Chapter 8

"Someone told me I should take caution when it comes to love, I did. And you were strong and I was not, my illusion my mistake,"

Craig had a very vague memory of getting Tweek off the podium, through the crowd of prisoners, and leaving the camp through a back gate to carry the blond over his shoulder to the Villa; he had hoped he had accomplished this feat with unseen eyes, but that didn't matter to him now. What mattered was the beaten and battered coffee addict that now lay upon his stomach on his own bed, being seen to by a Doctor. Dr. Wyatt was restricted to the Villa and its inhabitants only, and if one of its residents ordered him to work on a case personally, he was under strict orders to keep it quiet and under the table. What happened in the Villa, would remain in the confines of the Villa. So when Craig brought Tweek in and ordered Dr. Wyatt to treat his wounds, he was not allowed to deny him; even if Tweek was a prisoner.

Craig watched the Doctor work from the doorway, he felt like he would just be in the way if he was actually in the room. Dr. Wyatt had to first clean all the blood off his back before he could even go about dressing his cuts. There was a bucket of warm water next to the bed that he kept dumping a rag in, ringing it out, and carefully wiping Tweek's back of the blood; the water soon became more blood than water and the Doctor had to keep getting new water. After he was clean of the blood, Dr. Wyatt reached into his open bag beside the bed and took out a vial and syringe. Craig flinched. "What is that?"

"Relax, Lieutenant," Dr. Wyatt said with a smile as he attached the needle to the syringe, turned the vial of liquid upside down and loaded the syringe. "I'm giving him a small sedative, I need to sew a few of these lacerations because they are so deep. I assume you want him in as little pain as possible, yes?" Craig relaxed his shoulders and let out a breath.

"Just fix him up please," and with a nod, Dr. Wyatt returned his attention to Tweek, shooting the sedative into his arm. Tweek may have already been unconscious, but he could in fact wake up at any moment and be in excruciating pain, so yes, Craig was highly thankful for the sedative, and even more thankful once the Doctor knew the sedative has kicked in and began dress his wounds with alcohol. Craig didn't even want to think how painful that could have been if he was awake. After his wounds were cleaned and disinfected, Dr. Wyatt went on with sewing up the deepest of his lacerations from the whip.

While Dr. Wyatt was sewing up a third gash, Craig heard heavy boot steps coming down the hall. Clyde usually shuffled when he walked, so he knew these boots belonged to the Commandant; even around the Villa he walked with authority and intimidation. But Craig wasn't about to be intimidated at all, he didn't care what Cartman had to say, he wasn't about to let him take Tweek away. Craig straightened himself in the doorway of his room, showing that he would deny Cartman entry even if he ordered him to move aside. Within moments the Commandant was upon him, standing inches away and inches taller than Craig with fists at his sides. In the past Craig was ashamed to admit that he had feared Cartman, but not in this moment. Right now Craig gave off a certain aura of bravery, and a look of defiance, a look that read "Try me, I dare you," a look that made Cartman smirk in amusement, probably because he saw it so much from that Jew he seemed fascinated with. Cartman looked over Craig's shoulder to the wounded boy on the bed, and then back to Craig. Craig opened his mouth to speak, but Cartman instead just silently turned and continued his walk down the hall. As much as Craig wanted to question why Cartman didn't punish him for bringing Tweek back to the Villa and having their private doctor see to his wounds, he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

After a while Craig entered the room just as Dr. Wyatt was putting away his tools. "He'll be fine, Lieutenant Tucker. His wounds are cleaned, stitched up and I applied an antibacterial cream before I applied the gauze," Tweek's back was covered in gauze just as the Doctor said. "I will leave the cream, extra gauze and tape here since they will have to be changed regularly to avoid infection. Do I need to come back and dress them, or-"

"No, I can do it. I'll take care of him now, thank you Dr. Wyatt, and thank you for keeping this secret." The doctor stood with his bag in hand, placed his hand on Craig's shoulder and squeezed.

"I am a Doctor, Lieutenant. We took a vow to save lives, we don't pick sides. Take care of him Lieutenant and call me if something comes up," Craig nodded and smiled in gratitude and the Doctor left closing the door behind him.

