12.

Not much had really changed between them. Tweek thought that was weird. Or maybe, he didn't. Craig was just as outgoing and touchy behind closed doors, and just as reserved in the presence of others. It was still comfortably familiar. Tweek wasn't sure if something should have changed between them, but at the same time, the fact that nothing had made him relax about the whole thing.

Sex.

Wow, okay. That was a big step. Huge, at least in Tweek's mind. Thinking about it too much made him shiver, but with what exactly, he couldn't pin down. Giddiness? Excitement? Something like that, wedged in between feelings of uncertainty and not knowing, and somehow, dirty.

It wasn't like Tweek had been spoonfed anti-sex propaganda since he was a child. In fact, his parents had been fairly open about the topic, and surprisingly, so had their educational system. The feelings weren't stemming from shame. It wasn't quite as profound or deep as that, but rather, it was knowing that he was doing something completely private. Something for only him and Craig. It was like keeping another secret.

Tweek had a hard time reconciling the mundanity of a typical school week with this secret. At least everyone was gearing up for winter break, so there was a suspended headiness and pressing urgency in the air, in between the dragged feet to the classrooms whose teachers wanted to load up their students with one last round of homework-quiz-exam. He and Craig hadn't had much time yet to talk about their weekend together amidst the flurry. But it was already Tuesday and Tweek didn't have to work, so Craig had offered to drive him home. The opportunity to canvass that "next step" they had taken was here, and yet, Tweek found himself fidgeting and anxious outside Craig's classroom, running over the conversation in his head a dozen and a half ways before he could even open his mouth.

"You ready to go?" Craig asked as he slipped out behind the heavy classroom door. He was already done up in his winter jacket, backpack slung over his shoulder and looking eager to get out of school.

"Yeah."

"Thanks for waiting - I'm surprised she actually let me make up that quiz."

Tweek chuckled. "You lucked out on that one," he said.

"For real, though. I'm kinda hungry. Did you want to stop by Taco Bell before going to your house?" Craig asked as they headed off down the hall.

Tweek tilted his head back. He'd probably be more comfortable with a belly full of hot, cheap burritos anyway. Molten cheese did wonders for his nerves. "Sounds great."

Most of the students had cleared out of the parking lot. Tweek always thought the expanse of white snow looked out of place when juxtaposed against the bright blue sky like that, sun shining bright like it was summertime. He almost preferred it to be cloudy in the winter.

Craig spun his keys in his fingers, grinning from ear to ear. Tweek threw his book bag in the back seat and settled into the passenger side. Craig turned the key in the ignition, but the car didn't start under his touch.

"That d-doesn't sound good," Tweek said, glancing over to the dashboard.

"She takes a little coaxing when it's this cold out," Craig assured. He tried it a second time - the engine caught briefly, but it didn't turn over. "Shit."

Tweek started to worry his lip as Craig messed around with his keys and alternated between pressing the gas pedal and checking for any sign of life in his car. Eventually, Craig got out and lifted the hood. Tweek followed close behind.

He wasn't exactly sure what he was looking at. Cars - machines in general - weren't anything he had experience with, but he gleaned from Craig's stoic expression and pinched lips that the outlook probably wasn't good.

"Is the battery dead?" Tweek asked, attempting to help troubleshoot.

Craig frowned. "Dash lights turn on, so no."

"Oh." Tweek stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Could it be low? Like, not enough to t-turn the car on all the way?"

"That's not how cars work," Craig muttered quickly. He was running over some worn wires that came off the engine block with steady fingers - they came away blackened with something like dirt or soot.

"Sorry," he mumbled. Tweek turned away to watch a few students lagging at their cars and let Craig do his thing.

After a few more minutes of Craig fumbling under the hood, then getting in his car to try to get it to start, then coming back out with increasing frustration, a God dammit came out that was sharp enough to make Tweek physically wince.

"What's wrong?" Tweek pressed, stepping in close to Craig.

"I don't fucking know." Craig slammed the hood down and glared at the ground.

"Do you want me to c-call someone?" Tweek asked quietly.

Craig rubbed his forehead, leaving a dark stripe of dirt there, before pulling his hat off completely. He didn't seem to have heard Tweek's question.

"I can get my mom to bring some jumper cables," he offered.

"Not gonna help," Craig hissed. "I told you already. It's not the battery." He kicked at the front wheel, jaw set, and retreated back into the car. Tweek watched him rummage around in his glove box and procure a dingy manual, more than a little put off at being snapped at.

He swallowed and shuffled his feet outside the car for a bit, wondering what exactly he could do to help, but Tweek came up empty handed. It was cold out. He just wanted to be home. But Tweek knew that Craig probably felt much the same, judging by how irritated he looked.

A few more minutes went by before Craig tossed the manual haphazardly into the back seat. He came out of the car on his phone.

"Yeah. Yeah, I checked that already. No, it's not out of gas. I'm not fucking stupid. I told you, it's just not starting. Did that, too. If I do it again then I'm going to flood the engine. Look, can you please just tow my car back home? I can't look at it here. Yeah, I'm at school."

He'd never heard Craig sound like that, his tone somewhere between pleading and livid, as he spoke to (who Tweek assumed was) his dad. After a couple more half-shouted sentences, Craig shoved his phone into his pocket and groaned.

"Hey," Tweek started, nudging Craig's side. "It's gonna be okay."

Craig sent Tweek a glance, brows knitted and still frowning. "No, it's not."

"Yeah, it is. We'll get it fixed. It's not the end of the world," Tweek said. He wasn't sure if his attempt at consoling Craig would work, but he at least had to try.

A snort came from Craig. "Right. Like I have the money to replace a busted transmission or engine, or whatever the fuck is wrong with this piece of shit," he growled. Tweek yelped in surprise when Craig brought his fist down on the hood of the car. The cracking sound was loud enough to make some kids look over from the next lot. Craig didn't appear to notice, or really care if he did.

Um. "Well, you d-don't know if it's gonna be an expensive fix, and… and I could help you out, if you want, it can't be-"

"How the fuck are we supposed to get to Denver this weekend?" Craig rumbled. "Why does this shit always happen to me right before I'm about to do something awesome? For fuck's sake! This is ridiculous. Why can't anything just go right for once?"

Tweek toed the ground and listened to Craig mutter to himself. The rant went on until Tweek reached a twitchy hand out to catch Craig's sleeve. He turned, still caught up in his angry tirade, but his expression softened for a moment.

"Can we go wait inside?" Tweek asked meekly.

Craig swallowed, taking a moment to collect himself. "Yeah. Yeah, that's fine."

Tweek collected his bag and was thankful to be indoors and warm. They took a seat on some benches just inside the school. Craig had taken out his phone and was turning to Google for answers while Tweek watched him closely.

"It's gonna be okay," he assured.

"Can you please stop?" Craig responded, looking up from his hunched position. "I know you're trying to help. And I appreciate that. But I just need to think, okay?"

Tweek was quiet at that. "O-Okay."

Trying to keep the sullen acerbity out of his mind was tough after that. Tweek's stomach had turned sour, moreso than it had been at the prospect of meandering through all the unsaid but necessary topics they still needed to discuss, but he did as he was told and held his tongue. They sat in silence until Craig got a call. Nearly an hour had passed.

Craig tossed his head in the direction of the front doors and Tweek hurried out behind him. Mr. Tucker was standing outside his pickup truck, arms crossed over his chest and frowning at the two of them as they made their way over. Tweek didn't miss the squinted look of disapproval that was sent his way. He adjusted his bag over his shoulder and tried to appear interested in staring at the ground while Craig argued with his dad about how to secure the tether between the two vehicles.

He wished he'd walked home instead.

"You really need to take better care of your things," Craig's dad chided.

"Seriously?" Craig hissed back. "I spend more time taking care of this car than you've spent taking care of me. Don't tell me that-"

"Yeah? You think I'll be coming to your rescue every time you're in a little spat of trouble? What are you going to do in the real world, huh? You're in such a hurry to grow up all the damn time - you've got to learn how to act like it."

"Je-e-esus. What do you expect me to do? Call a tow truck? Rack up three hundred bucks on your insurance for that? 'Cuz I can do that next time," Craig shot off.

Craig's dad shook his head. Tweek was sure the argument would have escalated further had he not been around, but either way, it was uncomfortable as hell to witness.

