Lifeline (Tweek & Craig)

Chapter Five

(Sorry for any errors, my eyes are done staring at the screen.)

Tweek

It was freezing in the hallway as Tweek sat trembling by the door for what seemed like forever. When the elevator door opened, Tweek held his breath as he waited for Craig to step out. Instead it was another guy, he didn't look much older than him. He was tall, strawberry colored hair and dark brown eyes. He look like he had just returned from exercising. Tweek looked away when the guy looked almost startled that Tweek was in the hall.
"Are you Okay?" He asked Tweek as he walked to his door that was parallel to Craig's.
Embarrassed Tweek just nodded.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
Tweek nodded.
"Are you a friend of Tucker's?" He asked, suspiciously.
Tweek didn't answer, because he was sure Craig did not consider him a friend.
"Are you locked out?" He asked halfway through his door.
Tweek looked up at him and nodded.
"That sucks, I saw Tucker downstairs. You are welcome to wait in here if you like."
"I am ok, thank you," Tweek finally said.
"Sure?" He asked.
Tweek nodded.
"Knock if you change your mind," he said closing the door behind him.
Tweek buried his face into his knee as he waited to be cursed out by Craig.

Craig

Craig looked at the time and decided 90 minutes was enough time at the gym. The piece of mind he was hoping to gain was lost somewhere, and he was very distracted. Craig had many thoughts running around in his head, he didn't regret letting Tweek stay with him, but he missed his space and not having to worry about anyone but himself.
Now he has to worry about Tweek. And he was concerned that he might have to eventually micromanage Tweek and that's something he didn't signed up for.
Craig hoped for their sake that once they move beyond the first awkward week, Tweek would become more self-sufficient. Craig understands that things maybe weird at first, due to their history, but hope that things would smooth itself out eventually.
When Craig walked off the elevator, he froze when he saw Tweek in the hallway. 'What the fuck!' he thought. When Tweek look up at him with tear filled eyes, any anger Craig felt washed way and he hurried to him.
"What happened?" Craig asked.
Tweek wiped his eyes, "Went to throw the pizza box away and got locked out."
"How long have you been in the hall?" Craig asked.
"A few minutes after you left?"
Craig's eyes widen. "Almost 2 hours? Why didn't you come get me?"
"I didn't know where you were," Tweek said looking at his knees.
Craig sighed. "Why didn't you go to the doorman?"
Tweek was confused as he stared up at Craig. "There is always a master key with the doorman. And the doorman could have told you where I was," Craig said opening the door.
Tweek was happy Craig had his keys.
"They doorman will be your best friend here, so in case of any emergency away go to them," Craig said, switch the slam lock to always stay open.
"Sorry," Tweek said after entering.
Craig looked at the shy guy who was almost his height and sighed. It was almost impossible to be upset with him and Craig couldn't understand why. When the thought adorable crossed Craig's mind he walked to the back to his room locking his bedroom door. Weird.

Tweek

Tweek watch as Craig disappear in to the back room. Tweek went to wash his hand before he touched anything. When he realized the couch was watching the tv he went to find the remote to turn it off. When the remote seem complicated, Tweek walked to the tv, looked for a off button and switched it off, afterwards he went into the room and gently closing the door behind him. Tweek took out the photo of his parents and laid down next to it. He was shivering even after being under the covers.
Tweek wondered if he was getting sick or worse dying? 'Am I dying,' he thought, knowing Craig would be so angry with him if he died in his apartment. He tucked the photo of his parents under his pillow and closed his eyes maybe he would feel better after he sleeps.

Craig

Craig wanted to be irritated but couldn't, the damn guy was hopeless. The one thing Craig knew he didn't want to do it micromanage him but he feared he didn't have much of a choice.
Craig turned on the shower to clean up after his intense workout. Something he never thought he would enjoy till he moved to his building. He wondered if Tweek would like the gym. Tweek was medium built, definitely not fragile looking, a good balance of not to skinny not too solid. He was tall but not taller than him. Immediately after think about it, Craig remembered Tweek being locked out and realized gym would not be a good fit for him. Craig couldn't trust him at the gym. He'd could definitely get hurt or drop weights or run into things, hell break things. He is hopeless.
As Craig showered, he chuckled as Tweek's hallway situation settle in his head, 'how do you lock yourself outside?' he thought. He was aware it wasn't funny for Tweek but when you think about it, 'who does that? Who leave an apartment without making sure the door is open?' Craig thought Tweek was annoying but adorable.
Craig turned the warm water off to let the cold water cover him. He could believe that for the second time he thought that Tweek was adorable. He has never thought of anyone of his friends that way, only the girls he dated. When he couldn't take the water temperature much longer. Craig got out, dried himself with a towel and put on shorts. When he walked into his room, he got into bed turning on the tv on wall in front of him.
Craig thought it was best to stay far away from him for the rest of the day. Thoughts like this was why Craig kept his distance after the yaoi nonsense. He was afraid it was turning him into something he wasn't. Now he was stuck with Tweek.
The idea of feeling like a prisoner in his own space was killing him. However, Tweek has done nothing to make him feel uncomfortable, it was more of a personal problem.

Tweek

When Tweek woke up, it was 2:00 a.m in the morning. He could believe that he had slept the rest of yesterday away. Tweek doesn't remember the last time he slept so long, but he felt great. He laid in bed till the morning sky rolled in, and he pretend to be asleep when he heard footsteps moving down the hall. When Tweek smelt coffee he sat up on the bed.
There was nothing Tweek craved more than coffee. He wanted so badly to go pour a cup but he didn't want to get in Craig's away. Tweek stood up to look out the window. The road were clear but the sidewalk looked a mess. He wasn't sure if they had school today but knew he would listen to see if Craig was getting ready.
Tweek worry about how he would get to school and if he would be warm without the proper gear. Everything he owned was worn out and thin.
When Tweek heard a knock on the door, he stiffened. When Craig never called, or enter, Tweek went and opened the door. Craig was 80 percent dressed for school. Just missing snow boots and other outerwear. It was hard to read his expression. Craig wasn't happy, but he wasn't sad or angry either, he just wore a poker face.
"We have class today. It looks like your feet are an inch smaller than mine so the boots should fit. They are new so when you get a job, replace them. These clothes should fit and the gray jacket by the door is for you to use," Craig said and walked over to the counter.
On the floor in front of the room door there was folded clothes and the snow boots Craig mentioned. Tweek picked them up and felt so emotional. He couldn't believe that he was just thinking about this a few minutes in before.
"I leave in 20 minutes, so if you want a ride. You have 15 minutes to get ready," Craig said sipping coffee, with his back turned to Tweek.