Prompt: Sulu, Chekov - Umbrella

Excuses

It's an excuse, really. Hikaru knows it, he suspects Pavel knows it, and from the soft smile on Uhura's face and the sly smirk on the Captain's, he's pretty sure everyone else knows it too.

But that doesn't stop him from opening up his umbrella against the softly falling rain and wrapping an arm around Pavel's back as they walk from the shuttlepad to the conference arena for the necessary debriefings prior to shoreleave.

The umbrella isn't terribly large and holding Pavel close is best to ensure they both remain as dry as possible. His plans for their week's leave do not include nursing a cold.

And also? Pavel is warm, exuding heat even through the layers of his uniform, and in that, Hikaru finds comfort.

He's fine with excuses.