Tweek

Tweek wasn't exactly sure what he was supposed to think. One moment, he'd been expecting them to break out into an all-out war, the next, the park was being converted into a festival, complete with banners and music, courtesy of Jimmy and several other kids. To be honest, he was still clinging to Craig's sleeve, his eyes wide and nervous.

On one side, in the playground area, both sides had come together and set up a place for weapons to be bought and sold. Over there, Elves and Humans alike haggled over prices and examined different arms and armaments. They'd even set up a makeshift row of practice dummies and targets. It was so surreal, seeing people that had been fighting for weeks suddenly get over their differences and exist together, Tweek kept wondering if he was dreaming.

As for the various injured soldiers, everyone had come down here to be healed so they could join in the festivities. Even Chris Donnelly was limping around, helping Scott and Butters set up tables for the food David's mother had brought down. It honestly felt like everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Tweek knew he was, and judging by the way Craig's eyes slowly scanned the people around them as they wandered around, the blond was pretty sure the Thief was also suspicious of the proceedings.

At the head of the basketball court, a makeshift dais had been erected for both Cartman and Kyle to sit at. They were both on their respective thrones at that moment, sitting in stony and mildly irritable silence. Tweek didn't want to get anywhere close to them, he could feel the tension from where he stood and he hadn't even spoken to any of them. It made him feel like tearing his hear out.

As the owner of City Wok argued with Token about prices and a group of Elves and Humans carried the food out of the truck and started setting it up, the figure of Stan suddenly blocked Tweek's view. Pulling Tweek back, almost like it was instinctual, Craig cleared his throat and said, "What do you want, Marsh?" Wishing his could grab Craig's cloak and pull it around his shoulders, Tweek huddled up next to the boy and stared up at Stan fearfully.

Oh god, he's from the other side! What if he wants to hurt us!? But we're at a festival! They wouldn't hurt us now, that would be stupid! Forcing himself to simply hang onto Craig's sleeve, Tweek struggled to take deep breaths. Thankfully, Stan's eyes seemed to be looking anywhere but at them. Scratching the back of his neck, the boy looked at the sky and said, "Um, about lunch today…"

"Yes," Craig bit out. His voice didn't change, but Tweek could tell that even the mention of the sixth-grader made him upset. He's not here, you don't have to be angry. Though he himself shivered at the thought of encountering that boy again, Tweek firmly knew that Craig would protect him and honestly wasn't upset over the whole thing anymore. He had too many worries to constantly be terrified over any one thing. Why Craig, someone who never cared about anything, seemed so worked up over this one thing was beyond him.

"Look," Stan said frankly, looking uncomfortable. "I talked to Kyle about it and we've banished him from space and time. We can do that because we have the stick. He's not part of the game anymore." Glancing down at Tweek, furrowing his brows as he did so, Stan said, "I'm sorry he beat you up." He didn't sound sorry, he sounded stiff and awkward, but Tweek didn't really care.

"It's alright," he squeaked, forcing himself to stand up straighter. Come on, you fought a bunch of Elves earlier, Stan's no different! Don't be such a wuss. Lifting his chin, Tweek managed to stutter, "Craig –ngh- p-protected me!" Though it might have been his imagination, Tweek could have sworn he felt Craig stiffen beside him, but that was ridiculous so he didn't give it credence.

Blinking, Stan nodded jerkily and muttered something about finding Kyle before walking off. Glancing up at Craig, Tweek waited for the boy to stop staring at the retreating figure of Stan before saying, "Is there s-something wrong?" When Craig didn't answer, Tweek could feel nervousness creep in. Oh, Jesus, there's something wrong, isn't there?! Why doesn't Craig tell me when he's upset? Why can't he be more easy to understand, I don't read minds!

But Craig just said, "No, I think he means it. They felt bad enough to boot the fucker out of the game anyway." It took Tweek a moment to understand what Craig was saying, but when he did, he let out an involuntary noise and twitched hard. I WASN'T ASKING ABOUT STAN! WHY DOES HE NEVER THINK I'M ASKING ABOUT HIM?! Unsure how else he was supposed to ask, Tweek decidedly gave up, shoving the issue from his mind. He'd tell me if something was wrong, right?

