Star Trek Imagines

2. About You (Pavel Chekov)

(Published August 3, 2023)

   Pavel Chekov was sitting alone at a long table. He was munching on his lunch and staring off into space. I briefly wondered what he was thinking of, but didn't pursue it any further. I didn't know the young navigator well enough to make guesses about his thoughts. However, I did hope to change that. I picked up my tray from the serving counter and started towards him.
   He glanced up as I came to a stop at the seat beside him.  I gave him a friendly smile and gestured to the open seat. 
   "Is this seat taken?" I asked softly. 
   He shook his head quickly and swallowed his mouthful before answering verbally.  "No, it iz open."
   I set my tray down before sitting beside him.  Unsure of the best way to start a conversation, I pretended to be very interested in unwrapping my sandwich to buy myself a minute.  Luckily, he spoke up first and saved me.
   "How are you today?" He asked, his eyes flicking from me to his food. 
   "I'm good," I replied.  "How is your day going?"
   "Eh, busy," He shrugged.  "Capteen Kirk keeps looking over ze route we are taking and changing zings.  Keeps me on my toes."
   "He does odd things when he's bored." I took a bite of my sandwich, silently bemoaning the fact that we had run out of mustard on the ship already. 
   "He does," Chekov agreed. 
   He tapped his fingers on the table randomly, alerting me that he was nervous.  His eyes were aimed at his food, but he didn't seem to be seeing it.  Was I making him nervous?  I set my sandwich down, feeling a little bad now.  I didn't want to scare him. 
   "Is everything okay?" I asked quietly, knowing it wasn't. 
   "Mm?  Oh, yes, why do you ask that?" He glanced up at me, but then dropped his gaze once our eyes met. 
   "You just seemed to be zoned out for a minute," It was my turn to shrug. 
   He fiddled with his fork.  "I was."
   "Thinking about Kirk?" I tried to tease, giving him a grin so he'd know I was only kidding. 
   "No, no," He laughed a little.  "Actu'lly, I was thinking about you.  Not you exactly, I mean, I just, uh...  Was wondering if I might walk you to your room.  After zis.  If you would like."
   His ears turned pink as he blushed.  His gaze kept darting from me to the table and I had to place my hand on his forearm to get him to look at me.  Smiling, I nodded eagerly.
   "Yes, I'd love it if you would," I assured him. 
   He let out a big sigh of relief.  "You would?"
   "Mhm.  I like your company."
   "Y-you do?" He looked very surprised, which made me chuckle a bit. 
   "Yes!  Why else would I come sit by you?" I asked, gently nudging his shoulder with mine. 
   "I dunno, maybe you had questions for me?" He smiled back now. 
   "I actually have lots of questions for you.  They can wait until our walk, though.  You haven't gotten a chance to finish your food since I sat down.  I talk too much," I said apologetically. 
   "No, I talk just as much, it iz fine." He picked up his fork.  "I am curious about zese questions you have, zough."
   "You'll just have to wait!" I stated playfully, turning back to my food. 
   He chuckled and dove back into his meal, as well.  As for the walk, well...  We may have walked past my room a few times and I learned a lot about Chekov and vice versa.  And he was definitely someone I liked.