"Just get in the damn truck, Craig."

Craig rolled his eyes and opened the passenger door. He hesitated before getting in, however, and Tweek noticed why. There wasn't a center console in the truck, but rather a bench seat that sat three. Tweek felt panic rise in his throat at the thought of having to squeeze himself between Craig and his dad - literally putting himself in the middle of the two.

The situation didn't present itself though. Craig settled into the middle seat and awkwardly positioned his knees while Tweek climbed in after him.

"I'm a taxi service today, too, huh?" Craig's dad said as he opened the other door.

"Can you just lay off? It's freezing out. I'm not going to make my boyfriend walk home."

Tweek made himself as small as he could in the seat. Craig used the extra space to put more distance between him and his dad.

A heavy sigh left Craig's dad's lips. "Where does… your friend live?"

"N-Not too far from the playground. 17091 Bogue Street. The r-red house," Tweek forced out.

They set off without further acknowledgement. Tweek didn't think he'd ever been in a truck before - it felt weird, being so high up from the ground. He spent the short drive glancing into the side mirror at Craig's car trailing behind them and trying not to feel like a burden.

"This it?"

"Yeah, thanks," Tweek said quietly. He was quick to hop out, happy to be able to retreat into his house and relieve himself of the tension in that truck. Tweek gave Craig a curt bye and hurried up the driveway.

His mom was in the kitchen when he got inside. She did a double take while Tweek took a few moments to collect himself on the doormat.

"You doing all right, sweetie?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," he answered.

"Do you want some coffee? I just brewed a pot," she offered, casting Tweek another look of concern.

"That'd be great," he admitted. The warm mug felt amazing on his cold fingers. "Craig's car broke down. His dad came. He d-drove me home."

"Oh? How's Thomas doing?"

Tweek shrugged and tried to look disinterested as he got out of his jacket. "I'm gonna go start my homework. Thanks for the coffee."

He spent the better part of an hour pacing in his room. The attempt did little to clear his head of Craig's curt words and the irritated grumblings of his dad. Logically, he knew it wasn't something to be upset over. Tweek focused on taking deep, steady breaths and telling himself that yes, Craig still loved him. That Craig was just stressed out. That he'd come to Tweek's defense when his dad had made him feel like a hindrance, and that showed Craig wasn't somehow upset with Tweek. With a fistful of hair and a long stare into the mirror, Tweek told himself that if he was really going to commit to his recent revelation about their relationship, he couldn't latch onto every negative moment and let it consume him. He wanted to be done with that.

His phone started to buzz in rapid succession. Tweek jumped, startled, and quickly took in the messages.

Craig: hey sorry about all that. I didnt mean to yell at you or anything

Craig: and sorry about my dad too hes kinda

Craig: idk

Craig: you know how he is

Craig: but I really am sorry tweek I shouldnt have told you to shut up

Tweek palmed his phone for a few moments and chewed his chapped lips.

Tweek: It's okay. I know how much you care about your car. I'd probably be upset too.

Craig: naw its not okay

Craig: but thanks

Tweek: But your dad is kind of a jerk.

Craig: ya tell me about it. He wont chill out about this

Craig: I had to shut the garage so hed stop trying to "talk to me about it like a man"

Craig: whatever that means

Tweek: Did you figure out what's wrong with your car?

Craig: no not yet I'm still making calls

Tweek: Okay.

Tweek: Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Craig: thanks :)

He set his phone aside and tried to focus on his geometry homework after that, but the words and numbers and equations wouldn't sit quite right in his brain. He moved through his subjects like that one by one between glances over to his phone, wondering whether Craig had figured anything out and if his dad had stopped yelling at him. As terrifying as it was for Tweek to deal with Mr. Tucker, he was lucky that he only had to deal with the occasional run in. But that was Craig's whole life.

Tweek glanced over to the television set beside his desk, then to the rarely used Playstation on the unit. An idea struck him. He opened a tab on his laptop and surfed a few websites to see how much the console would go for with the rare game he had installed on it.

The lowest listing was around six hundred dollars.

He chewed his lip a moment, but he didn't have the opportunity to look any further into it before he was called down to dinner.

His mom had made a pork roast with mashed potatoes. Tweek made sure to make a show of eating it - his parents still hadn't relaxed on ensuring he was getting his fill - between casual conversation.

"Would you and dad be mad if I sold my Playstation?" Tweek asked suddenly.

His mom looked up from her plate. "Why would you want to sell your Playstation? Do you need some money?"

"Kinda," he said. "But not for me. Craig thinks it's going to cost a lot of money t-to fix his car. I want to help him out. As a Christmas present."

"That's really sweet of you, Tweek. It's yours, so you can do what you want with it," she said with a gentle smile.

"I rarely play it," Tweek continued. "Actually, I think Craig probably plays it more than I do. I just wanted to ask first because, well, I know you guys were really excited when you got it for me for my birthday."

"If that's what you want to do, that's fine with me. Make sure you finish your potatoes."

Tweek grinned and pulled out his phone. He made an account on a personal listing website and put up an advertisement for the console, price set at six hundred, but negotiable. There was an offer to buy before he even finished his meal.

Tweek: Any progress?

Craig: yeah actually

Craig: gotta replace the alternator and some spark plugs

Craig: probably the battery too :(

Tweek: I don't know what that means.

Craig launched into a long winded explanation of what parts did what, and why. Tweek thought he should probably have paid more attention in his Home Ec classes when they talked about cars - all the complicated words and intricacies went right over his head. Still, he couldn't help but be impressed with Craig's knowledge on the matter.

Tweek: How much is it going to cost?

Craig: well I can get the parts but idk if I trust myself to do it

Craig: my dad said he would help but

Craig: denver might be a problem. I dont think hell let me go if I ask him for help

Tweek: How come?

Craig: gotta start "taking better care of my things"

Tweek: What if you got it done at a shop?

Craig: thats gonna cost like 700 bucks dude

Craig: not paying that

Craig: Ill see if I can figure something out. Maybe my parents will let me borrow the truck

Craig: doubt it tho. They wont even let me borrow it for work :(((

He snorted to himself. Tweek didn't really blame Craig's parents for that, honestly.

Tweek: I'll see what I can come up with.

Craig: naw

Craig: Ill figure it out okay dont worry. Gonna get an estimate from a mechanic tomorrow

"Mom?" Tweek called as he pounded down the stairs to the living room. "Can you take me to the post office? I want to mail my Playstation."

She looked up from the book she was reading. "It can't wait until tomorrow?"

"The lady who wants t-to buy it wants to have if before Christmas," he explained.

"Okay. We'll swing by the shop so I can drop your father off some dinner."

"Thanks." Tweek headed back up to his room and collected the console and its cords, gingerly wrapping them around it so they fit neatly in his book bag. His mom was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with a seran-wrapped plate and keys.

"I can't believe you got an offer on it so quick," she mused as they headed outside. "How much did you get for it?"

"Five-fifty," Tweek answered excitedly.

She looked surprised at that. "I didn't know Playstations are so expensive right now."

"This one's special," Tweek said. "It has a game on it you can't get anymore. It's called PT."

"Huh." She listened to him talk about how he'd held onto it, refusing to connect to the internet so he could keep the game, though Tweek didn't think she really understood the concept. He was grateful that she listened to him anyway.

He had a game plan. Tweek was excited - and a little nervous - at telling Craig what he'd done, and he'd run over how the moment would play out over and over as he'd laid in bed the night before. Gauging Craig's reaction wasn't the easiest thing to do though, but Tweek had a good feeling about it. He got up early the next day and had his dad give him a ride to school so Tweek could use the computer lab to print off a copy of the transaction before he ran into Craig that morning. A few texts were sent Craig's way as Tweek lounged around in the computer chairs, but he didn't get a reply.

The minutes ticked by closer to the start of their school day. From his vantage point, he could see the entrance to the school, but Craig wasn't anywhere to be seen in the throng of students milling from landing to locker bay. Tweek decided to call.

"Hello?" A sullen and groggy voice met him from the other line.

"Craig? Are you okay?" he asked a little panicked.

"Oh, fuck." The sound of rustling sheets came after that. "Shit. What time is it?"

Tweek bit back a smile before he answered. "School starts in fifteen minutes, dude."

"Dammit. I overslept. Thanks for waking me up!" Craig said. Tweek didn't get another word in before Craig hung up.

