For Gentlemen Only
Chapter Seven: What Have I Done to Deserve This?
Their last Spring Break elicits some very sexy time and very strong emotions in Craig. Letters continue appearing in Craig's locker and threaten to start drama before Prom. How exactly is Prom going to go anyway?
Stan had been impossible to deal with leading up to White Day. Craig still couldn't believe he liked the jerk enough to actually follow through on it and plan something. He didn't get this whole possession thing Stan was on about but he did know how much he liked sappy, emotional things so he set up a photography session for them. His mom had kind of been nagging at him about taking some photos with Stan and making memories during Senior year and all that garbage. He had used a lot of his Christmas, birthday, and theatre money to get a really nice camera and honestly hadn't had time to really make good use of it. Basically, it was a great way to break it in and hope that Stan wouldn't literally break it in his girlish excitement (close call but Mr. Jock had nimble enough hands that he was spared the full extent of Craig's wrath.) Fucker was very lucky Craig thought he was a fairly decent kisser and feeler upper and overall sexy distracter.
There were times when Craig wondered whether he was actually meant to spend eternity alone. There were other times when he wondered if Stan was just part of some huge, apparently hysterical joke like one of those douche bag secret camera shows on TV. There were still other times he wanted to smack Stan upside the head and ask him really, you really want to talk to me and kiss me and touch me in places the court needs a genderless, expressionless doll for victims to point out bad touches on? The more he thought about it the more the situation seemed totally unfair and he would scream and tear his hair out but a) Stan seemed to have this fetish over his hair and hey, who was he to complain over fucking awesome head rubs and b) he wasn't prone to that kind of thing.
Basically, every time he initiated something new into their… no easy way to say it… relationship (gag) he failed horribly.
Like, so bad he was certain most of the time that Stan would yank back on his pants, laugh in his face, then run off to McCormick or somebody to blab and increase his humiliation tenfold.
Sometimes Craig didn't even realize when Stan was touching him now. They would be sprawled on his bed watching a movie or some anime and suddenly Stan's lips would brush the spot just below and behind his right ear sending electric tingles down his spine. Too many times he had been sitting someplace minding his own business when suddenly he could feel Stan's hands sliding up the sides of his arms to grab at his elbows like he was the football heading down the field for the final touchdown of the big game or something. Stan liked getting his hands down Craig's pants, was more of a fan of shoving his tongue down his throat, but infinitely more of a fan of being affectionate through nuzzling, cuddling, and not being as subtle as he thinks when breathing in his scent.
The longer he went without talking to anyone about it the more Craig was fairly certain Stan was in love with him. His suspicions were nearly cemented when Craig was having one of the worst days ever. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, got in a fight with his mother, forgot nearly all of his homework, and was sent home early from his shift at the theatre. Stan had figured it out somehow and showed up at his doorstep with a box of his favorite junk food and the boxed set of Samurai 7. It wasn't the gesture so much as the concern in his eyes and wry twist of his lips when Craig embarrassedly yelled at him about the whole situation. Stan merely told him to shut up and held him in an iron grip against his chest and Craig absolutely didn't like it.
Stan had done something amazing for him for his own birthday in helping him get over his fear of what the two of them could be. He'd never admit it out loud but he really did like what he had with Stan. The best part was that he didn't really have to say anything about it. His friends knew better than to tease him over it and not just because he would kick their asses but because their table had merged with Stan's and Kyle was ridiculously defensive about the two of them. In another life, he'd probably be jealous of the attention Kyle took away from Stan but it was usually to try to get them to be politically active or take a stand or something completely retarded like that. Stan would always laugh it off and tell him no. He understood how little attention on the issue Craig wanted and he always thanked him properly for it after school.
Craig wanted to do something amazing for Stan during Spring Break. At first he thought they could try to have sex but Craig was so not ready for that. They had spent twenty minutes awkwardly examining the gift Stan's sister got him for Christmas and refused to make eye contact for two hours after that. He just couldn't see himself bending over for Stan when he thought about it. His dreams, however, were a completely different story. In his defense the dreams he had about being taken over a table, counter top, or wall were just as frequent as the ones where he had Stan underneath him. Stan was always louder and sluttier and Craig had no basis for this presumption beyond what he so did not see in some hardcore gay anime or foreign language gay erotica (because the subtitles made it that much more bearable for him for some odd reason.)
So the idea of giving himself (so fucking girly) to Stan was out. Craig knew that Stan would prefer something emotional or a huge romantic gesture to something material anyway. Maybe Stan would like it if Craig orchestrated a date. You know, just a kind of 'look at how far we've come' kind of gesture.
Even if he completely fell on his face it was worth a shot, right?
Senior year was about making memories with the people you have suffered through twelve years with. It was about marking the transition from minor responsibilities to a rude awakening of the real world. It was about having uninhibited fun, a last hurrah before settling down and establishing yourself in the outside. As early as the return from the winter break people began freaking out about it. Craig had been looking forward to it since Sophomore year but there was one thing he was concerned about.
Where did Stan fit in his future?
As completely gay as the token thing had been at the time Craig realized it really was the symbol of their relationship. It was a shiny gold color with a huge star with a smaller one inside of it on one side while the other side had the arcade's logo with the words "Fun for everyone!" etched around it. Craig chose to wear the star side out. He was the tiny, insignificant star that Stan completely overshadowed but he was the one with Stan's star so in effect, Stan's attempts to mark Craig as his own had been reversed. Stan was his.
Now he just needed to be told that.
Craig listened with barely concealed annoyance as their table discussed the multitude of parties occurring all around Park County during their last Spring Break. Craig had somehow managed to get the same exact work schedule as Stan and the moment he made this discovery a plan began forming in his mind. He watched as Stan made comments on the parties and tapped his foot impatiently for the bell to ring. He wanted to catch Stan alone before the end of the school day so that Stan could have some time to think about his idea. Finally the bell sounded and everyone grumbled as they cleaned up their table. Craig pulled Stan back by the elbow so they were walking a few feet behind their group of friends.
"'Sup," Stan smiled at him.
"I don't want to go to any parties," Craig looked at him.
