
He flipped off the nearest group of gawkers, glaring at them harshly. "Fuck. Off. Dickholes."
The words were drowned by the pounding music, but he said them slowly enough that the group didn't need to hear them to get the message. They looked away quickly and moved through the crowd like an amorphous blob to put some distance between themselves and the fuming noirette.
"I need a drink!" Craig shouted into Tweek's ear.
"This way!" Tweek yelled back, pulling Craig to the wet bar and getting them both red, plastic cups.
Tweek playfully tapped his cup against Craig's in a teasing reminder of their first date and they both chugged down their drinks. Tweek let out at disgusted "Gah!" before grabbing another two cups and handing one to Craig.
"Tweek!" someone shouted in the crowd. They both looked around and saw Stan and Kyle waving at Tweek.
Tweek knew Craig hated those guys so just gave him a quick kiss. "I'll catch up to you later, okay!"
"Okay." Craig shouted. However, he wasn't satisfied with the short peck and pulled his boyfriend in for a deeper kiss. He pressed his body into Tweek's and moved his lips confidently and firmly over the blonde's. A quiet moan came from Tweek's throat, one Craig felt rather than heard. The soft friction made his lips tingle and he cupped Tweek's jaw before running his tongue over the seam of his lips. Tweek's mouth opened slightly, enough for Craig to slip inside and taste and explore him fully. The blonde ran a hand through Craig's hair, gripping the strands at the nape of his neck and pulling him in even closer. Craig groaned, loving the sensual combination of neediness and forcefulness that only Tweek could pull off.
Just when the kiss was about to leave 'passionate' in the dust and become 'out-of-control, fuck-me-now sexual', Craig ended it, panting slightly. Tweek looked completely dazed and Craig smirked smugly. Tweek noticed the look and gave him a mock-glare.
"No fair." Tweek shouted, detangling himself from Craig and making his way through the crowd.
"You know you loved it!" Craig yelled at his back, still smirking. Tweek glanced back at him, a coy, mischievous smile on his face that said, 'I so did'.
Craig wouldn't let his expression get any more emotional than a smirk, so suppressed his grin and took another gulp of his drink. He turned back to the bar and nodded along to the music, not the least bit interested in mingling; he wasn't nearly drunk enough for that yet. After he'd finished his third cup of non-descript-alcoholic-beverage and was reaching for a fourth, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Hey, dude! Long time, no see!" came Token's familiar voice, booming close to Craig's ear over the thumping music.
Craig turned at the loud shout, only to see Clyde and Token grinning like the drunken idiots they were. He nodded back mildly and gave them both casual bro-hugs, hands clasped between their bodies and the free hand giving a hearty slap to the other's shoulder blade.
"Hey, guys." Craig yelled over the din. "How's it going?"
"Good!" Clyde shouted back. The sound was drowned out by a particularly strong bass line, so Token jerked his head toward the kitchen and the three started walking out of the crowded living room. Craig's eyes searched for Tweek's slim form through the sea of bodies as he left, zeroing in on him almost immediately. He wasn't surprised to find Tweek's eyes already on him, a hint of insecurity under his sweet smile. Craig knew why, of course. Despite how far they'd come, the whole scene was too familiar for Tweek not to be nervous. Craig's lips tilted up slightly and he winked at his boyfriend. It had the desired effect; the worried creases on the blonde's forehead smoothed out and his smile widened as he winked back before returning to his conversation with Stan and Kyle.
The three friends entered the kitchen. Token and Craig hopped up onto the counter and Clyde stood in front of them, all sipping their drinks.
"That's better." Token said.
"Been a while. What have you guys been up to?" Craig asked.
The three caught up on the mundane aspects of life for a while. Clyde was studying at the University of Colorado and was thinking about majoring in Business. Though bi-sexual, he was dating a girl from his marketing class and had been for most of the year. Like always, he fell hard and fast and was convinced she was the love of his life. Token was pre-Med at Yale, one of the only people to get out of Colorado altogether. He was single and playing the field like the stud he was. Craig filled them in on his year as well, focusing on school and work.
"So…you and Tweek are back together." Token said casually. It was too casual, in a way that suggested he'd been dying to ask for a while.
"Yep." Craig said, taking another swig of his drink.
"Are you going to tell us how the fuck you managed that?" Clyde asked. "'Cause, no offense dude, but that was about as likely as Cartman becoming a Rabbi."
Craig glared at him. "Fuck you, asshole."
"It's true, though. We had odds on it." Token added, shrugging.
