Work Text:
Connor: umm… mom
Connor: if miity is sick
Shane: where is this going
Connor: and roz is in ottawa
Shane: yes…?
Connor: would you want to come hang out with me after the game tomorrow afternoon
Connor: its okay if you are already busy
Connor: but i figured i would ask
Shane: of course i would
Shane: i would have asked to visit earlier in the season but i didn’t because i know how little time you and miity get to spend together
Shane: i know just how hard that can be first hand
Connor: YAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!
Connor: yeah, it is very difficult sometimes. and then i remember how long you and ilya did it. and you weren’t even committed yet
Shane: i’m not sure if it is easier or harder now that we are committed
Connor: 🫠
Shane: yeah, it does suck
Shane: but i’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow
Shane: play your best because montreal is bringing our ‘a’ game
Connor: oh we are so winning
Shane: we’ll see about that
*The Next Day; After the Game*
Connor opened the door to his apartment about five seconds after Shane knocked.
“Hi moooooom, come on in,” Connor said excitedly, stepping out of the way. Shane dutifully took off his shoes in the entryway and followed Connor into the apartment.
“Did you have any plans for us?”
“Well, I am making dinner and you are going to decide on a movie for tonight,” Connor said. “And that was about as far as I got.”
“Not bad,” Shane admitted. “So what are you making us for dinner? And do you need help?”
“No, I’ve been practicing.”
Shane raised his eyebrows. “Have you?”
“Yes, and Roz told me about the diet that you follow and helped me plan the meal so you are just going to sit over on one of the stools over there and I will finish cooking,” Connor said. Shane sat.
“What kind of movie did you want to watch?” Shane asked as he watched Connor move around the kitchen.
“I was thinking maybe something animated. But you’re the one who’s seen all the movies. You are supposed to be picking.”
“Okay, let me think through some options.” Shane pulled out his phone and tried not to worry about the pot that was about to boil over.
Somehow, Connor successfully finished cooking, made up plates of food, and remembered to turn off all of the burners. Shane decided on Lilo & Stitch (2002) and they settled on the couch in front of the movie with their plates.
Shane was about to press play when Connor set down his plate and ran to the kitchen and back.
“Here you go!” he said loudly, shoving a bottle into Shane’s hand. “Roz said you liked your ginger ale refrigerated.”
“Oh… uh thanks. That’s right.” Shane was slightly startled but appreciative. “Thanks. And thank you for making dinner. It was really sweet of you to ask Ilya what I like.” Connor ducked his head and sat back down. Shane pressed play on the movie.
About halfway through the movie, when Nani is faced with being separated from Lilo and they share a soft moment together, Shane heard a small noise from the other end of the couch. When he looked over, Connor had pulled his feet up onto the couch and he seemed to be burrowing into it. Connor sniffled again and then made eye contact with him before glancing back to the movie. Shane was unsure of what to do but then patted the couch beside him in invitation. Connor seemed surprised for a second but then scooted closer.
Connor tucked himself against Shane’s side and Shane slowly moved his arm around him. They continued to watch the movie until the credits started to roll and Connor made a move to get up.
“Hey,” Shane said softly, before Connor could stand up. “Do you know why I picked this movie?” Connor shook his head but sat hunched toward the tv on the couch. Shane looked away and cleared his throat.
“It was one of my favorite movies as soon as I saw it for the first time. Like Lilo, I struggle with social cues and making friends. And I am very particular about routines. And when I’m passionate about something, it’s all I think and talk about. Like hockey,” Shane admitted. “And by the end she is surrounded by people who care about her and love her just the way she is. And I always wanted that as a kid. I mean, my parents have always loved and supported me but it was so hard for a long time, trying to make friends especially as hockey got more and more competitive. It was lonely. But now, I have my parents, and Ilya, and Hayden, and Rose, and you.” He looked back at Connor and bumped their shoulders together. Connor looked over at him and gave a small smile before his face fell again.
“Sorry for crying,” Connor apologized, his voice tight, and Shane’s heart started to break. “I’m a mess.”
“Hey, no, don’t apologize for that.” Shane reached out slowly to put his hand on Connor’s back, not really sure if it was the right move. When he didn’t move away, Shane started rubbing slow circles like his mom would do for him. “You don’t need to ever apologise for that around me.”
When Connor spoke, his voice was unsteady. “My mom left when we were all little. My siblings and I. And Dad did the best he could but…” Connor took a shaky breath. “But well, there were three of us and one of him. And he did his best to raise us. But it was a lot for him to come home from work and then have to do all of the work by himself. Once I was drafted, he would call sometimes and we would talk a little. But I never went home over the holidays or between seasons. The first time I said I was trying to settle into the area. And then I would make plans with teammates. And then it didn’t even seem like he wanted me at home. Last time he called, I came out to him. He hasn’t talked to me since.” Another breath.
“Sorry if this makes me calling you mom weird,” Connor said, burying his face in his hands before sneaking a glance at Shane.
Shane laughed quietly. “I think that was a little weird and silly from the start.” He paused. “But it’s really grown on me.” Connor smiled but didn't say anything.
“Do you want a hug?” Shane asked, sort of desperate to say the right thing. Connor nodded and wiped at his face again. Shane brought his arm on Connor’s back around his shoulder and gently tugged him back towards himself. Connor ducked his face into Shane’s shoulder.
“I spent so much time at the rink growing up that I was never close with my siblings either. And I was friends with everyone there but then they would go home to their families and I never had someone who picked me every time the way Nani did with Lilo and who would have been that upset by me being taken from them. Even now, everyone else goes away to visit their families during the summer or they’re married and building their own family. And I’m left all alone again. What’s so wrong with me that makes everyone leave?” Connor was crying again at this point. “I try so hard. Why am I always alone again?” Shane just let him cry, holding him close and rubbing up and down his arm slowly. After a minute or two, Connor tried to pull away again.
