Couldn't be a Stranger Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/22075411. Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: M/M Fandom: South Park Relationship: Kyle Broflovski/Craig Tucker Characters: Kyle Broflovski, Craig Tucker, Laura Tucker, Thomas Tucker, Craig Tucker's Parents, Tricia Tucker, Stan Marsh Additional Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Romantic Comedy, Slow Burn, i guess??, I'm going to TRY at least, Alternate Universe - College/University, Family Drama, Family Dynamics Language: English Stats: Published: 2020-01-01 Completed: 2020-07-16 Words: 65,732 Chapters: 12/12 Couldn't be a Stranger by Kivea Summary Need fake-boyfriend for family Christmas. Free ride, free meal, free gifts. Kyle had clicked on the post out of curiosity. Out of boredom. The prospect of spending a week with a stranger seemed better than a week alone at the time. He hadn't expect to know the stranger. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed. But he had agreed. And it found him in the childhood home of Craig Tucker, pretending to be his boyfriend for Christmas. Notes I know it's a bit late for Christmas but!! The Cryle discord gave me such a wonderful idea that was going to be a chapter-fic that I just HAD to go with it. So, happy belated holidays folks! Chapter 1 Chapter Notes See the end of the chapter for notes Tired green eyes scanned the white computer monitor as the page scrolled down and through mindless listings and posts of social media. It was two days before Christmas Eve, and Kyle Broflovski found himself alone. Alone and sat at his computer searching for some kind of social interaction after so long being alone in his student flat. His dorm mates had left for the holidays, wrapping up and saying their goodbyes a few days before. His best friend had even offered that they went home together, but... He heaved a sigh and resigned himself to continuing to scroll through Facebook. It was his own decision to not go. Even with Stan, it wasn’t worth it. The thought of the other man had him looking at the time, trying to judge what time it would be where Stan was. He probably would’ve only just landed. About to be accosted by his melodramatic dad who would keep him occupied for a bit. Still unavailable to entertain his bored friend. Kyle flicked between some websites, moving over to the student noticeboard page. He knew last year there were groups of people who advertised different events that were happening during the Winter break. With any luck, there would be something to keep him occupied and not totally bored out his mind. He wasn’t wrong. There were a few things. Maybe it was just the mind-set he was in, but nothing sounded appealing. He didn’t know the people hosting various meals out, and drinking with a bunch of college students for Christmas just sounded dire at this point. He should’ve scrolled past the one that he stopped at, but it was so absurd that he just had to look. Need fake-boyfriend for family Christmas. Free ride, free meal, free gifts. He scowled at the advert. What kind of weird prank was this? Who would want to take some random person home for Christmas to be a fake-boyfriend? He clicked on it. The advert was brief. Alarmingly brief. Posted by user Tucker C., it didn’t really expand on what the title had been. There was an edit to the post that specified you had to at least be willing to pretend to be a little bit gay, because the poster was a man. Kyle didn’t have any concerns with that. He already was a little bit gay. There was a number at the bottom of the advert. He was mostly just curious. You want a fake boyfriend for the holidays for how long?? The response came half an hour later. He’d long since turned his computer off and assumed that the person had probably already left with their fake-boyfriend, if the role had been filled. Instead he was sat in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal wasting time in another manner. It took him a moment to realise what the answer was for, but when he did he jumped up to respond. 