Stan laughed gently and shoved his hands into his pockets so he could playfully bump elbows with Craig. "Okay. Did you have something else in mind?"
Craig nodded.
"Really," Stan dropped his voice and grinned playfully. "Is it a surprise or can I ask?"
Craig looked around to make sure everyone was truly out of earshot. "I want to repay the favor."
Stan looked at him in confusion. "What favor? We're usually pretty good about making each other—"
"That's not what I meant," Craig hissed and clenched his fist awkwardly. "It'll be something you like. We'll talk about it later."
"Then why bring it up now?"
"I just don't want you promising us to show up at any dumbass parties," Craig sighed.
Stan thought for a moment then nodded. "Okay. But we're going to straight to my house after school to talk about it, right?"
Craig deliberated this for a moment. Stan's would be better since his house was empty until later in the evening. "Yeah."
Stan beamed at him and rambled on about one of their class assignments on their way to their next class but Craig wasn't fooled. He knew Stan was itching with curiosity. The rest of the day seemed to drag and Craig felt his irritation increase with every minute. He wanted to get away from the school so fucking badly and get on with a solid nine days off. Thankfully their English teacher took pity and allowed them to leave an extra fifteen minutes early. Stan made quick work of collecting his things from his locker and waited with a patient, expectant smile while Craig shuffled through his. Before he knew it they were at Stan's empty house clamoring up the stairs to his room.
"All right, I've waited long enough, right?"
Craig rolled his eyes and looked around Stan's room before turning back towards him. "I thought we could talk about… us."
Concern flashed briefly on Stan's face before he broke out into an uncertain smile. "Us?"
Craig nodded and clenched his fists. "I, um, I kind of feel like you're doing a lot more giving than me."
Stan signaled he was listening.
"I wonder sometimes if you think I'm just going along with you or feel like I'm not as… ugh, invested as you obviously are," Craig felt his face heat up. "I know how feely you are so I figured we could talk about doing more… coupley things together." Craig knew he was sweating and cringed each time he felt uncomfortable with his words.
Stan looked at him for a long time before rubbing the back of his head. "More coupley things? Like… we could actually do things together in public without hiding?"
"I feel like I owe you," Craig nodded and looked to the side embarrassedly. Silence spread between before a huge grin split across Stan's face. Craig narrowed his eyes in suspicion and was about to take a few steps back when Stan tackled him onto his bed in utter elation.
"Jesus fucking Christ, Stan!" Craig squirmed as Stan clung to him excitedly. Stan managed to wrestle Craig's wrists above his head and leaned back slightly as he straddled Craig's hips.
"You won't go back on this?"
Craig opened his mouth to tell Stan to get the fuck off of him but thought better of it and went limp in resignation. "Yeah."
Stan leaned down and kissed him loudly on the lips then leaned back again to look Craig properly in the face.
"Then this is what I want…"
Craig sucked in a loud breath as he waited.
"We're going to prom."
Craig groaned and tugged lamely at his pinned wrists.
"We're going to match."
"I want to kick you so bad right now."
"I want you to kiss me."
"During prom?"
Stan shrugged one shoulder without dropping his grin. "Before prom, during prom, after prom. All the time, Craig."
"I already do," Craig grumbled.
"At school. I want you to hold my hand, too."
"Oh God, Stan," Craig did try to kick Stan off him this time. "That's so fucking gay!"
"You'll do these things for me?" Stan peered down at him seriously. Craig frowned at him while they carried out a staring contest. Stan jutted out his lower lip just enough for Craig to cave with a groan. "Say it, Craig."
"Yes," he sighed. "I'll do them."
Stan crowed victoriously and brought their faces closer together.
"I— I'm really happy, Craig."
Craig instantly stilled. Blinked. "What?"
Stan grinned, sliding his hands down Craig's arms, nuzzling his neck, and shifting himself to roll his hips suggestively on top of Craig's. Craig groaned and searched with his mouth for Stan's. Stan pulled back just enough to keep his mouth out of reach and looked seriously into Craig's eyes.
"Thank you for doing this for me," he sealed Craig's response with his mouth and the two melted into the kiss. Craig twisted his freed hands into Stan's hair to tug him closer while Stan continued moving on top of him. Craig chose to focus all of his energy on keeping Stan happy and ignored the pleasantly warm feeling blooming within his chest at those ridiculously sappy words.
Stan's hands slid down Craig's sides and up his shirt. Craig arched his back into his touch as Stan's fingers began tracing indistinct lines on his stomach and ribs while simultaneously hiking Craig's shirt up higher. It had started off as a kiss with a whole different kind of meaning behind it and Craig couldn't help but let himself get carried away as it changed into something more intense and urgent.
"Stan," he breathed into his mouth as they broke apart enough to pull Craig's shirt over his head. As soon as he was freed of it he glued himself back to Stan's mouth relishing the sweet taste.
Until Stan came up with his brilliant suggestion.
"Craig," he breathed or moaned or something very much between the two on his neck. Craig fisted his hair with one hand and began lifting up Stan's shirt with the other. "Craig, I want to come at the same time."
"Hm?" Craig tried to concentrate on what Stan was saying and slowed down on stripping off his shirt. Why the fuck Stan was still talking was beyond him but he forced his eyes to meet his anyway. Stan smiled down at him and lazily twirled some of his hair while running his other hand down Craig's torso soothingly, painfully, deliciously slow.
"We always take turns but I want us to come at the same time."
Craig forced his breathing to steady. "We're not ready for—"
"I know," Stan grinned. "Basically what I was thinking was giving a helping hand…" Craig narrowed his eyes in confusion as Stan rolled his slightly. "You know, at the same time?"
Ah, Craig sucked in a huge breath as it clicked. "Um, completely naked?"
Stan nodded.
Craig deliberated this for all of three seconds before tugging Stan's shirt up and over his head. Stan blinked as he shook off the sudden feeling of cotton against his face. Craig felt himself flush at the feeling of so much of his skin in direct contact with so much of Stan's. He ran his hands from the top of Stan's pants up, over his stomach, letting his thumbs brush both of his nipples at the same time, and lazily draped his arms over his muscled shoulders.
