The Dark of the Matinee
Chapter 2
"No way, this movie was seriously the shit," Kyle shook his head in disbelief.
"The games weren't even that great," Craig scoffed at the redhead next to him on the couch. "What's with that actor's hair?"
"All Asian men had that hair in martial arts films," Kyle rolled his eyes and quickly snatched a handful of popcorn from the bowl Craig purposefully placed between his legs. "Made their actions seem speedier or something, I guess."
They watched another fight scene in silence.
"So the choreography's great, but everything else about this film sucks ass."
Kyle shot him a look. "You picked it."
"Because you were giggling over it like some school girl," Craig dead panned and ducked a half-hearted punch. "But you're right; it was so much cooler when we were younger."
Kyle nodded and popped a few pieces of popcorn in his mouth as he gazed at the television screen. Kyle had gotten Craig to agree that they should establish some kind of friendship. Kyle wanted it so that Stan would get off his case about having even the simplest of conversations before class with Craig. Craig wanted to skip the step altogether but figured to himself that he held out for this long, what's a few more weeks? He'd completely win over Kyle Broflovski soon enough.
They were over at Clyde and Craig's dorm watching a bunch of movies streamed to their television through Netflix. They had spent fifteen minutes trying to decide on something to watch when Kyle spied Mortal Kombat and erupted into laughter. Craig was greatly amused by it and selected it for them to watch. They weren't even really paying attention to the plot and talked about other movies made from video game franchises. Kyle had gone off on a tangent about the Street Fighter films when Craig accidentally reached out and ran his hand through the other's hair. Kyle immediately silenced himself and Craig mentally prepared himself for Kyle to get up and march out the door.
"Craig," Kyle gently admonished with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Craig shrugged and turned back to the movie, a slight grin tugging at his lips. It seemed ridiculous to him to have to hold back when it was glaringly obvious what they both wanted. But he respected Kyle, though he'd never admit it to anyone out loud, and didn't want to run him off when he had only had a small sample.
The movie ended and Kyle immediately began flipping through options for the next film. He suddenly turned to Craig with a curious expression.
"I wonder, since you're a film major… do you have an all time favorite film?"
Craig blinked. "Just one movie of all movies?"
Kyle nodded.
Craig exhaled nosily and thought. "I don't think that's possible. Even movies I used to just watch for entertainment I start dissecting and studying."
Kyle laughed and resumed scrolling through options. Craig stared appreciatively at him. He wasn't quite sure when it was that Kyle first caught his attention. He had always watched their group while hanging out with his own. He liked Kyle's energy, especially at the moment. He liked it when Kyle laughed. His whole body shook when he laughed and that made the couch vibrate softly enough for Craig's mind to divert itself elsewhere for a few seconds.
It definitely had something to do with the after party at graduation. Everyone was drunk, including himself. Most of the girls were sobbing and making last minute confessions to guys they had crushes on freshman year. After he had been attacked by the third girl, Craig made a beeline for the backyard. He had no idea whose house they were at but there was a bench on the far side of the yard and he plopped himself down on it. He sat alone for a while enjoying his buzz when Kyle had stumbled upon him.
Craig remembered making room for him and they talked a little about the party. Then Kyle said something that made everything click inside his inebriated brain and before he realized it, Craig had missed an opportunity. He couldn't say it had haunted him ever since, but there definitely came a time in relationships he tried over the past couple of years where he remembered the redhead and things just went south. The one that got away? No, that's stupid. Just… the better option he knew existed out there somewhere.
But now the very same person was seated next to him and reading out titles to himself.
"Let me know if there's something you want to watch."
"Let's watch something we can rip on," Craig motioned for the controller. Kyle placed it in his open palm and brushed their fingers together with a slight grin.
"Tease," Craig murmured in amusement.
"The new Amityville Horror?"
Craig laughed loudly for the first time in a long while. "I was thinking Anaconda."
Kyle made a face.
"It's such a terrible film," Craig grinned as he selected it and waited for it to load. "The only saving grace is that Ice Cube beats the shit out of the snake."
Kyle laughed at Craig's enthusiasm and settled back into the couch as the opening credits came up. Craig threw an arm behind Kyle's head and this time the other didn't tell him to back off. He felt ridiculously thirsty and took a sip of his drink, recalling Clyde's comments. He definitely wasn't used to talking so much. What had they talked about back then?
"I like your films," Kyle was grinning as they looked at the sky.
Craig made a disinterested noise. Everyone kept saying that but what did they really know about it? Half of the students he filmed insisted on gushing about it when they were really just sucking up to him for more screen time in possible future works.
"You know what I like best," Kyle turned his whole body to face Craig. "What I like best is that everyone thought they made for good memories. Even the teachers."
Craig looked at him with half-focused eyes. This was new.
"But they're sad."
Craig stared silently at Kyle and Kyle stared silently at him.
"How you figure?"
"You edited it on purpose to make them think we were all buddy-buddy," Kyle jabbed a drunken finger at Craig's shoulder. "But we're not. The groups that hated each other were shown one after the other. Subtle, Tucker."
A slow grin spread across Craig's face. Leave it to the valedictorian. He slid on the bench closer to Kyle while the other looked expectantly at him. Before Craig could even lean in, a voice from the party called out to Kyle and the redhead laughed before running back inside. Craig was left alone on the bench to wonder what the hell he was about to do to Kyle Broflovski.
"Isn't it terrible?" Kyle's face came into view causing Craig to start a little.
"I'm sorry?"
Kyle smirked indulgently. "I said you can tell how cheap of a title actress Jennifer Lopez made for this film since you can see her nipples through every shirt she wears."
Craig laughed and reached for his drink again. He set it back down when he heard someone fumbling with the door then winced as Clyde burst into the room laughing loudly at one of their floor mates in the hall. Kyle peered at him curiously as Clyde shut the door, removed his shoes and padded into the room.
"Anaconda, really?"
"Hey Clyde."
Clyde nodded at Kyle then gave Craig a huge, lopsided grin. "Having fun?"
Craig grunted in reply.
"Come and join us," Kyle leaned back into his spot next to Craig.
Both Clyde and Craig gave Kyle the same incredulous look.
"What? Stan will be less of a pain in the ass if there's a third party to witness that we're just sitting around, eating junk food, and watching shitty movies."
"He's right," Clyde dumped his bag in a chair and walked across the screen to sit on the other side of Kyle. "The thing about this movie that I love is it has that typical 90s foreshadowing that's ridiculously obvious."
Kyle laughed. "Not to mention the terrible graphics. We just saw Mortal Kombat."
Clyde groaned. "I love ripping on that movie! Was it just me or was it really disappointing to see Kitana reduced to the dismal state of having to wear pants?"
Kyle gave him a weird look.
"She just wears a leotard or something in the games. It was a crime," Clyde shook his head, reaching around Kyle to snatch the bowl of popcorn for himself.
