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In Sickness And In Health
Craig inhaled sharply upon his abrupt return to consciousness and smiled to himself. He uncurled his legs and quickly stretched before securing his arm tighter around the middle of the sweet scented bundle of warmth huddled into his chest. Craig now cracked one eye open and gently brushed a tuft of golden, silky soft hair that tickled against his chin before planting a soft kiss on his boyfriend’s forehead.
Valentine’s Day has finally arrived.
Craig had been driving himself crazy over the plans for today for weeks. The problem was that before the new year, it seemed like he had plenty of time to plan the events from dawn to dusk. But once the first of January hit? Time was disobliging and suddenly sped up. Craig grew more nervous as the weeks rolled on and February arrived. Tweek has absolutely no idea, of course - Craig blamed his incessant nervousness and distractibility on work every single time Tweek questioned him.
Once Craig secured the last detail of his plan last weekend however, his excitement had begun to mount again. He couldn’t help but be swept up in the magic that is romance and love. While he always sought out cuddles and snuggles with Tweek at every opportunity, he found he dug his fingers in to hold on a little bit longer than usual. He put more focus on the small things he sometimes overlooks when he holds Tweek close, such as the way Tweek’s breathing slows down at Craig’s touch and the way Tweek nuzzles into Craig’s chest and runs slow, gentle circles with his dainty hands over Craig’s shoulders and back.
Craig also had the insatiable urge to appreciate Tweek more. He left sticky notes with sweet nothings on the bathroom mirror for Tweek to read once he gets home from work or wakes up - often Tweek’s nursing has him doing late shifts. He also mixed things up and snuck the notes into Tweek’s work bag. He picked random flowers off bushes as he walked home from work and presented them to Tweek upon his arrival. He took more photos of Tweek (mostly without Tweek’s knowledge) and looked at them on his breaks at work. He also found himself just staring at Tweek and admiring him - whether he was asleep, cuddled into Craig watching TV on the couch or doing menial tasks such as cooking, feeding Stripe or gardening.
Just because.
No other reason.
These small gestures - these little things that are all pieces of the giant puzzle that makes Craig love Tweek unconditionally - had not gone unnoticed by Tweek. They earned Craig extra kisses, gushed compliments, longer cuddles and returned sweet gestures. Tweek had made more sweets than usual over the last couple of weeks and snuck them into Craig’s lunch bag with love notes. Tweek had pulled Craig out of the house after dinner lately for more night strolls to observe the night sky - a pastime that Craig adores. Tweek has been wanting to capture more photos of the two of them lately too - it was only last night that Craig walked in on Tweek framing photos of them on their recent vacation to Hawaii and their photos taken at Christmas - the family photo with Stripe is now front and centre on their mantle.
Just because.
All of this has led to today - the day that Craig’s master plan unfolds. The day he sweeps Tweek off his feet the moment he opens his eyes. The day he appreciates every minute of every hour in Tweek’s company. They both have today off - Craig thanked his lucky stars it is the weekend and that Tweek’s boss did not assign him any Saturday or Sunday shifts this week.
Craig sighed happily and breathed in Tweek’s sweet scent again. He always smells so good -like sugar or caramel mixed with a subtle hint of fresh coffee beans. And he is so warm and cosy - despite the fact that Tweek is so small framed and dainty, he rarely feels the cold and consistently generates a comforting heat.
A comforting bundle of heat…
Shaking heat?!
Tweek is trembling…
Heat…
It’s TOO hot…
This isn’t right?!
Now Craig thinks of it, Tweek feels like an absolute furnace right now. It is like Craig is sitting too close to the fireplace or has sat in a sauna for too long.
Craig frowned and now opened both of his eyes to assess the situation.
The window is open and it is sunny outside. It’s almost the end of Winter - a cool breeze blew into their bedroom gently and made the room temperature rather pleasant. Craig noticed immediately he had been robbed of sheets and blankets - stolen by Tweek who had managed to tuck and roll to pull them over to his side.
Craig shivered and gingerly pulled the blanket over himself - he was naked. This isn’t unusual - they often sleep naked and wear robes when they get up. But what is unusual is that Tweek’s face is covered in a layer of sweat. Craig shifted slightly and got up on his elbow to get a better look.
Tweek looks paler than usual and flushed - he looks almost as white as their bed sheet and his cheeks are red. Blonde locks were stuck to his forehead and damp with sweat. Craig now frowned and pressed a hand delicately to Tweek’s sweaty forehead.
