Lifeline (Tweek & Craig)

Chapter Sixteen

Craig

At that moment while Tweek was in his arms, Craig couldn't think of a time when he felt this deeply connected to someone. He could feel Tweek's heart beating, his diaphragm expanding whenever he took a breath, and he could even hear whenever Tweek swallowed.
Craig had dated countless women in the past and never once had he felt that if whatever was growing between them didn't last, his life would be meaningless. After everything that they have done so far, Craig could not imagine them going back to being just roommate.
    Over the years, Craig took many things for granted as he was trying to fill a void he didn't realize was there until Tweek came to live with him. In one week, he felt a variety of emotions — anger, confusion, fear, jealousy and now happiness.
When Craig buried his face into Tweek's freshly washed hair, Tweek shuddered and his hearts melted. There were so many things Craig wanted to do, but clearly he didn't know where to start. Being with a guy was different, and the only one who had the experience was Tweek. This truth was difficult for Craig to swallow because he was used to being in control with his past partners, yet twice Tweek did what he couldn't find the courage to do.
    When Tweek opened up to him, Craig was a bit surprised which was strange because they kissed earlier, but at the same time hearing it made him happy for a few reasons. One he didn't have to compete with his mom who was planning on setting Tweek up with Tricia, he didn't have to compete with the girls that suddenly realized Tweek existed and he definitely wasn't insane for believing though there was a chemistry between them.
When Craig thought about where Tweek's experience came from, he wondered how he would deal with the situation with Bradley. Bradley was a long time friend, who had his fair share of secrets, and before today none of it was Craig's business. Knowing there was a link between Bradley and Tweek now made it his business; it was clear that Tweek still had reminiscence of feelings for him and it was also evident at how sporadic Tweek became when Bradley was around.
    Craig was no angel when the yaoi stories spread around town; he made it very clear he wanted nothing to do with Tweek, and he regrets that time of his life more than anything. He didn't get Bradley though. He was in a sexual relationship with Tweek, the same person whom he claimed disgusted him.
    Could it have been all a facade? Was Bradley in love with Tweek? Thinking back to the way Bradley looked when Craig was with Tweek, he looked sad like he was beginning to unravel. (LOL!) So what to do about his friend and the guy that makes him whole?
Craig glanced at the door, knowing he should go out there but couldn't convince his legs to move. In the perfect world, people would excuse themselves and go home. However, this world's not perfect, and he was sure half of his friend were standing in the kitchen wondering what's going on and the other half was still playing video games as if they didn't have class in the morning.
"To avoid being rude, I'm going to go out there. You can come with me or wait for me here?" Craig asked, running his hands up Tweek's side.
Tweek pulled away and looked up at him. As Craig stared into his eyes, all he could think about was how mesmerizing they were.
"Can I wait here?" Tweek asked shyly.
Craig nodded. He lifted Tweek's chin, before kissing him softly on the lips. "Of course."
It felt weird when Craig moved around him to walked to the door, he turned back and watched as Tweek looked out the windows with his arms wrapped around him. That sad, yet beautiful image of Tweek, made it hard for Craig to leave. When he touched the handle, he worried about leaving Tweek to his thoughts alone. When his eye skipped to the tv on the wall, Craig walked over to nightstand took out the remote and turned the tv on. Then he tossed the remote on the bed.
"I'm sure family guy is on (LOL! Sorry!)," Craig said, grinning before walking out the door. When Craig saw Tweek's lips curl into a smile, his heart started pounding. It was too late to go back in and hold him--his guest was waiting.
     When he closed the door behind him and looked out into the apartment, his friends were waiting in the Kitchen, perhaps wondering what was going on. As he approached the island, he was confronted with all their curious stares.
"Is everything ok?" Token asked looking at the door for Tweek.
"Yup," Craig said standing beside of him.
"You know you left him in your bedroom?" Clyde said confused.
Craig grinned. "I didn't leave him, I told him he could stay there while this was going on," he said passing a glance at Bradley who didn't move from where he stood this whole time. His facial expression had tightened though, he looked angry.
"The room you don't let people in? Even the girls you date?" Clyde asked.
"Is there a problem?" Craig asked.
"Yes, what's going on between you two because you treat Tweek differently—"
"Than who? You?" Craig asked, his voice stern.
"If you asked me—" Butters started.
    "No one asked you," Craig replied.
    Butters paused, laughed and then continued. "Like I was saying, I think something is going on between you too. You both have definitely gotten close, and you even broke up with Red—RED of all people for him," Butters said, standing next to Bradley. Butter, by the way, was Bradley's closes friend.