"No, this is a crime," Kyle gestured to the screen. "Ice Cube is the first person who should have died on this boat but he lives."
"What, the black guy's gotta die first?" Clyde teased him.
Kyle rolled his eyes. "He's heavier than the others. If the snake is attracted to its prey's body heat, why does the heaviest person, who would have the highest body temperature by the way, live to the very end?"
Clyde chuckled. "Doesn't he end up being the one to save Jennifer Lopez?"
"And she still goes for the feeble white guy who was unconscious half the time," Kyle laughed as Clyde shook his head. Craig looked on with amusement.
"If I went through all that for a chick, she'd better give me something in return," Clyde shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth.
"Like a shout out on her next album?"
"Didn't she brag about her one award to her costar in that last movie she did? Her American Music Award or some shit?"
"Ooh, impressive," Kyle and Craig said sarcastically at the same time. They blinked at each other before Clyde and Kyle laughed loudly and Craig made a small smile.
"I wish you had picked one of the Godzilla films," Clyde sighed.
Kyle's interest perked at this.
"Craig is a nut for black and white Japanese films," Clyde teased as Craig shot his soon-to-be-dead roommate a look.
Kyle made a thoughtful sound. "And here I thought I was being incredibly smart at that lunch talking about Rashomon." He turned to face Craig. "I then felt stupid when you guys started jabbing each other and just assumed you had studied it in a film course or something. I bet you thought I was way off base."
"On the contrary," Clyde grinned and stuck out his tongue at Craig's murderous glares, "he was ridiculously happy and slightly put out because he prides himself on his knowledge of those films."
Kyle and Clyde both exchanged conspiratorial glances before studying Craig. Craig deflated and smacked Clyde upside the head. He wasn't used to so much attention from people he considered to be in his circle.
Kyle looked at the screen and sighed. "I need to learn how to read Craig better."
Clyde erupted into laughter and set the empty popcorn bowl on the desk to his right.
"I'd give you lessons but that's cheating."
"I'm so glaringly obvious," Kyle rubbed at his cheeks.
"Well," Clyde tilted his head from side to side in an attempt to be polite. "Yeah, you sometimes are. What do you think, Craig?"
Craig slightly shook his head and dropped his arm from the back of the couch to resting around Kyle's shoulders. "Don't worry about him, he's a terrible gossip," he murmured into Kyle's ear as a slight blush spread lightly across his cheeks.
"Wow, PDA," Clyde chortled. Craig really wished that Clyde would fuck off and leave them alone at that moment. "Stan'd be pissed."
Kyle startled and looked at his watch at the mention of Marsh. "Ah, shit. I should probably head back to said imbecile soon."
"You don't want to stay for a meal?" Craig tried unsuccessfully to reign in the resentment.
Kyle either didn't hear it or ignored it and got up from the couch. "Nah, if I go back and have already eaten he'll swear it was a date or something." He wiggled his fingers. "Chaos ensues."
"And if I don't feed you I'll be an inconsiderate jerk," Craig was unapologetic as Kyle acknowledged his tone that time with a raised eyebrow and stood up to follow him to the door. He shot a look over his shoulder at Clyde to convey he didn't want an eavesdropper.
"See ya, Kyle."
"Bye, Clyde," Kyle waved as he opened the door to their dorm then stopped and turned to face Craig. "This was a lot of fun. Can we do it again?"
"Soon," Craig gave him a lazy smirk. He liked this; the small exchanges between the two of them. Like right now with him leaning in the doorway and looking down at Kyle. It was fun to watch him squirm under his stare. Craig watched as his red eyelashes fell against his cheeks as he looked away. They had spent just about every day for an entire week getting to know each other and Craig had discovered more new things about Kyle than he ever thought possible. It made him both pleased and incredibly pissed off.
"Good," Kyle nodded and looked up at him with his bright green eyes and goddamn Craig really wanted to lean down and kiss him. "I mean, this week has been weird. Nice, but weird." Craig conceded with a nod and before he could even try to make another move Kyle had turned and walked away. He watched him turn at the end of the hallway and descend the stairs to exit the building. He stood there a moment and kicked the doorframe with a groan before closing the door.
Clyde was walking the trash and various dishes to the kitchen as Craig shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm very proud of you, Craig. You're showing great restraint."
"Ever the gentleman," Craig gave a mock bow causing Clyde to laugh. "This is stupid."
"Well, maybe," Clyde dumped the dishes unceremoniously in the sink and turned on the tap. "Is it worth it?"
Craig said nothing as he sat back down on the couch in thought. He had a feeling that maybe it was. And that scared him.
Stan glanced at the clock and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. It was almost four o'clock and Kyle wasn't back yet. He sighed and looked down at The Princess Bride in front of him. He had been flipping pages as he got to the bottom of them but none of the material was sticking in his mind. He didn't really feel like giving it a thorough dissection because, come on, they were going to see it as a movie anyway. Christ, the author wrote the screenplay so obviously it's pretty accurate and seriously, where the hell is Kyle?
The door to their apartment opened and Stan immediately rolled his desk chair to his bedroom doorway to survey the damage. He felt disgusted and pleased with himself at the same time at his decision to bring Craig over the previous week. He knew it meant a lot to Kyle and he couldn't help but selfishly wish that maybe hanging out with Craig would remind Kyle why they never talked to him. Ever. But half an hour became a full hour became two. Each day it seemed that the time he spent with Craig was getting longer. Now that Kyle was home, over three hours later, he could see things weren't going to go as he had hoped.
Kyle looked euphoric.
Stan swallowed his irritation and shut his eyes to compose himself before clearing his throat. Kyle looked up at his friend and smiled.
"Hey, dude."
Stan nodded in reply. "Have fun?"
Kyle nodded and walked over to sit on the couch opposite of Stan's door. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun."
Stan nodded again.
"We watched a couple of movies," Kyle shrugged. "Clyde's pretty funny. You and Kenny should have come."
Stan shook his head slightly. It sounded tame enough. "So, did Craig… you know…"
"Ask me out again?" Stan didn't react. "No, he didn't."
"Good," Stan instantly regretted verbalizing his thoughts. Kyle's expression darkened and his voice became icy.
"He's being pretty cooperative and respectful, Stan. Nowhere is it written that I have to turn him down. I only did because you…" he bit his tongue. Stan watched as his friend struggled to keep from starting a fight with him. "We're just friends."
"For now," Stan murmured darkly.
"For now," Kyle repeated.
It was Saturday night and even though he had spent most of the day watching movies, Kyle was in the mood to see another. Stan didn't have work until the morning and Kenny had the evening off so the three decided to go into town for some burgers and a movie. They spent their meal arguing over which film to see between Kenny running off to flirt with some blonde at another table full of girls. They decided on the newest horror flick and after clearing off their table they headed down the street to the cinema.
