Roger couldn't sleep.
Every time he closed his eyes he saw her face. Every time he saw her face his heart lurched, every time his heart lurched a tear slid down his face and every tear reminded him of how little time he had left…He couldn't handle it, he was sick of handling it. He forced his eyes to open. Roger stared into the darkness…lowered his defenses, and let it all crash down on him. It was all his fault, he lost her, he lost his song, he lost everything… tears of pain burned his eyes and slid down his face.
"Fuck…"
It was barely even a whisper, but Mimi's eyes snapped open. The room was dark, but she could see Roger beside her. Mimi kept still, not wanting him to realize she was awake. If she concentrated she could see his bare shoulders. They were shaking with silent tears. Mimi wanted to reach out, to let him know she was here… but she wasn't sure what to do when he was like this.
"April, He's that way because of April..." that was what they all told her, Mark, Collins… even Benny. "It's April…"
April, the girl Mimi never knew. April, who made it possible for Mimi and Roger. April, who left wounds in Roger that would never heal. April, the reason he would never love her with all his heart.
Mimi's thoughts reeled in an endless circle.
April…April…April…
She couldn't stand it anymore
"April"
Roger tensed, the name…her name, coming from Mimi's mouth. She was awake. He felt ashamed, he hated anyone to see him this way, especially Mimi
Mimi sat up and wordlessly wrapped her arms around him. Trying with all she had to pull him back together…
Her warmth reminded Roger that he hadn't lost everything, not yet. He lost April, nothing could change that, but things were different now, now he had the chance to stop someone from making the same mistakes she did. Yes, he still had Mimi, and she needed him as much as he needed her…
Roger turned and buried his face in her hair, trying to breathe evenly. Mimi rubbed his back. This comforting gesture made fresh tears spring to his eyes, but not tears of pain, tears of love… and for once, they weren't just for that someone who was no longer there, they were for someone else, the one woman who gave him something to live for…
Mimi lifted his face to hers. Roger realized she was crying too. He didn't want her to cry. He kissed her cheek, tasting the salty wetness on her face. He kissed her soft lips, very very gently. Mimi sighed against his lips and kissed him back, with just the slightest pressure. He wrapped his arms around her, she melted in his embrace. He smiled at her reaction. Knowing exactly what she wanted…he shifted his weight, pinning her to the bed. Mimi gasped, she hadn't been expecting this…but she definitely didn't mind. He kissed down her neck, making her shiver.
"Mimi?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you…thank you so much."