Craig took the seat by the bed that the Doctor previously occupied, he thought if he sat on the bed it would cause harm to Tweek. Minutes past and Craig didn't say a single word, just watched Tweek in his sedated state, his eyes traveling every now and then to the gauze on his back and cursing himself for letting him get so wounded. "You know, my mom used to tell me that no one should live with regrets, that everything happens for a reason and we should just accept things as they are. But I have so many regrets Tweek," Tweek's pale hand was up by his face and Craig took it in his own. "I regret ever letting Cartman get you up on that platform, I regret not stepping in, I regret being afraid of that stupid fatass. I regret calling you a freak and I am so sorry for that Tweek. Because of this place I turned into one of those bullies from school, and yes, I regret signing up for the army. I'll be honest Tweek I had no idea about all of this, the camps, rounding up people; had I known I would have never signed up in the first place," but once Craig entered the regime it was much too late, he had to follow orders blindly. "But do you know what I regret the most Tweek?" instead of just holding Tweek's hand he readjusted it so their hands were laced and he squeezed them.

"I regret not telling you how I really felt, that day when you told me. You were so brave when you confided in me your feelings, but I was a coward, Tweek. I left the very next day and joined the regime. I told myself that I did it for you, I felt that if I wasn't around then the other kids wouldn't bully you for liking another boy. I hoped if I left the rumors would stop and you would be safe. But it doesn't matter how I try to justify what I did, the point remains that I was a coward Tweek. I should have stayed, I should have continued to defend you against everyone, I should have protected you. If I hadn't joined this damn army you may have never even gotten captured!" He bit his trembling lip from irritation at the thought. "If I had just been brave like you none of this would have happened, Tweek. That night you looked into my eyes and you told me that you loved me, I was shocked but a part of me already knew because I felt the same way Tweek. I grew to love you as you loved me. I shouldn't have runaway Tweek, I should have told you right then and there that I was in love with you and wanted to be more than friends. I'm sorry Tweek, I'm so sorry," and Craig did something that never came easy to him, he cried. Craig wasn't the crying type at all, he had always been very good at containing his emotions and keeping it together. But when it came to Tweek, well all bets were off to say the least. Craig lowered his head to their entwined hands and silently cried, his regrets pouring from him in salty tears.

"Do you know what the hardest part was?" Craig jerked his head up to see Tweek's eyes opened and he tried to sit up.

"Tweek you shouldn't be moving," Craig told him in worry and the blond gave up.

"Can't if I tried, which I just did. Gah! Whatever," Craig fought back a laugh. That's the spunky Tweek I remember.

"The doctor gave you a sedative, you may not really be able to move your body for a bit. Though I guess you just heard everything huh?" Craig said with a blush, a blush that Tweek returned.

"Yeah, I could hear everything going on I just couldn't feel anything,"

"Tweek I-"

"Please Craig. It's my turn to talk," and so Craig remained silent, allowing Tweek to speak as much as he wanted; hell, he had every right to yell at Craig. "Do you know what the hardest part was? The hardest part was not knowing. Do you know what went through my head that morning I woke up and didn't see you? Not even at school," Craig bit his lip looking ashamed. He should have known, he knew Tweek's anxiety better than anyone and this time Craig was the cause of it. Damn his self loathing went even deeper now. "I thought I scared you away, I didn't think you wanted to be friends with me anymore. I had no idea where you went and I didn't know why you left, but my head told me over and over it was my fault because I admitted how I felt towards you. I finally spoke up for myself and lost my best friend because of it." That was a heavy blow to Craig's heart. He should've known, god damnit he should have known. It probably took so much for Tweek to tell him he loved him and for Craig to not say anything back and then disappear, he probably became even more introverted after that. "I didn't speak much after you left," so his guess was right. "Of course I still had my ticks and nervous breakdowns, but I didn't make friends again after that. Not until.." Tweek smiled and shook his head.

"My point is, Craig, I was alone again and it hurt. It really hurt after you left. I really believed we could get through all the talk, all the bullying, all the negativity if we just had each other. Even if you didn't like me back I still wanted to be your friend. I needed you Craig," Craig looked down at their hands and noticed Tweek's own hand was trying to tighten itself around Craig's. He was slowly getting feeling back in his body it seemed. "I still need you Craig, I didn't mean it when I said that I hate you. I was just angry, hell I was pissed off. That after all that time without you the first time I see you again you're a goddamn Nazi taking orders from Cartman! Cartman! I mean what the hell Craig?!" and Craig thought he couldn't possibly feel worse but he was so very wrong. Craig rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand and sighed.

"Yeah I didn't know what I was getting into and that's the truth Tweek, and I especially didn't expect to be taking orders from Cartman. Look Tweek, if I could go back and fix what happened I would, I would in a heartbeat without hesitation," Tweek smiled at the determined look on his face.

