As always, thank you to everyone for reading! Thanks for the kudos, follows, and favorites.

And for your wonderful comments & feedback on my last chapter I send special thanks to:

Cuma, Lily, Miss Moka, Spiceypepper, and GE. PIP. SP at ffnet

Anon, Anon 2 at AO3 (I was not sure if you are the same person, so let me know)

======note=====

So about this chapter: I had originally planned to do 2 quick chapters, and just wrap up this story, but things didn't go as I planned. Instead you're getting this chapter, plus at least 2 more chapters.

My first draft of this chapter was shorter, left Thomas in the dust, and was as dull as dirt. I hated it, it was just depressing, and Craig was a pitiful mess, which just doesn't suit him. So I tossed that and wrote a second draft, which turned out much longer, a bit more fun, and includes a little of my side obsession Thomas, but not so much to highjack the story. It's much better this way (in my opinion). So Cuma & GE. PIP. SP, you get your wish to know a little more about the side romance, and if you still want to know more after the story is complete, I may reconsider a spin-off or epilogue for Thomas at a later date.

For now I give you Chapter 6 (which is a two-parter). You'll have to wait for me to QC the second part, but you're getting this a much earlier than I originally planned, so I hope you don't mind.

====Enjoy====

Chapter 6: LOVE - Part one

======Craig's POV======

"I hate hospitals." Kyle complains, while staring uncomfortably around the waiting area.

"Since Kenny died in forth grade, I just can't stand them..." He suddenly stops speaking and looks at me bewilderedly.

'What the fuck, Tweek is the one who hit his head, why is Kyle the one talking crazy?'

"Kyle, Kenny didn't die, are you feeling okay?" Maybe he is in shock from the accident, or maybe he's talking about a different Kenny, because Kenny McCormick is alive and well, and I just saw him at my party.

"Huh...? Oh, I guess you're right." Kyle mumbles in a daze, making me feel more concerned.

"Maybe you should see a doctor too? I can go get a nurse." I offer. I don't really want to have to go find someone to examine Kyle, but I don't need the guy keeling over on my watch either. If nothing else it will get him out of my hair, so I'm not constantly reminded of how he refused to let me near Tweek on the way to the hospital.

"I'm fine, but Dude, I'm kind of pissed off at you, right now." He says self righteously.

"Well, I am kind of pissed off at you too." It's bad enough that I've been stuck in this waiting room for hours, I don't need to deal with Kyle's nonsense too. The worst part is that when we got here those stupid nurses actually behaved as if Kyle was the boyfriend, and not me. I know it only looked that way since Tweek grabbed on to Kyle's arm and refused to let go, but it doesn't make me feel any less angry.

"Craig, tell me something, is it true that you and Tweek aren't actually a couple?"

"What in the fuck are you talking about, Kyle? Of course we are a couple!" I furiously insist, while flipping him off.

"Tweek said it, not me, Dude." Kyle informs me in a voice even angrier than my own. "He said you guys just faked being a couple to make everyone happy. Shit, he's totally in love with you, but he doesn't think you love him back."

"Fuck you, Kyle, of course I love Tweek!" I am torn between the glimmer of happiness that I feel at knowing that Tweek told Kyle that he's in love with me, and the massive amount of guilt that I feel at knowing that Tweek thinks that I don't love him back. I am such an asshole!

"Yeah, I know that you're in love with him, that's been obvious since 4th grade, but shit, you've lied about a lot! I don't know what to think anymore." Kyle tells me, and I flip him off and focus my attention on the floor.

"Craig, you told us that you've kissed him, heck Thomas is under the impression that you've fooled around! What's up with that, Dude?" Kyle keeps on pressing, and I want him to shut up, but I know that he won't because once Kyle starts piling on the guilt he won't stop until he buries you, and I don't fucking need this right now!

