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Chekov has begun growing used to the way things work on the bridge. It wasn’t much different from the way things work on the rest of the ship. There are buttons everywhere, random noises coming out of every part of the creaky, new ship, and cliques. The bridge’s cliques were easier to discern than engineering, or the sciences. Fewer people means fewer groups. Plus it was easy to watch and listen to most happenings on the bridge. Scotty is naturally loud, and even when the captain and Doctor McCoy try to whisper it’s impossible not to hear them when they’re at the science station. Which they so often are.
That was the first group he identified. The captain, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy were nigh inseparable. He thought it was just a habit they had formed whenever he’d see them strolling through the hallways nearly connected at the hip. Turns out they are always like that. Even on the bridge. Those assigned spots of theirs do little to keep the three from wandering about.
Then there was Scotty and the captain who often chat when Spock and McCoy are away. Alternatively, Spock and Uhura speak quite often when the captain has retired from the bridge. While those cliques overlap with some others, the one he’s noticed to be most prominent is that of Sulu and Uhura. The two have the most overlapping bridge shifts with him, and whenever one is placed in charge the other seems to slot in perfectly to the role of being their second in command. They’re an efficient team, not as efficient as the captain and Mr. Spock, but eh, who is?
Not just that but they’re friendly. Most of the bridge officers are too tired to talk to him. They find him too energetic, and young, according to Nurse Chapel’s ample insights.
The problem is the pair have a secret. Once a couple weeks ago he noticed them talking in hush whispers. He was curious but thought it best not to ask. He did not want to test the patience of the only two people on the bridge that did not see him as a pest, or a cadet to educate.
That was the first instance. Since then there’s been ten others. Each hushed conversation always happened on their last shifts of the day. Right before the two would have a shift off together.
Even now as Sulu sits beside him, Chekov could tell he was itching to get away. It would have been demoralizing if he hadn’t already noticed Sulu’s habit of crossing over to Uhura’s chair the moment the captain stepped off the bridge.
True as ever when Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy left, Sulu was out of his seat and by Uhura’s side.
Chekov turns slightly in his chair. Keeping his eyes on his console, but an ear pointed their way.
“We could-” Uhura starts, and Chekov finds himself once again burning to know what these secretive conversations could be.
Thankfully Sulu was not as skilled as speaking quietly. “Are you sure? We haven’t watched that since Janice left.”
Chekov takes a risk and glances over at them. Uhura was smiling sadly as she nods, “It was Kevin’s favorite.”
Sulu seems to agree. “Still, could be fun.”
“My, my Mr. Sulu, if I didn’t know better I’d say you’re only interested in chasing thrills.”
Sulu beams down at Uhura, and Chekov stops pretending to not be watching them. “I just enjoy having fun. Thrills are an added benefit.”
That’s it. Tonight he’s going to discover once and for all what they’re up to. He’s curious. There’s no helping that.
When the shift ends Chekov watches Sulu and Uhura disappear into the turbolift. He waits anxiously for his replacement to appear, not wanting to lose track of the two. When his replacement arrives on the very next turbolift, it feels like an eternity has passed.
He stops on the floor with their rooms, almost certain that this was the pair’s next stop. As he bounds through the turbolift’s barely open doors he manages to spy Uhura and Sulu standing near the end of the hall, just chatting. Not near either of their rooms. Chekov slows.
Maybe he should walk right past them. He could pretend he’s heading to someone else’s door, or just going for a stroll.
Chekov takes a steadying breath and clenches his fists shut. Head down, he starts his walk. He takes up a very brisk pace. Once he reaches the two Chekov holds his breath.
“Well hello there Pavel.” Uhura’s voice practically sings.
Chekov freezes in place. Okay they don’t know why he’s here. He’ll just use one of those excuses he thought up. The ensign turns on his heels, smiling wide. “Hello!” Maybe he shouldn’t sound so excited.
“Were you snooping, Pavel?” Uhura asks, and Sulu’s eyes gleam with mirth.
“No.” Chekov lies and he can tell the two aren’t buying it from their shared smiles. “I was just curious.” He admits. Why had he even thought up of any lies if he wasn’t going to use them? Damn.
“What do you think Nyota?” Sulu asks, arms on his hips as he looks to her.
“Traditions are meant to be shared.” Uhura points out with a glint in her eyes, and a sly smile.
“Let’s ask him the questions first.”
Uhura gestures for Sulu to go ahead. Apprehensively the ensign looks between the other two. What exactly does this tradition entail? Would the questions be trivia? Mr. Spock has taught him a lot this past year. Was he about to be sworn to secrecy? Possibly, given how these two have been behaving.
Sulu lets out an exaggerated sigh before looking back at Uhura, and smiling slyly. The smile vanishes as he turns back to face Chekov.
“One,” Chekov clenches his fist. Whatever it is, he’s ready. “are you a loud eater?”
“It’s-” Already his head was racing for an answer. Numbers fill his mind, as well as the names of odd planets, and what the captain’s favorite lunch is. When he finally registered the question he felt dumbfounded. His mouth falls open. “What?”
Uhura places a hand on Sulu’s shoulder and leans in. “Are you a loud eater Chekov?”
“No.” Wouldn’t they know that? He eats with them all the time. “Maybe. Why-”
“Question two,” Sulu briskly moves on. “Do you talk during movies?”
“Movies?”
Uhura rolls her eyes. “Come now Chekov, they’re an old style of media entertainment. Think recorded plays.”
“A few are much better than recorded plays.” Sulu insists, and Uhura nods sagely. The pair were clearly in sound agreement.
“I-” the ensign begins tentatively. “I don’t know.”
Sulu and Uhura turn in sync. Sulu pouts as Uhura frowns. The two tilt their heads in opposite ways, clearly having an unspoken conversation. Would he ever be able to understand someone the way they clearly understand each other? Or the way Doctor McCoy unspokenly understands the captain and Mr. Spock. When they turn back to him their frowns feel solemn.
“I’m sorry Chekov,” Uhura begins.
“That answer is simply unacceptable.” Sulu finishes.
“What?” He throws his hands out. “Why?”
“Because-” the pair say together. “The only acceptable answer is,” They pause, and Chekov is too anxious to notice the slight break in their facade. “yes!”
“I-” Chekov’s passionate defense dies on his tongue. Another wave of confusion washes over him. “Wait,” his eyes widen as a smile breaks through. “I can come!”
“Yes,” Uhura chuckles. “You can come too.”
Sulu wraps his arms around Chekov’s shoulders. “You’re in for a real treat! We’re doing a movie marathon tonight!”
Uhura smiles at Chekov and leans in a little closer. “It’s the first time all week we’ve had three shifts off together in a row!”
As the two walk him toward Nyota’s room, Chekov finds his confusion lasting. He still didn’t completely understand, but what does that matter? They’re going to hang out! He hasn’t hung out with anyone on the bridge crew after hours yet! Well he has if lessons count. Chekov looks up at Sulu and dismisses the thought.
With Sulu and Uhura, this is bound to be fun!