After Denver was not hungry anymore we headed up to the apartment to find out that Ian and Anna haven't returned yet, which was expected since probably must've just left.

I put the groceries away and started on the food which Jordan and Denver went inside Ian's room. To do what? I have no fucking clue. Just when I was marinating the chicken and cottage cheese, they come back shirtless and wear fucking aprons over their bare chests as if they were going to cook the major dishes. This made me scoff and they looked up at me as they finished tying the knots behind their backs.

"Any problems?" Denver asks, both eyebrows raised and the glint of mischief in his eyes just asking me to get in trouble.

"No," I shake my head while biting my lower lip, knowing exactly what I was doing. And as I thought, both of their eyes lowered right on time to notice the action.

I turned around to work on the chicken again and felt someone come up behind me. I knew it from his cologne that it was Jordan. He pressed himself into my back making me very aware of how huge he is, while picking up the pizza kit from the counter. And just like that, he was gone.

Great. I'm going to be working with two Greek Gods in my tiny kitchen, alone.

"Pasta and fries will be cooked last since it's the fastest and we'll put the pizzas in the oven whenever we feel like, I'll start on the gravy and looks like you guys are going to prepare the dough?" I explain and question since they clearly aren't patient enough to wait for me.

"Yup," Jordan gives me a tight lipped smile, opening the box.

We worked for over an hour without any disturbances, surprisingly. It took the guys some time to understand what they had to do but they managed the dough well and kept it aside. Just as I had finished cooking the gravy Ian and Anna entered with the alcohol that shouldn't have taken this long.

"I smell fucking amazing food," Anna enters the kitchen sniffing like a dog.

"Because there is fucking amazing food," I say, "when are the others coming?" I ask Ian.

"They are on their way," he says, "Dave is picking them up and the extras will follow him in another car," he explains.

"Okay-"

"Whoa, did you two cook?" Anna cuts me off and asks Denver and Jordan who are leaning on the counter.

"We're making a pizza," Jordan says with a fake grin making Anna's eyebrows shoot up.

"Please tell me you're making a pizza," She turns to me.

"Can't, they're making it," I shrug.

"Ugh, I'm eating the other stuff then," she groans and goes into the living room. Ian follows her laughing. Whipped.

"We don't mind, it's for you after all," Jordan comes up and stands in front of me.

I look down, trying to hide my blush but I'm pretty sure they see it. I clear my throat and look up, asking, "Sauce?" and we get to work.

Another hour of work later in the kitchen which involved Jordan and Denver watching me cook with shirts on, we're done. The others arrived half an hour ago and now we're deciding on a movie because we all have so similar tastes.

"Let's watch conjuring,"

"No we're watching Up,"

"I don't wanna cry,"

"Well I cry from horror movies,"

"I wanna watch La la land,"

"No!"

"Can't we just watch the new Loki episodes?"

"Already saw them,"

"Endgame?"

"I'll cry,"

"Joker?"

"Yesss!" "Agree." "Watchable." "Yup."

And so after finally agreeing on a movie, we put Joker on. We were all spread out in the living room. From couches to bean bags and the floor. I was sitting between Anna and Jen on the floor with our backs to the coffee table. I swear this table is used for anything except what it was made for.

We saw the whole movie while passing around snacks and drinks. Anna was now adding vodka to her juice and Hayden was kind of tipsy so we banned any more alcohol supply to him.

We then switched to Loki, even though some protested, but since I hadn't seen it yet, we put it on. As soon as the third episode ended, so did the fish and chips and so Anna and I went into the kitchen to bring out the food.

"Oh, how I've missed this heaven," Daniel was the first one to speak up. Well more like moaning at the taste.

"Ugh, I know, are there brownies? Please tell me there are brownies!" Sam asked and I chuckled.

"Yes, there are brownies," I eased him and everyone hooted.

They're fucking kids.

We finished eating while watching the final destination and then Dave helped me move everything back to the kitchen. It wasn't much considering everyone put their own plates back.

I was placing the leftover pasta in the fridge when my phone started ringing on the counter. I saw the caller Id and a wide smile grew on my face seeing that it's Dad. I checked if Dave was returning or not but still moved to the balcony for privacy. Everyone was busy choosing the next movie so no one noticed.

I answered the call and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey Dad," I smile, he's late but he still called. I know work can be unexpectedly hectic for him.

"Hey sweetheart," he says and my smile disappears. Something's wrong. He has been crying. I know he has.

