Kenny hadn't expected a text right away but this was ridiculous. It was only common courtesy to give a day or two to sort ones head before approaching the problem with a clearer head, but this was Craig Tucker and he wasn't exactly normal. The first day with no text had been okay. Kenny had accepted it and avoided looking at his phone. He'd gone so far as to ask Kyle to lend him a book so he could distract himself in something and had finished a full damn novel. The second day had been tougher. He'd caved in and told Kyle what had happened in order to just...talk about it. Deal with it in his own way while he waited for Craig.

The third day rolled around and Kenny had taken to moping on the couch in the living room while Kyle and Stan milled about in the kitchen. Kenny hated how he was acting, but he couldn't deny the fact that he hated Stan a little bit right now. Him and his perfect relationship and how he'd never had this problem. Kyle dealt with his problems and sometimes attacked them a little too head on, resulting in a lot of headaches when he had been younger from overwhelming himself. When Stan had asked Kyle out, it had taken an hour of talking and reasoning before the red head had said yes.

Kenny knew he hadn't exactly asked Craig out, but therein lay the problem. He hadn't sprung some romantic proposition on Craig, really, so what was taking him so long?

"Ugh, what the fuck, man." Kenny whined, sinking further down on the couch miserably.

"Kenny, calm down." Kyle reprimanded, not even glancing over his shoulder to see the blonde because he knew exactly how he'd be acting. Years of being friends and especially now as room mates had given Kyle a very accurate picture of Kenny's moods.

"Seriously though. Is kissing me such a huge deal? Am I that bad?" Kenny didn't even really care if anyone answered him, but he felt the need to bitch and moan about it anyway.

"I'm sure it's not that." Kyle said and Stan rounded the counter to settle on the couch next to Kenny.

"You know Craig, Kenny. He's probably just being an ass and got preoccupied. I doubt he's sitting around thinking of ways to make you out like a bad guy." Stan reasoned and Kenny hated that his words actually made sense. That would be just like Craig. Get distracted and forget he had something to attend to.

"He might not just sit around thinking about this, but I am. How fucking rude to get distracted and leave someone hanging on you." Kenny mumbled.

"Text him, maybe?" Stan suggested.

"...I feel like that's a bad move." Kenny was making excuses to sulk and he knew it but it felt all too desperate and awkward to be the first one to text. For his own pride, he needed Craig to do the honors of first contact.

"Want a distraction?" Stan asked.

Kenny looked up at Stan and the dark haired boy smiled kindly at him in return. Kenny didn't often ask Stan for help with his problems because Stan was all too prone to avoiding making any final decisions. Having the authoritative Wendy as a girlfriend for all too many years had done a lot of damage to his ability to lead and be direct. And now, Kenny liked to point out, Stan had asked out another authoritative figure who probably wasn't helping much either.

But...maybe his distraction thing wasn't such a bad idea right now. Kenny knew eventually Kyle would get sick of his moping and do something himself to change the mood and he was getting sick of himself already, to be honest.

"Sure." Kenny answered.

Stan set about preparing a video game and handed Kenny a controller. It was a poor reminder of how much fun it had been playing team killers with Craig, but at the same time, Kenny could easily throw himself into a game and Stan was a pretty good shot with most weapons so they made a good team whenever they played.

000000

The text didn't come for another hour, but when it did, Kenny jumped in surprise and nearly dropped his controller. Days of being on edge and having no desire to use his phone had made his ringtone all the more startling.

Craig, sent at 1:43pm:

Hey.

Kenny nearly rolled his eyes at how simple the text was, but at least it was something. He was having a little trouble breathing, his chest aching with the anticipation of what Craig was going to say after two full days.

He let his character go idle and Stan continued to play with the game bots, knowing Kenny probably needed less attention on himself now that his wait was over.

Kenny, sent at 1:44pm:

Hey. How're you?

Craig, sent at 1:45pm:

Fine. You?

Kenny, sent at 1:45pm:

Little frustrated.

No point in lying. Kenny wasn't about to spell out some sob story about how it had been two fucking days of worry, but he wanted Craig to know he'd been waiting.

Craig, sent at 1:46pm:

Because of me?

Kenny, sent at 1:46pm:

Yes.

Craig, sent at 1:46pm:

Sorry.

