Archive of Our Own

The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower made Tweek absolutely speechless.

He didn’t know why he was so afraid to go up all these years!

He leaned against the metal railing, looking below at all the ant-sized people roaming the streets below him. He grabbed his camera and snapped a picture.

He was quietly enjoying the view, finally letting out a breath he had been holding since he was 17. The first time he saw the Eiffel Tower.

This is the third time he’s been to Paris. After visiting with his parents when he was 17 (right after he graduated high school), and his parents fell in love with the city, they made it their goal to move to the City of Love.

Three years later, here they are.

“You seem nervous.”

Tweek jumped when he heard a voice next to him, breaking his trance. That’s right - there were several people up here admiring this view alongside him.

He turned his head left to see a man leaning on the fencing in a similar position as Tweek was. “It’s scary at first, but the view makes it all worth it.”

Tweek looked back down to the view below him. He smiled softly. “I.. I’m scared of heights. It took a lot for me to come up here,” he chuckled.

“This is something I think every person should experience at least once,” the man spoke, looking at Tweek.

Tweek moved his vision away from view, and to the man he was talking to. He finally got a good look at him, and he was speechless for a whole other beautiful sight. Tall man, olive skin, shaggy black hair, and chiseled facial features.

This is a man who looks like he belongs in the Louvre.

“Did you know that when the Eiffel Tower was first being built,” the man looked back down to the view, “the builders didn’t wear harnesses or anything? They just jumped from metal bar to metal bar.”

Tweek widened his eyes, “J-jesus? Did anyone die?”

The dark haired man looked up with a cheeky smirk, “technically, no. But I think they just say that because people would have protested the building if anyone had died.”

Tweek chuckled, “th-that makes sense.”

“It also is repainted every seven years.”

Tweek tilted his head, looking at the man, “s-seriously?”

The man nodded, “yup. And it can take anywhere from 18 months to three years to finish painting. It also uses six tons of paint!”

Tweek chuckled, looking back out to the city view. “You know an awful lot about the Eiffel Tower.”

The man shrugs, “I used to be a tour guide when I first moved here.” He gives a small smile to the blonde man, holding a hand out, “I’m Craig by the way.”

Tweek smiles gently and takes his hand, giving it a small shake, “T-Tweek.”

Craig just nods, a puzzled expression crossing his face, but he shakes his head, not questioning any further. Tweek is grateful for that. “Lovely to meet you, Tweek,” Craig continues. “How long you in Paris for?”

“A-About a week. I’ve been here before, but this is my first time on the tower.”

Craig nods, turning around and leaning his back against the barrier. “It’s a beautiful sight, I’m glad you got to experience it. After a pause, he continues, “so are you here with friends? Family? Significant other?”

Tweek doesn’t know how comfortable he is answering that question. Why does this handsome stranger want to know all his business? “Um.. well,” he begins.

Craig’s face softens, then he chuckles, waving his hand, “you don’t have to answer that. It’s rare I find other Americans that will listen to me.”

“So, you’re from America?”

Craig nods. “Yup,” he motions to Tweek’s Denver Nuggets T-Shirt, “I’m actually from Colorado too.”

Tweek looked down to his shirt, feeling the corner of his lips tugging, “oh, really?”

Craig nods, sticking his hands in his pocket. He looks around as an elevator dropped off a new crowd of people. “Hey, do you wanna head down and grab a croissant and coffee?”

Tweek couldn’t help but blush. An attractive man wants to have coffee and a croissant with him?! He felt so giddy just at the thought. He doesn’t even know if this Craig guy likes guys but, the thought is still exciting! “Y-yeah, that sounds fun! You-you lead the way!”

The two lined up for the elevator, waiting quietly. The crowd of people was slightly freaking him out. He never liked crowds, but it seems like that’s all Paris is - just one giant crowd of bustling people all going to the same three places.

But he can’t show his fear and weakness now! There’s a handsome man who is trying to get to know him! Pull it together man!

After several minutes of waiting and riding down elevators (Tweek was NOT about to take the stairs down) they finally made it to the bottom.

There were several people laying on blankets, looking up at the structure from underneath. It really was a gorgeous Spring day. The sun was shining in all the right spots, but there was also a nice breeze flying through, tickling Tweek’s skin.

Craig guided him to a snack kiosk right at the base of the tower. It was sitting proudly with some tables and chairs set up, right next to a gift shop with souvenirs that are probably more expensive than what they’re actually worth.

When they got in line at the snack kiosk, Tweek tried his best to comprehend what the sign read. His French was getting slightly better, but he was nowhere near fluent. When his parents told him they would be moving to France, he picked up a language learning app and began his lessons.

Three years later, he can barely form a sentence.

Languages were not his strong suit.

