Chapter Text
The contrast of Coon & Friends compared to freedom pal was apparent in their hierarchy. The Coon was the de facto leader while the rest followed. Freedom pals was more of a team effort, with two unofficial leaders. Timmy was always working behind the scenes, rarely in the field working on his plan to save the divided South Park- Mysterion was the leader when commanding the others in battle.
Everyone in Freedom Pals had a role, Stan was useful for his gadgets when they were met with obstacles during infiltration on leads for the missing cat’s conspiracy, Tupperware housed the base of operation and was the versatile tank that soaked damage for the squishier members. Tweek being the only one that couldn’t take hits.
Maybe that’s why Tweek was so desperate to prove himself, making his own spot in the group by being the most outspoken and for the cause despite his insecurities, eager to prove his worth on missions. Entering battle despite his anxiety and doubt. And following the two leaders acting like the bodyguard, he knew he couldn’t be.
Truly anyone who looked thought he was cowering behind those who were considered the strongest of the group and Tweek couldn’t blame them.
Tweek felt helpless. Not only did the divide in heroes mean he couldn’t openly talk and walk alongside Super Craig- someone he was meant to be a duo with, but Tweek also didn’t have any real friends aside from Tupperware and that was because Tolkien was Craig’s friend… The first week of the divide was the hardest on Tweek who wanted to show he was more than Craig’s counterpart.
He dedicated a lot of time honing his power to control the weather, embarrassed to practice his Icicle strike when he remembers Craig offhandedly comment on how it looked like he was blowing kisses; but persisted nonetheless despite his frustrations on how weak his hits landed, focussing on his range instead.
Training in secret in SoDoSoPa’s junkyard he fired his Surpreme lightning at the heaps of garbage around him, impressed when he was able to render them to ash. When they first started playing hero, Tweek recalls not being able to damage the garbage bag enough to rip.
Smiling to himself in a small victory, Tweek all but jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder and wiped around in a fighting stance about to attack on sight when a familiar face greeting him, not looking all to scared at Tweek’s electricity going haywire with his frazzled emotions.
“Gah!” Tweek panicked as he lowered his hands “Mysterion! Don’t sneak up on me like that! I almost attacked you!!” Tweek ruffled his hair as he abruptly worked on his breathing exercises when he realized he was only working himself up.
“I called out before I approached” the dark brooding hero pointed out as he gestured for Tweek to follow him “I see you’ve improved.”
It could’ve been simple observation Tweek thought. Mysterion oversaw training as he was the only hero who’s had prior training, yet the simple observation of his powers getting better had his cheek’s flustering “Thank you” he muttered weekly, and cursing how lame he sounded wishing he hadn’t bothered.
“Take pride in it Wonder Tweek. You’ve come a long way from Super Craig’s shadow” experiencing a rollercoaster of emotion wasn’t uncommon for the twitchy Tweek. But it was always hard to process no matter how long he’d been dealing with the overwhelming feelings. He felt prideful when Kenny seemed to notice his insecurity when it came to his powers and instead of sweeping over them, simply redirected it to make it a good thing instead. Felt a bit hurt on the comment of being in Craig’s shadow. Kenny’s bluntness rubbing an old wound with salt that left the blond suddenly feeling inexplicitly self conscious.
A short silence swept between the two, Tweek looking at the ground as he followed the other heroes’ strides without thought “We’re heading to HQ” Mysterion must’ve noticed Tweek’s anxiety, it being pretty telling when the blonde would tug on the collar of Craig’s borrowed sweater and clenching his other hand to his chest when it felt too restrictive “Doctor Timothy called a meeting in regard to the conspiracy theory lead of yours.”
Tweek hated feeling sometimes, he always felt too much. And although he felt honored that Timmy was taking his spit balling ideas seriously enough to warrant a meeting, he really wished he would be ignored. His paranoia gave birth to his conspiracist nature, this lead of his was some theory he found on an internet thread when laying in bed.
How one can feel self conscious, ashamed, embarrassed and stupid simultaneously was a mystery. Tweek thought you should focus on one emotion at a time damnit!
The walk was expectedly quiet. Mysterion filled some of the silence explaining that Tweek didn’t respond to the groups call and he went looking for him at his family’s shop, Tweek gave a useless apology that was waved away just as easily as it was uttered before Kenny went against his rule of being in his hero persona and ignoring his alter ego when he mentioned that they had his families next shipment that he could come pick up after the meeting was over
Tweek also hated thinking, being in his head was more trouble than it was worth. He constantly looked for distractions for that reason, the silence making his thoughts too loud and his mind more active. Tweek wondered what his ex-boyfriend was doing; wondering if he could still visit him and play with Stripe #4 and see Tricia.