He resolved himself to hanging out at the entrance. Craig came rushing in, underdressed and clearly still bleary-eyed, only a minute after the bell rang and Tweek was happy to take the tardy to his first hour in exchange for the quick kiss pressed to his cheek. They received a quirked eyebrow from the receptionist in the office. It wasn't quite the right moment to give Craig the good news.

"That was f-fast. Did you run the whole way here?"

Huff huff huff. "Yup."

The folded piece of printer paper didn't leave his sight through class. Tweek prefered to keep it in his hands, worrying it in the halls until the edges were soft and crinkled to the touch. He didn't want to embarrass Craig in front of everyone in the few minutes that their lunch periods overlapped either, and their single shared class had them splintered off into separate groups. Tweek was growing anxious playing the waiting game, but after school seemed to be Tweek's best opportunity to get Craig's full attention. He hoped that Craig didn't have too many more detentions to make up before their winter break kicked off - how would he plan to get home if his car wasn't fixed?

Craig was chatting with Token outside the front office when school let out. Paper clutched tightly to his chest, Tweek made his way over.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey." Craig still looked stressed out and, despite the hours that had passed, like he'd still just woken up. Tweek guessed that he was giving Token the bad news about having to cancel the trip because they both looked a little somber. "What's up?"

He took a deep breath and wedged himself between the two of them, offering Token an apologetic half smile. "Can I talk with Craig for a s-second?" Tweek asked with a tilt of his head toward the rest of the hallway. "Sorry. I just… It's important."

Token glanced between the two of them, brows knitted. He shrugged. "No, man. It's cool. I'll catch up with you in a bit," he said to Craig.

Craig looked confused - halfway between concerned and annoyed - by the sudden change in conversation. Before Craig could question him, Tweek rounded on his boyfriend.

"Do you have a PayBuddy?" Tweek asked quickly.

"Yeah." Craig's answer was slow, reserved. "Why? What's this about?"

Tweek handed him the folded piece of paper that he'd guarded so carefully all day.

"What's this?" Craig asked.

"Just look at it," Tweek insisted.

He watched, heart thrumming in his ears, as Craig unfurled the paper. It felt like an eternity before Craig looked back up at Tweek. His expression read even more confused.

"I sold my Playstation," Tweek explained.

Craig balked. "What? Why?"

Tweek bit down on his lip. This wasn't exactly how Tweek had planned the conversation in his head, but at the same time, he hadn't exactly been forthcoming about what this all meant. "It's five hundred fifty dollars. For your c-car."

Craig flickered his eyes between the paper and Tweek's eager expression. "You…"

"Yeah, I did," Tweek cut in excitedly. "You don't have to pay me back or anything. Merry Christmas."

There weren't any words or movement from Craig for a few beats. He simply stared at Tweek with his mouth open just a bit. The silence had Tweek beginning to shift uncomfortably, but Craig launched at him before Tweek could rescind the gesture. The embrace nearly knocked Tweek off his feet.

"I love you. You know that, right?" Craig practically shouted.

Tweek started to laugh. That earned him a plethora of poorly executed kisses pressed to his neck and cheek. Neither of them cared to pay mind to the eyes of passing students.

"I love you too," Tweek managed into Craig's shoulder. His clothes, though had likely spent a fortnight on a bedroom floor, were warm and comforting in touch and smell.

"You really didn't have to do that," Craig said, his lips at Tweek's temple.

"I'm excited to go to Denver with you. I wouldn't want to miss that."

Craig hugged him tighter. "I'll make sure you have the best time, okay? It'll be the funnest thing you've done. Like, ever."

Tweek chuckled. "Is funnest even a word?"

"It is now."

"Oh, thank God." A voice came from behind them and Craig and Tweek paused their intimate chucklings to glance over to the source. Token was standing a few feet away. He was shaking his head, arms crossed over his chest and smiling. "I thought you two were fighting again."

It felt like the last two months had been leading up to this. Tweek thought he would have been better prepared for this moment. Well, he should have been, anyway. Craig had texted him a half dozen times the night before asking if he was done packing yet - I'll be there at ten o'clock sharp - but Tweek hadn't the faintest clue what their weekend away would have in store for him. How many pairs of pants was he expected to bring? Would his jacket get wet from undoubtedly bailing out in the snow? Better bring two. Or three.

The contents of his wardrobe were strewn about the bedroom floor haphazardly. Toothbrush? Check. Deodorant? Got it. Six pairs of underwear? Just in case.

He was certainly excited. His parents had been just as enthused about the trip - Tweek had a feeling that they would put his time away to good use. Once, he might have been a little sad to think his parents would be happy having time apart from him. Now though, he was happy for them.

Was he expected to bring snow pants? He didn't think he even owned a pair that fit anymore. Tweek rooted around his dresser looking for an old, worn out pair of long underwear and a cozy undershirt or three or five to bring with him. That would have to suffice.

The blaring ringing of his cellphone interrupted his efforts. Shit - it was already five after ten.

"H-Hey! Craig," Tweek answered. He held the phone with one hand as he piled the assembled clothes and toiletries into his book bag with the other. It was full to nearly bursting.

"Hey, Tweek. We're outside," Craig said. Tweek took a brief moment to appreciate the candid tone of his boyfriend's voice before the stress of I'm not ready I'm going to ruin everything hurrythefuckup returned.

"Yeah. So, hey, it's gonna b-be a minute," Tweek stalled. "I can't find my, uh… my toothbrush."

Craig paused for a moment. "Your toothbrush?"

Tweek inhaled sharply. Dumb. "Yeah."

"...Isn't it in your bathroom?" Craig asked suspiciously.

"Oh, yeah. Right. I should probably go check there."

A small chuckle came from the other end of the line as Tweek began to pull out all the contents of his book bag. He needed something bigger. There was a long forgotten gym bag stuffed somewhere in the back of his closet. He just needed to find it. "You're not done packing, are you?"

"Well, no," he said quickly. Tweek chewed his lip and dragged the rest of his closet into the middle of the floor, the phone cradled delicately between cheek and shoulder. "I'm… I'm mostly done. Give me like, five minutes."

"Hold up. I'll come help."

The dial tone met Tweek and he let his cellphone fall to the floor with a resigned sigh. He wished he'd gotten everything done sooner - procrastination wasn't exactly his strong suit - and there was still the slightest bit of worry that Craig would be frustrated after all those insistent text messages.

Fuck. Snow boots. Where the hell had he put those?

Craig rapped his fingers in Tweek's doorframe and Tweek looked up from his position crouched in the growing pile of disarray. Craig didn't look frustrated. He was grinning.

Tweek took a breath as his fingers closed over the old gym bag he'd been looking for. "Sorry," he said quietly. "I had to switch b-bags. I couldn't fit everything in my backpack."

Craig waived off his concern and waded through the clothes on the floor. "Are you planning to take your whole room with you?" he teased.

"Well…" Tweek looked at the bulging bag and puffed his cheeks. "I'd rather be prepared than not."

"That's fair. You find your toothbrush?"

"Yep."

Craig glanced toward the bedside table. "And your meds?"

"Got those too."

"Then how can I help?"

Tweek nudged the two bags toward Craig. "Can you put everything in the big one for me? I have to go find my b-boots," he said.

"Sure thing."

While Craig set to work, Tweek pounded down the stairs and scouted for the footwear in question, which ended up being in the back of the hall closet underneath the tote bags his parents dutifully brought to Whole Foods with them every weekend. He shook them free of caked dirt on the doormat before heading back up to the bedroom.

Craig looked proud of his handiwork. The bag was packed and he'd pushed the rest of the mess into a free corner of the room. "Phone charger?" he asked.

"Thanks." Tweek tore the plug out of the wall and shoved the cord into the pocket of his hoodie. "Token and Clyde aren't going to be mad at me?" he asked.

Craig cocked an eyebrow. "About what?"

Tweek shuffled his feet. "I'm making them wait."

"No," he assured. "No, Tweek. There's no real deadline."

"Oh." Tweek ran a hand through his hair and took another deep breath. He got to his knees and peeked into the bag to check its contents one last time. "Then why were you texting me so much about b-being on time?"

"Stan, Kyle, and Kenny are driving separately. I wanted to beat them to the hotel is all - I booked the damn rooms, we're getting the best one," Craig explained with a chuckle.