The line was a little longer than Kyle had hoped but it was fine. Stan and Kenny were entertaining enough trash talking the posters advertising future releases. Before too long they had obtained their tickets, decided against getting any overpriced concessions and headed straight to get their tickets torn. It was there that the evening took an unexpected turn.
"I don't believe it," Kenny nodded as they stood in the line to get their tickets torn. "There's lover boy."
Stan and Kyle looked in the direction of the front of the line. Now that Kyle was focusing he heard the distinct rumble of a certain deep, monotone voice. A group of girls giggled as they made their way to their movie giving Kyle a view full of Craig. He was taken aback, so familiar seeing Craig in some jeans and hoodie. Craig looked really sharp in his uniform. He wore a white dress shirt that fit more closely to his body tucked into black dress pants. He had a stupid plastic nametag fastened to a dark burgundy vest that muted the color of his eyes, hidden behind his bangs. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to just below his elbows and Kyle found himself appraising the musculature of his arms.
Kenny nudged Kyle in the rib and threw an arm around Stan's shoulders to steer him forward in the line. Craig directed the couple in front of them to their theatre and automatically reached out to take the trio's tickets without processing who they were.
"Sup, stud?" Kenny whistled and wiggled his eyebrows as Craig took them in.
"Uh," was all he managed as he looked from Kenny to Stan then gave a soft smile to Kyle. "Hey."
The girls from earlier watched the exchange and made some disappointing noises. Kyle glanced at them and couldn't help smirking to himself.
"Horror fans, huh?" Craig purposefully tore their tickets slowly. He shredded Stan's ticket and winked at Kyle as he brushed his fingers along his hand to retrieve his own ticket.
"Tease," Kyle murmured.
"Why do they get to talk to you," one of the girls whined.
"Unfortunately, ladies, he's taken," Kenny stepped forward with his most seductive grin, pulling Stan with him. "My friend and I here, however, are not." The girls giggled and started making conversation with the two. Kyle looked on, impressed that Stan was flirting right back at them. He had been looking forward to seeing this film and getting to hit on some girls was probably just the distraction he needed.
Craig noticed it too. "Hey," he swiftly directed Kyle to the side so they could talk while he continued tearing tickets. "I get a break in half an hour. Keep me company?"
Kyle looked over at Stan and Kenny, seeing they were completely distracted by the girls and their smiles and light shoulder touches turned back to Craig. "Sure."
Craig smiled. "Meet me outside your theatre."
Kyle nodded then cleared his throat at his friends. They had talked the girls into going to the same film, which Kyle was incredibly thankful for. They could help distract them when he got up to leave the movie.
They sat towards the back of the auditorium and kept up idle chit chat before the previews started. Kyle turned his complete attention to them and it was during the third preview that he realized he was the only one in the group actually observing the screen. He shrugged and wished the half hour would quickly pass by. The movie itself began playing and it took all of five minutes for Kyle to realize how disappointing it was going to be. He glanced at his watch then his friends. Kenny was completely sucking the face off of one of the girls and Stan's head had disappeared behind the other's hair.
He'd never be missed.
Kyle blinked a few times as his eyes readjusted to the lights outside of the theatre. He stretched his arms and sat on a nearby bench. He looked at his feet and studied the carpet with a smile. Why did movie theatres seem to have the same carpet? Suddenly a pair of black shoes came into view. He looked up and smiled.
"Hey again."
Craig smirked at him. "Let's go."
Kyle got up and followed Craig down the hallway and out a pair of exit doors. They were on the side of the building that Kyle supposed employees used for smoke breaks. Craig made his way to a picnic table under a tree and gestured for Kyle to sit next to him. Kyle dragged his feet as he slowly approached the table. Craig watched him with that smirk the entire time and lit a cigarette.
"Why does everyone I know smoke," Kyle pondered aloud.
Craig observed him in silence; amusement written on his face.
Kyle slid into the spot next to Craig and propped his elbow on the table so he could rest his head in his hand. He looked Craig up and down as he smoked his cigarette.
"Suits you."
"Don't it though?"
"Ass," Kyle reached out with his free hand to pluck the cigarette from Craig's fingers and brought it to his own lips. Craig studied him as his took a drag.
"Hypocrite."
Kyle shrugged and handed it back over. "So you just can't get enough of the movies, huh?"
Craig played the filter against his lips and smiled. "I usually do projection but we were busier than usual tonight."
"Projection? That sounds interesting," Kyle grinned.
"I'll show you sometime."
"Cool," Kyle looked around. It was dark back here but he didn't feel threatened. There was enough light from the exit door they came through for him to see, but dark enough at the table for the strangest glares to show up in Craig's eyes. They looked black. Kyle shuddered slightly.
"Guard dogs let you out?"
Kyle laughed. "I escaped." Craig raised an eyebrow. "They're sucking face," Kyle shrugged and Craig laughed softly. It was deep and rumbled in his chest. Kyle was suddenly aware that their situation was changing fast. He was taking more stock of Craig. It was a little unnerving. He felt his eyebrows furrowing together as the other finished his cigarette.
"Kyle," it was the first time he heard him say his name and he felt a thrill of excitement run through his body at the sound of it. "Can we cut the bullshit?"
Kyle blinked slowly and studied the grain of the wood the table was made out of. He looked up with his eyes at Craig's emotionless face. No, there was something there.
"Which part do you mean," Kyle sighed, then quickly blurted his follow-up at Craig's questioning look. "The just playing friends bit or sneaking around part?"
Craig slouched forward, eyes intently focused on Kyle's. "Date me." He said it so simply and Kyle envied how smooth he looked saying such a thing. Never in a million years could Kyle do something so effortlessly. He drummed his fingers on the table in irritation as he contemplated his response. They had spent just about each day at his and Clyde's dorm watching movies or playing games, sometimes on their own but mostly with Clyde cheerfully playing third wheel. It had been fun and though he felt he had learned a lot about Craig there was still more that he wanted to know. There was only one way to learn them…
"Okay."
Craig grinned, showing all his teeth. "There we go. Progress."
Kyle laughed and looked away. "You already have an idea?"
"Something cheap," Craig didn't flinch as Kyle elbowed him. "Something really low key. Not too traditional."
Kyle nodded and tried to keep from grinning like mad. He wanted to show how excited he was about this, and he genuinely was. But he knew it would be best to take his time.
"Snow cones," Craig's eyes shone in the dark. "Let's go for snow cones."
Kyle blinked then laughed. "All right. Snow cones."
Craig smiled and leaned around to speak with his lips purposely brushing Kyle's ear. "Tomorrow."
A door high above the exit doors slammed open causing Kyle to jump. Craig clicked his tongue in annoyance and pulled back.
"Tucker, man, shit hit the fan. I need your help up here," a voice shouted above the roar of machinery foreign to Kyle's ears.