1 week. Leave tomorrow at 10:00. U in? He stared down at the address listed where the guy must live. He looked up at the TV, mindless Christmas films on echoing around the empty dorm. Sure. Gotta beat doing nothing. -- Kyle had spent the rest of his night packing. It kept him busy, and kept him from regretting agreeing. When he woke up the next morning and was sat once again in front of the TV watching Christmas specials of news programmes while eating cereal on his own, he definitely didn’t regret agreeing. He was all too eager to get out the house and walk over to the address that he’d been given. On the walk over it was less regret and more nervousness that he was feeling. He realised he didn’t know much of anything about Tucker C., and hoped that the guy wasn’t a total asshole. At least agreeable enough to spend a week with. And his family? It would still be more entertaining than sitting on his own in the flat for the next week. It wasn’t until he was walking up towards the lone car in the car park, duffle bag hanging off his shoulder, that he began to feel creeping regret. Because it wasn’t just some random person that he’d never met before. He did know the guy who was loading a suitcase into the boot of his car, tall with dark hair and a worn black denim jacket that really needed replacing. He took a deep breath and powered through the regret that had begun to seep through and walked up to the car and cleared his throat to get the guy’s attention. “Your surname’s...Tucker?” That told him what the ‘C’ stood for, at least. Cunt. The man turned round and the stormy eyes landed on him, and Kyle wished he’d turned around and left once he realised who it was. The look of utter disgust that crossed his face at the sight of the redhead was anything but flattering, even if it was mutual. “Great. That’s – you put in for the fake-boyfriend, right?” “That depends, are you the one who replied?” “I am, yeah.” “Then no. I changed my mind. I’ll tell them my boyfriend died.” It was the melodramatic yet monotone response he’d come to expect from the man. So maybe he was exaggerating their relationship a little bit. He didn’t really have a problem with Craig, or at least he hadn’t until Craig had decided they did. Kyle had just been someone sat on the side-lines, someone who was never going to try and make friends with Craig, but was never going to actively antagonise him. Craig had a rocky relationship with Stan as neighbours in the dorms in first year. They argued, fell out, that was that. Then Stan had suggested Craig helped them with a project a few months later, and the man had agreed, which was a miracle in itself. But then it...went badly. Badly as in, they’d ended up detained being questioned by police one by one. Ever since Craig had avoided them all like the plague. Which was...understandable, but he’d apologised! There was no need to hold a grudge like Craig did. “You can’t just tell your family your boyfriend died.” “Sure I can.” “Well you shouldn’t!” Kyle insisted as Craig shut his boot, following the man round to the driver’s side door. “How did I die?” “Freak lightning storm.” “That would’ve been covered on the news.” “Maybe they missed it.” “C’mon, Craig, at least come up with a real alibi.” Craig turned, glared down at him, and said: “I’ve got time to plan. Bye.” He got in the car, and shut the door. The sensible thing would’ve been to leave. Resign himself to spending the holidays stewing in his own boredom. But Craig hadn’t started the engine yet. He just had his hands wrapped around the wheels as he glared through the front window, not looking at Kyle. He knocked on the window. Craig’s grip on the wheel tightened. He knocked twice more. Nothing. Kyle leant back, looking around the deserted car park just to make sure it was deserted before he embarrassed himself. As much as the idea of a week with Craig was unappealing, so was a week with no one. He leant forward and raised his voice as he spoke. “Dude, at least wind the window down.” He got the middle finger through the window. “Real mature.” Nothing. Fuck. “I’m not gonna force you to take me, but at least let’s talk about it.” Craig’s glare landed on him and after a few long moments, the window began to wind down. “Thank you.” “Why?” “Why what?” “Why do you still want to come?” The question caught him off guard. He didn’t really have an answer. He gave a helpless shrug. “The idea of spending an entire week with you sickens me.” “Do you have any other options?” Kyle asked, gesturing around them. “You’re not actually going to tell your family your boyfriend died, and I’m the only one here.” Craig turned away again. It was quiet enough for Kyle to give up. It was probably for the best. Craig clearly didn’t like him, and as much as it pained him to spending the next week bored out his mind, it