poly_chromatic | (no subject)

Entry tags:

star trek xi - pavel chekov

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I have been lucky escaping curses this month. The curse where people were trying to eat other people--

[He trails off as a more distant voice becomes far louder. The tone, however, clearly indicates whining.]

Peter, please, I am recording.

[Peter's indistinct complaints fade to an irate murmur.]

That was a curse I did not care for. But in better news, I have found Peter. Howl, Sophie, Tessa? I am bringing him to the house; it seemed cruel to leave him on his own. He may not agree, but he's not good at taking care of himself.

[There's a protest from Peter. Chekov shushes him.]

Also, Tessa? We need to talk, I think.

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I— yes. I will be at the library, and in my room later. [ So unsure. ]

Then I will talk to you when we are both home.

[There's a brief pause as he tries to word the other things he'd like to say, but the words just aren't there.]

Yes, of course. [ And she'll be waiting and— a little worried. She has a good idea what he might want to talk to her about, but not what it is that he would like to say about it. ]

[After work, his first stop is her room. He stands outside for a moment, trying to organize his thoughts (unsuccessfully), before knocking.]

Tessa? May I come in?

Yes, of course.

[ She's sitting on the bed, a book in her lap that she closes when he comes in. She smiles, because it's Pavel and she may be terrified of talking about this, but that does not mean that she isn't happy to see him. ]

[He returns her smile as he enters and, although he would rather like to sit next to Tessa, remains near the door. It's her room, after all; it wouldn't do to encroach.]

What are you reading today?

[ She turns the book over so that he can see the cover; upon noticing that he's staying by the door, she pats the bed next to her in invitation. ] Please, sit with me.

[ She certainly would not wish to have this conversation while looking up at him. Having him close is far more comforting. ]

[Oh, well... if she insists. Chekov is more than happy to comply, sitting just close enough to rub shoulders with Tessa.]

I am sorry for what happened when we were cursed. [He hadn't meant to bring that up yet. What's said, however, is said.] I am not sorry that it happened, but that it happened as it did, when we were not entirely ourselves.

[ Leaning into him ever so slightly. ]

I— [ She can do this; she can talk about this. ] I liked it. I do not think— I am not sorry. Perhaps it should not have happened during a curse but I trust you and I like you very much and it, it felt good, did it not?

[This is going much better than he might have anticipated. With a relieved smile, he slumps to rest his head on Tessa's shoulder.]

It did, yes, but I do like you most when you are yourself. [thoughtfully] Your clothes were more sensible when you were cursed.

[ Resting her head atop of his, hand searching for his. ] I think that I was still myself, just as I would have been in a different century.

[ With a slight smile. ] They likely were.

I still like you from the century you are from most. [He catches her hand and gives it an affectionate squeeze.] In spite of the clothes.

[ Intertwining their fingers. ] I am glad.

[ A pause, and she closes her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. ] I liked it, though.

[He shifts, moving to sit cross-legged directly in front of the bed, not releasing her hand.] Would you... perhaps, someday, be open to...?

[The unfinished sentence is heavy with questions, but he can't quite say them. Tessa's culture is so reserved about certain subjects and, even in the future, physical intimacy seems to just happen (or, at least, that's how it has worked with those around him). It isn't something that requires discussion.]

[ Open to— doing it again? Doing.... more? She's read about it, at Dr McCoy's insistence, a good while ago before Pavel came to stay in the City for real, but that doesn't mean that she does not have a difficult time talking of it.

Still, the advice people have given her is still fresh in the back of her mind. Communication is important, and she trusts him. With this, with anything. Squaring her shoulders. ] Yes. And if there is anything that you do that I would not like, I will tell you.

[ A beat. ] So long as you promise to do the same.

Of course I will tell you, as you will tell me. [And he couldn't be more pleased with Tessa's approval and desire to keep communication open at all times (important, of course, because their backgrounds are so different)--and he demonstrates this by hugging her enthusiastically.

Chekov is not so good with language that involves emotion--a reason, maybe, why he and Spock got along easily--but he assumes that hugs are difficult to misinterpret.]

May I tell you something, Therushka?

[He's grinning, so it can't be anything of great magnitude.]

[ She leans into the hug, her arms coming up to hug him back. ]

Of course.

[He touches foreheads with her--close, but not kissing, and still hugging. With a wide smile--]

When we were cursed and I said I love you? I meant that. I mean that still.

Oh. [ Oh.

It's like in one of her books, only better because it's Pavel and she knows that he means it, that he really does, and it's real and— ]

I love you, too.

[With that affirmation, he kisses her and pulls her closer. Although he knows he should not be, he's pleasantly surprised to hear those words--and not just from anyone, but from Tessa!

Chekov might have further comments, but, at the moment, kissing is the top priority.]

[ She all but melts into the kiss, shifting a little closer to him on the bed and bringing one hand up to his shoulder, then his neck.

Of course she loves him. It really should not come as a surprise. ]

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