Sorry it took so long to update. I haven't been home for five days, and then I went to a Gaelic Storm concert as a surprise birthday gift. The sixteenth is my sixteenth birthday, so I'm excited beyond all possible thought.

Love to all my reviewers! Kelby, although this chapter is cute and fluffy, the next chapter will be more...uh active, let's say. Sunny Monster-I've never seen Wicked, but I understand how you felt with the happy ending. As much as I hate when everyone dies in Les Mis, I agree. What a bad ending that would be. Thanks to everyone else who reviewed!

Disclaimer: I do not own RENT, or Mountain Dew.

Warning: Slash, fluffy.

After RENT: Our Story

Chapter seven: Explore

MARK'S POV

When I wake up it's light out. I'd think it was all a dream except I'm wrapped in Roger's arms. I smile and squirm closer, as close as I can get to his body.

"Trying to push me off?" I look up, not realizing he was awake. He smiles and hands me my glasses.

"Sorry." I smile, before leaning up to kiss him. "Did you sleep?"

"Only for an hour or two." He pushes the hair off my forehead. "I've been watching you sleep. A new pleasure of mine."

"Really? What time is it?" The clock's behind me and I'm too comfortable and happy staring at Roger to turn around.

"Two in the afternoon."

"You've been watching me for, what, about two hours?"

"You're the only thing I'd even consider watching." He kisses me as I blush. Compliments aren't something I receive very often. "Wanna do something?"

"I wanna get outta here, have lunch, anything."

"Let's go eat lunch. It's been awhile since breakfast." I sit up and get off the bed. "Meet you in the living room in ten?" I kiss his cheek before going into my room. I get dressed, brush my hair then brush my teeth in the bathroom.

I sit on the couch and Roger comes out of his room, dressed. He smiles and goes into the bathroom. He comes out a moment later and hugs me around the neck from behind the couch. "Ready?" He purrs in my ear, sending shivers through my body. I sit up and turn around, wrapping my arms around his neck. I put my head on his shoulder, kissing his neck. He helps me climb off the couch and we leave the loft, keys in hand.

When we reach the street he grabs my hand and we reach the Life Café, smiling happily. Once we're seated, a group of four or five young girls ask for his autograph. He smiles, talks with them as he signs the band's cd case for each of them (some with pictures of him as well). We order our food after they leave.

"Sorry." He puts his hand on mine that's resting on the table.

"Why?"

"The girls."

"I'm used to it. Besides you love me."

"Yes, I do." He kisses my hand and smiles. Every time he does, I feel happier than ever. I can't believe my heart hasn't exploded yet.

We eat lunch, pay, then walk to a park nearby. It's not very popular and never that crowded. We walk hand-in-hand around the park, talking, laughing. I pull away from his side to throw a paper off of the ground in the trash bin. Once in, he pulls me back, wraps an arm around my waist and switches our hand positions. I flatter him and put my arm around his shoulder as he moves us in circles.

"Since when do you dance?" I laugh at him.

"Since always." I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. "Well, since I had a reason to dance." I kiss his cheek, then rest my cheek against his chest, feeling happy, content and safe in those arms. His head falls on top of mine and we start to sway side to side.

A few people pass us, giving us the weirdest looks we have ever received. You'd think they've never seen two people in love before, but we don't care. Nothing matters but us. "I want to tell them." I whisper what feels like hours later.

"So do I. Next time we see them."

"Sounds good." I'm getting sleepy again.

"We haven't seen anyone for awhile. How about we ask them over tomorrow night?"

"Okay." I kiss him slowly. We release our hands and wrap our arms around each other. It's the most passionate kiss I've ever had. When we pull away, we can't breath at all. I kiss his cheek when I regain my breath. "Let's go call them. It's getting late." He looks at the watch on my wrist.

"It's only four. Not that late."

"Might be late for them. You know they always need a heads up at least twenty-four hours before anything." He laughs.

"You're right." He kisses my forehead and we head home. We enter the loft several moments later and I unlock the door. "I want in first." He jokes with me, pushing his chest against my back.

"Slow down." He kisses the back of my neck as I get the door open and rushes in past me. "Jerk." I laugh, hitting his back. I shut the door and turn around before he pushes me up against it. He intertwines our fingers.

"Love you." He whispers and I feel shivers again. I've never been in this position with Roger before. We kiss, our bodies pushed against one another's. I groan loudly.

"Have...to call...others." I say between kisses. He backs away enough for me to just slip by, still holding my hand. I call Collins, who says he'll pick up dinner, Maureen and Joanne can come. "Should I call Benny?" I ask him.

"What? NO!"

"Roger, he's still our friend. A scumbag, yes, but still a friend."

"If you want to." I kiss his cheek, whisper thanks and call Benny. He's too happy to come.