"I HAVE KISSED TWEEK!" I let loose on Kyle, taking all of my aggravation about this crappy day out on him. I can feel the fucking tears pouring down my face, but I do not fucking care anymore, because I am sooo damn tired of pretending that I'm too tough to have feelings!

"I've kissed him a bunch of times! He might have been sleeping at the time, but it still counts! As for Thomas, I had to lie to him! Thomas was after Tweek... when he came to visit that time... The asshole was using Tweek's picture as his fucking cell phone wallpaper!"

I'm bawling now, making it harder to speak, but now that I've started talking I just can't stop!

"Kyle, you know how Thomas is! He doesn't hold back! He's handsome and rich, and how was I supposed to compete with that? So yes, I fucking lied, because I was afraid that I would lose Tweek, and I love him so much!"

I stop talking, only because I'm out of breath, and crying too hard to continue. Kyle is looking at me in shock, and I realize what I've done, and I'm starting to feel embarrassed, but then I see that Kyle's eyes are focused past me, and I turn my head to see that my dad and Thomas are standing right behind me... fucking awesome, just what I needed!

"Dude." Kyle says calmly, and reaches out to pat me gently on the back. "Everything will be alright, you just need to tell Tweek all of that soon! It's pretty fucked up that you've been dating since 4th grade and you've never told him that you love him!" Looking over at Thomas he adds with a smirk, "And don't worry about Thomas, he got over Tweek a long time ago. He's crushing on someone else now. Thomas is fickle that way, it's the reason no sane guy would ever get involved with him."

I raise my eyebrows at Kyle, but hold back the comment on the tip of my tongue, since I'm sure Kyle probably doesn't want my dad to know about his sexlife.

"But, seriously Craig, only kissing Tweek when he was sleeping? That's pretty fucking lame, dude." Why is Kyle still talking? I just want him to shut the hell up! "Don't tell Tweek you did that...Jesus, what a fucking pervert!"

"Oh, I don't know about that." My father says, as he takes a seat next to me, and I start focusing on the floor again. "When I was your age I saw your mother sleeping under a tree during the town picnic, and she was so beautiful that I couldn't help myself." I look up at my father and see he's smiling all nostalgic like, it's so rare for him to smile, so I cannot help but smile back.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't as lucky as you. She woke up and caught me red handed. She beat the crap out of me!"

"I take it she forgave you, sir?" Thomas asks curiously, as he takes a seat next to Kyle.

"Yeah, she did, but not without a lot of begging and pleading." My father admits.

"Son, if you need help getting Tweek to forgive you, just let me know. I might have a few tricks up my sleeve." My dad reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small pack of tissues, which he hands me.

"But Kyle's right, Son. If you love somebody, you need to let them know that. Don't screw up and lose that kid, because your mom will kill you."

"Yeah, Dad, I know." I agree, and use the tissues to clean up my face. I still feel terrible, but my mood is just a little lighter. I have seen a side of my father that he rarely shows, and I feel so much closer to him now.

"How did you know we were here?" I ask, since I've only called Tweek's parents. After Dr. Norris told me that Tweek was intoxicated, I was too afraid to call home. Mr. and Mrs. Tweak arrived earlier, and they were immediately escorted in to see Tweek, but they wouldn't let me see him either. I can only imagine what they think of me right now.

"Richard called me, and son, we are going to need to have a talk later about the pot and the alcohol!"

"Sir, that wasn't Craig's fault, he had no idea that Tweek was drinking, and I was the one who encouraged Craig to let Tweek have a hit of my medical marijuana." Thomas is covering my ass and I'm grateful, so maybe I'll only beat the fuck out of him later, instead of totally murdering him.

"Kiddo, I appreciate your honesty, but I think I know enough to recognize when my own son is high." My father says gruffly, however his face looks more guilty than angry.

"I realized it as soon as I saw you come down from your room this morning, Craig. I could smell it on you, and your eyes were bright red. I didn't want to make a big deal about it, and ruin your birthday, but I regret that now."

