Tweek

Tweek still wasn't sure how he'd been coerced out of the house with nothing but his thermos full of coffee and several promises that he wasn't going to get caught. Usually, he obeyed the little instruction his parents gave him to the letter, even when they put him to work in the back rooms of Tweek Bro's until sundown, even when they told him to clean the same dishes twice. He didn't like going against them, it was simply too much pressure for him to deal with.

And yet all Craig had needed to do was climb through his window and poke and prod him till he not so much as agreed to go as he simply followed Craig out of his own house. Now as they walked down the empty and frankly peaceful sidewalk, Tweek's fear was quickly turning to wonder as he fully processed what he was doing. Of course, he was still nervous, but Craig didn't seem to mind the way Tweek kept a tight hold on his sleeve so Tweek didn't stop.

He was discovering that he liked to be close to Craig.

That sounded weird, but Tweek wasn't sure how else to say it. Craig's presence calmed him down, made the screaming in his head that he'd always been desperate to drown out subside into small murmurs. He couldn't necessarily stop himself from panicking, but then, Craig seemed to instinctively know how to calm him down so Tweek was pretty sure that didn't matter. Is this really what having a friend is like? He didn't know, it wasn't like he had any prior knowledge to go off of.

A car drove past and Tweek squeaked, huddling closer to Craig, who didn't so much as flinch. Oh god, what if they're going to the coffee shop? What if they tell my parents that I'm out? What if I get in more trouble? What if they do lock me away and forget that I exist and I die up there?! Craig let out a soft humming sound that distracted Tweek from his wild thoughts enough to let him breathe. He'd be fine, Craig had promised that he'd be fine.

"Aren't you worried?" Tweek suddenly blurted out, unable to stop himself. Frowning slightly, Craig looked down at Tweek. The blond twitched at the look on Craig's face, momentarily worried that he'd displeased the Noirette by asking such a question, before pushing that stupid thought away.

"Worried about what?" Craig asked simply, as if he was running through a mental checklist and had run out of options. Sometimes, Tweek pictured Craig's brain with real gears in there instead of squishy gray stuff. It would make sense then why the aliens wouldn't touch him. He was simply made of clockwork, a perfect human replica, better than a robot, more life-like. Flesh and blood except for his mind, which ticked away, calmly working through Tweek's issues as methodically as possible.

About getting caught! Tweek wanted to say, but instead he found himself pushing out, "Anything!" Because he honestly wanted to know if there was anything at all that scared the boy, made him worried, broke through his calm. Maybe it was because everything scared Tweek, but he was desperate to know.

Craig thought for a moment, his gears turning, before he softly answered back, "Nah dude, not really." He definitely sounded unconcerned, like he could care less about the rest of the world. Does that include me? Does he care less about me too? Except he remembered the messy bandages on his arms that Craig had clearly done up and Tweek knew that wasn't true.

"But th-there's so much to worry about!" Tweek insisted, tugging on Craig's sleeve as if to show how serious he was. "What about the aliens!" They certainly worried him, he knew they were out there, no matter how little everyone believed him.

"They're not gonna hurt me," Craig said, shrugging then wincing softly, as if something had caused him pain. "If they're not a threat, why should I worry?" He made a decent point Tweek supposed, but it wasn't as easy for him. He was a walking target, of course the aliens were coming after him. Of course, when he was with Craig, his walking man of metal and gears, Tweek didn't have to worry about them coming for him. Craig said they wouldn't.

He had no reason to doubt the boy.

"What about getting caught?" he said at last, finally letting out his real question. Nibbling on his bottom lip, Tweek shuffled his feet as he walked, wondering if Craig was judging him for being so paranoid. Craig was too strong to be afraid of things, Tweek was silly for asking questions like that. He's going to think I'm a wimp again and he's not going to want to talk to me anymore. Oh god, I don't think I can handle this!

"Not really," Craig said simply, not sounding judgmental. "I mean, they don't usually give a shit when I sneak out. They won't care now, even though I'm grounded." He sucked his left cheek in, something that Tweek was quickly learning was a habit of his. "This is just a show, they don't give a fuck what I do."

Tweek was silent. He understood, his parents had grounded him in the past, but they always forgot about it. They'd grounded him in third grade once and still hadn't ungrounded him, they'd just forgotten about it. They forgot everything. He really only followed it because he was too scared to do anything else.