“Umm.. a cappuccino? And an..” he looked at the treats in the display case, perking up when saw a specific pastry, “ooh! And an eclair please!”

Craig gave a small grin, “alright.” They were next in line and Craig stepped up to the counter. “Bonjour,” he greeted, “un cappuccino, un café et deux éclairs s'il vous plaît.”

Tweek felt his smile wobble. He will never get tired of hearing the French language.

Especially from handsome men like Craig.

“Merci,” Craig said as he handed the cashier his cash.

It wasn’t much longer before their snack was ready. They each grabbed their specific treats, and found a nearby table.

Tweek sipped his cappuccino and felt a sense of home. One of the many things the French has done right: coffee. “So.. how long have you been in Paris? You said you’re from Colorado.”

Craig nodded as if he had been anticipating this question. He took a sip of coffee and wiped his mouth. “I’ve been here for about.. 5 years? Something like that,” he shrugged. “I first came on a school trip the summer of my senior year. I fell in love. I had been taking French all through high school, but I never gave it much thought. Then when I visited with my class, I knew I had to live here. Get out of bum-fuck South Park Colorado.” He chuckled and took another sip of coffee, “I went to school in Denver, but I signed up to study abroad. I studied here for about two years, graduated, and moved right back. So here I am.”

Tweek continued to sip in his coffee and eat his eclair, listening to his story. There was on point that caught his attention, “did you say you were from South Park?”

Craig nodded, eating his own eclair, “it’s a small town outside of Colorado. You might not have heard of it-“

“I’m from there too!”

“No shit?” Craig’s mouth was agape at this information. “Wait.. Tweek. Tweak Bro’s. Coffee! That’s where I heard your name! Holy shit!”

Tweek giggled but turned red in embarrassment at the mention of his family’s business. “Y-yup, that’s me! Well.. my family.” He took another sip of his cappuccino, “we vacationed here after I graduated high school, and my parents decided they wanted to move here! We came back and forth about three times the last three years, but we’re gonna move here over the summer.”

Craig nodded, a small smile teasing his lips, “well, welcome to Paris, Tweek. Do you like it?”

Tweek nodded, sipping his coffee. “Yup. Definitely better than South park. Honestly, I’m only coming along because I can’t afford to live on my own yet,” he shrugs.

He didn’t admit that he also has a very strong dependence on his parents - and the mere thought of them being in a different country as him was enough to almost send him into a panic attack.

Craig nods, finishing up his eclair, “so, do you have a plan? Do you wanna go to school here? Or get a job?”

Tweek shrugs, “honestly? I-I’m not sure. My parents want to open a Tweek Bros. Café here, so I’ll probably just end up working there until I figure something out.”

Craig nodded, “fair enough. I was a tour guide for pretty much my entire time here, but now I’m about to start a job as an English teacher. I’m excited for that.”

Tweek smiled as he finished his own eclair and coffee, “that sounds nice. Maybe you can teach me some French. I’ve tried for three years, but no luck. Languages are not for me,” he shook his head in shame.

Craig chuckled, “I would be happy to be your French teacher, Tweek.” He stands up and grabs their trash, discarding it in a nearby trash bin. When he returns to Tweek, he smiles, “so, do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”

Tweek shakes his head, standing up and pushing his chair in, “no, not really.” He adjusts his camera strap around his chest, “my parents are doing a lot of business stuff today that I don’t really care about. So I took the day to sight see!”

Craig gives a playful smirk, “well, will you allow me to be your tour guide?”

Smiling, Tweek nodded, “I would love that!”

“Great, so is there anything you haven’t seen?” Craig asked as they began walking towards the exit of the Eiffel Tower. There was a proposal right underneath the tower as they were walking, everyone in the surrounding area stopping to clap. Craig rolled his eyes and whispered to Tweek, “this is such a cliche. Happens at least once a day.” This brought out a giggle from Tweek as they exited the area.

~

They decided to go to the Seine. Tweek admitted he had seen most of the signature attractions in Paris, but the two agreed they weren’t ready to break apart. So. Craig took them to a spot along the Seine, where you can sit close to the water and watch the boats swim by.

“So,” Tweek began after he snapped a picture of the sun reflecting perfectly on the river, “why were you up in the Eiffel Tower if you’ve been there so many times before? I mean, you literally told me you worked as a tour guide there.”

Craig shrugged, “it’s my happy place, I guess. If I’m bored, I’ll go up there. Even if i’m not actually on the tower - I like to sit in the grassy area right outside and just look at it. I don’t know. I think that’s the thing that made me fall in love with this city.” He grabbed a pebble and started scraping it along the concrete they were sitting on, “when I came with my school for the first time, we took a guided tour. The tour guide was so much fun, and he had all these facts and was so happy to tell us everything. I mean - of course we were teenagers, so most of us didn’t care. But I did.