"Be right up," Craig called back and sighed when the door closed. "Tomorrow we will be alone. We won't be interrupted. No Stan, no Clyde, no dumbass coworkers."
Kyle laughed out his nervousness. It was true; there wouldn't be any third wheelers to get in the way this time. He followed Craig as they went back to the exit doors and to the theatre Kyle's movie was showing in.
"I'll text you later," Craig smirked and headed off in the direction they had come. Kyle watched his back as Craig made long strides to a hidden staircase then went back inside the theatre. Stan and Kenny were still busy so Kyle gave them a little room and contemplated his date with Craig. His date with Craig. He allowed himself to sink into his seat and grin into his hand. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
"So then you agreed," Kenny grinned over the bar as Kyle made them some breakfast. "He's smooth, I'll give you that."
Kyle shrugged and reached for the pepper. He had hid out at the library for a few hours when they got back to the apartment – all five of them. Things had thankfully quieted down by the time he returned and before he could settle in for sleep Craig texted him the time he would come and pick him up. Kyle then spent another two hours trying to distract himself enough to sleep and fell into one of the lightest sleeps of his life. It was absurd.
Now it was eleven in the morning, one hour until Craig would show up, and Stan was fumbling around his room getting ready for work. The girls had crept out on their own a few hours earlier, which Kyle was thankful for since they didn't have enough food to feed all of them breakfast. He scraped some eggs onto a plate and slid it across the bar for Kenny.
Kenny leaned over and picked out a fork. "Where are you going? Do you know?"
Kyle shook his head. "Just out for snow cones, apparently."
"Snow cones," Kenny said thoughtfully around a mouth full of egg. "I guess since they'll be closing up soon."
Kyle nodded and divided the rest of the eggs between his plate and Stan's. "Please don't mention this to Stan. I don't want to needlessly freak him out before work."
"Why would it be needless?"
"If it doesn't work out…"
"It will," Kenny chided as he picked out a piece of buttered toast.
"Yup," Kyle smiled at Kenny's surprised expression then called out to Stan. A quick glance at the clock told him Stan couldn't sit down and eat so he piled his eggs on some toast and wrapped it up in a paper towel. Stan rushed out of his room, wiggling his shoes on and grabbed the breakfast as he raced out the door.
Kenny leaned on his elbows on the counter. "Not even a kiss good bye?"
"He never appreciates me," Kyle followed as he turned off the stove and put toast on his own plate.
"So, Craig," Kenny jabbed his fork in Kyle's direction.
"Craig," Kyle nodded and poked at his food. "He'll be here in an hour."
Kenny peeled the crust off his toast. "A midday date?"
"He said he has work this evening."
A conspiratorial grin spread across Kenny's face. "Should we dress up?"
Kyle almost choked on his eggs. "Hell no."
"What are you going to wear?"
"Clothes," Kyle stabbed a larger piece of egg.
Kenny snickered and held up a hand at Kyle's look. "No seriously, you should look nice. Put some effort into it."
"Then I'd get nervous about keeping my clothes clean and spill snow cone all over myself," Kyle shook his head and bit his toast.
"No, just jeans and a shirt. The dark jeans, though, you get the most looks from people when you wear them."
Kyle laughed and finished off his plate. "I do not."
Kenny shrugged. "You are so self-deprecating."
Kyle stuck out his tongue and began cleaning up the dishes from making breakfast. As he scrubbed the pan he suddenly felt incredibly nervous. It was just a date, he reminded himself, it probably wouldn't even last all that long. They both had studying to do, after all. He thought about the previous night. Craig in his uniform, the way he always stared at him, that lazy smirk whenever he said something that amused him…
"Ugh, fine," he hissed and shut off the water and went to his bedroom. He rooted in his closet for a few minutes and pulled out some choices. Kenny had set his plate down in the kitchen and leaned in the doorframe of Kyle's room. Once Kyle had settled down he stood back and looked at his selections. Kenny grinned and walked over to the bed. He pulled out a faded raspberry colored tee shirt Kyle got working as a counselor at Jewbilee and then a thin green zippered hoodie. Kenny laid them on the back of Kyle's computer chair and went to his closet to dig out the jeans he had talked about.
"That outfit," he pointed to the chair after setting the jeans with the tops, "and those dark brown boots." Kenny sauntered out of the room leaving Kyle alone to feel very girly and more nervous than ever.
Kyle checked the time and decided to take another quick shower. It took him twenty minutes to fuss with the outfit and hair. Once he was finished, he sighed at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Kenny had appeared in the doorway again.
"See, it's perfect. You're so damn pale, but your eyes stick out now."
"My hair looks orange," Kyle groaned.
Kenny laughed. "You do care."
Kyle rolled his eyes and moved past Kenny. "Whatever."
"So, shall we go over conversation?"
Kyle plopped down on their couch and tightened his boots. "No need. We have plenty to talk about. Besides, you know it isn't my first date and I'm certain as hell that it isn't Craig's."
Kenny nodded and pulled up a chair from the bar to sit in backwards. He lifted a finger at Kyle. "Still, don't talk about two things."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"First, do not talk about school. Not even our fucking assignment. Understand?" Kyle gave a small nod. "Good. Second. Don't talk about Stan."
Kyle made a face. "What would we talk about Stan for?"
"He'd probably want to make sure you aren't secretly pining for him."
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"Seriously," Kenny stared him down.
"All right, all right," Kyle raised his hands. "No school, no Stan. Just Craig."
Kenny nodded then grinned when knuckles rapped against their door. "He's here, he's here!" He did a girly dance and hopped over to the door. Kyle laughed and took a deep breath before following.
Kenny already had the door open and was grinning like mad at Craig. Kyle came into view and Craig's face went from the usual emptiness to a slow appraisal of Kyle. He smirked at him. "Hey."
"Hey," Kyle waved and mentally cursed himself as his body temperature went up. He studied Craig and was pleasantly surprised to see that he had put some effort into his appearance, too. He was wearing black skinny jeans over black boots with a form fitting dark blue v neck sweater with a light blue tee under that. Kyle could make out more of Craig's upper body and felt ridiculously scrawny by comparison.
Kenny adopted a mockingly serious expression and crossed his arms. "So, son, what are your plans?"
Craig tore his eyes from Kyle's with a lazy smirk. "Snow cones at the park."
Kenny nodded and cleared his throat. "When will you be back?"
"Not too late," Craig played along. "He'll be in the same, exact condition."
"He'd better be," Kenny pulled Kyle closer to the door with an arm draped over his shoulders. "Our little Kyle here is very important to us. We might be forced to break some bones if he isn't brought back intact."
"Yes, sir," Craig raised an eyebrow in amusement. Kenny nodded and pushed Kyle forward.
"He's all yours."
Kyle sighed and began heading down the hall, Craig close beside him. They made it to the very end of the hall before Kenny shouted out loud for the entire floor to hear. "You kids have fun!"
