#chekov fluff

“Are you alright?” He worried, his eyes roaming your face for signs of injury or pain. 

“Other than the fact that you are crushing me, I’m fine.” You breathed, your voice lacking the sarcastic tone that you tried to elicit. 

Pavel stayed frozen on top of you, and as you heard the crunching of footsteps stalk by Pavel’s muscles tensed over you protectively, and you felt a flash of heat rush to your cheeks.  

Once the threat was gone, Pavel looked back down to you, his grey-blue eyes meeting yours softly, reassuringly, and you were surprised with how little fear his gaze revealed.  

“Thank you, Pavel.” You whispered, barely able to get words past your lungs.  

“You do not need to thank me.” He exhaled, pushing up off you slowly and helping you sit up next to him, your bodies still hovering close together. 

“Are you injured?” He brushed his fingers through the hair above your ear. 

“I-I don’t think so.” You stuttered and leaned towards him instinctively.  

For a second you though he might kiss you, but the moment soon passed and he was standing, leaving you breathless.  

“Let’s get going.” He smiled down at you, clearly proud of the shivering mess he left you in. 

“Do you trust me?" He offered his hand and tilted his head curiously.

After a second’s hesitation and a million flutters of your nervous heart you reached up and took his hand.  

The jungle seemed endless as you continued through, Pavel consistently at your elbow, both of you silent except for the sound of your laboured breathing.  The heat was nearly unbearable, and you quickly came to despise the transporter team for making you wear the protective thick leather jacket and heavy-duty pants.  

Neither of you mentioned your almost-kiss and the fact that he had saved your life.  And just as you felt like you were about to collapse in heat exhaustion, the jungle abruptly ended.  

A city emerged in front of you, and you could nearly walk the line that indicated where the jungle ended and the city began.  It was ragged and dusty, sharp metal buildings sprung up everywhere, stalls lining both sides of the narrow streets.  People were scattered everywhere.  Sellers behind the stalls, people buying and yelling and trading with them.  It was like the dense forest had been traded for the city.  Instead of trees there were people, and it was nearly as suffocating. 

You approached the edge slowly, taking in everything, your eyes catching on all the different types of metals and structures scattered around, some that you didn’t even recognize. 

“Okay, I get why they sent me down here now.” You gulped, stopping just before crossing over the threshold into the city, Pavel bumping into your shoulder at your abrupt halt.  

“Let us go find the metal we came for.” Pavel said from behind you. 

You looked up at him and he nodded in the direction of the nearest street.  As he started forward, you stopped him with a hand on his arm before he could advance any further. 

“We should be careful.  See how their skin is such a bright colour compared to our?  We will stick out like a sore thumb if we just dive right in.  We should cover our skin first.”

“Right.” Pavel stepped in front of you and drew your hood up over your head. 

The scarf that hung loosely around your neck you pulled up to cover your mouth and nose, and Pavel helped tuck the corners in under your hood. 

“Okay, I can see just your eyes now.” He nodded, “What about me?  I don’t have a scarf.”

You swung your backpack around to your front and dug around until you found the extra scarf you had packed, “It was going to be for any geode specimens we found, or to trade for metals, but it should work in a pinch.”

He smiled down at you as you slipped the scarf around his neck and helped arrange his disguise the same way you had with his, and soon his soft grey eyes were the only thing peeking out. 

“Perfect, now just keep your hands in your pockets and we should be pretty well hidden.” Both of you tucked your hands in your pockets and you set out into the city.  

It was almost overwhelming how quickly you were swept up into the hustle and bustle of the streets. Seller’s carts lined each side of the street, and you had to squeeze through what seemed like hundreds of people as you made your way through the streets.  You kept your eyes peeled for any sign of the illegal metal you were sent here to look for. 

You were sweating and panting under the hot sun and covered disguise, and you could hear Pavel’s quick breaths behind you.  Finally, out of the corner of your eye, you saw the reddish tint of the metal you were looking for. 

“There.” You said under your breath to Pavel, who followed your gaze to the stand with the metal scraps. 

“We must be wery careful, Y/N,” He nudged your elbow to stop you, “It does not look so safe.  It looks very dark and the man behind the counter does not look very friendly.”

You surveyed the unnaturally shady tent and the man with the large muscles and a deep scowl behind the counter. 

“It’s alright, we just need to ask a few questions, maybe purchase a piece to examine.  We’re not here to capture them or anything.” You tried to keep your voice as even as possible and refused to meet his eyes as you pushed off Pavel and headed towards the counter. 

You tried to remember the training that Uhura, Spock, and Scotty had given you in regards to dealing with foreign exchanges and this type of rare metal.  But all of a sudden your mind went blank and the voice of your concerned brother played over in your head. 

"Now don't go around making anyone mad or anything, you hear?"

"Because you do that.  Make people mad.  For example, me, on a daily basis."

