The months seemed to come and go by faster the longer they were away from each other, Halloween, Craig's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year coming and going. Their one year was somewhere in the mix, and Craig was damn sure to take Tweek out on a nice date while he could. They went ice skating (Craig working a few shifts here and there at the ice skating rink over break), went to a nice dinner, and, after some slow, sensual sex, they cuddled up for the rest of the evening. They still had about three weeks left of break, Tweek flying out on the thirteenth of January and Craig going back the fifteenth. They made sure to try and catch up with everyone, hanging out a few nights each week, Cartman included. Eric Cartman, in Tweek's opinion, looked like he was thriving. He had lost some weight, his face thinning out, and his style had improved a bit. He met a girl at school, Millie, and he was so clearly smitten with her.
"I'm planning to ask her on a date when I get back." He said, his face red after showing them all a picture of her. Tweek grinned as Heidi smiled.
"I'm happy for you, Eric." Everyone felt lighter suddenly after that night. It was if years of Eric pining after Heidi had disappeared. He had moved on, and Craig knew that he was on the path to a good life. Heidi and Kyle recently celebrated their one year anniversary as well, Craig and Tweek going on a double date a week after their anniversaries. It seemed like every time they got together, everyone had something new to share or something they forgot to mention about college or their new friends. Tonight, however, it was the core group: Craig, Tweek, Clyde, Token, and Jimmy. They were sitting in Token's basement, sipping casually at some beers while they played video games. Token had a lot of older and newer systems: Xbox,
Playstation, a Nintendo Switch, a Wii, Gamecube, and even a Nintendo 64, which was Craig's personal favorite. They were currently watching Clyde and Jimmy play Grand Theft Auto, robbing some bank, Tweek thinks. He yelped as Craig stood suddenly, kneeling down by the games.
"Save it it's my turn to play something." Clyde groaned.
"Fine, asshole." They made sure the game saved before letting Craig plug what system he wanted in, plugging in the Nintendo 64 to the TV and putting in Super Mario 64.
"R-Really? A o-o-one play-player game?" Jimmy huffed, leaning back.
"Listen, there's this thing called the Green Demon Challenge, and I am hell bent on beating it." Craig said, sitting on the floor (the controller cord wasn't very long).
"What the fuck is the Green Demon Challenge?" Token snorted, sipping at his beer.
"So, there are some levels where if you get a one man, the one man will follow you around until it catches you. It's like a glitch! The goal is to collect the eight red coins in the level without collecting the one man." Clyde blinked.
"Where did you figure this out, dude?!" Craig snorted.
"Online." Tweek smiled as he brought his beer up to his lips, watching Craig immerse himself in the game. It had been twenty minutes, and Craig has only managed to get four coins max. He kept fucking up the controls every now and then, resulting in him to lose, or he'd get hit by an enemy which made him lose distance between Mario and the one man. Tweek could see the anger building in Craig's face.
"Dude, you suck." Craig turned around slowly, his eyes dark as he looked at Clyde. He blinked, raising his hands in defense slowly as Craig turned back around.
"Clyde, these controls suck, the music is TAUNTING ME, and I can't remember where the fucking coins are!" He yelled, hunching over as he started the level over for the umpteenth time. Tweek moved to sit down next to him, biting his lip to stop from laughing as he heard Craig making lyrics up to the music. "Suck my ass, suck my ass, fuck this shit, fuck this shit." He kept mumbling to himself over and over, eyes darting wildly across the screen. He screamed as the one man caught up to him again after finally getting the fifth red coin. He fell forward, his face buried in his hands on the carpet as the music continued to taunt him. Tweek pursed his lips, glancing back at the guys who were trying not to laugh.
"Hey…hey, honey?" He cooed, reaching out and rubbing Craig's back gently.
"What?" He whined, not moving from his position.
"I think it's time to stop." Craig didn't respond, sitting up slowly as he grabbed the controller.
"No-no it's cool. I'm cool. I got this, Tweek. I got this!" he restarted the level, Tweek rubbing his back still in an effort to try and relax him while he focused. It seemed to be working, for a little while at least. He needed two more coins, eyes frantic as he raced around. He grabbed the seventh, gasping loudly as he sat up on his knees.
"It's on the island in the sky!" Token yelled, Craig yelling in frustration.
"What?! I have to get the fucking wing cap then! Shit!" He tensed under Tweek's hand, Tweek kissing his shoulder.