"What about you?" Craig suddenly asked, startling Tweek. Jesus! What is he talking about? Oh god! What did I miss? Did he say something and I didn't hear? Fuck, oh god, help! Letting out a shriek, Tweek twitched hard and dropped his thermos.

"AUGH! W-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Tweek shrieked, letting go of Craig's sleeve so he could yank on his hair. Shaking, Tweek squeezed his eyes shut tight. Oh god, he's going to be upset with me! WHY DO I HAVE TO BE SUCH A SCREW UP!?

Suddenly, a hand was in his hair, ruffling the parts he didn't have clenched in his fists. The warmth and weight made him open his eyes as the thoughts spiraling in his mind slowed down. Looking up at Craig, Tweek let out a whimper and let go of his hair. Craig's expression was still the same, but he was holding Tweek's thermos and the hand ruffling his blond mane was gentle.

Accepting the thermos that was pushed into his hands, Tweek opened it with still trembling fingers and gulped down some of the hot liquid. It burned going down, warming his stomach to the point where he could practically feel it pumping through the rest of his body.

Hand still in Tweek's hair, Craig asked, "I just wanted to know if anything worried you?" Now that he understood what was being asked, Tweek felt a great deal less panicked. Ugh, I made a fool of myself. I can't believe Craig is willing to put up with me.

"Gah!" Putting the lid back on his thermos, Tweek shuddered and said, "Everything worries me man!" Which was absolutely true, because the entire world was just one big machine that could kill you if you weren't careful. And if you made even one mistake you were screwed! That was way too much pressure, Tweek couldn't possibly handle it!

"Is Cartman worrying you?"

Though Tweek could have been said to be the master of out of the blue questions, Craig apparently had him beat. Blinking at the boy, the blond struggled to speak for a moment, wondering where the hell that had come from. Of course I'm worried about Cartman! Did you hear Stan and Kyle yesterday?! They said Cartman is going to get revenge, that's terrifying! What if he hurts you!?

"Is he not w-worrying you?!" Tweek screeched, his eyes widening. Raising an eyebrow, Craig shrugged. As if he didn't even need to think about it, the boy grabbed for Tweek's free hand and started leading him down the street once more, his gate slow and unconcerned.

"No, not really," Craig said in his usual monotone. His hand felt warm closed over Tweek's, so much bigger and rougher. Yet he's so gentle, it's almost like it's not Craig at all. For someone so frightening, the Noirette could be unbelievably kind. "I mean it's Cartman, he's full of shit."

"B-but he's really horrible!" Tweek squeaked, hugging his thermos close to his chest and huddling over it as he pictured all the horrible things Cartman could do. What if he gets Craig arrested after all? What if he kills Craig? What if he makes us fight again? What if he makes Craig hate me? What if he makes Craig beat me up? Tweek shook as the thoughts filled his head. "He's so –ngh- mean all the time and he could really hurt you."

"He won't," Craig said blandly, his tone sure. Glancing down at Tweek, he added, "And he won't hurt you either. He can try, but he won't actually do anything." He sounded so sure, Tweek really wanted to believe him. Craig was like that, so much stronger and more certain that he'd ever be. Tweek wished he could be like that, wished he could believe in himself that much. But he didn't, so maybe he'd just have to trust Craig.

"He probably hates you," Tweek said, shivering as he said it. Following Craig in turning right once more, Tweek bit his lip at the thought. He already knew that Cartman didn't like him, but he'd always sort of gotten along with Craig. Or at least Craig had tolerated him. Now, Tweek didn't know what was going to happen. Oh Jesus, what if he makes everyone else hate us too!

"He'll probably get over it," Craig hummed, sucking in his cheek again before lifting his free hand up to tug on his hat. "Cartman doesn't really like anyone, not even his friends." Tweek didn't like the way Craig said it, like he understood, like he could relate. No, Cartman and Craig are nothing alike! They're total opposites! Despite this, Tweek tightened his grip on Craig's hand, even though it strained his stitches.

"It's going to be alright." Craig sounded so sure of himself, Tweek found himself believing it.

It was funny, even yesterday when he'd been freaking out about being suspended, it had been Craig who had finally calmed him down by actually getting up and going to their classroom so he could bring back his thermos. Mr. Mackey had either let him, or Craig hadn't cared enough to stop when he'd been told to. Either way, Tweek calmed down when he was around Craig. It was the first time he'd ever found something other than coffee that really could take his stress away.