"It is what it is Craig, there is no changing it. Did you mean what you said? That you feel the same way about me? And if it's true you're not just saying that because you feel guilty about what happened to me today?"

"Of course I feel guilty, Tweek, but that had no influence on my feelings for you. I loved you since the day you told me, I mean hell I loved you before you even told me. I'm sorry I was such a coward and couldn't-" before he knew what was happening Tweek had grabbed him by the shirt, yanked him forward and kissed him. Craig was in shock and for a few seconds frozen, but finally his body and mind caught up to each other and realized Tweek was kissing him! Craig inhaled, cupped his hands against Tweek's cheeks and kissed him back. This was so much more than just a simple kiss for Craig, it was an apology for all that he had done to Tweek, for everything he put him through, but it was also proof, proof that all along he loved Tweek; unconditionally.

They only broke apart when they needed air and Craig heard Tweek wince in pain. "Tweek I'm-" but Tweek put two fingers over Craig's lips to shush him.

"I've waited a few years to kiss you, don't ruin it with some stupid apology," Craig didn't even hold back the laugh that rumbled in his chest.

"Hey I'm not the one who fought my sedation and kissed you," he said sarcastically. Tweek smirked and laid back down fully and closed his eyes.

"Worth it, totally worth it," this was definitely the Tweek he remembered, his Tweek. Tweek had always been different around Craig, well he shouldn't say different, Tweek was himself when he was around Craig; he didn't even have his stutter. Craig always felt special that Tweek seemed to come out of his shell around him and no one else. Well…

"Hey Tweek, anything going on between you and that Jew?" he felt stupid as soon as the words escaped him. Tweek's eyes popped opened and he squinted them at Craig.

"Craig Tucker, are you jealous?" that brought a bright blush to the Lieutenant's cheeks and he looked away quickly with a look that said "I could care less" but Tweek could definitely read between the lines. "Relax, Craig, we're just friends, Kyle is actually the first friend I made since you. He wanted to be my friend. That never happens," Craig looked back at him with his eyebrow raised.

"Hey! If you recall I was the one who wanted to be your friend first, you kept trying to push me away but I was persistent," he said trying to sound proud of himself. Tweek giggled.

"Oh yeah I definitely recall. If by persistent you mean being an annoying asshole then yes, very persistent," they both shared a laugh. All of this was just coming so natural to them, as if they never spent time away from each other, and as if there wasn't a war going on outside the room. But reality was cruel and needed to be faced. "Craig, you do realize that nothing can change don't you?" Craig's heart dropped to his stomach.

"What do you mean?"

"There's a war going on, Craig. I am a prisoner in a concentration camp, you're a Nazi soldier. This…" he gestured between the both of them. "…can't exactly happen," as much as he felt his heart breaking, he knew Tweek was right, but he wasn't about to just sit back without fighting.

"I could talk to Cartman, get you moved in here, maybe do work like Clyde does around here,"

"Clyde is here?" Tweek blinked and shook his head not wanting to get distracted. "No Craig, I can't. I don't want special treatment just because I'm in love with the Commandant's lacky," Tweek may have been smiling when he said it, but Craig still felt slightly offended.

"I am anything but Cartman's lacky, Tweek," Tweek placed his hand back in Craig's.

"My point is, I'm a prisoner and I don't want special treatment, I'm not better than anyone else here and don't want to be seen as such. Besides, I don't want you going to Cartman for anything even on my account. You know Cartman, he'll think you owe him and will probably use me against you in some way," Tweek definitely wasn't wrong there, Cartman was a manipulative asshole.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Tweek gripped his hand tighter.

"It is, but I need to ask you a favor." Craig found himself smirking.

"You kiss the First Officer of the camp and just assume you can be asking for favors?"

"Psft, I think I have the right to be making demands Mr. Tucker," Craig smiled.

"Fair enough, what is it Tweek?"

"Sheila Broflovski in the women's ward, will you check her status, please?"

"You mean see if she is alive?" Tweek nodded. "I assume she is Kyle's mother?" Again Tweek nodded. "You sure there is nothing going on between you two?" this got him a punch in the arm from Tweek, who hissed in his own pain. "Haha, karma for punching your lover boy," Tweek rolled his eyes.

"I should punch you again for that comment." Craig brought Tweek's hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Relax Tweek, I trust you. I'll check on her tomorrow and give you the information to relay to Kyle. But you know Tweek, if you want to go back to the barracks I have a condition of my own," Tweek rolled his eyes.

