Author's Note: Yay. Chapter Seven out of twelve. Completion is in sight! Anyways. There is a scene in here that was inspired by a review from rexmanningdays. I loved the idea, and immediately thought of where to put it. I'll tell you what it was after the chapter (although I'm sure you'll figure it out), so I don't spoil anything. This is a shorter chapter than the others ... It's kinda fluffy. I blame listening to techno while writing (don't ask how that works). I like parts it, I dislike other parts. I hope you like it, though. Enjoy!

CHAPTER SEVEN: Ordinary Boy

In my hand and in my mind, I see your face

One up from violation.

-- Ordinary Boy

Roger scowls and rolls away from Mark, pulling the blanket with him. It is the first night the two men are sharing a bed together, and it is not going well. Mark has discovered that Roger is possibly the most fitful sleeper in all of New York City. He kicks, flails, and shifts so much that Mark can't believe that this same man can be so still and silent when he's awake. In fact, Mark will not be surprised if he has a few bruises in the morning.

On the other hand, Roger has found out that Mark is more of a bed and blanket hog than he would ever imagine. He's spent most of the night tugging at the blanket for warmth and pushing Mark aside so he can be comfortable. In response, Mark tosses him a sleepy glare and they fall asleep again for nearly an hour.

By now, Roger's had enough. He sits up and runs a hand down his face and through his hair. Mark wakes up at the feeling of the bed move, and he squints tiredly at Roger.

"What's wrong?"

"You," Roger replies, rather bluntly. "This place is freezing. Don't you think I could have some of the blanket, too?" He does not look impressed.

Mark holds his ground.

"If you didn't keep kicking me I wouldn't try to stop you from being able to do it."

"That's a lame excuse, Mark."

"You're a lame excuse, Roger."

Roger can't help it. He breaks into a grin and laughs a bit. Mark frowns, but he, too, laughs, and pushes at Roger.

"Stop it," Mark says. "I'm trying to put up an argument."

Laughing more, Roger catches Mark's hands before he can be pushed again. Mark grins in response, and suddenly frowns as he sees all humor fade away from Roger's eyes.

Roger looks down to where his hands hold Mark's. His hands holding Mark's. Inside, Roger is almost beside himself. He runs his thumbs lightly over the smooth skin. He cannot help but tremble slightly. Mark's hands seem so fragile; Roger is almost afraid to break them. He can feel Mark's on him as he brings Mark's hands to his lips.

It starts with one kiss. It is soft, delicate, hardly noticeable, in the centre of Mark's palm. Roger repeats with the other hand. Soon he is trailing kisses along both hands, on the palms, on the backs, across knuckles. The kisses themselves are progressing as well. They are no longer gentlemen-like kisses on the hand. It is almost as though Roger's forgotten that they're hands, and thinks that they're lips. He catches a small glimpse of an amused smile from Mark, who thinks this is all fun and games. For now, Roger will go along with that.

After a while, Mark grows tired of this. Roger frowns in disappointment as he feels Mark pull away his hands. His pout fades once those hands are replaced by Mark's lips. If there is anything Roger likes more than Mark's hands, it is Mark's lips. The two wrap their arms around each other and fall on to the bed. It is only moments before they stray away from lips and start kissing whatever they can. Necks, ears, noses, cheeks, eyelids – nothing is left untouched by the other's lips. Finally, when they are out of breath and cannot find anything else to kiss, Mark and Roger pull apart.

"That was fun," Roger says with a smile. He pulls Mark closer to him.

Mark nods and moves around a bit, so he is snuggled up to Roger.

"And tiring." He grins a bit, earning a small laugh from Roger. "I think we need to try sleeping again." A yawn adds emphasis to his suggestion.

"Hmm … I guess …"

Roger closes his eyes and finds a comfortable position to sleep in. Mark pulls the blanket up around him and Roger, making sure it is equally shared. It does not take long for them both to fall asleep, which seems to only happen if they're tangled up together. Not that they mind.

Author's Note: The hand kissing thing was totally not my idea. rexmanningdays can be thanked for that. It's a brilliant thing. But, it's not even an original idea ... S'from a movie, I believe. So don't get us in trouble! Just review and tell me your thoughts, and I'll love you forever.