Tweek shook his head to hide a small smile. "Pretty sure you gotta be there for check in," he said.

"Yeah. You're probably right about that."

Tweek zipped up the bag and looked over to Craig, who was still kneeling on the carpet. A comfortable silence settled in at that and Tweek almost wished they could just stay there for the whole weekend instead of heading off on a snow-filled adventure.

"Hey, Tweek?" Craig broached after a few more beats.

"Yeah?"

Craig cocked his head to the side. His eyes were wide, gentle purplish rings under them marking late nights and early mornings. He looked a little tired - not too tired to be excited though. A smile started at the corner of his lips. "I just wanted to tell you that I love you. Like, for real."

A blush crept its way into Tweek's neck and cheeks. He looked down at his freshly packed bag and toyed with the curling carpet fibers under his fingers. "I love you, too." He felt warm.

Craig got to his feet after that and stretched, back cracking loud enough to make Tweek wince while he got his own feet under him.

"Did you bring anything nice to wear?" Craig asked, a welcome reprieve from the heaviness of his previous words.

Tweek shook his head. "No. Why?"

"Oh, you know. In case I want to take you out to dinner or something," Craig said.

He shifted a bit. "I can grab something quick."

"How about this?" Craig scooped up a green button down - the same one that Tweek had worn to Cartman's party all those weeks ago. "You looked nice that night."

"Thanks. Yeah, that works. Are j-jeans fine?" Tweek inquired.

"Should be."

Tweek took the shirt from Craig and folded it carefully into place. "I think we're all set, then."

"Mm." Craig closed the distance between them easily, looping his arm around Tweek's middle and burying his nose into hair. "Think we have time for a quickie?"

Tweek cleared his throat. "I think Token and C-Clyde are probably getting annoyed with how long this is taking," he said.

"You're probably right," Craig admitted with a laugh. He let go of Tweek and stooped down again. "Plenty of time for that later. I got your bag. Let's go."

"M-m-mkay," Tweek hummed.

They headed out together. Tweek cast his house one last glance as they pulled onto the street. There would be no opportunity to slip off to the park where they were going. No opportunity to wrap up in the warm blankets of his own bed. It was all going to be unfamiliar. Daunting. But he had Craig. And, admittedly, the rest of their motley crew of misfits. He was kind of looking forward to what kind of mess Kenny was likely to kick up too.

Tweek ended up curling into himself in the passenger seat and trying to nap. It was a smoother ride than he was used to - Craig's car wasn't catching and whirring and whining at every acceleration. Token and Clyde's idle chatter was white noise enough.

The ride was supposed to take an hour and a half, but with the extra time that had been afforded for Tweek to finish his packing, and a pit stop at a gas station for snacks and a piss break, they didn't end up arriving at the hotel until just before one. Tweek was the last one out of Craig's car in the snowy parking lot, legs stiff and head full of cotton, and he took his time bundling back into his winter coat. It was freezing out.

"Got everything?" Token asked as he skirted around the car. He had three long plastic boards tucked under his arm, a backpack hanging off his other shoulder. Tweek cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I got it. You need any help with that?"

"Naw, thanks though." He fell in line with Tweek. Craig and Clyde had already made off toward the entrance of the hotel. It looked inviting enough - tall brick spires giving way to a concrete overhang a few stories above, presenting a welcome shelter from the biting wind. Tweek hurried toward it, his own bag in tow.

"I, um… I don't have a snowboard," Tweek admitted off-handedly as they arrived at the entrance. Why was this just occurring to him now?

Token nodded soberly. "These are all mine. Craig asked me to bring some extras - Kenny doesn't have one either," he said.

"Oh." That was nice of him.

"Craig brought Ruby's, too. You know, in case this one's too big for you," Token added with a chuckle.

Tweek huffed. "How thoughtful," he drawled.

They came through the doors with a rush of warm air. The lobby was rustic, well lit with a fire and comfortable looking couches to one side. Craig was idling at the desk with some other guests waiting in line behind him. Clyde had found the rest of the group - Stan, Kyle, and Kenny, who had indeed arrived ahead of them - and was gesticulating wildly. Tweek winced at his excited voice which cut sharply through the otherwise calm lobby. They made their way over.

"Token, Tweek! You guys ready for a good time?" Kenny asked with a wide grin. He shook his bag which clanked with the telling sound of half-filled bottles of liquor.

"You know it," Token answered. "Got my hands on some Goldschlager. Figured it was worth the special occasion."

"No shit?"

"What's that?" Tweek asked.

"It's like Fireball," Craig interrupted as he returned to their group. He brandished a few key packets in his hand with a wink. "But it has gold in it."

"Real gold?" Tweek piqued.

Token nodded again. "Yup."

"C-Can you even eat that?"

"Well, I mean, they wouldn't put it in a drink if you couldn't," Token said.

"Pretty sure they put like, antifreeze in most light beers though," Stan cut in.

Tweek balked. "What?"

"Yeah, dude."

"Propylene glycol," Kyle corrected. "And it isn't actually bad for you to-"

"Bullshit. It says on the antifreeze bottle you can't drink it, so if it's in light beer, then-"

"Who the hell drinks light beer anyway?" Kenny interrupted with a laugh.

"Can we like, get going?" Craig asked, tossing his head in the direction of the elevator bay.

Between the seven of them, juggling the snowboards and bags wasn't entirely unmanageable. They squeezed into the car and ended up on the fourth floor under Craig's direction.

"Let's see… Um, I think we go left," Craig mused.

They turned down the hall. Craig started passing out the keys at that point - they had three rooms. Tweek and Craig were at the end of the hall. Farthest from the fire escape route, Tweek entertained momentarily. The other two rooms were across from them and closer to the elevators.

Craig shuffled the contents of his arms around, trying to keep everyone's attention. "All right, we'll catch the shuttle in an hour. Meet in the lobby?"

The rest of them didn't seem to hear Craig as they disappeared into their own rooms, so Tweek was left to silently shake his head and back down the hall.

"Let's just let them get settled in," Tweek offered.

Craig shrugged. "I'm going snowboarding with or without them."

"Pretty sure they'll b-be there too."

Craig shouldered into their room. As Tweek had expected, there was one bed. Of course there was. He took a deep breath and let a small smile grace his lips as he stepped around Craig's bags, now piled just inside the doorway. The view was nice. He could see the snow capped mountains in the early afternoon light. From inside the warm room, it didn't look so terribly cold out. Maybe he could watch them snowboard from his perch on the bed if he got a pair of binoculars - if only he'd thought to pack those - but he was also kind of looking forward to the adventure.

"You like it?" Craig asked.

"Yeah, it's nice." Tweek walked the length of the room and ran a hand along the dresser. His hand came away clean. No dust. That was a good sign. The flat screen mounted atop it didn't look dusty either.

Tweek craned his head around the back of the entertainment system. "It looks like we can hook up an Xbox to the TV."

"Way ahead of ya," Craig answered. He was stuffing his bags into the wardrobe. "Token brought his."

"Cool."

Tweek glanced over the lampshades beside the bed. Minor dust. Nothing to bat an eye at. He started to pull the pillows away from the bed next, then the covers.

Craig took notice of Tweek's poking around. "What are you doing?"

"Just checking the room," Tweek said softly.

"For what?"

Tweek shrugged. "You know, just to m-make sure it's clean."

Craig looked like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. "Let me know if you find anything," he said as he set to work unpacking the rest of his things.

"Will do."

The bed was clear of any weird stains or bugs, which was a relief. The linens felt clean under his fingers, but sterile in the same way the hospital beds had felt. He wished he'd brought one of his own blankets with him. Something to remind him of home. Snuggling up with Craig would have to do. Satisfied with the bed, Tweek began to scan the carpet for any sign of imperfection. He paced back in front of the television, then back into the entryway, and started toward the bathroom.

"Boo!"

Craig jumped out from behind the door to the bathroom, his hands up in the shape of pretend claws, a grin on his face. Tweek felt his heart jump into his throat as he stumbled backward. Craig advanced on him quickly and caught him around the middle before he hit the wardrobe.

"Not funny," Tweek pouted.

"Yes it was," Craig challenged into the fabric of Tweek's jacket. "It was super funny. You shoulda seen your face."

Tweek started to squirm in Craig's grasp. "Gotta make sure the bathroom is clean," he huffed.

