Stretched, a rent fanfic

Note: Something tiny that I made for my rp website. We're having little challenges everyweek and this is my entry for the Halloween challenge.

The first night they figured he was on his way. Only hung up with midterms which were quickly taking over the loft. Blue books under the table, between the sofas, in the bathroom, everywhere. There was a lot of work to be done. But when he came home the next morning he didn't have bags under his eyes. The second night they figured he was out with the other professors, finally taking up their offer to visit the nearest pub. But when he came home the next morning there was no remnants of alcohol on his breath. The third night they hoped he might have found someone. It was years later; it was time to move on. But when he came home the next morning there was no foreign cologne on his skin. They should have known that he would never love anyone again.

They jotted down the first message on the answering machine for him. NYU wanted to make it aware that he was expected to be at the meeting the day before. His job was in jeopardy. But when he came home he crumpled up the paper and threw it away. They jotted down the second message for him. A bar expecting his tab to be paid in the next few weeks, or he would no longer be welcome in their establishment. But when he came home he shrugged and said he could find his own booze. They jotted down the third message for him. Mark left post-its of all different colors in his pillow. The pharmacist asking about renewing his AZT. His stash had to be emptied by now. But when he came home he assured the boys that he had a few to spare.

On October 29, they planned to distract him. The day that Angel slipped away in his arms. Roger bought a supply of Stoli that even his friend couldn't rid in one night. But he never came home. On October 30, they waited. Perhaps he lost track of time, as he tended to do. Roger stood by the Stoli and Mark by "Today 4 U". They always watched it when he missed her. But he never came home. On October 31, they made their way to the cemetery. Roger, Mark, Mimi, Maureen, and Joanne knew they would find him there even though the weather was cold and bitter. But he would never come home again.

They found him stretched out on her grave. His arms around the gravestone, his eyes open but not seeing. His body colder than the breeze. But he had a smile on his face. Roger found the note in his pocket. An apology, an explanation, a "I'll see you all later". It ripped open old wounds and started new. But his friend was still smiling. Mark found gun in his hand. His pointer finger wrapped around the trigger. He was never a violent man, never used a gun til then. But he was smiling.

He was finally home.

I am stretched on your grave

And I'll lie here forever

If your hands were in mine

I'd be sure they would not sever

My apple tree, my brightness

It's time we were together

For I smell of the earth

And I'm worn by the weather

When my family thinks

That I'm safely in my bed

Oh from morn on til night

I am stretched out at your head

Calling out onto the air

With tears hot and wild

My grief for the girl

That I loved as a child

I still will be your shelter

Through rain

And through storm

And with you in your grave

I cannot sleep warm