"Mmkay," Craig smirked and watched Stan's eyes darken through his own hooded ones. "You're lucky I'm in such a hospitable mood."
Stan let out a bark of laughter before marking Craig's neck, chest, and shoulders between kisses. Craig allowed himself to become amazed at the different ways Stan was able to excite him and lazily rolled his hips up into Stan's. He chuckled slightly at the growl solicited in response to their half hardness meeting through their jeans. Suddenly he wanted very much to be free of then and after gathering his courage through gentle kneading of the muscles on Stan's back he snaked a hand between them. Stan let out a slight hiss before biting down on a particularly sensitive area of Craig's neck.
"Fuck, Stan," Craig moaned and allowed himself a mental victory shout as he located the button on Stan's jeans and began undoing them. Stan grunted as Craig slowly lowered the zipper, which was a feat in of itself – Craig noted – because not once had their hips stopped rolling against each other. When he succeeded he felt both of their stiff cocks against his hand and desperately wanted to feel Stan's flush against his with either one or maybe both of their hands wrapped around them both. He instantly saw the appeal of this idea and as Stan's mouth found his own again he made quick work of undoing his own jeans.
Stan extended both of his legs the moment Craig was done with this and together they shimmied out of their jeans and with thumbs swiftly unhooked their boxers from their bodies until there was nothing but air between them. Craig marveled at their shared intuitively need to see their exposed selves. It wasn't as awkward as Craig thought it would be and appreciated it when Stan propped himself on his right elbow and hip flush next to his left so they could let their hands roam over thighs, arms, chests, and hips. Stan's eyes met his and it was gratifying to see all the same emotions and sentiments flying through his brain in those eyes.
"Beautiful," Stan breathed at the same time Craig whispered, "Unbelievable."
Stan wrapped his free left hand around Craig's right and brought their connected fingers to his trembling lips for a chaste kiss. Craig felt himself let out a shaky breath. This really was unbelievable. Being so exposed to someone without anything to hide behind. He distantly realized he was completely vulnerable to Stan at that moment but when Stan's eyes wandered from somewhere around Craig's feet and into his eyes he saw that Stan felt the same. His cock twitched in response and Craig almost wanted to say those words back to him. He didn't want to ruin it though as Stan kissed him deeply again and slowly aligned them before wrapping his warm hand around both of their lengths.
Craig let his head fall back at the sensation and shifted his legs into a better position so they could get closer – fuck – if that was even possible at that moment. Stan continued to kiss him as he set a steady rhythm. Craig felt his body arching into every touch and wrapped his arms around Stan to palm the small of his back. They were both moaning loudly into their kisses and the heat between their bodies must've been high enough to make breakfast for all Craig could figure out. As Stan's rhythm increased Craig let his hands slide lower and lower and lower…
"Oh fuck, Craig," Stan broke apart and breathed in his face as Craig's hands slid over Stan's exposed ass. Craig allowed a momentary snicker as he totally got himself a handful but Stan rolled against him in a move that desperately made him ache for release and for it to never end all at the same time.
"Come with me, Craig," Stan's eyes were slightly out of focus and glazed and all Craig could do was moan in response.
"Stan," Craig breathed and he wasn't sure if it was to encourage Stan to hold the fuck out for once or because he was just feeling really fucking amazing at that moment.
Stan didn't seem to mind either way and ran a thumb over both of their heads causing Craig to throw his head back and buck his hips in time with Stan's. They were being rather noisy at this point and totally sweating on each other but fuck if Craig could bring himself to care. He wanted more and grabbed more of Stan's ass in his hands and why the fuck hadn't they done this sooner if it felt this fucking amazing…
Stan's breathing became even more erratic calling Craig's attention to the fact that his was, too. He felt Stan's dick twitching in need and his own responded. Stan looked into his eyes again with an amazing sort of expression in them he couldn't decode at the moment before groaning and coaxing Craig closer and closer and Come with me, Craig.
"Stan," Craig gasped and before he could finish breathing Stan's mouth was on his again and they were swallowing each other's voices as they both spilled over Stan's hand. Craig managed to breathe in a sound that was very close to a sob as Stan coaxed every last bit of their joint orgasm out of their bodies. It was the most phenomenal thing Craig had ever experienced and when Stan finally let their spent dicks go, in spite of the desire to get as much cool air as possible between them, he wrapped his arms around Stan's shoulders to pull him close.
Stan ducked his head down into the crook of his neck and while he gave up and allowed his own chest to fight for air he relished in the feeling of Stan's heavy panting against his ear. They were gross and too hot and horribly sticky but Craig knew he loved the bastard who put him in that state. Stan seemed to have calmed down enough to concern himself with some sense of decency and peeled himself from Craig. Craig shamelessly whimpered at the loss of contact yet welcomed the cool air against his bare body. He knew he should be the one to search for a towel and nearly laughed as Stan stumbled around in a daze for one. He pushed the personal reprimand aside when he felt Stan wiping up their bodies between chaste kisses to Craig's arms, legs, and stomach.
Stan tossed the towel towards his hamper and Craig managed through great effort to sit up and slide beneath Stan's covers with him. Stan settled himself in first and motioned for Craig to sidle up beside him. He didn't need to be asked twice and curled himself against Stan's right and sighed contentedly as their arms wove around one another. He felt Stan breathing in the faint traces of his shampoo in his hair and pressing kisses to the top of his head. It was so safe and so warm and so right.
"Don't say I never do anything for you, Stan," Craig managed to croak out before a huge yawn threatened to overtake him.
Stan's chest rumbled melodiously with his laughter. He pressed another kiss into Craig's hair and tightened his hold on him in appreciation. Craig smiled briefly before another yawn erupted and this time he let it take hold.
"Frot?"
"What are we, British?" Craig's face changed colors as he clacked away at his computer.
"Joint jerk off? I don't know, Craig," Stan rolled over onto his stomach on top of Craig's bed. "It's technically sex."
Craig made a hesitating noise. Stan rolled his eyes and observed Craig with a slight smirk on his face. Whatever it was that Craig was going to decide to call it had been so fucking amazing. Stan was still floored that Craig let them do it. Coming at the same time had been great and they'd done the act several times over the course of Spring Break but that wasn't what made Stan feel like a giddy school girl.
