A/N: Hey, guys--you are looking at what could potentially be my very last RENT fic…for a while, anyway. I went to see the tour on Halloween, and afterward got to meet Adam and Anthony, which made the five-hour drive totally worth it. Both of them are such nice guys. Now that I've gotten everything I could ever want out of RENT, I'm trying to go on a RENT hiatus for a while. We'll see how long that lasts. =0P Anyway, I just wanted to tell you guys how awesome you are, and thank those of you who have read my stuff in this fandom. Y'all rock.
Disclaimer: I don't own RENT. *Single tear* But I would like to give a deep, heartfelt shout-out to Jonathan Larson for giving us such a beautiful story, and all of the cast members--especially Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp--for embodying these characters and telling Jonathan's story in its purest and truest form.
Now, onward. Hope you enjoy…
Man's Best Friend
Mark Cohen seemed destined to have his best friend die. Twice.
Mark found Skipper when he was nine-years-old, walking home from school.
Mark met Roger when he was nineteen, a college dropout wandering around New York City.
Mark took Skipper home to show his family.
Roger let Mark come to the loft, since he had nowhere else to go.
Mark's parents let him keep Skipper.
Roger's roommates decided that Mark could stay in the loft, too.
Skipper was a beautiful dog, with soft, golden fur.
Roger's hair was blonde--more so by choice, Mark noted, rather than nature.
Skipper liked to play fetch.
Roger liked to play guitar.
Skipper would growl if anyone looked like they would harm Mark.
Roger would threaten anyone who gave his friends a hard time.
Mark would take Skipper to get his shots.
Mark watched Roger shoot up the heroin.
Mark had to keep an eye on Skipper, or else he'd run away.
Mark did the same for Roger.
Skipper would jump up on Mark's bed at night, and watch him sleep.
Mark would comfort Roger until the shaking stopped, and he fell asleep.
Mark made sure Skipper had plenty of kibble and dog treats.
Mark made sure Roger had his AZT.
Skipper got sick.
So did Roger.
Mark took Skipper to the vet.
Mark forced Roger to go to the free clinic.
Skipper got worse.
Roger did, too.
Skipper didn't play fetch anymore.
Roger could hardly hold his guitar.
The vet said the humane thing would be to put Skipper to sleep.
The doctors told Mark is was best for Roger to be in the hospital.
Mark cried, because he knew they were right.
Mark couldn't handle being in the room when they took Skipper away.
Mark never left Roger's side.
Mark rubbed Skipper's belly one last time, and told him that he was the best dog a kid could have.
Mark gripped Roger's hand and told him everything would be okay.
When it was over, the vet gave Mark Skipper's collar.
Roger told Mark he wanted him to have his guitar.
Mark loved Skipper very much.
He loved Roger even more.
Mark sits in an empty loft, wishing he had his dog back, his roommate back.
He wishes he had his best friends again.
Mark cries, knowing that he is now truly alone.