"It is. I just checked it," Craig cooed.

Tweek didn't stop his squirming.

"You don't trust me?"

"Not particularly," Tweek mumbled.

Craig gave him a reassuring squeeze. "You told me you did. Last Saturday."

"I don't trust b-bathroom monsters that jump out and scare me."

Craig started to laugh again and clutched Tweek even tighter. "What do you take me for? The kind of guy that books his boyfriend a hotel full of bugs and dirt?" he asked pointedly.

Tweek was quiet for a moment. "...No."

"So you do trust me," Craig finished for him.

"Can I please just look? Humor me."

"Mmkay." Craig didn't let go of him completely. In fact, he guided Tweek to the bathroom, still held fast around the waist, and used his hip to nudge the lights on. "See? No bugs."

Tweek craned his neck over Craig's shoulder. "Can you lift the toilet lid up?" he asked.

Craig did as was instructed.

"And the shower curtain?" Tweek continued.

After a cursory glance at the exposed tiled shower, Tweek nodded in contentment.

"Good?"

"Yeah," Tweek answered behind a sigh. "Thanks."

"All right." Craig leaned down a bit and locked his arms at Tweek's thighs. With a quick grunt and sweeping movement, Tweek felt his feet leave the ground. "Then let's go christen those sheets," he said cheekily.

"Craig," Tweek protested, but he couldn't twist much for fear of toppling the both of them over. He linked his ankles around Craig's ass to keep his position. "You're expecting me to go snowboarding later. I am not sleeping with you right now."

"Who said anything about sleeping?" Craig teased as he took slow, deliberate steps back into the bedroom.

Tweek leaned back, hands pressed against Craig's chest, so he could give Craig a stern look. "You know what I mean."

"I know exactly what you mean," Craig said. He plopped Tweek down on the bed and started to shrug out of his jacket. "Can I have a few kisses at least?"

Tweek feigned like he was mulling it over for a while. "That sounds reasonable."

"Good. I like reasonable." Craig climbed onto the bed and brought his arms to either side of Tweek's folded thighs.

"Since when do you like reasonable?" Tweek ghosted rhetorically, an attempt in vain to delay Craig's imminent lips from closing on his own.

It didn't work. Tweek couldn't say he really minded. Craig palmed Tweek out of his jacket, which got tossed onto the floor with Craig's, as their kiss deepened. He let Craig guide him onto his back against the plush white comforter. They were laying sideways across the bed - it was a king size, Tweek didn't think his feet would hang off the end no matter how he slept on the mattress. Craig curled his fingers into Tweek's hair, the pads of his fingers working against his scalp.

It felt good. This whole thing felt good, and that was unexpected... but Tweek didn't let his mind get caught up in contemplating the fact that they were seventy five miles outside of South Park, holed up in a three star hotel on the outskirts of Denver, alone. Well, maybe he did let his brain toy with the idea for a moment. More specifically, the fact that he wasn't losing his mind over it all.

Craig ran his tongue over Tweek's lower lip. It was all teeth and tongue after that. Tweek let his hands fist in the fabric of Craig's hoodie - fresh, like detergent (err, laundry sauce), he must have done laundry - as Craig's knuckles kneaded at Tweek's hip bone. He started to tease the fabric of Tweek's top.

"What's that?" Craig asked, his fingers curling over the front pocket of the hoodie.

"Phone charger," Tweek mumbled out. "Remember?"

Craig chuckled and shook his head. "Right."

Tweek shimmied out of his sweatshirt. Craig helped him out of it, then caught Tweek's arm as he settled against the pillows.

"Hm?"

Craig smiled, eyelids heavy, and guided Tweek so he was sitting on Craig's lap. That was new - Tweek didn't think he'd ever, uh, been on top before.

It was a bit awkward at first. He liked that he could usually let go when Craig was with him. Tweek could let Craig be in control of their bodies, guide their actions. He'd grown used to it, comfortable with it, so having the control shifted to him was… nice, actually. Tweek cupped either side of Craig's face gently. It took him a moment to realize he still needed to breathe.

"You okay?" Craig asked.

"You need to shave," Tweek said. He ran the pad of his thumb over Craig's upper lip with a sly grin.

"Well, you're out of luck. I didn't bring a razor."

Tweek chuckled. "Good thing I p-packed one, then."

Craig rolled his eyes. "Good thing," he repeated.

Tweek kissed him again as Craig ran his hands up Tweek's arms. His hairs stood on end at the sensation, a ticklish feeling of excitement curling in his belly and groin. They had the whole weekend like this. Tweek took his time relearning the contours of Craig's mouth, then his throat and collarbones with his lips, Craig's sweatshirt pushed awkwardly to the side while he explored his skin. Okay, maybe they could fool around a bit before heading out to the slopes, Tweek convinced himself.

Craig shifted so he could lift the sweatshirt over his head. Tweek swallowed, heart thrumming, and he leaned back in to catch Craig's lips. He didn't get quite that far before a loud, insistent knock came at their door.

Craig groaned, head lolling backward. It connected with a thud against the headboard.

"Maybe if we ignore it, they'll go away?" Tweek proposed.

The knock came again.

A coy smile from Craig. "Right. Doubt it."

Tweek climbed off Craig's lap with a sigh and Craig stood up. He took a moment to adjust himself and headed off to the door. Tweek craned his neck to see who it was.

"Hey!" It was Kenny. Groan. "We're pregaming in Clyde's room if you aren't too busy… uh, well, doing whatever it is you guys do." Kenny poked his head around Craig and gave an incredibly salacious wink and thumb's up to Tweek.

Craig turned to look at Tweek as well.

"Um, yeah." Tweek smoothed his hair down and cleared his throat as he got to his feet. "I could probably use a d-drink before we go."

"Sweet. Room 404. I'll let you guys finish up." Another dubious wink from Kenny before he scampered off down the hall.

Craig shut the door with a heavy sigh. "Well, I guess it's about that time," he said.

Tweek nodded, lips pursed. "Yep." He scooped up their sweatshirts and made his way over.

"Thanks."

They left the room after Tweek made absolutely sure (three times over) that they had their room keys at their disposal, and, of course, Craig's ID just on the off chance they lost the keys. The door to Clyde's room was propped open. Craig ushered Tweek in ahead of himself.

Token was setting up what looked to be a minibar on the desk next to the entertainment system. Tweek was quick to notice that their room had a pretty boring view of the parking lot - Craig really had arranged for them to have the best room.

"Where's Kenny?" Craig asked candidly.

"He ran to get some cups," Token said. "For some reason, it didn't occur to me to bring any."

"That's dumb. How else did you think we'd get drunk?" Clyde asked, engrossed in his cell phone. "Cupping vodka with our hands like savages?"

"I don't see any cups in your bag, dick," Token shot off.

"True. Got me there."

Tweek made his way into the room and started to thumb through the selection of games that Token had brought with him. Call of Duty, Star Wars… Tweek hoped he wouldn't have to listen to them bitch about Overwatch again.

"What's that door for?" Tweek asked, glancing up to the extra door that occupied a wall of the room. It looked too nondescript to be a closet.

"It's a connecting door," Clyde answered. "To Stan and Kyle's room. We're gonna open it later. You know, make one big room. It'll be cool."

"How come they're n-not in here?"

Token shrugged. "Still unpacking, I guess."

Kenny noisily came into the room with a plethora of cups cradled precariously in his arms. "You think they know why we need all these?" he asked with a grin.

"Most definitely," Craig said, eyeing the stack of glasses. He took some off Kenny's hands, clearly not trusting Kenny's abilities to keep hold of them all. "So let's keep it quiet, yeah?"

"Pshh, what? You think they're gonna kick us out?"

"You guys, maybe," Craig continued. "I can always slip off to my room."

"That's fair," Clyde drawled sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Craig shrugged. "Not really my problem."

"Don't worry, Craig," Kenny cooed. He skirted around the guys and leaned over to Tweek, pinching his side playfully. "We won't fuck up your little honeymoon with Tweek."

"You better not," Craig grumbled.

"Besides, if anyone's gonna get a noise complaint tonight…"

Tweek blushed a dusky shade of red. "Cut it out, Kenny."

"Mm, good." Kenny patted Tweek's cheek with a grin. Tweek pushed his hand away. "Finally sticking up for yourself."