It felt like a hot plate. Craig feels like he could cook an egg on it. His brain caught up with him and he tossed the blanket off and made a grab for his robe.
Tweek has a fever.
There is no other explanation…
Craig sprung into action. He tied his navy robe hastily as he paced quickly down the hallway and took the stairs three at a time to the kitchen. Thrusting the pantry open roughly, he let his eyes scan the shelves until it fell on their medicine stash.
If you would have asked Craig two years ago what each of the pills, syrups and rubs did to ease ailments, he would have shrugged and responded “Ask Tweek”. But now? He has been observant. He has listened when Tweek has talked shop at home. He has learned the basic skills necessary to deal with this situation.
He grabbed the thermometer and snatched a few sleeves of the pills he knew could be of assistance. He then quickly stepped over to the coffee machine to commence brewing Tweek his first cup for the day - fresh beans in, water level check and Tweek’s enormous, clean emerald green mug with a photo of Tweek and Craig kissing in a field of daffodils printed on it placed carefully in front of the machine eagerly awaiting the elixir of life.
Craig grabbed Tweek’s breakfast tray and carefully placed the finished coffee onto it. He tossed the medication supplies beside it and rushed up the stairs.
He breathed a sigh of relief that Tweek is still fast asleep, Snoring filled the room - another telltale sign that things are not right.
Tweek’s breath suddenly hitched. Craig froze.
Uh oh…
Craig dashed from the room and down the stairs again to the garage. Awaiting him on the bench was the giant bouquet of flowers he had spent hours arranging at work and brought home with him yesterday. He carefully grabbed the crystal vase with two hands and bent backwards slightly to accommodate the size and to avoid long stalks of greenery tickling his face.
As he re-entered the bedroom, a sweet sigh escaped Tweek’s lips and his breathing became more shallow.
“Ngh…”.
“Shh…”, Craig soothed. He placed the vase down on the bedside table on Tweek’s side and dropped to his knees beside the bed to gently sweep the last of Tweek’s sweaty locks off of Tweek’s face to cool him down.
“Mmph…nghhhh”.
Too late…he’s awake.
Tweek now let out a shaky breath, whined and then cleared his throat.
Another sweet, soft whine escaped Tweek’s rosebud lips.
“AAAAAA-CHOOOOO!”.
*Sniff*
Craig hovered over Tweek.
“Honey?!”.
“Nghhhhh…Craig…”, Tweek continued to tremble and his teeth chattered. Craig hastily threw the blankets and sheets over Tweek and tucked him in securely.
He’s cold…
Tweek is NEVER cold…
Craig kissed Tweek’s cheek softly, “Are you okay, angel?”, he asked nervously. He yearned to confirm the worst - a glimmer of hope flickered within him that perhaps Craig is wrong - maybe Tweek was just cold overnight and is now too hot from the cocoon of blankets. Maybe the sneeze was - pollen, or dust - when did they last dust?! Craig’s brain went into overdrive as he examined his beloved shift under the covers to wake himself up.
Tweek rolled over and groaned into his pillow.
“Craig…”, Craig’s heart sank when he heard the harsh, raspy quality mixed with a nasally tone.
Craig’s voice is nasally…not Tweek’s!
NEVER Tweek’s!
“Honey…”, Craig pressed his hand back to Tweek’s forehead, “You are so hot…”.
Tweek’s voice was throaty as he continued, “I know what day it is but now is not the…ngh, time!”, Tweek sounded agitated and Craig realised his poor choice of words, “I feel terrible! am I - OH GOD *COUGH* I-I - OH NO! *COUGH*!”.
“AAAAAA-CHOOOOO!”.
Tweek sniffed.
“Honey - I didn’t mean-”, Craig sighed and frowned again. Tweek’s lamp-like, opal-like eyes met Craig’s - they appeared watery and miserable, “Are you - sick?”.
Tweek nodded miserably and let out a frustrated groan.
“NGHHHHHHHH! RRR!”.
“Honey-”.
Tweek made grabby hands at Craig and Craig clamoured up onto the bed without hesitation to hold Tweek close.
Tweek is a wonderful nurse. Craig should know - it is when he opened his eyes after emergency surgery in the recovery room at the local hospital that he first laid eyes on his sweet angel. The care he received was out of sight - as was the beautiful, angelic face that greeted him once his blurry vision had subsided. The gentle, tender touches and the attention to detail to Craig’ care was…perfect. Tweek is perfect - for him. He had to make Tweek his. And here they are - two years later. Living together, so incredibly in love with one another and so happy and content spending each and every day together.