The hand that inevitably landed in his hair was gentle, and it made Tweek sigh, though it did nothing to diminish his worry for the boy standing beside him. Everything's fine, Craig's here, nothing bad is going to happen.

"Tweekers! Fucker! My two favoritist warriors and I didn't even have to look for you!" Suddenly, Tweek found him and Craig forcibly separated as Kenny swung in between them, wrapping an arm around both of their shoulders. It probably should have been an awkward maneuver, but the Princess pulled it off with ease. "You two should be enjoying yourselves! Have you seen the most recent rankings? You're both at level four now!"

Roughly pushing Kenny off of him, Craig flatly said, "What do you want, McC- Lady McCormick?" Feeling panic start to bubble in his chest as Kenny turned the arm around his shoulder into a side hug, Tweek stared at Craig, who wasn't looking at him. Giggling at Craig's annoyance, Kenny laughed harder when Craig said, "If you don't need anything, fuck off."

"Aww, so mean." Poking Tweek's cheek, Kenny trilled, "At least Tweeky here likes me, isn't that right? Come on Tweek, let's go somewhere else where Feldspar isn't being such a Debbie Downer." As Kenny started to pull him away from Craig, Tweek let out a shriek and struggled free, hurrying back over to Craig, who instantly pulled him in protectively. Pouting, Kenny said, "For your information, there's currently a table of people who want to hear about your side of the battle!"

Pushing out a breath, Craig released Tweek and shoved his hands into his pockets instead. "We fought the Elves, we won. There, that's my story." Tweek giggled at that, unable to stop himself from finding Craig's short, to the point synopsis hilarious. He's like that isn't he, so concise, unless you find the things he wants to talk about. It was funny because Tweek felt like he always took way too many words to get out what he wanted to say, and yet Craig put up with him easily.

Huffing in a very princess-like way, Kenny crossed his arms and tossed his hair behind his head. "As Princess, it's my duty to make sure you two don't become anti-social. Come on." Grabbing Tweek's wrist, to which the blond let out a loud shriek, Kenny continued, "You're both going to come and entertain. After all, I'm always entertained when I'm watching you."

"GHA- W-WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Tweek screeched, trying and failing to free himself from Kenny, who was marching him over towards the table of people with a single-minded purpose. "Craig and I –ghn- aren't entertaining!" the blond insisted, feeling more panicked by the moment. Entertain Elves?! But I can't entertain anyone! What if I screw up and they all hate me! Jesus, that's way too much pressure!

"Of course you two are entertaining!" Kenny insisted, picking invisible bits of stuff out of Tweek's hair as they walked, like he was doing his best to make him presentable. "I mean look at the two of you, a class act! Why, the only thing I find more fun to watch than the two of you is Stan and Kyle, and everyone knows that they're- Oh hey Feldspar, I thought you weren't coming!"

Looming into vision suddenly, Craig grabbed the wrist that Kenny had taken hostage and very precisely pealed the boy's fingers off of Tweek. Instantly feeling better now that he wasn't being dragged around by Kenny, Tweek scurried to the other side of Craig so that the other blond wouldn't attempt to drag him off again. "Fuck. Off," Craig said, his tone making it exceedingly clear to Tweek exactly what the boy thought of Kenny.

Opening his mouth to protest, the boy was cut off when an Elf, one Tweek recognized as the one he'd jumped on waved them over, a grin on his face. "Hey!" he called, looking entirely amicable for someone who had been fighting Humans quite fiercely earlier. "Tweek, isn't it? And Craig! Come on, we were talking about the fight earlier."

Looking over at them, Chris Donnelly managed a smile of his own as he commented, "Yeah, come on Tucker, you were an absolute beast out there earlier." Running a hand through his curly blond hair, the boy scooted over and beckoned them forward. "Don't be so uptight, it's a festival, isn't it? Our leaders are managing peace, somehow."

Shivering, Tweek stepped out from behind the comfort of Craig's cloak and looked at the boys nervously. They did not look like they were going to hurt anyone, in fact, they were all acting like they used to, before the game was a thing and everyone became enemies. "H-he really was," Tweek blurted out, feeling horribly awkward when everyone's attention focused on him. "I mean –ngh- y-you were going to win, but he's really strong!"