“I made sure to ask questions and absorb everything he said like I was some francophile sponge.” He chuckled at his simile, “I still remember his name. Raphael. I thought he was real cute.”

Tweek felt his blood turn cold as he mentioned the cute tour guide. “Oh,” was all Tweek could say. He snapped another picture of the river.

“He must have stopped working there a little while after. I’ve never seen him since I moved here.”

Tweek gave a cheeky smirk, looking at Craig, “did you think you’d run in to him and have some Parisan love story?”

Craig rolled his eyes playfully, “look - I was young and just realized I was gay, okay? I thought anything was possible! Leave me alone!”

Tweek let out a quiet laugh, snapping another picture, this time of the bridge to their right. He cursed under his breath when the picture turned out slightly blurry.

“So, do you wanna be a photographer? You’ve been carrying that camera around like it’s your child,” Craig asked, leaning on his elbows, looking at the orange and pink tinted sky.

Tweek shrugged, “it makes me look cool I think.” His response got a light snicker out of Craig, leaving the blonde satisfied. “Photography has always been something I’ve been interested in I guess. I just like taking pictures. I can’t really describe it, you know?”

Craig nods in agreement, fully laying down on the concrete, slipping his sunglasses over his face. “That makes sense, hobbies don’t have to have any meaning.”

Tweek snapped a picture of the setting sun, then decided to lay down next to Craig. He closes his eyes and just smiles. How can someone he’s only known for almost two hours have such a positive impact on him? How can someone he barely knows make him smile so big? He’s never made friends this quick. Or this genuine. He doesn’t understand it, but he’s happy about it. He’s happy he can feel this warm with someone he just met. But he’s not complaining.

“How do you say ‘This has been the best day’ in French?” Tweek asked.

Craig just smiled and closed his eyes too, “ce jour a été le meilleur jour.”

“Well.. ce.. jour ay.. ete la mayer jour?”

Both men erupted in laughter at Tweek’s horrible pronunciation.

“Yeah, you definitely need a French teacher.”

Once their laughter died down, Tweek felt a buzz on his Apple Watch. He looked at the message and sighed in disappointment as he saw it was a text from his father. “Well, I should get going. My parents are expecting me for dinner.” Tweek stands up, almost falling as he is about as graceful as a baby horse.

Craig stands up too, a lot smoother than Tweek. He doesn’t hesitate in asking, “let me give you a ride.”

Tweek just looked at Craig with wide eyes, “s-seriously? No.. I can’t ask you to do that..”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”

Tweek looks down to hide his blush, looking back up to the setting sun. “Alright, j-just because I’m scared of the dark, and scared of pickpockets.”

Craig smiled, “well I am here to protect you from any pickpockets. I promise. Follow me.”

Craig lead them to a parking spot a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. “Here she is,” he motions to a dark blue vespa parked proudly.

“Aww it’s so cute,” Tweek admires watching Craig open the storage compartment in the back, handing Tweek a spare helmet.

“Thanks. She is truly my pride and joy.” He grabs his own helmet that’s hooked on the handle and puts it on, slipping himself on the vehicle. “Hop on.”

Tweek puts on his helmet, sitting snugly behind Craig, securing his arms around his torso.

He inputted the address on Craig’s phone, letting him fly him through the bustling streets of Paris.

It wasn’t hard to miss the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower as they drove through the city.

Once they finally reached their destination, Tweek handed Craig his spare helmet, flashing him a warm smile. “Thank you for today..”

Craig returned the grin, clearing his throat, “uh, I’d love to hang out again if you’re not busy tomorrow..”

Tweek couldn’t contain his excitement, “y-yes! I would like that.”

Craig chuckled at his enthusiasm, “Okay, cool. I have a tour at 10am tomorrow, but I’m free all day afterwards. I’ll come pick you up from here at about 12?”

Tweek nods, rocking on his toes, “th-that sounds great! I-I’m looking forward to it.”

“Great.. see you then.”

Tweek couldn’t help but melt on the cobblestone road as he watch Craig zoom away on his Vespa.

~

The next day was Thursday - and they spent the day in The Louvre (Tweek didn’t have the heart to tell Craig he’d been there about three times.) It was just as beautiful as ever, and Tweek just loved hearing Craig go on and on about all the different paintings and artists presented.

The following day, they visited The Arc De Triomphe and took a river cruise around The Seine. Tweek loved all the photo opportunities.

Saturday, Craig was stuck at work all day with tours. But, that just meant he and Tweek texted all day long.

Sunday, they visited Notre Dame and just decided to walk around and admire the city since they were presented with a gorgeous day.

