Hey Guys. Happy New Year! I tried to make a quick update for you guys. Hope I can make it into a habit.
I hope my, rather graphic, smut scene didn't offend anyone . Since I didn't get a lot of reviews, I don't really know what you guys thought of it. I'd really appreciate more reviews this time around :P
In response to a reviewer, Reye is pronounced 'Ray' like ray gun or sunray, her middle name is Lillia: 'Lee-Lee-Ah', and last name Valdez: 'Val-Dehz'. Any other questions, guys, I'll be happy to answer.
Disclaimer: I do not own RENT…or much else.
Reminder: Italics are Mark's thoughts.
Many thanks to my eternally inquisitive beta: Ms. Mimi Elphie-Amy Shadeslayer
I'm Not Angry, I'm Just…
Mark stood outside the loft door. He hadn't been home in two days. After the disaster with Maureen, he'd decided that he couldn't handle any more drama right then and so had spent the night at Marshall and Reye's. Not that either of them minded.
Especially not Marshall...jeez, I'm still tired. That man has some stamina...
He smiled for a moment before he looked back at the door. I have to do it sooner or later... might as well get it over with.
With that thought, he turned the key and walked in.
He winced slightly, expecting Roger to be waiting for him right when he walked in, but there was no one in the main room. He walked in slowly, cautiously, waiting for Roger to rush out at him at any moment. When he didn't, Mark chewed his lip, nervously, and walked around the loft for a few moments.
Roger's bedroom door was shut, and Mark had a strange urge to knock. He quickly shook the urge off, although the idea of getting the confrontation done and over with was a little appealing. Instead, he opted to swipe a banana from the counter and sit with Roger's discarded newspaper on the couch. As he peeled the banana, a sudden thought popped into his head;
'If you really want to learn how to go deeper, you could always practice. Popsicles work...brainfreezes are a downside...bananas work the best...' Reye's voice chimed in his head.
He stared at the banana in his hand, slowly moving to take it in his mouth when the absurdity of his actions hit him and he burst out into laughter. The sound of Roger's door opening quieted him immediately.
With strong opposing urges pushing him to both stare at Roger and make a hasty retreat out of the loft, it was sheer iron will that allowed him to simply stare straight at the newspaper and not physically react to Roger's presence.
So concentrated was he on not reacting to the sound of Roger's steps, he jumped nearly a foot when the newspaper was suddenly wrenched out of his hands. He suddenly found himself starring into Roger's furious eyes.
"So the junkie finally returns." He snarled.
"I'm not a junkie." Mark answered defensively.
"You're doing fucking heroin! What the fuck do you think that makes you?" The musician shouted.
Mark felt a flash of heat race up his spine. "So are you the pot or kettle today, Roger?" he snapped.
"Don't give me that bullshit, Mark. I quit. What the fuck is your excuse, you dumbass?" Roger yelled, beginning to pace around the living room. "Or can't you even think through the heroin haze?"
"Actually, I'm sober, idiot." Mark snapped, infinitely glad he hadn't shot up that morning.
Roger rolled his eyes. "Really? Oh, I'm so happy for you, Mark. You're able to go a few hours without it. Wow, I was wrong, you must not be a junkie then." He was dripping sarcasm and Mark resisted the urge to roll his own eyes. "How much do you use, anyways?" Roger suddenly demanded.
"Don't worry about it." Mark dismissed.
"Worry? Oh fuck no, Mark, I'm not worried. I'm fucking pissed that I managed to get such a fucking idiot for a roommate! Is this where you've been fucking wasting all our money?"
Mark stood, angry to the point of shaking. "Oh fuck you, Roger. I have a job, goddamnit."
"Big fucking deal, Mark!"
"You know what, I'm not doing this right now, Roger." Mark started towards his room, but Roger followed him.
"Oh yeah, Mark. Run away to your room. That's all you're fucking good for."
Mark laughed harshly. "At least I'm good for something, right? Or am I still worthless?"
Roger gaped for a second before going back on the offense. "A junkie is worthless, and that's all you fucking are right now." He said darkly.
"I told you, I'm not a fucking junkie. I'm not addicted. And its my fucking business. So just leave me the hell alone and I'll leave you alone." Mark bit out before retreating into his room.