"You can do it, sweetheart." He encouraged, feeling him relax a bit. Craig yelled as he tried to get the cap, looping around to give himself distance from the one man.
"Ohmygod okay okay I think I-yes-okay I got the cap now I just have to-FUCK I hit the wrong button! Fuck! NO!" Craig threw himself into Tweek's lap as the one man finally caught up to him, Tweek yelping at the sudden weight put on his lap. He chuckled, leaning down and kissing his head as he stroked his hair.
"You were close! I'm proud of you." He cooed, Craig whining into his thigh. Clyde jumped down, turning the Nintendo 64 off to switch out the game.
"Look, some good ol' Mariokart never hurt nobody."
"Clyde, that game ruins friendships!" Craig said, rolling over in Tweek's lap.
"We'll play Rainbow Road so you can look at the stars, alright?" Craig narrowed his eyes a bit before smirking.
"…deal."
A few nights later on Saturday, Craig was woken up by Tricia around seven am, Craig blinking awake slowly.
"Tric?" He whispered, rubbing his eyes. He blinked, seeing how red her sister's eyes were. "Tric, what's wrong?" He tugged her in bed next to him, listening to her sniffle.
"I…Craig…I m-missed a period." Criag blinked, looking at her.
"Tricia." He hissed, his eyes wide.
"I-I…Craig I-I'm scared." She whispered, her eyes just as wide as Craig's.
"Don't you use protection?!" He whispered, eyebrows furrowed.
"…sometimes? I-I'm on the pill, though!"
"You should be using two forms of birth control!"
"I didn't know that!"
"Tricia!"
"Craig, take me to the planned parenthood." Craig blinked.
"Why not mom?"
"I can't fucking tell mom I missed my period." Craig stared at her for a moment.
"…point taken."
"Please Craig?! I-I just want to find out if I'm pregnant or not."
"Okay, well I'm not taking you to planned parenthood right away. We're going to the drug store to get a pregnancy test first," Tricia nodded, Craig groaning as he crawled out of bed. "This is not how I wanted to start my Saturday." He grumbled, tugging clothes on. They left before their parents were even awake, Craig driving them to the drug store (Tricia just got her permit and begged to drive, but Craig was not letting that happen). They wandered up and down the aisles in the drug store, looking for the pregnancy tests. Craig also grabbed a box of condoms and lube, Tricia grimacing.
"Really?"
"I'm using condoms and there's no risk of pregnancy." She grunted, crossing her arms. They paid for everything up front, Craig taking her to a gas station.
"Why are we here?"
"Well…I need gas for one, and two, use it here so mom and dad don't see." She blushed, nodding.
"Will…you help?" Craig furrowed his brows.
"Tric, you just…pee on it. I don't know, read the instructions. I'll be in to see you once I'm done filling the car." She nodded, sighing as she walked inside. Craig filled up his car, walking to the convenience store about five minutes later. Tricia was walking out as he walked up.
"Negative!" She yelled, jumping up and down. Craig sighed in relief, punching her arm.
"Don't fucking scare me like that ever again!" He groaned, tugging her into a hug.
"Hey, whoa, don't celebrate yet! I still want to go to planned parenthood."
"What? Why?! It's negative!"
"What if it's wrong?! I-I still missed a period!" Craig groaned.
"Jesus, fine. Car. Now." They drove across town to the planned parenthood, walking in. Craig sat down, explaining to Tricia in the car that she is doing all of the talking and he is only there for support and for the adult signature if needed. She sat down next to him, filling out paperwork as he texted on his phone.
"Craig…don't…don't tell Tweek…please." Craig blinked, looking up.
"Why?"
"It's…kind of embarrassing…"
"No…it isn't, Tric. I mean…it's a mistake if you do find out you're pregnant, but
I mean…it isn't embarrassing. You're with a guy you love. I mean…yeah, Tweek and I have had sex without a condom before, but we're also they only people we're sleeping with and, again, no pregnancy risk. Just…did he cum inside of you?"
"I mean…there was one instance where it was a close call. He just pulled out…" Craig sighed, leaning his head back.
"Jesus Christ, Tricia." He grumbled, closing his eyes. She handed in her paperwork, being called back a few minutes later. Craig took a handful of the free condoms as he passed, stuffing them into his jacket pocket. He plopped down into a chair while Tricia sat on the examiners table. The nurses handed a little gown to Tricia.
"Take everything off and put this on and a doctor will be in with you in a few."