In this time however, Craig has learned that Tweek is a stubborn patient. Although Tweek becomes far more sooky, needy and cuddly when he is unwell, he often neglects to take care of himself. Craig has experienced several circumstances where he has scolded Tweek for missed medication doses and not eating or drinking when he should. There have been many times that Craig has come to the rescue and had to practically hold Tweek down and slip the pills into his mouth or hand Tweek a large glass of water and sit with him until he drinks it.
Tweek now whimpered, “Craig…why - WHY! Why do I have to be sick today?! Ngh…Happy Valentines Day, Craig. I’m sorry…it looks like we can’t go out today on the date you have planned”.
“Date I have planned?”, Craig was coy as he asked the question to assess Tweek’s knowledge of his plans.
Tweek snuggled closer to seal the gaps between them and said quietly, “Ngh, yeah…I KNOW you are up to something…you’ve been acting all…secretive and weird”.
“Weird?”, Craig planted a kiss on the top of Tweek’s head.
“Really…sweet and affectionate…more than usual”, Tweek’s voice was dripping with honey as Craig felt his dainty hands cling onto him like a lifeline, “I have noticed everything Craig…I love you so much…”.
Craig felt an enormous wave of relief spread through him.
Good - that is ALL Tweek knows…
“I love you too angel”. Craig now hummed and raked his eyes over his fallen angel, reminding him he has business to attend to, “I’m going to take your temperature, okay?”.
“Ngh…”.
Craig grabbed the thermometer and stuck it in Tweek’s mouth carefully.
“Craig-”.
“-Shh, no talking…you know that”.
Tweek grumbled and watched Craig with his large, opal eyes miserably.
*BEEP*
Craig frowned when the screen flashed red and the number read 39.8 C (103.6F).
“Oh, my love”, Craig showed Tweek the screen and sighed, “Definitely not well…come on, I have some medicine for you-”.
“-Paracetamol? Please”, Tweek added sweetly.
Craig popped the pills.
“Ok honey, 3, 2, 1…”, then he slipped them one by one into Tweek’s mouth.
“Sit up…I know you only take them with your coffee, which is right here…careful…”, Craig warned as he passed the steaming mug to Tweek carefully.
Tweek followed orders without complaint. But he smiled.
“Y-you’re using my own nursing techniques against me?”, he mumbled as he smiled wider.
“I learned from the best”, Craig explained, smiling back, “You taught me to explain what you are doing before assisting a patient…I felt so anxious when I woke up from surgery two years ago…but your calming voice and your explanation made all the difference - do you remember?”, Craig now offered the decongestant pills and the antihistamine, “These are for your nose and cough…that’s it…take your time-”, Tweek opened his mouth wordlessly and Craig placed them on his tongue. Craig knew that Tweek will accept willingly as long as they are administered with gulps of coffee, “-And the anti-inflammatories…””.
Tweek swallowed the last offering of tablets. His eyes now fell onto the giant bouquet of flowers.
“Oh, Craig!”, Tweek squeaked and looked positively delighted, “It’s…perfect! I love them! Ngh - this must have taken you a long time!”.
Craig smiled, “It was worth every second of my time just to see your reaction. I had to special order the different hues of hydrangeas for you - I know they’re your favourite-”, next Craig pointed to the roses, “-and roses to symbolize romance and love, I went with a neat dozen as is a common custom on Valentine’s Day-”, Tweek’s blush darkened and his eyes followed Craig’s finger and he pointed out the features of the bouquet, “-and the white flowers I chose were a mixture - white lilies, forget-me-nots and dahlias”.
Tweek leaned over to the side table and touched the flowers gently with his fingertips, “Craig…hydrangeas are my favourite because their meaning resonates with what I feel for you…true, understanding and deep love…ngh…I want to kiss you but-”.
Craig cut Tweek off and planted his lips on Tweek’s without hesitation.
“Craig!”, Tweek leapt backwards into his pillow and looked positively alarmed, “No! You’re going to get sick now…”, he whined.
Craig boldly followed Tweek and collapsed on top of him, devouring his sweet lips and holding Tweek down gently so he couldn't escape, “Dont…care”.
Tweek returned Craig’s affections and kissed back, but when Craig heard him struggling to breathe through his snotty nose, he broke off and tenderly stroked Tweek’s hair. Craig adjusted himself to give Tweek some breathing space but remained right by his side.