“I’m not very religious, but man, that church is gorgeous,” Tweek admits, snapping one last picture of the structure before they start walking away.

“It really is a gorgeous building,” Craig agreed, sticking his hands in his jacket pocket as they began waking.

Tweek looked around at all of the people walking by. Sunday was a peaceful day in Paris apparently. Most of the shops were closed, so that lead to people opening up kiosks on the sidewalk, advertising their cheap souvenir merchandise. “Not much happens on a Sunday, huh?”

Craig hums, looking around, “the cafés are always busy on Sundays. So are the parks.”

“Ah,”

“Wanna have a picnic?”

Tweek looked over to Craig, “didn’t you just say the parks are always busy?”

“Well yeah, but it’s still early. People aren’t out and about yet. If we get a spot quick enough, it’ll be nice. Don’t you think?”

Tweek hummed, imagining the scenario, “yeah, that would be fun! You lead the way.”

Once they retrieved Craig’s vespa, they stopped at a small bakery, grabbing some small sandwiches and bottles of soda. Once their food was stuffed in the storage compartments, Craig began driving them back to where they first met.

After he found a parking space, they gathered all the groceries and quickly found the perfect spot in a patch of grass, right where the sun was shining.

They sat down and set their food and drinks close by. Craig lit a cigarette and looked up at the view standing in front of him.

“See? Isn’t it beautiful?”

Craig had talked about this spot the whole ride over, and while at the bakery. There in front was the Eiffel Tower. He just kept staring as he puffed a bit of smoke out of his mouth.

Tweek nodded. Even though a majority of it was covered by trees, you could still make out the famous structure standing before them.

He looked over at Craig to see his profile, looking up at the tower, with a trail of gray smoke spilling out of his lips.

He was simply beautiful in Tweek’s eyes.

After spending all these days with Craig, it’s safe to say he has developed a crush on the French man.

“How long have you been smoking?” Tweek asked as he watched the embers glow on the end of Craig’s cigarette. It was a question he had been wanting to ask since he saw Craig light up that first cigarette a few days ago.

Craig blew out another puff, “since a little before I moved here. A couple kids in high school offered me one at a graduation party. I didn’t like it then, but when I first moved here, I saw everybody was doing it so I gave in to peer pressure and started.” He examined the cigarette in between his fingers, looking at it with kind of sad eyes, “it’s a nasty habit and I need to stop.. but it’s hard you know? I was so athletic in high school, now I can barely walk up the stairs in the Louvre without getting winded.”

Tweek nods, “addictions are rough..” he pulls his knees up to his chest and resting his chin on his kneecaps.

Craig turns his head and looks at Tweek, tilting his head, “you have experience?”

Tweek shakes his head, “n-not personally, no. But.. before I was born my, uh, parents had really bad dr-drug addictions,” he said cautiously. “Like when they first st-started dating until like their first year of marriage. That was like five years. Before they opened their coffee shop, they both worked measly desk jobs or something, but it was hard. They’d lace their morning coffee, take a quick hit on their lunch break, and do it all night at home.” Tweek looks at the white tips of his converse, grabbing a little fold of his jeans tightly, “I don’t know how they survived. I mean, I guess it’s lucky. They never told me what turned them around, but they did. Then they opened the coffee shop and had me a year later.” He chuckled at his story, trying to ignore the smoke tickling in his nose. “I’ve tried to stay away from all that stuff, since addiction runs in my family, you know? I don’t want to turn out like my parents.”

Craig just nodded along, listening intently as Tweek spoke. “Sounds like you’re pretty close with your parents,” he notes, finishing his cigarette and placing it on the concrete in front of them, crushing it with his shoe.

Tweek shrugged, “it’s.. complicated. I mean - we’re close in the sense that they’re pretty much the only family I have. But, they never take the time to know my interests, or ask about new things in my life. I know they care and genuinely love me, but I think that’s it. If that makes any sense.”

“It makes sense,” Craig says, leaning back on the grass, putting his hands behind his head.

Tweek also laid down on the grass, but on his side so he was looking at Craig’s side profile. “What about you? Are you close with your family? I imagine it was tough moving so far from them.”

With a scoff, Craig shook his head. “No. I mean, I love them of course, but we aren’t close at all. I was kind of a troubled teen. But they weren’t great parents either. They had such high expectations for me to do shit I didn’t even want to do. So when I decided I wanted to live my life how I wanted to live, they didn’t like it. They wanted a successful business man with a great job and nuclear family. They got a troubled guy who wants to travel and see the world.” He sighs and moves his eyes down, “they also weren’t too keen on me being gay.. mainly my dad. It was hard. That’s part of the reason I chose to study abroad. Then, when I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t. I haven’t seen or spoken to my parents since I moved here.” Craig slips jis sunglasses over his eyes, “I have a sister too. We were fine, we just never bonded once I graduate. We still text every once and awhile. She actually came up to visit me last winter. But other than that, it’s just me.”

