Well, I love writing lately. So who knows? Here goes... ;) I decided to take a break from my would-be epic story to write a shorter one. Well, this might get longer... But seriously I don't know. Mmm yeah. PostRENT. (Oh yeah and the first date here is the birthday of my besterestestest friendy-friend, aka Rabid RENThead. THE VERY DAY OF HER BIRTH!) And I'm terrible because I don't actually like Mimi that much.

Disclaimer: I don't own RENT.
January 31, 1992, 10am EST

"Dammit..." Mark cursed under his breath. He was trying to do a documentary clip about life in the loft. Unfortunately, Roger had caught on when he heard the narrating. He was now prancing about the room in a dirty t-shirt, singing Broadway show tunes in a minor key. Mark threw a book at him, and it missed by a foot.

"What the hell, Mark? What was that for?"

"For being an idiot!" Mark stuck his tongue out at Roger, and then grinned. "Well, hopefully you'll learn your lesson next time, when I actually hit you!"

Roger moped around the loft for a few minutes, and then decided to go downstairs to see Mimi. They were still together, after all this time, and were almost getting along lately.

Mark watched Roger slide the door closed, and then sighed loudly. He was alone now. And he was glad. He could finish his plan for that night. They had a 'date' with Collins, Maureen, and Joanne at the Life Café, and Mark had something very important to tell them. He sighed again, and decided to edit some film while he was waiting for Roger's return.

Roger opened the door to Mimi's apartment and stepped inside.

"Mimi! Hey, Mark was being grumpy and threw things at me, so I decided to come down here." He looked around, shifting his weight idly.

Mimi finally came over and said hello. She had been in the bathroom.

"Hi Roger." She said with a small smile. "Um... Sit down, I guess."

They both sat down on her bed, and Roger was a little worried. Why was she acting so weird... and nervous?

"Rog, I really need to tell you something. I... This is really, really hard for me... but... I don't think I can be with you anymore. I'm really grateful that you helped me get clean, and I love you… but I just can't be with you. You get it, right?"

"W-what? But... we..." Mimi sighed.

"Roger, you're sweet. But seriously. Please. You can be as dumb as a fencepost. We're over. I'm sorry. But... please, go." Roger stood up and started walking towards the door. He looked back one last time before going out into the hall and walking back up the stairs.

He opened the loft door and Mark looked up from his film editing.

"Hey Rog. What happened? You're back early." Mark looked at Roger and noticed he was crying. Roger Davis didn't cry over anything that wasn't important.

"Mimi broke up with me." He said when he was able to stop sobbing. He walked over to the couch and sat down, leaning his head against Mark. "She just... said she didn't want to be with me. I mean, how could she? We've been getting along, not fighting... She's definitely not high... why would she do this?"

Mark was completely lost. Why would Mimi do this? They had seemed to be closer than ever lately. He sighed. Maybe it was for the best… Roger hadn't exactly been happy lately, like he was sometimes before Mimi.

"Well, Roger. I don't know what she was thinking. I mean, you are awesome and all that... But maybe she just really isn't in love with you anymore." It was all he could think to say. Roger looked at him angrily.

"Mark! You're supposed to make me feel better, not worse!" He stood up and stormed off into his room. Great. Now Mark would have to drag him to the Life Café.

January 31, 1992, 6pm EST

Mark had finally gotten Roger to come out of his room. It took half an hour, bribes of special treats at dinner, and promises of chocolate pudding later, to finally convince him. After all, Mimi wasn't going to be there- she had work.

"Collins! Mo and Jo!" Roger cried out joyously. "Hey guys how are you?"

"Well, teaching still sucks!"

"And Joanne is still a pain in the ass sometimes."

"And Maureen is still annoyingly flirtatious."

Mark laughed. "And Roger is still sulking, and Mark is still alone." He added.

They ordered food and ate, talking about all of the random stuff that happened to them. Mark decided to put his plan into action as they were sitting idly sipping wine and beer.

"Guys? I have something really, really important to tell you. Seriously, really important. And you need to promise not to laugh, or..."

"God, Mark! Just say whatever the hell it is you're going to say!" Collins interrupted.

"Well... I- I'm..." He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice stop shaking. "I'm gay."

Collins looked at him and then yelled loudly. "Maureen owes me twenty bucks!" Joanne glared at Collins, Maureen opened her purse, and Roger was just dumbstruck.

"Gee, thanks. Betting on my sexuality? That's got to be a new low." Mark slouched back against the padded cushion of the booth and looked at his glass of water, with tears in his eyes. They knew he was hurt by their responses.

"Aw, Marky... We're sorry. But it was a bet we made years ago, just after you and I broke up... and I'm amazed that Collins even remembers it! Anyway... Wow! Um... Congratulations?" she offered.

"Yeah, sorry." Collins added. "But... welcome to the club, man!" He raised his glass. "To Mark!" They laughed again, repeating the toast, and this time Mark joined in too.

Roger was still in shock, although he joined the laughing and partying. But Mark was... always had been... he had dated Maureen, hadn't he? How could he do that, and after his shock with Mimi this morning? It was two big surprises for Roger in one day. People weren't supposed to just change their mind like that!

When they got home around ten, Roger went into his room and sat down on his bed. He was a little freaked out. And a little happy, for some unknown reason. He ignored the feeling, though, and went to sleep soon after sitting down.

Mark went to bed feeling oddly at ease. None of his friends had flipped at this sudden announcement. That was a good thing. They had all been accepting, if somewhat annoying, about it, and now he didn't have that secret on his chest.

It was a good thing.

Edited AN: Okay, I went back and fixed up this chapter a bit. I worked out the Mimi/Roger-breakup thing, since before it was kinda awkward. So... yeah. -happy dance-