"Okay…thanks." She breathed out, looking at Craig after the nurse left. Craig got the memo, tugging his chullo down over his eyes. After a few minutes, he grunted.
"Tricia how long-"
"Done!" he sighed, pushing his hat back as the doctor walked in. She smiled at Tricia, and she was very pretty. She was on the shorter side with a cute bob cut, dark brown hair, and bright green eyes. Alos: freckles, just like Tweek, for as far as the eye could see.
"Tricia?"
"Yeah!"
"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Suzy."
"Hi Suzy. This is my brother, Craig." He gave a small wave, smiling a bit.
"Brother, huh? Haven't had that before." Craig snorted.
"I've never been woken up early on a Saturday by my sister telling me she thinks she's pregnant but…here we are." Suzy laughed softly, turning to Tricia.
"So, you think you're pregnant?"
"Well…yes and no? I missed my period, but I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative! But that still doesn't explain why I didn't get my period, so I wanted to just…ya know, make sure."
"Have you had any spotting? Like you normally would before your period?"
"A little bit, yeah, but not much. That's why I got scared when my period didn't come." Suzy nodded, writing a few things down.
"Okay, well we're going to need a urine sample, so go down the hall to the first door on your left and pee up to the line and come back, alright?" Tricia nodded, hopping down and walking down the hall. Suzy turned to Craig, smirking a bit. "So, you got an agenda for all those condoms you took?" Craig blushed.
"Did…did you see that?" Suzy nodded, laughing softly.
"I see everything here." He leaned back in his chair, tugging his chullo off and fidgeting with his hair. Suzy was probably in her early thirties, but Craig would be lying if he said he didn't find her attractive. Yeah, he's with Tweek, but pretty girls still made him nervous.
"I can, uh, return them if ya need me to. I'm in college so I jump at the sound of free things." Suzy let out a laugh.
"I remember those days. Don't worry about it, I'm sure they'll appreciate you wanting to be safe." Craig smiled.
"He appreciates it."
"He, huh? Have you ever been tested for HIV?" Craig blinked.
"Well…no. I mean…we've both never had sex with anyone else." Suzy hummed.
"It's still good to get the test done. It's better to be safe than sorry you know?" Craig thought a moment, nodding eventually. "We have a rapid test here. You just spit into a vile and we can have it scan while we check on your sister." He nodded again, taking the vile that was handed to him.
"To the line?"
"Mhm!" Suzy was setting some things up for when Tricia came back, his sister walking in a moment later. He spat into the vile until he reached the line, Suzy putting it in the machine nearby and putting a strip of paper into Tricia's urine. "Do you mind if I give you a standard examination, Tricia? It involves a vaginal checkup and breast exam."
"Yeah that's fine. Craig, you-"
"I know I know." He tugged his chullo down over his eyes again, leaning his head back against the wall. Suzy talked Tricia through all the exams, leaning over before checking her breasts to check the paper in her urine.
"Good news! It's negative! No baby in the oven." Craig sighed in relief across the room.
"So…why didn't I get my period?!" Tricia raised her arms above her head as Suzy started examining her breasts.
"Sometimes it just doesn't come! You're on birth control, and sometimes that can affect whether or not we get our periods. You said in your paperwork that you've been on it for about a year now. Although it's a little unusual to not get it for one month after all this time, but it's not impossible. I wouldn't worry if it happens again, unless you know for a hundred percent that your boyfriend came inside of you without a condom. We're always ready to help here, alright? Everything seems good, and Craig your test was negative as well."
"Test?"
"HIV." He said, tugging his hat back after he heard Tricia jump down off the examiners table. She hummed.
"Makes sense."
"It's been a pleasure you two, safe travels home!"
"Bye Suzy!" Tricia called out, Craig blushing as she winked at him before leaving.
"I'll, uh, wait for you up front, yeah?" Tricia nodded, Craig walking to the front. He blinked, seeing Tweek outside. He didn't mention to Tricia that he told Tweek about his morning right before she told him not to, so technically, he didn't break his promise to Tricia. Tricia came out, blinking as she stood next to Craig.
"Tweek's here?"
"Yeah, so, I texted him before you told me not to."
"Craig!"
"It's been a rough morning, Tricia!" She grunted, walking out with Craig. Tweek looked up from his place leaning against his car, a look of panic on his face.
"Is-are you alright, Tricia?" He asked, cupping her face. She nodded, smiling a bit at his concern.
