The Futures To Far Away (CREEK FIC)

I hope you pass

The days leading up to finals turned into a relentless cycle of study, exhaustion, and worry. Craig felt like he was barely living in reality anymore. He'd wake up, grab his books, meet with Kyle, and work through every possible topic that could be on the test. At lunch, Craig sat with his notes instead of his friends, and Kyle sat across from him, making sure he stayed focused on every detail, down to the smallest grammar rules and reading comprehension techniques.

Every so often, when Craig felt too exhausted to keep going, he'd glance around the cafeteria to see Tweek, who'd be watching him from a few tables over with a small, tense smile. Craig would manage a thumbs-up or a weak grin, and Tweek would respond with a look of encouragement, just enough to keep Craig going. The intensity of it all surprised even him. He had never been one to put this much effort into schoolwork—he'd always been happy to skate by however he could. But this was different. This was his future, and Tweek's too.

It was during one late-night study session at home that Craig really felt the pressure weigh down on him. He had Stripe sitting on his lap, Kyle beside him, and a mess of papers all over his desk. Kyle had been explaining the same grammar rules for the third time when Craig's vision started to blur.

"Craig, are you even listening?" Kyle's voice cut through the fog, sounding sharper than usual.

Craig blinked, shaking his head. "Yeah, sorry. Just... it's a lot, you know?"

Kyle's frown softened. "Look, I know it's exhausting, but you're almost there. One more week. Just keep pushing." Kyle's tone was gentle but firm. "If you want to pass, you've got to keep up the focus. No distractions."

Taking a deep breath, Craig forced himself to nod. He'd gotten this far, and he wasn't about to mess it up now. It was just a few more days, and then he'd finally be done with this hell.

The night before the exams, Craig barely slept. He lay awake, thoughts racing, wondering if all the studying would be enough. Every mistake he'd ever made in school came back to haunt him, every missed assignment and bad grade. All of it felt like it was catching up to him.

And then, finally, the day of the finals arrived.

Craig felt nauseous as he walked into school. The familiar hallways seemed too bright, the sounds of other students too loud. He clutched his backpack straps, trying to keep his breathing steady. Kyle had reminded him not to look at the test like one giant problem but rather as a series of smaller tasks. He could tackle each question on its own, just like they'd practiced. Still, the nerves twisted inside him like a live wire.

Outside the English classroom, he spotted Tweek standing by his locker, fiddling nervously with the zipper on his backpack. For a moment, Craig's anxiety faded. Tweek looked up and saw him approaching, his eyes lighting up with relief.

"Hey," Tweek murmured, reaching out to grab Craig's hand. His fingers were warm, steadying Craig in a way he hadn't realized he needed.

Craig managed a shaky smile. "Hey. You ready for this?"

Tweek took a deep breath, letting it out in a huff. "As ready as I'll ever be." His eyes softened as he looked at Craig, and he squeezed his hand a little tighter. "I... I just wanted to say I'm really proud of you, Craig. I know how hard you've been working. It means a lot to me—to know that you're doing this for us."

Craig felt his throat tighten. Tweek's words cut through all the noise in his head, grounding him in the moment. For a second, he forgot about the exam, about the possibility of failing. All he could think about was Tweek and the future they'd dreamed of together.

Tweek stepped closer, reaching up to brush a hand along Craig's cheek. His touch was gentle, his fingers trembling slightly, and he looked at Craig with so much warmth that it made Craig's heart ache. Slowly, Tweek leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Craig's cheek. The touch was tender, filled with a mixture of pride and quiet fear.

Craig closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Tweek's lips settle over him. It was more than a kiss; it was a promise, a reminder of everything he was fighting for. When Tweek pulled back, his cheeks were pink, and he offered a nervous smile.

"Good luck," Tweek whispered, his voice barely above a murmur. "I know you're going to do great."

Craig felt a surge of determination. He reached out, giving Tweek's hand one last squeeze. "Good luck to you too. We'll get through this together, okay?"

Tweek nodded, his expression brightening. "Yeah... together."

With one final, lingering glance, Tweek turned and headed toward his own classroom, leaving Craig standing alone. Craig took a deep breath, feeling the imprint of Tweek's kiss lingering on his skin. Somehow, it gave him the courage he needed to step into his own classroom and face the exam head-on.

As he sat down and stared at the test paper in front of him, Craig's nerves finally began to settle. He could do this. He had to do this—not just for himself, but for Tweek, for their future. And with that thought, he picked up his pencil and began.