He got to see Craig completely naked.
It was incredible. Until then Craig had only taken his shirt off or dropped his pants far enough for Stan to satisfy him but he meant what he said when he called Craig beautiful. His whole body fit Stan's in just the right places which worried him slightly because he knew they each had some more room to grow. Would his bones stretch so far that he'd have to wriggle around a knobby kneecap or risk an elbow to his ribcage? He hoped not. Stan liked that his hands were bigger than Craig's and that Craig's feet were bigger than his. Craig had yelled at him for pointing it out and laughing over it but really it was kind of perfect. Stan's legs were evenly proportioned even if his torso was a little short. Craig was all length and lean.
As for their personal effects, well, Stan didn't really know what to say as far as aesthetics were concerned but he liked the way Craig fit in his hand and vice versa. Only time would tell if they'd ever get to have anal sex or not but Stan figured that was at least a few months after graduation. Or maybe during college. Who knows, it wasn't happening any time soon since they still couldn't look at something as innocuous as a deflated balloon without Craig getting super defensive or Stan coming down with a case of the drops (not so bad around Wal-Mart; mortifying in a toy store.)
April was coming up and Stan had coaxed his way into Craig's house under the pretense of finishing up their pointless English assignment when really his goal was much more transparent.
"So about Prom," Stan began without preamble.
Craig sighed long suffering and groaned as he slouched in his chair. "We're really going?"
"Didn't you say that Mom wouldn't let you skip out on it?" Stan grinned at the half-hearted glare Craig shot him. Stan had taken up the habit of calling Mrs. Tucker 'Mom' since Stan had seen her son in his birthday suit. He had to bite the inside of his left cheek to keep his thoughts clear of images of Craig's flushed skin and the dark, lusty look in those eyes when Stan pretended to relinquish control to Craig. The fucker was quite enthusiastic once he threw out his inhibitions. Stan cursed that Spring Break was only one week and not several weeks strung next to each other with a requirement that all nubile teens in the middle of their physical experimentation stages be allowed to isolate themselves from other distractions like studying, family, and work.
"Yeah but if you value my opinion you won't insist on something as stupid as—"
"I want to match our eyes," Stan interrupted Craig with a grin knowing exactly how he was going to end his sentence.
"Fuck," Craig glowered at him and in quick, lithe movements stood up from his chair to tower over Stan on his own bed. "That's exactly what I don't want."
"Doesn't blue go so well with gray?" Stan grinned pretending to be completely oblivious to his boyfriend's mortification.
Craig snarled and increased the fierceness of his glower. Stan smirked and rolled onto his side.
"It's either that or we wear these two gaudy pink suits with frilly shirts that'll make us look like a couple of super gay LeStats."
"No," Craig's shoulders rose to the height of his ears and Stan had to scrunch up his mouth hard to keep from laughing as Craig actually stomped his foot like a five year old being sent to bed without a cookie for dessert.
"What do you suggest then, Craig?"
"Not going."
"Not an option."
Craig sneered and began pacing like a caged animal. Stan knew this topic seriously pissed Craig off but he got so much enjoyment out of the fact that someone else ultimately suffered his wrath and Stan was now completely exempt. Well, Stan 'suffered' when he let Craig take control of their cop-a-feel escapades but he honestly considered that a win-win for the both of them.
"Just to let you know I wasn't going to insist on a limo or even dinner," Stan scratched at his nose. Craig slowed his pacing and visibly relaxed as he looked to Stan for confirmation. "Glorious waste of living expense fundage for next semester wouldn't you say?"
"We haven't decided," Craig's skin began flushing pink causing Stan to smile. He wanted to live with Craig in college. Why not? Craig had his shit completely together and Stan had… well, he could cook. He knew deep down inside that he would always be one of those people dependent on another person for stability and order. Craig liked control and maybe not order but consistency was definitely up there. Stan had kind of hoped when they first discussed the idea that Craig would say something unintentionally romantic like Well duh, dumbass, of course we're living together. But Craig said it was too far off to talk about it and Stan really knew it was too far off in their relationship to talk about it. They hadn't even gotten to that one damning word yet. The one that meant this was for real and not just some hormone induced, out on my own for the first time, rebelling against the establishment kind of relationship.
Stan knew he was in love with Craig. No one in the whole world that he had met yet made him feel like Craig did. Everyone else had been a product of spontaneity, peer pressure, or convenience. He tried with Craig. He worked so damn hard to get him to turn around and look at him properly. The moment Craig did Stan knew it was stronger than liking him or finding him attractive. This person was meant to be with him and he was meant to be with them. Every cell of his body ached with this constant want and lately it seemed like his brain was hard wired to continuously defend his claim on Craig. They belonged together and everyone else needed to back the fuck away.
He was holding on tightly to those words. He wanted the setting to be just right. He hadn't imagined what their dates would be like, what scenario their first kiss would be in, or their first time baring themselves completely to each other. He could control when he said those words, though. At least he hoped so. There was only one annoying obstacle confronting Stan now.
This situation with the Secret Admirer letters was getting pretty goddamned ridiculous.
Every week now a new one showed up. Initially it was just no-pressure "I like you" type of stuff. Stan nearly had a conniption when last week the letter writer had the gall to ask for a saved dance. A slow dance. A slow dance?
"Craig, how is us dancing going to work at Prom?"
Craig whipped around with both fists clenched at his side and looked horrified at Stan. "Jesus Christ, Stan, you didn't think about that in advance before asking me to go?"
"You think I asked. How cute," Stan smirked and lazily rolled onto his back to stretch it.
Craig made a deflated sound. "Wait, if you didn't ask then technically we aren't going together." Stan rolled his eyes at the inherent smugness in Craig's voice.
"Yes we are," Stan snorted and stretched his arms above his head feeling his shirt ride up a little, "you said you wanted to do more coupley things and Prom constitutes as the epitome of coupley things during the course of our high school career."
"I'm sure there are other events during the three and a half years we haven't been doing this that we've missed out on that would trump something as banal as the fucking Prom, Stan," the bed dipped a little as Craig crawled on his knees to join him.