"Oh, Jesus Christ," Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose as his face turned red.
Craig laughed as they exited the building. He led Kyle towards the nearby parking lot and gestured to a familiar white Toyota. Kyle remembered it because the entire sophomore class had been ridiculously jealous when they came back from winter break and Craig had a license and a car. It wasn't brand new even then, but Craig obviously had taken good care of it.
"You brought your car to school?"
Craig smirked lazily and swiftly unlocked the passenger door, holding it open for Kyle. Kyle nodded his thanks in embarrassment and sat inside. Craig carefully closed the door and walked around to the driver's side and got in. Kyle fiddled with the hem of his sleeve as Craig started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. He watched the scenery fly by as they sat in silence. It was a nice day, but a little on the cooler side. He was glad Kenny picked out something long sleeved.
It wasn't until they got to a long stop light that Kyle began feeling incredibly self-conscious. He looked over at Craig only to feel more flustered when he realized he was being studied from the corner of Craig's eye. Kyle laughed nervously causing Craig to break into that smirk again.
"All right, talk or something. I'm going nuts here," Kyle felt himself blurt a little too loudly and looked out the front window.
"You look nice," Craig shifted in his seat. "That color looks really good on you."
"Thanks," Kyle mumbled. "You, too."
Craig laughed softly. "We're almost there."
Kyle looked forward expectantly and spotted the park ahead. It wasn't as crowded as Kyle thought it would be on a Sunday and they soon found a spot to park. They exited the car and met on the sidewalk in front of it. Kyle surveyed the area briefly before Craig came up really close in front of him and placed a hand on the small of his back.
"All alone."
"Yeah," Kyle lowered his eyes to calm himself before looking back up at Craig. "So what's first?"
"Snow cones," Craig pointed with his free hand at a small shack down the path. "Then we'll walk around."
Kyle nodded and felt Craig apply light pressure to his back, guiding him as they turned and walked towards the shack.
"What made you decide on snow cones?"
Craig shrugged, sticking his free hand into his pocket. "I remembered that they close this stand shortly after classes start and hadn't had one in a while."
They approached the shack and Kyle frowned slightly when Craig dropped his hand to follow the menu with his finger. Kyle leaned forward and looked at the flavors. "Some of these are hilarious. I didn't even know they made coffee flavored snow cones."
Craig smirked. "You decide?"
Kyle nodded. "Sour apple. You?"
"Cherry," Craig motioned to the clerk and placed their order. It took less than a minute before their snow cones were made; Craig pulled out his wallet and paid. Then they decided to continue down the path as they munched on their treats.
"This is pretty good," Kyle remarked thoughtfully as he scooped up some more green ice.
"The stand by the grocery store near campus sucks compared to this one. Better syrup to ice ratio."
Kyle laughed. "Craig Tucker, snow cone connoisseur."
Craig grinned. "Stick with me and I'll show you all kinds of things."
Kyle grinned to himself. "I see what you did there."
"So what rules are we imposing today?" Craig playfully bumped his elbow into Kyle's.
"Kenny has two," Kyle scooped up the last of his snow cone. "No talking about school. I might bore you to death with my geekdom."
Craig nodded and searched out a trashcan. "Okay, no school."
"No talking about Stan."
Craig hummed to himself as they walked toward a water fountain next to a pair of trash cans. He dropped his napkins and cone in first before taking Kyle's to follow suit.
"Does he even know where you are?"
Kyle wiped his hands on his napkin and tossed it in the receptacle. Then he waved a finger between the two of them with a smile, "That's talking about Stan."
Craig made a comprehending noise and grabbed the hand Kyle had raised. He lowered it and clasped their hands together properly before gesturing for them to walk on. It made Kyle feel very stupid to have his heart pounding so hard over holding hands.
"Even though school is off-topic," Craig glanced at Kyle, "I want to know why you chose Chemistry."
Kyle smiled. "I just like it. I don't know what I want to do with it at the moment, but I'm planning on working through a doctorate. I could then teach or just do research if I wanted."
Craig nodded and loosened his hold on Kyle's hand to lace their fingers together. "Teach high school or college?"
"Probably college," Kyle wrinkled his nose at the thought of teaching high school. "Most of the people in chemistry classes in college want to be there, or get it enough to have fun. Sure, you can do a lot of cool stuff in high school but every science teacher we had was a premature balder. Too much stress."
Craig laughed softly. "I can see you fretting over Bunsen burners and winding up on the news after some horrific accident causes part of the school to burn down."
Kyle laughed with him. "That would totally be my luck. No, I'm just enjoying my classes right now. I know that some specific facet of the study will grab my attention and I'll pursue it to the ends of the earth."
Craig smiled. "You feel that way just about studying?"
Kyle laughed again. "That's why Kenny said not to talk about school."
"Okay, not to be rude, but how the hell did McCormick even get into college?"
"He got some scholarships from a bunch of nudie magazines," Kyle sighed. "I'm not joking. I remember one was Penthouse but I don't remember the others. He wrote a bunch of essays on how women posing in those magazines weren't objectifying themselves but celebrating their sexuality or something. I forget the details but he had a very convincing argument."
"You read them?"
Kyle nodded. "He asked me to proof read them before he sent them off. At first I thought it was a joke, but like I said… they were very well thought out."
"Sounds like the Kenny McCormick I know," Craig grinned.
"You should have seen the faces of the people at the bursar's office when we all handed over the forms for our scholarships. They thought it was a scam or something."
Craig laughed.
"All right, my turn for a question," Kyle thought for a moment. "What made you decide to ask me out?"
Craig went silent for a few minutes as they continued walking. He then slowed and led Kyle over to a bench for the two of them to sit down.
"I was really drunk when you said something to me."
Kyle laughed. "How long ago is this?"
"Just at the graduation party," Craig shrugged. "I might have been attracted to something in you before then. I kept watching you guys and Clyde and them would ask me what was up. I didn't realize I was doing it half the time. It wasn't until the party that I figured out I was seeing something in you the whole time."
Kyle's eyes widened briefly but he didn't know what to say to that.
"Then at the party we were all drunk. You and I ran into each other outside and you started talking about those stupid movies I made. I didn't even want to make them, you know." Craig rooted in his pockets for a cigarette and lighter. Kyle waited patiently as Craig lit it and turned down his offer for one.
"You remember them… I was surprised when you brought them up at the group meeting."
Kyle nodded.
"Like I said, I didn't want to make them. The teacher said to document student life or some shit, so I just filmed everyone with their friends for two days at lunch and after school. I had a bunch of footage but didn't know what I wanted to do with it. Then we had stupid homecoming and the alumni went around campus visiting us. One jock was all weepy about how cool everyone was with each other and how best friends everyone was. Then this other chick made fun of him for it behind his back. She said that after high school, the popular people who thought they ruled the place were just deluding themselves with the status they had. The rest of the student body moves on and accepts that high school wasn't as big a deal as they thought and become adults."