Kenny raised his eyebrows. He hadn't expected an apology but this was nice. He couldn't help but want to say 'No problem', the romantic in him wanting to convey that he was only frustrated because he cared about the idiot, but Kenny still hadn't confessed that much to Craig himself so it was probably not going to help the situation.

It was difficult finding out how to respond. Kenny wasn't sure if he should be direct and simply ask about what had happened and how they were going to proceed now that they had kissed properly or if he should pretend that was the last thing on his mind and try and engage Craig in casual conversation about his day. Luckily, he didn't have to make the decision.

Craig, sent at 1:48pm:

So we kind of freaked out when you were over, huh?

Kenny, sent at 1:48pm:

A little. I'd say you more than me.

Craig, sent at 1:48pm:

Don't start shit, you started running your mouth and made it worse. That's not what I want to talk about though.

Kenny waited for a follow up text, not wanting to retort to that comment and make things worse. Stan had paused the game and moved into the kitchen to steal snacks from Kyle's plate, much to the red head's annoyance. Kenny had noticed, living with Kyle, that the boy snacked a lot. He wasn't a huge meal eater, but he had snack food in nearly every cupboard or compartment in the fridge.

A little tune alerted him to the new message on his phone and Kenny turned his attention back to his phone.

Craig, sent at 1:50pm:

We need to talk. Like, not on phones. I'd say forget about what I did, but neither one of us would do that. I think I want to end this deal we have. I've got an explanation why, but it's too much to text so don't ask. When are you free?

A painful lump had formed in Kenny's throat and he tried to breathe evenly. End the deal? What did that mean? Stop seeing each other? His fingers hovered over the keypad, wanting nothing more than to force the explanation out of Craig but knowing that might just piss the guy off. Instead, he reluctantly wrote out a response, hoping he wouldn't get sick from worrying about this.

Kenny, sent at 1:52pm:

Any time. I don't work for the next three days.

Craig, sent at 1:52pm:

Tomorrow okay? I work the late shift tonight.

Kenny, sent at 1:53pm:

Okay.

Craig, sent at 1:53pm:

Come here, it'll be easier for me. Around noon work?

What followed was a picture of Google maps, obviously taken from a computer screen with Craig's phone camera, but it detailed the location of a fitness center. Kenny had never stepped foot inside a fitness center in his life, unless you counted the wave pool area below a small work out center when him and his friends had gone to a leisure center for a birthday party.

Craig, sent at 1:54pm:

I guess you'll get to see my gym, huh? Lol.

Kenny remembered his comment about wanting to see Craig in his gym clothes and blushed a little, looking up to make sure Kyle and Stan were still busy in the kitchen. He wasn't sure if Craig was actually being funny or if the fitness center was actually the better place to have this conversation, but Kenny willed himself not to conjure up pictures of Craig working out for his own sanity's sake.

Kenny, sent at 1:56pm:

It works and lol, yeah. Dress sensibly, I can't talk to you if you're all sexy and shit.

It was a poor attempt at being funny, but Kenny was also hoping Craig took him seriously because it was the truth.

Craig, sent at 1:56pm:

I'll try and tone down the sexy.

Goddamn this boy. Kenny couldn't stop a grin from working its way across his lips, relishing in the small bits of humor that were peeking through what was a rather unpleasant conversation as a whole. No further text came from Craig and Kenny didn't really want to respond and risk dragging the conversation on when the real topic had already been dealt with. It just felt awkward to him to do so.

"Happy now?" Kyle called from the kitchen, catching Kenny putting his phone down and correctly assuming they were finished talking.

"Sort of. Might not be after tomorrow, but he was kinda funny so maybe it's okay." Kenny shrugged.

"Aww, if you get dumped, we'll cheer you up." Stan offered and Kenny managed a short laugh.

"You're sooooo good at that." Kenny exaggerated playfully, forcing his mood back up by reasoning that if Craig had been angry with him, he wouldn't have been joking about the gym stuff.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

00000

Author's Note:

So I'm late again. I apologize. I was out of town for Christmas and am planning a move at the moment, so things are a little out of whack for a bit. This is a short chapter so I'm going to include a little bonus here for you guys. More chapters coming up, I swear!

00000

It had been in the works for a while. Lots of planning and subtly gathering information, lots of lying about location and sneaking off when he thought she wasn't looking but finally everything was in place.

Wendy had gone out to celebrate a friend's promotion with some cake and had given Eric all the time he'd needed to set up the preparations. He'd never fancied himself an overly romantic fellow, but some women did strange things to the men around them. It had been a tough decision, whether to go overboard or casual, but women liked a big show, right?

