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Characters: Sulu (POV), Checkov
Genre: Friendship
Summary: When it had all become too much, the crowd, the open displays of grief, he had stepped outside, preferring to be alone with his thoughts.
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Sulu stepped out of the hall into the cool San Fransisco night air, breathing deeply. He was happy to be back, in this place of so many beautiful memories. He had loved, still loved, the Academy.
The grounds were silent, empty, as the rest of the Academy was gathered in the reception hall, where a memorial service was still running. He had toasted with the rest of them, his memories straying to the friends he had lost…Jackson, Janiero, May…
When it had all become too much, the crowd, the open displays of grief, he had stepped outside, preferring to be alone with his thoughts. So now he walked, alone on the silent academy grounds, his eyes straying to the starry night sky.
A muffled rustling sound nearby caught his attention, and he stopped short eyes roving the grounds in front of him in search of an intruder. He was surprised to see Checkov, sitting alone on a bench a little ways to his left.
"Pavel?" he spoke softly.
The Russian kid jumped, startled, then relaxed as he recognized Sulu. "Ah, eet is only you, Hikaru."
Sulu smiled and sat down on the concrete bench next to his friend. The nineteen year old's face looked haggard, troubled, and frustrated.
"What's eatin you?" He asked, blunt as ever.
Checkov looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and the pain in the young hazel eyes startled him. "I still see it happening. All ze time. I see her…falling…and I can't, I just…"
Sulu reached out, putting an arm around his friend.
"And Spock…I still see his face, on ze pad…"
Sulu took a deep breath, pulling Checkov closer. "It's not your fault."
Checkov gasped and choked, obviously trying to fight back tears. "I know…Karu…I just know I could have…eef I had only…"
Sulu reached out, cupping Checkov's chin in his hand. "No one could have saved her. Not even you. Do you understand?"
"But…"
"Listen, Pavel. You are one of the most brilliant men I have ever had the pleasure of working with. You saved many lives that day, not only my life, but the Captain's life as well. There was nothing you could have done for Amanda Grayson. We all know that, even Mr. Spock." Sulu said, keeping his gaze steady.
Suddenly, the kid seemed to deflate entirely, and Sulu found himself awkwardly supporting Checkov. He shifted so they were more comfortable, his arm around his best friend's shoulders as Checkov leaned on him.
"You know, I remember this one time my roommate and I, Eric Jackson, wanted to prank our friend May…"
And they stayed like that for a long time, Sulu regaling his best friend with tales of his academy days, Checkov's smile and laughter worth every hour they sat together through the grey light of dawn.