"Red is batshit crazy, she had it coming," Craig growled.
"But she is hot!" Clyde replied.
"Then you should date her," Craig replied.
"Back to the more important question," Kenny said, with a smirk. "What's going on with you two?"
Craig thought about how he would answer, he wanted to tell them it was none of their damn business but knew the conversation would come up over and over again and he didn't want to lie about it.
"I'm not sure myself to be honest with you, but I think I'm seriously attracted to him," Craig said, the words that came out of his mouth not only shocked him but everyone closest to him.
"Wait a minute, did I just hear what I just heard?" said Eric who wasn't in the kitchen but in the living room paused the game he was playing to come over.
Craig sighed opened the fridge and took out a beer when he closed the door, he swore he could see Bradley's spirit leaving his body.
"Are you gay? Like the whole yaoi business, because you lost your shit when the Japanese girls suggested it," Stan said, sitting down as if the night just got amazing.
"I don't think so," Craig said honestly. He took a sip of his beer and thought about it before shrugging his shoulders.
"What do you mean you don't think so? You went crazy!" Stan replied.
"I dunno, want to know my honest opinion though?" Craig asked, and he could see the anticipation in their eyes. "I don't owe anyone of you an explanation nor do I care what anyone thinks," Craig said brutally honest.
"True, but you took out the most of your anger on Tweek back then... how?" Kyle added.
Craig frowned. "Yeah I did, and now feeling the way that I do, I realize that I am simply an asshole."
"You realized that now... like right now?" Kenny blurted out.
     Craig flashed Kenny two middle fingers.
"Ok, ok, we were young then, I understand people can change. However, how can you be sure that Tweek doesn't secretly hate you?" Stan asked.
"He says he doesn't. I don't know. I can't read his mind."
"So are you attracted to men now?" Eric asked, curiously.
"I mean I'm not attracted to any of you. Tweek, however, is another story," Craig admitted.
"It has to be because Tweek looks like a girl," Butters replied, "Even I thought he was pretty today."
"Are you gay Butters?" Eric asked.
"No, but I'm not blind either I can appreciate good looking people. Like Token, Craig, Kenny, and Clyde even Bradley here who is unusually quiet."
Watching Bradley was like seriously watching someone fight with their own demons. Craig wondered what was going through his head at the movement.
"So the rest of us aren't good looking, is that what you are saying?" Stan muttered.
"No, I mean like pretty, pretty. My point is that Craig might find him attractive because he looks like a girl."
"But Tweek isn't a girl he is a guy," Token began. "Up until Tweek, Craig found girls attractive. So Craig could be bisexual or pansexual, hell he might be gay but doesn't find anyone in this room attractive. Craig needs to figure out what he is feeling, and I don't think he could do that overnight, so I'd appreciate it if you guys back up with the questions," Token finished.
Craig looked at Token and smiled.
"Geez, Token," Eric replied.
"I'm way more good looking than Tweek, yet Craig doesn't find me attractive. It's just so strange," Kenny said actually confused.
"Wow, you are full of yourself," Craig replied.
"Ok, one more question before I drop this all together," Eric said.
"What?" Craig asked in a monotone voice.
"Since you both are all close and shit, did you two have sex? Follow up question. Does he sound like a girl? Another follow up question, who's top and who's the bottom? I'm assuming Tweek's the bottom, but you never know, in these relationships," Eric said as he points his finger, that he moved in small circles, at Craig.
"How are you asking followup questions without an answer to the first question?" Craig replied annoyed. "To answer your first question. No, but you seem to know a lot about gay partners sexual roles. Feel free to share your knowledge with me so that I am better prepared one day."
The room erupted in laughter. Eric turned red like he was about to explode.
"You know what. Fuck you, Craig," Eric growled.
"Not my type," Craig replied, with a grin.
"You know what I mean," Eric hissed.
Craig smiled. "Do I really?"
Craig glanced at Clyde who was quiet and in his thoughts. His best friend looked slightly sad, and it worried him.
"Are you ok?" Craig asked Clyde.
"Yeah," Clyde said, looking downward. When he lifted his head, he smiled a sad smile. "I'm for whatever makes you happy," he said taking Craig's beer away from him to drink it.
"I could have just passed you a beer," Craig said to him.
"Please, you only pamper your timid boyfriend," Clyde said rolling his eyes and heading into the living room. "I got next,"
"I'm going to head out," Bradley finally spoke. Bradley avoided his stare as he got ready to leave.
"I am heading out too," Stan replied yawning. "Football here next week?"
"Not a chance," Craig replied, more seriously than he has never been in his life.
"Why not? Like you have the biggest space plus this was fun," Kenny stated.
"When everyone leaves I'd have to clean up after you guys, you think I enjoy cleaning up after people?"
"Don't you have a maid that cleans?" Eric muttered.
"No, I have a housekeeper, and her job isn't to clean up after you people," Craig growled.