Hey everyone. This chapter was originally supposed to be A LOT longer, but I knew it was going to take me a few more weeks to finish writing the rest...so I just opted to split it in two and update now.

Now, there's something different about this chapter that I should explain: for a couple scenes, the POV goes to Roger. (well, kinda. Obviously, this story is 3rd POV, but it still contains Mark's thoughts and revolves around where he is and what he's doing. In this chapter, there are parts that switch to Roger having that place). I've always planned to do this at one point in the story, specifically for just one scene that will happen later. However, two things made me give Roger a POV. Number one, this story is supposed to focus on Mark and Roger, not the OCs, and for a little bit there, I think I forgot that...so it seems like telling a scene or two from Roger's POV will put the spotlight back where it belongs. Secondly, since I was going to do it once, later, I thought it'd be interesting to start doing it every once in a while...and it came to me as an idea for this chapter and I thought it worked better this way.

PS: As of this chapter, this story has officially become Rated M (Rated R right now...possibly rated NC-17 later, if I can get away with it)

I do not own RENT or any characters therein. When I become a master-thief, maybe I'll make Mark and Roger my crown jewels....bwahaha

Karma

Mark yawned into his generic Cap'n Crunch. Him and Reye had been going to parties more than usual. Between Tyler's, Canvas', and Tank's places, there always seemed to be a good time waiting to be had. Marshall didn't always go with them, but wasn't the type of boyfriend to get angry over Mark going out without him. Roger had been almost civil to him whenever Mark wandered home, but between going out, dates with Marshall, and work, Mark wasn't really at the loft long enough to be badgered into a fight anyways.

Roger came out of the bathroom and hopped up on the counter next to the filmmaker. "Hey, Mark, I need a favor."

Mark resisted rolling his eyes. "Erm...maybe. What's up?"

"Troy cancelled on us, again, and its too short of notice to find a new AV nerd. Think you could come up to my gig tonight and help us out with the sound system? The main amp has been shorting, lately. I'll even throw you what should've been Troy's cut of the pay."

Mark folded his arms. If Roger was asking for his help, he had to be desperate, and he wondered why he didn't care more. "And I should do this because?"

"Don't be such as asshole." Roger snapped. "It'll just be this once. Come on, I nee--we need you."

Mark pursed his lips then sighed. "What time?"

A shadow of a smile crossed Roger's face. "We go on at eleven, but I need you there at ten to help set up."

Mark nodded. "I'll be there."

Roger hopped down and started to go back to his room.

"You're welcome!" Mark called to him, annoyed. Roger simply waved a hand behind him.

LINELINELINELINELINELINE

"Mmm, Marshall....Marsh.......Marshall!"

Marshall pulled his head up from its former track down Mark's chest. "What's up, babes?"

Mark reached down and gently tugged Marshall up by his collar. "Too far." he murmured, kissing the older man's jawline lightly.

Marshall sighed, turning his head to nuzzle down at Mark's throat. "But I was just getting to the good part." he teased.

"Yeah...just...not now."

Sliding his mouth down towards Mark's exposed collarbone, Marshall nipped at it lightly. "When?"

Mark chewed his lower lip. "Soon just...not now...I'm still..." he trailed off softly.

Marshall kissed his way back up to Mark's ear. "I get it, babes. But can't we just..." his hand slid down over Mark's stomach, fingertips dipping past the waistline of Mark's jeans. "mess around a little?" Marshall finally finished, his wandering hand drifting into rough curls and passing lightly over the erection hidden there.

Mark's eyes drifted closed, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Hmm, can't argue with that."

Lips slid down to his throat again as strong fingers wrapped around his member, pumping slowly. Mark suddenly yanked his head and neck to the side, dislodging Marshall's face.

"Marshall, no hickies!" he complained.

"Sorry, sorry." He murmured, sliding only lips and tongue down Mark's chest, deft fingers continuing their pleasurable movement. Mark arched slightly, beginning to pant as he finally found the courage to rub his hand over his boyfriend's clothed erection before slowly popping the button and sliding the zipper down.

LINE

Fourteen and a half minutes later, Mark laid, sated and rather sticky, under half of Marshall's body. The other man was almost too heavy for him, but he was too content and comfortable to move much. Smiling down at him, Marshall placed a quick, playful kiss on Mark's nose before shifting slightly so he was mostly beside Mark.

"Hey boys? You home?" Reye's voice called out.

Marshall groaned. "Love her to death, but Jesus she has some bad timing."

Mark laughed softly. "Bad timing would've been five minutes ago....this is just...inconvenient timing."

Marshall agreed with a smile, kissing Mark for a long moment.

"Marshall? Mark? Helllooow!"

