Title: His Musician
Author: BehindTheLens
Genre: Romance / General
Rating: PG
Summary: oneshot When Roger is sick. Mark is there to take care of him. MarkRoger
When Roger is sick, Mark doesn't go out and film for his new documentary. He sits inside the loft next to the couch, occasionally patting Roger's hand as the poor, feverish musician stirs in his sleep. As he sits and listens to the weak breathing issuing from Roger's mouth, Mark desperately wishes they had a bed, so Roger wouldn't be forced to doze on a ratty old sofa. But Mark's salary has been going to the rent and Roger's AZT, and any spare change would go towards getting food and a decent heater. He was tired of waking up every morning with icicles hanging from the ceiling. A better heater would also mean that Roger wouldn't become ill as often; and even though Mark would never admit it, he likes it when the guitar player is sick. He gets to take care of the rock star … his rock star.
When Roger is sick, Mark makes him chicken noodle soup from a can, using the hot plate his mother had given him for Hanukkah one year. Nothing starts on fire, much to the relief of the film maker. He has never been an expert in the kitchen. Maybe that's why Collins insists on buying them food that doesn't require heating. This way, the loft is guaranteed not to start on fire. The soup is semi-edible, so Mark offers it to Roger with a plate of saltine crackers. But sometimes, Roger is too weak to lift the spoon, forcing the bespectacled blond to feed him the soup as if he were a young child. It's somewhat taxing on Mark's patience, but he does it anyway. Anything for Roger.
When Roger is sick, Mark gently tucks locks of wavy blond hair behind the musician's ears. He knows Roger well enough to know that he is slightly vain about his look, and to have hair that reeks of vomit is not something Roger would be happy about. So Mark holds his head and rubs his back until the nausea fits end, constantly whispering soothing words into the singer's ear. Usually, Roger snaps back and makes comments about what a nut Mark is, but these quickly end as he returns to throwing up his stomach contents. When Roger is finished, Mark helps him back onto the sofa and lays a cool washcloth on the burning forehead to bring down the raging fever. He sits until Roger is in a comatose-like sleep, then retreats into his room. He's tired from taking care of Roger, and he wonders why, when it's such a strain on him, does he constantly support him?
And then he remembers: he loves his musician.