I was feeling festive so decided to write a Christmas themed fic!
Sheldon is avoiding Amy and she doesn't know why
"Would you like to come Christmas shopping with me later today?"
"No thank you"
"Okay, well I was thinking of attending a lecture on Experimental Methods of Adjustable Tetrode Array Neurophysiology tomorrow. Would you like to join me?"
"Sorry, I have other arrangements tomorrow"
"Oh you'll like this. I heard there was a…."
But Amy was cut off as Sheldon cleared his throat, "Sorry Amy I have to go. Goodbye"
And with that, the screen in front of her minimised and with it, her boyfriend's face disappeared.
Amy sat back in her chair. That was very odd, even for Sheldon. She knew he wasn't much into Christmas and the whole present-buying ritual but did he really just pass up on the chance to attend such an intriguing lecture? Although neuroscience was not a particular interest of Sheldon's, he never failed to chaperone her, fully equipped with horrific questions prepared in aim of perplexing the lecturer.
Amy's frown cleared as a small smile flashed across her face in memory of how Sheldon always enjoyed displaying his intellectual dominance. This however, did not last long as her concerned look quickly returned.
She decided to seek guidance from Penny.
"I don't know what's happening but he's definitely trying to avoid me" Amy had told Penny the whole story, "He's been acting like this for a while and won't tell me what's wrong"
"He's probably getting stressed over some theory at work. Maybe it's Stuart's new opening times? Or, perhaps it's because Leonard found a dead fly in the fridge yesterday!" Penny smiled as she remembered Sheldon's reaction to the thought of pests and parasites contaminating his food.
Amy shook her head, "Actually there is something I thought might be worrying him"
"What's that then?" Penny asked, putting a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
"Well, the thing is, all this started the day after my birthday"
Penny looked confused. Amy raised her eyebrows and tilted her head forward, trying to see if Penny understood what she was saying. Finally, there was light in Penny's eyes as she realised the significance of that date.
"You think he's acting like this because you two slept together?" She opened her mouth wide, shocked at what Amy was saying, "Ames, I'm sure that's not it. He's barely been able to stop talking about it since"
"Really?" Amy seemed to relax slightly as if some of the stress had physically left her body.
"Definitely" Penny assured her, "What made you think that?"
"Well, it's just that Sheldon started acting weird a couple of days after. He seemed to enjoy what we did, he stayed at my apartment all of the next day. Ever since then I haven't really seen him. It's just been quick video chats or phone calls. I'm worried he's regretting it"
Amy's eyes looked down to the ground as if she was ashamed of herself, it was her fault that Sheldon was not satisfied and worrying, she had pushed him too far.
"Amy. I know what that look is. This is 100% not your fault and it's not even true. Even if you haven't heard much from Sheldon, I've heard a lot and he does not regret anything. Seriously, he came home afterwards grinning like a Cheshire cat. He loves you"
"Well if that's not the reason he's been avoiding me, then what is?" Amy asked, exasperated and tired. Figuring out Sheldon was always a chore. She wanted nothing more than to go back in time to the night of her birthday when everything just seemed to make sense.
"I don't know" Penny replied, her eyes squinted in suspicion, "But I'm going to find out"
"Don't you think Amy's beginning to suspect something?" Leonard asked Sheldon from his desk.
Sheldon was sat in his spot, laptop on his knees, "Please Leonard! I think I did a pretty good job of covering my tracks. Didn't you hear me earlier? I refused all of her invitations. I think I'm getting much better at lying" Sheldon proudly closed his laptop and stood to make his way to the kitchen.
"Buddy, I'm not sure avoiding her is the best way to do this. You'll have to face her eventually"
"Yes obviously I know that, stop pointing out the obvious" Sheldon rolled his eyes, "But I'm not quite ready yet. I need more time and more planning"
"I know you're worried but don't let it get to you. You don't want to give it away" Leonard offered his advice, knowing how bad Sheldon truly was at lying.
Sheldon was about to counteract until the door to the apartment flew open and Penny marched in.
"Sheldon Lee Cooper, what the hell are you doing? Amy's just been here worried sick that she's done something to make you upset. She thinks it's all her fault that you've been acting completely ridiculous, more so than usual. Tell her what is wrong or you'll lose her again. I know for a fact that you are completely and utterly in love with her so why are you avoiding her?"
Penny was now face to face with Sheldon, only the bottle of water he was holding was in between them for protection. Leonard had swivelled in his chair, leaving his work to watch Sheldon squirm under the intense gaze of his wife and the shock of being shouted at.
"Told you" Leonard smirked, "Amy noticed how weird you've been"
Sheldon gulped but was not intimidated by Penny, "Yes, well I suppose she of all people would be able to decipher me. Although I thought my acting was pretty good!" He smiled to himself.
"Guys! Answer my questions! What's going on? Why have you been acting weird and avoiding Amy?" Penny pressed for answers, partly to help her friend but she was also a little curious too.
Sheldon looked across to Leonard as if searching for advice.
"It's okay. I think you should tell her" Leonard nodded.
"Tell me what? What is going on?" Penny was beginning to get exasperated and angry. What was such a secret that they couldn't tell her?
"Very well" Sheldon replaced the lid to his water and turned to place it on the island behind him. He turned to face Penny again and took a deep breath.
"I plan on proposing to Amy"
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
By the way, I had to google Amy's lecture title and I'm sorry if it's wrong or doesn't exist :P