Remember
Disclaimer: I do not own RENT, Jonathen Larson came up with the wonderful play, DreamWorks produced the CD and I am just going along for the ride.
Summary: Takes five point of views: Collins, Mimi, Roger, Mark, and Maureen. There will only be five chapters. In this small series of one-shots, each character will be reflecting on their deceased friends and lost lovers in that order. It's kind of tricky to explain, but I have an awesome idea and I think you just may like it. This first one will begin with Collins.
It was winter in New York City, and the wind alone left his blood cold and his muscles frozen. He pulled his coat tighter around his neck as he ducked his head. The musky scent immediately filled his nostrils and he felt his heart break. It was he who had given him this coat in the first place. Live in my house…I'll be your shelter. His voice echoed through his ears as he mouthed the words. Tears burned in his eyes as he swallowed hard. He was gone, and he felt…alone.
He entered the cemetery and walked straight to his freshly dug grave. It had only been a few days since his death but it was obvious that it was tearing everything apart. I can't believe he's gone. I can't believe you're going. I can't believe this family must die. He had watched Roger grow over the weeks with Mimi. He had seen him smile like he hadn't smiled since April. Yet after New Years he had seen that shadow return. He had seen Roger withdraw and return to his own reality where nothing and no one could harm him. No one had died in his mind, and no one was going to die. Collins sniffed as Mimi's eyes reflected in his mind. Dark brown eyes that danced with laughter and vivacity unless Roger turned on her. It was then that anger replaced that laughter. He knew she wanted him to understand, but he knew Roger wouldn't understand, he could never understand. So now Roger was doing what Roger always did. He was retreating, only this time it was to Santa Fe. Collins squatted by his grave and stared at the grave plate. Angel Dumott Shunard. It was only a few days ago that he was holding him tightly, Angel had turned away from his dressed garb and had resorted to sporting a hospital gown. He knew he should feel peace that Angel had moved on, it was just another journey for him. But something tugged at his heart. Nothing would ever be the same. Angel had changed them all too much.
If Roger's departure and Mimi's weakness wasn't enough to kill their family. The only true family Collins had ever known. Maureen and Joanne were enough. Collins gripped his head. Couldn't those two ever stop! Angel taught us to believe in love, I can't believe you disagree…Not a day passed when those two argued themselves blue, break up, and return to each other. Collins loved the two women enough and he knew that one day Joanne would break it off permanently, and when that day came, he would lose one or both of the women. Collins stood up and wiped the dirt off on his jeans. Looking around, he saw a few other couples walking around graves, black tears lining their faces. Collins touched his cheek and realized that he was crying. Funny how much you don't-how much you can't notice when your heart is lying before you, bleeding. Collins kissed the grave and turned around, heading for the exit. He tried to think of something that would bring a sense of contentment, but he couldn't be content in a world where no one excepted him, all of him. So he thought of Mark. And increased his pace.
He wasn't worried about Mark, except for the crushing reality that his death would seal the end of the family and Mark, sweet quirky Mark, would be left to face New York alone. Collins stopped to look around and almost stumbled onto the frozen sidewalk. In front of him stood Angel's tree. He clinched his fists and walked toward to amazing work of art that described Angel completely. Inventive, independent, and altogether beautiful. He stared hard at the tree, praying for it to light up. He closed his eyes and inhaled.
So with a thousand sweet kisses, if you're cold and you're lonely. With a thousand sweet kisses, you've got one nickel only. With a thousand sweet kisses, when you're worn out and tired. With a thousand sweet kisses, when your heart has expired.
Their melodic voices charged the air around him and he felt his shoulders drop and a ghostly smile touch his lips. Angel was singing to him in his mind-Her hair in its black bob, her Santa dress tinged with green, her black and white stockings and high heels. But what completed her was her gentle eyes and encouraging smile. It was almost as if she was saying "It's okay Collins, it's not bad at all. You'll see. You'll be seeing soon." She blew him a kiss and waved cheerfully and just as she was there, she was gone. Collins opened his eyes and groped around, searching for her, waiting for her to reappear. The minutes passed, and Collins settled that she had returned. He glanced back up at her tree and hummed softly before whispering to the above:
"Oh Lover, I'll cover you…"
A/N: I borrowed lyrics from "Goodbye Love" and "I'll Cover You" both of which are part of RENT lyrics, thus written by Larson.
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