Eric had set up the house with paper arrows, directing anyone who walked in the front door back into the guest bedroom where Eric had set up a small meal. He couldn't cook if his life depended on it, so he'd ordered in pizza. Not the most romantic, but he thought he'd more than made up for it so she could deal with the pizza. It had been an absolute bitch trying to get Wendy to talk about what kind of jewelry she liked without tipping her off, but Wendy had always been a classy girl. Through his super sneaky interrogations and a long conversation that nearly turned into an argument with the clerk at the jewelry store, Eric had found the perfect token to represent this moment.

He'd never seen himself at this point before a few months ago. To be honest, it had nothing to do with the baby on the way and he felt justified in saying that because it meant that he actually cared. Which, in his mind, he needed to prove a lot. Not to say he was a bad boyfriend but when he said he was in love, no one believed him. So take that, non believers, he was committed.

It took about twenty minutes of rolling the small box around in his hands before Eric heard the door unlock and rushed into position. He knelt down by the box he'd set up as a table for the food and held the velvety jewelry box behind his back. He desperately wanted to clear his throat, but Wendy was mumbling to herself in the foyer and he didn't want to give himself away just yet.

"Eric?" Wendy called, but he didn't answer. "What the-?"

It seemed she had seen the arrows because the sound of paper and tape peeling from the wall told Eric everything he needed to know.

"Eric, why are you taping things to the walls?" Wendy asked and again, Eric didn't answer.

Peeling each piece of paper off the wall as she went, Wendy made her way into the guest room and jumped, startled by Eric's appearance on the floor. She pressed a hand to her chest and laughed softly.

"You scared me. What are you doing on the floor? Is that pizza?"

Eric grinned and nodded, slowly fiddling with the box behind his back to gather her attention with his slight shifting.

"What are you do-...Eric?" Wendy's eyes widened and Eric knew she'd probably figured it out. He pulled the box in front of him and lifted it open to show off a slim golden band with a glittery gem sealed into the top of it.

"Oh my god." Wendy backed up a step, an involuntary grin crossing her lips.

"I'm pretty shit at romance." Eric began, knowing that sweet and sensitive wasn't going to represent them at any moment in time, not even now. "But I think I'm pretty good when it comes to you, Wendy. Will you continue to make me a better person and marry me already?"

Wendy laughed nervously, feeling a sting at the back of her eyes where tears were threatening to well up. Pregnancy hormones were not helping her fragile state of emotion and Eric was on his fucking knee and oh god.

"You're so shit at proposals but yes." Wendy choked out, trying to will herself not to cry as Eric beamed happily and stood up to cross the room towards her.

Wendy's hand shook when Eric took it and there was a slight struggle to get the ring on her finger because of it, but eventually it fit comfortably around the digit and Eric was pulling his now fiancé into a hug.

"Fucking hell, you actually set this up on your own?" Wendy asked, clutching tightly onto Eric's shirt.

"I have my moments." Eric teased and Wendy giggled.

"You sure do. I love you." Wendy pulled back to give Eric a kiss.

"I love you too."

00000

"What the fuck?!" Kyle looked at his phone incredulously and burst out laughing.

"What, what happened?" Kenny looked up from the TV and Stan peeked his head around where he was washing his hands in the bathroom.

"Cartman...Cartman fucking proposed." Kyle was still laughing but he managed to get out those words that pretty much stunned the room.

"What?" Stan asked, raising an eyebrow. "He did?"

"What did Wendy say?" Kenny inquired, trying to peer over Kyle's shoulder to see the text message Cartman had sent.

"She said yes." Kyle said and Kenny gave a low whistle.

"Good for him." Kenny couldn't help but laugh as well, just stunned by how well the fat ass was doing above everyone else. Engaged with a kid on the way. Wow. "How do you feel, Stan?" Kenny let curiosity get the better of him, knowing Wendy had been Stan's ex.

"Fine, why?" Stan shrugged, exiting the bathroom and flicking the light off. He pointedly made his way over to where Kyle sat and looped an arm around the red head, pressing a kiss to Kyle's cheek.

"You got something better than her anyways." Kenny said, winking at Kyle who merely rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, Kenny, you're such a pal." Kyle teased with a grin.

"I love you, buddy!" Kenny called childishly and Kyle just shook his head and laughed.