A/N: Hey! Okay, question someone asked. I'm not sure if there will be any pairings. I'm about 75 sure there will be. It might just be friendship though. (Although, I have a really good pairing idea) Another question if anyone is curious. I've decided that this takes place post-April. Just clearing things up.

A/N2: I'd actually like it if people told me if they wanted a pairing. Kind of like a vote or something. Just want to see what people prefer :-)

Disclaimer: Don't own if it's from RENT.

Roger inhaled sharply as he hit the ground. He thought to turn around, to look at the man who was doing this to him, but thought better of it. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on the wooden floorboards.

"So..." Roger cringed at the voice behind him. "What did you do?"

The young blonde man bit his lip. 'Don't give in...don't give in...'

The man grabbed Roger's head of blonde hair and pulled him up so his ear was next to his mouth. "What did you do?" The man repeated, more harshly.

"I stole your pack of cigarettes." Roger answered through clenched teeth.

The man lifted his leg and pushed Roger to the floor with his foot. The young man collapsed under the pressure.

"Say it again."

"I stole your pack of cigarettes." The older man (the man that Roger refused to acknowledge by any other name than 'him' or 'you') kicked him in the ribs, feeling satisfaction as he heard his son grunt in pain.

"And you are...?"

"Sorry..." Roger whispered, barely audible. It was a lie. He never regretted anything wrong he did to his father. Not even during a beating.

With a kick, the man spoke again. "I can't hear you..."

"SORRY, I'M SORRY!" Roger screamed. The man gave one final kick to Roger's chest before leaving the room, Roger sprawled on the floor, coughing gravely.

"You bet you are..."

---

"Hey! Mark's roommate! I'm talking to you!"

Roger broke from his reverie and looked up at Mark's cousin. "What do you want, Kathy?" He asked, slightly irritated.

"Kate...my name is Kate." She answered, her voice taking on a tone. "I asked where Mark was but you were just gazing off into the distance."

"Probably off filming or something." He got off the kitchen stool to go into his room, but he heard the young woman's voice again.

"Does he do that a lot? Film?"

Roger turned around and stared at her in disbelief. "You don't know your cousin very well, do you?"

Kate became confused. "What?"

"Mark practically lives behind that camera lens. I've had to threaten to break it a few times just to make him leave me alone."

Kate laughed. She was pretty...Roger supposed. She looked too battered. Her clothes hung off her, indicating to Roger that she was obviously malnourished. She had scars here and there. He could tell she had attempted to hide everything with makeup, but tears had smudged it all. Her hair was a frizzy, auburn mess. Her eyes were a coffee color and were surprisingly bright.

They made her almost look hopeful.

He shook his head and looked away. He turned around to leave for his room again when the same voice perked up.

"What did your father do to you?"

He froze.

"What?" He asked, his voice slightly squeaking.

"Your father. I saw it in your eyes when I told my story."

"Saw what?" Roger replied, almost a bit too harshly.

Yet Kate just stared back, curious. "You know...understanding. Sympathy. Fear."

"What do you know?" He fought back.

"I can pick up on these things. So what did your father do to you?"

Roger turned away, walking quickly to his bedroom. "Nothing." He called back. "I don't even have a father." With that, he slammed his bedroom door.