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The world was muffled in those moments, Tweek could barely think, his shaking subsided as he landed punch after punch on the faceless man under him.
Crack
He felt it rather than heard it as the world slowed. He felt sick as what was happening finally registered, Craig lay under him, his face was bloodied. ‘ you did this ’ The blond guessed he looked as surprised as he felt because it took Craig a moment to throw him off. The ground came hard and fast but he had no time to defend himself before Craig had kicked him square in the ribs which knocked the wind out of the blond as he curled in on himself, groaning in pain. But before Tweek could get up Craig lifted him by his shirt collar, for once the boy looked angry. Tweek was hit so hard he saw stars and barely felt being dropped. With that the fight was over. The yelling slowly quieted as Craig wiped a bit of blood from his mouth, adjusted his chullo hat, and strode off the school yard seemingly unbothered.
It took Tweek a moment to think again, but by then everyone was gone. He could still hear Stan and Kyle complaining about the fight. ‘It's your fault, you’re weak, worthless, a monster’. His usual thoughts accompanied him on his walk home, Tweeks hands shook as he entered the house and thanked whatever was up there that his parents were working in the cafe today.
Tweek frowned at the reflection staring back at him, his hair was even messier than usual with dirt and blood clumped in his golden locks. His nose was bloodied and he could see the beginning of a black eye. He sighed, that was the last time he was going to let Stan and Kyle talk him into something.
After a long shower, a few coffees, an ice pack, and plenty of bandaids Tweek felt at least the slightest bit better. His shaking had subsided to his normal level and the bruises and cuts were like a dull throb. He felt sick everytime he remembered the crunch of Craig’s nose, his brain just wouldn’t let him forget it. He tried his best to distract himself, nothing worked, not his phone, not coffee, not homework, and he had resorted to pulling his hair. All Tweek could think about was that stupid fight, how Craig looked at him, both his anger and fear. ‘Everyones disappointed by you, no one cares, soon they’ll forget about you again’. It hurt and comforted him in an odd way.
To the blonds horror all his overthinking only worsened as he lay in his bed. After a long while of trying to get his mind off today Tweek headed out of his home, coffee in hand. It was dark by then and the boy knew it was far too late to be outside. His paranoia kept his mind off of Craig as he walked aimlessly through the small towns streets. It smelled like frost and a cool wind practically blew through Tweeks thin shirt. The moon was bright enough to keep a surprising amount of visibility and the echoing sound of his footsteps was somewhat comforting.
Tweek turned into Starks pond without thinking, still finding an odd peace with his surroundings. That was until a figure on a bench caught his attention. Tweek jumped when he noticed the person and he could feel his chest tighten painfully as he met the figure's gaze, Craig, even when shrouded in shadows those golden eyes were unmistakable. Craig's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he relaxed back into his uncaring and cold demeanour. He rolled his eyes at Tweek, resting his head on his hand.
The world went silent for those few minutes as Tweek was rooted in place, his mind racing.
“You gonna sit down or what?” Craigs monotonous voice finally cut through the tension.
It took Tweek a minute before he awkwardly complied, not sure if it was an invitation or a threat. Tweek kept his gaze fixed on his shaking hands as Craig glanced at him every few moments. The taller boy cleared his throat getting the blonds attention.
“Soooo… why are you out here” He sounded almost bored, tapping the metal arm rest.
“I-I ngh couldn’t sl-sleep” Tweek spoke through half gritted teeth
Another beat of silent
“You look rough” Craig tried to give a dry laugh and failed, he cleared his throat, “... sorry about that, guess I went overboard”
Tweek couldn’t help but stare at him after that, “WHAT??? B-but I was aghhh th-the one who br-broke your ngggh-nose!” He raised his voice without meaning to. A strange fear over took his at Craigs apology.
The other just shrugged “Whatever”
Tweek almost broke at that “WHAT DO YOU NGGH M-MEA-”
Craig cut him off, waving off his outburst, “Look I said it’s fine, jesus christ”
That shut him up, made his eyes stinge with tears too. Tweek felt like Craig was angry, maybe he was, maybe he deserved to be. But when a few minutes passed and Tweek found himself not being beat, insulted, or abandoned, he spoke up,
“W-why’re you ack- out here?”
Craig was silent for a long while, his face as unreadable as always “It’s a long story”
“Ah… nghhh d-do you uh talk about it?”
Now it was the others turn to look surprised. After a moment Craig gave a small crooked smile which Tweek returned. They turned back to the pond and after a deep breath Craid started. It was indeed a long story, and as he went along he found himself saying far more than he intended to and somewhere between laughing and hiding sobs Craig found Tweek hand interlocked with his. Serious subjects turned to laughing and a sort of comfortable silence.
They found themselves walking through the park both tired but refusing to leave the others company. Dark bruises still accented their visages but neither seemed to care or notice now. They knocked into each other until they found themselves laughing far too loudly on the damp snow. They ended the night with their backs on the ground, hand in hand, looking up at the fallen stars.