Okay, I was wrong, this is my final pre-RENT chapter! I was thinking hard about it and it makes sense to tell this story and then jump into the movie. So sorry for the confusion but that is how it goes . I also dedicate this chapter and pretty much the rest of my chapters to Erin and Marit. Marit without you I would have never posted this or even had the courage to write it. Plus you are always there egging me on lol. And Erin for being the greatest friend ever. If you have any flaws, I have yet to see them. I heart both of you very much!

EvilEatingSanta, thanks so much for reviewing and for the help on ideas! Big hug

Okay, now finally to the writing!

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Mark's POV

The familiar feel of the cold, stinging air is almost too much to take, considering that I was warm in bed with Roger five minutes ago. It took all my energy to get up, moving away from his toasty hot skin just to get food. The sidewalk clicks underneath my torn tennis shoes as my camera beats rhythmically against my chest.

I stop at the same shop I had visited a while ago, smirking with my plans in mind. I walk up to the counter, itching the uncomfortable patch of fabric covering my neck. I only have five bucks on me, enough to buy my treat for Roger and get us some cereal.

"A chocolate chip muffin please." I say, realizing the man behind the counter has lips similar to Roger's. It makes me miss him, and I've only been gone for about ten minutes.

"Sure. It's buy one get one free today. Do you want two chocolate chip?" He smiles at me and I melt, thinking of Roger's pearly white teeth. I snap myself out of it just enough to answer him.

"Yea. Thanks." I smile back, and suddenly feel guilty and embarrassed that I'm obsessing over an employee. He slips my order into a white plastic bag and hands it to me. I begin to take out my money when I hear his voice above me.

"No, it's okay. You look starving. It's on the house." Great, now he looks like Roger and he's as nice as hell.

I leave hesitantly, looking back stealthily as I go, but my mind returns to Roger as soon as the worker is out of sight. My hand clasps the bag of muffins tight, and I beam with pride and anticipation. Roger will be so happy. Two muffins, for free.

I'm almost running down the street when I stop myself. Even though it's Christmas, I'm sure he won't care that much about the food. Maybe a part of me just wants to see him smile while eating. A part of me just wants to lay my hand on his while he looks at me with joy and fulfillment. It's not about sealing his empty stomach with baked goods.

The door opens swiftly, almost denting the wall next to it.

"Fuck!" I hear Roger yell before laughing at the frightened expression on his face.

"It's okay, it's only me." He quickly pulls off my coat, and hurls it into the nearly dented wall. "Roger, what the f…"

"Shhh…I just missed you." He embraces me softly, kissing my neck with gentle little pecks. "What'd you get?" He asks after letting me go and noticing the swinging bag in my hand.

"Food! You're gonna love it." It's as if he was electrocuted with delight while I was gone. His face lights up at any prospect of joy. He snatches the bag out of my hand and hastily pulls out the muffins.

"Mark! Muffins…thank you." He hugs me again, but this time I'm ready. My hands massage his back slowly as I feel his humid breath on my skin. Once we separate he flashes me one more smile before sitting down at the table, anxiously awaiting to eat his Christmas present.

"Roger, why are you so happy all of a sudden?" I ask, barely recognizing this side of him. Ever since I helped him through April's suicide, he has trouble smiling at all. Now he's having trouble stopping.

"I don't know. Just the thought of being with…" He stops, his face turning a shade of bright red and looks down at his hands on the table. "Never mind. I'm just so hungry." I walk over to him, lift up his chin and meet his eyes.

"I'm glad to be with you too." Our lips kiss lightly, but it still seems deep. Every one of our kisses is passionate in it's own way. "But I'm also hungry." I add, sitting down next to him and hurriedly stealing a bite of the muffin sitting in front of him.

"Asshole! You have your own!" He scoffs, and then reaches across the table to my face. His tongue, searching for a taste, invades my mouth without permission, but who could ever refuse Roger's tongue? He pulls back only a few inches and laughs. "Mmm…that's a good muffin." I can barely even chuckle before being forced back into a kiss. It's so forceful in fact that my entire body gives in, and I'm pushed back onto the table.

His weight is on top of me, but I can tell he's holding back. He always says how light I am, and I know he's afraid of crushing me. All the cold that was still left in my body from outside has now vanished. The stiff wood of the table seems like one hundred pillows underneath my writhing body.

Roger's hand is also intrusive; making it's way down the front of my pants and forcing me to break away from his mouth. I feel something on my back, but choose to ignore it for the time being. My hand grasps to the edge of the table, squeezing as hard as I possibly can, to hold out as long as I possibly can.

His lips remain on the side of my face, whispering mumbled nothings into my ear to soothe me. I feel my body begin to tense, and my hands jump to Roger's arms, feeling the large muscles beneath his green shirt.

Minutes later we lay in the middle of the table, Roger on top of me, messy and disgusting.

"Shit! You're lying on the muffin!" He yells, but can't help but break into laughter at the end.

"Damn it! Now I have to do laundry." He rests his head on my shoulder, laughing, and his hand frees itself from my pants. We lay like that for a while before he breaks our silence.

"I think that was a first."

"What?"

"Having sex on a muffin." I must have hurt his ear I laughed so hard. His kiss shut me up, even though it was hard not to laugh into his mouth.

Eventually he was able to lift himself off of me, immediately heading for the shower as I went to the bedroom to change. The gross part of me wanted to keep my dirty clothes on, just so I could smell Roger's scent on me all day. But the stain on the front probably wouldn't fly.

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8 pm

Roger finally tuned his guitar. It's a fucking miracle. When I came out of the shower I spotted him with it, and repressed a shriek. Instead I lunged at him, making him confused with a hug of pride.

I can tell he hasn't played in a while, but it doesn't matter. As long as he has sense enough to try.

"Do I sound horrible?" I glance over at him and intend to lie.

"No, it's not that bad. I mean come on, it's been a long time."

"So that's a yes." He winks at me and I return my focus back towards my camera. "What are you doing to that thing?" He asks, still strumming random chords with his fingers.

"I think I might walk around a little. Maybe shoot some Christmas Eve spirit."

"All right. I'll stay here and play. Or attempt that is." I grin at him before leaning over to kiss his lips. He doesn't let me go, but keeps my mouth hostage by hooking his tongue on the inside of my cheek. When he finally lets me go he sighs and I walk out the door.

Everything seems too perfect.

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Notes: Awwww! Oh, blah blah blah…. Did you see the beautiful return of the muffin! I was literally laughing as I came up with how to incorporate it! I think that might possibly be the final muffin chapter unless I can find some other crazy way to put it in. Thanks so much for reading guys and I come home everyday looking forward to your reviews so keep 'em coming! Love ya!