Chapter Text
“You know I hate surprises.”
“I know,” smiled Clyde and continued to drag Craig towards Cartman’s house. “As your honorary best friend, it’s my duty to tell you that our classmates planned a surprise birthday party so you won’t kill a bitch.”
Craig rolled his eyes and while he felt apprehensive as the house loomed over them, he appreciated Clyde’s honesty. Just like his best friend said, the moment Clyde turned on the lights, several people jumped out and screamed, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
The sound of popping confetti rang out in the small living room. Before any more congratulations could happen, Cartman shouted, “Thank FUCK! I’m so hungry!”
Craig was already dreading the swarm of people heading his way. As a kid, he enjoyed the attention. Now? He would rather stay at home watching Red Racer reruns with his boyfriend.
Speaking of Tweek…
The blond man sheepishly approached him once Kenny slapped Craig on the back as a way of greeting. Tweek looked like he tried to dress up for the occasion but gave up halfway. His button up was tucked into his pants, but some of the buttons were undone. His hair looked like it was run through several times, and the bags under his eyes told Craig everything he had to know.
“Who put you up to it?” he asked as he easily pulled his boyfriend to his side.
“Nngh, I can’t say!” he squeaked, but his eyes betrayed him as he gazed at them.
Craig sighed and flipped off Kyle who looked like he was about to wave at them. The redhead glared and dropped his hand before turning back to Stan, Kenny, and Cartman.
“He said he felt bad that you weren’t celebrating your birthday properly,” mumbled Tweek, grabbing his hand. “I tried to tell him, Craig! I swear!”
“It’s okay, babe,” he reassured and patted his hair. He took a moment to run his fingers through it and untangled some locks. “Those assholes will do anything to get a bit of attention.”
Tweek smiled, and Craig couldn’t ask for anything else but his boyfriend by his side.
As the evening progressed, it became clear that the party was no longer about Craig’s birthday, but a get together for all the teens in town. Craig didn’t mind. In fact, he preferred it because it was easier for him to sneak out to the backyard. He gazed at the night sky and tried to find the constellations he knew were right above him.
“Looking for aliens?”
Craig turned to see Tolkien approaching with two cups. He shrugged and took the drink Tolkien offered him. The liquid was dark, and Craig took a sniff. He wrinkled his nose.
“What the fuck is this?”
Tolkien shrugged. “Kyle gave them to me and told me to come out here to help you ‘loosen up’,” he air quoted.
“Why does he keep shoving his nose in other people’s business?” asked Craig. He eyed the drink warily.
“I think he’s trying to do good.” Tolkien winced. “Just going about it in the wrong way.”
Craig chuckled and glanced back at the house. He saw several people dancing to the music that was clearly getting louder by the second. He had to go back in, he knew, but for now he’s going to enjoy every second of being as far away from the crowded house as possible.
He sighed, “Let’s toast.” He gestured to his cup.
Tolkien smiled, “To your eighteenth birthday!”
“Yay,” he droned and clinked his drink with Tolkien’s.
He sipped it and immediately gagged.
“What the fuck is this?” he hissed.
“I don’t know but…” Tolkien smacked his lips before eyeing the drink. “Kyle didn’t make this.”
They looked at each other and said in unison, “Kenny.”
They laughed and, for a moment, Craig felt as light as the wind that brushed against his cheeks. Then the lights from the house began to blur and, before he knew it, he passed out.