Angels (Pavel Chekov)

12 - Looking Up

For a while, Vienna and Pavel make an effort to stay away from Damien. Vienna hasn't seen Pavel write in his journal since it was read aloud and she wants to know if he still writes in it. She's also yet to address all of the comments that were read out, in particular the last one. She thinks it might be best forgetting about it for Pavel's sake but she's still curious.

Vienna spends most of her time in Pavel's room. She doesn't often sleep over but they study together and enjoy each other's company. She comes over one morning and notices his journal open in the kitchen. She wonders if he's finally started writing again or if he's been writing all along but just privately, when she's not around. She comes in and opens her PADD, pulling up an assignment she has due in a few days.

"Has that bottle of bourbon always been on your bench?" She asks, frowning at the full bottle a meter or two away from him.

"Scotch," he corrects. "And no, I only got it today."

"You're too young to drink, where did you get it from?"

"My brother sent it to me."

Vienna thinks for a second, a few cogs turning in her head. She looks up at him and he takes a drink from a glass of water.

"Is it your birthday, Pavel?"

He doesn't say anything, just nodding.

Vienna hops up, coming over to him, asking why he didn't say anything earlier. He shrugs, never having wanted to really celebrate his birthday in the first place. She hugs him and laughs, wishing him a happy birthday.

"You're seventeen, Pavel," she grins, looking into his eyes. "Happy birthday."

He smiles, thanking her.

They go out to dinner to celebrate. Pavel works up the courage to take her hand as they walk through the city streets. She loves it, squeezing his hand back and looking up at the lights. Recently she's been wishing he'd work up the confidence to kiss her. She knows he wants to, she hopes tonight they might get a chance.

They eat dinner at a small Italian restaurant and don't stop laughing for the whole night. They sit in a booth together and even with plenty of space, they're pressed up close. She leans on him a little and they share a pasta that's almost too big for them to eat. They walk around for a little while afterwards and Vienna suggests getting ice cream, to which Pavel politely declines. Vienna leads him and despite his good sense of direction and navigator skills, he isn't entirely sure where they're going.

Vienna takes them to a grassy spot where they can see the Golden Gate bridge. They take a seat on the grass and for a while and stare up at the bridge, sitting close to one another.

"This has been the best birthday I've ever had," he whispers in her ear. There's a soft smile on his lips that he can't shake.

"Why? We just went out for dinner. I didn't even know it was your birthday until this morning, I could have organised something special otherwise."

"It was special," he argues, looking up at the bridge. "I got to spend it with you..."

She giggles and presses her forehead against his, hoping he'll take the hint. He places his hand on her cheek and she thinks he might be finally getting the idea.

"Vienna, can I... Can I..."

"Yes," she says softly, before he can finish the question. He hesitates, his brain going completely haywire and his thoughts all telling him different things.

Vienna feels a wet tongue across her cheek and for a solid three seconds, she wonders what the hell Pavel's doing until she opens her eyes and sees a large dog in front of her. She starts giggling and patting the dog, laughing as it keeps trying to lick her face.

"Pavel?"

He's standing about ten meters away and Vienna wonders how he got there that fast. She finds a collar around the dog's neck and rings the owner, asking Pavel what he's doing as she waits for it to ring. The dog is super friendly and sits down with its tongue out, letting Vienna pat it.

"Hey," she says softly, into the phone. "I believe I've found your dog."

The owner says they're about ten minutes away and Vienna gets the dog to lie down, stroking its black and brown fur. She wonders if it's a German Shepherd.

"Are you going to tell me why you're so far away?" She calls out to Pavel.

"I'm... I'm not good with big dogs," he admits, not looking like he's going to come any closer. Vienna waits with the dog while Pavel keeps his distance, pacing a little around the park. The owner comes and is hugely apologetic. He's been running around the city looking for his dog all night and is still a little out of breath. He clips the dogs lead on and it licks his hand, ears pricking up excitedly. The owner thanks Vienna for looking after him and bids them goodnight.

As soon as the dog is gone, Pavel comes back over and runs a hand through his hair.

"Why don't you like dogs?" Vienna asks, taking his hand and walking with him.

"I'm scared of them. When I was ten I got chased by a dog down the street and it locked onto my ankle. It bit me and I remember not being able to move and the blood from my ankle leaking onto the snow."

"And you've been scared of dogs since?"

"Just really large ones. Puppies I can manage but anything much bigger makes me uncomfortable."

"You're full of surprises," she laughs, swinging his hand. He smiles as he listens to her laugh. He was so close to kissing her, he wants to try again when he gets the chance.

(Author's Note)

Also another chapter I thoroughly enjoyed writing. Really liking the difference between the original and the updated version. I think their relationship is progressing a much more natural pace now.

Lemme know what you think!
-Clover ♪