"Okay two points," Stan rolled back over onto his side and shifted to give Craig room to stretch out on his back, "one, we went to Homecoming together. You were totally dressed up for me and that reminds me that your tux needs to have a vest."
Craig snorted in annoyance but didn't bat Stan's hand away as he began idly wandering it over his stomach.
"Second, if Prom is so banal then why are you fighting it like I insulted Stripe or something?"
Stan felt his smirk widen as Craig released a long suffering sigh and let his eyes glaze over.
"Stripe was a good guinea pig."
Stan leaned over to give him a consolatory kiss.
"I do not feel comfortable dancing in front of everyone, Stan," Craig's eyes flashed sharp and clear at him.
Stan nodded. "I know. Slow dancing is crossing a line. Maybe if there's a couple of numbers everyone is just jumping around to we could do that without pissing off the chaperones."
Craig groaned again and stared at his ceiling. "Speaking of, they didn't say anything when you went to buy our tickets?"
Stan covered a yawn and dropped his weight to spoon up against Craig's side. Without thinking Craig's arm snaked around him.
"I actually hadn't done that yet," Stan grinned as he listened to him let out a contented sigh. "I'm going with Kyle tomorrow during lunch."
He felt Craig nod burrow his nose into his hair. Stan nearly laughed as he felt Craig's chest rise slowly and fall quickly. He couldn't repress his need to wriggle closer, though.
"Quit fidgeting around," Craig's voice deepened signaling he was in a very relaxed state.
"You're the one insisting on sniffing me."
Craig sputtered. "No I wasn't!"
"It's a new shampoo," Stan squeezed Craig's torso as his arm found a comfortable spot. "Shelly picked it out for me saying it would make my hair fuckable."
"So nice to be considered in your hygienic rituals," Craig murmured with amusement.
"That's the whole point," Stan laughed. "It's all for you, Craig."
Craig grunted in response.
The next day Stan stalked towards Craig's locker as usual first thing in the morning with the small hope of catching this letter writing bastard in the act. As usual, he was disappointed that no one was there and didn't show up between his arrival and Craig's. When Craig did show up sighing and with Clyde in tow Stan waited patiently while Craig spun in his combination. He knew it as well as his own but he respected Craig's privacy and refused to enter his boyfriend's locker without expressed permission. He was not, however, beyond snatching the bright, white envelope off the topmost shelf before Craig had fully opened the door.
"The fucker strikes again," he grumbled as Clyde shimmied closer to read the letter with him.
Craig,
I hope you've had a good week so far. I've been watching you and it seems that you have. I wonder if you've given any thought to saving a dance for me at Prom. I couldn't help but notice, however, that you haven't purchased your tickets, yet. Maybe you aren't going to go? I really want to see you there. Maybe you don't have anyone to go with? I'd be more than happy to be your date! I guess you can't really ask me since I haven't told you how to contact me. Just know that I'll be there!
I hope you will, too.
Your Secret Admirer
"Creepy," Clyde grimaced as he finished the letter.
"No diggity," Stan frowned.
"No doubt," Clyde cheerily replied and the two bumped fists. Clyde had been kind of a pansy, wussy assed kid when they were in elementary school but seeing as he was Craig's best friend and his teammate the two had developed a special bond. They both liked Craig (well, Stan's like was completely different from Clyde's) and both hated these stupid letters.
Craig snatched the letter from Stan's hand and read it with a sneer. "If you hadn't fucking insisted on it I wouldn't even go to Prom."
"Ah, ah, ah," Clyde chided. "Remember your mother."
Craig groaned and crumpled the letter in his fist. "Seriously, I think it's some prank."
"Whatever," Stan crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the offending piece of paper in thought. He had seen every single one of these letters to know that it was from a girl. At first, he thought maybe it was a Goth kid taking their admiration just a little too far but after doing some reconnaissance work in their lair (Creative writing – third period) he learned that all of them were loathe to attend the function. They even made him work on his class exercises alone for the remainder of the week. Stan was still a little baffled that he had been iced out by the Goth kids.
He discussed the letter with Kyle between classes and during lunch on their way to the student office to buy their tickets to Prom. Kyle was taking Annie, again, but just as friends. He doubted his mother would approve of him seriously dating a girl so close to graduation or ever. Kyle agreed that the letters were coming from one of the girls in their school.
"She has to be a Senior, dude," Kyle shoved his hands into his pockets. "I mean, no underclassmen can get tickets unless they're going with a Senior."
"But all the girls in our grade went ballistic when Craig and I started hanging out, remember?"
Kyle shrugged his shoulder. "Maybe she was jealous. Or sensed your impending homosexcapades—"
"You have got to stop listening to Kenny," Stan shook his head.
"—and felt threatened," Kyle continued without addressing the interruption. They reached the office waited while some Middle Park couple bought their tickets before stepping up in their place when they walked off. Mrs. Deems was manning the table and had a cash box, log book, and flowery looking writing and decorations on a stack of card stock tickets.
"Two for the Prom," Kyle said in a very bored voice as he fished out his wallet.
"Names?"
"Kyle Broflovski and Annie Faulk," Kyle handed over the money after she checked off their names and handed him two tickets. She gave him a smile and looked expectantly at Stan.
"Same. Two tickets."
"Names?"
"Stan Marsh and Craig Tucker," Stan said feeling equally bored as Kyle with this whole process of paying to dance in their poorly decorated, smelly gym.
"Oh," her voice faltered. "Um, Mr. Marsh I don't believe you can buy another boy's ticket."
"What?" Stan blinked at her. "Why not?"
"Well, if you two are going… stag as I'm sure you are he'll need to purchase his own ticket," she smiled warmly at him. "I understand Mr. Tucker doesn't like to attend these kinds of school functions but if he wants to go we'll need his presence here to get his ticket."
"And what if they aren't going stag," Kyle raised an eyebrow at her with a challenging voice.
"Well," she let her response hang in the air for a few moments. "Well, what else would they be going as?"
"Together," Kyle suggested tersely.
"He's my date," Stan narrowed his eyes at Mrs. Deems' folded hands.
She looked taken aback at the vehemence in his voice and fluttered a hand to cover her heart. "Well, Mr. Marsh! I just… I just don't know about that."
