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Kyle Broflovski and Craig Tucker were quite different. Yet somehow very similar. Maybe that's why Kyle found himself here. Could it have been any different? Or were they destined for this fate?
Craig was the signature bad boy, not caring for anyone or anything. He had been hardened by the world and didn't care for simplicity.
Whereas Kyle was a logical thinker, choosing to instead focus on academics. He cared way too much and was easily manipulated.
However they both tended to rationalise otherwise crazy situations, plus thought logistically about problems.
If Kyle were being honest, he highly disliked Craig Tucker. He was pragmatic, arrogant and genuinely thought he was better than everyone else. Although he couldn't say he hated him. That role went to Cartman and Cartman alone.
Equally, Craig found Kyle Broflovski naivety laughable. It was sickening to see how he and his own cousin handled things with such a positive outlook. It would soon be the doom of Kyle Broflovski and Craig would relish every second of it.
“Lookie here, Kylie Broflovski in the flesh.” A familiar voice chuckled from the doorway of the shop.
Kyle spun around, hands full with a variety of sweets and other delicacies. He blushed slightly, the red tinged matching the small amount of hair that appeared from under his ushanka.
“What are you doing here Craig?” Kyle hissed, the malice in his voice not quite as powerful, thanks to the colorful treats he held onto.
“I could ask you the very same thing. I wonder how your mom would react knowing you have sweets like Haribo .” He took the lollipop out from his mouth and grinned smugly at the dumbstruck look adorning itself on Kyle's face.
He hated to admit it but the way Kyle's mouth opened into an o-shape and the innocent gaze directed at him, made him feel something warm pool inside his stomach.
He hadn't felt that kind of thing for a while now.
Unfortunately the look was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced with a scowl and hardened eyes.
“Mind your own business, asshole.” Kyle snapped and moved to the desk where he brought all the candy.
Maybe that should've been where it ended. Or maybe Craig should've put in another jab or sarcastic remark. But it felt different.
The way that Craig couldn't help staring at Kyle, analysing the way he moved, fast yet steady, with caution in every step.
Or the way he seemed to carry himself with dignity and elegance, yet there was obviously something hidden beneath that perfect disguise.
Craig needed to break Kyle down. He needed to see every inch of him, to analyse and fix him.
Maybe Kyle felt the same. Maybe he didn't. He didn't know which he'd prefer.
Yes, Craig was comfortable with his sexuality, of course he was. But Kyle didn't seem gay. He was attracted to girls, had a couple girlfriends and kisses.
He could start to understand why the girls seemed to crush on him a bunch he was so-
Why was he even thinking about this? He didn't have a crush on Kyle Broflovski of all people. Why would he?
He was self-righteous, sickeningly positive, intelligent, beautiful…
Ugh, what was he feeling? It felt so wrong, but it also felt so right.
He was aware he had been staring for an obnoxious amount of time, and he was probably red in the face but Craig couldn't help himself.
Just as Kyle was about to leave, still grappling with the bundles of candy he brought, ( his baggy coat hanging over his hands slightly, clearly a nuisance, from the way he slid them up to his elbows. His arms were smooth and white as porcelain, just like his face-) Craig casually made his way to Kyle.
“Hey Broflovski, mind a chat?” Craig leaned against the wall, looking unbothered.
He had finally managed to get all the bags in order, (Kyle must've gone to other shops, due to the brands of the plastic bags he held, maybe he ran errands for his family often, maybe he'd be able to see him more often-) so he straightened up and looked Craig pointedly in the eyes.
Craig couldn't help but find a hint of cuteness in the action, Kyle was shorter by him considerably (not too much shorter but just the perfect amount) so he had to strain his neck to do it.
They were close together now, Craig being able to smell his cologne, it suited him.
Oh god. He was falling hard. There was no denying it. But he couldn't like Kyle Broflovski. It would be-
What would it be? They complimented each other's personalities perfectly, his dismissive, cold nature fitting almost beautifully with Kyle's warm and passionate one.
He was getting off track here.
“Why? So you can poke fun at me more? Call me fat, am I right? Be an absolute bastard about it? Well, no. I won't talk to you.” Kyle growled, shoving past him to walk out the door.
Craig didn't think he looked fat. He was skinny, not like Cartman. He had almost forgotten their conversation, too lost in his thoughts to pay much attention to it. Was he rude?
..
That's fine. He was rude. That was alright.
Before his brain caught up with his body, he had grabbed Kyle's sleeve. It was soft and reminded Craig of a warm blanket.
So cheesy. What was wrong with him?
“Please-” The pleading in his tone surprised even him, his eyes widening slightly.
Kyle turned around, a look in his eyes that even the ever-so-perceptive Craig couldn't pinpoint.
Whatever it was had Kyle tilting his head to the side with a pout. His eyes searched Craig's and eventually he sighed.