As the Noirette pulled him up in front of a dirty coffee colored house, Tweek could feel his heart speeding up once more. I'm going to be inside Craig's house! What if I knock something over? What if I set something on fire? What if the underpants gnomes followed me and now they're going to torment Craig too! But Craig didn't let go of his hand and Tweek didn't want to be pulled over so he stumbled after the boy, his shoes catching on the steps.

Catching him with his free hand, Craig didn't even bother looking down as he set Tweek back on his feet before pulling out a key and unlocking the door. Finally letting go of Tweek's hand, Craig stepped inside and stared at him expectantly as if waiting for him. He's waiting for me, isn't he? Nervously, Tweek stepped over the threshold, his eyes darting around as he did so, trying to take in everything.

The first thing that hit him was that it felt forgotten. Whereas his house was neat to the point of feeling like no one lived there, Craig's house felt tired, like it had been lived in for too long. Like if you pealed back the wallpaper, you'd find emotions and problems buried there. It was just as cold as his own house, which made Tweek's stomach turn. Craig lives here? Oh god, it's freaking me out. I don't like it!

There was a slight squeak as Craig shut the door behind Tweek. Oh god, I'm trapped in. I can't get out now. What if there's a monster in here that's going to eat me!? What if Craig's parents get home? Oh god, it's too much pressure! Fumbling with his thermos, Tweek took several shaky gulps, fighting to keep his panic down. He didn't want to do anything to make Craig throw him out, or worse, leave him alone in this place. The thought was too terrifying. "It's just a house," Craig muttered, brushing up against Tweek as he walked by.

But the way he said it, Tweek had a feeling that it was so much more than that. He didn't want to understand though, he didn't like the anger brewing right behind Craig's words. What if he's angry at me?! Squeaking, Tweek hurried to follow Craig, who walked past the messy living room and towards the stairs.

"Want anything to eat?" he asked, almost like it was an afterthought. Glancing at him and twitching, Tweek shook his head. Seemingly satisfied with his hosting efforts, Craig just continued up the stairs, never checking to make sure Tweek was following once. But he didn't need to, Tweek followed as close to him as possible, not wanting to be trapped in the ghosts of past misfortune that haunted the very floorboards.

Tweek's house might have felt vacant, but Craig's just felt too full.

Stride loose and unconcerned, Craig opened the second door on the right and pulled it open. Instantly the pressure in Tweek's head increased. If this is what the rest of Craig's house feels like, what is his room gonna be like? Oh god, I'm going to die. My heart is going to fail and I'm going to die and the monsters that live in Craig's walls are going to eat me and my parents aren't even going to notice! "GHA! NO WAY MAN, THIS IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE!" Tweek screeched, shaking his head hard enough to make it pound as his brain was sloshed about.

"It's just my room," Craig said, tilting his head slightly, pulling on the edge of his chullo. Tweek wished he knew what that little action meant but he didn't, Craig's face was a blank slate. Oh god, I don't want to, why did I ever leave? This was such a bad idea! "It's not going to hurt you Tweek, I promise. Come on, I want to show you something."

Before Tweek could protest again, Craig grabbed his arm gently and pulled the twitching boy through the door. The moment he crossed through the doorway, Tweek expected his head to explode. He expected something to come out of the shadows and eat him. He expected the horrible oppressive nature of the house to squash him completely. But it didn't happen.

No, because the moment Tweek passed through the door, all of the stress building up behind his brain vanished like it had never been there at all. Wait, what?

The whole thing looked like someone had taken Craig, opened up his head, and spread what was inside everywhere. Everything, the floor, the walls, the ceiling, it all screamed Craig, surrounded Tweek with the same feeling the boy always brought to him. Granted it wasn't as powerful as the effect Craig had on him, but it was still there, making his trembling still, his whimpers, cease. As Craig closed the door, Tweek couldn't help but let out a soft, "Oh."

Because it was everything. The space themed lamp, the pictures all over the walls of planets and stars. The dark blue walls that matched Craig's hat and the Red Racer poster over the boy's bed that looked old and well loved. Slowly spinning around in a circle, amazed at how wonderful the room felt compared to the rest of the house, Tweek found himself smiling, unable to stop himself.

Seeing Tweek's expression, Craig's blue eyes softened. It wasn't quite a smile, but Tweek knew how to make it one. Not bothering to curb his grin, Tweek let out a soft, squeaky giggle. Instantly, the corners of Craig's mouth turned up, leaving a warmth blossoming in Tweek's chest. It was so good to make Craig smile, it made the rest of the terrifying house worth it.

