((A/N: Semi-continuation of last chapter. Word.))

Chapter 8: Crashing Down

Roger raised an eyebrow at Mark who just layed there in all his glory. Something possessed the musician to position himself closer to the younger man. He ran his fingers through the filmmaker's hair, relishing how it felt. Soft, and silky, though he probably hadn't washed it in days. None of that seemed to matter.

"Mark...I don't know what to say..."

"Shhh.." Mark presses a finger to Roger's lips, effectively silencings the rockstar. "It's okay. Let me get back to what I was saying. We were together for what seemed like the shortest amount of time ever in my life. It flew by. Two months passed and I watched you get wasted and high so many times, never joining in myself. I couldn't stop you, but I don't think I ever tried. You knew what you were doing, or so that's what I thought. I watched you using the needle one night and thought you ought to get checked for AIDS, but you scoffed at me, saying something about being invicible. It hit me then that I should get checked as well. Two weeks after getting the tests done I was heading back to the hospital, only to be faced with my own mortality..."

"Cohen, Mark," the filmmaker said to the receptionist. "I'm supposed to be picking up blood results today." The man smiled down at the lady as she smiled back.

"I'll go grab those for you. I know exactly where they are." The lady removed herself from her chair and disappeared through a door.

Mark waited for a couple minutes, looking around the waiting room and whistling. Not ever in his life, had he felt more uncomfortable. 1) He hated hospitals of any fashion with a burning desire to flatten them to hell and 2)he was about to learn something that would determine how he lived the rest of his life.

"Mr. Cohen, your results," The lady cleared her throat and handed the envelope to Mark.

He nodded his head and left the building. Walking into the bright sunshine of the February afternoon, Mark looked down into his hands. This little piece of paper decided his future, his fate.

Sighing he decided he shouldn't hold off, he had to know. Opening the envelope, Mark pulled out the paper inside. He unfolded the printed document and stopped breathing. It wasn't possible.

He was HIV +.

In the middle of the busy sidewalk, Mark collapsed, tears running down his face. He gathered his knees into his arms and let his head fall inbetween them. How could this have happened to him? The good boy?

What was the point of eating your vegetables if you didn't get desert?

Mark lifted his head, not concerned with the looks he was getting. He had to tell Roger. The musician needed to know that he was in danger. Hell, Mark could have easily gotten the disease from his best friend. But he didn't put the blame on him. He couldn't.

Mark should've been more careful. Mark should've known what he was getting himself into. Mark should've saved Roger. He should've stopped the drugs. He should've taken the alcohol. He should've made Roger be happy without all that.

The thoughts raced through the young man's head as he ran a hand down his face, removing the tears that had made their way down. He collected himself, and stood on his feet, a determined look on his face.

Making his way to his best friend's favorite hang out, Mark let nothing stop him. He banged on the door, only to have Roger open it.

"Roger we have to talk."

"Yeah man." Roger walked outside with the younger man, closing the door behind himself. Mark gave him an odd look.

"Remember when I got tested, well, it turns out..."

But Mark never got to finish that sentence.

"Look. I met this really hott chick last night. And well, to put it bluntly, whatever we had, it's over. I'm gonna go date her. We'll still be friends. I love you, man. Just not really in that way." Roger turned to walk back in.

"But Roger," Mark retorted. But his calls fell on deaf ears. He watched as Roger made his way back into the house, shutting the door to the outside world.

Life went on.

But somehow, nothing seemed all right anymore.

((A/N: Only one more chapter left to go. Inspiration fairy hit me tonight so, reviews make the next chapter come faster!))