"If you get hurt I will kill you.  Well I'll kill Jim first for sending you on this mission, then you.  And maybe him too." Leonard gestured to Pavel. 

Pavel who was pushing softly at your shoulder-blade with his elbow.  You must have stopped walking. 

“We can go back eef you wish.  Meester Scott said if eet was too dangerous he would beam us up.” Pavel had dipped his head to your ear, and you could feel the heat radiating off his skin. 

You shook your head, “I’m fine.” You mumbled and stepped forward again, pulling your shoulders up and taking a deep breath.  

The man behind the counter barely lifted his eyes to look at you as you surveyes the table coolly, just as Uhura had taught you.  With interest, but not with accusation, even if the metals were being manufactured by women and children slaves. 

“Can I help you?” A deep, grumbly voice sounded, but you kept your eyes on the metals. 

“Thess is exaactly tha type oof metals I need furr my maachine baack home.  Light aand sturdy aand strong.” You slipped into the accent Uhura and you had practiced. 

Using your fingertips, you played with the edge of a piece, but pulled back when you felt the man behind the counter tense. 

“Where you from?” He snapped. 

The name of the planet rolled off your tongue just as you’d practiced as well.  A bead of sweat dripped off your eyebrow onto your cheek, making you blink a few times.  

The man regarded you for a second and you made the mistake of looking up into his eyes, adrenaline flooding your system at his paralyzing gaze. 

“I do not deal to humans.” He spat the word as if it stung his tongue.  

“But we aare not earthlins...” You started, stuffing your hands into your pocket when you realized your error. 

“I do not deal to humans.  Especially not Federation scum.”

“No-”

“What is that in your bag?!” Your eyes snapped up at his angry voice, but the man’s eyes weren’t on you.  They were on Pavel.

You spun on Pavel and searched his frozen face as he carefully said, “Nothing, sir.” But your eye caught on the reddish tint in his bag as he adjusted it over his shoulder. 

“You are stealing.  The punishment for stealing on this planet is death.  Anugh, Ugtha, seize them.” The man barked, and an equally scary man and woman emerged from the shadows on command. 

You backed up into Pavel and his hand caught your elbow. 

“Seize them!” He demanded and a flush of panic hit you.

“Run.” The word was whispered into your ear and then yelled, “RUN!”

Pavel’s hand on your elbow was now dragging you as he darted forward.  You only had a moment to hesitate before you saw a flash of movement out of the corner of your eye, the two guards, and you took off after Pavel. 

The two of you surged through the crowd together, pushing past people as fast as you could, while trying not to lose sight of Pavel ahead of you.  You wound down streets, skidding around corners and trying not to trip over your own two feet. 

Finally, you ended up in a narrow alley and nearly slammed into the back of Pavel. 

“What-?”

“Eet’s a dead end.” He turned around and you could see the worry in his eyes. 

You could barely catch your breath as you searched the surrounding streets, spotting the guards at the far end of one of the stalls. 

“They’re o-over there. We-we can’t-go-back.” You stuttered through heaving breaths.  

“I’ll call for Meester Scott.” He reached for his com, but you stopped him. 

“There’s no time, they’ll see us.” You worried, pushing his hand away and stepping closer to him. 

The alley was narrow enough that with your proximity you were nearly pressing him into the wall.  Both of your chests heaved, and you were overwhelmed by the dizzying warmth of the air between you two.  Sweat stung your eyes and your hair was plastered to your head under the scarf and hood, but still you pressed closer to Pavel.  

You took one more look to see the guards nearing your spot and you turned back to Pavel, tugging your scarf down over your mouth. 

“Kiss me.” You breathed. 

“Wha-?” His brows furrowed. 

“Kiss me.” You tugged down his scarf, “Just do it.” 

Pressing yourself fully against his chest, you were close enough that your hoods almost touched.  Your heart hammering in your chest, you stuck your hands in between his hood and his cheeks to cradle his head and hide your hands.  And, before you could think about it any further, you crushed your lips to his, hiding both your faces in between your hoods. 

There was a moment of breathy awkwardness until he tightened his grip on your hips, sliding his hands into your pockets to hide his hands.  It was awkward, but it worked. 

The kiss was hot and sweaty and salty but never-the-less sent shivers down your spine as you pulled him closer, not able to get enough of his soft lips and the feeling of his body on yours.  You kissed him for as long as you dared before pulling back an inch to allow you both to catch your breath. 

Pulling him close again, you hugged him and tilted your head just a little so you could survey the streets.  

“No sign of the guards.” You whispered. 

“Then I will call Meester Scott.” Pavel’s voice sounded surprisingly strained as he removed one hand out of your pocket to grab his com, but still kept you close. 

After a few curt words you felt the familiar tug of the transporter, and you instinctively kept your tight grip on Pavel as the world faded away and the blinding metal of the transporter room appeared.  

You stepped back from him as soon as you could, but you couldn’t tear your gaze from his eyes.  That was until the sound of your brother’s voice echoed through the room. 