"Everything's good! No baby. Their test was negative as well." Tweek sighed in relief, tugging her into a hug. Craig's heart swelled at how concerned his boyfriend was for his sister. He felt a sudden and overwhelming urge to just…propose. He didn't tell anyone. He bought a ring. He saw it and knew he needed it. It was just…perfect. He doesn't know when he wants to do it, he doesn't know why he wants to do it so young, but he knows without a doubt in his heart that Tweek Tweak is the love of his life, no, his soulmate, and he was going to fucking marry him.
"Mom, can I talk to you for a minute?" Laura looked up from her TV show, Craig never walking in this late at night anymore. She nodded, following Craig down the hall to his room. She closed the door behind her.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" He was pacing around the room, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck while his other hand fiddled with something.
"I-I, um…I bought a ring." Laura blinked, her heart…confused. On one hand, she was so excited that Craig felt he could share the rest of his life with Tweek! On the other hand, he was so young.
"You…you did?" He nodded, thrusting the little box towards her. She took it, opening it slowly and smiling.
"It…it's very Tweek."
"T-that's why I bought it. But-but I brought you in here because I…I think I want to do it before we go back…" She hummed, leaning against the door.
"Really? Why is that?"
"Because…last semester kind of sucked without him. Yeah, even if we're engaged he'll still be far away from me, but at the same time, I'll feel almost…better knowing he's forever mine. I crave waking up every morning with him and-and having kids and laughing and smiling for the rest of my life! He's intoxicating, if I'm being honest, and he's the sun. He's so bright and-and warm and he makes everyone stare at him and he's just…everything to me. I knew I needed to lock this down when I saw him concerned for Tricia a few weeks ago," He fibbed a bit about the time frame in order to hide where they were today. "And-and anyone who is that caring and kind to my little sister needs to be mine…" Laura smiled a bit, closing the box slowly and handing it back to Craig.
"Are you sure about this, Craig?"
"More sure than anything. More sure than…than my decision to play hockey." Laura blinked, That was a huge decision.
"Okay…well, make me a deal. Propose to him, and if he says yes, you two can't get married until after college.
"I was planning that anyways." Laura smiled.
"Go get 'em then, tiger."
Craig had told his plan to Tweek's parents one day while Tweek was at work at the bookstore, and they were both excited to officially welcome him into the family. He swallowed hard, finally biting the bullet and deciding to do it that night. Tweek left in two days and he wanted to spend at least a day with his potential fiancé before he left for Philadelphia. He called Tweek after he left his house, hands shaky. He smiled a bit when he heard his voice.
"Hello to you Mr. Tucker."
"Buenos Dias! What're you doing around ten o'clock tonight?" There was a moment of silence.
"Well…I guess whatever you want me to do with you."
"Wanna ice skate after closing? For old time's sake?"
"Mmm…sounds like a grand old time."
"I'll see you then." He hung up, his heart hammering in his chest as he gripped at the ring box in his pocket. Holy fuck you're doing this, you're really doing this! Craig spent the rest of the day trying to figure out exactly what he wanted to say, his chest tight with nerves. The time seemed to crawl by once it hit eight o'clock, his head reeling. He had to do something. Craig drove to the rink, waving to a few of his coworkers, and then skated to clear his mind. He had completely lost track of time, blinking as he had to get off the ice as they went to Zamboni one last time. It was weird not having Kenny on the Zamboni this season, but he was off doing great things at his new full-time office job. He waited until he saw the last of his co-workers leave, walking back over after they drove off to skate on the ice some more while he waited. His heart was constantly pounding. He couldn't handle it. Craig has had to stop himself from dropping on one knee multiple times, and the day he decides to do it is the day that time is crawling past. Finally, Tweek showed up, and everything became much more real in that instance. Tweek grinned at him, waving with the hand that wasn't holding his skates. He sat down, lacing them up before skating over to Craig. He leaned up, pressing a gentle peck to Craig's lips.
"Alright, what's this all about?" He murmured, a grin on his face.
"Well…I just…in order to celebrate one of our last nighs together, I wanted to skate. You know…this is where everything began, and I want to become tradition that we skate at this place each year, alright? Even after I'm not working here." Tweek chuckled, nodding.
"Sounds like a plan."
"I have a song for us to skate to."
"Oh, I am all ears." Craig skated over to the speaker system, pressing play. It was Rocket Man, but it was a cover of it. Tweek grinned, Craig skating over to him. He pressed a gentle kiss to Craig's neck, leaning his face there as they swayed a bit.