was the better option. Being a fake-boyfriend for someone he not only hardly knew but also didn’t get on with was a terrible idea, really. It would save them both a lot of embarrassment and trouble to just – “Put your shit in the boot.” He looked up with wide eyes. “Excuse me?” “I said put your shit in the boot,” Craig repeated, still not looking at him. “Jesus, just – hurry up, will you?” As he opened the boot the car started and he jumped a mile in the air as he thought he was going to get run over. He jumped in the passenger side and fastened his seatbelt quickly as Craig started driving without waiting. The dark haired student still wasn’t looking at him. Though he had more of an excuse now he was driving. “So...” “Are you going to be chatty for the whole journey down?” “We do need to do some talking,” Kyle reasoned. “I don’t know anything about this fake- boyfriend you’ve been building up to your family. I’ve got to know a little bit about it.” “Ugh, fine, you’re right, whatever,” Craig ran a hand through his hair. The glare was still on his face. “This is fucking crazy.” “Yeah. It is. So...?” “My mom thinks I’ve been dating someone since some time last year. She wanted to meet him over the summer holidays, but I dodged it.” “So we’ve been dating for about a year?” Craig grimaced. “Get used to it, I’m officially your boyfriend for a week.” “Jesus, is it too late to turn around?” “Why’ve you been lying to your mom about dating someone?” Craig shrugged it off. “It’s just – a thing, okay? You’re not here to quiz me, you’re here to pretend to be my boyfriend and then go back to not talking to me after the week is up, okay?” Kyle sighed and slunk back into his seat. “Fine, fine. At least tell me about your family. No matter how causal our relationship is, I’d know about your family if you’re taking me home for the holidays.” “They’re...I’ve been told my sister and I are similar.” Dear fuck what did he sign up to? “She’s called Tricia. You should call her Ruby.” “Why Ruby?” “It’s like a family nickname.” “Alright, sure. What about your mom and dad?” “Laura and Thomas. Mum works in a bank. Dad’s like a mechanic.” “That’s pretty cool.” “Sure.” Kyle resisted the urge to smile as he saw Craig’s eyes finally flicker over to him for the briefest moment. “You do theoretical physics, right?” “Yeah. And you have an undeclared major.” Kyle faltered. Craig smirked. “Most people chose by the end of their first year, you know that. Right?” “I don’t want to rush it,” Kyle insisted. “It’s not something you should rush.” "For someone who always seems so confident and sure of himself, you’re not very sure, huh?" “Not all of us knew what they wanted to do when they started.” Craig clucked his tongue. “Whatever you say, slow-poke.” “How do you know anyway?” “Who doesn’t know? You’re at least leaning towards a stem subject, because I see you in my classes.” “We share classes?” Craig rolled his eyes. “Yes, we share classes. You fucking asshole.” “That’s not what I – I’m sorry, I didn’t...” “It’s fine.” “Is it going to be a problem for your parents?” Craig glanced over with a raised brow. “Me not having a major?” He shrugged. “Dunno. I guess we’ll find out.” “I guess.” “Why aren’t you spending the holidays at home?” Kyle shifted awkwardly. “I don’t usually. It’s a long way to travel.” “You live where Stan lives, right? Can’t be that far. He’s gone home.” “What was it you said about not quizzing and going back to not talking once the week was up?” “Touché.” Kyle glanced over at the satnav, reading the journey time as just over four hours. It gave them plenty of time to get comfortable with each other he supposed, but Craig didn’t really seem all that keen on getting comfortable. Maybe it would give them enough time to form some kind of friendship. He didn’t know how he’d be able to keep up being into someone who clearly didn’t like him for a solid week otherwise. “A full week of pretending to like me. Think you’re up for the challenge?” “Like you said, I don’t have a lot of other options. Are you?” “How hard can it be, right?” Craig gave a low groan. “Maybe ‘died’ would’ve been more believable.” He was inclined to agree this time. He continued to probe Craig for snippets of information for the next half hour, attempting to cram as much information into his brain as possible. When he asked Craig if there was anything he wanted to know, the taller man simply said he’d probably forget it anyway. And Kyle