First off I would like to apologize for how long this took. I know I'm probably saying that in every chapter, but let's just say my life isn't so easy right now and inspiration is hard to come by. I hate to say it, but I don't have the next chapter planned yet. I will try really really hard to get at least a small chapter up before the end of Feburary.
Thank you for those of you who have still stuck with this story and bared with me all this time. I very much appreciate it.
So, I won't hold you up anymore with my boring ramblings here. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own RENT or any of it's characters.
Monday morning dawned gloomy, the sun nowhere in site. The two occupants of the loft were on edge and moved almost robotically around their home, gathering things for the day.
Giving Mark a chaste kiss Roger reassured his lover about the test that was to be preformed that day. They knew the actual results would not be available for another week at least but that made it no less nerve racking. They called their office and requested the day off, needless to say John was not too happy with the news.
"You can't take anymore time off!" He yelled over the phone.
Mark shook his head, "I'm sorry John, but I have to go to the doctor's."
There was some grumbling on the other end of the phone before their boss's voice was once again heard. "Fine, but HE has to come in."
"Roger is coming with me, it's important."
More grumbling, "He better be here or he's fired."
Roger, who was standing next to his boyfriend; listening to the conversation frowned and plucked the phone from the filmmaker's hands. "Then I quit!" He growled out before hanging up the phone.
"Roger, you needed that job." Mark placed a hand on his lover's arm and shook his head before turning away and grabbing his bag and camera, "We better go." The rocker nodded and led the way out of the loft.
Still tense they walked together silently before they reached the clinic. They approached the front desk and checked in before finding seats in the waiting room.
Roger couldn't stop fidgeting every few minutes. He hated doctors offices as much as he did hospitals. Mark noticed and placed a hand over his lover's.
"Roger, calm down."
Roger turned his hand over and laced their fingers together.
"You know I don't like these places." He grumbled.
"I know Rog. Why don't you go wait outside? I'm sure it won't take—"
Roger cut him off abruptly, "No, I'm staying with you. I can handle it."
Mark smiled slightly and gave him a chaste kiss just as the door opened and his name was called.
"Mark Cohen?" The nurse called out, not bothering to look up from the papers in her hands.
Mark stood and Roger followed him to the woman. She looked up and smiled, motioning them through the door.
"You'll be in room 12." They nodded and walked towards the far door, the nurse following. When they were situated inside she started questioning Mark.
"So, Mr. Cohen, what brings you here today?"
Mark fiddled a bit with Roger's fingers, still entwined with his.
"I'd like to be tested for HIV."
She nodded and wrote something down
"And do you suspect that you have it?"
Mark nodded and she wrote something else.
"And why do you believe this is a possibility?"
Mark glanced at Roger, a blush spreading across his cheeks.
"Ummm, unprotected sex with my boyfriend... he's HIV positive."
She nodded and gave him another smile.
"Alright, I'll let the doctor know you're here. He'll ask you a few more questions and then run the test. Good luck." She left and pulled the door closed behind her.
As soon as the door clicked shut Mark slipped off the examining table and sat down in Roger's lap instead. Roger hugged his filmmaker tight against his chest and kissed his forehead lightly.
They didn't speak a word but just cuddled together until there was a knock on the door.
"Mr. Cohen?" A man asked, walking into the room. Mark lifted his head from Roger's shoulder and shook the offered hand.
"I'm Dr. Brice and I'll administer your test today but first I have a few more questions for you."
XxXxX
Roger and Mark didn't leave the office until it was after noon, the entire process having taken much longer then they had expected and Roger had remembered.
They walked back towards the loft, Roger's arm around the filmmaker's waist.
"Roger?" Mark's voice shook a bit.
"Hmm?"
"What if I'm positive?"
The rocker pulled him closer.
"Don't even think that."
Mark pulled them to a stop and forced Roger to look at him.
"But what if I do?" He asked more urgently.
Roger closed his mouth over Mark's, catching him off guard with a reassuring kiss.
"Mark, please, it's not going to happen. You'll be fine and you wont have to worry about this stupid disease. You can't be sick."
Mark nodded, even though he knew there was a very good chance that he would end being positive.
They started moving again and decided to stop at the Life to grab a late lunch before making it to the loft.
Once home the couple broke off, Roger going up to the room to practice and Mark to the nearby park with his camera in hand. Neither knew what to do, the possibility of Mark being cursed too was becoming too real.
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-Romantic Dragon