"I love him." Craig snapped. Clyde choked on his drink at that highly uncharacteristic outburst and Token merely raised an eyebrow. Trying to save face, Craig continued smugly. "Besides, when was the last time I wanted something and didn't get it?"
"Omitting the entire year you were a morose pussy because you couldn't get him back?" Token smirked.
Craig paused. "Yes."
Token laughed. "Well, I'm happy for you, man. He's good for you and you're a hell of a lot more tolerable when you're together."
"Must be the sex." Clyde chimed in. A faint blush came across Craig's cheeks and he raised his cup to cover it. Clyde and Token caught it, though.
"Jesus, don't get shy now, Craig." Token grinned, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah." Clyde laughed. "The way you used to talk about sex with Tweek was like the hottest erotica on the planet! Seriously, if they made a porno half as hardcore as the stories you told, they'd have to add an extra X to the rating. You had most of the guys in class seeing Tweek in a whole new light. Me included."
"It would be better for you if you never said anything like that again. Ever." Craig growled.
"Relax, I'm in a girl-phase right now." Clyde replied easily. He couldn't resist pushing Craig's buttons, though. "But I would do Tweek in a heartbeat."
"Clyde, don't push me." Craig warned. "One more comment and I'll tear your sack off like a paper towel."
"Easy, man." Token said soothingly. "Christ, anyone would think you weren't getting laid."
That sneaky blush returned to Craig's cheeks and his two friends gawked at him. "Shit, you and Tweek haven't…?" Token asked.
"Oh…oh, thank you God." Clyde whispered, looking giddy at the prospect of ripping on Craig for this. One death glare from Craig was enough to shut him up, though.
"What's the hold up?" Token asked, genuinely curious.
"That's none of your fucking business." Craig muttered, taking a large gulp of his drink and thinking back to the incident a week ago.
They'd been dating for a little over a month and things had been going great between them. They played video games at Craig's house, went to dinner with Pip and Damien, watched movies at Tweek's apartment and spent time just talking and getting reacquainted with each other. He used to visit Tweek at the coffee shop, but Tweek had banned him after he'd gotten into another fight with Dylan, saying the shop couldn't afford to lose the business the Goths brought in. Though they hung out nearly every day, Craig made a point to take Tweek on a real date at least once a week and tonight had been another date night.
Craig had participated in his first foaling the week before and got to know the rancher's daughter. He'd convinced her to take him and Tweek on a carriage ride around Stark's pond. Even though the horse had spent the first half-mile crapping with its tail in the air, he and Tweek had gotten a good laugh out of it and the rest of the date was pretty damn romantic. Tweek had spent the ride cuddled into his side, his hands sneaking under Craig's shirt and occasionally burying his face into Craig's neck for warmth. Craig stuffed his hand into Tweek's back pocket and rested his cheek on the blonde's head. They shared a set of ear-buds as they listened to Tweek's iPod; he played a Massive Attack album, the sensual, deep rhythms floating between them. The ride was spent in comfortable, intimate silence punctuated by lingering kisses and contented sighs.
Afterward, he'd driven Tweek home and walked him to his apartment. Tweek had given him a deep, goodnight kiss, but Craig couldn't let the blonde go. They'd fumbled with the door, making their way inside without ever breaking the kiss. He kept moving forward, backing Tweek up and stripping them both of their coats, until they were tumbling onto the couch in a tangle of limbs. He wanted Tweek so badly; it had been so long…too long. Tweek tore his lips from Craig's with a gasp, trailing kisses up his jaw line and then curling his tongue around the noirette's earlobe. Craig groaned, dropping his head to Tweek's shoulder and gently biting the skin there as Tweek worked his magic. His tongue traced the shell of Craig's ear, his breathy moans hot against his skin. Craig could feel himself harden at the sensation and bucked his hips into Tweek's, finding Tweek already hard underneath him. Craig pulled his body away from Tweek for a split second, just long enough to remove his shirt; one hand pulled it over his head while the other stayed on Tweek's hip. Tweek's hands immediately flew to Craig's exposed chest, running his fingers along the firm pecs and defined abs. The noirette moaned, driving his mouth back onto Tweek's. His hips surged forward again and were met by Tweek's reflexive thrust. Tweek cried out into his mouth before kissing him even more fervently than before.
