Work Text:
Through the blood, smoke, and tears while holding her father’s body in her arms, Sara made her first real choice. She’d resolved to leave the jaeger life behind. She knew from then on that her life would go where she willed it. Even after the guild was driven out of Erebonia, she made the choice to stay as an instructor. She made the choice to do whatever it took to support her kids. And tonight, she’d resolved to go through with another life changing decision. At least, she hoped it would be.
It would be easier if her dear students weren’t so busy trying to sap her motivation.
“You have been running into her fairly frequently,” Elliot said.
“She’s the blue to your red. Isn’t that romantic?” Emma added.
“She balances out your irresponsibility.” Machias jabbed.
“Why are you all so hung up on my love life anyway?” Sara grumbled, swishing what little was left of her drink.
“You did bring it up a lot at Thors.” Rean responded.
From the comfort of Laura’s lap, Fie took the next shot. “Yeah. You should’ve seen this coming. Besides, even if you never told me much, you seemed happier back when you two were a thing.”
Jusis followed up. “Honestly, how you let go of anyone that managed to put up with your personality is beyond any of us.”
Sara sighed and looked around, begging for at least one sympathetic student.
Laura gave her a remorseful look. “Apologies instructor, I am obligated to support Fie on this matter.”
“You’re not. I promise you, you’re not.” Sara shook her head.
“Claire didn’t tell me much either, but she’d always brighten up when she’d go to see you. You’d make her day!” Millium’s eyes went wide. “And sometimes her night too!”
Most of the class reacted with utter disgust.
“Oh, grow up. Like you two don’t keep each other up?” Sara pointed at Jusis and Machias.
“Oh they def—”
“Millium!” Jusis and Machias shouted in unison.
“I keep Laura up all night.”
“Fie…” Laura responded in a defeated tone.
That was too much info for Sara. “Okay that’s enough of that.”
“We’ve just been worried instructor,” Gaius said.
“Not counting Claire, you’re pretty unlucky in love.” Crow shrugged.
“Guys, maybe we shouldn’t pressure her too much.” Alisa squeaked.
A few quizzical looks were thrown Alisa’s way. “Stop giving me that ‘oh, we thought you’d be the most likely to get in on this’ look! I’ve grown up!”
“The problem is Sara keeps setting her sights too high, like always.” Fie brought the conversation back.
“Sharon, please stop helping Julia serve us and back me up here. You’re a customer!” Sara pleaded.
Sharon walked to the table, setting down more trays of food. “Oh, are we talking about your passionate affair with Major Rieveldt?”
“Never mind, go back.” Sara slammed her head on the table. She raised her head and cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “Listen, I uh appreciate all of you caring so much. Thing is I already have someone in mind and it’s not Claire. I’m meeting them here tonight.”
Everyone stared and went from exclaiming their surprise to asking ‘who?’
“Ah, ah, ah.” Sara wagged her finger. “Next time. Now can we move on?”
They didn’t. Sara was barraged with several questions trying to pry any bit of information about who would possibly be meeting her here. Eventually they realized Sara wouldn’t budge and spent the rest of the reunion catching up.
Despite how awkward some of the earlier conversation felt, Sara knew it was a product of her own making. At least she could enjoy their time together in peace now. She interjected randomly, “next rounds on me!”
The party roared on until soon enough, it was time to leave.
“We’re done already?” Millium complained. “What happened to keeping the party rolling?”
Simultaneously, everyone else uttered in despair, “work.”
Alisa was staying in Raquel for the night, so Sharon insisted on helping clean up.
“Going for it tonight?” Julia whispered to Sara.
Sara nodded and took a deep breath. She’d been running the conversation over in her head. Soon. She waved goodbye to Julia once the tidying up was done and walked to the entrance with Sharon.
“Are you going to keep waiting?” Sharon asked, the concern palpable in her voice.
“Huh? Oh! No, no, I don’t have to wait.”
“I hope you didn’t lie to everyone. They’ll be heartbroken.”
“Hey! Have some faith.”
“Ah, perhaps you’re going to confess to the owner? You two do have a history, correct?”
Sara was about to speak when she felt a presence, several presences in fact. “Okay, look I know you’re all out there! I better not hear a word until I’m done!”
Silence responded to her exclamation.
“Lady Sara?”
“It’s you.”
“Pardon?”
“The person I’m going to dramatically confess to.”
This was the first time Sara had seen Sharon stunned by anything. No witty comeback or joke to deflect. “Everyone made several excellent points about your compatibility with the major.”
Sara laughed. “What I had with Claire was great, but it’s over and it has been for years. I know sometimes it looks awkward to other people, but we were just adjusting to being in the same space again. It’s not lingering feelings or anything, at least not from me.”
“I…” Sharon began and stopped, deep in thought. “I always believed you two would find your way to each other again.”
“I’m not really the biggest believer of fate or destiny. My life’s been defined by my choices. And right now, I’m choosing you.”
“…Then, I accept.”
“Phew, didn't realize how fast my heart was racing. Now I have a lot more I wanna say, but first...” Sara opened the door behind them, and the class nearly fell over each other. “Yeah, yeah let it out of your systems.” Sara slumped.
The class cheered and mobbed both of them. Sara still bore the brunt of the questions, but now that it was out in the open, she found it wasn’t so bad. Through the laughter and the noise, her eyes found Sharon’s, and when she saw Sharon's smile aimed at her, she knew. She made the right choice.