A/N: Shorter one than usual.

I gotta admit, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I wanted to make sure it stuck to cannon, but you all know how hard that is for me lol. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy :)

Prompt: Follow up to the couch scene in 12x9

Leonard and Penny didn't stay. In fact, after the mango stick rice issue, they dismissed themselves to their own apartment. There was nothing that they could do to help them after all. After spending all day cooped up at home, wallowing in self-pity, Amy and Sheldon didn't have it in them to do much of anything.

Amy herself hardly slept the night before, and the way Sheldon tossed and turned told her that he didn't sleep much either. She could understand why. This was supposed to be his breakthrough, the thing that gave him what he always wanted. The prize that he thought would define his success. The Nobel was what Sheldon had been striving for his entire life, Amy was not blind to that, but she had never seen him this let down by a setback before.

Sure, she was just as excited about the idea of super-asymmetry and the prospect of a Nobel, but she knew that it meant so much more to Sheldon. He'd dedicated years of his life to this research, and he finally cracked it at their wedding of all places. He was always so giddy when they made progress with the theory. It was devastating to watch his excitement deflate after learning their theory was no good.

Amy had to make Sheldon so much tea that day. He seemed so numb to everything, but maybe that was just exhaustion. He was also unusually quiet, cradling his mug and staring intently at the coffee table. Until their friend's left, then his behavior changed. He fidgeted, and his blinking was rapid. And Amy wasn't sure, but she thought she saw him wipe his face with his sleeve out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm gonna go lie down for a bit," Sheldon told her suddenly, tapping her knee. He didn't give a moment to respond and bolted off to the bedroom quickly.

Amy turned to watch him go. She debated whether or not to follow him. On the one hand, alone time might actually be helpful for him. Sheldon needed a lot more time to process than the average person. Even Amy herself had to find a way to come to terms with this "loss".

But on the other hand, Sheldon made impulsive decisions when he was by himself. More so when he was in distress. Perhaps she should simply check on him, make sure he was alright and then leave him be.

Ultimately, Amy decided to clean up a little before she said anything to him. The mess had to be driving him crazy, just as it was her. But that had to tell her something about Sheldon's mental state… him not caring about the disorder in their apartment.

Amy knew she had the right to be upset herself, but she was worried about what this was doing to her husband more than anything. She saw the way his lip quivered the night before when she told him how he was really feeling. Amy stayed up with him into the early hours of the morning looking for any kind of solution. And when they didn't find one, she saw the emptiness in his eyes. That scared her because she knew what that look meant. He was shutting down on her. Looking for a way to protect himself emotionally because science could no longer do that for him.

As Amy threw away the last of the empty food containers, she wondered what was waiting for her behind the bedroom door. There was no sound coming from that side of the apartment, and it was eerily quiet. She ran her fingers through her hair just as she stopped in front of the threshold. Amy listened once more for any kind of noise, but still, nothing came.

Without knocking, Amy slowly opened the door. The sight of her husband clutching her pillow, back turned, greeted her. His breath was uneven and broken, but his frame was as still as a statue.

"Sheldon?" Amy pried carefully. No response. "Are you ok? Do you need anything?"

He shook his head, rustling the pillow beneath him.

Hesitantly, Amy sat down on the sliver of the bed behind him. Tenderly, she rested her hand in the ever so slight dip of his hip. Sheldon flinched, but he did not push her away. "Talk to me," Amy pleaded. "What's going on?"

Sheldon nestled his head further into the pillow. "This was supposed to be my Nobel, Amy," he said quietly.

"Oh, Sheldon, I know."

Even from his side profile, Amy could see the tear escape his eye. "I thought this was my breakthrough. But like all of my other work, it's never going to amount to anything."

Amy gaped at his uncharacteristic insecurity. At least regarding his intelligence. Like everyone, Sheldon lacked confidence in some aspects of his life, but brainpower was never one of them. "Sheldon, that's not true," Amy tried, gently rubbing his side.

"Yes, it is!" Sheldon exclaimed, raising his voice. His body shook now, the barrier he had built around himself all day finally coming down. "I'm sorry I couldn't figure this out for you, Amy. I'm sorry I wasn't smart enough," he sobbed.

Amy moved quickly, laying down behind him trying to wrap her arms protectively around him. His frame was much bigger than hers, yet, he became like a small child as his body curled in on itself. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she clutched him tightly, hoping it would calm him down. Amy could feel the tears running down his face as she nuzzled closer to him.

Eventually, Amy felt Sheldon grip onto her forearm that was lying across his chest. His uneven breathing had slowed. His face was dry and puffy now.

Amy squeezed him a little bit tighter. "I know how disappointed you are, Sheldon. I'm feeling the same way. But I love you no matter what. Remember that, ok?"

Sheldon didn't nod. "But what if-"

"Shhh," Amy stopped him. "Nobel or no Nobel, I will always love you." She kissed his cheek softly, leaving him no room for argument.

Sheldon turned in her arms, the motion pushing her so she was now laying on her back. He leaned on one of his elbows, looking down on her. "I love you too."

Amy reached out to cup his cheek. He immediately burrowed into her hand. "We're going to figure this out. But not right now. I just want you to shut your mind off tonight, Sheldon. Rest."

He nodded.

Amy had expected him to insist she move from his side of the bed, but instead, he simply fell down into her embrace again. Using her chest like a pillow and curling into her comforting warmth, Amy couldn't say no to him. Sheldon was never one to willingly initiate cuddling often. The only time he did was after coitus. So, if he wanted to be held by her, to be the little spoon, then Amy would happily give in to his wishes.

Eventually, Sheldon fell asleep, but his brow remained furrowed, and his muscles still tense. Amy had calmed the storm for the night, but this was only the beginning. She knew Sheldon was going to take this hard and that the road ahead of them was bumpy. But they were married now, surely they could get through it together.

Amy just hoped they had enough tea to get them through it.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading your support means the world to me!