"Dad, I am so sorry!" I tell him, and he pats me on the back again, while shaking his head. I notice his eyes look a little teary, and I realize that he probably blames himself for Tweek getting hurt, even though it isn't his fault, it's mine, and this makes me feel so much worse.

My dad is tough though, so after taking a moment for regret, he pulls himself together and stands up.

"Richard asked me to come pick you kids up. Tweek will be staying in the hospital tonight, and you won't be able to see him until tomorrow."

"I am not leaving!" I tell him. I know that I have no right to make demands, but I also know that there is no way in hell that I am leaving this hospital without seeing Tweek!

"Now Craig..." My father starts, but I cut him off, and embarrassingly my tears have started back up.

"I'm staying! Please, Dad, I can't leave Tweek like this." I plead, loud enough for the whole hospital to hear me, but I'm too upset to care. "I don't even know what's wrong with him, and I need to..."

"Tweek's going to be alright." A gentle voice calls out to us, and I look up to see Mr. and Mrs. Tweak coming from down the hall. They look tired, and Mrs. Tweak looks like she's been crying. It makes me feel so bad seeing them this way. Standing up, I rush over to meet them.

"Tweek had a severe panic attack, which was exacerbated by the alcohol and marijuana." Mr. Tweak explains.

"So his head is okay?" Kyle asks worriedly.

"Yes, the cut on his head looks worse than it is. It shouldn't even scar." Mr. Tweak puts our minds at rest.

"I am so sorry! I caused this, and..." I start apologizing, but Mr. Tweak shakes his head with a sigh and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"You didn't cause this, Craig. Tweek has an anxiety disorder, our son just can't handle stress as well as most people. His mother and I were careless, we wanted to believe that Tweek was getting better, so we haven't been pushing him to see Dr. Norris, and that was our mistake, not yours."

"He is getting better!" I insist, "Tweek's been fine up until today! This is my fault! I was the one who upset him."

"He wasn't fine, and this wasn't your fault, Craig. Tweek has an illness, and panic attacks are a part of that. Tweek isn't a child, and you're his boyfriend, not his babysitter. I am not certain what happened between you two today, but I do know that you care about Tweek, and that you'd never intentionally hurt him."

"I do, sir! I care about him so much. I'm in love with your son!" I admit loudly and without restraint, because I have no intention of keeping my feelings locked up anymore.

"May I please see Tweek, now?" I ask hopefully.

"Tweek's been through a lot today, Craig. He's calm now, but Dr. Norris feels it's best if we let him rest tonight," Mr. Tweak tells me sympathetically. "He'll be staying in the hospital overnight, and if Tweek feels up to it, you two can see each other tomorrow."

"I'd like to stay here! Even if I can't see him until tomorrow. I need to be close to him in case he needs me!" I declare.

"Craig, it's your birthday, if you stay you'd just be sitting in the waiting area all night. It's better you go home, enjoy the rest of your day, and come back in the morning." Mr. Tweak tells me, but I'm not ready to give up.

"I don't care about my birthday! I'll wait here all night, I'll wait outside in the snow if I have too!" I stubbornly insist.

"That won't be necessary." Mr. Tweak laughs at my stupidity. "You can stay, but only if it's okay with your father." I turn to my father, prepared to grovel, if need be.

"I suppose that's fine, son." My father agrees, "I'm going back to help your mom clean up, and then I'll stop by tonight to check on you and bring you some dinner and a piece of birthday cake."

"Thanks Dad!" I tell him gratefully. "Bring some cake for Tweek too."

My dad nods, and reaches out to ruffle my hair, something he hasn't done since I was in pre-school. "So Kyle, Thomas, are you coming back to the house, or did you want to keep my idiot son company?"

"I'd like to stay here." Kyle says with a tired smile.

"Me too." Thomas decides.

I don't like it, since I'm annoyed at both Kyle and Thomas, but I decide to keep silent, and let them stay, because it's not like I'm the boss of the hospital.

