Disclaimer: I don't own RENT or owt else you recognize. This was written for fun. No profit is being made.
This story follows "The First Time"
The day was cloudy, and promised nothing. The cover might collect and spill down onto the streets, already busy and beginning to crowd at the wee hour of seven, or dissipate, burned and blown and banished. Winter had settled in, some days, drenching. Other days the autumn seemed to have sunk its teeth in.
Angry pedestrians muttered that Mother Nature might have the courtesy to make up her mind. Grilles in the street shuddered as the subway rumbled on, unstoppable by a controlled inertia.
Roger let himself relax against Mark, melting into the weave of his shirt. Mark folded his arms across Roger's chest and brought his face to Roger's neck. They rode that way for some time.
"Come on. This is my stop."
Roger slipped off Mark's lap and grabbed his backpack and sports bag off the car's floor.
Mark held out his hand. "Help me up, baby, I'm still asleep." Roger hauled Mark off the cushioned seat. They joined the flow of warm bodies massing off the train.
They walked two blocks in silence. Too aware of their shortened time together, neither could think of anything worth the precious seconds it would take to say, though both thought of many things to say at all.
Roger thought to remind Mark of his game that evening, to share his excitement, and to express that he hoped it would be a sunny day not only for soccer, but also because he liked the sun. He liked how it made his skin feel brown.
Mark thought of what he would be doing that day, a fat loud of nothingness with perhaps some job-hunting thrown in. He would check the clocks endlessly, awaiting Roger's game. But he couldn't say that. He couldn't burden Roger with the responsibility of being the light of his life. Roger was seventeen and far too young for that.
Perhaps a simple I love you.
Then the brick edifice had risen before them, and any time they thought they had was snatched away. They paused at the corner. Roger fastened the button at his collar and knotted his tie. Neither he nor Mark spoke, but the simple tasks bought them a few more seconds.
"Good-bye." Roger held out his hand and Mark took it. "For now."
"For now," Mark echoed, nodding. He liked that. He kissed Roger, taking a small taste of the inside of his lip. "Mm." Mark pulled Roger closer into a deep kiss, one hand wandering down to his hip and coming around to rest on Roger's bottom. The shift in his kisses alerted Mark to the stirring in Roger's trousers.
"No." Roger pulled back. "I'm sorry. I have to go to school," he reminded Mark.
Mark squeezed his hand. "Don't. Just… think of what I can teach you."
Roger moaned. "Teach me later?" he implored. "Mark, you know I can't. We'll pick this up later, okay?"
"Yeah, baby." Mark stole one more kiss. "We will." He slapped Roger's rear playfully. "Go on. Don't be a delinquent or Collins'll kick your ass!"
Roger grinned and sprinted down to the school as the first bell began to ring.
TO BE CONTINUED!
Future chapters will be longer, this was just the introduction.
Reviews would be great! ...please?