A Little Fall of Rain

This goes in my line of Les Mis/RENT Songfics.

Disclaimer: Not Les Mis, not RENT. I own nothing but a cute pair of socks.

Thank You, Jonathan Larson

Angel lay in her hospital bed, Collins holding her close. He looked out the window. Pat pat pat. The rain hit the dark glass.

"It's raining," he told his lover. He thought about the irony of this phrase. 'Rain' was the secret term used by them, to indicate when they were upset, or holding something back. Now, when Collins was the most upset that he'd even been, it was truly raining. It was as if his pain was so great, that the world helped take on the burden.

Angel turned in her bed to look outside. She saw the look on the anarchist's face. She began to sing, trying to coax him.

Don't you fret, M'sieur Collins
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
You're here, that's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain will make the flowers grow.

Collins turned to her, wishing that he didn't have to believe what e was hearing. He sang back, trying to convince himself.

But you will live, Angel - dear God above,
If I could heal your wounds with words of love.

Angel shook her head, knowing that there was nothing she wanted more than to stay longer with the person she loved most. But she couldn't stay, and she hated to see him in pain. He had to know that he could live without her.

Just hold me now, and let it be.
Shelter me, comfort me

Collins thought about her words. Yes, she was dying, but he prayed to God for a miracle.

You would live a hundred years
If I could show you how
I won't desert you now...

Angel smiled slightly, and shook her head again. Silly boy, she thought.

The rain can't hurt me now
This rain will wash away what's past
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
I'll sleep in your embrace at last.

The rain that brings you here
Is Heaven-blessed!
The skies begin to clear
And I'm at rest
A breath away from where you are
I've come home from so far
So don't you fret, M'sieur Collins

I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now

That's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close

Tears began to smudge the view of Angel. Collins knew that this was it. He hugged her close, and whispered into her ear.

Hush-a-bye, dear Angel,
You won't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt you now
I'm here

I will stay with you
Till you are sleeping

Angel closed her heavy eyes, loving her last moments with her lover.

And rain...

Collins rested his head on the top of hers. He squeezed her weak body, as if to show her that he was still holding on.

And rain...

Angel's breathing began to slow. She relaxed, knowing that she was safe.

Will make the flowers...

Collins held on as her body went limp. He struggles against the tears, and pulled her close. He leaned down and kissed the top of his lover's head painfully.

Will make the flowers... grow...