"We need to go back to the coffee shop." Mrs. Tweak informs me, and leans over to give me a hug. "You watch out for our baby, he loves you too, you know."

"Yes ma'am, I know." I tell her, and she nods and gives me a soft smile.

"Good, call us if he wakes up and needs anything." I'm relieved that they still trust me after all that I've put them through.

"I will." I promise, and wait for the adults to step on the elevator, before turning my attention to Thomas.

"Was it your alcohol?" I ask, but I don't need to hear his answer, since it's written all over his face. I take one angry step towards him, but stop when Kyle puts a hand on my arm.

"Seriously? What the fuck were you thinking? Tweek stepped right in front of a car, he could have died, you bastard! Fuck, Kyle could have died trying to save him!"

"Dude, I know! Kyle already let me have it when he called me earlier!" Thomas tells me, and I notice that he's shaking, and probably very close to a panic attack himself. Thomas has always been like this, he acts a lot more tough then he actually is.

"I have no excuse for what I did, I was high and stupid. I just wanted Tweek to accept me, so he'd be cool with us all hanging out together, but Tweek was being so mean, and I just lost my temper!"

I know that he didn't mean to cause this, any more than I meant to hurt Tweek by keeping secrets, but I'm so angry at him that I can barely stand it! FUCK!

"Craig, I screwed up, and I can't began to tell you how sorry I am. You can punch me if you want, in fact, please punch me, I fucking deserve it." Getting up from the couch he takes a couple steps forward, and waits bravely for my judgment.

I briefly consider taking him up on the offer, until I notice the nurse watching us from across the room. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly, while silently counting. It's the calming technique that I learned for Tweek, but I also use it on myself.

Finally I step forward, and reach out my hand, causing Thomas to flinch, as I place it on his shoulder, just like Mr. Tweak did earlier when he let me off the hook.

"Thomas, we go back a long ways, and I care about you a lot, so I forgive you, but it is a one time deal. If you ever hurt Tweek again, I will fucking kill you! I am not even kidding about that!" I use my other hand to flip him off as I tell him this, to prove that I'm serious.

"I understand," Thomas says, "Is it okay if I see Tweek again, I need to apologize..."

"No!" I cut him off.

"Craig, I just want to tell him I'm sorry, Dude. I won't be able to live with myself if I leave things like this between us."

"No!" I repeat, but I realize that Tweek will probably feel better about me staying friends with Thomas if he actually gets to know the guy better. "Okay, Maybe, but I'm going to leave it up to Tweek. If he tells me to drop your ass, you're toast!"

"Fair enough," Thomas agrees.

#######################

Hanging around the hospital waiting area proved to be just as boring as one would expect, but I don't really mind since I'm waiting for Tweek. We set up camp on a couch in the corner of the room, and drank bitter cafeteria coffee, while reading a pile of red racer comic books that I bought in the gift shop. I also picked up a get well card, a weeks supply of Tweek's favorite cinnamon candy, and a blue stuffed bunny rabbit that is so ugly it's cute. Thomas picked out a handful of corny 'I'm sorry' cards, as well as another card that he refused to let us see.

I have zero appetite, but when my mom and dad show up, loaded down with Tupperware containers filled with all my favorite foods, I decide to go through the motions of sitting in the cafeteria, and eating my birthday dinner in order to please my family. After dinner, we sit around eating cake while my mother pleasantly informs me that starting tomorrow, I'm grounded for a month, and that if I don't fix things with Tweek it will be extended to a year. Talk about too much pressure!

##################

"Since you deserted your guests, you'll have to wait until you get home to open your birthday presents." My mother inform me, as she hugs me goodbye in the hospital lobby, and I suddenly remember the gift in my jacket pocket.