“Ngh…you know whose fault this is, don’t you?! Damien’s!”, Tweek exclaimed bitterly as he took another long sip of coffee, “It’s ALWAYS Damien’s fault! He coughed on me two nights ago on the night shift. I told him to cover his mouth or better yet - go home! The number of times he and Pip go to the movies each week though - between there and a hospital, he picks up all sorts of funky germs! THEN there was the hand hygiene audit - ALL HIS FAULT! We had to go to extra training because the guy can’t commit to twenty fucking seconds of hand hygeine!”.
Craig could tell that Tweek was getting way too worked up for his liking.
“Tweek…calm down…”, he soothed, “Take another sip of coffee…is your throat okay? Does it hurt?!”.
Tweek ceased his Damien bitching. He now took another long sip of coffee, draining it and placing it carefully on the bedside table. He pouted at Craig, “Like razor blades…”.
Craig frowned at the miserable expression etched on Tweek’s face. He smoothed the covers unnecessarily again and gently kissed Tweek’s cheek, “Are you feeling a bit warmer?”.
Tweek nodded and whimpered.
“Should all kick in soon, honey. Then you can have another sleep if you want”.
“But Craig! Today - it’s - Valentines - C-can you do something for me?”.
“Anything”, Craig rushed out seriously, readying his bones and muscles to respond swiftly to ANY request.
“T-the fridge in the garage…I made you Valentine's cupcakes and I was going to, ngh…make you special pancakes for breakfast. I made the batter for them if you still want the pancakes, bottom b-because the cupcakes take up the first two shelves-”.
Craig locked lips with Tweek again, who jittered and whined, breaking off promptly, “Craig! Germs!-”.
Another smooch, “And I told you, angel…I don’t care”.
Tweek blinked twice, then pulled Craig down with him to deliver several long, sweet smooches.
“I…ruined the day you have planned though…”.
“Ruined?!”, Craig tutted and kissed Tweek’s lips again feather-light, “Honey, that is not possible…as long as we spend the day together, it will be perfect”.
As Tweek responded with a sweet adoring look, Craig sighed internally.
I better get on and cancel some of the plans I have lined up…
But Craig looked deep into those mesmerising eyes. Hues of deepest blue shimmering with a captivating sea of turquoise. Eyes full of such sparkle and light; far more beautiful than any bouquet of flowers he has ever arranged, any breath-taking view of the night sky, all of the cosmic galaxies combined, the heavens above…
His heart thundered in his chest.
No.
I just need to alter the plan. Change it to suit the conditions. Bring the romance TO TWEEK.
I must take care of him….anything he wants, anything he needs…
In sickness and in health…
Craig now sat up and admired Tweek. Tweek’s eyes were blinking slowly and looked tired. His chaotically messy, blonde curly hair trailed in all directions like a golden halo. Light brown freckles that Craig had counted dusted across blushed cheeks and pouty lips begging to be kissed were pursed together lightly.
Just so beautiful…
How did I get so lucky?!
Craig smiled and wanted to lean in and kiss Tweek again, but Tweek held up a hand to stop him.
“AAAAAA-CHOOOOO!”.
Craig reached for a tissue from the box on the side table and offered it wordlessly to Tweek.
“Oh Craig…I must look terrible!”, Tweek blew his nose noisily and grimaced at the snot that he folded into the tissue. Craig rushed over to the corner of the room and fetched their small waste bin, offering it wordlessly. He placed it down beside the bed as he shook his head.
“Terribly beautiful…”.
Tweek flashed Craig a mushy, sappy expression, “You’re just saying that…”.
“I mean every word”.
Craig gently picked up the vase of flowers and held it on his lap.
“Can you smell the flowers?”, he asked Tweek softly. He took out a single red rose and handed it to Tweek delicately. Tweek accepted with a sweet smile and a tiny giggle.
“You’re so sweet to me, Craig”, he whispered. He brought the petals gently up to his nostrils and inhaled, “Ngh…no, I can’t smell it”, he replied sadly, but his delicate fingertips caressed the petals as he admired the flower, “But it’s so beautiful. All of them are…”, he reached up to run his hand over a bunch of light blue hydrangeas, “You always say the most beautiful things through your floristry, Craig. It’s an art to you, you make the craft so poetic and meaningful. Every bouquet you have ever made for me has always told me a unique story or sent me a particular message…c-can I try *cough* and decipher this one?”.
Tweek quickly reached for another tissue, but Craig was faster. He grabbed three in a row and handed them to a very thankful Tweek.
Craig rested the bouquet in one arm and used his free arm to now hold Tweek’s hand, “Go ahead…”.
Tweek’s fingers danced lightly over the white dahlias.
