Sorry for the long delay, you guys! It's been a weird time trying to adjust to college life again and moving in and what not. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews, favourites, and follows! You guys are wicked cool.
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"You're an idiot," Chekov says when the door clicks shut behind him. "Hikaru, if you can hear me, I hope you know that you're the biggest idiot I've ever seen. Voluntarily offering yourself to the Choshans? Have you lost it?"
There's no reply from Sulu's unconscious form. Chekov didn't think he was going to respond, so he keeps going anyway. "You're not Jim Kirk. You had no backup going in. Are you crazy?" He takes a seat next to Sulu. "Did you think that was bravery? I think it's more like insanity."
Resting his chin on his hands, Chekov takes stock of Sulu's visible injuries. There's a thin scar running down the right side of his face, and the bruises are spectacularly purple and blue on his neck and cheek. Chekov thinks about the frustration of the Choshans when they were unable to get information physically, and the mental torture they must have inflicted on Sulu.
"What did they do to you?" he whispers.
Sulu does not answer. The machine continues to beep, letting Chekov know that for the time being, at least Sulu is alive.
"You know," he says, trying to keep the silence from crushing him in the room, "this reminds me of the last time Captain Kirk was in the hospital."
He imagines Sulu scoffing. How so?
"Well," he says, "you know – how we revived him with Khan's blood. And how we stayed with him every day until he woke up." He shifts position. "You've only got me, I'm afraid."
That's probably enough, he thinks he can hear Sulu say with a smile.
"I watched the videos," Chekov volunteers after a pause.
Yeah?
"Yeah. You didn't have to do that for me." Chekov looks up at the ceiling. "But thank you. It was… nice. To hear them all again."
A happier time.
"Yeah," Chekov says again. "I think – I think I've let go a little bit, you know. The ghosts don't visit me anymore."
That's good.
"So – you know. Don't die on me." Chekov twists his fingers together. "I don't want your ghost on my conscience, too."
He can almost see Sulu's face in his mind, twisting into an expression of reproach. This isn't your fault. None of this is your fault.
"I should have been there. I could have gone with you."
I wouldn't have let you, Sulu says sharply. I was the diversion. My crew is safe. You did well. You saved them, even when you weren't there.
Chekov quirks a smile. "You and your stupid reckless actions."
I learned a bit from Jim, Sulu agrees in Chekov's head.
Chekov goes silent again, watching Sulu's chest rise and fall, breaths shallow and pained. "Come back," he says quietly. "Please."
I am trying.
"Try harder," Chekov says, and thinks he can hear Sulu laugh.
There's a rap on the window. Chekov looks up to see Scotty gesturing to him. Five minutes, he mouths. Chekov gives him a thumbs up and Scotty disappears from the window.
You'll be okay, with or without me, Sulu says reassuringly.
"I know I will be," Chekov says. "I'd just rather be okay with you."
Can't always get what you want in life, Pavel.
"I know that. All I'm asking for is this one thing. Come back to us, Hikaru." Chekov stands, chair scraping across the floor. "One more thing. I got the job."
Of course you did. Sulu's pride is a warm glow in Chekov's imagination. I'm not surprised.
"I won't be doing it if you die on me," Chekov says flatly.
You can't blackmail a comatose person, Sulu protests.
"Watch me." Chekov crosses the room to the door. "I'll be here tomorrow, Hikaru. You hang in there."
The door shuts behind him before he can imagine Sulu's reply.
A little bit of a filler chapter, I'm afraid, but the next chapter will be up soon, I hope!
Much love,
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