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@cupcaketweek

Craig watched cautiously as Tweek rocked the newborn in his arms. Tiny and still, the baby girl seemed to be finally settling down for the time being. It seemed as though they’d be able to take some time to eat, shower, or for Tweek to even get a small nap in. After all, he sure as hell deserved it.

It’d just been a few short days since they brought their daughter home from the hospital, and they were already feeling the struggle of the adjustment to parenthood. Things felt overwhelming, and stressful, and there were already times where Craig wondered if having a child had really been the best idea. They clearly hadn’t been ready– hell, Craig was still too scared to even hold her.

Long before their daughter’s birth, Craig had had a fear lingering on since his much younger days. He’d dropped his younger sister, Tricia, when she was a newborn (very slightly, as his parents weren’t exactly going to let their 4 year old hold a baby all on his own), and since then, the idea of holding a baby had been terrifying to him. The realistic part of his mind knew full well that it likely wouldn’t happen again. After all, he was a grown man and not a toddler, but still, the irrational fear still sustained itself within him.  

Not to say that Craig hadn’t helped at all since Ellie had been born. He definitely helped– just… not with things that involved holding her. He could change her clothes and diaper no problem. The new father hadn’t done too bad with her first bath, either. But he knew well enough that he’d have to face his fear and hold her properly at some point, so Tweek wouldn’t have to take care of the majority of their new daughter’s needs.

Craig waited for Tweek to settle Ellie down in her bouncy chair for her nap before urging him to come over and talk with him several feet away. They really didn’t need to accidentally wake her up.

“I– could probably take over for a little while, if you wanna try to get some sleep, babe,” It was a stretch, and while the apprehension wasn’t necessarily clear on his expression, the waver in his voice made it obvious that he was nervous over the idea of the possibility of handling Eleanor on his own. “I could make us some lunch after your nap, too,”

To call Tweek was exhausted would have been a gross understatement. He’s never been this worn out in his life -- which is saying something, considering. His brain feels like mush these days, nerves frayed thin, more nervous and irritable than usual (which, again, was saying something). Eleanor is no small amount of work, and Tweek’s paranoia, his tendency to hover and fuss -- well. They certainly haven’t been doing him any favors, as far as relaxing went. 

She’s a lot to handle, too -- fussy and needy and Christ, Tweek is so, so afraid of doing wrong by her. The idea of failing his daughter in any way made his stomach twist into anxious knots, fear piling on top of anxiety piling on top of more fear. Being a father is a lot of things, but more than anything else, it is terrifying. Tweek has been terrified since the moment they first handed her off to him at the hospital, the tiniest little bundle, fragile and soft and his. He’d never loved anything so much, so quickly. That was terrifying, too. 

Managing to get her to sleep was always a huge relief, the most satisfying feeling in the world. Tweek would’ve been perfectly content to sit and watch her until she woke up -- in truth, he was more than a little reluctant to leave her side at all. But Craig is beckoning him over, and Tweek figures it’s probably at least a little important. Besides, he’d been sitting and rocking Eleanor for so long that his legs had long since fallen asleep -- this would be a good excuse to stretch them out. 

He’d blinked in surprise at Craig’s sudden offer, a little taken aback -- Tweek knows for a fact that Craig is a wonderful, capable father (despite Craig’s own concerns) but he’s got a very specific aversion, and it’s one that generally means Tweek can’t leave the two of them alone for very long, for Craig’s sake. Tweek has no intention of pushing his husband into doing something he isn’t ready to do -- although he certainly hopes that this fear won’t last Craig the entire duration of Eleanor’s infancy. 

The offer is a good sign in and of itself, even though he’s certain Craig is only offering to watch her on his because he’s worried about Tweek. It’s very sweet, softens Tweek up immediately, a small smile tugging at his mouth even despite his exhaustion. He’s felt nothing but thankful to have Craig by his side through all of this, regardless of the fact that neither of them are particularly secure in their parenting thus far. The smile doesn’t last long, though, quickly twisting back into an anxious frown as Tweek considers the offer with more sincerity. 

“It’s just -- I just get so nervous.” He confessed, scrubbing a hand down his face, weary. “Like, if I’m not looking right at her, she’s going to disappear, or -- or explode or something.” He peeks back over at Ellie then, just for good measure -- she’s fine, of course, and Tweek lets out a soft huff of relief before turning his attention back to Craig. Truthfully, his concern is probably valid. Tweek can’t remember the last time he’d slept, or eaten anything other than coffee (his lifeline now more than ever before). He hesitates another moment before letting out a sigh, conceding to the knowledge that he can’t stay awake forever. 

Craig has so many regrets. 

He should have held onto the candy until they were in the checkout line. Now he’s being called out and boy, he feels silly. His attempt to ‘sneakily’ drop the chocolate into the cart by pressing a kiss to Tweek’s temple is a disastrous failure. Oh, well. The blond doesn’t seem to angry about it.

Maybe it is childish to sneak delicious sweets. Tricia does it every now and then on family shopping trips and their mother always scolds her for it. Craig should know better but he assumed he could get away with it this time. A small smile creeps onto his face and there is a small shine in his eyes. 

“I can give you the two dollars for it.” he knows it’s a useless attempt. Tweek won’t let him pay. Craig will have to sneak the money later… Much more sneakier though. “I’m sorry, honey. I know, you always do.” There is a gentle brush of his fingers against the blond’s upper arm and he peers down.

“We need bread.”

He doesn’t even bother to dignify Craig’s ridiculous offer with a response. As if Tweek would make Craig pay him back for anything ever, let alone something so small. 

“I can read, dummy.” He snips, automatic, entirely out of reflex. Craig’s easy, apologetic warmth is far too pacifying for Tweek to even pretend he’s sincerely annoyed. The bread is kept just a little ways down the aisle, and Tweek slips away to retrieve a loaf that looks safe, mild and uninteresting. He’s a picky eater, and forever paranoid about the possibility of food having been tampered with, including the shit that’s packaged. But the bread seems fine, and Tweek trusts it enough to deposit it neatly into the basket -- not before thwacking Craig gently over the head with it, of course. If only to be a dick. 

Any vague annoyance he’d felt upon noticing Craig’s... additions to Tweek’s shopping cart immediately melted away when he caught sight of the (very) flustered look on Craig’s face. In fact, Tweek couldn’t help but to laugh, feeling abruptly affectionate. Ugh. That asshole was so lucky he was cute.   

“Christ, you’re such a baby.” He chastised as best as he could -- although he doubted it was a very convincing scolding, considering Tweek had only managed it between peals of quiet laughter. He took another look at the candy in the basket, felt his own will begin to waver. Tweek was rarely so quick to concede, and he was a little annoyed with himself for doing so now, but he couldn’t help it. He’s got a soft spot for Craig that’s a mile wide, especially when he’s being so adorable.