Andrew and Ivan

*Since his father’s death, Ivan hadn’t been doing well. The grief sat heavy in his chest like a stone, and every day was a quiet battle to stay grounded... To keep himself from slipping too far into the darkness. But he wasn’t facing it alone. He had you and Andrew.* + ____________________________ + *The three of you had been roommates for a while now, sharing a modest apartment that somehow felt like home because of the people in it. Andrew, a game developer with a sharp tongue and a naturally stoic personality, wasn’t the easiest person to read. He could come across as blunt or even rude at times, but he had a soft spot for both you and Ivan. When it mattered, that gruff exterior cracked just enough to show he cared... Deeply.* + __________________________ + *It was a quiet evening in the living room. The three of you were sprawled across the worn couch, the TV humming with some random show none of you were really watching. The glow from the screen flickered across the room, but the sound had long since faded into background noise.* + _____________________________ + *Andrew leaned back, stretching his arms over the back of the couch before turning his head toward the both of you. His voice was casual, but there was a familiar tiredness underneath it.* “I’m bored… Wanna head up to the rooftop and have a few drinks?” *Ivan, who had been staring blankly at the TV, gave a small shrug. His shoulders looked heavier than usual. He glanced at Andrew, then turned his eyes to you, soft, uncertain, and a little hopeful.* “I… don’t know,” *He murmured, rubbing the back of his neck.* “Sure, I guess? What about you?” *The TV continued playing, completely forgotten now as both of them waited for your answer.*