The end of January was nearing, which meant the All-Star Break was coming up. I knew Artemi didn't make the roster but he wasn't too upset. He needed a break since the Hawks had a long stretch of games coming up.
I texted Artemi, asking if he was busy today. Once he responded, I grabbed my bag and walked to his apartment. It wasn't that far and I figured I could use the fresh air and exercise.
I knocked on the door before rethinking what I was wearing. Maybe leggings and an oversized sweatshirt was too casual? Who am I kidding, Art wouldn't care, right?
"Hi Claire," my thoughts were interrupted by Artemi opening the door.
"Hey!" I hugged him and walked in. "Your place is nice." As I looked around, it seemed a little plain. The walls were white and he didn't have many pictures up. Then again, most of his time was probably spent playing hockey anyways.
He chuckled. "It's ok, I know it's very plain. I don't have time to decorate."
I sat down on the couch and made myself at home, grabbing a blanket to drape across my legs. "Want to watch a movie?"
He nodded. "What is good American movie? Like classics," he asked.
"Hm, well let's see... The Breakfast Club is a pretty popular movie." I tried to think of others. "I guess The Blind Side or something like Remember the Titans are good ones." I wasn't big into movies so I didn't really know a lot of classics.
"What movie about breakfast?" He wondered. I chuckled. Of course he would like the Breakfast Club because he thought it was about actual breakfast.
"Let's watch that one. It's a good movie," I explained as I searched for it. Once I found it I hit play.
We finished the movie around 1:30 so I was pretty hungry. "Do you have any food?" I asked Artemi as I got up to look in his fridge.
"No, I need to go shopping," he responded as he stood behind me.
"You definitely do," I agreed. In his fridge he had Gatorade, some carrots, milk, and a few other things that you couldn't actually eat as a meal. "What do you even eat before a game? You barely have any food."
He shrugged. "Normally I just stop for a bagel on my way to United Center."
I laughed. "Okay Artemi, well we're going to the grocery store because I'm starving and you need actual food in your kitchen. Let's go."
We took Artemi's car and drove to the nearest grocery store. As we walked inside, Artemi's hand wrapped around mine. I glanced down at them then back up to him. He was staring at me, waiting for my reaction.
"Is this okay?" he furrowed his eyebrows.
I nodded. "Yeah," I smiled. I swung our arms a bit as we walked up and down the aisles.
I was enjoying my time with Artemi until I heard my name from a voice I hadn't heard in years.
"Claire? Is that you?"
I turned around, Artemi's hand still clasped in mine. My eyes widened. "Peter?"
"Hey, how are you?" He smiled and walked closer.
"I- uh, I'm great. How are you?" I asked, trying to be polite.
Peter nodded. "I'm good, I'm good."
We stood in silence for a second before I remembered I hadn't introduced Artemi and Peter. "Oh! Artemi, this is Peter. Peter this is Artemi, my boyfriend."
I hadn't even realized what I said until I saw Peter's reaction. "Boyfriend?"
Artemi nodded and put his arm around my waist. "Yes."
"Oh, well it was good seeing you. We should catch up sometime," Peter said in a less excited tone than before.
I stiffened a little. "Um yeah, that'd be great. Bye Peter."
He waved and walked away. Once he was out of sight I immediately turned to Art and rested my forehead against his chest. "That was so awkward."
He chuckled a bit. "So I'm your boyfriend, huh?"
I looked up to see him smirking. "Sorry, it just slipped out-"
"Don't worry," he cut my rambling off. "I'll be your boyfriend."
I raised my eyebrows. "Are you asking me out in the middle of a grocery store?"
Artemi grinned, showing off his teeth. "What do you say?"
"I'll say yes." I returned the smile and reached up to peck him on the lips.
---
ok so this is a few days late but PITTSBURGH WON THE CUP!!! HECK YEAH IM SO HAPPY FOR THEM! and about the conn Smythe I'm a little ticked murray or kessel didn't get it but sid deserves it. he was consistently one of the best players on the ice throughout the playoffs I thought.
@nhl I'm not mad I'm just disappointed
lol but seriously I'm so happy for them. sully's a good coach and I'm glad they made the coaching change when they did. I'm excited to see how next season will play out for both the pens and the Blackhawks
especially since teuVO AND BICKS ARE GONE OK STAN I GET YOU WANT TO MAKE ROOM FOR SHAW BUT SERIOUSLY??? TEUVO?? he has a lot of potential and sure he wasn't producing a lot this season but he's still young and growing as a player idk I want both shaw and Teravainen around but I guess you can't have both ugh
anyways that was a pretty long rant, I'm going on vacation for two weeks in a few days so I will either update a lot or barely at all idk we'll see