"All are coming." He nods. "It'll be okay. They all know we're bi, so it can't be that big a surprise."

"I know. I don't know why I'm freaked out. But I want everyone to know I'm the happiest person ever." I laugh.

"Flattery will get you anything."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Want something?"

"A kiss, a little more." He winks and I'm determined not to blush. It doesn't work.

"To drink I meant." I tease him. His face falls.

"You said anything." He grabs my hands and kisses the palms.

"Yeah, anything to drink." He rolls his eyes, letting me win the fight for once.

"A Mountain Dew." I smile and get him a Mountain Dew and make myself some tea. We sit on the couch when it's done.

"Roger?"

"Yeah?"

"How'd you realize you were bi? I don't remember you mentioning any relationships with a guy before." He smiles.

"Afraid a past lover will whisk me away?" He teases.

"Funny, I want to know."

"Never had one." I look at him over the rim of the cup. "I was at some party in High school when I was dared to kiss this hot guy and I liked it a lot. I'd been noticing guys, just like I did the girls. Kinda figured it out." He takes a sip out of the can. "How about you?"

"There was this Senior all the girls were in love with and I thought he was really, really hot too."

"I know you dated some guy before."

"Yeah, a friend of mine. I've had a couple of girlfriends too. My relationships were few, but always lasted a long time."

"Bet you were a stud." He winks, making me smile.

"No, they just really liked me. I was romantic, I knew how to treat them, etc, etc."

"Who doesn't like you?" I kiss his jaw and lay my head on his shoulder. We finish our drinks and just lie on the couch, snuggled together.

NEXT DAY

"You okay?" I ask him, laying a hand on his shoulder. It's almost six and everyone should be here any minute.

"Fine, happy we're telling them."

"Yeah." I run a hand through his hair.

"Key please!" Collins's smooth voice rings throughout the loft. I open a window and toss one down to him.

"We should make more keys." I laugh and Collins enters the loft with boxes of Italian food. Pizzas, pasta, lasagna, garlic bread.

"Yum." I hug Collins. "How are ya?"

"Fine. You're in a good mood."

"After dinner, Roger and I have something to tell everyone." Benny comes next, then Maureen and Joanne. We immediately start to eat and have great time. We joke around, laugh, tell stories and talk about our lives at the moment.

"So what's this secret, Marky?" Maureen asks. Roger and I look at each other.

"Okay. Roger and I are both bi, right?" Collins's eyes get big as everyone nods. "Yesterday," I look at Roger and smile. He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. "We admitted that we're in love with one another." Maureen squeals and launches herself at me.

"I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO!" She squeezes me in a hug.

"About time you two." Collins laughs, hugging Roger. "The only reason I never asked Mark out was because of you."

"Don't even think about it. My Mark." They laugh and Joanna hugs me. Benny just shakes his head, smiling.

"You okay?" I ask him.

"Yeah. I thought Maureen was odd. Looks like I need a man too." We laugh, hard.

"Benny made a joke? Shit! The world's gonna end." Roger says, hugging me from behind. I lean against him and he rests his head on my shoulder.

"AW! That is so cute." Joanne laughs.

"I always thought you two would get together." Maureen tells us. We sit at the table again and Benny pulls out two bottles of wine.

"Allison suggested I bring them. I'm glad I did, cause this is a thing to celebrate." He explains and pops the first bottle's cork off. I get some cups out of a cupboard and Benny fills them up. "To Mark and Roger." He toasts.

"To Mark and Roger." We reply. Roger and I toast each other before taking a sip.

Everyone leaves around eleven and Roger and I slip into our pajama pants before going to bed, slightly drunk. We kiss and fall on the bed. I pull him on top of me as we kiss and run my hands up and down his back. His hands roam down to my hips and he kisses down my neck onto my collarbone and shoulders.

"Don't get too far ahead." I croak out. He laughs.

"Okay." I bring his head up to kiss his lips.

"Hate to ruin the moment." I laugh.

"I understand. You're right. You're so irrestiable though." He bites my neck.

"Stop!" I laugh and try to push him off. "I knew this was a bad idea." I think out loud, frowning just slightly.

"What's wrong?" He asks innocently. He knows damn well what's wrong. That smile will get him anything though.

"I can't get you off of me."

"You want me off of you?" I look at him and he sticks his lower lip out. I smile and kiss him.

"Nope."

He smiles happily and rests his head in the crock of my neck. "Night."

"Night." I take off my glasses and turn the light off. Roger kisses me before moving his head to it's original position. I put an arm around his shoulders and the other I rest on his back. We're asleep in minutes.

Very fluffy and cute. I loved the dancing in the park, that was my favorite part. HEHE! The next chapter will be awhile before it's updated. I'm not going to have as much free time for the next few weeks.