Tweek rolled his eyes, but Kenny had already lost interest in teasing them and was eagerly starting in on one of the drinks that Token began to pass out. Tweek took his own glass and looked down at it skeptically.

"It's Kinky," Token said, taking notice of Tweek's hesitance.

"It's w-what?" he hitched.

"Vodka. Kinky vodka. That's what it's called," Token elaborated, shaking his head.

Craig chuckled. "It's pretty good, actually. Tastes like punch."

"No shame in fruity drinks," Kenny said. He flopped onto the bed and stretched out next to Clyde, offering him a taste.

"Who said there was shame in it?" Tweek asked, taking a tentative sip. Oh. He liked that.

"He means it's a girly drink," Craig answered for him.

"That's d-dumb."

"Yeah."

Token pulled out his phone and connected it to a small portable speaker he'd brought along with him. Tweek perked up at the selection.

"Remember to keep it quiet," Craig reminded as he pulled up one of the arm chairs from the corner of the room.

"Yeah, yeah," Token dismissed.

"I didn't know you liked The Doors," Tweek said.

"Best era of music, my friend," Token hummed happily.

Craig chuffed.

"I like your music too," Tweek consoled, sending Craig a knowing look. All he received for the comment was a pink tongue stuck out beneath a half smile, and Craig pulling Tweek into his lap.

"New development," Kenny chimed. He lifted his phone up in the air to get everyone's attention.

"Yeah?"

"Cartman's back with Heidi," Kenny announced.

Tweek didn't have to look at Craig to know he was rolling his eyes. "Anything that's, you know, actually surprising from the Gossip Girl corner?" he asked sarcastically.

"Huh. Gossip girl. I like that," Kenny said. He looked over to Clyde.

"How pissed you think Bebe's gonna be?" Clyde asked without missing a beat.

"Check Heidi's wall, dude. She's all over that shit."

"Why are you guys like this?" Token teased, but he'd padded over to the bed they were stretched out on to survey the internet drama.

Clyde looked thoughtful for a moment. "It's just fucking funny. Better than that teen drama shit they put on Netflix."

"Oh, fuck you, dude. Riverdale is fucking awesome," Kenny challenged.

"What?" Clyde balked.

"Just watch it some time. You'll love it."

"I think I'll not be doing that," Clyde said with a laugh.

"Jesus Christ," Craig mumbled from beneath Tweek, who was also laughing at the bizarre exchange.

After the second round of drinks were passed out, Kenny sat up from his position discussing social drama and the inner workings of high school programs. "Where the hell are Stan and Kyle?" he asked. "They're missing all the action."

"Did you tell them which room we're in?" Token asked, unfazed.

"Well, duh. They're just next door," Kenny said.

"Go get them, then."

Kenny pursed his lips. "Just open the connecting door. Saves me the trouble."

"You do it. You're the one that's so concerned about it," Clyde suggested. He lazily dragged his leg over to toe Kenny off the bed.

"Fi-i-ine," Kenny hissed. He stalked over to the door and tried it, but it didn't open under the minimal force he applied. "It's stuck."

"You sure it's not locked?" Craig asked.

Kenny shrugged dramatically. "I dunno man, I don't know how these things work."

Craig tapped Tweek's leg to get him off his lap. "I'll take a look."

"What?" Kenny challenged. "You don't think I'm strong enough to open it?"

Craig raised an eyebrow. "I literally didn't even say that."

Tweek watched the two of them gather at the door. Token glanced over from his position playing bartender.

"You just gotta…" Craig braced his shoulder against the door. The handle turned in his hand as he leaned into it, and the door gave with the cracking sound of paint coming away from the threshold. He ended up stumbling forward a bit - Tweek lost sight of Craig, but he did catch the confused yelling and Kenny's wide eyes and open mouth.

"What's going on?" Token asked, concern growing in his tone. He shouldered Kenny out of the way - his expression was just as perturbed. Tweek got to his feet.

"Oh, shit. Fuck, I'm sorry!" Craig clamored, finally finding his voice. He backed out of the room and almost ran into Tweek as he blocked the doorway, but not before Tweek caught a glimpse of what the fuss was all about.

Kyle was standing, eyes wide and horrified, in front of the entertainment system. He had his arms wrapped around his chest, trying to conceal a… a bra? Tweek swung his head back into the other room and swallowed. Oh.

"What the fuck do you think you guys are doing?" Stan's voice barked. Craig, Kenny, and Token were ushered backward as Stan came into the doorframe.

"Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?" Clyde grumbled, annoyed, from his spot on the bed.

"Don't worry about it," Craig grunted. He was flushed a deep shade of red - Tweek had never seen him look embarrassed in front of others before, but the feeling and expression seemed to permeate everyone involved.

"Are you serious right now?" Stan spluttered. "You can't just… Kyle was…"

"It's fine."

Stan turned around to look for the source of the statement, hand on the door handle like he was contemplating whether or not to shut it in everyone's face.

"It's fine," Kyle repeated. "They were going to find out eventually."

"No! It's not fine!" Stan howled. The door was slammed after that, leaving the rest of them to stand in stunned silence.

"Did we just…" Token trailed off and glanced between the rest of them.

"Mind filling me in?" Clyde asked, exasperated, over the loud touseling coming from the next room over. No one wanted to be the first to break the news because, well, it wasn't really their news to break. The door opened again. This time it was Kyle.

"Hey. Well, this is awkward," he started.

Craig ran a hand through his hair and headed back to his arm chair. Tweek followed. Token reached for one of the drinks he'd poured and handed it, lips held tightly shut, to Kyle. He'd put a shirt on, but the hat that usually concealed his unruly hair was missing. Tweek didn't remember the last time he'd seen Kyle without it, and like every time before that, he was jarred by the long brassy curls.

Clyde groaned dramatically. "What is going o-o-on?" he demanded.

Kyle took a pointed gulp of his drink. "I think I might be a girl," Kyle said. There was an air of confidence in Kyle's voice that Tweek hadn't been expecting. "I, uh… I'm not sure on the details or anything, but I know that it makes a hell of a lot more sense to me than, well, anything else."

"Oh. Cool." Clyde went back to looking at his phone.

"I, um… I'm sorry," Craig cut in. "For barging in like that. I didn't mean to, you know… if you weren't ready to, um. To say anything."

Kyle shook their head and took another sip of the drink. "No, I know. It's fine. Really."

"We won't say anything," Token added. "If you don't want us to."

Kyle took a moment to think. "Yeah, I mean, I'll tell people when I'm ready. You don't have to like, treat me any differently though."

Token cleared his throat. "So, do you want us to use girl pronouns for you, or…"

Kyle waved him off, frowning. "I don't want it to be complicated or anything. Until I decide if this is something that I really, you know, am sure about, don't worry about it."

"Okay."

Kenny, who had been standing silently to the side during the exchange, stepped in behind Kyle to poke his head into the next room. "So that's your secret girlfriend!" he called.

Kyle cast him a strange glance. "It's not like that!" Stan's voice came, huffy.

Kenny started to laugh, shaking his head, then wrapped his arms around Kyle. "Good for you," he said, giving Kyle a good squeeze.

"Thanks, Ken," Kyle answered, patting Kenny's back. "Knew you'd be supportive."

"Supportive? I'm ecstatic. Glad you're being honest with yourself. Now let's get Stan a drink before he blows another gasket."

"I heard that!" Stan hissed.

Kenny kept his lazy grin in place as he peeled himself off of Kyle. "Well, that settles it, then. Definitely sleeping in Clyde and Token's room tonight."

Tweek chewed on his lip for a moment. "That makes you kind of a… a seventh wheel, then."

"Clyde and I are not shacking up," Token said pointedly.

"Oh, dude. Don't worry about me. I've got some hookups around here. Worse comes to worse, I'll find a snow bunny or two tonight to go home with," Kenny put in, his signature sly grin blooming on his face.

Kyle snorted. "You seem pretty sure of yourself, there."

"Don't be jealous, my friend."

The tension in the room promptly broke. Kyle returned to their room to collect Stan, who continued to sulk for a while afterwards, but after Token broke out the Goldschlager in celebration of Kyle's newfound identity, he began to relax. Tweek was keen to notice that much more than an hour had passed since they'd settled into their rooms. Craig seemed to catch on to that as well, because he stood up and stretched after they'd each had a few more drinks and announced that they were heading out.