"Do some of that award-winning performance for me, please?" He whispered, Tweek pulling away with a grin.
"Only because you asked nicely," He teased, Craig watching him with adoring eyes. He performed the last half of the song, twisting, leaping, spinning, gliding. He was everything. He was perfection. Tweek was laughing as he caught sight of Craig, those green eyes lighting up with life. It wasn't just life, but Craig saw their life. He saw them as kids. He saw them looking at guinea pigs in the store in fifth grade. He saw them playing chicken fights in Token's pool. He saw them laughing at Clyde whenever some prank went wrong. He saw them trying cigarettes in his room for the first time. He saw them hiding under the bleachers freshman year at a football game to avoid the crowds. He saw them stealing kisses all through the last half of senior year. He saw them getting married. He saw kids. He saw happiness. He saw forever. Craig didn't even register he was going down on one knee as the music faded, all his attention on Tweek as he skated up in front of him. Tweek's eyes widened slightly, his cheeks turning a bright red. "Craig?" He breathed out, his breath hitching as he saw the box in Craig's hand.
"I-I know we said after college…but Tweek, I'm serious when I say I can't wait that long to be engaged to you. I can wait that long to marry you, but not to be engaged with you…everything started here…that night you performed. Yeah, we go back way farther than that…but that's when I really knew I was completely and utterly fucking entranced by you! You were mesmerizing. I couldn't look away. You were…an angel. You were so graceful! If you fell, I'm sure it would still be graceful! And…I think that's how I fell in love with you: with grace. It was rough at times and it hurt like hell, but I'd be fucking lying if I didn't say it was beautiful. Falling in love with you was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and you know I'm not a very religious person, but part of me thinks God had my back on this one," Tweek let out a squeaky laugh, a hand covering his mouth as happy tears filled his eyes. "So…I know I can only repeat myself so many times before it gets annoying…but I love you, Tweek Tweak. And I want to spend the rest of this wonderful life with you," He smiled up at Tweek as he opened the box, Tweek grinning slowly as he dropped his hand. It was perfect. A simple silver band with gold trimming and eight diamonds across it. "There's eight diamonds to reminds myself of the eight fucking years it took for me to grow a pair and finally kiss you," Tweek let out a laugh, wiping his eyes. "So…I guess what I'm trying to say…Tweek Tweak, will you marry me?" Tweek knelt down in front of Craig, cupping his face in his hands as he grinned.
"Yes. Yes, you fucking cheesy asshole, yes." He breathed out, pressing his lips to Craig's. Their hearts were full. Tweek wanted anything and everything with Craig, and now he had it. He pulled away slowly, Craig sliding the ring onto his finger. He grinned, running a finger over it lightly. It was everything Tweek could ever dream of. He tugged Craig into his arms, letting out a happy sob. He tangled a hand into his hair, closing his eyes.
"I love you." Craig whispered after a moment, and although Tweek couldn't see his face, there were a few tears on it.
"I-I love you too, Craig. So-so much," They stood up, both boys trying to hold onto each other as tight as possible once they stood. "You were right."
"About what?" He pressed his left hand against Craig's right hand, lacing the fingers together slowly as he stared at his engagement ring, a symbol for their new beginning.
"How we f-fell in love…it was graceful. We fell with grace."
NOTE: OH FUCK I DID THAT! Sorry about this chapter being all over the place! Again, I'm trying to move time forward quickly since the end of the story is approaching! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of bonding! A few things: the Green Demon Mario 64 challenge is 100% real, I have attempted it, and had similar ending results to our boy Craig. :( I came up with the pregnancy scare earlier this afternoon, but my boyfriend did wake me up one time with a pregnancy test at 7 am because I mentioned being a day or two late on my period and he had a bad dream about me having a kid and the kid bullied him so he wanted to make sure there was no way I was pregnant. Also: did you like how I tried to toss the name of the fucking fic into his proposal? Wow I'm cheesy! Hope you enjoyed, and, as always, any and all feedback is appreciated! (sorry this note is so long!)
A few songs to look up (because I don't know how to get links to work on this fucking website)
Rocket Man Cover: "Rocket Man by NSP" (Please give them some loving I used their Heat of the Moment song for when Craig came out!)
The Mario 64 song that tormented Craig: "Mario 64 ost Super Mario 64 (main theme)"