Craig laughed and exhaled some smoke.
"That's when the idea clicked. I wanted people to remember who they bitched out, who they hated, who they made fun of. I wanted to make a video that we'd see in twenty years, when everyone has kids and shit. You'd brag to your kids about your high school years and then see the video again and realize you were just a stupid kid. A complete nobody in a sea of other nobodies and be forced to accept the fact you could have done so much better. Instead you used your time shut in on your own little world with your own pack of friends." He shrugged. "I'm just as guilty of it as anyone else."
Kyle smiled. He did remember seeing the videos and everyone laughing or applauding when they saw themselves or their friends. Kyle remembered seeing them and noted how cliquish they were. It looked like they were all filmed together but you could tell there were distinct lines. It made Kyle even more anxious to get the hell out of high school.
"At the party you came over to me and told me I wasn't being as subtle as I thought," Craig smirked at him. "I wasn't drunk enough to forget it but was drunk enough to try and kiss you for it. But then someone called you and you got away before I could." He almost looked disappointed as his gaze traveled down Kyle's face.
Kyle blinked in surprise. He didn't remember any of that. It did amuse him that Craig looked like he had lost something from not getting to kiss Kyle way back when.
"I do remember thinking there was something off in your videos," Kyle studied him for a moment. "Is that your high school baggage?"
Craig laughed softly and slid closer to Kyle on the bench. Kyle took a deep breath as he inhaled his scent. He studied Craig very carefully and tried to sift through his fog of memories on the night in question. Their current positions jogged something in his mind and a slow, playful smile spread on his face as he looked in Craig's eyes.
"Well, it isn't fair to expect my best friend to get over his high school baggage and not others..." Kyle laughed and leveled Craig with an inviting stare. "Maybe I can help you with that missed opportunity?"
Craig grinned and leaned in slowly to kiss Kyle. Kyle's eye fluttered closed as his lips moved softly with Craig's. It was incredibly nice, possibly nicer than their first kiss. Kyle appreciated the fact that Craig took his time when he kissed him. He could feel Craig's hair on his face and despite the fact he tasted like a cherry cigarette, whatever scent he was wearing had Kyle completely intoxicated. When Craig gently pulled away Kyle couldn't suppress a small whimper of disappointment.
Craig smirked as he studied Kyle's flushed cheeks and slight pout. "Not enough?"
Kyle raised his eyes to meet Craig's. "What do you wear?"
Craig blinked. "Pardon?"
"Your shampoo or cologne or whatever that is."
Craig laughed and leaned back, propping his elbows on the back of the bench. "Did I wear too much of it?"
"Oh, Christ, no," Kyle stated as if it were an obvious fact, "it's been driving me crazy, in fact. The good kind of crazy, I guess." He felt the need to tack on the last part even though it was embarrassing to mention it.
"I see," Craig smiled softly.
"So what is it?"
Craig titled his head from side to side, playfully teasing Kyle. "I think I'll keep that information to myself."
Kyle laughed. "All right then, but it'll cost you."
Craig raised an eyebrow. "Should I be scared?"
Kyle made a deliberating sound as he looked around at their surroundings. "It would be advisable to be on guard, yes."
"Shame I don't scare easy," Craig smirked and moved a hand to rub at Kyle's upper arm.
Kyle exhaled loudly and looked at Craig.
"You are a spectrum of random emotions today," Craig mused.
"What are your intentions, exactly, with all of this," Kyle gestured back and forth between them.
Craig hummed softly as he thought. "Does it really matter?"
"This," Kyle pointed with his other hand at Craig's, "is not something you do on a first date. It's like we're at three week boundaries."
"Is that bad?" Craig actually looked uncertain and Kyle had to look at his knee to keep from laughing.
"No," Kyle finished lamely. He struggled to wrap his mind around the right words to use to explain to Craig what he was trying to figure out.
Craig observed Kyle's face as he carried out his mental battle and slid his arm around Kyle's shoulder. Kyle felt his body react before his mind did by easing into Craig's side, soaking in the warmth from his body.
"Okay, this," Kyle laughed and pulled his feet up on the bench so he was sitting Indian style with his right knee on top of Craig's left thigh. "We have physical chemistry. Agreed?"
Craig nodded. "Agreed."
"And Kenny has mentioned to me that at one point we've carried out some form of intellectual foreplay or something."
A bark of laughter escaped Craig. "Okay…"
"So where does this lead us?"
"Are you asking me out?"
Kyle blinked. "Whoa, whoa," he raised his hands and froze for a moment. There wasn't any reason for denying the fact that he was, in fact, attracted to Craig. Kyle realized that this was a chance to make a decision for himself. "Um, maybe I should."
"You should or you want to," Craig faced him. Kyle studied Craig again. There was no trace of pressure in his features at all. Kyle could continue to go along with Craig, which would mean they moved at the pace Craig set. While Kyle knew that this would ultimately go places he hadn't been before, he knew Craig would set the tone, set the rules, set everything. Kyle had a chance to take some sort of stance and establish his part in the (and he had to swallow thickly at the thought) relationship.
"Right, I've decided," Kyle slapped his knee. "I will take the initiative and ask you on a date."
"While we're already on one?" Craig rotated his hands up in a 'ta-da!' type of gesture.
"Of course not," he grinned playfully. "When I've let you sweat it out a little. Make you jealous of my attention being diverted elsewhere or something."
"But since you've already told me your nefarious plan won't that nullify the effort on my part to sit around anxiously for your call?" Craig gave him a meaningful smile.
Kyle laughed. "I like that. You banter well."
Craig lowered his head in thanks then looked around in front of them. "Well, there isn't much more I can accomplish on this date knowing you will, at some point in the future and at your whim, proffer me with a second."
Kyle nodded with a smile. "What time do you have to be at work?"
Craig glanced at his watch. "Not for another four hours. Want to monopolize my time?"
"Take me to lunch," Kyle stood up and stretched his arms high above his head. "I'm famished."
Craig surveyed Kyle's elongated body before standing up. "All right, what strikes your fancy?"
"I'm feeling some Asian," Kyle patted his stomach as his mouth began watering. "Maybe we can pick some up and watch one of your prized DVDs? Show off for me a little." He playfully nudged Craig in the rib.
"Warm couch potatoes with some sesame spring chicken and Akira Kurosawa." Craig grinned and pulled Kyle into a half hug at his side. "Sounds a hell of a lot better than snow cones at the fucking park."
Kyle laughed as they made their way back to Craig's car.
"Okay, that didn't feel like as long of a movie as it actually was," Kyle smiled as they made their way to Kyle's apartment. The temperature had dropped and Kyle bundled himself tighter in one of Craig's pullovers. "I like how even though it was filmed decades ago it didn't seem all that dated."