“I always like when you use white flowers”, Tweek sighed happily, “T-to me, when you use them as the most present colour in a bouquet, you are expressing faithfulness - y-you are telling me you love me and only me deeply. T-that our love is pure - because it is, Craig. It has always been so”.
Craig’s heart melted listening to Tweek’s raspy, congested tone sweetly describing Craig’s hidden message so concisely.
Spot on…
“Ngh, and dahlias…you don’t use them all the time, but they’re hard to get pure white like this…they’re so beautiful, I can’t take my eyes off them. T-they mean devotion - I think?”.
Craig nodded, “Depends on the colour…but overall - yes, honey”.
Tweek smiled and met Craig’s gaze.
“T-the forget-me-nots…obvious”, he chuckled sweetly, “You always get me these…true love”.
Another nod. Tweek blushed deep scarlet and now let his free hand caress several hydrangea clusters, “You get me these because they are my favourite…that is why we grow so many outside when conditions are favourable…b-but you always tell me they symbolize emotion - i-in a good way!”.
Craig chuckled and pressed a long, firm kiss to the back of Tweek’s hand, “And the lilies?”.
Tweek touched the nearest lillie with one fingertip ever so carefully. He paused and hummed before whispering, “devotion…”.
“Very good…”, Craig kissed Tweek’s hand again in response, “So…what am I telling you?”.
Tweek admired the bouquet as a whole.
“You love me. You’re devoted to me…you…want to keep me?”, Tweek giggled, “Y-you’re not going anywhere, Craig”.
Craig now put the flowers on the side table and leaned down to kiss his beautiful boyfriend.
“Right in one…”, he murmured against Tweek’s lips, “I am not going anywhere…and neither are you…”.
After a few slow, lazy kisses were exchanged Craig got the hint that Tweek is starting to become weary. Craig pulled back and examined those large, opal eyes again.
“Rest, my love…”, he whispered, “Can I get you anything to eat? Are you hungry?”.
Tweek shook his head vigorously, “N-not hungry…”.
Craig was not surprised to hear this - Tweek usually calls coffee his breakfast and like a gracefully grazing gazelle until dinner time.
“How about this…”, Craig had an offer in mind, “I make you chicken noodle soup, and you can have some when you wake up and are feeling up to it”.
Tweek beamed - he can usually be won over with a carbohydrate, “Y-yes please…y-you sure that’s okay?! I don’t mind i-if it’s just something easy like fruit or-”.
But Craig cut him off with another kiss.
“Anything you want”.
Tweek blushed, “O-okay…chicken noodle soup -please!”, his lips were pouty again and he wrapped his arms around Craig affectionately.
Cute.
“Lie down honey…let me tuck you in…”.
Craig shuffled onto the bed and tucked Tweek in again. After wordlessly running his long fingers through golden locks for a few minutes, he heard Tweek drift off into a slumber.
Craig kept stroking Tweek’s hair gently as he let his mind fall onto fond memories he had shared with his angel.
That day two years ago where he almost got discharged from the hospital without seeing Tweek again. The fateful morning that Tweek had come bustling in on his break to bite the bullet and visit Craig one last time. The hand-holding at the bedside, confessions of attraction and bold flirting on Craig’s part leading to Tweek’s phone number being hastily written on a napkin.
The date that followed the next Saturday evening. A clear, balmy night where Craig presented Tweek with a bouquet of sunflowers and packed a picnic and they sat down by the wharf on a plush blanket with the stars as their only witness - swapping stories and sharing laughs while drinking wine out of plastic wine cups and sharing sumptuous food off a small serving board. Lying on their backs with bare feet in the grass smelling the sea-salt filled air watching the stars, Craig pointing out constellations and Tweek drinking in Craig’s extensive knowledge of the stars, planets and galaxy like every word was gospel. Holding hands and gazing at each other lazily before Craig asked for Tweek to dance with him. A distant, romantic tune carried in the air from a restaurant hundreds of metres behind them as Craig led Tweek in a slow waltz and got lost in his eyes. They giggled at their clumsy, uncoordinated steps before Craig dipped Tweek finally and boldly kissed him. This had led to kissing in a warm embrace for several long moments which felt like hours, before they grew tired and lay together kissing until Tweek almost fell asleep - which was fair enough, it was well past 1am.
Craig felt breathless as these memories now morphed into ones of Tweek fussing over his post-discharge care in the days that followed. He brought Craig bandages and changed them for him. He pill counted and scolded Craig if he felt that he had not been adherent to his pain killers or antibiotics. He cleaned Craig’s wounds so diligently and often stayed for hours to talk, kiss, laugh or share a meal.