"Come on Tweek, you're strong too!" insisted Jack, from where he was sitting next to an Elf Archer. "You're a motherfucking monster when you want to be. A true berserker!" Really, they think that I'm strong? Finding himself smiling, the blond caught Craig's sleeve and pulled the boy after him so they could sit down at the food-laden table.

"It's true!" another Elf piped up. "You're pretty strong!"

"Shut up, you're the one who took me out," Terry complained, taking a bite of City Chicken. "You Elves are way too good at this."

"Well, we had better be because your strategies suddenly got a million times better!"

Though Tweek wanted to get lost in the conversation, he could feel Craig's eyes on him and he turned around jerkily, giving the Noirette a wide-eyed stare. I wonder if he doesn't like it here. Maybe we should leave. Oh god, what if I'm making him feel uncomfortable! Though he doesn't normally talk! JESUS WHAT DO I DO!? Remembering the thermos that he still had in one of his hands, Tweek suddenly fumbled with it, struggling to open it with shaky hands.

As if reanimated by this, Craig quickly moved to open the container for him. The moment his hands closed over it, Tweek grabbed for his tunic and tugged at it insistently, his eyes wide. Looking up at him, Craig furrowed his brows. Biting his lip, Tweek twitched and tried to word his question correction. Are you alright? That's what he wanted to ask, but he couldn't push the words through his lips so instead, he shook his head and just took his open thermos back, drinking down some of the coffee.

Though Craig didn't say a word to him, Tweek could feel him shift closer and it made him feel better. He would probably never understand the somewhat arbitrary clauses that surrounded how Craig acted around him, but he knew that he'd probably always take comfort from the boy's presence. I wonder if I'm comforting to him? I bet I'm not, but I guess that's okay, as long as he's willing to put up with me. Ugh, I sound so pathetic, but it's true. Jesus, why do I have to be so lame?

"So what I'm curious about," Chris said, leaning over the table as he talked, waving his plastic knife around as he did so. "Is what this entertainment the Princess was talking about is going to be. I mean, fighting is pretty open-ended, wouldn't you say?" Snapped out of his rather depressing train of thought, Tweek remembered Kenny's talk about fighting and let out a soft scream. Oh god, that's right! Why do we have to fight?! Isn't this supposed to be a peaceful festival!?

"It's probably bullshit," Craig commented, grabbing for a plate and heaping it with things before setting it between himself and Tweek. Grabbing for a piece of unnamable meat, Craig took a bite and flatly said, "Everything the Princess comes up with is bullshit." Several Elves laughed and even a couple Humans managed to find it funny.

"I bet they're going to have a few Elves fight a few Humans and call it entertainment," Daniel commented from somewhere down the table. At the suggestion, Tweek let out a yelp and tugged at his hair. Fight Elves?! In front of people? Jesus that's so much pressure! What if I'm picked and then I fail and everyone thinks I'm a wimp!?

Bumping up against him lightly, Craig took another bite of his food and said, "If they do that, they'll probably choose two of the strongest to go against each other." At those words, Tweek felt himself relax slightly. He wasn't the strongest, not by a long shot. Heck, most of the people he'd fought with that day were stronger than him. That means they won't pick Craig or me, so I guess it's okay.

"I kind of want to see the High Elf and the Grand Wizard fight," Chris said, grinning mischievously. "I mean sure, there's no way they'd actually do that, but damn, who doesn't want to watch that happen?" Picturing it, Tweek found himself trying to work out how either of them would be able to do anything at all if they couldn't stop screaming at each other.

"Dude," Ryan muttered, a stupid grin on his face. "I would kill to watch that fight go down. Aren't they always fighting anyway? My younger brother is in your grade and he says they're always going at it."

"You have no idea!" called Russell.

"Honestly," one of the Elves admitted, swirling around his bottle of water absently. "I only joined this side cause I wanted to see the Grand Wizard get the shit kicked out of him. So far, I've been disappointed."

Suddenly, Tweek found himself getting pushed into Craig as Clyde nudged his way onto the bench beside him. "Am I seriously the only one who remembers Craig handing the Grand Wizard's ass to him on a plate?" Squirming over to make room for Clyde, Tweek was unsurprised when the boy rested an elbow on his shoulder and grabbed for some of the food that was literally everywhere. "I mean it was scary, but man, it was satisfying."

