Summary So Far

Craig and Tweek's relationship is progressing ever since Craig admitted his evolving feelings. Unexpectedly, Kyle also confesses to Tweek and tries to persuade him to end his relationship by bringing up certain truths about Craig. Tweek is hurt and confused when Craig suddenly bursts onto the scene...

Chapter 5: In Sickness and In Health I

"Craig!" Tweek cried. He blinked back a few of the tears so that he could see his partner more clearly. Craig looked back at his boyfriend in shock, as he took in the scene. His normally stoic face suddenly contoured in an expression of unbridled rage, as he started walking mechanically towards them.

The unexpected appearance of Craig made Kyle instantly let go of Tweek's arm, and take two steps backwards. He raised his hands in apparent surrender. "Craig, wait. Listen, I-I am trying to help the both of you…" That excuse sounded feeble even to Kyle's own ears. He just didn't expect Craig would have this reaction, weren't they just faking a relationship?

Before Craig could walk pass, Tweek grabbed his arm. For once, it wasn't just one of them who was shaking badly. "Tweek, he hurt you. I will end him." Craig's voice was completely flat, as if he was talking about the weather in a matter of fact manner. This made Kyle take another instinctive backstep away from the threat.

The blond shook his head. "I just want to get out of here," he said gently. Craig watched as his boyfriend begged him with his large blue-green eyes; most of the bloodlust left his system. Sighing, he nodded in agreement. The boy in blue let Tweek grab his hand and lead him back the way him just arrived from.

"Aw! God damn it. I was expecting more action than this!" Cartman suddenly piped in with exasperation. Craig didn't bother looking back, instead he raised his free hand to flip everyone behind him off as they walked together through the exit.

Tweek noticed how one of the doors no longer closed properly because of the magnitude of the force applied to opening it just moments before. He felt better knowing that Craig would do that just to save him. However, Kyle's words were still fresh in his mind, he wasn't sure what to believe. Craig was staring at him with his brows furrowed in worry. "Honey, what just happened? Are you ok?"

"Y-yes, I'm ok." Tweek recounted everything that occurred today. Craig's grip tightened as he told him about Kyle's confession. "How did you get here so fast from your house, anyway?"

"I was actually waiting for you just outside the school." Craig admitted as he turned his head away in embarrassment. "I trust you, but not Kyle, especially how he was looking at you during lunch time."

"Oh." Tweek now felt stupid about doubting the raven-haired boy's feelings for him in the first place. It wasn't with cheap love confessions like with Kyle, but with action in which Craig showed his feelings. However, he had to remove the echoes of doubt still reverberating in his mind, otherwise the paranoia would be too much. "We have been dating for a while now. How-how much of that was real to you?"

"All of it," replied Craig immediately.

"But it isn't easy to date me, is it?" Tweek asked quietly. "I'm-I'm not a simple or boring person."

"No, you aren't." Craig agreed. He let go of his boyfriend's hand to instead wrap his arm around the other's waist. "But you know… my life would be infinitely more difficult without you."

"Craig..." Tweek felt his face warm up at that ridiculously sappy line. He lifted his hand to try to hide the happy smile now gracing his face.

Kyle sat across a café table from another boy, who was wearing a blue hat with a red puffball on top. This boy looked none too impressed, as his red gloves pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Really Kyle? Really?"

"I couldn't help myself, Stan." Kyle replied. "You don't know what it's like. Whenever I'm next to him, it's like all my rationality gets thrown out the window."

"Look, I'm happy that you figured out you're gay." Stan said honestly. "But I thought you were the smart one. Tweek and Craig… They are the only couple left in the school, obviously they would be for real."

"I genuinely thought…" Kyle paused as he remembered the enraged expression on Craig's normally blank face. "Well, maybe I was in denial about the whole thing."

"Thank you!" Stan said in relief at that admission. He finally let go of the bridge of his nose to cradle the hot coffee that was in front of him. "But why did you have to bring me here out of all places, to tell me all of this?"

"I thought that if you were here with me, Tweek would be more comfortable when I explained myself to him." The redhead looked around again in hope. "Unfortunately, I don't think he's here. I've also never seen that guy work here before." Stan followed his friend's gaze to a raven-haired boy standing behind the register, his blue clothes partially concealed by a white apron. The boy stared back at them with a neutral expression, before raising his hand to quickly flip them off.

"Oh Jesus, Craig! Don't flip him off, he's going to get me!" Tweek tried to whisper as quietly as possible, so only his partner could hear. Craig glanced down to his boyfriend hiding behind the counter next to him.

"I'm here. I won't let him." Craig replied firmly. The blond boy carefully peeked over the top of the counter, but from his viewpoint he could only see Stan, who just took a cautious sip of coffee.

"… I think he hates you, Kyle. Being here will just make them think you are a creep." Stan frowned and looked suspiciously at the warm cup he was holding.

"I've been coming to Tweek Bros Coffeehouse most mornings for a while now. I won't just stop now. Also, it was Tweek's dad who made our coffee, don't be so paranoid." Kyle took a large swing from his coffee cup just for show.

"Luckily for me because apparently you like overly paranoid people now!" The redhead rolled his eyes in response. "Dude, as you're friend… I think you should give up. Remember what happened to Heidi when you tried to break her up with Cartman?"

Kyle spluttered, nearly spitting out his coffee. "That happened only that one time! Besides, it's not like Tweek will turn into another Craig!"

"Look, I'm your super best friend. So even if I think you're wrong, I'll help you." Stan sighed, pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I doubt it'll work, but I'll go over to Cartman's house today and try to get him to shut up about you. After this weekend is over, on Monday I'll talk to Tweek and get him to sit with us during lunch time."

"Thanks dude." Kyle felt gratitude, he knew Stan would always have his back. "You wouldn't say it was so wrong if you just knew how adorable Tweek is."

"Yeah." Stan replied in a very dull manner. "Remember that one time he tried to save us with a bazooka? Totally cute. How could I have been so clueless until now?" The sarcasm was dripping from voice. He snorted, before adding, "… as if that would ever happen."

Author's Notes:

I didn't realise how hard it was to write Stan as a character, because his personality isn't very clearly defined like the others. Thanks so much for the nice comments. I will try to make longer chapters, but I'm trying to aim for quality over quantity.

Chapter updates at the beginning of every weekend!

- A. Valentine