"This is bullshit," Stan felt his eyes bulging in disbelief. He'd really been looking forward to sharing this experience with Craig. After all, it was at Prom that he had hoped…
"You're kidding, right," Kyle's voice was reaching Sheila-level decibels interrupting Stan's thought processes.
"I'm afraid not," she shrugged with an apologetic tone to her voice but her body language clearly read she wasn't sorry at all.
"Then I want a refund," Kyle shoved the tickets back at her.
"Kyle," Stan placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to. Craig really doesn't want to go anyway."
"My refund," Kyle pressed and under the force of his stare Mrs. Deems hastily took back the tickets and handed Kyle his money.
"You really didn't have to do that," Stan blinked at his best friend as Kyle began steering him by the shoulders and away from the line.
"That's seriously fucked up not letting you buy Craig's ticket," Kyle glowered. "I need to see Wendy. She's on the planning committee."
Stan gaped as Kyle continued steering him back towards the cafeteria. Once inside, Kyle guided him towards Craig's table and unceremoniously shoved him down in the vacated seat next to a very shocked Craig. "Stay here. I'll be right back."
Stan blinked and watched as his best friend navigated the cafeteria tables towards the one Wendy usually sat at. He felt Craig shift in his seat towards him a little and glanced at him briefly.
"What's going on," Clyde inquired.
"They wouldn't let me buy mine and Craig's tickets for Prom," Stan answered not taking his eyes off of Kyle and Wendy as they had their conversation. Wendy looked at him worriedly then frowned and began talking heatedly to an equally incensed Kyle. She stood up and the two stalked out of the cafeteria together.
"Why the hell not?"
"She just said 'I don't know about that' and wouldn't let me buy them," he turned to look at Craig. Craig was studying his face very carefully and underneath the table rested his knee against Stan's. To anyone else it would seem like an accidental touch but Craig's eyes read concern and the gesture brought Stan out of his bewildered state of mind. He looked down at the cafeteria spaghetti on Craig's tray and felt depressed.
"What the fuck? Not even when you claimed you were going stag again?" Clyde pressed. His voice growing increasingly irritated as he searched for information.
"She assumed we were," Stan couldn't help letting some sorrow into his voice and looked back at Craig to see his eyes were narrowed dangerously. "She said Craig would have to buy his own ticket and I said he's my date. Then she shut the door on the subject."
"And then what happened?" Clyde set his food down and was all but yelling at Stan by this point. He watched as Craig clenched his silverware before tearing his gaze away towards the opposite side of the table. Token, Kevin, and Clyde looked equally pissed off. In another circumstance, Stan would have poked Craig in the side and joked about how he had some really good friends and should be more appreciative.
Instead he sighed and dropped his head into his arms in a show of dejection. "Kyle asked for a refund and we came straight here."
"Then I will too," Clyde made to stand up. "That's seriously fucked up."
"Relax, Clyde," Kyle's voice carried over the table followed by the scent of Wendy's perfume. "We went and talked to the faculty just now."
Stan rotated his head so that his chin rested on his arms. He felt Craig pull back his knee and bump it against his again. It made him feel better.
"Did they say it was stupid and fix it?" Token glanced between them.
"No," Wendy flicked a piece of her hair behind her shoulder. "In fact, they supported it. I think its bogus even though I'm on the committee. I got our refund already, Token."
Token nodded and Clyde and Kevin stood up from the table.
"Where are you going," Kyle asked though his eyes looked like he already knew.
"Refunds," Clyde shrugged nonchalantly. "Coming, Tweek?"
"Oh Christ, we're going to make the school soo mad," Tweek fidgeted as he stood up from the table banging his knee hard on the underside of it in the process. He nervously patted Craig's shoulder before following Clyde and Kevin out.
"You shouldn't skip out on Prom on account of us, guys," Stan blinked at his best friend. He actually felt better knowing that others were just as mad but he genuinely didn't want to get in the way of someone else's Senior memories.
"Relax, dumbass," Kyle grinned. "Wendy and I will think of something."
Stan looked towards Craig and saw awkward concern in his eyes. Stan sighed and tucked his head back into his arms feeling Wendy's small hand ruffle his hair and Kyle's arm sling around his shoulders in comfort. A part of him knew he was acting like a total douche bag but the other part was genuinely upset over the situation despite how girly it was. His depression only deepened as he felt Craig subtly inch closer – the only public show of support he was willing to offer. It spoke volumes to Stan, though. Craig was genuinely remorseful and Stan knew he'd try to cheer him up in his own Craigish way later on.
Still. It hurt.
"I really wanted to go."
In the end both of their circles of friends got refunds to the Prom. When the school called his parents at home Craig had to sit in the living room for three hours while his father yelled about him being a faggot and turning his and Stan's souls over to Satan. Once he got that out of his system his mother stood up and told his father to go fuck himself. Ruby hovered in the divide between the living room and the kitchen with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed at their father in a show of support. Craig felt a mixture of unease with the defamatory names and gratitude towards his mother and sister.
Around dinner time the doorbell rang revealing the Marsh family on their doorstep with Mrs. Marsh holding an unplugged crock pot full of something warm and steaming in her kitchen mitt covered hands. She had a look of fierce protectiveness on her face and briskly entered the Tucker household with Craig's mom quick on her heels. They immediately began yelling in the kitchen between banging pots and opening and closing the refrigerator door. Shelly marched in on the heels of her mother and after flashing Craig an amused smile gently guided Ruby into the kitchen with her to make themselves useful. Mr. Marsh reluctantly entered with both of his hands in his pockets and eyes downcast. At the sight of him Craig's dad went into a rampage.
"How dare you bring your faggot son into my house where he's turned my son into a cock sucking queer!"
Craig felt his jaw go slack in shock and heard immediate silence from the kitchen as the women made their way to the divide in a dark cloud of anger. He blinked in surprise when Mr. Marsh gave them a stern look and held up a hand to signal them to stay put.
"Do you have any idea what this'll do to our family when the rest of town finds out they wanted to go to Prom together? They're boys. They can't. It ain't natural."