"Of course you do,"

"While you're healing, Tweek, stay here. For just a few more days let us be Tweek and Craig, not a prisoner and first officer," the smile that formed on Tweek's face made Craig's heart skip a beat but then started to beat double time when he saw tears form in those baby blue eyes.

"You'd better get in this bed before I pick you up and throw you down on it and possibly reopening all these damn cuts," Craig took that not just as a "yes" but a "hell yes" and Craig couldn't be more satisfied.

"You're gonna have to scoot over ya know, do you need help?"

"I got it," while Tweek wiggled his way to the other side of the bed, remaining on his stomach, Craig took off his boots and his jacket to where he was in his uniform pants and a gray tank top; he would shower and change after Tweek was asleep. Craig laid down and Tweek spooned against him, resting his head on his chest and his arm about his waist. They had done this so many times as friends, but now that they both knew there was something more, it felt even more right and perfect.

"Any pain?" Craig asked in concern while he buried his hand in Tweek's hair and received a soft moan from the boy when he did so.

"Nothing I can't handle," that comment reminded Craig of something.

"Tweek, when you were up on that post, why didn't you scream? You had to have been in horrible pain," he felt Tweek's body stiffen and he began to pet his hair in hopes he would relax again; it worked.

"I wanted to prove myself in some way, in that moment though I couldn't tell you who I was trying to prove myself to. I just wanted to show that even though I was being beaten, I couldn't be beaten you know? And if you want to hear the actual truth? As cliché as it sounds, the pain of the whip was nothing compared to the pain I felt in my heart when you left." That hurt, that really did hurt Craig, but he deserved it, he deserved it and so much more for what he did to Tweek.

"I can't say I'm sorry enough Tweek," Tweek shook his head on Craig's chest.

"Just remember to check on Sheila, and since I will be staying here for a few days, you'll have to be the one to tell him the news on his mother. You may want to tell him that I'm okay too," Craig chuckled.

"You think he'll believe anything that comes out of my mouth? I'm Cartman's "lacky" after all," Tweek snickered and rolled his eyes.

"He'll believe you if it comes from me, just say pinky promise and he'll believe you," Craig raised his brow.

"Pinky promise? Is that some kind of code?"

"Just do it you jerk face," and then they were silent, just savoring the moment between them, embracing their rekindled feelings for the other. Craig didn't know how much time had passed, but he knew Tweek was close to passing out again, from the sedative, pain, or exhaustion he didn't know; probably all three.

"Will you wait for me Tweek? Wait until this war is over?" Tweek hugged his middle tighter.

"I've waited almost five years for you, I can wait a little longer,"

/

Luckily when Craig pulled Kyle into an alcove he was already alone and away from prying eyes. Craig pushed him against the wall with his hand over his mouth so he wouldn't scream. "I'm here on behalf of Tweek, if I let you go will you please not scream?" Kyle nodded against the wall of the building behind him. Craig released him and took a few steps back but remained on guard, they both did. "First he wanted me to tell you that he is fine and is healing, he'll be back in the barracks after he has recovered," Kyle narrowed his eyes.

"Why would I believe anything you say? If you haven't noticed I'm just a Jew, and you're a Nazi lacky," Craig rolled his eyes.

"Did you and Tweek get together and make fun of me behind my back?" The confused look on Kyle's face reminded him to get back to the point. "Ok look I knew you wouldn't believe me even saying it was on Tweek's behalf, so Tweek told me to tell you some super secret code word between you two. Pinky promise I think it was," that got Kyle's attention and he stood straight, crossing his arms.

"Thank you for letting me know he will be okay, is there anything else? I might be late for roll call," Craig looked from side to side to make sure no one was watching them, soldiers especially.

"As a favor to Tweek I have some intel for you, Sheila Broflovski is alive and stable," Kyle swayed on the spot. "Hey are you ok?" Craig asked in worry he didn't know he possessed for someone other than Tweek. Craig tried to steady him but found himself in Kyle's vise grip embrace.

"Thank you, Thank you Craig," he was crying, he could hear it in his voice.

"Um yeah," Craig didn't really know what to do with his hands so he only gave Kyle's back two pats and then pulled him off; he wasn't used to physical touches, only with Tweek. "Now hurry up to roll call," and with that Craig and Kyle parted ways. Unbeknownst to them, the Commandant was on the opposite side of the building and he too took his leave.