supposed he was right. How likely was someone’s favourite colour going to come up in conversation? He didn’t even notice how tired he was after it all until he fell asleep. He woke up hours later in a completely unfamiliar place. He attempted to find some kind of familiarity between all the snow covered trees there were passing, but it was hard to find something to grasp to. The closest thing was the driver, eyes focused on the road. Kyle took the chance to take in the look of the man fully. Craig had the look of someone who would judge you for stepping one foot too close into his comfort zone. Hell, he had the look of someone who would judge you for whatever excuse he could find. He was the kind of guy Kyle couldn’t imagine without a resting bitch face. Strong jaw, defined nose, but in a way that was more attractive than Kyle’s own. One thick eyebrow was framed by silver balls and Kyle had a suspicion that once upon a time there had been earrings on at least one ear. It was always his mouth that had caught Kyle’s attention. Craig seemed pretty inexpressive at times, but his lips always twitched in ways that betrayed a little bit. It was unique. “Someone tried to phone you.” Kyle turned away with a flush. He didn’t realise Craig knew he was awake. When nothing more was said Kyle fished his phone out the jacket that was on the ground. It had been Stan. Probably to tell him he arrived and was being driven crazy by his dad already. “Do you mind if I...?” Craig waved his consent. It only took two rings before Stan picked up. “Dude holy shit it’s been like five minutes and he’s already driving me crazy.” Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. “I had a feeling that was going to be it.” “Your dad’s here now. So at least they’re not bothering me anymore.” “Small blessings I guess. Was your flight okay?” “Yeah, it was fine. Mom picked me up. How’s being alone in dorms?” He put on his most honest voice. “Nice and quiet. I’m sorry for not coming back with you.” “Don’t worry dude, I get it. I’ve already got my statement prepared for when your mom asks.” “Thanks for covering me. I think she probably knows.” “I was surprised your dad didn’t say anything.” “He’s probably just pretending it’s not happening.” “You can’t avoid them forever, dude.” Kyle turned towards the window, as if looking away from Craig would stop him hearing. “I know. I won’t. Just...until I pick my major.” “Another thing you can’t avoid forever.” There was a nudge in his arm. He looked up to see a large sign welcoming them, SOUTH PARK written in bold letters. He took the cue. “I know. Look, I gotta go. I’m trying to watch TV here.” “Jeez, thanks. Glad to know how much I mean to you.” “Later dude. Good luck.” “Yeah, later.” Craig didn’t comment on the conversation once he hung up. Kyle had no way of knowing how much of Stan he had heard over the radio that had been quietly playing in the background without asking, something he was loathed to do. Instead he stayed quiet and took in the town they’d just driven into. It was quaint. Probably a good way to describe it. As they drove further through the town the buildings began to change to newer, flashier shops and chains, people milling about on all corners and chatting. “There’s always something new,” Craig grumbled. “Ever since the old scientist on the hill died and his lab was made into some kind of tourist attraction.” “That’s why the name’s familiar!” Kyle looked to the driver with a grin. “The freaky ass- man!” “Christ, don’t say it like that.” “But it’s true, right? He was pretty famous. Post-death, that is.” “My family’s just...moms protective over his reputation.” “Shit, really? Did you know him?” A red hue started to take over Craig’s cheeks. “Unfortunately.” He decided not to press it as rows of residential houses began to come into view. “Which one is yours?” “You’ll see it in a second. Look, just...” Craig let out an annoyed sound. The colour in his cheeks hadn’t died down, and his knuckles were going white with how tight he was gripping the steering wheel. “My dad...is a bit of a redneck. So don’t take offense if he says anything weird.” “Got it. Pinch of salt.” “And I’m not known for being warm, even towards my boyfriends.” “Why am I not surprised? “ “But...” Kyle swore the colour in his cheeks darkened further. “Just, don’t be surprised when I hold your hand or something, okay?” Kyle gave a laugh that hopefully wasn’t as nervous as he felt. “That’s