"Wha- what happened?" I ask, my earlier chirpy voice gone.

"Nothing, I just got busy but finally got the time to make a call to wish you," he tries to sound happy but miserably fails. He could never lie to me. Even when we're so far from each other.

"Dad," My voice isn't stern, it's concerned. I don't know what to expect. I don't know what to do. I need to be there. I'm not though. I'm not there.

"It's nothing, I just miss you." He tries again.

"I miss you too dad, and mom too but please tell me what's wrong," I plead, my eyes are already blurring. I can't wait.

"It's your birthday baby, I cannot do this today," he sobs and my heart breaks. He's in pain and I'm not with him. I don't even know what mom must be doing because she never talked to me in these fights. We used to just lie down together on the couches.

"I don't understand Dad," I say softly. My head is aching already.

"I'm sorry baby," he sighs. He sounds like he has given up.

"Dad?" I question, panic in my voice.

"Your mom and I have decided to get a divorce," he says in a monotone voice, but I can hear the pain in it. He's trying to say it as if it doesn't matter, as if it doesn't kill him on the inside but it does.

And then the words hit me. Divorce. Divorce. They're getting a divorce. My parents. They're separating. I couldn't save them.

"Say something Roya," he pleads, his voice desperate. He used my name. Not sweetheart or baby. He used 'Roya' because he's terrified of what I'll say or do.

"I- Bu-" I couldn't form a sentence. I feel numb.

"Why?" I whisper, realizing just now that I'm crying, tears falling out of my eyes continuously.

"It's for the good baby, for everyone's good," he reassures. Bullshit. His voice says otherwise. But I don't say it.

"But you love her," I almost whine, frowning.

"I do, and she loves me too, which is why this is necessary," he explains, his voice sounds lighter, like telling me lifted a burden off his chest. But I feel heavy.

"I- okay. Can we talk later? I need to- I should get back. Everyone's here," I shut my eyes tight trying to stop the tears but it doesn't work.

"Of course sweetheart," he says, picking himself up.

"Okay," I nod even though he can't see me.

"And baby?" he questions.

"Hm?" I manage to sound better.

"Happy birthday," he says, like it pains him to wish me after he told me they are separating.

"Mom wishes you too, she's just not-" he tries to explain but I already know.

"I understand dad, thank you. I love you, both of you," I say, keeping myself together for his sake.

"We love you too," he says and cuts the call.

And I break down. One hand on the balcony and the other trying to hold in my sobs so no one hears me.

What did I do to deserve this? Did I get too much happiness and this was a way of balancing it out? Why does it always end in pain? Why am I not there to save them?

It hurts so bad. It hurts.

After taking a few deep breaths I wipe my face, trying to look like I didn't cry because my parents are separating but because I just miss them. Yeah, that should do. If someone asks why I'm crying, I miss mom and dad.

I nod at my idea and turn around to head inside but stop dead in my tracks.

Shit. Shit.

I didn't expect someone to be watching me. My eyes widen slightly thinking how much he heard or saw.

"Umm, hi?" I say, trying to break the ice of this situation.

"Roya," Dave says my name softly, with a frown on his face telling me he knows more than he should.

"Can we please not-"

And before I can finish my sentence he embraces me in his arms. A hand over my head and the other wrapped around my shoulders.

I needed this. A hug.

He doesn't say anything, just holds me. I cry a few silent tears.

When he untangles us, he wipes them away so gently, as if I'll break if he goes too hard.

"You don't have to say anything to me or tell me what's going on, just talk to someone, someone you trust, okay?" He leans a little to look me in the eyes and I nod back.

"You wanna stay here a little longer or should we go inside? Want me to call Jordan?" He asks and it's comforting to see someone I met just recently care so much for me.

I smile at him and shake my head in 'no'.

"Let's go inside, just play along," I tell him and he nods.

We open the balcony door to be met with a room full of people who are eating brownies as if there's weed in them and just the sight makes me laugh.

A few faces look up at me as I sit on my original seat.

"You were crying?" Jen asks, pouting.

"Dad just got me all emotional," I say, shaking my head, trying to look convincing.

"Well these brownies will cheer you up!" She gives me a plate of my own brownies and I chuckle.

I look back at Dave who's back on the couch and nod at him, in a way to thank him and he nods back.

Although there's a pair of grey and another pair of black eyes is still staring at me like they don't believe me.

A/N :

Sorry for the trauma, I hope the smut covers up for it.