A fill I wrote for the prompt:

I'd really, really love a fic where Sulu and Chekov fall in love without seeing each other first.

IDK how:((((

Maybe the lights go out in a training shuttle and everyone's huddled to a main room to hang out until everything's working and they happen to be sat next to each other and they talk for a bit, or they're trapped in a cave and have to wait it out or maybe they like, meet over a 23rd century equivalent of the internet and arrange to meet in person, or Sulu's a TA for a really huge class and bickers with him over comments on Chekov's papers or IDK something!

Thanks so much333

Enjoy. :)

- - -

Through lazy eyes, Pavel could see the curtains billowing out from the window. The rising San Fran sun filtered through the glass, causing oblong shadows to span from the regulated dorm beds and furniture. His chest rose and fell with every ragged, exhausted breath he took. He had taken to running at dawn because of how hot the sun was midday, and for one other reason...

So he would be up by the time Hikaru Sulu messaged his PADD.

Pavel's eyes shifted to said PADD that was resting on the table, longing for its screen to light up with an incoming message, but this morning there has been no such luck.

Yet.

Of course, he hadn't expected this to happen, to fall for some Cadet who he had never even seen before, but it did. And it's been this way for months now. Even before he knew his name, when Pavel only knew him as Cadet Number 1684.

Pavel Chekov was only sixteen at the time, desperately homesick, and contemplating his future. The Academy had always insisted upon a new experimental program in which they pair up a student with another, anonymous one for support and guidance. Each would just be given a number to use, nothing more. Months have gone by since they had started speaking through PADD - Pavel and number 1684.

At first it was a bit stiff, formal. 1684, now Pavel knows him as Hikaru Sulu, would give him advice, answer any questions he had, and tried to help him through the difficult times in his life. Eventually Chekov had no more need for the program, confident in himself and his abilities, but he kept the friend. By the time they knew eachother's names, summer had arrived, and Sulu was off to visit family, and there was no way the two fast friends could meet eachother until the school year arrived.

Of course, Gaila had offered to hack into the system, find his student ID number, get Chekov a picture... But he thought of that as cheating. Plus, he didn't have the heart to tell her that it was just a silly crush - that nothing would ever happen between them. The messages weren't pledges of passion or loyalty, nor were they love notes. Hikaru sounded like a cool guy, one that Pavel could imagine himself being friends with... but even more than that, Pavel could imagine a guy like that having the ability to pummel him after class. Someone really dashing, and handsome, and heroic... Geez, he even fenced...

Pavel blinked when the screen finally lit up, the PADD vibrating on the table. Grinning, he sat up, taking the PADD in hand.

Family can be so fucking exhausting sometimes.

He laughed softly, typing in his response.

Try having over a dozen little cousins hanging off of you.

Haha - How was your run?

Long, cold, and sweaty. Summer is coming to a close.

Chekov was almost grateful for this fact. That meant Hikaru was coming back to the Academy.

I still don't get why you would do that to yourself! Dude, fencing is way cooler. Maybe I'll teach you sometime.

Da, the ways of the samurai ;) and maybe you can come running with me sometime.

Don't count on it. And more like the ways of the musketeer, I am no ninja!

He chuckled again, blushing at the thought of this stranger pressing his chest against his back... No, not a stranger. He knew him like he knew himself - these months have brought them close, closer than he had ever imagined possible. He stood, placing the PADD on the dresser as he started to change out of the sweaty, disgusting clothes.

When are you coming back to the Academy?

This response took a little longer, and Pavel busied himself with finding a pair of pants that would be cool enough for the hot day ahead.

A week, maybe? Maybe shorter. What, excited to see my pretty face? Lol

Chekov blushed before starting to type in the affirmative... And then deleted it. Of course he did, but that was the worst part - not knowing who this is just made it that much easier to embarrass himself. One misconstrued thing said could cause Hikaru to stop talking to him, and, even though there's the possibility Chekov has never seen this guy before, that would hurt more than he could possibly imagine.

Especially if his face did turn out pretty!

Haha, oh, you know it. Can't wait. :P

And with that he placed his PADD on the table, opting for a hot turboshower to wash away his worries for at least a little while.