Author's note: Sorry that this chapter is short and took ages- uni is insanely demanding at the moment o_O Will have lots more time in about two weeks for updates so please stay tuned!
Sheldon was just finishing his meticulous packing when Penny knocked softly on the open door and entered the room. They had agreed to pack quickly due to the early hour of the trip tomorrow, but Penny had promised to come over as soon as she was finished. He was normally a fairly solitary being so it felt strange to him to be seeking comfort in another person, but Penny seemed to have a strangely calming effect on him even though he wasn't entirely sure why. Perhaps it was the strong sense of reliability that he had come to depend on in her— he was aware of the fact that he more than occasionally drove Penny mad, but she was always there for him no matter what and he had the distinct feeling that she always would be.
"Come in, Penny. I've completed my packing in record time. Normally I scan and categorise each item according to type and colour before packing it but under the circumstances I've dispensed with that particular organisational system for a slightly simpler one" he informed her, zipping up his small, neat suitcase and placing it to one side of his bed.
"I pretty much just threw in whatever I could find that was clean" she replied nonchalantly, but she smiled, inwardly relieved that Sheldon seemed at least slightly more like his usual self.
Sheldon said nothing at her blatant disregard for organisation but shot her an obvious eye roll to get his point across as he headed towards the bathroom to brush his teeth and change into his Monday pyjamas. As he neared Leonard's room he found himself relived that the door was shut- he was simply too exhausted to deal with potentially offending him with Penny's presence in his room. Having carried out his evening routine he returned to his room to find Penny sitting patiently on the edge of his bed, clearly having had the sense not to go touching things in his room.
"Thank you for staying with me, Penny" he said quietly as he climbed into his bed, allowing Penny to tuck him in the way she did when he was sick.
Penny smiled down at him, patting his arm lightly.
"Anytime, sweetie. That's what I'm here for"
He paused for a moment, unsure of whether or not he should vocalise his thoughts.
"You're a very good friend"
She gave him another of the warm smiles that he had grown so accustomed to and fond of.
"So are you, Sheldon. Now get some sleep" she replied, barely stifling a yawn.
He nodded, and closed his eyes but found they wouldn't stay shut for longer than a moment.
"Penny...you can't be very comfortable seated in that upright position without sufficient vertebrae support. You could..." he cleared his throat nervously "like down next to me if you like".
Penny hid her shock well.
"Thanks, that's sweet of you" she said, not bothering this time to conceal a large yawn.
Sheldon pulled the covers back and felt his stomach flutter strangely, the way it only ever did when he was around her, as she moved to lie beside him. He adjusted the quilt so it was covering her and turned towards her slightly, the fluttering sensation increasing as he felt the warmth radiating from her body. For a moment he just relaxed into the feeling of contentment he felt at her close proximity— the pleasant, familiar scent of vanilla oil, her expressive green eyes that were heavy with weariness, the silken strands of her long blonde hair gently tickling the exposed skin around his neck— then he did something that even he wasn't expecting. Leaning towards her a little more, he closed the small gap between them and gently pressed his lips to hers. He felt her hesitate for a fraction of a second then her body seemed to just melt into his touch, her hand reaching up to stroke his cheek. He moved his mouth slightly against hers, still trying to perfect this newly found experience, and decided by the way it felt that he must be doing something right. Slowly, tentatively, he parted his lips slightly and felt Penny do the same. Then, with the fluttering in his belly increasing to almost uncomfortable levels, he reached out to touch her hair and pull her closer to his body as their tongues met sensually. He felt lost in the sensation of it, his constantly whirring mind oddly still in the presence of this beautiful woman and her unspeakably soft lips, warm body and web of golden hair. It was almost peaceful, and he realised that it felt reminiscent of the confusing yet highly pleasurable feelings he had experienced in that first dream about Penny, the dream that had started this series of strange and completely unexpected events. Penny pulled away from him gently. Confused, and a little disappointed, he looked at her with questioning eyes. She gave him a small, apologetic smile; her eyes a hazy mix of fatigue and desire.
"Sheldon, believe me I don't want to stop this right now...I just don't want things going too far between us when you're upset and might end up regretting it. Do you understand that?" she asked him, stroking his face lightly.
Sheldon sighed.
"I do understand, Penny. I must admit that I'm not at all in my usual state of mind this evening"
He paused, licking his lips nervously.
"But I do enjoy kissing you" he admitted quietly.
"I enjoy kissing you too. Very much" Penny replied with a smile, then lent in towards him once again to place another sweet kiss on his lips.
And with that Sheldon closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep in her arms, appreciating for the first time in his life the pleasures of intimacy with another person.
A/N: Reviews are love :)
