A week passes and Pavel doesn't get any PADD messages. He knows Sulu won't send any but it doesn't stop him from checking. Sulu's birthday is nearing and Pavel doesn't really know what he's going to do. He decides to ask McCoy about it, giving as little details about their fight as possible. McCoy gives Pavel an uneasy look.

"Sulu's going away for his birthday…"

"And?"

"He's going with Veesa."

Pavel sits there stunned for a second. "Wher- where is he going?"

"New York I think."

Pavel pouts. He'd always wanted to see New York and some other touristy parts of America. McCoy can't help but be a little sympathetic. He was young and in love once. Pavel doesn't even have to say he likes Sulu, McCoy can just tell by now.

Pavel hopes Sulu will come talk to him or message him before he goes, but he doesn't and as he's walking to class he sees Sulu and Veesa outside his old dorm, struggling with their luggage and laughing together. It makes Pavel feel a little ill. Sulu is just slipping further and further away from him, and it hurts more and more the further away he gets.

It's Sulu's birthday and Pavel sends him a half birthday, half apology message. The truth is, he doesn't want to repair things with Sulu. He wants to be distant from Sulu so knowing that he can't have him doesn't hurt. He doesn't get a reply for a few days and Pavel figures he's too busy enjoying his life with Veesa.

Scotty wakes Pavel up in the afternoon and drags him out of his room. The Russian mumbles sleepy protest and Scotty ignores them. Sulu is sitting in the living room and Pavel's eyes widen a little.

"What's happening?" he asks sleepily.

"I just thought we should talk…" Sulu says quietly, lacking any obvious expression on his face.

Scotty gives Pavel a clap on the back and leaves the dorm.

"I'm sorry about last time…" Pavel starts quietly.

"I know. It's fine. I shouldn't have said that teen angst comment. I knew it'd hurt you and I said it anyway. I know this whole thing with Veesa hasn't really been fair on you, but I do like her and I'm not doing it to spite you or anything, and I don't think she did either."

Pavel nods and pretends he does think Veesa isn't going after to Sulu solely to annoy him. "I'm sorry for being so… Cold I guess."

Sulu shrugs. "It's fine. We all good now?"

Well you're still with that bitch and I'm hopelessly chasing after you, so no not at all. "Yes, we're all good."

Sulu offers to cook Pavel dinner and after not having a proper meal in a few days he politely accepts, walking back to their old room. Pavel walks in and takes his shoes off, looking at Sulu's suitcase bursting open. Sulu had only been back for a few hours and hadn't bothered really unpacking anything yet. Pavel recognises some of Sulu's clothes but a lot of them are new and he doesn't like it. Either Veesa bought them for him or convinced him into buying them. It's not Sulu, and Pavel tries not to frown at the unfamiliar clothing.

Pavel helps with what he can in the kitchen, which isn't much altogether. He can peel and cut vegetables but that's about it. They're making vegetable tempura and Sulu doesn't let the Russian anywhere near the hot oil and makes him sit down and watch instead.

"We should make cocktails," Sulu mutters, slipping some battered eggplant into the oil.

"I'm not allowed to drink, remember?"

"Oh shit yeah, I forget that. Have you drunk alcohol before or-"

Pavel scoffs before Sulu can finish the sentence. "Don't you know where I'm from? I could outdrink you anytime."

"Is that a challenge?" Sulu asks laughing.

Pavel shrugs, "I wouldn't want to beat you."

Sulu widens his mouth in shock and puts more vegetables into the oil. "You're pretty competitive aren't you?"

Pavel grins, "you have to be if you want to get anywhere in my family. It's probably the only reason I got into Starfleet."

"Well, I think you got into Starfleet because you're incredibly gifted, talented and hard working. But competitive works too."

Pavel smiles and can't help but blush a little. He's received a few compliments in his time, but this one seems to have the most meaning.

"Fuck!" Sulu says loudly, interrupting Pavel's thoughts. "The oil splashed on my hand."

He starts running his hand underwater and the Russian cracks a grin. "And you wouldn't let me put the vegetables in because…? Why was it? I might get oil on myself, was it?"

Sulu frowns at Pavel's smug grin. "You're a lot more sarcastic than I imagined you'd be," he laughs. "And besides, you can't use chopsticks properly."

The Russian shrugs, "that is true."

Pavel promises that he'll cook next time, or at least try. He knows he mentioned it before but things kind of got in the way. His father was a pretty average cook, but he always made veal orlov, and it was one of Pavel's favourite food ever. He had seen his father cook it many times before, but he had never actually tried it himself. It couldn't be that hard… Probably.