Chapter Five: Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting

"Wendy, would you listen to me?" Craig asked, watching Wendy run around his room, throwing his clothes into a suitcase. He had to leave for the airport in a few minutes, but he still hadn't packed. Realizing the rush he was in, he asked his stepsister for help. Wendy had begrudgingly obliged, muttering something about how boys could never do things on their own.

She closed the suitcase and zipped it shut. "What?"

"It's about Stan." Wendy rolled her eyes. Craig just flipped her off. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, alright? Stan can get a little desperate and you know he'll just use you until the pain goes away."

"Uh huh," Wendy sighed, dragging Craig's suitcase out of his room and down the stairs.

"Stan can be a dick," Craig continued, "and no offence, but you don't exactly make the wisest relationship choices."

Wendy couldn't argue with that. She had dated Stan on-and-off for years, always being the one left heartbroken. Still, despite this fact, she always went crawling back to him. She'd welcome him back into her life with a slew of "I miss you's" and a hug, knowing it would end the same way. Craig had been telling her for years not to believe it if Stan ever said 'I love you'.

"Just promise me you won't do anything stupid when I'm gone, alright?" Craig said, leaning against the doorpost. "Something stupid like, uh, hook up with some asshole who doesn't care about you?" Wendy flushed at his frank comment.

"Sure, Craig." She said quietly, setting his suitcase down at his side. "I'll keep your advice in mind."

"'kay," Craig flipped her off before heading out of the house, suitcase in tow, "See you in a few weeks, Wendy."

"Bye, Craig." Wendy sighed as Craig shut the door behind him. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, noticing three new text messages, all from Stan. Her fingers hovered over the keypad to reply, but then thought back to Craig's advice. Craig only spoke up when he had genuine concern to do so, when he could tell that something was slightly awry. She shrugged and shoved the phone back in her pocket, not even bothering to respond.

Craig dragged his suitcase across the sidewalk to the house next-door. There was one more person he had to say goodbye to. When Craig and his mom had moved in with Wendy and her dad, he was surprised that the Tucker-Testaburger household was right next to the Tweak household. He smiled as his jittery best friend answer the door.

"Ahk, hi Craig," Tweek said, letting out a violent twitch. "Y-you leaving now?"

"Yeah, I should get going. Don't want to miss the flight."

"Oh man, flying is way too much pressure." Tweek shuddered in the cold. "I, uh, hope you have a good trip."

"Me too." Craig stepped forward and wrapped his best friend in a hug. "I'll miss ya, Tweekers. Don't drink too much coffee while I'm gone."

"Yeah, ngh, right." Tweek giggled into Craig's shoulder.

"Keep me updated, ok Tweek? If shit goes down I'm on the first plane home." Craig placed both hands on Tweek's shoulders, looking keenly into his brown eyes.

Tweek nodded in response. "Anything else?"

Craig furrowed his brow."Actually, can you keep an eye on Wendy for me?"

"Ack, ok." Tweek gave him a lopsided grin. "Someone has to be her over-protective step-brother while you're gone, right?"Craig smirked, playfully punching Tweek's arm.

"Thanks, dude. Means a lot." Craig waved, pulling the suitcase away from Tweek's door. "See ya, Tweek."

"Bye, Craig. See you soon."

Author's note

If you're thinking DaywalkerPistachio, this chapter has nothing to do with the last one! Don't get your knickers in a knot. "Though this be madness, yet there is method in it." (Shakespeare)

This chapter was surprisingly difficult to write. I think I'm in a funk. Anyway, a few little things. Everything Craig says to Wendy is based off of actual advice I've given my friends, so I guess I'm kinda Craig in this... huh. Also, I know that Craig and Wendy aren't step-siblings, but it's honestly important to the plot. I'm not just taking creative liberties. And about the Craig and Tweek bit, it's not supposed to come across Creek-ish, but if you want to read it that way, be my guest.

Special thank you to astrya02 for hacking this chapter to bits. You really saved my ass on this one, Taz.

Review if you wish, and thank you for reading.

~A.P