"Thomas, hand me my jacket." I tell him, when I get back to our little waiting area fortress. Thomas is laying on the couch recovering from eating too much birthday food, and using my coat as his pillow. He sits up, tosses the jacket to me, and flips around so he can use Kyle's lap as a pillow instead. Kyle frowns and slaps him across the head, but that doesn't seem to deter him any.

"What do you think it is?" I ask as I pull the tiny present from my pocket, and examine it closely.

"Open it and find out." Thomas suggests, and I shake my head.

"I can't, it's from Tweek, I want to open it when we are together."

"Shit Dude!" Kyle exclaims, and suddenly snatches the gift from my hand to examine it closer.

"Yeah, Craig, you should wait until you're with Tweek, before you open this one." He tells me, and hands it back, still smiling. I get the feeling he already knows what it is.

########

It's 10pm, and I'm laying on my back on the uncomfortable waiting area couch, staring at the present in my hand.

It's small and square shaped, wrapped prettily in blue wrapping paper, with a tiny white bowtie. It's adorable, just like Tweek.

"This really sucks!" I grumble loudly. Kyle and Thomas are cuddled up in the corner, whispering to each other. Apparently that other card that Thomas picked up was earmarked for Kyle, because he's got it in his hands right now; and whatever Thomas wrote inside seems to have worked, because Kyle's got this sappy lovesick look on his face. Of course, this is only pissing me off more, because it's my birthday, and I want to be lovesick too!

Flipping on my side, I go back to examining Tweek's gift. One side of the wrapping is coming open, because I've been playing with it so much. So I slip the tip of my finger underneath and push it back, just a bit ... whatever is inside feels like wood? Now my curiosity is getting the better of me.

"I'm sorry Tweek, I'm just going to peek a little." I whisper, and slide open the wrapping a little more, revealing a corner of the present inside. Holding it closer to my face, I am able to see that it is indeed a small wooden box.

Like the wrapping paper, the wooden box is ocean blue, and it has something written on it in small white letters. I can make out the letter E, and when I slide the paper back a little more I see the letter V. Could it possibly be?

"What are you doing?" Kyle complains when he sees what I'm up to. "Craig, I really think you should wait."

Unable to help myself, I ignore Kyle and rip off the rest of the wrapping paper to confirm my suspicions.

"Dude, you suck!" Kyle tells me, but I could care less what he thinks.

"It says LOVE!" Swallowing hard, I stare at the cute little box happily.

"Oh, it opens." I notice and carefully lift the lid of the box to see what's inside.

"NO WAY!" I scream excitedly. Inside the box a pair of matching silver rings peek up at me from a bed of ocean blue velvet.

"You guys, I am SOOO freaking happy! Tweek is going to ask me to marry him!"

"I fucking knew it!" Kyle gripes. "Now, you've screwed up Tweek's proposal! I told you to wait you asshole!"

"Bro, that's a really nice ring!" Thomas is leaning forward and watching as I lift one of the rings from the box and inspect it closely.

It is indeed beautiful, a simple silver ring with a thin black stripe down the center. Peering closer I see that it has a single word engraved inside 'TWEEK'. Smiling I lift the other ring and examine it. It is a perfect match to the first ring, except that this one says 'CRAIG'!

"Craig Tweak!" I mumble joyfully to myself.

"Maybe Tweek Tucker is better." Kyle suggests with a chuckle.

"Oh, I like that, Tweek Tucker!" I grin and imagine my future with Tweek forever by my side, but my happiness fades when I realize Tweek isn't here, now! Tweek's asleep in a hospital bed, when he should be holding my hand. With a sigh I slide the rings back in the box, closing it carefully.

"Bro, you want to see Tweek tonight, right?" Thomas calls up to me quietly.

"Well, duh, of course I do." I tell him irritably, remembering that he is the one who actually screwed up Tweek's proposal.

"I can make it happen, you just got to trust me, and do what I say." Thomas says with a cocky grin, and even though I do not trust him one bit, I am willing to try anything if it will allow me to see Tweek.

######