normal. Why would I be surprised?” “Just. I feel like I should say it before. Are you ready?” Kyle looked beyond Craig towards the house, seeing the curtains flutter. He took in a deep breath and forced a smile as he lied and said: “Sure. You?” “Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.” Craig got out the car and opened the boot to get their things, Kyle following close behind. He shivered low as he pulled his jacket back on to protect him from the dry, cold air. He hoped he’d packed enough warm things for this place. Craig handed him his bag and locked the car up, heading up the path first to the door. “Is there anything you’ve told them about, well, me?” “It’s a bit late for that,” Craig hissed. “But no. I’ve always been...kind of vague.” “Well, that’s good.” As soon as Craig’s hand were around the door handle Kyle felt a sinking in his stomach. He opened his mouth to delay, to do anything. But Craig was one step ahead of him: a step into the house. He sucked in a breath through his teeth and followed over the threshold. “I’m home,” Craig announced to the room, dropping his backpack on the floor to take off his coat and shut the door behind Kyle. The redhead took in the room in front of him as he shrugged his own jacket off again. It was...not very Craig-like, though that wasn’t really surprising. A typical, family home. Family photos framing the wall, with a display cabinet that housed dining ware and a couple of model ships, some in glass bottles. A large TV and dvd collection in front of a cream sofa. The dining table was set, and at the table there was a larger ginger man sat with a paper, who hadn’t acknowledged them coming in beyond a grunt. From an archway where he could see the kitchen a woman emerged, wearing a pretty green dress, with long blonde hair and pearls round her neck. There was a smile on her face as she approached them with open arms. “Welcome home, did you have a safe drive?” “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t, mom.” “You’ve been back in this house less than five minutes and you already have an attitude,” she scolded, but the smile didn’t disappear as she turned to Kyle expectantly. “You must be Craig’s boyfriend!” “Kyle, this is my mom. Laura.” Kyle outstretched a hand with a smile on his face. “Hi, Laura. It’s nice to meet you.” “Its nice to meet you too, Kyle,” she took his hand in both of hers and gave a tight squeeze. “Thank you so much for coming round for Christmas. I hope your family isn’t too disappointed you aren’t spending it with them?” “No, they’re fine with it. Thanks for having me.” “You have a surname, Kyle?” He looked over to see the redhead man at the table who had finally looked up, blue eyes piercing just like his son’s. Kyle cleared his throat before he spoke. “Kyle Broflovski. Its Jewish.” “Jewish?” Laura repeated, glancing between the two boys at her door. “Craig didn’t mention you were Jewish.” The man at the table scoffed and flicked his paper. “Of course, like it’s not something important. So good at speaking, is our Craig.” “Fuck you, dad.” Kyle felt his back tense up, eyes widening as he glanced between Craig and his dad, waiting for something to happen. But nothing did. Craig’s dad barely looked up as he raised a middle finger in his son’s direction. Laura’s response nearly had him flinch. “Well, shit. I’ve bought bacon for breakfast - that’s - I’m getting that right, yeah? You can’t eat some foods?” “No worries, I’ll have his.” “No you won’t,” she slapped Craig’s arm. “Cheeky little shit, you’re not getting rewarded for not telling me something.” “Its alright. I’m not – you don’t have to worry about kosher food or anything. I’m not that strict with my diet.” “Thank god for that. Come in, come in, don’t just stand at the door, do you want a drink, Kyle?” Kyle accepted the offer and moved properly into the house with Craig right behind him. He got comfortable on the couch and managed to stop himself jumping as Craig flopped down and laid an arm across the back. It was normal. This was normal. They were boyfriends. “Dinner will be ready soon, and your sister should be back too. She’s running late.” “Always late. She’s got no timekeeping, that girl.” “Not now, Thomas. We have a guest. One you haven’t introduced yourself to yet, what, has somebody died that’s got you so glued to that paper?” It was the first real expression that Kyle had seen on Mr Tucker’s face and it was embarrassment. He