Chapter 31
Pavel speaks no Japanese and Sulu finds it easier to just attach a universal translator to his collar than interpret everything for him. Sulu's Japanese is pretty basic, especially compared to his siblings but the universal translator still picks it up. Pavel takes the opportunity to speak in Russian and have the translator convert it instead. Sulu's family is super nice and his sisters enjoy paying Sulu out.
When the universal translator is in Pavel's ear, he can hear everything. He swears every member of his family has asked if the two of them were dating and at a few of the older members have asked why Pavel is so young. He blushes and when Sulu asks him what the translator picks up he submissively says not much unless it's loud enough.
Pavel is teaching one of Sulu's younger cousins how to solve a Rubik's cube and in return, the younger cousin teaches Pavel how to make a crane out of origami paper. Sulu watches from the dining table and smiles to himself.
"You're a couple aren't you?" Aiko, Sulu's eldest sister asks.
Hikaru glares at her and sighs. "No, and not so loud okay? It's complicated."
"Explain it then," she mutters adamantly.
"He's seventeen." Hikaru starts. Aiko gives him a look and Hikaru rolls his eyes in return. "Starfleet regulation won't let me date him until he's eighteen because he's a minor, so we're just waiting until then."
Aiko bites the inside of her lip. "Karu, this mightn't be the best idea. He's so young, I would have fallen in love with anyone who showed any interest at me… I don't want you to get hurt."
"I get enough of this crap from everyone else Aiko. It would be nice if at someone actually supported this."
Aiko frowns, "I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want you or him to get hurt. You're his first love I'm guessing?"
Hikaru nods. Aiko doesn't need to say anything else. They both watch Pavel fold a reasonably substandard crane from across the room and he holds it up and looks in Hikaru's direction, grinning. He grins back and Aiko studies the two of them. She hasn't seen that light in her brother's eyes in a while.
Pavel offers to help in some broken Japanese that Hikaru taught him. He has a good memory but he can barely pronounce English let alone Japanese. Hikaru's mother insists he shouldn't cook but Pavel eventually ends up peeling some vegetables with Hikaru. Hikaru makes a few jokes about Pavel's cooking skills (or lack thereof) and about the time he tried to cook scrambled eggs and set the smoke alarm off. Pavel takes the opportunity to remind Hikaru of when he spilt oil on himself. His mother and grandmother also listening from the kitchen laugh and Pavel grins. He's never felt more at home and more like part of a family before.
That night Pavel is too full to move and he's sleepy after playing video games with Hikaru and all his younger cousins.
Hikaru's mother says something directed at Pavel and he looks at her and he quickly checks the translator in his ear. It just beeps loudly, signalling that the battery has run out. He looks at Hikaru's mother lost for words. Hikaru is in the bathroom and Pavel has no idea what is going on.
"Sleep?" Hikaru's mother tries.
"Sleep? Now? Should I go to bed or?"
"Sleep with Hikaru?"
Pavel blinks. "I'm sorry?"
Hikaru comes out of the bathroom and looks at the two of them standing there confused.
"What's happening?" He asks quietly.
"Apparently I'm sleeping with you," Pavel guesses, completely unsure.
Hikaru's mother elaborate in Japanese and Hikaru nods, laughing.
"Well yeah kinda, but in the literal sense. There's only one bed, so we're going to have to share. You okay with that?"
"Yeah, of course," Pavel says, trying not to sound awkward or too hopeful. The idea of lying beside Hikaru, all warm together appeals so much. "I'm happy to sleep on a couch or something," he says, trying to be polite.
"No, don't be silly," Hikaru laughs. He thanks his mother and takes Pavel upstairs into the small bedroom.
Pavel plugs the translator in and his PADD while Hikaru gets changed on the other side of the room. Pavel is so tempted to turn around and watch but he doesn't.
"Better get to sleep. We've got lots planned for tomorrow."
"We do?" Pavel asks, smiling to himself as the springs in the bed click with Hikaru's weight.
"Lots of tourist-y stuff," he yawns.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Pavel says truthfully, removing his shirt. Sulu watches the bones and muscles in the Russian's back move as he slips another shirt on.
"Lights 0%" Pavel mutters as he removes his jeans. Sulu frowns, considering turning the lights back on. Pavel normally sleeps in just jocks or boxers, and he's about to slip a pair of track pants on before deciding against it. He looks dorky in track pants, and Sulu is grateful for the one less article of clothing. The Russian climbs into bed and pulls the warm covers over him.
"I really like it here," Pavel says quietly. "Thank you for having me. Russia was as miserable as I remember it." He suddenly feels like he's oversharing but Sulu doesn't seem bothered by it.
"I really like having you here, and so does my family. You're staying till Christmas right?"
"Yeah. I don't have to go back until January seventh."
"Pavel, you have to stay till New Year. New Year in Japan is amazing. Oshogatsu is just…"
"What is sorry?"
"Oshogatsu, New Year's. You're staying till then at least."
Pavel yawns sleeping in agreement. "I will."
"Good, but for now we should sleep."
"Goodnight Karu."
"Goodnight Pav."