Craig looked towards the door and there he was. His face was puffy from misery and body rigid with the effort to show strength in front of Craig's father. Craig wanted nothing more than to go to him, tell his dad to go fuck himself, and either take Stan upstairs to his room and lock the door or straight outside to his car and just… drive. Fuck if he knew where. Just for a few hours until this stupid situation blew over. He hoped to God or whoever that Stan didn't cry over this because Craig knew as his knuckles clenched that he'd be out for everyone's blood if he did.
"With all due respect, Thomas," Craig looked at Mr. Marsh and held his breath, "I love my son very much. Sure, there is a lot that he and I have to talk about regarding this but that doesn't change the fact he means the world to me. And from what I can tell his relationship with your son isn't something to be easily dismissed. They seem to be rather serious—"
"Dad," Stan hissed and Craig felt his jaw clench at the sight of his eyes watering up.
"Stan," Mr. Marsh continued without breaking eye contact with Craig's dad. "Go upstairs with Craig so the rest of us can talk, okay? There's nothing more damaging than a child having to hear words that severs the bond with their parents."
"Come on, Squirt," Craig watched as Shelly smiled grimly and led Ruby through the living room, winking at Craig in the process, and towards the stairs. "Show me your room. We shouldn't be down here either."
"Go on Craig," his mother nodded. He looked towards her and felt warmed by the encouraging smile both he and Stan's mother were giving him. "We'll fetch you for dinner."
Craig mechanically stood up from his seat on the couch and felt his knees creaking from the three hour crouch he had done on it during his father's tirade earlier. He shoved one hand into the pocket of his hoodie and walked over to Stan to lightly tug on the front of his shirt with the other. Stan stood gasping, frightened, and shocked but seemed to sense Craig's presence and followed him as they went upstairs. Once he had closed the door behind them he grabbed Stan's hand and held on like they would float away from each other. He heard Stan swallow thickly and without conveying a single word, without breaking their small bit of contact, and completely in sync they climbed into Craig's bed. Stan pushed the pillows around a bit while Craig tugged up the covers both completely indifferent to the fact they were still wearing shoes. They huddled up in the blankets and each other simply breathing together and hoping with the other's presence they could climb out of this shell shock.
Craig didn't know how long they stayed like that. They could hear angry voices rising from downstairs. They could hear shuffling in Ruby's bedroom. Craig felt Stan's cell phone buzzing away in his jeans pocket and distantly heard his own muffled ring tone from his messenger bag. Stan tightened his grip on Craig and he let him. He could admit that he felt a little envious of Stan for having both of his parents supporting him. He was disappointed in his father and touched over his mother and sister.
He felt Stan nuzzle his hair and pull him closer still.
"I'm so sorry, Craig."
Craig nodded not sure of what to say. Despite the drama downstairs and surely circulating again throughout the school he felt safe in Stan's embrace.
"I'll make this right somehow, Craig," Stan pressed his lips to his forehead. "I promise."
Craig nodded again and tightened his hold on Stan. If he had to be ostracized for being a fag with anyone in the world he was glad that it was Stan.
"An Alterna-Prom," Clyde said smugly when they met as usual in the school parking lot the next morning.
"That's Broflovski and Testaburger's big idea?" Craig sighed and rubbed sleepily at his eyes. He did not want to talk about this especially since the previous night had been as much of an emotional roller coaster as Craig was able to stand. The last thing he wanted to deal with was an Alterna-Prom.
Clyde shrugged. "It's actually going to be better. We are still dressing up but instead of going to the school's gym we're holding it at Token's. His parents agreed to it so long as it becomes a type of lock-in. No one out until seven in the morning. Token's dad said he'd make everyone breakfast."
Craig snorted. That actually sounded kind of cool. The Tokens weren't ignorant to the fact that several parties had been held at their house. Craig assumed they agreed to it because this way they'd have advance notice and finally had an excuse to update their home theatre system.
"I bet Stan's over the moon," Clyde grinned brightly before it faltered a little as Craig's demeanor soured. Just has he began feeling better about their situation Stan's sister came into his room to tell them it was time for Stan to go around one in the morning. Craig didn't get a wink of sleep after that feeling like an extension of his self was missing and didn't appreciate in the slightest how his bed smelled so much like Stan. For a few minutes he panicked that he wouldn't be able to continue seeing him. His mother must've had a fine tuned sense to know when he was bordering on his first ever panic attack because she appeared seemingly out of nowhere to soothingly stroke his back. She told him she loved him, that she loved Stan, and that she wanted nothing more than to see him happy.
"You've been so happy, Craig," she smiled at him. "It's all thanks to Stan."
Craig felt the air get lighter as his feet begrudgingly treaded towards his locker. He knew Stan would be there and sure enough he was. Stan looked just as worn out and tired as Craig felt. He was nodding along as Broflovski talked animatedly to McCormick apparently explaining the Alterna-Prom. When Stan's eyes met his he finally felt whole again.
"Hey," tired blue eyes smiled at him.
Craig nodded. He really wanted to ditch and go back to either of their beds and sleep until graduation.
"So I take it Clyde told you about the Alterna-Prom," Broflovski smiled at him.
Craig nodded again. "I don't know, guys. Doesn't it seem like a lot of work for very little gain?"
He felt his gut drop at the frown on Stan's face. Craig grimaced. He and Stan didn't have to go to Prom. If Stan wanted to dance with him he'd let him in the privacy of their own homes but making everyone else miss out seemed kind of selfish to him.
"Really? That's oddly considerate of you," Clyde grinned at him. Craig blinked.
"Did I say that out loud?"
"You must be very tired," Broflovski smiled sympathetically. "Stan told us the school called your parents."
McCormick laughed and patted Craig on the shoulder. "Sucks about your dad but isn't it cool that the Marshes are okay?"
Craig gave him a questioning look.
"Randy's a temperamental drunk is all I'm saying," McCormick waved his hand around and moved back over near Broflovski. "Pretty cool for him to step up for you guys."
Craig looked at Stan and offered a small, tired smile. "Yeah. It was kinda cool."
Stan's entire attitude changed from slightly withdrawn to outright ecstatic. He barreled into Craig wrapping his strong arms around him in a tight hug.