As if only just remembering why he'd brought Tweek up there, Craig's eyes widened and he suddenly hurried over to his closet. "Come on, I want to show you something." Following the boy tentatively, still smiling, Tweek peered around him as Craig opened his closet door to reveal a cage. Fussing with it a moment, Craig muttered, "Come on boy, Tweek's not going to hurt you."

There was a soft squeak, then Craig turned around, holding out a small brown and white lump of fur. Tweek's eyes widened as he watched the usually stoic boy coo softly to the small animal, petting it as if to calm it down. Remembering second grade, when Craig had brought his pet to class, Tweek realized what it was. "A guinea pig!" he exclaimed, twitching as he hurried to get closer.

"Yeah! This is my second one." Craig said, sounding almost proud, like a father talking about his son. "His name is Stripe." Tweek, who was busy putting his thermos down so he had his hands free, giggled at Craig's words. So he still hasn't found a better name… "What?" Craig asked with a frown, tilting his head even as he kept petting the fluffy creature that he kept cradled against his chest.

Did I do something wrong? "Your –ngh- first guinea pig was n-named Stripe," Tweek hurried to explain, his eyes widening again. "So you've named two of them Stripe now! Why didn't you name it something different? What, is this Stipe Two?" Suddenly, he slapped a hand over his mouth, painfully aware that he was rambling. Oh god, I sound so stupid. Why do I do this, why am I such a fuck-up? Craig's going to think I'm weird and he's going to throw me out!

"You remember that." It wasn't a question, it was a slack jawed statement. Craig's eyes were wide and even though his expression hadn't changed much, there was wonder in his eyes. Nervous, Tweek nodded, struggling not to let out any loud sounds that would scare Stripe. "No one ever remembers that. Not even Token and Clyde."

Blinking, Tweek stuttered, "B-but you brought him in during second grade! I remember you did!" Craig just kept staring at him, as if he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Feeling uncomfortable and needing to break this train of conversation off, Tweek dropped to his knees with a thump and asked quietly, "C-can I hold him?"

"If he lets you," Craig said, before showing Tweek how best to hold the fluffy creature. Mimicking Craig to the best of his ability, Tweek's heart leaped when Craig put Stripe II in his hands. At first, the Guinea pig struggled, and Tweek almost dropped him, but then he started petting the small creature and Stripe calmed down. Craig just watched, as though he'd never seen anything like it.

"Hey S-stripe," Tweek said softly, looking down into the beady eyes of the soft animal. He's so soft… "You're really cool." Just like your owner. Carefully, he stroked the animal, marveling in how he stilled almost entirely, allowing himself to rest against Tweek's chest and arm as the boy pet him. Animals had never much liked Tweek, often seeming to find him too alarming, but Craig's pet didn't seem to mind him at all, just like the boy himself.

Suddenly, the room plunged into darkness and Tweek let out a yelp that he couldn't stop. OH GOD, WHAT'S GOING ON!? "CRAIG?!" he all but shrieked as his eyes denied him vision as they attempted to adjust to the lack of light. JESUS IT'S THE ALIENS, THEY'VE COME TO EAT ME! Holding Stripe tightly so he didn't escape, Tweek flung his head around, his heart thumping wildly as he tried to find something, anything, in the gloom. "JESUS MAN, WHERE ARE-"

"I'm right here dude," Craig said, his voice coming out of nowhere. There was a doff sound as the boy plopped down next to Tweek. "Calm down, I wanted to show you one more thing." Suddenly, he felt Craig's hand on his shoulder and Tweek squeaked as he was pushed backwards onto the carpet. Stripe went with him, sitting on his stomach calmly as if this was entirely normal.

"C-Craig, what's going o-" Suddenly, Tweek found his voice dying in his throat as his eyes widened. Because above them, like a mini galaxy, was a smattering of glowing stars. They were those glue on plastic kind, arranged carefully on the ceiling, their various shapes and sizes precisely set out, stretched from one end of the room to the other.

A moment later, Tweek was aware of Craig's shoulder pressing up against his own as the boy lay down next to him. "Look," he said, and Tweek could just make out the boy's hand, pointing at the ceiling. "That's Ursa Major right there," he told Tweek, pointing out one particular grouping of stars. "And that one is Ursa Minor," he continued, moving his finger. "And there's Orion, see the belt?"

And like that, Tweek could feel his heart stop, because in that moment, he wasn't trapped in his own body, stuck with his paranoia and twitchiness and problems. He was simply sailing through Space with Craig, and it felt wonderful.