Well thank you to everyone who still reviews this! You're all awesome. I had a spectacular idea, and I'm going to try to write it. THE PLOT RETURNS... almost! O.O There was a plot? Yeah…

Disclaimer: I don't own RENT. Haha, I've typed this or something like it 25 times in this story, now.
September 3, 1992, 1pm EST

Mark and Roger returned from a walk in the park just as the phone started ringing. Roger went to get his guitar, and Mark sat patiently by the answering machine, waiting for it to sound the familiar message and let them know who was calling.

Speeeeak

"Mark, could you pick up the phone? I'm pretty sure you're there, and just screening your calls. Pick up the phone… now please? Hello? Okay, well if you aren't there, could you please call me back? Thanks."

The message ended and Mark rolled his eyes. It was the third time that week that Damien had tried to call him. Mark hadn't answered the phone, or called him back.

"You know, maybe you should call him. I mean, it might be important if he keeps doing this." Roger played a few chords on his guitar. "Who knows? Maybe he'll stop being an ass and we can all be friends again. Not likely, but whatever. Just call him back so he'll stop calling us, okay?"

Mark grumbled and picked up the phone. There were a lot of things he would much rather be doing than calling Damien. He dialed the number and listened to the ringing. Just when he was thinking no one would answer, someone did.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Damien? It's Mark."

"Marky! I didn't think you were going to call me back… listen, I'm really sorry about what happened. Really sorry. Do you think we could talk somewhere?"

"Sure. Um, where do you want to meet then?"

"How about in the park? That would be okay, right?"

"Yeah, can I bring Roger too?"

"Do you have to? I'd prefer if you didn't. He kind of scares me."

They hung up the phones, and Mark turned to Roger.

"Guess who I get to see at the park." He rolled his eyes. "He said not to bring you, but I want you to stand about a block away so I can find you. Yes, you can bring your guitar."

They left the loft and walked towards the park. Mark separated from Roger at their meeting spot and kept walking. He got to the park and started to walk around, looking for Damien. He was sitting on a bench, reading a book.

"Hi Damien."

He looked up and smiled. Mark was having trouble smiling back, though.

"Mark. Sit down, hon." Mark sat down on the bench next to him, wondering what was going on.

"So, you wanted to talk? What did you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to apologize. I was being stupid, when I found out you were sick. I should have been more supportive. I'm guessing you and Roger are back together?" Mark nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad you're happy. I just wanted to say that- I'm really, truly sorry, and I hope that you can forgive me."

"I understand. As a friend of mine once said, 'You don't want baggage without lifetime guarantees- you don't want to watch me die.' Words of truth, eh? Oh, you did get a blood test, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I'm negative. Don't worry. I just... wanted to thank you... because you showed me what true strength is. You didn't take the easy way out when you found out... A lot of my friends did, and I was afraid you would too. But hey, all that matters is that we're still here, even for a short amount of time."

"Truly. Life and love are the only things that matter."

"I just wanted to do one thing before I go. I won't call you again; I won't try to see you. I just want this one last thing." He suddenly kissed Mark, hard- and Mark shoved him away.

"What the hell, Damien?"

"Okay, I knew you were going to react that way. Thanks anyway. I'll go now." He grabbed his book, stood up and left. Mark sat there, dazed. What just happened?

He walked back down the street to where Roger was playing his guitar. The case was open in front of him, with quite a bit of money in it. Roger grinned at him.

"This is a pretty good corner! I'll come here to play more often. What happened with Damien?"

"He apologized, we talked, he promised to stop trying to contact us, and then he kissed me." Mark shuddered and held onto Roger's arm. "That guy has issues. Can we go home now?"

"Of course, Marky." Roger replied, kissing Mark's forehead. "Anything you want."

Edited AN: Damien is gone forever. He shall never return.