Tweek frowns. His parents may not be the best, but he couldn’t imagine a life without them. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Craig just shrugs like it’s nothing, “my life is better without them in it. They’d just be disappointed in where my life ended up, so I don’t need to hear it from them.”

Tweek takes a deep breath, “I… I never told anybody about my parents.”

This time, Craig turns his head and looks at Tweek. He raises his sunglasses back up on his head, “seriously?”

Tweek only nods in response. “I mean, I told my therapist, but nobody else.”

“Why’d you tell me then?”

Tweek shrugs, a small smile spreading across his face, “I don’t know. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days, but I’ve never really gotten to know anybody like this. I don’t know, I just feel a closeness to you that I’ve never felt before. I trust you and I like having you around.”

Craig just smiles, a small dimple showing in his tan cheek, “I feel the same with you, Tweek.”

~

The following day, they met for breakfast at a cafe since Craig had to work in the afternoon.

Craig recommended a cute little café in the city on a corner, right by the Seine.

Since they were meeting there, Tweek decided to take a route doing one thing he’s actually good at.

Rollerblading.

Tweek has always loved rollerblading. He learned how to rollerskate at a young age and has just been practicing ever since.

When he arrives at the café to meet Craig, he spots the noirette sitting at a table outside. He’s got his sunglasses on, a cigarette in his mouth, and is looking at his phone.

Tweek almost crashes in to a parked car because he can’t stop staring at Craig.

“Hey, look at you,” Craig chuckles, putting his phone down once he notices Tweek approching.

Tweek smiles, showing a gap in his teeth Craig never noticed before. He tilts his head in admiration as he notices this. “Look at me!”

“I didn’t know you could rollerblade.”

Tweek stopped in his tracks and sat down in the empty seat across from Craig. He smiles, this time with closed lips, and says, “it is my preferred mode of transportation! Why drive when you can rollerblade, right?”

Craig nods, “fair enough. I ordered you a cappuccino by the way.”

Tweek’s heart fluttered as he unstraped his helmet and set it down next to his backpack. “Wow, you know me so well already!”

“Only because it’s pretty much the only thing you order,” Craig smirked, ashing his cigarette on the ashtray at the table.

Once they were settled with their coffee and their sandwiches, they slipped in to easy conversation, enjoying each others company in the sunny morning they were experiencing.

They finished up their breakfast - Craig paying, even though Tweek protested several times.

“There’s still a little bit of time before I have to go to work,” Craig said looking at the time on his phone, “you wanna walk with me to the tower?”

Tweek looked down to his feet and smiled mischievously, “I have a better idea..”

*

“Tweek.. TWEEK!” Craig shouted, holding on to the railing of the sidewalk they were going down.

“Relax Craig! You’re doing great!”

Tweek decided the hour they had was the perfect opportunity to teach Craig how to rollerblade. They stopped at a shop nearby that, thankfully for Tweek, had rollerblades. He took the plunge and bought Craig a pair, and has been teaching him for the last 20 minutes.

Craig’s rollerblading skills are about as good as Tweek’s French skills.

“Here,” Tweek said, trying to suppress laughter as Craig slid down the incline of the sidewalk for the third time. He held out his hand and Craig smiled softly, taking Tweek’s hand.

Tweek won’t lie - he may or may not have felt sparks as soon as their skin touched. The blonde ended up dragging Craig up the incline of the bridge.

Once Craig caught his breath and held on to the concrete wall like his life depended on it. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this. My feet hurt.”

Tweek rolled his eyes, “we’ve only gone 5 feet! Let’s just get to this bridge, then we can stop.”

Craig shot him a look, “fine.” Craig looked over to finally take in his surroundings. “You’re lucky this is my favorite bridge.”

Tweek tilted his head, slowly letting go of Craig’s hand, “why is it your favorite?”

“You’ll see,” Craig tried to flash a charming smirk, but he ultimately failed as he just looked like a small child slipping on glass marbles.

He’s lucky he’s handsome, Tweek thinks.

The two finally reached the entrance of the bridge. Tweek could see the bridge but tilted his head, “what’s this? Why are there locks on it?”

Panting, Craig trudged up the hill on his rollerblades so he could look at the bridge with Tweek. “This, holy shit i’m out of shape, is the Pont Des Arts bridge.”

Tweek skated forward on to the bridge, mesmerized by all the locks along the side of the bridge. He crouched down and examined the different colored locks. They were locked on the wires on the side of the bridge. Many of them had names or initials written in sharpie. Tweek was enamored.