Sighing, Marshall rolled away from Mark and went to the bathroom for a wet towel. Cleaning himself off, he tossed the cloth over at Mark as he searched for his pants, which had disappeared somewhere along the line. Mark wiped his stomach clean before simply pulling his jeans up the very few inches they'd ridden down. How they'd managed that, he had no clue; probably the same way Marshall had managed to keep his shirt on.

Deciding themselves presentable, they finally opened the door to the apartment which they'd barricaded an hour earlier. Mark felt somewhat guilty for messing around on the couch that they all sat on regularly, and also for locking Reye out of her own apartment...but it was worth it, he thought with a grin.

"Ew, it smells like sex in here." Reye declared upon walking in, half joking.

Mark turned a deep pink and Marshall had the decency to look sheepish and avert his eyes. "Must be your imagination."

Reye raised her eyebrows at that. "Uh huh, sure...but just in case my imagination is really vivid, I'm washing the couch cushion covers...and this blanket.....and I'm using your quarters to do it."

Marshall laughed. "Fine, m'ija, do whatever you want."

"I always do." she grinned before sidestepping the couch and heading back to her room. "The shower is off limits, by the way. If I ever find out you two had sex in there, someone will die."

LINELINELINELINELINE

Roger glanced at his watch for the tenth time: 10:17. Mark had never been the best with time, but it wasn't like him to be this late. Roger's bandmates caught his attention as they tried to get him to help them set up. Roger glanced again at the doorway of the bar.

Come on, Mark! Where are you?

LINELINELINE

Mark looked over at the clock on the wall: 9:08. Reye was looking at him expectantly and he sighed.

"I dunno, Reye. I told Roger I'd be there at ten. I can always stop by after his gig."

"Well, what time will that be?"

"Uh...about two-thirty, I guess, once they take down and everything."

"By that time, everyone will be wasted or passed out!" she complained. "Come on, its early yet...just stop by for a minute. You said yourself that this bar is only a few blocks away from Canvas' place, you'll make it."

Mark chewed his lip. He did want to go hang out, and it wasn't like Roger could complain if he was a few minutes later, seeing as he was the one doing the favor. "Yeah, okay. Just for a few minutes."

LINELINELINE

"You guys are on in ten." the bouncer told them. Roger finished checking everything and nodded. Mark still wasn't there, but they had set up all the sound equipment themselves and would just have to perform without a couple of the effects they'd wanted.

So long as nothing crashes before he gets here, we'll probably be fine. But still...this isn't like him.

LINELINELINE

"Can you really patch sound equipment high? Cause you're like...really high." Tyler asked with a laugh.

Mark smiled lazily. "Sure…I'm good at it…one of the few things I'm good at. I'm sure no one will even notice…s'not like I'm drunk, now that would create some issues."

Tyler shook his head. "Whatever you say, Marky-boy. But you'd best get going, its already 10:35."

Mark nodded, unconcerned. "Yeah, I know…let me just grab a beer and I'll be off."

But the strange thing was, he really didn't feel like going anymore.

LINELINE

"Damn you, Mark." Roger muttered as he watched Gerry mess with the amp and speakers. At around 12:20 there had been a bit of crackling, a loud snap and then the sound had just died. They still couldn't figure out if the amp had shorted or they'd somehow blown both speakers. Either way, unless they got it fixed in a few minutes, their performance was done.

He looked over at the drummer, but Gerry just gave him a helpless expression and shrugged. Sighing, Roger flicked open his zippo and lit yet another cigarette.

Whatever you're doing, Mark, I hope it was worth it. He thought scornfully.

LINELINE

Mark laughed, Reye falling against him in her hysterics. Tyler finished his fake lap dance with a bow, leaving a flustered and blushing Jerrod in the chair he'd fatefully chosen. Canvas came over, sitting next to Reye and passing over a blunt laced with heroin.

Mark took it at his turn, watching the craziness in front of him. It had calmed slightly as several people had left or passed out, but parties at Canvas' tended to last all night.

Gina was attempting to breakdance, quite badly, and Lillia had started to throw empty cups at her in jest. Suddenly, Mark felt Reye lean over so he could hear her.

"Hey, its like…two am. Weren't you supposed to do something for Roger tonight?" she asked slurringly.

Mark shrugged. "Oh yeah…guess I missed it…Eh, fuck it. Its only Roger." With that he let Lillia and Gina yank him up to dance.

As he took another hit off the blunt, he somehow forgot to feel guilty.

LINELINELINELINE

PLEASE review! I want to know what you liked, what you disliked, any questions or suggestions you have, etc. I love reviews that are straight-up compliments, but I need input :)

PS: If you have time, I'd love for you to check out this other fic I wrote: Afterthought. Its a bit sad, but I'm a bit sadder because its has no reviews and I actually liked that story quite a bit ^^;

The next chapter takes place the very next day...and might test the edges of the M rating...if I can pull off writing it ;)

Much Love, my beloved readers, Much Love!