"Craig," he breathed into his ear. "Let's go to the Alterna-Prom."
"Fuck, Stan," Craig felt his skin heat up from the public show of affection and the monster trapped deep inside of him that was thrilled to feel Stan's warmth again. "Okay, okay. I get it now get off."
"Ooh," Token's voice piped up. "Not at my house you won't." Craig managed to successfully wrestle the laughing Stan off of him and rubbed at his shoulder in irritation when Token handed him a key looped through a heavy keychain.
"What's this?" Craig held out his hand letting Token drop it into his palm.
"My parents said to give you a spare key to the house in case you needed to crash while your family chills," Token shrugged.
"Thanks," Craig mumbled and pocketed it. Token shrugged again.
"All right," Broflovski stretched his arms above his head. "Let's get to classes, guys."
Everyone groaned while Craig deftly spun his combination into his locker. He began organizing his books when he felt Stan's warmth pressed against his side. He looked up to see Stan cross armed and glaring inside his locker.
"I don't fucking believe this," he glowered and bumped a little into Craig as he snatched a familiar envelope from the topmost shelf. Craig sighed and watched as he ripped it open with more gusto than required and leaned in with the rest of their group to read the letter.
Craig,
I'm writing sooner than usual to let you know I heard about you and Stan Marsh trying to go to Prom together. I know there have been rumors about the two of you for a while but surely this isn't true. Did you really expect to get to go to the last social event of your senior year with another guy?
After sharing my feelings with you I feel betrayed. I really like you. I think we'd be really good together. You and I are so much more compatible than you and Stan Marsh. Don't you remember his reputation?
I've bought you a ticket to Prom in hopes that you'll go with me. I've heard rumors of a secondary Prom that Wendy and Kyle Broflovski are arranging but I hope you'll go to the regular Prom with me. If you don't then I can't guarantee to be able to keep your and Stan's secret. I highly doubt the rest of the student body will be as accepting as the top two in the class seem to be (shocking since Wendy was a major slut for Stan.)
Please reconsider,
Your Secret Admirer
"Who the fuck is this chick to threaten Craig like this," Stan scowled and grumbled under his breath.
"A little melodramatic piece of work if you ask me," Clyde snorted. "Kenny, if you would please?"
"With pleasure," McCormick grinned as he held the paper between two fingers and fished out a lighter and ignited the tip of the letter. The group watched on in silence. Craig swallowed thickly feeling incredibly uncomfortable with the letter situation now. It was easy to ignore them at first but this one definitely crossed a line. He didn't say anything back to his father and his harsh words because despite the disappointment he felt he was still his father. He could take anything others wanted to say to him but he wouldn't tolerate some bimbo saying these kinds of things about Stan.
Stan continued to grumble under his breath and made a reach for Craig. Craig's eyes flew open and he took a step backwards out of reach. For a moment Stan looked shocked like he didn't understand what had happened before he looked at Craig with an expression that left no room for negotiation.
"Craig, get over here."
"No," Craig spat automatically. He felt his fists curling and shoved them deep into the pockets of his hoodie to keep from slugging Stan. Craig was a little emotionally maxed out and this was not the time to be all territorial with the events from the previous night still stark clear in his mind.
"Then stand still," Stan almost growled as he swiftly closed the distance between them. Before Craig could catch up Stan's hands were locked around the base of his skull and mouth completely attached to his.
Traffic came to a complete stand still in the hallway and Craig vaguely recalled they were in the busiest junction between the two main hallways. He should have been mortified, pulled out his fists, and take them to every square inch of Stan's body. Instead, his eyes closed and he audibly sucked in a breath of air before clearly leaning into Stan's hold over him. Stan's grip shifted so that his fingers slipped deliciously over Craig's scalp while his palms cradled his head carefully. It was a move Stan had perfected with Craig over the past few months because it was Craig's favorite. No matter how much spitting, biting, or fussing Craig did at Stan all the agile athlete had to do was put his hands in just the right spot and Craig melted like butter on an over heated skillet.
A chorus of gasps rung in Craig's ear forcing him to open his eyes and break their kiss. Teachers and students were standing still with gaping mouths and shocked expressions. Somewhere in the distance he could heard Cartman's laughter. He felt his face redden as he realized he had let his hands escape the confines of his pockets and slip around Stan's hips to pull him closer.
"Wow," Stan breathed and looked into Craig's eyes with his own looking a little unfocused. "That was awesome."
"You kissed me in public you fucker," Craig hissed before snapping his fist back and aiming it for Stan's face. Before it could connect Stan's steady palm flew up and met it with a resounding smack. He let his fingers fall over Craig's knuckles and the back of his hand in a soothing gesture. Craig felt furious and bewildered when Stan had the audacity to smirk before morphing it into the sappiest smile he had ever seen.
"I love you."
The effect was immediate. Craig deflated and untangled himself from Stan's grasp. He stood in place for one moment studying the formation of Stan's lips, the glow in his eyes, and expression that read Stan hadn't expected to let him know about his feelings in this particular way but he didn't regret a thing. Craig felt like Stan had set off an atomic bomb inside of his chest. With every visible millimeter of his skin turning red he ducked his hands into his pockets, spun around on his heels, and marched towards his Photography class plowing through the student body like Moses parting the Red Sea.
He breezed into the classroom and went straight to his usual table and put his head down in his arms. He focused on the brown table top and willed his breathing to quit coming out in gasping puffs. Just as he managed to calm himself down some he heard the echo of Stan's words in his ears and the look on his face right after he had said them so genuine and heartfelt. He could see he truth in his eyes and closed his own as he brought his arms tighter around his face.
He was in love with Stan, too.
A/N: Well! We had to address the parents and that usual fodder of acceptance. Now we've got the L word popping up after much pussy footing on the subject. Poor Stan and his failed plans.
The next chapter is definitely the last. I'm positively giddy over the fact I'm completing two fics in the same fandom. Seriously, it is surreal for me having only completed one fic in the far distant past, well, for the same fandom, rather. Not this one! Whatever.
I'd also like to point out I was recently sent a fan art that goes with this story! It is super cute and I'd like to thank ObanesHarvest for it. Please check out my profile for the link to it!
