Hey, I'm back. School starts again tomorrow, so updates may be very sporadic, but they will happen.

Okay, in this chapter, Mark is going to be taking some very desperate measures. Very desperate. Just read, and you'll see. But if implied sex offends you, this chapter isn't for you.

Chapter 2: I Only Lie in the Light

Where's the kid with the chemicals?
I thought he said to meet me here but I'm not sure
I got the money if you got the time"

-Lover I Don't Have To Love, Bright Eyes

They were broke.

No money for food or heat. They would barely have enough to get Roger's AZT. But the thought that kept running through Mark's head was, how was he going to make it through another week without shooting up?

The little tin Altoids box they kept the money for AZT in was calling to Mark. Whispering to him, promising him the sweet release of unconsciousness and ecstasy.

Mark groaned with disgust at himself. He wasn't actually debating risking Roger's health just so he could get high. Mark had to get out. Remove himself from temptation.

He found himself walking through the city like a man possessed. Every step he took in the biting cold, every time he felt the prickle of the wind against his skin, he wished it were a needle.

"You already looking for more?"

Without even realizing it, Mark's feet had betrayed him and took him to the Man's favorite drug drop off site. Mark tried to shrug off the comment, to pretend he hadn't heard anything. But in his mind, the very sight of the Man was enough to trigger the need for heroin.

Not need, Mark reminded himself. Want.

"Do you even have any money?"

Mark was silent.

"I'll take that to mean no." The Man came closer to Mark, closing the distance between them. "How long until you get paid again?"

Mark snorted. Paid again? That implies a steady paycheck, something I don't have. "Soon," he lied, hoping that some pity would be taken on him. "Couldn't you float me something…?"

It was the Man's turn to snort. "I'm not your mommy kid. I insist being paid upfront."

"But I don't…I don't have anything…" Mark's voice was weak and pitiful, even to his own ears. "Please," he tried to hold back a whimper, but it came out anyways.

"There are things you can do…" the Man said, looking Mark up and down. "A guy like you…so innocent looking….so…corruptible."

Mark could hardly believe his ears, was he actually suggesting what he thought he was?

"There are many guys who'd pay for a night with you. Not me…but I know people." The Man began to walk away, taking the last of Mark's will power with him.

"Are you serious?" Mark asked quietly.

"Unfortunately."

"I would never do that!" He called to the Man's retreating figure.

"Sure you wouldn't. But if you do, you know where to find me."

MRMRMRMRMRMRMR

Skin against skin. Lips crashing into teeth. And they went lower, so much lower.

The stranger's fingers deftly unknotted Mark's scarf, throwing it to the floor. He replaced his fingers with his lips and lifted Mark's shirt off. The stranger ran his hands up Mark's arms, stopping when he reached the telltale track marks.

"So this is why you're here?" The stranger's voice was a whisper in the thick darkness. He gently ran his fingertips over the marks.

"Please don't…don't touch me there," Mark's breath came out in a ragged gasp.

"You know," the man resumed his former actions, sliding his hands to the zipper of Mark's pants. "If you wanted," he stopped to suckle Mark's stomach. "I could pay you with it."

"Money is better," Mark panted, squeezing his eyes closed hard.

"If you say so," he chuckled, continuing to leave hickeys all down Mark's pale chest.

"Can you just…do it…?"

"Sure."

MRMRMRMRMRMR

So, yeah. Mark's a whore. I realize he has gone whoring before in other stories, but in the ones I've read, it's for Roger's AZT. There's a huge difference between whoring for yourself versus someone else. A huge thing with regret.

I'm not sure yet, whether this will be Mark/Roger. Probably hinges on whether I plan to have Mimi make an appearance. I don't know!

Thanks to all my reviewers!