"Period pieces tend to be like that," Craig smirked, rubbing a hand on Kyle's back.
Kyle shook his head. "No, you can tell that Cleopatra was filmed in the 60s. The make up and costume material give it away. Just like Kingdom of Heaven is obviously an epic of the digital age."
Craig nodded in amusement at Kyle's observations. They quickly ducked inside the building and slowed as they ascended the stairs to the floor Kyle's unit was on.
"I also have problems differentiating characters when I'm watching a subtitled film, but I was able to keep up with who was who. It was a good movie," Kyle smiled at Craig.
"Glad you liked it," Craig took Kyle's hand again as they came to the landing of the second floor. He pushed open the door for the hallway and let Kyle pass through before following him.
"That'll be hard to do," Kyle tucked some hair behind his ear.
Craig shot him a questioning look.
"You're what, four or five inches taller than me. I won't be able to woo you with that kind of finesse."
Craig smirked. "I'm sure you'll compensate admirably."
"Yup," Kyle spoke up cheerfully. "The cards are all in my hand now."
Craig put his hand on Kyle's waist as they approached his door. Kyle turned to face Craig and waved at the closed door. "This is me." Craig nodded.
Kyle smiled and slid his hands up Craig's arms and wrapped his own around Craig's neck. He pressed his nose against Craig's chest and inhaled deeply. Craig laughed softly and draped his arms around the middle of Kyle's back, pulling his body closer.
"I had fun," Kyle murmured into Craig's neck. He smiled as he felt Craig's agreeing response vibrate through his throat and into his ear. "I'd say we should do this again but I get to decide all of that."
Craig dipped his head onto Kyle's shoulder and laughed. "Maybe waiting will bug me a little more than I thought."
Kyle grinned and took a step back. "Victory is mine, then. Sweat, Tucker. Sweat."
Craig pulled Kyle back in for a kiss. Kyle relaxed his arms and wove a hand through Craig's hair. Craig moaned slightly at the touch and sighed when Kyle pulled away again.
"You'll be late to work at this rate," Kyle teased.
Craig nodded and detached himself from Kyle's warm body.
"Do you want your shirt back," Kyle moved to take it off.
Craig shook his head. "No, you can hang on to it for now. Use it as a pillow. Have a wet dream about me or something." He grinned as Kyle laughed and his face turned red.
"All right, have fun at work," Kyle opened his door and stepped halfway inside to watch as Craig nodded, turned around and waved over his shoulder as he passed through the doors to the stairwell.
Kyle bit his lip and closed the door behind him. He made it three steps before Kenny materialized in front of him with one of the giddiest grins on his face. Kyle felt the little buzz of good feelings slowly dissipate as Kenny inched forward.
"How much did you see?"
"Enough to know you like him," Kenny teased. "A lot."
Kyle took a deep breath and threw up his hands. "You caught me. Or, rather, Craig did? So how long of a conversation do we have to have before you stop gushing?" Kyle turned Kenny around and pushed him towards the couch.
"I'll need a play-by-play and letter addressed to Cartman once things progress to third base so I can collect my fifty dollars." Kenny blinked and turned around. "What base are you on, by the way?"
Kyle laughed. "I'm not telling you."
Kenny shrugged and plopped down on the couch. "Okay, so how did it go?"
Kyle sat down next to him and stretched out his legs before pulling off his boots. "We went for snow cones in the park. We talked about his films from high school a little. Then we talked about our status."
Kenny winced, "So soon?"
Kyle shrugged. "It occurred to me that we would be going at a pace predetermined by Craig. Maybe I want things to move slower, or maybe I want them to go faster. So I made it clear that I would do the orchestrations for our next date."
Kenny's jaw popped open in surprise. "An assertive Kyle Broflovski. You are really into him."
Kyle shrugged again.
"Then what? It doesn't take three hours to eat a snow cone," Kenny wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Kyle rolled his eyes. "We got some take-out and went back to his place for a movie. Then he walked me home." Kyle played with the hem on the collar of Craig's pullover. He was pleased that it smelled just like him.
Kenny nodded in approval and observed Kyle's actions. "You are smitten. That's good." Kenny rested his finger against his lips as Kyle laughed in embarrassment. "Now comes the hard part."
Kyle tilted his head in confusion.
"We need to break it gently to Stan."
They both sighed and slumped into the couch. They didn't have the chance to begin brainstorming as Stan opened the door to their apartment and nodded when he spotted them on the couch. Kenny sat up and waved.
"You're home early."
"Slow day," Stan shrugged and kicked off his shoes before padding into the living room. He slowed as he spotted Kyle in a vaguely familiar blue pullover. "What did you guys do today?"
"Well," Kenny grinned, "I called up that girl from last night and made a date with her for tomorrow evening. Then I poked at my notes a little before giving up and playing a little Fable."
Stan nodded and looked at Kyle. "You hole yourself up and study all day?" He looked dubious.
Kyle sighed. "I went out on a date."
"A date?" Stan's eyebrows rose. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Kyle shrugged. "You were too busy with that girl last night for me to tell you about it."
Kenny bit his lip to stifle his laughter. Stan shot a look at him then licked his lips as his eyes turned back to Kyle. "What?"
"Last night while you two were sucking face I met up with Craig," Kyle waited a beat. "He asked me out on a date and I said yes."
Stan worked his jaw a little. "And?"
"We went to the park," Kyle was starting to feel sheepish. "Then we ate some Chinese and watched Seven Samurai."
Stan absorbed this information quietly. "And?"
"And, we'll be doing it again," Kyle finished lamely, waiting for Stan to fly off the handle.
Stan sat down in a chair and looked at his feet. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes," Kyle said timidly. It could still happen…
"He didn't do anything to you that you didn't want?"
"No, of course not."
"He didn't make smart ass comments or say anything that upset you?"
Kyle smiled reassuringly. "He was a perfect gentleman."
"And he's already asked you out for a second date?"
"Actually, no. We decided… well, I decided that I would do that at some point."
Stan nodded. "That's impressive. You've never taken the initiative before…"
Kyle nodded and sighed before peering at Stan's face. "You okay with it?"
Stan's fist clenched on his knee and then relaxed. "If you're happy then I'm okay with it."
Kyle smiled and Kenny patted him on the back with a huge grin on his face. "You got Stan's blessing."
"But," Stan lifted a finger and narrowed his eyes, "if he does anything to hurt you I will kick his ass."
Kyle laughed and nodded again. "Sure, but wait until you get the whole story, okay?"
Stan shook his head. "You get upset and he's toast. No negotiations." He stared at Kyle for a moment. "You sure? This is Craig…"
"Yeah," Kyle cut him off gently. Then he smiled softly and toyed with the collar of the pullover again, relishing in Craig's scent. "I'm sure."
Stan sighed and put his head in his hand propped up on one knee. He groaned loudly. "Craig's going to be around more often, huh?"