Craig's hand slipped up Tweek's shirt, relishing the familiar feeling of his soft, hot skin. He ran a thumb over one of Tweek's nipples, feeling a shudder rake through the smaller boy's body. He rolled it between his thumb and forefinger and then traced the trail of fine hair down Tweek's stomach to the edge of his boxers. Tweek was absorbed with their kiss, nibbling Craig's bottom lip in the most delicious way, so Craig took the opportunity to plunge his hand past Tweek's jeans and grip the blonde's cock. He pumped it twice, dragging his hand up and down the length slowly, before he realized Tweek had frozen beneath him.
Craig opened his eyes and broke the kiss, looking down on his boyfriend. The blonde's eyes were wide, fear and apprehension in their depths. As with the rest of the evening, no words were needed between them. It came down to the one issue that still stood between them: trust. The look in his eyes said it all. Tweek still didn't trust him, not with this anyway, not yet. Craig felt his chest ache at the realization and his thoughts warred in his head.
This had happened before, when they first got together. Tweek had been nervous when they first started fooling around. Not necessarily unwilling, just unsure and a tad reluctant. Craig had always pushed past Tweek's moments of indecision; the half-hearted no's whispered by the blonde and the anxious hesitation were replaced by lust when Craig didn't relent. He'd continue his sensual assault on Tweek's responsive, sensitized body and the smaller boy would soon be lost to the sensations, his reluctance completely gone.
But Craig somehow knew if he did that this time, the delicate balance between them would be lost. The little trust he'd earned in the past month would shatter if he put his needs – and what he felt for Tweek in this moment absolutely was need – above Tweek's. For the first time in their relationship, Craig set aside his own desires.
His hand, still clasped firmly around Tweek's cock, released its hold and came back to up to Tweek's face. He ran his thumb over Tweek's eyebrow tenderly and Tweek turned his head to the side, his expression full of shame.
"I'm sorry." Tweek whispered, eyes shut tight.
Craig cupped the side of Tweek's face and brought it back in line with his. He waited for Tweek to open his eyes and when he did, Craig kissed him softly. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Understand?"
Tweek nodded, his expression grateful. Craig could swear he saw Tweek's trust in him grow in that moment. Craig was shocked to discover that was more important to him than sex could ever be.
"Dude!" Token yelled, snapping his fingers in front of Craig's face. Craig shook his head, coming out of the memory. "Where'd you go, man? You looked like you were a million miles away."
Clyde snorted. "Probably fantasizing about Tweek. Bet you've gotten really good at that, what with no sex and all."
Craig smirked and kicked his foot out, catching Clyde in the stomach. The brunette bent over wheezing, while he and Token laughed.
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It was past two in the morning and the party was just now starting to wind down. The music still pumped through the night air and while a few people were still dancing and laughing, most had taken up more mellow pursuits. Some were already passed out, scattered around the house and sleeping on any available, soft surface. Some were secluded in bedrooms and closets, making out or hooking up with a fellow partier. Some were playing cards or other drinking games. Damien, Pip, Craig and Tweek were outside on the back porch, occupying the patio furniture and drunkenly chatting amongst themselves.
"Great party." Damien commented, taking another swig of beer.
"Fuckin' A." Pip giggled from Damien's lap. Damien grinned up at his boyfriend. He loved drunk-Pip; he had such a dirty mouth and an even dirtier imagination.
"It was great seeing everyone again. I can't believe school starts in just two weeks." Tweek mused.
"It'll be a great quarter, though. We've got biology together." Craig reminded him.
"Oh, yeah! That will be so –"
Tweek cut off as a voice sounded behind him. The entire foursome reacted simultaneously.
Damien's eyebrows shot up.
Pip's hand flew to his mouth.
Craig paled.
Tweek stiffened.
An unknowing bystander might have wondered why the group reacted so dramatically to a simple greeting, but the four boys knew it was so much more than that. Each person there knew that the newcomer was an unwelcome reminder of the past. They knew Craig had lied to Tweek. They knew he'd flirted with other guys in front of Tweek. They knew he'd torn Tweek down by comparing the blonde to his the new flavor-of-the-week. They knew he'd ditched Tweek to spend time with his boy toys. They knew he'd cheated on Tweek.
And though he'd done those things with a few different guys, he'd done most of it with this one. He'd done most of it with Thomas.
"Hey, Craig. SHIT-COCK!"
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Okay, so quick poll of the audience, what do people think about the rating getting bumped up to a solid M? Should I do a reunion sex scene, in all its hot, steamy Creek glory? Or does that feel out of place to you guys? Let me know what you think, I want to take this story in the right direction. And, of course, the right direction is whatever direction you guys want to see!
Please read and review!
