Sheldon didn't know what to do. Why he blurted out I love you so impetuously to Penny remained a mystery to him. He had always had total control over his emotions, and his tongue too even when he had an overwhelming urge to retort one of Leonard's snarky comments or Howard's joking remark. And now he'd gone and broken Amy Farrah Fowler's heart. She was such a sweet girl. Ugh, why can't my heart agree with my head for once?
And Leonard was giving him the silent treatment.
'Leonard... why are you not talking to me? I haven't done anything to deserve this. If this is about what I did to Amy and what I said to-' he stopped midway, realising he haden't told anyone about what he'd confessed to Penny. 'I mean, I have already expressed my most sorrowful apologies to Amy. '
'That's not what I'm thinking. It's Penny. ' Leonard glowered. 'I know what happened.'
'Oh Leonard... it meant nothing to me.' Sheldon felt a shock pulse through his heart as he said the words and he gasped aloud, taken aback by this sudden wave of pain.
'Don't lie to me, Cooper. ' Leonard fixed him with the most condescending sneer.
'Let's be logical here. Even if I do have feelings for her, does that mean she'll return my affections? Even you know what that answer is.' Sheldon forced himself to say.
'Sheldon. Don't even try the pity card on me. You always think so highly of yourself, do you expect me to believe your ego has hit an all time low all of a sudden?' Leonard clenched his jaw tightly.
Sheldon's temples throbbed, like it sometimes did when he was solving an exceptionally perplexing theorem. 'You're right. I always have prided myself on my intelligence. But that's where it ends. I lack the most basic social skills and a love life. You've dated Leslie Winkle, even engaged in coitus with her. I am but a blank slate. I am in what most men would have already experienced, which is my first kiss and first infatuation. That's all there is.' Sheldon said honestly. 'I wish you all the best in your pursuit of Penny. I believe you will achieve where I have failed.'
He hightailed out of the apartment.with his coat before Leonard could answer. Thank God he'd on his bus pants. It would be embarrassing to dart back in.
At the same time, the door opposite their apartment opened.
'Good morni- Sheldon. ' Penny's bleary eyes shot wide open.
'Morning, neighbour. I'm off to work now, let's continue our small talk in the evening. ' Sheldon started to descend the stairs.
'Sheldon wait! ' Penny called out. 'I have something to say to you.'
'If it isn't of particular importance -'
'It is.' Penny held his gaze firmly.
'Penny...'
'Sheldon. I'm sorry I took off like that last night. I shouldn't have. It's just, the whole concept of you... you having these feelings for me....'
'Do you think I'm lying? Because Penny, I am frankly rather insulted by what you're insinuating here.'
'No, that's not what I mean. It's just...nobody has ever told me that.'
'Bazinga was my idea.' Sheldon said warily.
'I'm not kidding. Sure, I've been out with a ton of guys, slept with them, fooled around way too many times. But none of us ever came close to the real thing, yknow? And growing up in the shadow of my popular and smart sister didn't help matters. Especially not after she moved away and I was the only one facing the brunt of my mother's violence all because of her drug habit. I'm not prepared for this. I never was.' Penny stared down at her chipped toenails, knowing the image of her dishevelled in her PJ's didn't help with anything at all.
'I was not either. ' Sheldon said quietly. 'As you would have known, I didn't even have feelings for Amy, and she was my very first proper girlfriend. I was convinced I would be a spinster. Not that I minded,' he added in his typical manner of defending himself. 'But you came into my life. Our lives. And you just...you just did what no other girl could to me.'
Penny felt a ghost of a smile linger on her chapped lips. 'Sheldon, I have feelings for you too. I'm just not ready to commit yet. '
'I know.' Sheldon nodded quietly. 'We'll remain friends. I'm fine with that.'
'I don't mean friends.' Penny corrected. 'Sheldon Cooper... would you be my boyfriend? '
'Penny... I would. I very much would. ' Sheldon was still standing at an awkward arm's length distance from her. Grinning, Penny pulled him in and hugged the tall stick of a nerd, not quite believing still that she'd asked him out, not quite processing the fact that someone actually liked her- she wasn't ready for the other l word- for who she was.
'Penny... I am now caught between a rock and a hard place.' Sheldon hung his head like a pitiful puppy.
'What is it? Oh.' It dawned on her within seconds. 'I think... I know it isn't right but to save him from his feelings... Let's not tell him about it. Yet. '
'But that will be violating the Roommate Agreement. And I did promise. '
'You're not breaking it. You're just not telling him for now.' Penny said firmly.
'Fine. I don't have a good feeling about this but I guess you have a point.' Sheldon nodded like a little boy.
'Try to cheer him up. And Sheldon? '
'Yes? I'm going to be late at this rate.' he said frantically.
'The bet still stands.' Penny flashed him a cheeky smile before closing the door on him.
She was going take a day off from work for a day of relaxing at home. Cracking open a bottle of red wine, she curled up on her green couch, legs on top of the coffee table and glossy magazine on her lap.
She deserved this. She needed this.
Her heart sped up when she thought of what Bernadette would say about this. And Amy -she knew Amy didn't like her, but she and Bernadette were still on good terms. She hoped that her clandestine relationship with Sheldon would only last long enough and hopefully not have to suffer the wrath of anyone.
She quickly immersed herself in the world of Hollywood and latest fashion trends before her thoughts could spiral even further.
There's nothing I should be worried about. What matters is, at least Sheldon and I are together.
A/n: shenny is officialllll! Of course not everyone will be happy once they get found out (it has to happen sooner or later) . What drama will happen next? Stay tuned (':