Once Craig finally found his place next to Tweek and caught his breath. He smiled, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead, and looked at the locks. “As I was saying, this is the Pont Des Arts bridge. Couples will buy a lock, write their names on it, and throw the locks into the Seine,” Craig explained, as he looked over into the forementioned river. “It’s supposed to symbolize eternal devotion.”

Tweek’s mouth was agape.“That’s so beautiful,” he said not looking away from the hundreds of locks secured on the bridge.

Craig nodded, “I love it up here.” He looked down at the concrete, “I’ve always imagined putting my own lock on here someday.” He quickly glances at Tweek, hoping he didn’t notice.

Tweek didn’t. He was still examining all the locks.

Craig put his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath. He had to remind himself Tweek was leaving in two days. Only one more day he could see him. Of course, the blonde would be moving here in a few months, but this last week has been so magical.

He hasn’t been able to stop himself from thinking of blonde curls, thick glasses, and a camera.

He thought about what Tweek had said the previous day. How he had never been able to connect to someone like he had with Craig.

Craig feels the same. He has only known him a week, but it feels like an eternity. He wants to keep talking to him all the time. He wants to teach him French. He wants to learn more things about him. He wants to learn how to fucking rollerblade to impress him.

It makes Craig’s heart feel warm and fuzzy.

A feeling he hasn’t feel in a damn long time.

“Tomorrows your last day, right?” Craig asked, leaning agaisnt the lock-covered railing of the bridge.

Tweek’s infatuation with the locks was broken, as his blue eyes beamed at Craig. He stood up, “y-yeah, why?” It’s as if he forgot he has to leave too.

Craig swallows nervously, putting his hands in his pockets, “do you wanna go on a date? Like.. a proper date?”

A smile quickly spread on Tweek’s face like melted butter, “you.. you wanna take me on a date?”

Craig just nodded, “yeah.. I know we’ve been hanging out pretty much every day but.. I don’t know. I think I might have a crush on you?”

Tweek just giggled, his cheeks turning into bright pink cherries as he looked over to the Seine. “I would love to go on a date with you.”

Craig’s own smile grew wider at Tweek’s answer. “Tomorrow night it is then.”

~

Tweek had been nervous all day as he’s pacing in his hotel room. He looked in the mirror, adjusting his hair for the hundredth time.

He stole a nice button up from his dads suitcase. It was a little big on Tweek, but it was still better than any item in the plethora of band t-shirts he brought to Paris with him.

He told his parents about Craig the night they met. His parents didn’t show much interest, but were happy he made a friend.

He didn’t tell them they were going on a date. He didn’t think they would care all that much.

Time was moving at a snail's pace in Tweek’s mind. He kept checking his watch every five seconds, only to be faced with the same 3 numbers every time.

6:40. 6:40. 6:41.

“Agh!” Tweek screeched, pulling the ends of his hair, messing them up once more. “Fuck!” He cursed at himself, attempting to fix his mistake.

The plan was Craig would pick up Tweek at 7pm, and they’d walk to their destination. But with each second that passes, the more jittery Tweek’s nerves get.

“Okay.. okay. It’s fine!” He repeated to himself in the mirror trying to calm his nerves. His fingers were shaking. The truth is - he’d never been on a date before. He’s never done anything romantic. No first kiss, no hand holding, no man trying to sweep Tweek off his feet.

He had several things going through his mind. Is he 100% sure it’s a romantic date? Oh god what if Craig wants to take him somewhere and murder him?!

This is. bad idea I shouldn’t do th-

His phone buzzed, causing him to yelp as his trance was interrupted. With shaky hands, he grabbed his phone and looked at the message.

It was from Craig.

Hey, I’m a little early, but I’m here! Come out whenever you’re ready.

Tweek took a breath and just sent a thumbs up emoji. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and did one final check to make sure he looked acceptable.

He wasn’t totally in love with how he looked, but honestly he probably couldn’t get an acceptable appearance if he had ten more hours to prepare.

Sighing, he just decided to roll with it and head down to meet Craig.

The minute he saw Craig, he frowned because the noirette was dressed to the nines! He made Tweek feel way underdressed.

He had on a white button up with black jeans and he was even wearing a red bow tie. His hair was also slicked in a way Tweek hadn’t seen it before, and he looked so good.

Craig, however, just flashed a wide smile towards Tweek, “you clean up nice, Tweek.”

Tweek chuckled lightly, looking at his light blue button up that was tucked into some khaki slacks, “I feel like I’m wearing a private school uniform. I didn’t have anything nice so I had to steal clothes from my dad!”

“Well, I feel like you probably pull it off better than he could.”

Tweek blushed at the compliment, walking down the front steps of the hotel building, “th-thanks. Shall we go?”

Craig nodded, holding his hand out, “may I?”