Twitching, Tweek shook his head and squeaked, "Grr- No way man! Do you know how much trouble Craig and I got in for that!?" Shivering at the memory, Tweek said, "We w-were suspended for one whole week. That was so long! N-never again!" Clyde laughed at that and ruffled his hair, which Tweek protested but didn't fight off.

From beside him, Craig snorted and raised an eyebrow. "Asshole was asking for it. I'd take another week of suspension any time just to make that fat fucker pay." Letting out a squawk at Craig's words, Tweek pulled on the boy's cloak, shaking his head. Oh god, how can he say things like that about Cartman when he's literally right over there!

"Okay, so maybe we won't get to see the Wizard and the High Elf fight, but what about Stan and Princess Kenny," Jack suggested, munching on a bread roll. "They'd make an interesting battle. Pretty evenly matched, you know? And besides, the Princess is actually pretty bad ass."

"Did I hear someone say my name?" Abruptly finding a weight on his head, Tweek all but screamed to find the hair of Kenny's wig getting in his eyes. "What are y'all talking about now? Me and Stan fighting? Trust me, I'd dispose of him in short order." All the Humans at the table cheered while the Elves made various sounds of protest. "Come on, that boy gets sick around girls, we all know I'd have an easy time of it."

Glaring at Kenny, Craig muttered, "I'm pretty sure you'd just trip over your skirts and go ass over tits." The gathered warriors burst out laughing, but Kenny finally moved off of Tweek so he could press his hands to his heart in abject horror. Grateful, Tweek leaned against Craig, letting his presence calm him down. Even as he picked at his food with a bored expression, Craig's arm slipped around Tweek's back, making the blond feel that much better.

Letting out a huff, Kenny looked to the side and pouted. "So rude~ I think some of you just need to appreciate the finer points of a Lady. But I suppose with people like Fucker around, you never will." When everyone got a chuckle out of that, except for Craig, who muttered something about Kenny being an asshole under his breath, Kenny clapped his hands together and said, "Now, I hate to ruin your festivities like this, but I have to whisk one of your men away. The Grand Wizard requires his presence immediately."

Before anyone could ask who it was, Kenny put a hand on Tweek's shoulder and sweetly said, "Tweekers darling, be a dear and come with me." Blood going cold, Tweek let out a shriek and squirmed away from Kenny, fear filling him. OH GOD, WHAT DOES CARTMAN WANT WITH ME!? I didn't do anything! I've been a good Barbarian! Did I screw something up!? Oh Jesus, I probably screwed something up!

"What does he want with Tweek?" Craig asked instantly, reminding the blond of his presence when he tightened the arm he still had around him. Trying to get himself under control, Tweek twitching violently and let out an involuntary whimper that he smothered with a hand. Big wide eyes flicking between Kenny and Craig, Tweek tried to understand the battle that was going on with their eyes, but it only made him freak out more.

"If you're so curious Feldspar, why don't you come with him," Kenny invited, giving a curtsy. "By all means, be my guest. But Tweeky needs to come, otherwise, a certain pair of Kings are going to be very disgruntled and everyone knows what happens when one of those Kings gets upset." His smile was dangerous, and it made Tweek shiver, but he still got up when Craig rose to his feet as well and pulled the boy after him.

"Fine, we'll go," Craig bit out, looking down at Tweek quickly as if to make sure this was okay. The way his eyes softened the moment they weren't looking at Kenny was amazing. "It's probably something stupid anyway."

"Come back in one piece Craig!" Clyde insisted, grabbing the plate of food Craig had left behind and instantly starting on it.

"Don't let him eat you!" called Chris to Tweek, which made the whole table roar with laughter. Wishing he could find it as funny, Tweek let out a scream in response and allowed himself to be gently tugged away by Craig as they followed Kenny towards the dais. Jesus, what if Cartman does eat me!? But no, Craig wouldn't let that happen, so Tweek would probably get away with not being devoured.

Then again, the moment he caught sight of the devious expression on Cartman's face, Tweek felt himself start to shake harder than usual. It only got worse when Craig let go of him and shoved his hands into his pockets, lifting his chin and staring straight ahead as if Tweek had just ceased to be a thing. Hardly able to stop Kenny, Tweek allowed himself to be dragged forward by the Princess, who gave a slight bow to Cartman, though he giggled as he did it.