He didn’t HAVE to do this for Craig - Craig never asked him to.
Tweek did it just because…
Then there was the night Craig asked Tweek to be his boyfriend. This was only two weeks later after their third formal date - a day date picnic where they strode through flower fields and meadows - despite the fact that Craig had already presented Tweek with an impressive bouquet of pink and white roses and tulips; he picked more flowers for Tweek and even placed a vibrant yellow daisy behind Tweek’s ear before kissing him and asking him the question.
Craig now remembered the first time he made love to Tweek - the first time of countless times he has intimately expressed his affections for his angel-turned-devil between the sheets. They stayed up all night until the candles Craig had lit burned down and dawn arrived to greet them in a welcoming blend of orange, pink and yellow; before falling asleep in each other’s arms and sleeping until noon. Craig hadn’t wanted that night to end, which led to their overwhelming desire for one another being expressed frequently - like an everlasting candle one couldn’t extinguish. In fact, Craig is quite certain that their bed is one of the most used in the entire district - but not simply for how intense, long-lasting and incredible it feels each time they are together. It’s because they love each other - and they need to express this.
A NEED- not a want.
Craig admired his boyfriend’s beautiful features again. More memories flooded him - the first time they went on vacation together to the countryside, the day they took the plunge and Craig opened his own florist shop, the day Craig and Tweek walked past a pet shop and spotted Stripe in the window, making the rash decision to adopt her on the spot and the day they moved in together…
Craig played these memories in his head long after he had kissed Tweek’s forehead and took the tray back to the kitchen to get started on the chicken noodle soup. He was in another world as he played mindlessly with Stripe and fed her an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables.
It wasn’t until almost 2pm that Tweek surfaced - trudging down the stairs with his robe on and blanket wrapped around him and looking like death warmed up.
But to Craig?
All he can see is an angel.
“Hey…look who’s up”, he rushed over to offer a hand to help Tweek down the last two steps and took immediate notice of Tweek’s shivering.
“Oh honey -”, he rushed to grab the thermometer and supported Tweek upright as he took his temperature.
*BEEP*
39.4 C (102.9F).
“Not any better…the medication would have worn off…”, Craig mumbled to himself more than to Tweek, “Come sit down on the couch…Stripe’s asleep on the arm rest, I’ll take care of it”.
Craig repeated the same method of medication administration to a drowsy-looking Tweek on the couch (after handing over another mug of coffee - of course!). They watched TV while Craig pushed Tweek to eat some chicken noodle soup.
“Craig”, Tweek was lying on Craig’s shoulder with Stripe in his lap - now that he was fed, medicated and caffeinated, he seemed far less distressed about his illness, “D-did you look at the cupcakes yet?”.
Craig frowned, “Oh - no - not yet honey”, he answered truthfully - honestly he had been so busy thinking about what he needed to do for Tweek that he had forgotten about them entirely, “Do you want me to have a look at them now?”.
“C-can you look? P-please?”.
Craig nodded and got up to go to the garage.
Craig knows how next-level Tweek goes with his baking. He’s chaotic and messy in the kitchen, but what he creates is absolutely divine. Craig has no doubt in his mind that Tweek has once again created something that will blow Craig away and as usual, he must be nervous about whether Craig likes it.
Craig pulled out two enormous containers of cupcakes and - to his surprise - giant cookies shaped into hearts. He smiled when he noticed a red envelope sitting on top. The cupcakes looked phenomenal. All had towering, flawless towers of icing in various colours and topped with edible sprinkles and glitter and were shaped into animals.
Craig helped himself to a cupcake with blue and white icing shaped into a guinea pig and took the envelope back to the couch where Tweek waited - looking apprehensive and anxious.
“You spoil me”, Craig smiled at Tweek fondly as he sat beside him on the couch and pecked his lips, “And you love your cards…”.
Tweek giggled, “W-well I don’t have your gift of saying it with more than words!”.
Craig chuckled.
Yes, you do.
The way you love and care for me each and every day.
Just because…
Just because you love ME.
But he said none of this. His heart felt like it was going to burst through his chest as he opened the envelope and slid out a Happy Valentines card. Two pieces of white cardboard fell out into his lap. He snatched them up and examined them closely and felt his heart give way as he registered what they are.
Tweek started rambling to break the anticipatory silence, “Y-you always talk about the planetarium so fondly. W-we have outside, we go for walks and go stargazing but I wondered…maybe if I got us annual passes, we can look at the night sky when it is rain, hail or shine. A-and you can teach me more about- MMPH!-”.
