Author's Note: Yes! An update at last! I was suddenly hit with this need to write, so I did. And, guess what! I'm HAPPY with this chapter! Woot! I really, really am. There is a God. Thank you to everyone who gave me birthday wishes. :) It was a nice surprise from you all. Now, enough about me. Enjoy this chapter!

CHAPTER SIX: The Time it Takes to Fall

A kiss, a plead, a wave goodbye

A dream, a drug, a kiss goodnight.

-- The Time it Takes to Fall

Mark wakes up with a groan. He clenches his eyes shut against the pain that's sitting in the back of his head, and sits up. As he opens his eyes, Mark realizes he's in the bathtub. He doesn't remember much of the night before, and does not want to think too much about it. Instead, he stands up shakily, fixes his glasses, and climbs out of the tub. Almost immediately, he pulls his foot back and he blinks down to the floor. There is Roger, spread out on the floor with his mouth slightly open and his hair askew. Carefully, Mark makes his way out of the bathroom.

Mark makes some coffee, gets dressed, and sits on the couch. He leans back, resting and closes his eyes. Today, he decides, he can stay in the loft and do nothing. His body aches too much from sleeping in the bathtub. Besides, he can spend more time with Roger this way. It used to seem as though his friend was never around, and, now that he is, Mark figures he's allowed to make up for lost time. Roger doesn't seem to mind, in any case.

As if Roger can hear Mark's thoughts, he stumbles out of the bathroom with his head in his hands. Mark opens his eyes, and watches.

"I made some coffee," he says.

In response, Roger mumbles something incoherent and he shuffles to the kitchen. He sits next to Mark, nursing a cup of coffee and running a hand through his hair.

"Some night last night," he says at last.

Mark nods.

"Yeah … How did we end up in the bathroom?"

"I think you got sick."

"Oh."

Mark shifts a bit as silence falls upon them. He watches Roger out of the corner of his eye. To him, his roommate is fascinating. He loves how complex Roger can be, and how simple he can be. He loves the raw human emotion Roger can go through and triumph over. The way Mark sees it, there is no one quite like Roger, and Mark is secretly proud to be the closest thing to the musician (next to Roger's music, of course). And, as odd as it sounds, Mark is secretly proud to be in love with Roger.

Of course, this isn't the type of love that gets thrown around every day, nor brotherly love, nor friendly love. It goes beyond physical and mental attraction, into physical and mental connection. In a way, it's a lot like how he felt for Maureen, with one major difference. When it came to Maureen Johnson, Mark Cohen fell hard and he fell fast. In the case of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen experienced the true length of time needed to fall in love.

"Mark … Have you ever been with a guy before?"

Reality slams into Mark as Roger's words pull him out of his thoughts. He slowly turns his head towards Roger (partly because of his shock, mostly because of his headache).

"… What?"

"I asked," Roger replies, with a slow patience, "if you've ever been with a guy before."

"… Why are you asking?" There is a cautious tone to Mark's voice. He isn't sure where this conversation is going, and, until he is, he is not keen on revealing anything that could be used against him.

"No reason really …" It is obvious that Roger is carefully picking out his words. He is only partly looking at Mark, and his face is set in a look of mild concentration. "It's just a thought I've been … Thinking lately."

Mark's interest is caught.

"Oh?"

"Yeah …" There is a pause while Roger chooses his words. "Just for … I don't know … Fun, I guess … Something to do … Something for us …" Roger stops. He looks completely at Mark now, judging if he ought to finish or not. "We should hook up." It comes out much less suave and practical than Roger intended it.

Mark cannot help but smile. Whether he is amused or gleeful, he cannot yet tell.

"Roger … Is this just for your own amusement, or are you, for once, being serious?" Mark's smile turns into a grin and the look of offence on Roger's face.

"I'm not always trying to be an ass, you know!" A scowl forms on Roger's face. "That's not funny. Why are you laughing?"

"I never said anything about you being an ass, Rog." Mark wipes at his eyes a bit.

"Fine." Roger's scowl is replaced by a look of arrogance. "It was only a suggestion. If you're going to be like this then I ca-"

"Roger, relax!" Mark waves his hands at his roommate. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Alright?" He waits a moment for his grin to fade back to a smile. "You were being serious then?"

"Insanely serious. Totally serious." Roger nods.

"Well …" Mark looks at Roger. He takes in the eagerness of anticipation that sits clearly on his face. "I guess I'm willing to give it a try. Just for fun, I guess … Something to do … Something for us."

The two men sit there, looking at one another.

"Well, good." Roger stands up. "I'm going to get an aspirin."

"And I'm going to bed." Mark stands up as well.

They give a nod to each other and turn to go their respective ways, both barely concealing manic grins.

Author's Note: Well, what do you all think? Reviews are lovely, you know. They keep me writing. I need it, too. Still six more chapters to go!