“No no no,” Shane said, holding on. “I mean, if you need me to stop touching you, I can do that. But I think you need the hug. I want to give you a hug.” Connor relaxed into him again. They were quiet for a full minute during which the music with the credits finished playing and Shane turned off the tv before something else started playing. Shane let Connor take a few more breaths before he spoke.
“Do you know how easy it was to be your friend? You are so sweet and earnest. When you guys added me to the group chat with Boston Bears players, I could not believe you guys had stolen my number. But then I couldn’t believe you guys kept texting me. And it was nice and funny. You all kept texting me even when Ilya and I weren’t together. At the beginning, I always felt like I was one wrong move from you all ghosting me. But then, it got easier to let my guard down and I was happy to be your friend and now I would do anything for you guys. Mostly you though. It makes me smile every time I see a text from you and I am always going to be right there for you. I’m just one text message or phone call away.”
“Thanks mom,” Connor said softly.
“And do I need to guilt trip the other Bears into being better friends?” Shane offered, only mostly joking.
“No. Don’t do that. It’s okay,” Connor rushed to say. “I just wish it wasn’t so lonely at the holidays but then I see them all again by new years so it’s okay. They deserve to have family time.”
“Okay, just let me know. I could also sic Ilya on them. He would be so excited to have an excuse to yell at them again now that he’s not your captain.” Shane smiled a little at the thought of Ilya. He would see him again in about a week.
“I’m not surprised,” Connor said. “Now can we do something else? That was enough sad time for me.” Connor actually stood up this time and looked around his apartment.
“Would you want to play Mario Kart?” Connor asked.
“Sure, maybe if I practice enough I can beat Ilya next time,” Shane replied. Connor basically squealed in excitement.
Shane continued, “He’s been holding his Mario Kart prowess over my head for months.” Shane had also been putting in some practice on his own. He was hopeful that he could beat Ilya by Christmas.
Once Connor got it set up, he was appalled to learn that Shane played as Mario.
“That’s so boring,” Connor complained. “You could literally pick any other character and they would be more interesting.”
“Ilya tells me that every time we play,” Shane said with a smile. “So what’s your pick?”
“Toad!” Connor answered. “He is adorable and also I like one of his bikes the best.”
“I feel like I should make a joke about you doing mushrooms here.” Shane paused. “Hmm…how have you ever passed a drug test when you pick mushrooms every time?” Shane was proud of himself when Connor laughed.
While there was a lot of chirping that followed, they were pretty evenly matched at the game. And, afterward, Shane honestly thought that the evening with Connor had been one of the best post game evenings he’s had. He made a mental note not to say that out loud to Ilya or Hayden.
- Connor Created Group Chat With Shane And Ilya -
- Connor Has Sent Two Image Attachments -
Connor: mom ate the dinner i made!
Connor: and then we played mariokart
Connor: and i convinced him to take a picture with me
Ilya: good job baby duck
- Ilya Has Changed Group Name to Baby Duck and his Parents™ -
Connor: 🥰
Connor: mom is making me go to bed. its only 10
Ilya: that sounds about right
Ilya: is he staying over at your place
Connor: yeah, is there something wrong with that
Ilya: nothing wrong
Ilya: wear earplugs
Ilya: his alarm is too loud and too early
Shane: it is not!
Ilya: is to
Ilya: have fun waking up in asscrack of morning
Connor: you are just jealous youre not here
Ilya: no
Ilya: am very happy
Ilya: get to sleep long into the morning
Connor: yup, he misses you mom
Shane: i miss you too. i love you
Ilya: ya tebya lyublyu
Connor: AWWWW
Connor: 🥹
Shane: now it is bedtime
Shane: sleep
Shane: you too ilya, you have a game tomorrow
Ilya: boooooo
Ilya: i love you
Shane: i love you too
*The Next Morning*
Shane’s alarm did in fact wake up Connor. Once Shane turned off the offending noise, Connor rolled right over and went back to sleep. By the time Shane returned from his run, Connor had managed to roll out of bed and resemble some sort of state of wakefulness while sitting on a stool in his kitchen, resting his head sideways against the counter. He perked up some when he saw Shane come in.
“Good morning,” Shane said cheerfully. He kissed the top of Connor’s head. “I’ll go shower before I eat and then I have to leave in an hour to make it to the plane.”
“‘Morning,” Connor replied, sleepily. “Bathroom is that way. But you know that already.” He had lazily lifted his arm to gesture.
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be back shortly.”
They had a quick breakfast together and then Shane really did have to leave or he was going to be late. Connor followed behind him as he walked to the front door.
“Umm… I’ll see you next time?” Connor said.
Shane smiled. “Is that it? Are you not going to give me a hug?”
Connor pinned Shane’s arms against his side with a hug. Connor was slightly taller than Shane which meant that Shane’s face was pressed against his shoulder awkwardly. But it was sweet anyways.
“Love you,” Connor said into Shane’s hair.
“Love you too.” Shane remained still in the hug for a few more moments. “I really do have to go now.”
“Okay, fine.” Connor let go. “Thank you for coming over. And, uh… thanks for listening last night. It’s really hard for me to talk about.”
“I am willing to listen anytime you need it,” Shane replied. “Thanks for having me over. And good job on the green beans.” Connor laughed and Shane headed out the door back to his team.
Connor: i miss you
Shane: connor, i left two minutes ago.
Shane: but i miss you too