Craig had cut Tweek off with an enthusiastic kiss.
“I love you”, he whispered as he peppered Tweek’s face with more sweet kisses, “I love you - I love you! - you - you will do this with me?!”.
“O-of course, Craig!”, Tweek responded happily, seemingly very relieved Craig liked the gift, “I-I will be happy doing anything you want to do! It kind of reminds me of our first date…I was so impressed by how knowledgeable about space you are…”.
They exchanged another sweet kiss before Craig turned back to read the card:
My dearest Craig,
Happy Valentine’s Day <3
I count my lucky stars each and every day that I was the nurse who took care of you two years ago after your surgery, and I hope to take care of us for the rest of my life.
Two years together is just the beginning for us!
I love you to the moon and back,
Love,
Tweek xoxo
“I love you to the sun, moon and stars angel”, Craig murmured and watched Tweek’s face turn sappy and adoring once more.
“S-show off!”, Tweek teased in response, “Leave it to you to one-up my expression of love for you-”.
“-That’s not what I am doing!”, Craig threw his arms up in a gesture of surrendering to an incoming argument.
“Ngh, whatever!”, Tweek huffed. But he was smiling wearily as he wrapped the blanket around himself and huddled in.
“Come on”, Craig now stood up and held out his hand.
“What?”, Tweek enquired curiously.
“Bath”, Craig offered, “It will make you feel better…”.
“Craig…it’s okay-”.
“-I insist”.
Half an hour later, Craig was kneeling on the bathroom tiles shirtless in his jeans and washing Tweek over gently with a soapy loofah as Tweek lay comfortably in a bubble bath. Two candles burned on the bathroom vanity and emitted a wafting scent of warming vanilla and caramel.
“-T-this is nice…”, Tweek hummed as Craig now dropped the loofah and started combing the conditioner through Tweek’s tresses to remove the knots, “You’re spoiling me so much Craig…I wish you would come in with me…”.
“You’re sick”, Craig pointed out, “If I get in, the water will displace and spill everywhere and you’ll be crammed into the corner to accommodate my legs”.
“True…”, Tweek said sadly, “W-we should go back to those hot springs in the mountains”.
“When you’re better”, Craig promised with a smile.
Tweek leaned up to meet Craig’s lips.
“There’s no-one like you”, Tweek whispered as he kept his eyes closed and rested his wet hands on Craig’s chullo, “No-one I would rather love-”.
“-I am just doing what you do for me when I am sick”, Craig reminded him, “You always make a fuss…changing sheets constantly, making me food and drinks, checking my temperature every ten minutes-”.
“Every thirty minutes, thank you very much”, Tweek corrected Craig, “A-and of course I do! Craig - you deserve the very best of care!”.
“Nobody does it better than you, my angel”.
Tweek now laughed sweetly - a tinkering, melodic laugh, “You still call me angel”.
“Of course I do…”, Craig said firmly, “That will never change, my love…”.
Tweek had another nap after the bath, which gave Craig time to prepare an improvised plan for their final part of the day. As the hours dragged on, he became increasingly more nervous.
Don’t delay this, Craig…
It’s happening TODAY.
__________________________________
Craig ensured Tweek had taken another dose of medication and waited until it took effect, then coaxed Tweek to eat another bowl of noodle soup and drink another mug of coffee before leading Tweek out into their backyard.
He thanked his lucky stars that it was a clear night. Countless bright stars illuminated the sky and three large candles set on their outdoor table provided soft lighting - just enough to reveal a thick picnic rug on their lawn, some outdoor cushions and Craig’s bluetooth speaker.
“What-”, Tweek’s eyes fell on the scene in front of him as he held the blanket secure around him to keep warm. Craig watched Tweek’s reaction carefully - after a few moments, Tweek’s eyes popped and he gasped, “Craig…it’s beautiful. Ahh - I assume we were going to go somewhere tonight instead of this…but I still think this is perfect!”.
Craig smiled and took Tweek’s hand, “Indeed”, Craig kissed the back of Tweek’s hand, “We will still do what I planned, of course…when you are better-”, he led Tweek out to the picnic rug and gazed at Tweek adoringly, feeling his heart flutter, “-But the idea reminded me of our first date and…I wanted to re-live it with you”.
Tweek snuggled into Craig and pecked his lips.
“You’re so sweet, Craig…I love it…”, Tweek looked up at the night sky, “Mmph, can we sit down? Y-you can show me the constellations again?”.
