Support me on pat_reon.com/kapur69 (Delete "_") and read for 85 chapter ahead or more.
Disclaimer, i own nothing but my own idea.
-----------------
3rd POV
Sheldon continued staring at Leonard, waiting for him to give a valid reason why he should leave the apartment they both paid rent for—not merely crash in.
Leonard thought for a moment, then finally spoke. "You don't even like Leslie. So maybe it's better if you're not here, instead of… picking a fight with her."
Sheldon frowned for hearing that statement, "As a fellow scientist, I find Dr. Winkle's methodology and research utterly ridiculous. And yes, she has been consistently unkind to me. But as a human being pursuing the mysteries of the universe, I respect that."
Leonard's jaw dropped. He hadn't expected that to come out of Sheldon's mouth. "…Then why did you stare her down in the university cafeteria earlier?"
Sheldon opened his mouth to ask for clarification, but the memory hit him before he could. He gave a curt nod. "Leonard, I just told you—she's mean and unstable. I have no obligation to amuse her further."
With his Vulcan hearing, he caught Leonard muttering under his breath: "…Weird, hearing that from you…"
Sheldon ignored it and continued, his tone steady, his blue eyes locked on Leonard with unusual seriousness. "As my brother once told me and forgive me if the phrasing lacks elegance, because these are his words, not mine—"
Sheldon paused deliberately, making Leonard lean in, curious to hear what would come next because this is his brother words, the one who Sheldon gives high respect to.
Sheldon cleared his throat, fixing Leonard with a steady gaze. "This is a quote from my brother," he began, his tone unusually measured. "Back when people wouldn't stop talking about him and his name was everywhere in the entertainment world."
Sheldon's lips twitched into a faint, incredulous smirk. "'I don't care if people talk shit about me. I was raised to flush shit down the toilet, not play with it.'"
(A/N : I saw this quote on Instagram post by callmegrand)
A chill ran down Leonard's spine, goosebumps prickling across his arms. He stayed quiet, listening and caught off guard by the weight behind Sheldon's words.
Amusing, in its own way. Hearing Sheldon of all people deliver a quote like that.
But Sheldon didn't stop, "I tried to change Leslie's perspective on her so-called research. But the hard truth is… science is science." His tone sharpened. "....Well, except geology. That's just rock collecting."
There was the arrogance Leonard knew too well. He scowled, not sure if Sheldon was serious or just enjoying himself.
"But hey, We need people to research it, I suppose," Sheldon went on with a sly smirk, his sarcasm practically dripping. "Maybe they'll find something… eventually."
Leonard only nodded, biting his tongue. He was, after all, firmly on the String Theory team and not Loop Quantum Gravity.
"...So tell me again, Leonard," Sheldon said, folding his arms. "Why should I leave the apartment? Are you wasting my time? Save that for your experiments. What we actually need right now is to order dinner."
Just like that, the brief spark of gravitas vanished, replaced by Sheldon's usual brand of casual insult.
Leonard snapped back to focus, desperate. "Sheldon, please! I already ordered food for my date with her. How about this…" He paused, then smirked, thinking he'd found leverage. "If science ever produces a second member of your species, I'd be more than happy to go out of your way!."
Sheldon tilted his head, parsing the words carefully. He recognized the sarcasm, of course, the sting of being excluded from humanity. It hurt. But then again, Sheldon had already classified himself as Homo Novus, the next step in human evolution to his friends, not included his family of course.
So he sucked it up, sighed, and said simply, "Alright, Leonard—"
Just then, his phone buzzed with a new message.
Leonard perked up, relief spreading across his face from Sheldon words and his acceptance.
"Hm," Sheldon muttered, reading it quickly. He typed a curt reply, slipped the phone back into his pocket, and looked up.
"Alright, Leonard. This apartment is yours for the night." He grabbed his jacket. "You two kids have fun."
And with that, he headed for the door, leaving Leonard blinking after him in disbelief.
But hey, he got apartment for the night! So it's a win for him.
—------
Sheldon descended the stairs with quick, light steps. The unexpected message he'd received still lingered in his mind, someone he hadn't heard from in a long time. He wasn't sure where the night would take him, but at least he wouldn't be wandering aimlessly while Leonard turned their apartment into his love nest.
