Disclaimer: I do not own anything nor anyone associated with Rent. It all belongs to Jonathan Larson. Second, I do not own the title of this story, nor any of these chapters. They're all titles of songs from Adam Pascal's CD, Model Prisoner (which I have absolutely nothing to do with as well).
Author's Note: Eep. For those waiting for There's Only Us: it WILL get done! I don't have any inspiration. I should get some soon. I hope. On a brighter note, I just bought Model Prisoner! Yay for me! I can't believe I found it. So, naturally, I need to write a story based on these songs. This one will get done. I've got my wonderful Krissy here to slap me if I stray away. I don't want to bore you anymore, so, enjoy!
CHAPTER ONE: Liken a Razor
You make all the rain explode and pour the thunder on the faceless
I'm holding my own in the face of you.
-- Liken a Razor
Roger sits on the couch, staring at Mark's door. In there, Mark is sleeping. A small smile creeps up on Roger's face. He can clearly picture his best friend. Eyelids lightly closed. Hair falling delicately on to his forehead. An honest smile as he escapes the world for another night. Roger likes to see this in his mind. If he could, he would draw it. He thinks he should learn.
The sound of Mimi in the bathroom diverts his attention. He shakes his head a bit. This type of behavior, he thinks, is pathetic in a man like him; it's a school girl crush. Roger knows he's got a wonderful girlfriend. He loves Mimi. Mimi loves him. He cannot imagine being with anyone else. Well, anyone besides Mark. The sad part of it all, and Roger knows this as much as he knows Musetta's Waltz, that what he feels for Mark is much more than a school girl crush. In fact, it's much more than anything. An addiction.
Roger cannot stand his passion for addictions. From the guitar to heroin, he's been tied to everything. Mark is just the same. There is something about the filmmaker that Roger cannot live without. The musician isn't sure if it's the way Mark's eyes twinkle, or the way he smiles, or the way he takes care of him. Roger keeps expecting withdrawal symptoms when he hasn't been around Mark for a few hours. A few years ago, this scared him. Now he's grown used to it. He's come to thrive off of it. Mark isn't an addiction anymore. He is an obsession.
"I'm sorry I took longer than I said I would, babe."
Roger looks over at Mimi. His wonderful, beautiful Mimi. Freshly out of the shower, her hair in it's gorgeous curls, falling over her shoulders. She's even wearing her best outfit. Not the usually, sleezy clothes she wears, but a wonderful dress that shows off all the right things. It doesn't even compare to Mark in his sweater and jeans.
"Oh, it's fine. I barely noticed." Roger smiles. He feels like an idiot, fooling Mimi. What else can he do?
"Are you ready to go then? If you aren't, I'll be mildly disappointed. You've had plenty of time to get ready, after all."
"I'm ready. Let's go." The musician gets off the couch running a hand through his hair. He smiles once more as Mimi laughs, walking over and fixing it. She kisses him and takes his hand, leading him to the door. That's when Mark's door opens.
Roger's head turns immediately to look at Mark. He fights off a grin. Mark's hair is a mess, and his t-shirt and boxers are wrinkled beyond recognition. The filmmaker yawns, then smiles when he sees the other two.
"Oh, hey guys," he says sleepily. "Where are you off to?"
"We're going out for the day," Mimi replies. "It's my birthday, and Roger's promised me a perfect day." She leans up and kisses her boyfriend on the cheek.
"Happy birthday then. I'm sorry I didn't know. I'd have gotten you something."
Roger thinks Mark looks brilliant with that apologetic look on his face. Mark sniffles. Roger frowns.
"Are you alright?" In less than five steps it seems, Roger is by Mark, inspecting him.
"Er … Yeah, Rog. I'm fine." Mark moves away from Roger. "I've got a bit of a cold, but I'll live."
"Do you want me to get some cough syrup while I'm out?"
"We don't have any money for cough syrup." Mark laughs. Roger swoons. "Since when do you care about anyone but yourself, anyways?"
Roger is about to reply with a long rant about how he's always cared about Mark, and Mark shouldn't think otherwise. Then he remembers his girlfriend is waiting for him, and that Mark was merely joking.
"You'd be surprised." It's all Roger can think of to say.
"No witty remark? I think you're feeling sick, Roger, not me."
Once more, Roger prepares a rant about him taking his meds, but a sound from Mimi stops him.
"I'll see you later, Mark. Take it easy. I don't want you getting more sick than you need to be."
As Mark makes a sound of recognition while he hunts for the Captain Crunch, Roger rejoins Mimi. She kisses him, he kisses her back. He wonders if Mark was watching, but has no time to notice. Mimi all but drags him down the stairs. A sigh escapes him. All of this obsessing is getting harder to maintain.
Author's Note: I'm still trying to figure out exactly what's going to happen. So, don't expect an update too soon. I do have a feeling there will be a sequel though. If someone is kind enough to get me a copy of Civilian.