“What the hell was that, Y/N?” His dark haired, blue-shirted form appeared in your line of vision as you wrenched your eyes from Pavel’s.

“That was us, you know, not dying?” You offered, but you had no energy to be snarky. 

“Well you got a little to close for my liking.” Leonard grumbled, stepping closer and scanning you with a tricorder. 

“’m fine, Len.” You brushed him off, stepping off the platform when pain suddenly lanced through your leg. 

“Like hell you are.” He knelt in front of you and used a pair of medical scissors to cut off your pant leg at the knee, revealing a nasty gash that was still oozing blood. 

You hissed as he pressed a piece of gauze to it. 

“I deedn’t notice you were injured, Y/N, you should haff said something.” It was a soft voice now, Pavel, who you had forgotten about for a moment. 

Peeling your eyes open, you looked at him, an expression of worry and concern laced over his features as he tugged his hood down and pushed a hand through his unruly curly hair. 

“It’s okay, Pavel, “You assured, “I didn’t even notice, must have been the adrenaline and all.  I don’t even know when it happened.”

“Let’s get you down to the medbay, this’ll need a few rounds of the dermal regenerator.” Leonard stood and moved to hook your arm over his shoulder. 

Addressing Pavel, Leonard tipped his head, “You alright, kid?”

Pavel nodded, “Yessir.”

“Of course you are.” Leonard mumbled sarcastically and before you could defend Pavel he was dragging you out the door and down the hall towards the medbay. 

“I’m fine, Len.  I don’t need to stay the night here.  You already wouldn’t let me go to my quarters to shower, and I had to use the tiny one here.  You owe me.  I just want to curl up in my bed and go go sleep.” 

“Fine.  Go.  But I want to see you here tomorrow for a check-up.” Leonard grumped and stalked out of the patient room you had been assigned, leaving you alone. 

“Sure thing, doc!” You called grumpily, feeling especially irritated. 

You wanted nothing more than to curl up in your bed and go to sleep for the next eternity, so you gathered your items from the room and walked out into the bustling medbay.  

As you headed for the doors, a flash of motion caught your eye and you turned to see Pavel, who had stood up as you passed.  He was still dressed in his mission outfit, with dirt and dust covering the outside and streaks of it still on his face.  His eyes were worried, tired, and your heart melted a little at the sight of him.

“Y/N.  How are you feeling?  I am sorry that you got injured, I deedn’t know, I was focused on getting avay from those guards.  I am sorry.” He dug his toe into the ground as he spoke, and wrung his hands in front of him.

“It’s okay, Pavel.  It’s not your fault.” You sighed, you were so tired. “Have you been waiting here the whole time?”

He nodded, “I wanted to make sure you were okay.” His voice was soft, apologetic.

“You didn’t have to.” You rubbed your eyes and yawned, “You could have at least gone and showered or something.”

He didn’t respond except to scratch the back of his neck and look over at you. The memory of that heated, salty kiss in the alley flashed through your mind and you straightened your shoulders a little bit.

“Did you want to come to my room and shower? You can stay the night if you want.” You offered, something about being so sleepy making you brave.

“No he can’t.” Leonard’s voice sounded behind you as he walked by, a tray in hand, and disappeared into a patient’s room.

“Yes you can.  If you want to, I mean.” You corrected, throwing a glare in Leonard’s direction before turning back to Pavel.

“I, yes, I would like that, but I thought… well… I thought maybe…” He trailed off.

“You thought what?” You questioned and stepped forwards.

“That maybe you do not like me?  Because I got us in trouble, I got you injured.”

You shook your head, your heavy eyelids nearly forcing your eyes shut, “I like you, Pavel.  I kissed you, remember?”

He dropped his hands to his side and gazed innocently at you, “I remember.  I just thought maybe that was just so we could escape.  I deed not know if eet meant anything.”

“That was part of it, but I do like you, Pavel.  More than I thought I would, to be honest with you.” You cursed your exhausted brain for not filtering your words, “I don’t just go around kissing people, even if it is a life or death situation.” You took a breath, “Question is, do you like me back?”

You stared into his soft grey eyes for what seemed like an eternity, and you were about to turn and walk away, hurt, but then he nodded.  Just the slightest inclination of his head, but it was accompanied by a furious reddening of his cheeks and you knew what your answer was.

“Come on, you need a shower, you look like you’ve been wrestling a donkey on a dusty road.  And I’m about to fall asleep standing up, so let’s go.” You extended your hand towards him, palm up.  “Pavel, come to bed with me.”

He looked at it for a second before meeting your eyes.

“Do you trust me?” You teased and finally a smile reached his lips.

His fingers, warm and soft, entwined with yours and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

A gentle feeling of safety washed over you as you walked together back to your room, and you realized that despite everything, despite your past, you trusted him. 

-Thanks for reading!  I hope you liked it!-