Tweek headed off to collect his snow gear as the rest of their group piled snowboards into the hallway. After he was sufficiently bundled, he made his way over. Kenny was examining one of the boards that Token had brought along with him.

"I like this one," he settled, toying with the straps. "Cool design."

"Hey, uh, Tweek?" Craig asked. "How much do you weigh?"

Tweek clammed up, glancing around at everyone in their jackets and goggles. "D-Does that matter?"

Craig pursed his lips. "Yeah, a bit. For the snowboard. Token's might be a bit long for you - it goes by height and weight."

"Um." Well, he didn't actually know the answer to that question, and even if he did, announcing his slight frame to each of his more… well-endowed friends wasn't exactly the kind of personal information that he wanted to share. "I'm not really sure," Tweek admitted.

"Huh. Okay. Should probably use Ruby's board today. I mean, if you're cool with it."

At least it wasn't hot pink. Tweek took the snowboard from Craig and let out a long breath, somewhere between a sigh of annoyance and relief. It felt heavier in his hands than he'd expected.

They didn't have to wait long for the shuttle in front of the hotel. It was a fairly straightforward process, and Tweek spent the ride bouncing his knee next to Craig in an attempt to calm his nerves. Craig reassured him that everything would be fine between chatting with the rest of their group. Of course it would be. Tweek was in unfamiliar territory, but he had Craig at his side.

Craig started him off, as he'd promised, on the bunny hill. Tweek worried his lip for the first hour, insisting that Craig could go off and fly down the intimidatingly tall mountain slopes with everyone else, but he got a stern like hell I'd leave you out here all alone. A few bailouts in snowbanks later, Tweek thought he was getting the hang of it.

"See? Told you it wasn't that difficult," Craig congratulated at the bottom of the hill.

"I still need to work out the stopping part," Tweek said as he waddled to the ski lift. "Pretty sure falling on my ass at the b-bottom doesn't constitute a successful run."

"Eh, whatever works."

Craig convinced him after a few more runs down the hill that they were ready to take on something a bit more challenging. They met up with Clyde and Kenny at the top of one of the smaller trails and, surprisingly, Tweek didn't have as awful of a time as he'd expected. In fact, he thought somewhere deep down, he might actually be having fun. The sun had started to set when they all congregated at the top of one of the more difficult trails.

"All right. So, I'm gonna have to meet you at the bottom on this one," Craig started. Tweek shivered a bit and looked over the small lump of a hill that marked the start of the course. "I'll be with you for the first bit, but the path splits off. Make sure you go left, okay?"

"Why's that?"

"The part that goes to the right is black diamond," Stan explained. "It's for experts, like us."

Craig snorted. "Don't be like that. Tweek, just make sure you stay to the left path. It's not as steep. Less trees to run into. Okay?"

Tweek adjusted his goggles, staying behind while Kyle and Stan took the lead. Kenny took off after them with an excited yelp, followed by Token.

"The left," Tweek reminded himself quietly.

Craig patted him encouragingly on the back. "You ready? Just stay on the trail. You'll see us at the bottom."

He had half a mind to just hop the ski lift back down to the bottom, but Tweek resolved himself to follow through, if only for Craig. The chalet wasn't in sight at the bottom like it had been on the previous courses. Trees were blocking most of the view.

"Okay." Craig let him go first.

The snow was less worn than Tweek had grown accustomed to. He spent the first bit weaving back and forth across the slope, trying not to pay much mind to the occasional lost hat or glove poking out of the banks at the edges of the course. Craig overtook him and Tweek watched him cut to the right, following a series of signs painted with warnings and giant black rhombi. Stay to the left. Stay to the left. Stay to the left.

Craig disappeared from view and Tweek had to swerve to correct himself from the path of an oncoming tree watching as he went. If he fell all alone out there, Tweek wasn't sure how long it would be before someone came to his aid. Minutes? Hours? He passed what looked to be a security camera on his way. Well, at least if he cracked his skull open, there would be some closure for his family and friends.

It felt like he was arcing down the trail for hours alone. After the initial fear abated, Tweek found himself enjoying the solitude. In a way, he felt like he was flying. He wondered how birds managed in the cold like that with the wind whipping angrily at every exposed crevice of his skin. As more time went on, Tweek began to get concerned that he was lost and might never reach the bottom, but as he came around a particularly sharp bend with some degree of difficulty, he saw the chalet. He'd reached the part of the slopes where most of the trails converged. All right, he could do this.

He stayed to the side for fear of crashing into one of the other adventurous snow lovers pouring down the mountain. It was easy to pick out where the group had convened by Kenny's bright orange parka - he was almost there. The slope started to steepen toward the bottom and the snow was worn flat enough that his casual side-to-side movement didn't do much by way of slowing him down. Gaining speed, Tweek began to let the doubt creep back in as he braced himself for impact. The bottom of the slope came up faster than he'd expected it to. He was going much too fast to execute one of those graceful curves that kicked up a shower of snow as he came to a halt, so Tweek coasted a bit until the padded security wall presented itself as no other option.

Tweek threw his arms up to catch most of the impact. The foam wall didn't provide anything to grapple with so he ended up on his ass, yet again, but unharmed from his efforts. Craig was at his side before he even had time to blink.

"You did it, bud."

The sky was a dusky shade of purple, only obscured by Craig's grinning face as he leaned over Tweek. "N-Not really."

Craig helped him to his feet as Tweek brushed off the snow he'd gotten covered in. "Yeah, you did. All by yourself. You kicked that mountain's ass," Craig congratulated.

Head spinning, Tweek looked around a moment. The rest of their group was heading their way, snowboards in hand and looking thoroughly exhausted. "I fell down again," Tweek said glumly.

"It's your first day on a snowboard, Tweek. You're gonna fall down. It's part of life," Craig soothed. He knelt to help Tweek out of the straps on his board, which Tweek was thankful for, because he was starting to feel wobbly from the adrenaline loss. "But you got back up in the end. That's what counts."

Craig took the snowboard off Tweek's hands and looped his free arm around Tweek's side. "Thanks. You're right. It wasn't as b-bad as I thought."

"I'll take credit for that, yeah," Craig chuckled.

"You two lovebirds done flirting with each other?" Kenny asked as he came up on them. "We're gonna go get some hot chocolate inside."

"Is there coffee?" Tweek asked, turning to Craig again. "You said there would be coffee."

"Of course there's coffee."

Tweek definitely liked it better in the chalet where it was warm. A fire was in a giant brick enclosure in the middle of the open room, which he made a grateful beeline for. Craig came up on him juggling two paper cups and the snowboards. Tweek accepted the coffee with a smile.

"You did really good today," Craig said as he settled into place on the pockmarked leather couch. "Thanks for agreeing to it."

"You're welcome. But I think I should b-be the one that's thanking you."

"Oh? Why's that?" Craig asked. He pulled off his jacket and stretched, holding back a yawn.

Tweek shrugged. "I dunno. I didn't know I could do any of that," he said.

"'Course you can. You can do anything you want."

A blush crept its way up Tweek's skin and he was struck with how warm he felt under all the layers he'd bundled up in. He followed suit and draped his discarded jacket over his knees. Craig shouldered closer to him.

"Can I have a kiss?" Craig asked.

Tweek glanced up at Craig. He felt small sitting next to him, but at the same time, somehow more accomplished. It dawned on him that he felt like he'd finally earned the right to be there. With Craig. "Yeah."

Craig pressed his mouth to Tweek's cheek. His lips were chapped a bit, he noticed, as Craig kissed him again at the corner of his mouth. Tweek leaned into the embrace and kissed Craig back.

"You really need t-to shave," Tweek mumbled into Craig's lips.

That elicited a hearty laugh from Craig. "You think so?" he said loudly. Tweek felt Craig cup the sides of his face with cold fingers and he started to squirm under the dozen kisses Craig peppered his face with.

"Yes, I think so!" Tweek groaned.

"People are starting to stare at you two," a voice came from behind them. They both whipped around to see Token leaning over the back of the couch.

"Voyeur," Craig accused jokingly. "Let them stare."

Token laughed. "The shuttle is gonna leave in ten minutes. We were thinking of heading out to dinner after we drop all the gear off."

"What did you have in mind?" Tweek asked.