On the second floor landing, he crossed paths with Penny. She looked exhausted, still in her Cheesecake Factory uniform, her hair slightly out of place.
"Hello, Penny," Sheldon greeted politely as he passed. And then, without missing a beat, "Goodbye, Penny."
Penny froze, staring at him. Did he just say hello and goodbye at the same time? Her brow furrowed. Is he avoiding me?
"Wait!" she blurted, grabbing his arm. "What are you doing?"
Sheldon blinked at her, glancing at her hand still clamped around his sleeve. "I am… going out," he said slowly, as though the jacket and staircase hadn't made it obvious.
"Yes, I can see that." Penny grit her teeth, then forced herself to breathe. This was Sheldon, after all. "What I mean is… where are you going?"
"Ohh." Sheldon nodded, comprehension dawning. "You should have been more specific. It's more accurate to say 'Where are you going' rather than 'What are you doing,' Penny."
Her stare flattened into a deadpan glare. "Yes, fine. That. Now tell me!."
Sheldon glanced down at her hand still on his arm. "...Do you intend to continue this interrogation while holding onto me? I would prefer you let go before I am forced to touch you back."
Penny blinked, then quickly released him before he gave a satisfied nod.
"Leonard has a date with Dr. Winkle," Sheldon explained matter-of-factly. "He requested I vacate the premises."
"Oh…" Penny nodded, absorbing that words. But her curiosity shifted away from Leonard almost immediately to Sheldon, "So… where are you going?"
Sheldon hesitated. "Uhm. Outside the building of course."
Penny raised her brows, arms folding across her chest. "Sweetie, you've got to be more specific than that. Like, 'I'm going to the university,' or, 'I'm going to the Cheesecake Factory.' Something like that."
Sheldon narrowed his eyes, lips twitching. "You enjoy that, don't you? Turning my own words against me."
"Yeah," Penny chuckled, then softened again. "But seriously, where are you going? It's night Sheldon. Are you sure you should be wandering around alone? Do you… want me to come with you?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Penny realized she'd just offered herself to the shark circling her.
Sheldon straightened, his face unreadable. "I… am going to meet my friend. Yes. No."
Penny exhaled, half amused. Turns out, the shark's gay, she thought, fighting a smile.
"Well, say hi to Howard or Raj for me, alright, sweetie?" Penny said before leaning in and planting a quick kiss on Sheldon's cheek. Then she turned and started back up the stairs toward 4B.
Sheldon froze, resisting the urge to correct her words. Thankfully, Penny didn't see the expression twisting across his face.
Instead, he turned and continued down the staircase in silence. Strangely enough, he felt… relieved. Relieved that Penny was still treating him the same, despite whatever tension had lingered between them earlier.
Outside, the cool night air greeted him as he stepped out of the building. Sheldon glanced around, scanning for the mysterious figure he'd agreed to meet.
"Sheldon!"
The voice was unmistakably female. His eyes landed on her, Paige Swanson.
"Paige." A rare, small smile tugged at his lips as he walked toward her.
"Let's go! Missy's already waiting!" Paige grinned, grabbing his arm and tugging him toward her car.
Sheldon stumbled, blinking. "Wait….what do you mean Missy's already waiting? I thought this was just you and me!" His voice pitched higher, almost theatrical in its shock.
Paige's brows furrowed, then arched with a teasing smirk. "Ohhh… you thought I was asking you on a date?"
Sheldon's mouth twitched. It had been far too long since he'd been subjected to her brand of sarcasm. "Of course not. I simply dislike surprises."
"Well, get used to it." Paige shrugged, her grin widening. "I'm only in town for a few days, and I plan to hang out with you while I'm here."
"Please, no…" Sheldon muttered, shaking his head in dismay as they entered her car.
Paige only laughed, tapping the steering wheel thoughtfully. "Hmm… maybe I should drop by your university, then?"
"Please don't!" Sheldon all but shouted, the panic on his face sending Paige into smug delight.
"Haha, alright, alright." She chuckled darkly, starting the engine without sparing him a glance.