got up and folded up his paper, shuffling over to the couch in order to offer a handshake to Kyle under his wife’s disapproving gaze. “Thomas,” he said. “Thanks for coming home with Craig for the holidays. I think if I had to listen to his mom complain she hadn’t met you again I’d pop my own eardrums.” Laura threw her hands in the air before disappearing into the kitchen again. Thomas sat in the arm chair that faced the sofas, turning to Craig with his stoic expression back in place. “How’s college?” “Good.” “Still passing? Going to all your classes?” “Yes, I’m going to all my classes.” Thomas made a suspicious humming noise and glanced at Kyle with a raised eyebrow. “He does,” Kyle confirmed. “He’s really very smart. Helps me sometimes when I’m struggling with the classes we share.” “You do that physics stuff too?” He hesitated. “Uh, not...exactly.” “Kyle’s not chosen his major yet. Don’t make it weird.” Thomas scowled at his son. “Why would I make it weird?” “You always make it weird.” “I’m not going to make it weird. I’m just surprised. I thought he was in your year.” “He is.” “Huh. It’s not one of those...” Thomas gestured to Craig. “Y’know. Things.” Craig covered his face with his hand. “Jesus, dad, no.” “I’m just checking! Just trying to understand.” Kyle did not understand. “Not all gay people are indecisive, dad.” “Alright, alright.” Kyle let out a bark of laughter, clasping a hand over his mouth as the two Tucker men turned to him. He looked to Thomas with wide eyes. He panicked and said: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to...” He grunted and waved it off. Craig let out a sigh. “Better to laugh. Told you he was sort of a redneck.” “Ain’t even been in this house ten minutes and you’ve already got an attitude.” “Dinner’s ready!” The two Tucker men were quick to stand up and head to the table, Craig only going slower to place a hand on Kyle’s shoulder and push him to the table. “Should we help your mum bring it in?” “She’ll be fine.” “She’d love the help!” Laura’s voice echoed through from the kitchen. Craig gave that classic melodramatic sigh as he turned from walking towards the table to the kitchen. In no time at all they were sat around the dinner table serving themselves food as Laura caught Craig up on all the town’s business. He would ask questions, give scathing remarks, and Kyle had to bite his tongue to stop laughing at some of the crueller ones. The way he spoke to his parents was nothing short of astonishing, though they seemed to have a very similar humour and phrasing as their son. He was settling into the atmosphere as the door opened and introduced another person to the mix. He turned to see a pretty girl with curled blonde hair entering the house kicking snow off her shoes and hanging up her jacket by the door. “You’re late, Trish.” “Sorry, dad!” she swanned into the house and to the dining table, stopping short as she caught Kyle’s eyes. Her jaw dropped, eyes bugging at the sight of him in a way that made him feel exceptionally out of place. “Oh my god,” she pointed at Kyle and tore her eyes away long enough to look at Craig. “You actually brought your boyfriend?” “Yeah, I said I was gonna.” “You say shit all the time, doesn’t mean you follow through. I thought you were gonna say he died in some freak accident.” Kyle choked on the food in his mouth as laughter caught him by surprise. “Fuck off, I’m not going to say he died, you fucking weirdo.” “Says you.” “No swearing at the table!” their dad instructed. “Sit your ass down, Trish.” She did as she was asked, taking the final seat opposite Kyle as a smile overtook her face that reminded Kyle a bit of a shark. “Nice to finally meet you, mystery boyfriend we’ve heard so little about.” “I’m Kyle,” he greeted. “You must be Ruby?” She shot her brother a withering glare, smile dropping off her face. “You know, I have embarrassing stories about you too, Fucker .” “Stop fighting at the table,” Laura scolded. “Excuse them, Kyle. Sometimes I think they were raised by wolves.” “Nope, just you,” the siblings chorused. Kyle kicked Craig under the table lightly. The man smirked and stuck his tongue out. “Tricia is fine,” the younger girl corrected. “Though please, by all means, find me later so I can air out all Craig’s dirty laundry.” “C’mon, at least wait till the second visit before you embarrass me.” A smile pulled at Kyle’s lips as he watched the siblings bite at eat other with words until Laura