CA!Verse: Sara Sidle & Roderich Edelstein

[penguinknitter]

In which Shannon has way too much fun, and Amanda approves.

Based on fanart from tumblr:


The story:

It had been a horrible week. Starting with a wonderful phone call with a set of parents regarding their son’s German grade and ending with an argument with Starr, all he wanted to do was go home and sleep through the weekend. But, that was quickly squashed when he got to his apartment and saw a certain figure leaning near his door.

“I heard you and Starr had a yelling session in the orchestra room.” Sara Sidle looked up from the text she was reading when she heard Roderich’s footsteps stop in front of his door. He gave her the look and then unlocked his door, waving her in behind him as he entered.

“Somewhat, yes. There were no students around, and the door was shut.”

“I know, I was outside.”

“Excuse me?” Sara plopped herself on the arm of his couch as Roderich set his case of papers to grade next to a chair and walked into his room.

“I heard the yelling and stopped outside. You know, to be a responsible adult and not let two young teachers get into a fist fight.” She heard Roderich scoff from the other room. “And by the way, you and I are going down to town tonight, dress presentable.” He came back out in jeans and a dress shirt, giving his friend another look over his glasses.

“Presentable enough?”

“Perfect. Come on, I’m driving.” Roderich followed her out the door again and out of the staff dorm as she went towards her car. Getting in, he turned towards Sara as she pulled away.

“And why are we going downtown?”

“Because I heard the majority of the argument and figured you would sit in your apartment and stew over it. And, I know Starr’s going to be with Nuka.” She glanced over, Roderich opened his mouth to make a comment, but she stopped him. “It wouldn’t be fair to have you all alone either, and I know Jade’s not home tonight.” Roderich turned bright red and Sara laughed.

“You are too good at this.”

“I was a CSI for years.” He snorted and looked out the window. “And, I was damn good at my job before I left.”

“I can see that.” After a few more minutes of conversation, they pulled into a parking lot and started walking down the street. “Where are we going?”

“I don’t know yet, just somewhere to talk, and get away from there.” She looked up at the silhouette of the school. Linking an arm through one of Roderich’s, she smiled. “Sometimes it does some good.”

A few hours later, and Roderich was feeling much better. Granted, he’d had a couple drinks while spouting off about his week to the woman across from him. They were in some corner of some bar in the city, Sara just keeping watch on how much he was actually drinking and letting him rant. He needed it. She was stone sober, sticking with soda to make sure she could get him home, no matter what state he was in. After a small period of silence, Roderich leaned an elbow on the table, head resting on his hand… horrible posture.

A sure sign he wasn’t completely sober.

“This is going to sound strange.” And the slur didn’t help either. “But do you have any tattoos?” Yep, he was getting to the point of no return. Sara raised an eyebrow before reaching down to tug on one pant leg, revealing a tattoo on her ankle. Roderich looked at it, somewhat intrigued, before looking back at her.

“I’ve had it since college. Why?”

“I…” He paused. “I’ve been considering one…Two actually.” Ok, now this was something different.

“Well, well. Didn’t know you had a punk side, Roddy.”

“Don’t call me that. And, well, it’s not completely punk.” Sara made a motion to continue, Roderich did. “You know the f-holes on a violin? Unfortunate name for an integral part of the instrument, but I digress.” Sara nodded, “I want them, here.” He pointed to his lower back. “One on each side of the spine.”

“That fits you.” Sara watched as he signaled the bartender for another drink, but she quickly caught his eye and shook her head. They had an agreement, she brought people here just to talk, and the bartender knew to probably listen to her, instead of the one drinking alcohol. She glanced at her watch. “And actually, I do know a place open right now, and I’ve gone there for color work on mine. I can take you there.”

Oh, someone was going to kill her later.

Roderich nodded, and she was surprised, but said nothing. She got up to go pay their tab, ignoring any offers of Roderich to pay. She waved at the bartender as she left, gathering her halfway blitzed friend and heading out into the night. They chitchatted more as they walked, before stopping in front of another lit up store front.

“You sure about this now? They’re permanent.”

“I’ve been thinking about this for years. It’s just the perfect time to do it, it seems.” They walked in.

“Hey, Merlyn!”

“Merlyn?” A man about Roderich’s age came out from the back, arms covered in tattoo sleeves, ears pierced, everything. Sara smiled.

“He’s the best.”

“Sidle! What brings you here? You aren’t supposed to be here for another few weeks!” He reached across the counter and grabbed the woman into a bear hug. “And who’s this? Boyfriend?” He winked.

“No. He’s taken by someone else.” Roderich sputtered, glaring at the older woman. “He’s a friend and co-worker, teaches music. It’s HIS turn to go under your ink.”

“Oh really? So, what are you thinking?” He turned to Roderich. “And don’t tell me, you’ve already loosened him up for me, eh?” A smile answered his question.

“The F-Holes from a violin, here and here.” He indicated where while speaking. The man nodded reaching over and gently pulling up the back of Roderich’s shirt. The Austrian flinched, but otherwise didn’t move.

“This I can do. Come on back.” He motioned to the back room. “Sidle, you comin’?” Sara followed Roderich as they went back to ink up the prim and proper music teacher.

A few hours later, they emerged, Roderich flinching as he walked.

“What? Didn’t think it would hurt that much?”

“It actually wasn’t that bad.”

“You’re not sober yet, are you?”

“Nein.”

“Wait a few hours, then you’ll hate me.”