Tweek didn’t respond with words, but a wide smile as he took Craig’s hand.

They made small chatter as Craig led them to their destination. Tweek had fallen more in love with Paris by the moment. He loved the smell of fresh bread and coffee on every corner. He loved the sound of the language. He loved the architecture.

He liked the people.

One person in particular.

“Can you tell me where we’re going now?” Tweek asked after they had been walking for about fifteen minutes.

Craig just shook his head, “nope, but we’ll be there soon.”

Tweek hummed suspiciously, trying to scour his brain for an idea of what Craig could have planned.

~

It turns out that Craig had reserved a dinner for two on a river cruise restaurant.

Tweek almost cried.

His jaw was pretty much on the floor as soon as they stopped in front of the boat that said Maxim’s.

“This is my favorite restaurant in Paris. It’s very fancy so I only save it for special occasions. Like taking a cute guy I have a crush on on a date.” Craig had explained as they walked on the cruise.

Tweek was in such shock, “this is… I don’t know what to say!” He said as they sat down at a table for two. It was a small square table with a white tablecloth and a candle in the middle. The definition of a romantic dinner. He never thought anyone could ever do this for him.

Maybe it isn’t just fantasies at all.

“Don’t say anything,” Craig said with a smile, looking up from his menu, “let’s just have a good night, yeah?” He raised his glass of water and clinked it with Tweek’s.

Tweek smiled as he clinked their glasses, the echo of the glass impact was ringing in Tweek’s ears.

He couldn’t believe any of this was real.

A romantic dinner on the river? In Paris? With a guy that is totally out of his league? Tweek is convinced he is really dreaming.

“There’s no way this isn’t real. I can’t believe any of this is real! How are you real?!” Tweek said through a giggle, still processing what is actually happening.

Craig returned the chuckle, sipping a glass of wine, “why are you so in shock?”

“I just.. never thought any of this would ever happen to me!” Tweek admitted with a deep blush.

“Why not? You’re cute, have a great personality, have excellent taste in music and media.. you’re the whole package! I’m surprised you’re single if I’m being honest,” Craig said with a toothy smile.

Tweek couldn’t look Craig in the eyes, his blush was too prominent and he was embarrassed by it. “I… I’m really glad I met you,” Tweek beamed, looking back up to Craig once his blush went away.

Craig’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch up into another smile, “I’m glad I met you too.”

Once they ordered their food (Tweek tried not to have a heart attack at the price numbers printed on the menu), they fell into casual small talk, talking like they’ve known each other for years.

“So.. tomorrow’s when you go back to America, huh?” Craig asked, once their food arrived. It was hard to ignore the tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Tweek nodded, cutting into his salmon dish, “y-yeah. I’m really not looking forward to it if I’m being honest.”

Craig hummed as he took a bite of his lobster. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

Tweek chuckled, “oh come on, you know life in America isn’t anything compared to here? I feel like pretty much everything’s better. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Craig shrugged, “maybe it’s just because it’s new to you?”

Tweek quirked a brow, “yeah you’re right. Maybe I should just stay in America.”

With a small laugh, Craig shook his head, “nevermind! I take it back. You’re right - France is miles better.”

“I mean, the food is better, the architecture is better,” Tweek smiled adoringly at him, “the company is better.”

Craig looked down trying to hide his blush, “I don’t know.. the best company I’ve met here were American.”

“Well.. you’re also American.”

Craig narrowed his eyes, “touché.”

The two men shared small laughter while they finished eating their very expensive meals. The longer he spent with Craig - the more Tweek realized he was down bad and smitten by the man sitting in front of him.

It feels like they’ve already known each other a lifetime.

And Tweek’s heart flutters every time he sees Craig’s face - just like it did when he saw the view from the Eiffel Tower for the first time.

“You know - I thought seeing Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower was the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen,” Tweek began, finishing his glass of wine.

“Oh yeah?” Craig said, finishing his last bite of lobster.

“Yeah, but honestly I think the view now is prettier.”

Craig stopped mid chew and turned the same color as the lobster that had been sitting on his plate. “W-wow.. thanks,” he stammered as soon as he swallowed his food. “You’re a pretty good view too.”

When the waiter came to take their empty plates, they were offered dessert. They both declined, as their bellies were too full to indulge in the sweet sounding dessert menu. The waiter returned moments later with the bill. Luckily, Tweek knew Craig was paying, because he couldn’t even look at the bill, as it was probably more than he makes during a shift at the coffee shop.

They still had a while before the boat docked, so they took it upon themselves to travel up to the upper deck to look at the Seine for the last stretch of the cruise. The sun had fully set now so the river looked like blank ink under the night sky.

Tweek had never taken the time to actually look at the city during night time. If Paris during the day is beautiful, then the Parisian night sky is simply breathtaking.