continued to tell Craig the town news. He understood what Craig meant when he said people called him and his sister alike. They were just as drawling and sarcastic as each other. But it fit into the family dynamic. It was one that was both entertaining and kept him on edge, waiting for them to be reprimanded for their language and behaviour. After they ate Laura encouraged them to go upstairs to Craig’s room. “I got it all ready for you both to arrive. Fresh sheets and everything.” “She’s trying to make a good impression,” Craig muttered as he nudged Kyle, looking at his mother. “So she doesn’t scare you.” She smiled as she awkwardly balanced dishes in her arms. “I am. I hope it’s working.” “It is, thanks.” They got their bags from the door and Kyle followed his ‘boyfriend’ up the stairs. The hallway was just as typical as the rest of the house, though he could tell which room was Craig’s just by the poster that was plastered across the door. Craig groaned as he picked at the corners to take it down. “She couldn’t have fucking removed it before I got here?” “It’s cute,” Kyle commented. “Gives you a bit of character.” “I’m not cute , fuck off,” Craig gave up with the tape, opening the door instead. “Oh for-!” Kyle poked his head round to see another poster above the bed. He bit his lip to hold back his laughter. “You really like Red Racer, huh?” “Just - get in the room.” He did as he was told, not daring to comment on anything else and break the already fragile relationship they had. He dropped his duffle bag by the bed, looking round and taking in the fact that this was Craig’s childhood room. It suited him, weirdly. Tidy, but decorated with a few other posters, a desk that housed books and video games galore. Craig dropped his backpack on the floor with his suitcase, and Kyle caught the expression on his face. He followed the eyeline to see he was looking at the bed. He swallowed a lump, clearing his throat, before pointing out the obvious of: “So you’ve got a double bed?” “Yeah. I’ve got a double bed.” “I...uh, cool.” “Shit,” Craig sounded like he was moving, but Kyle didn’t want to look up and have Craig see the heat in his face. “I can...go ask to sleep on the sofa?” “You don’t need to do that!” Kyle insisted, busying himself with his bag. “I should’ve brought like a sleeping bag or something. I’ve probably got...something in here.” “What, and just sleep on the floor?” “Yeah. I mean, I’m meant to be your – uh – boyfriend , right? So it’s gonna be weird if you sleep on the couch.” The silence he was met with was deafening. His bag was also producing no answers. “Or, I mean, the carpet’s...nice.” “I have a sleeping bag in my wardrobe. I kept it for when friends stayed.” “Great!” Kyle braved turning to look at Craig, who had a peculiar expression on his face, with his arms crossed over his chest. “I’ll use that!” “No,” he let out a long sigh. “I’ll use it.” “Wha-are you-it's your bed, dude, I’m not gonna steal it.” “It’s fine. You’re doing me a favour. It’s the least I could do, or whatever.” “Thanks.” “Sure.” Later that night Kyle found himself half asleep on the couch, being stirred by Craig Tucker to go to bed. They got ready in silence, Craig getting his sleeping arrangements sorted while Kyle brushed his teeth before swapping. Kyle had fallen asleep before Craig even got back to the room. The events of the day were enough to wear him out. He was thankful that at least he’d have one good night's sleep there before fully being thrown into the charade. Chapter End Notes I had a lot of quibbles. Mostly on WHEN to set it, ie, first or second year. I'd nearly changed it to have them in their first year, because I tried to research the American college system (via google), and it said that most people decide their major in their first year. But Kyle being indecisive/non-committal in this is going to be a developed-character flaw. If it is too unrealistic, let me know, and I'll edit. You know better than me!! Chapter 2 Chapter Notes See the end of the chapter for notes It was a mixture of the sun and a buzzing noise that woke him up. He recognised the buzzing – a text message. But once he had rolled over and stirred, nothing else was familiar. The smell of the bed was pleasant, but foreign, as were the feeling of the soft sheets that were wrapped around him. He opened his eyes and looked to the bedside where his phone sat, scrambling for it to check the time before finding out