Disclaimer: not mine.
All I Have is You
Chapter 3: Because I can't do anything
"I love food!" Roger declared as he and the others walked out of the Life Cafe. Collins laughed.
"Then keep eating it. Don't starve yourself like I know you do." Roger stuck his tongue out at Collins and threw his arm around Mimi, pulling her close. She laughed. Since their visit to the Life, everyone had been in good spirits. For the first time in what felt like years there was nothing holding them all down. No one was sick, they had everything they could have wanted.
Mark on the other hand had been quiet. Though no one really noticed. Mark was never one to join in conversations unless he really wanted to. And today he felt rather reclusive.
Once they reached their apartment building, Roger and Mimi disappeared into Mimi's loft. Mark sighed and walked up to his own, Collins following behind.
"I know it's hard man.."
"No Collins...I mean what can I do?"
"Not much you can do."
"There isn't anything I can do. Let's face the facts, he's straight and in love with Mimi. I'm bi and in love with him. End of story."
"Maybe not. Mark you never know what could happen."
"Could happen. Not what's going to happen. Roger's finally happy...I can't take any of that happiness away from him for my own selfish reasons..."
"Your not selfish Mark."
"Yeah I am..."
"No. Look, I know it's hard to love someone and not be able to have them, and you're right, there isn't much you can do. But you can still take care of him like you always do."
"I love him Collins..."
"I know."
"Then why does it hurt so much? Is love supposed to hurt this much?"
"No it's not."
Mark sighed, sitting down on the couch staring at the ceiling.
"It sucks being the witness." he muttered.
Collins sighed. There really wasn't anything he could say to comfort Mark. So he sat down and pulled the scrawny filmmaker into semi-awkward hug which he returned.
"I'm gonna go pay Maureen and Joanne a visit...do you...?"
"No I'm fine here."
"Ok. Don't think to much. Take care of yourself. I'll be back later tonight."
"Ok.."
Collins rose and left the loft without another word, leaving Mark on the couch. After a few minutes, Mark fell asleep.
"Come on, let's see what kind of food Collins brought us." Roger said as he and Mimi entered the loft a few hours later.
"Shh Roger look!" Mimi said, pointing to the couch where Mark was still asleep.
"Man, he must be tired."
I've never seen him sleep during the day...hope he's alright.
"Get him a blanket Roger. Look he's shivering." Roger nodded and walked into his room to search for a blanket. Mimi walked over to blond and bent down. She smiled.
He looks like a child when he sleeps.
She gently pulled off his glasses, giving him a but more comfort. Roger returned with a thin blanket and draped it over his roommate.
"He's really out of it isn't he?" said Mimi.
"Must be. Why don't we get some food and go to my room so he doesn't wake up?"
"Sure."
Mimi went back to her loft two hours later. Roger wandered back out into the living room and over to where Mark still slept. He sat down on the coffee table, and eyed his best friend.
He looks so touchable when he's asleep. Like his guard is let down.
He let his finger trace down Mark's pale face.
"Cold..." he muttered.
I know you hide Mark...but from what? What are you so afraid of everyone seeing?
Roger noted that it was now dark out and it was getting colder outside, meaning it would now get colder in the loft.
I should wake him up, he needs to eat and it's freezing out here. "Mark?" Roger said, his hand moving to Marks shoulder to shake him.
"Come on man wake up." Mark stirred, opening his blue eyes.
"Roger?" he mumbled.
"The one and only. Come on get up you've been asleep all day."
Mark groaned and sat up, eyeing the blanket and then Roger.
"Mimi and I put that on you a while ago."
"Oh...where are my glasses? I can hardly see."
"Opps! Haha, right here." Roger picked them up from the table and handed them over.
"Now up! You need food!" "So do you. Did you take your AZT?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Mark stood up and walked to the kitchen where he and Roger ate another good meal. They could get used to this but somewhere in their minds they knew they should enjoy it while it lasted. Soon they'd be without food again. Struggling to survive.
Author Notes: Review! Tell me what you think!