"I dunno," Token said, casting a glance over his shoulder. "Stan and Kyle were thinking Casa Bonita."

"Sounds good to me," Craig chimed. "We have to make a quick detour before dinner though."

"For what?"

Craig tilted his head from side to side, contemplating, eyes skyward. "I got Tweek a present. You guys should all fit in Stan's car, so we can meet you there."

"Cool cool," Token said before heading off to finish his drink with the others.

Tweek stared at Craig, waiting until Token was out of earshot. "What did you get me?"

"You'll see," Craig teased. He got to his feet and gathered his jacket. "It's the coolest thing. I promise."

"You know I don't like surprises," Tweek said as he followed suit. "What is it?"

"Oh, you'll like it. I'm sure of it."

They made their way out to the parking lot, Tweek still pestering Craig about the secret he was keeping, but Craig remained tight-lipped through the ride back to the hotel. The snowboards got piled into the closet in Stan and Kyle's room.

"Is it a pony?" Tweek guessed jokingly when they arrived at their room.

"You're close, but no cigar," Craig answered.

"What about t-two ponies?"

Craig started to change into more casual clothes as he shook his head. "You won't guess it. But I think two ponies would probably be cooler than what I got you, so you shouldn't let your expectations get ahead of yourself."

Tweek shook his head. "I don't actually like ponies," he said.

"Who doesn't like ponies?" Craig challenged.

A shrug. "Me?"

"You're so weird, Tweek."

He stuck his tongue out at Craig as he finished slipping into his sneakers. "No, you."

"All right, all right. I wanted to give you this when we actually got there, but since you can't contain yourself…" Tweek tried to peer over Craig's shoulder as he rummaged around in his bag.

"You got me an envelope?" Tweek asked, taking hold of the card that was handed to him.

Craig rolled his eyes and made for the door. "Yep, your very own. You're an adult now, it's time you get utilitarian gifts for Christmas," he joked.

Tweek raised his eyebrows as he followed Craig into the hall. "I didn't think you knew that word."

"Give me more credit than that," Craig teased. They ran into the other five idling in the elevator bay. Tweek palmed the envelope in his hands as they waited. Craig pulled out his phone.

"When do you think you guys will get to the restaurant?" Clyde asked impatiently.

"We won't be long," Craig answered. "Where we're going looks like it's only gonna be a… ten minute drive from here. And it's kind of on the way to Casa Bonita."

"Good, 'cause I'm not waiting for an hour on you two before I order my food. I'm starving," Clyde complained. Token elbowed his side to quiet him.

Tweek almost wished he'd stayed swathed in the gear he'd shed when they made it outside. With the sun gone, the temperature had dropped considerably. They waited in Craig's car for a few minutes as it warmed up.

"You're not going to open it?" Craig asked, casting Tweek a quizzical glance.

"Well, you said you wanted me to wait until we got there."

"I mean, you don't have to," he added as they pulled onto the road.

Tweek turned the envelope over in his hands. "It's dark in the car. I wouldn't be able to r-read it anyway."

"Here." Craig reached up to turn the cabin light on.

"Isn't that illegal?" Tweek clamored.

Craig shook his head. "No, that's just a myth your parents tell you," he said.

"Oh."

Tweek lifted the flap of the envelope and pulled out the card inside. It was a soft blue, covered in glitter snowflakes that left Tweek's fingers with a dusting of sparkles. "Nice choice," he teased.

Craig glanced over at him. "My mom actually helped me pick it out."

Tweek balked. "For real? I thought your mom didn't like me," he said quickly.

"Whatever gave you that impression?" Craig laughed. "No, my parents don't hate you, Tweek. They just know I'm not the best at, uh, making good decisions. If anything, they're worried I'm gonna fuck your life up."

Tweek ran the pad of his thumb over the glitter. "I don't think you've fucked my life up," he responded.

"Oh, my God. Stop. The card is sappy enough. Just open it already."

The first thing Tweek noticed was the giftcard that slid out, then the logo on it. "Holy shit, Craig," Tweek squeaked.

"Told ya you'd like it," Craig beamed happily.

"A hundred bucks? I can get that set for Necromunda," Tweek rattled. "I didn't think you even knew what Games Workshop was."

"I thought we had this conversation - give me more credit than that," he laughed.

Tweek shook his head, his grin threatening to swallow him up as he opened the card entirely. The inside was scrawled in Craig's blocky handwriting, spelling mistakes to boot.

Babe -

I wish I could say I'm not really good at this kind of thing, but that'd be a lie. You melt my heart and bring out the sticky gooy romantic side of me. You're my bread and butter. The creame to my coffee. Haha. Thank you for always having my back and being paitiant with me. For sticking by my side even when I'm kind of a jerk sometimes. Just know that I love you with all my heart and every day I try to be a better boyfriend cuz I couldn't imagine my life without you.

- Craig

"Oh, my God, Craig," Tweek said into his hands. "You're t-too much, you know that? Like, really. What the hell did I do to deserve someone like you?"

The car came to a stop outside the store. "Nuthin'," Craig answered. "Just being you is enough."

Tweek shook his head again and peered between his fingers at the bright game store in front of them.

"You're not gonna cry on me, are you?" Craig asked behind a nervous laugh.

"No!" Tweek shot off. "No, I'm not. I'm just happy. That's all."

"Well, that's a relief." Craig got out of the car and Tweek scrambled excitedly to keep up. He nearly slipped on a patch of ice in his effort, but Craig caught him before Tweek lost his footing.

"Thanks," Tweek said, breathless. "For the present. And the weekend, too."

"For sure." Craig held the door and Tweek shuffled inside and, like a kid in a candy store, he buzzed from display case to shelf, eyeing all the models and books the store had to offer. Craig followed him around the store for a bit, humming and hawing patiently (and with a smile, no less) as Tweek chattered on about each of the models they came across.

"Thank you, thank you, thankyou," Tweek chanted as he settled on the box set that he wanted. It took both his hands to carry to the counter, and came with a hefty price tag to match. He took out his wallet to cover the difference, but Craig put his hand out to stop him.

"I got it. Heh, didn't realize this stuff was so expensive or I woulda gotten you a bigger giftcard," he said.

"No, it's fine. I can c-cover it," Tweek offered.

"Really. It's okay. Is there anything else you wanted?"

The man behind the counter eyed them interestedly as Tweek shuffled his feet. "I mean, if it's okay with you, I need a couple more paints for this army."

"Go get them, then," Craig said. Tweek scampered off to the next aisle to mull over his selection. He grabbed a few paints, casting Craig the occasional glance over the shelves. He was chatting with the clerk, but when Craig noticed Tweek peeking over at him, he gave Tweek a thumb's up.

Tweek returned with a handful of colors. Craig was turning a keychain over in his hands. "I kind of like this guy. It's pretty gnarly looking."

"That's Slaanesh," Tweek and the shopkeeper said in unison. Craig looked up and glanced between the two of them, fighting back a chuckle.

"It's the chaos god of lust," Tweek elaborated, a little embarrassed. "It's actually not r-really a guy, but something kind of in the middle."

"Oh. I like that it looks like a lizard alien," Craig said, clearly out of his element. "And the red eyes are pretty cool."

"That gonna be it for you guys?" the clerk asked.

"Yeah. I think that should about do it," Craig answered. The clerk started ringing up the items. "How much is the Slaanesh keychain?"

The clerk reached for it and passed it under the barcode reader. "Tree fiddy."

((Author's Note: Alas! The journey has come to an end for Tweek and Craig. My boys! I just wanted to give a quick thanks to those of you who have stuck with this story as it has developed. I really appreciate the fantastically well-written feedback. It's been a real pleasure writing this fic.

Honestly, when I wrote the first chapter, I'd only seen a single episode of South Park - the famed Put it Down episode. Over the course of the last four months, I've binged the entire show, studied the characters, memorized their Wiki pages, and, of course, played the SHIT out of Fractured But Whole. (Literally!) South Park has become one of my all-time favorite shows. The community has been incredibly receptive and welcoming as well, and I look forward to writing more for you guys. If you could spare a moment, I'd love to hear your feedback in a review or private message. It's important to me as an aspiring writer to understand how you perceive the characters, themes, world building, and dialogue. It helps me improve and continue to produce better, more original content.

Thanks again for sticking by Study Hard, Party Harder. I hope you all had a great ride! *cue the Primus outro*))