"Fine! That's sounds just fucking terrific to me! If you're going to be a moron, I don't want you around anyways!" Roger shouted as Mark slammed his door in his face.
Pissed off beyond words, Mark collapsed on his bed. Then he heard Roger again.
"And just so you know, I took the money out of the loft stash. I'm not paying to support your fucking habit!"
Mark bit back a retort, opting instead to bury his head in his pillow and ignore the continued shouts until they finally ended with Roger slamming his own room door.
Getting up, Mark's hands quickly found his stash. He began to ready a dose when he suddenly thought about Roger's words.
He thinks I'm addicted...well fuck him, I'm not a fucking junkie.
He regretfully, but with determination, put the powder back into the baggie and shoved it in the back of his top drawer.
LINELINE
Mark stayed in his room for a few hours, just to be safe. When he finally emerged, to take a shower and get ready for work, he found that Roger wasn't home. With immense relief, he quickly got ready and left.
LINELINELINELINELINE
Mark sighed as he walked into the cafe. Reye's shift was over soon, but he needed to see a friendly face. His day hadn't improved with work. His boss, Dennis, had written him up for cussing out a coworker in front of a customer. He hadn't meant to snap, but damn, that girl, Cassie, was just so idiotic! He hated working with her because he always ended up picking up the slack or correcting her mistakes.
He usually withstood it and tried to be civil to her...but today, he just lost it. Somewhere between "idiotic bitch" and "no clue how you keep this job, being such a moron", his boss had come in. And now he had a write up and a warning that if it happened again, he'd be fired.
He did feel bad about it, now.
It just...wasn't like me...
Reye was talking to Lactose when he came in, and both turned to smile at him: Reye beaming and Lydia a shy smile.
"Hey guys."
"Heya Sweettooth!"
"Hi Mark."
"So Sweettooth, I was just telling Lactose that she has to come to the party on Friday. You should talk her into it, for Marshall." She said, using her best manipulative tone.
Mark frowned. "For Marshall?" He asked, confused.
Reye's eyes widened. "Well, yeah...I mean, it is his birthday...Holy fuck, you didn't know that!"
Mark shook his head dumbly and then winced when Reye suddenly smacked him upside the head.
"What the hell, Mark? You're his boyfriend...I'm pretty sure birthdays are in the job requirements." She reprimanded, simultaneously chastising and teasing.
Mark shrugged helplessly. "Its not my fault!" he defended. "Its not like anybody actually told me his birth date. How was I supposed to know?"
"No excuses!" Reye shouted, playfully swatting at Mark again.
Mark and Lactose laughed, quickly joined by Reye. "Okay, but seriously Mark, talk her into it! We're having a massive party at Kara's place for him. Kara is even baking him a cake and Tank is making special brownies. Its gonna be great, so we need all his friends to be there. That includes you, Lactose!"
Lydia blushed slightly. "I don't know, Reye...I don't really like parties."
Mark quickly found his cue. "Well, don't do it for the party, Lyd. Do it for Marshall. I know he'd want to be there."
"Well..." Lydia began, looking thoughtful.
"You could always just make an appearance." Reye piped in.
Lydia thought about that and nodded slightly. "Maybe...I'll let you know by then. But anyways, Reye, Mark, I gotta go. I'll see you both later."
Mark watched as Lydia left and went back up to the counter. "Think she'll go?" he asked.
Reye shook her head. "Nah. She's a hard one to get out to parties, just isn't her thing."
Mark nodded in understanding. "Yeah, but at least you tried…But ya know, she has the saddest eyes I have ever seen, and I film homeless people. I imagine you made her tell you her story."
Reye nodded. She looked at Mark. "I imagine you want me to tell you it?" Mark nodded. She shrugged. "Okay. Just so long as you don't tell her I did."
"I won't." Mark agreed.
Reye nodded. "Okay, well Lactose has a rather sad story. She's nineteen and has been living here for about…three years I think. See, what happened was her parents had died when she was real young, and then her older sister got custody of her two years later when she turned eighteen. Lydia was nine at that time. I think that living in the home for two years is what made her so quiet. Anyways, apparently her and her sister were close, like real tightknit, and things were good for a few years. Her sister worked two jobs and they got some financial aid from the state, food stamps and such.