"Brother complex, Stan," Kenny teased with a raised eyebrow. "Do we need to make a weekend trip to South Park so you can pick up a shot gun? You know," Kenny imitated Jimbo's voice," in case he does somethin' un'tward to Kyle."
Kyle and Stan laughed. Kyle looked at his friend and felt more content than he had in a while. "Hey Stan," he nodded when he had his attention. "Thanks."
Stan shrugged his shoulders. "If it's something that you want and makes you happy I have no right to interfere. But like I said if he gets out of line…"
"He's coming right for us!" Kenny exclaimed and made a shooting noise with his hands formed as pistols.
Kyle laughed and shook his head. Stan nodded sagely. "Exactly. Exactly."
Kyle's good mood followed him for the next two days. He made an extra effort to stay ahead on his reading for when he decided to impose himself on Craig again. As anxious as he was to go on another date with Craig, a part of him wanted to tease him by holding off for a while. He spent Sunday evening badgering Stan to finish The Princess Bride and Monday getting Kenny to flip through it so he could use it as a conversation starter before their class on Tuesday. It wasn't just curiosity in seeing Craig squirm; Kyle had a real problem that kept throwing a wrench in his plans for their next date. Craig had a job and Kyle received a set allowance from his parents each month. No immediate ideas were coming to mind. Craig hadn't been traditional and he didn't want to be either. Plus, whatever they did had to be relatively close. It would ruin everything if he had to ask Craig to drive them some place.
He was on pins and needles as his Tuesday morning class ended and he had only thirty minutes before the film class. He double checked that he had the book in his bag when inspiration struck. He rushed out of the chemistry building and decided to cut through the library on his way to the Liberal Arts building. If he remembered correctly, there was a whole wall of bulletins for student run and sponsored activities. Maybe he would strike it lucky.
The first few boards had possibilities but he seriously doubted that Craig would be interested in Poetry nights or one act plays put on by the theatre department. He checked his watch, noting he had fifteen minutes left and searched the flyers again. Then he spotted one that had potential. It was completely nerdy, and Craig was sure to rip on him about it, but maybe it would be okay. He flipped open his notebook and jotted down the information before heading to the back exit and sprinting into the film class' building. He hurried through the main hallway towards the lecture hall and was pleased to find that the others were lined up in the same row.
Stan was seated the farthest on the row with Clyde next to him laughing at some joke Kenny was telling on his other side. There was a black duffle bag on the seat between Kenny and Craig. Craig looked up first at the sound of Kyle's approaching footsteps and smirked. He carefully lifted the duffle from the seat and placed it on the ground beside his feet. Kyle quickly set his own bag down and took the seat.
"I have the book for you," he rooted out The Princess Bride and slid it over to Craig. He nodded and idly flipped through it while Kyle opened his notebook and settled in for the class. "Think you and Clyde will get through it this week?"
Craig nodded and tucked the book inside his duffle. Kyle frowned as Craig turned his body to put his arm on the back of Kyle's chair.
"Okay, two questions. One, no camera?"
"I finished the settings this weekend," Craig said.
Kyle nodded then gestured to the empty space in front of Craig. "Second, where are your notes?"
"We won't be taking any today," Craig smirked. "Let's head over to the dining hall for lunch."
Kyle laughed. "We can't. We have class."
Craig shook his head and propped his other arm on the table top in front of him to put his head in his hand. "It's canceled."
"What do you mean canceled," Kenny peered around Kyle looking hopeful.
Craig jerked his head towards the front of the room where a very self-important looking teaching assistant walked in and announced that class was indeed canceled. The students murmured and began packing up their things. Kyle sulked a little and pulled his bag up on the table in front of him to put his own things away. The rest of their group followed suit. Stan, Kenny and Clyde were talking excitedly about having an extra long break as they led the way out of the hall.
Craig slung his duffle over one shoulder and used his free hand to rub reassuring circles on Kyle's back. "Don't look so put out," he murmured in his ear.
Kyle sighed. "Just as well, I've already seen Lawrence of Arabia."
Craig laughed softly and dropped his hand as the other three spun around once the group had exited the building.
"So now we have an extra hour and a half to kill," Stan smiled. "Food?"
"Yes please," Kyle nodded. He had only a bit of toast for breakfast. Once again Stan, Kenny and Clyde led the way while Craig and Kyle followed behind them. Kyle looked over at Craig. "So, how did you know class was going to be canceled?"
Craig smirked. "I have the same guy for my Film Critiques class in the morning. No show."
"Why even bother showing up, then?"
Craig shrugged. "Well, I wanted to invite this redhead I know to lunch…"
Kyle laughed. "That's right, what should we eat?"
Clyde took the lead of their group and spun around to walk backwards. "Tacos."
Craig walked with Kyle towards his next class, entwining their fingers together as soon as they left the rest of the group. Kyle hummed thoughtfully to himself while Craig's smirk grew more and more amused. Kyle arched an eyebrow.
"What's so funny?"
Craig laughed and paused in the middle of the sidewalk. "You told me to sweat and I am."
Kyle laughed this time and pulled Craig forward so they were walking again. "When are you free this week?"
Craig took a deep breath. "I don't have work Thursday night."
Kyle nodded and adopted a playful manner. "Maybe you can catch up on the book then. Or better yet get ahead on studying for one of your classes."
Craig laughed and bit his lower lip before grabbing Kyle by the waist and pulling him closer. "I'd rather study something else."
Kyle took a deep breath in an exaggerated fashion. "Well, if that's the case maybe we can do something?"
Craig's eyelids drooped slightly as he smirked in amusement. "Are you asking me on a date?"
They paused at the fork in the path that took them in separate directions.
"Yes, Craig Tucker, I'd like to request the pleasure of your company this Thursday night. Let us say around six thirty?"
Craig laughed softly. "Am I being picked up this time, too?"
Kyle nodded in all seriousness. "Naturally, seeing as I am the one doing the asking."
"This is going to be a first," Craig smirked. "You already made your plans?"
Kyle grinned. "More or less. There are some minor details to iron out."
"I expect…," Craig paused as he thought for a moment. "I don't know what to expect."
"Something geeky and public but at least it'll be a little dark?" Kyle offered as he began backing up towards his next class.
Craig observed Kyle with a grin. "I'm curious now."
"Oh, and one more thing," Kyle approached him again and punched Craig lightly in the shoulder. "Wear that same hoodie until then."
Craig raised his eyebrow in question.
Kyle gestured feebly to his own jacket. "I'll conveniently forget mine."
"Sure you aren't doing it just to get a refill?" Craig made a rolling gesture with his hands, wafting the air in front of him to his nose. "It'll cost you."
Kyle sulked as he deflated a little. "I'm way obvious. Indulge me?"
"Just a little," he grinned and headed off in the direction of his dorm.