Together
It all happened so fast Hikaru wasn't even sure what had happened. The ship was under attack, Pavel and him pelting through the corridors away from the invaders. Phasers lost, they continued to run until suddenly they were caught by a pack of Gorn. Pavel screeched to a halt, flinging an arm out to stop Hikaru.
"Stey beck!" he yelled, Russian accent thick with fear. The Gorn growled something, raising his gun so that it pointed at Hikaru's chest. He was so terrified and then there was a bang and shouts, but he wasn't dead. Blinking, he looked at Pavel who turned to him, gaping hole in his chest. Then it clicked. Pavel had jumped in front of Hikaru and taken the blast. Catching him as he fell forward, he pulled him close. There seemed to be fighting around them but the pilot could only hear, see, feel the dying Russian in his arms.
"Pavel…" he gasped, voice cracking.
"H-H-Heekaru…" the navigator choked out, whimpering. The Asian could feel his heart breaking and he held Pavel close, tears dripping from his eyes.
"H-Hurts-s… H-Heek-ku…" the Russian whined and sobbed.
"I know. But I'm here Pasha. I'm not leaving you." The dark-haired man kissed the boy's forehead, crying silently. Clinging to him like a lost child, Pavel forced himself to speak again.
"I…. lowe…you.."
"I love you too, so much." The blonde smiled, drew a rattling breath and locked eyes with the Asian. They gazed at each other for a few seconds before the light died in the blue pair and they went cold. Eyes staring blankly up, Pavel stopped breathing and went limp in Hikaru's arms. With a heart-wrenching howl, Hikaru hugged the navigator's lifeless body and sobbed. He didn't know how long he had been sitting there weeping, when McCoy prised Pavel from his arms and sedated him.
When he awoke, the only things he could think were, Pavel's gone. He's dead. He died to save me. I can't go on without him. He grabbed a nearby PADD and left a note.
To whoever finds this:
I'm so sorry. To McCoy and the Captain and Spock and Uhura and Scotty. But I can't live without Pavel. I can't bear it. I know, you will lose not only your navigator, but your pilot as well. But like our jobs, we are connected. In love. I can't lose him. So this is goodbye. But hey, we had some awesome times and I love you all like family. So this is Hikaru Sulu, signing off. As Spock would say, live long and prosper. Goodbye.
McCoy found the note in the morning. He did not find Hikaru alive.
When Hikaru opened his eyes, he was met by a familiar face. The young Russian smiled down at him, eyes sparkling.
"Hello Heekaru." He took the Asian's hand, pulling him to his feet and into a tight hug. Hikaru reciprocated.
"You waited…."
"I vould hef vaited a zhousend years for you." Hikaru kissed the boy's hair, looking at the door in front of them. Pavel squeezed his hand gently.
"Shall we?" the pilot asked.
"Togezher. Forewer." The navigator opened the door and they stepped into the white light. Together.