“For the hundredth time since I have known you?”, Craig chuckled. He now shook his head and felt a wave of nerves, “I thought I could do better…”.
He bent down and fumbled with his phone and the bluetooth speaker awkwardly.
Please work…
Then he heard the tune start and breathed a sigh of relief.
Tweek smiled sweetly when Craig offered his hand to Tweek, “May I have this dance?”.
Tweek giggled, “Of course, Craig. But you will have to lead…I feel a bit woozy…”.
“Don’t worry angel…”, Craig held Tweek close, “I’ve got you…”.
“Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies-”.
Tweek giggled, “You let a 70’s song onto your 80’s playlist Craig?!”, he looked at Craig in shock, “-Y-you would normally never let that happen!”.
“-And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
You know I'm tryin' to please to the calling
Of your heartstrings that play soft and low-”
Craig felt sick with nerves as he steered Tweek across the picnic rug and gazed down at him to reply, “It’s not my 80’s playlist…it’s love songs”.
“Oh?”, Tweek looked rather touched. He sighed sweetly and rested his head on Craig’s chest, “Y-you’re so good at picking the right music for the right moment…”.
Craig gulped and looked up at the stars.
He HOPES so…
“-You know the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
You know the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush”.
Craig now sung the chorus to Tweek, aware at how nasally and unpleasant it sounds - but it is the sentiment that matters.
“Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”.
Tweek giggled and smooched Craig on the lips.
“Always, Craig…I would never say no…”.
“-Well, I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the mornin' has come
You know, I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run-”.
Craig spun them as Tweek gushed out nervously, “Ngh, except you have to wait until I get better for that part”.
Craig chuckled, “I’m aware”.
Craig held Tweek close and hummed the song gently as they slowly danced and held each other close.
“Thank-you for taking care of me today, Craig”, Tweek mumbled as they spun, “I-I know I have thanked you all day but…you’re just so incredible and I love you so much. More than cupcakes and annual passes to the planetarium can say…”.
“It’s the least I can do”, Craig responded, “We take care of each other in sickness and in health”.
“Mmph, we do…”, Tweek nuzzled Craig’s nose, “Of course we do…”.
Craig’s heart hammered in his chest - the end of the song is approaching.
“-One more moondance with you
In the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la, la, in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can't I just have one more, more dance with you, my love-?”
The song finished.
What Tweek does not know is that there is only one song on the playlist - this one. This was the song that played that night on their first date.
As the last chord played, Craig dipped Tweek gently and kissed him with passion. Tweek returned it enthusiastically, but broke off when he ran out of oxygen from inability to breathe through his nose.
Craig’s heart felt like it was about to leap into his throat.
Now!
“It’s kind of fitting you are sick today”, Craig managed out, immediately cursing himself for saying something stupid.
Tweek furrowed his eyes in confusion, “Huh?! Y-you - what do you mean?! Do you like it when I am sick?!”.
Craig sighed. He knew Tweek would get defensive after hearing such a poorly delivered line.
“No - not what I meant-”, Craig stammered out. He placed his hand on his jean pocket and felt relieved that there was a bulge still there, “What I mean is - Tweek - I will take care of you every day - just like how you take care of me. We love each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health and…well, forever”.
Tweek’s face softened and he parted his lips to respond - but Craig did not wait.
He now sank down on the picnic blanket onto one knee.
“C-Craig? Are you okay? I-”.
But Craig ignored him. He was fumbling for his pocket and pulled out the velvet ring box and flipped it open to offer Tweek a ring. He grabbed Tweek’s left hand as he held the ring box in his right.
“Tweek? Will you marry me?”.
Tweek twitched for a split second before letting out a noise that sounded like a shriek mixed with a gasp. The blanket dropped to the ground and Tweek flung himself at Craig.
“YES!”, Tweek giggled and kissed Craig on every part of his face he could manage before continuing, “T-this is what you were up to?! Oh, Craig! Of course! A million times yes! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!”.
Craig felt relief flood every nerve cell and fibre as he slid the ring effortlessly onto Tweek’s finger - white gold with small emeralds along the bottom of the band. The moonlight illuminated it as Craig held Tweek’s hand and kissed his ring finger delicately.
“I love you too”, Craig said before he crashed his lips on Tweek’s once more.
He said yes!
Thank the stars and heavens above - he said yes!
He is mine.
This angel - this Earth angel - is mine!
To love, cherish and adore each and every day.
In sickness and in health.
Until death do them part for eternity
Craig will find Tweek in the next life, failing this he will search heaven (and not hell) for him.
This is forever…