"Grand Wizard," Kenny greeted, straightening and standing at attention primly. Tweek felt his blood run cold when he noticed that Kyle was staring at him intensely, a finger pressed against his temple in thought. Beside him stood Stan, a grim expression on his face. "I brought you Tweek, just as you asked."

"Wonderful Lady McCormick, you are the most wonderful maiden in the land," Cartman said, the platitudes sounding like a memorized script at this point. Leaning forward, the boy gave Craig a suspicious look, which the Noirette returned with his usual deadpan. "I don't understand why Feldspar had to accompany him, but I suppose that's how these things work."

"W-why am I here?!" Tweek suddenly squeaked, the words escaping his mouth as the fear finally overloaded the circuits in his brain that told him to keep quiet. He couldn't help but ask, he needed to know before he actually went crazy like he thought he might.

"We're going to have a gladiator-style match as entertainment," Kyle cut in, his tone blunt. "An Elf and a Human, just to let people get worked up over something."

"Yes, the Jew is correct," Cartman purred, not even flinching when Kyle attempted to start at him and Stan held him back. "After reviewing your progress during the battle you fought in the woods, as well as the fight that took place at the school, it's been decided that you are going to fight against Stan here to the death."

OH GOD NO FUCK WHY I CAN'T HANDLE ITWHYARETHEYMAKINGMEFIGHTSTANNO! Tweek's hands flew to his hair and he yanked on it as hard as possible as he screeched, "TO THE DEATH!? OH JESUS, THAT'S TOO MUCH PRESSURE!"

He would have freaked out further, but abruptly, he found Craig in front of him, his form blocking Cartman from view. "No," the Noirette said flatly, his voice louder than it usually was. Panicking, Tweek pulled insistently on the back of Craig's cloak, frantically confused as to what the boy was trying to do. You can't just fight what Cartman says! Stop trying, you're going to get in trouble!

"Feldspar, what the hell?" Cartman asked, sounding frustrated. "Tweek is going to fight Stan and that's it. He'll do fine. He's level four now." No, I won't do fine but what does that matter!? Just don't fight him, Craig, there's no point, you can't do anything!

"Let me fight instead," Craig said, crossing his arms. At the words, Tweek felt his stomach revolve. He didn't want Craig to fight for him, he didn't want to fight either but he definitely didn't want to see the Noirette get hurt for him. Jesus, he does that enough already!? Why is he doing this?! It's so stupid, he's going to get hurt!

"Dude, just let Tweek fight," Stan said, stepping forward. The boy had a troubled look on his face, like he was trying to figure Craig out. "Your character isn't built for fighting a character like me. You wouldn't stand a chance." Tugging on the back of Craig's cloak harder, Tweek prayed that he'd just listen to Stan and stop trying to throw himself into danger for once.

"I don't give a fuck," Craig said. "I'm fighting and that's final." Twitching, Tweek shook his head and tried to tell Craig to stop but he couldn't get the words out. WHY IS HE TRYING TO GET HIMSELF KILLED!?

But even if he could have asked, it wouldn't have mattered. Clapping his hands together, the action sounding very much like a death toll to Tweek, Cartman let out a laugh and said, "Very well then. I think we should announce the event then. Feldspar versus Stan. After all, I heard that he kicked your ass earlier Feldspar. I'm sure you want revenge."

That has nothing to do with this! "Sure," Craig agreed, too quickly. Tweek just let out a muffled shriek that he let loose into his hand, which he had clapped over his mouth.

"Then I guess it's decided," Kyle said, as if the bearing of the decision had no effect on him whatsoever. Getting to his feet, the Elf clapped his hands and shouted, "HEY!" Once he had most everybody's attention, Kyle raised his arms and called, "It has been decided that the entertainment for today will be a battle to the death between a Human and an Elf. The contestants are Stan, fighting for the Elves, and Craig, fighting on behalf of the Humans." Turning to look at Cartman, Kyle said, "Let the best Race win."

Oh god, Craig's going to get beaten, Tweek realized, even as Craig stood there stoically, as if he didn't give a fuck about any of it. He's going to get beaten and he doesn't even care.

Unexpectedly, he felt a knot of anger as well as fear build in his gut.

"Let them indeed," Cartman agreed, his eyes narrowing. "Let them win indeed."