where he was. Eleven o’clock. One message from Stan. One from his brother, Ike. He pushed himself up, looking around and taking in the surroundings. As his eyes settled on the poster on the opposite wall above the desk with the solar system staring him back in the face, the events of the previous day came back to him. He was in the Tucker household. In Craig’s house. In Craig’s bed. Kyle pulled himself up, looking down to the floor in front of the desk. There was a sleeping body, an extra blanket wrapped over the top of a sleeping bag, pillows underneath a dark head. He was facing away from Kyle so all he could see was the dark hair splayed out across the pillow. He forced himself to move out of the bed with a rush of embarrassment. Sitting on the edge he read the text from Stan and his brother, answering them in turn. Stan asked him about checking for something he’d left in the flat, which Kyle pointedly dodged with ‘can’t see it’. Ike was telling him he was an asshole, but an understandable asshole, so he was forgiven. Kyle answered with a thank you. He changed quickly and left the room with Craig still asleep on the floor. He didn’t have the courage to wake him up. The house seemed pretty calm, leaving Kyle with the chance to look at the photos that lined the hallways. There were family portraits, the kind you got on holidays and while visiting family. He couldn’t help but smile when he found a series of photos that seemed to be Craig and Tricia growing up at different stages, doing various activities together as kids. Craig seemed to always have had an attitude about him, even if he was a cute kid. Kyle found some victory in the fact he was right at his guess Craig had ear piercings before: in both ears, according to several photos. He moved through the hallway to the stairs, going down to find Laura Tucker arranging something on the windowsill, muttering to herself under her breath. “Morning.” He winced as she jumped out her skin as she turned around. He hadn’t meant to scare her. “Kyle!” she smiled wide. “Good morning. Glad to see you’re awake. Craig still in bed?” “Yeah. Down for the count.” “Always was a late riser,” she muttered. “I was just...” They both looked to the windowsill. Kyle had to take a moment to compose himself at what she was doing. There was a menorah sat there, just a cheap one that was probably LED lit, more for decoration than anything, but... “Where did you get that?” Laura gave a shrug of her shoulders. “I went out to get it this morning. Our local shops aren’t...well, this is the best thing I could find, I’ll say that much.” “It’s perfect. Thank you, I appreciate it.” “Yes, well, I hope it helps make you feel more welcome,” she cleared her throat. “I was wanting to go into town to do some proper shopping, I was hoping Craig might've woken up by now. I need someone to give me a hand.” Kyle caught himself before he could make a comment about the man sleeping on the floor. “He didn't seem close to stirring. I guess driving yesterday took its toll on him.” She clucked her tongue in a familiar way. “Damn it.” “I can come give you a hand, if you want?” “Are you sure?” Laura asked, though the brightness in her eyes promised she wanted him to say yes. “I won’t be offended if you want to wait for Craig. Thomas is just in the garage, so you won’t be totally on your own.” He remembered Mr Tucker from the night before. He didn’t think he’d seen the man smile at him once. It was an easy decision to make. “Yeah, it’ll be nice to see where Craig grew up.” “Well, go get washed and dressed quickly! I’ll wait for you – where did I put my wallet, I only went out this morning...” Craig was still fast asleep on the floor when Kyle ducked in to grab his things, and the redhead was sure to be as quick and quiet as he could be. He was shown to the bathroom the night before; at the end of the hall. So not to upset the parent who seemed to like him, he got ready without wasting any time before rushing downstairs. He was glad to see Laura at the door waiting for him, purse over the top of a wintery jacket. The drive was quiet, with the hum of the radio filling the car. It reminded him a bit of how Craig had his own music playing on their journey up. Honestly, there were quite a few things about the Tucker family that reminded him of Craig so far. It wasn’t till they arrived that Kyle asked the question of what she needed to get at the shopping mall that stood in front of them.