"Then when she was fourteen her sister got diagnosed with cancer. The doctors said she didn't have much time, since they couldn't afford treatment. Her sister wanted to see the world before she died. So they packed up everything they could fit into a station wagon and started traveling across the country. Lactose said her sister got to see Hollywood, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Chicago, and then a little after they got to New York, Lynne got sick. She didn't make it another month. Lydia was fifteen at the time, and she didn't want to get sent back to a home, so she just stayed here.
"She's trying to be a writer. Last time I checked, her novel was stuck at twelve chapters. And she's never been able to get anyone to publish her short stories...don't know why, I think the girl's got talent."
Mark nodded. "Sometimes things take time. So anyways, Reye...I've had a real shitty day...damnit, I hate it when I rhyme. But anyways, you happen to have any H on you?"
Reye sighed. "Sorry. I'm gonna go see Alex tonight, actually. All I got on my is flea powder. Last time I buy from Tank. His shit is never any good."
Mark groaned. "Damn. I left mine at home, too."
Reye glanced around the empty cafe before shrugging. "Whatever. Come on behind the counter and we'll snort the damn Nixon. I'm telling ya, though, its not bout to do anything but take the edge off."
Mark nodded gratefully. "That's all I need right now."
A little bit later they sat side by side behind the counter, Mark rubbing his nose in irritation every few minutes.
"So how come you didn't tell me Marshall's birthday was coming up?" he asked.
Reye shrugged. "Thought you knew. Sorry."
He shook his head. "No...he never said anything. Wonder why..."
"Well, Marshall doesn't usually make a big deal out of his birthday...but that's why he has me! I always make sure he has a good time. I think it used to annoy him. His first birthday I missed cause he hadn't told me, but I found out shortly after and since then I've made sure he has a party and everything." she paused, looking at Mark, suddenly apologetic. "Ya know, I only found out because I saw his state ID...I guess it was silly of me to think he would've told you."
"Huh. Why do you think that is?" He asked, stretching. Reye had been right, the stuff they'd snorted hadn't been very good. But he was relaxed, at least.
She shrugged again, popping her gum. "Best I can figure, he just doesn't like people fussing over him or spending on him...same reason I practically have to shove my portion of the rent money down his throat every month. He's proud and he doesn't like taking from people. But he deserves a treat every once in a while, so I give it to him whether he wants it or not." she laughed.
"So...what do you think I should get him? I mean...what does a guy get for his boyfriend? I'm in new territory here."
Reye twisted her fingers in her curls, thinking. "Um...flowers...a teddy bear?"
Mark rolled his eyes, shoving her playfully. "I don't think anything that sappy."
"Um...a blowjob?"
"You're just not going to be much help, are you?"
"Probably not." she laughed, Mark soon joining her.
LINELINELINELINE
Mark sighed pleasantly as he walked up to the loft. He had gone with Reye to see Alex and, despite the fact that he still had a bit left at home, he'd bought half a gram. He didn't have much of his last paycheck left, but he was okay with that.
He entered the loft. Roger was sitting on the far windowsill, idly strumming his guitar. He looked up at Mark as he walked in. Mark met his eyes for a moment before looking away. Roger silently took in Mark's sluggish movements and distant eyes and instantly felt a white hot streak of anger flash up his spine.
"You're high, aren't you?" he accused.
Mark looked back over to him and smiled languidly. "Yeah...so?"
Roger starred at him for a long moment before he turned back down to his guitar.
Mark shrugged, slightly puzzled by the lack of yelling but too blazed to really care. He wandered to his room, falling asleep to the sound of the soft, halting sound of the guitar.
LINELINELINELINELINE
SO…thoughts? Next chapter is going to have Marshall's birthday bash and a little sadness involving Mark & Roger. OH, and PLEASE review! I really need the motivation to write!
I am requesting ideas from my reviewers for Marshall's birthday present. Like Mark, I'm just a bit clueless what he should get him…I really can't finish the chapter without knowing what to get him…and uh…I have no idea hahaha. So, my lovely readers, ideas?
Much Love