The way the lights illuminated in the night sky, how the inky water of the Seine flows quietly, the way the Eiffel Tower twinkles its lights for everyone to see. It’s a view Tweek could look at forever.

He takes it all in, inhaling a content sigh as he lays his head on Craig’s shoulder.

There’s fairy lights shining above them on the upper deck, and theres even a band playing a soft and slow jazz song.

Tweek has never felt this happy before.

This whole evening feels like he’s the star of his own fairytale.

~

Once their cruise docked, the two took their time exiting the boat, and back to hitting the streets of Paris.

The night was still beautiful, and Tweek never wanted it to end.

“This has been the best night ever,” Tweek said dreamily, grabbing Craig’s hand and leaning on his arm as they walked.

Craig didn’t ignore the actual sparks he felt when Tweek grabbed his hand. He took a slow breath, “there’s one more thing I want to show you.” Tweek leaned his head up and looked at Craig in interest. “Come on,” he started pulling Tweek’s hand, leading him to his destination.

After a few feet of walking, they were back on the Pont De Arts - Craig’s favorite bridge.

“What are we doing here?” Tweek asked through a chuckle as Craig released his hand.

Craig took another deep breath, trembling hands reaching into his pockets. “Okay, so - and if this sounds crazy I understand if you never want to speak to me again - anyways, I know we have only known each other for barely a week.. But I really like you.. And I can see this going somewhere.” He pauses and takes a lock out of his pocket. It's a small, gold lock with the letters C + T written in sharpie in a heart. Tweek gasped lightly when he saw, “I know you leave tomorrow a-and are gonna be gone for a few months until you come back for good. But… if you will have me,” he swallows a lump in his throat, “I would like to be your boyfriend when you come back to Paris for good.” He was quiet for a moment as he handed Tweek the lock, his fingers lingering over the pale skin for a second longer than he intended. “What do you say.. Do you wanna lock it on the bridge?”

Tweek’s smile spread across his face like melted butter. He held onto that golden lock like it was his lifeline and swung his arms around Craig. “Yes, Craig. I would love that,” he whispered in his ear which sent chills down the other man’s spine.

They pulled apart, Tweek’s arms still wrapped tightly around Craig’s neck. They looked into each other's eyes, the smiles on their faces not going away any time soon. Green eyes met blue eyes as they both leaned in and kissed each other.

The best way either of them could describe the kiss was electric. Ever since they met, this was an itch they had been waiting to scratch. And it was worth the wait. They fit together like two pieces in a puzzle that has been incomplete for years and years.

And when they finally slotted together - it all made sense, and was the perfect picture.

To a bystander - the view looked straight out of a romance movie. The stars illuminating above them, the love locks secured on the bridge behind them, and the Eiffel Tower standing proudly in the background - the very place they met.

Everything was perfect.

Once they finally broke away from their kiss - they did the honors of attaching their own lock to the bridge.

The rails of the bridge were already pretty full with other promises of love by several other couples. But theirs was the best. It was a simple lock, really, but it meant the world to them.

After finding an empty spot in the fencing, they clicked the lock together, the gold on the lock shining just right below the moonlight.

Craig dug the matching gold key out of his pocket, handing it to Tweek, “would you like to do the honors?”

Tweek’s smile only widened as he saw the small key resting gently in the palm of Craig’s hand. “Gladly,” was all he said before plucking the key from his hand. He examined the key for just a second, before kissing it gently, and chucking it into the Seine below. The quiet splash was all they heard in the quiet night.
Tweek leaned over the edge of the bridge railing, looking at the sparkling Eiffel Tower. He always thought Paris being considered ‘The City of Love’ was just a romanticized version of the city to cater to couples wanting the vacation here on honeymoons, or Valentines day. He never thought he would actually experience love in the city itself.

His smile wasn’t as wide anymore, but instead just a simple, warm smile. A smile that only Craig has seen.

A loving smile.

He looked over at Craig, who joined him in leaning against the bridge, looking at the famous tower. A view neither of them would ever get tired of. Craig felt the same way about the city. He was in love with the city itself. However, he never thought he would find love in the city.

He returned a smile to Tweek, a similar gentle and warming smile. One that he hopes only Tweek will ever see.

After staring at each other for what felt like hours, they both felt their faces heat up and giggled like little school kids, playing a game of truth or dare.

“So,” Tweek said, playfully nudging Craig with his hip, “do you do this with every cute guy you meet on the Eiffel Tower?”

Craig rolled his eyes at the change in mood. He playfully nudged Tweek back. “No, you dick.” He brings back that warm, loving smile as he looks at Tweek once more. He says a silent prayer to whatever higher being resides in the sky that this lasts a long, long time. “Just the ones I can see a future with.”