SGA Ficlet: Reset
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kat_lair***
Title: Reset
Author:kat_lair
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Rodney McKay/Radek Zelenka
Tags: Ficlet, Snow, Alternate Universe - Academia, Alternate Universe - Steampunk
Rating: G
Word count: 568
Summary: The snow falls on the courtyard, the quadrangle between the imposing stone buildings disappearing from view slowly but inexorably.
Author notes: Written forspiralicious for ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomtrees. This is unbetaed so if you spot a typo/mistake, you should absolutely tell me about it. Those AU tags promise more than the ficlet delivers but In My Head this is a very Dark Academia Steam Punk setting. They are building airships! The city state is rife with political intrigue! But this is just a moment of rest and pause amidst all of that...
Reset on AO3
The snow falls on the courtyard, the quadrangle between the imposing stone buildings disappearing from view slowly but inexorably. These are not beautiful fairytale flakes, but large, wet rags that look like someone had ripped a sheet apart and is showering the world with the remnants.
Radek tips his head back and lets them fall on his upturned face. The sky is dirty white, edging toward grey as the afternoon grows later. Everything is quiet. The students are still on the break for the winter solstice, and so are most of the staff. The university grounds and corridors and study rooms and libraries and laboratories are empty and silent. Radek loves it. It’s the perfect reset, and the absence of distractions and pressing duties makes room for new ideas and inspirations.
“What are you doing?” Rodney’s voice startles him badly enough that Radek jumps and promptly almost slips and falls on his arse on the slick cobbles, if not for Rodney grabbing him by the elbow the last second.
“Careful!” Rodney barks, his tone one of exasperation but his grip strong, not letting go until Radek is steady on his feet once more.
“Stop creeping on people,” Radek admonishes even though he knows it’s the snow that’s to blame, muffling footsteps and all other sound like a blanket.
“Who’s creeping?” Rodney brushes snow off Radek’s shoulders and from the top of his fur-lined hat. “You’re turning into a snowman,” he explains, awkwardly.
Radek is, despite his better knowledge, charmed.
Normally, he might attempt to cover it but now, with the snow still falling all around them, swirling hypnotically around the tall spires, and turning every hard angle into something softer, something almost magical, he doesn’t even try.
“I just stepped out for some fresh air,” he explains. “Enjoying the silence, I guess.”
“Oh,” Rodney says, shuffling sideways a few steps. “Sorry for disturbing you then. I’m just going to—”
“Rodney.” It comes out unbearably fond. “You’re fine.”
“Yes. Yes, of course, I am. It’s the students and other colleagues whose absence you’re luxuriating in.” There’s something of Rodney’s usual haughty superiority in his tone and general posture, but it’s softened by the slight flush on his cheek and the way the snow falls on his – uncovered! What is he thinking? – head, clumping his eyelashes together.
“Of course,” Radek agrees, smiling. “Some company is always welcome.” It’s not exactly subtle but the winter solstice always makes Radek feel braver, like he can start anew.
Rodney’s mouth opens but nothing comes out. In fact, Radek watches a particularly large snowflake land right on his bottom lip, making him splutter a bit.
“My experiment should be about done,” Radek continues, barely resisting the urge to reach out and wipe the lingering wetness off Rodney’s mouth. “The one for the next generation airships.” He cocks his head. “If you wanted to come and offer your opinion? I have some honey mead we could warm up…”
Wordlessly, Rodney grabs Radek by the elbow and starts walking them both towards the Faculty of Steam and Mechanics building. Radek grins and lets himself be dragged along, leaving the snowy courtyard behind. His workrooms will be toasty and cosy and there is almost a week left before the students return. A lot can happen in that time, and he has a feeling he and Rodney will make some exciting new discoveries indeed. Very soon, in fact.
***
Title: Reset
Author:
kat_lair Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Rodney McKay/Radek Zelenka
Tags: Ficlet, Snow, Alternate Universe - Academia, Alternate Universe - Steampunk
Rating: G
Word count: 568
Summary: The snow falls on the courtyard, the quadrangle between the imposing stone buildings disappearing from view slowly but inexorably.
Author notes: Written for
spiralicious for fandomtrees. This is unbetaed so if you spot a typo/mistake, you should absolutely tell me about it. Those AU tags promise more than the ficlet delivers but In My Head this is a very Dark Academia Steam Punk setting. They are building airships! The city state is rife with political intrigue! But this is just a moment of rest and pause amidst all of that...Reset on AO3
The snow falls on the courtyard, the quadrangle between the imposing stone buildings disappearing from view slowly but inexorably. These are not beautiful fairytale flakes, but large, wet rags that look like someone had ripped a sheet apart and is showering the world with the remnants.
Radek tips his head back and lets them fall on his upturned face. The sky is dirty white, edging toward grey as the afternoon grows later. Everything is quiet. The students are still on the break for the winter solstice, and so are most of the staff. The university grounds and corridors and study rooms and libraries and laboratories are empty and silent. Radek loves it. It’s the perfect reset, and the absence of distractions and pressing duties makes room for new ideas and inspirations.
“What are you doing?” Rodney’s voice startles him badly enough that Radek jumps and promptly almost slips and falls on his arse on the slick cobbles, if not for Rodney grabbing him by the elbow the last second.
“Careful!” Rodney barks, his tone one of exasperation but his grip strong, not letting go until Radek is steady on his feet once more.
“Stop creeping on people,” Radek admonishes even though he knows it’s the snow that’s to blame, muffling footsteps and all other sound like a blanket.
“Who’s creeping?” Rodney brushes snow off Radek’s shoulders and from the top of his fur-lined hat. “You’re turning into a snowman,” he explains, awkwardly.
Radek is, despite his better knowledge, charmed.
Normally, he might attempt to cover it but now, with the snow still falling all around them, swirling hypnotically around the tall spires, and turning every hard angle into something softer, something almost magical, he doesn’t even try.
“I just stepped out for some fresh air,” he explains. “Enjoying the silence, I guess.”
“Oh,” Rodney says, shuffling sideways a few steps. “Sorry for disturbing you then. I’m just going to—”
“Rodney.” It comes out unbearably fond. “You’re fine.”
“Yes. Yes, of course, I am. It’s the students and other colleagues whose absence you’re luxuriating in.” There’s something of Rodney’s usual haughty superiority in his tone and general posture, but it’s softened by the slight flush on his cheek and the way the snow falls on his – uncovered! What is he thinking? – head, clumping his eyelashes together.
“Of course,” Radek agrees, smiling. “Some company is always welcome.” It’s not exactly subtle but the winter solstice always makes Radek feel braver, like he can start anew.
Rodney’s mouth opens but nothing comes out. In fact, Radek watches a particularly large snowflake land right on his bottom lip, making him splutter a bit.
“My experiment should be about done,” Radek continues, barely resisting the urge to reach out and wipe the lingering wetness off Rodney’s mouth. “The one for the next generation airships.” He cocks his head. “If you wanted to come and offer your opinion? I have some honey mead we could warm up…”
Wordlessly, Rodney grabs Radek by the elbow and starts walking them both towards the Faculty of Steam and Mechanics building. Radek grins and lets himself be dragged along, leaving the snowy courtyard behind. His workrooms will be toasty and cosy and there is almost a week left before the students return. A lot can happen in that time, and he has a feeling he and Rodney will make some exciting new discoveries indeed. Very soon, in fact.
***