Tweek smiled as he thought of it, for as emotionless and blunt as Tricia was much like every other Tucker. Tricia was a sweetheart that melted even the icy exterior of her brother. The two siblings didn’t get along well, hardly spoke to one another really- but they showed love in a way without words that made Tweek wish to have a sister too. Small acts of kindness that were never acknowledged like Craig making his sister’s plate and setting it on the family table as she was still making her way down from her room, Tricia albeit rudely waking her brother so he’s not late for school to even the way they flipped each other off instead of word of greeting.
Tweek sighed wistfully. He missed Craig. Tweek always did his best to not let himself admit that. he made his choice to leave Coon & Friends and refuses to regret his choice. He knew some time apart to focus on themselves was healthy in couples that acted as a single entity like they did. They spent all their waking moments together it seemed, and it was now that it was most apparent in the wake of their breakup.
They woke up in the same bed, which house it was mattered little when they’d just go with the flow. Sometimes they’d wake up in Tweek’s bed, other Craigs. They’d walked holding hands to the school bus stop and sit in the same seat with Craig having the window side (his favorite), they’d walk the halls hand in hand and when they took what time was left before the school bell rung Craig would be leaning against his locker with Tweek leaning into his chest as they chatted amongst their friends.
“Tweek” the call of his name brought Tweek out of his fond memories to which he hummed at the other.
When the other pointedly shifted his stare downwards, Tweek followed and turned scarlet when he unknowingly held hands with the other. Pulling away like he was burned he all but shouted “Gah! S-Sorry!”
Oh god. Tweek knew he was and could be a melodramatic bitch most of the time, fuck he knew he was being one when he often thought that he wishes he could die from embarrassment. But he really meant it this time, and lamented the fact that he didn’t chose to be an elementalist that specialized in earth so he could swallow himself up in the concrete.
Mysterion chuckled at Tweek’s panic- the bastard, before he turned more towards Tweek “Thinking of him?” The “Again” was left unspoken. And how unfair was that?
Tweek had been… well not great since they stopped occupying all their time together. But he was managing, and for Tweek that was enough. And after that training, he felt like Craig was out of his mind and he could focus on his missions, only for a compliment (?) noticing his independence to throw it all off kilter and reset.
The frustration of not being able to blame the masked hero for his inconvenience of having a sudden desire to see his boyfriend left him directionless. Between lashing out at the other with a “Hell yeah I’m thinking of him your dumbass!” to getting defensive and denying all claims
Sighing dejectedly Tweek shook his head in defeat “Yeah” he sighed out, like it took physical effort to admit to what was blatantly true “I got so used to relying on Craig that it’s kind of alarming to be… myself. Again” Self-deprecation aside, Tweek cringed at his choice of word but unable to think of a better way to phrase it.
“Standing up for what you believe in and sticking to it is a great way to start” Mysterion stated with a smile “When you expressed your desire for a more inclusive movie franchise, you surprised me” the brooding man stated “And when you didn’t hesitate to leave Coon & Friends to make it happen inspired not only myself. But I’m sure others who shared your dream.” Picturing Tolkien, Stan and Timmy. Tweek smiled.
“Wonder woman was a good inspiration for you” Mysterion commented catching the blond off guard.
“T-Thanks. Batman suits you as well?” Tweek threw the compliment back, never really knowing how to handle them.
Mysterion sighed “Yeah” he readily agreed “My emotional constipation knows no bounds” not knowing if the other was joking, but unable to help it- Tweek laughed and the other joined in “Look” Mysterion turned serious with a flip of a switch “I’m not encouraging you to replace your boyfriend. But I don’t know how else to help matters of the heart” Mysterion admitted sheepishly.
“But…” Mysterion seemed to lose his nerve as blush was visible under his hood and Tweek looked on in awe at the raw emotion the other displayed. Time almost coming to a halt when Tweek’s eyes widened as Kenny wordlessly held his hand up, palm extended towards him.
Tweek wasn’t sure how much time passed after the gesture, it felt like a minute but couldn’t have been more than a second before the other coughed nervously bringing Tweek out of his stupor.
“You really don’t have to” Tweek stated with a smile, the gesture alone made some of his loneliness chip away.
“I insist” the other stated as he extended his hand more “I know you love-sick freaks constantly held hands. Must be odd without it” and wasn’t that an understatement. Tweek recalls balling his fists and clenching to mimic the feeling of the ghost of Craig’s hands grasping his on especially lonely days.
“Even if it’s just for now, I hope to help you feel better” Mysterion added on.
They walked hand in hand and Tweek hoped this meant that the two could become friends