connor and the blackhawks have been on a losing streak. i know it's taking a toll on him, he's told me so. i decided that i would surprise him and fly in from vancouver to spend the weekend with him seeing as he doesn't have any games on saturday or sunday.
i just landed in chicago and i'm making my way to connors apartment in an uber, while also keeping up with the game, which they're losing. i get out at connor's and when i walk into the apartment i can tell he's been down because it isn't clean like usual, there's dirty laundry on the floor, unwashed dishes, and his bed isn't made.
i decided to clean up a bit and do some laundry to add to the surprise of me being here. after i've made his bed, stared the laundry and did some dishes, i sit on the couch and turn on the game. it's the third period and they're down 4-1. connor will not be happy when he gets home, so i start preparing myself for it.
~~~
connor looked like he was going to cry in the post game interviews, and naturally he called me on his way home. he sounded like he was fighting tears and when he told me he had arrived home and wished i was here, i almost told him, but i wanted to see his face when he saw me so i held back.
i hear his keys in the lock while he rants to me about how shitty this all is and i don't say anything because i know he would be able to hear me so i just hum in agreement every now and then. i'm shocked he didn't see my shoes or jacket by the door, but by the fact that he's in the kitchen and hasn't seen me yet or noticed how clean things are, i'd say he has tunnel vision right now.
connor says something about getting food so i answer "how about we get some sushi and cuddle up for a movie night?" i've never seen a human turn around so fast. "tatum! your here!" he says running over to me "of course i'm here, bub" i tell him as he crashes into my arms on the couch. i end the call that was still going, and hold him because he didn't show any signs of getting up. after a while i hear him sniffle and feel him start to move around a bit.
i sit up, forcing him up as well and i see the tears running down connor's face and i feel awful. i pull him back into myself and rub his back as he starts to sob.
"i'm such a failure, i haven't got a goal in like 3 games and i'm letting everyone down" he blubbers out "oh, bub, no, not at all. we're all so proud of you, and the fans understand that everyone has rough patches. and it's not just you, it's the whole team that's not winning" i softly tell him hoping to comfort him in some way. he doesn't say anything and balls my hoodie up in his hands, still crying.
i feel so bad, and i go to reach for the remote to turn on netflix but connor won't let me. "no, don't leave me, i wanna stay here" "i'm not going anywhere i just want to turn on a show or something, and maybe get you a drink" i tell him, running a hand through his hair. he lets go of my sweatshirt, so i get up and quickly get him a cup of water and grab the remote to put on a movie. connor watches me the whole time with tears running down his face and a permanent frown on his features. it makes me sad that he's sad, but there isn't much i can do for him other than be there for him and listen.
when i sit back down i realize connor is still wearing his suit. "you can't be comfortable in that suit, connor, come change into something more comfortable" in tell him taking his hand and leading him to his room. i grab a pair of joggers and a t-shirt for him and go to the bathroom while he changes. i leave the bathroom and find connor on the couch with the shrek movies pulled up on netflix and a blanket around him, waiting for me.
connor let's me get comfortable before laying his head on my chest and playing the movie. eventually, connor fell asleep, and while he was sleeping his mom facetimed him, so i answered, not wanting her to worry or think he's ignoring her.
"hi tatum!" she says when i answered the phone "hi melanie! connors asleep right now so i figured i should answer so you don't worry about him." i tell her, knowing he probably hasn't texted his family since he got home, he's barely been on his phone. "oh good, we were wondering how he's doing, after the losses, and we haven't seen him in a while in person" "he's not taking the losses well," i tell her glancing down at the boy, now asleep peacefully, who has been torn less than an hour ago. "oh is he right there? i figured he wouldn't want company" "i thought the same, but he's wanted me very close since he discovered i was here" melanie smiles and says "if connors asleep i won't keep you, we just wanted to check in on him, and you've done it for us. if you or him needs anything let us know and we'll try to help" "thank you so much melanie, talk to you later" "bye tatum, thank you for always being there for connor" "of course, i couldn't imagine anything else" i tell her smiling. we exchange a few more words before hanging up.
the movie had ended by the time i get off the phone with melanie, so i put on the next shrek movie, unsure of what else to watch. with the movie on in the background i decide to order food for me and connor. i open door dash and find his favourite place and make an order. when the order is placed i set my phone down and start to rub connor's back and play with his hair.
connor let's out a groan and stretches before looking up at me with tired eyes. "i'm hungry" he tells me "well that's good, i ordered from your favourite restaurant. it should be here soon" he smiles at me and cuddles into me more, holding one of my hands in his.
a knock on the door makes connor get up reluctantly. he gets our food and makes his way back to me. "usually i don't eat meals on the couch, but i'll let this slide" he tells me, smiling for the first time in hours.
~~~
dinner was hours ago and connor and i have been laying in his bed together ever since. he breaks the not so silence of whatever show is playing
"thank you, tatum. for coming to see me, and everything you do for me" "you're more than welcome, connor. i love to come see you and i knew you had the weekend off of games so i thought it would be a good time to come visit" "well you were 100 percent right. i really needed to see someone from home, i just didn't realize it until you were here" "speaking of home, your mom called earlier, while you were asleep, just to check in" "i'll call her tomorrow, after practice and before i take you out on a nice date" he says, not even giving me a chance to object to a date, which i wouldn't dream of doing.
eventually we fall asleep, and everything is at peace. connor knows he wants to work on himself a little more, i know that no matter what i'll always be there for him, and his family know that he's okay, just a bit stressed.
in the morning, that may be different, but right now, we're happy, cuddled together peacefully, somewhere in the middle of chicago.