Sheldon knew exactly how mischievous she could be and Paige was every bit as willful as Missy. Which meant if she said she'd do something, she would. "…You're going to show up at the university anyway, aren't you?" Sheldon asked, narrowing his eyes at her from the passenger seat.
Paige's lips curved into a mock-sweet smile.
"Oh, Shelly…" she cooed, deliberately using the nickname just to needle him. "You know me so well."
"…" Sheldon exhaled heavily, already calculating how to keep her from disrupting his work hours and comfort.
Paige chuckled at his silence. A genius herself, she didn't need telepathy to know what he was thinking. "It's useless, Shelly. I like coffee. So I hope you've got good coffee in your office."
Sheldon grimaced, sinking back into the premium leather seat of her car. "Is this your new car? Or a company vehicle?" he asked, running his hand along the armrest.
"It's a company car," Paige said with a sideways glance, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "I just borrowed it while I'm in town." She let the beat hang before adding, softer: "I missed you too, by the way."
Sheldon frowned. "...I never said I missed you." Paige's grin widened, "And you never said you didn't."
He squinted at her, then chose the safest option—ignore her. "Where are you taking me? I haven't had dinner yet, and tonight is Chinese food night."
Paige waved him off with a casual flick of her hand. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Missy already ordered from your usual place."
Sheldon gave a satisfied nod at that, but pressed again "Then where exactly are you taking me?"
Paige's grin turned wicked. "I saw your video…" She suddenly raised her arm like a conductor calling for applause. "We're going to a bar!"
Meanwhile, in apartment 4B, Penny had just stepped out of the shower, towel-drying her damp hair. Her mind replayed that strange little collision with Sheldon earlier. She didn't know exactly where he'd gone, but she guessed he was probably at Raj's place, gaming with Howard.
So she grabbed her phone and shot Raj a quick text, asking if Sheldon was with him.
'He's not here. Why are you asking?' Raj replied quickly.
Penny frowned, then explained that Leonard had a date with Leslie and had basically kicked Sheldon out of the apartment.
'Yeah, I know Leonard's got a date tonight. But I don't know where Sheldon went. Did you try texting him or asking Leonard?' came Raj's response.
Penny sighed, set her phone aside, and tugged on her usual lounge wear, just pajamas and shorts, before heading across the hall.
But before she could knock on 4A, voices carried right through the door.
"…How could you not say anything to him?! You're supposed to be on my side, Leonard!" Leslie's voice rang sharp.
Penny froze, her eyes widening.
"…Leslie, please…. I mean, he wasn't completely wrong about that…" Leonard's muffled protest followed.
Penny tilted her head, listening closer. Don't judge her, every women loved a little gossip.
"…Tell me, Leonard! How are we supposed to raise children if we can't even agree on this?!..." Leslie shot back.
Penny's jaw dropped. Children?! She leaned in even closer.
"…I guess we'd just let them choose their own theory," Leonard said carefully. "Besides, I'm more than just 'Team String.' Maybe we could show them how healthy competition can be..."
Penny pictured his smug little smile at that, thinking he'd just solved the problem.
"Oh, bad move, Leonard… you always side with your wife," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
A moment later came Leslie's cold reply:
"...Wow. I'm glad I figured out the truth about you before we took this any further...."
Footsteps followed. Penny jumped back just in time, retreating into her own apartment as the door to 4A slammed open and shut. Knowing Leslie already gone, Penny come outside again and walking to 4A door.
When she peeked out again, Leonard was slumped on the couch, already looking like a kicked puppy. "Hey," Penny said gently, stepping over. "....Bad date, huh?"
Leonard lifted his head, face miserable. "Yeah… what's going on?" He stood, halfheartedly clearing the mess of plates from the coffee table.
"Uhmm… never mind." Penny almost asked about Sheldon, but seeing Leonard like this made her drop it.
Instead, she leaned against the doorframe, grinning just enough to tease. "...Just Little advice…You should probably listen to your wife, Leonard."
He groaned, shoulders slumping. "You heard that, huh?"
"Yup," Penny said, already backing toward the hall. "Anyway, there are plenty of girls out there. Just keep looking, Leonard." She gave a small wave before disappearing back into her apartment.
Leonard exhaled, heavy and defeated. The girl he really wanted was just across the hall. But she still didn't want that to happen between them.