It would've been inaudible if it was not for their close proximity.
“Fine. What is it that you want?” Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow, feigning superiority.
They both know who the power scale was tilted towards. Well maybe Kyle didn't. He could be pretty egotistical when he wanted to be.
“Not here.” Craig gave a glance around, glad at the lack of people.
Realising he was still grasping Kyle's sleeve, Craig took advantage of it and dragged Kyle along into an alleyway.
“Dude, it smells like cat piss, what the hell?” Kyle remarked, scrunching his nose with disgust.
“Maybe because it is cats piss dumbass.” He retorted, smirking.
Kyle frowned. “Is that all you have to say? Because if it is, I will be on my way.”
“No. I uh-”
Why did he even think this was a good idea? Dragging a kid from his school into an alleyway to confess his feelings that he only just discovered existed less than 5 minutes ago?
What if he used this against him?
Something told him he wouldn't.
But how could he be so sure? As far as Kyle was concerned they were still rivals. They probably still were.
This sucked ass. He was never this uncertain, ever! That was kinda his thing. Self-assurity.
He disliked not being in control of everything. Especially his emotions.
No, worse. He despised it. Even more than he hated Kyle.
That was all his fault. He had no right to be so irresistible. If he has just been ugly or fake, it wouldn't have ended this way.
“Craig..?” They must've been there at least a couple of minutes, simply standing there. Kyle looked mildly concerned.
He widened his eyes, (why did he have to keep doing that? ) pulled his mouth into a slight frown and looked up at Craig, his neck being hit by the cold.
It was Autumn, breezy but not too unbearably cold. It might just be because of Kyle's naturally pale complexion but he had reddened cheeks, ones that brought out his eyes.
Most of all thought was the method in which he breathed. He'd pucker up his lips while breathing out, leaving a misty fog behind. They were rosey and Craig found himself enamoured by them.
Everything about Kyle was so complex, so perfect. He was moulded intricately for him. Just for him. Right?
Plunging forward, Craig brought his hands to Kyle's hips, and kissed him.
It was hard to explain the feeling. His lips were cold but had a certain passion that Craig needed to break down. He wanted to be in control.
Kyle froze for a second, eyes widening but not fighting back. He sunk into it, bringing his arms around Craig's neck, kissing him passionately.
The bags were discarded carelessly on the floor, their contents splayed out for all to see. Though Kyle didn't seem to care, too focused on Craig to do anything about it.
Craig wrapped his arms around Kyle's waist and dipped him down, pressing his lips harder against the other.
That's when Kyle seemed to come to his senses, widening his eyes comically.
He then shoved Craig away, falling to ground as he was his only source of balance.
The cold, frosty ground was a far cry from the warmth of Craig but he couldn't handle it much longer.
What was he doing?
This was Craig Tucker!
“What?” Looking up, Craig was frowning. He thought Kyle had been enjoying it. What happened? “Why did you stop?”
“I-I” Kyle didn't entirely know himself. He never found himself attracted to dudes, not until Craig Tucker pressed his lips against his.
He shouldn't be doing this. It was all wrong. What was wrong with him? This couldn't be happening.
Kyle felt his heart beat faster as Craig stared at him, awaiting an answer. His chest felt constricted and he felt a weird sense of irony.
He had taken so many junior medical classes just to be lost on what was happening to him.
Maybe it was love. Hah! No. He didn't love Craig Tucker. It was all a bad dream. He would wake up any second to Ikes music or Mom's shouting. It would be alright. He'd be normal again.
He'd be himself. This wasn't him. This stranger inhabiting his body had no right to make him feel this way.
Maybe he got this thing out it'd be better.
You enjoyed it
It was a mistake
Mistakes aren't enjoyable
You're still yourself
Get.it.out
Get.it.out
Get.it.out
“ Kyle-”
The threat must be terminated.
Terminated
Ter min ated
Die.Die.Die
“ Kyle please. Listen to me.”
What's happening?
What is happening?
Is this happening?
Nononononono-
No-
N….o
( Warm hands removing his gloves, and grounding him. Why did he feel pain? It wasn't from the touch, it was in his chest. It was okay. It was okay.)
Kyle looked up from the ground to Craig. He had hazelnut eyes that bore straight into Kyle's soul.
They were holding hands, Craig entwining his fingers with Kyle's. So that's what it was.
He was saying something but he couldn't identify its contents, simply driving himself into Craig's arms and staying there.
He was warm, so unlike his own frame. In his arms he didn't need to worry about his curfew, his shopping, the feelings he couldn't unpack, anything.
All he had to focus on was the steady heartbeat of Craig through his jacket and the seam ripping from his own sleeve.
Kyle was content in his arms and Craig was content with holding him.
They could stay like that (together) forever.