Summary: Life in Massachusetts is amazing and all, but home misses them. Do they miss home? And there's a promise that was made. Is it going to be broken?
Word count: 1106
Disclaimer: I don't own The Big Bang Theory or the characters.
Life in Massachusetts has been had been staying in Boston, where the university found a place for the both of them to stay. Even though Leonard had to drive twenty minutes every day to work, those moments they had in the morning just the two of them had been amazing. At night, once they were both back home together, they would video-chat with those they left behind, back in Pasadena. They were kept in the loop of everything that was happening. They saw the video of Michael's first steps, they 'had dinner' with Raj's new girlfriend – that quickly became ex-girlfriend, because Raj can't stop being Raj – and they would still help Sheldon whenever he had a nightmare.
Life was great.
But they only had two months left on their adventure, and that made them both a little sad. Sure, they couldn't wait to see their friends again, but in the last ten months, they had been so happy! They loved Massachusetts. It was, at first, just another big city, but after a few weeks, they realized it was more than that. They could themselves live there permanently.
But there was still the Sheldon issue. It all started on their Farewell Party.
The last day there had been a little weird. They both felt butterflies on their stomachs. They couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to be bad. Plus, they were worried and scared about moving somewhere so far from their comfort zone – even if it was only for twelve months.
They were away all day, the only thing they wanted was to get home and sleep.
But their friends had other plans, of course. The moment they opened the door, they all yelled 'Surprise!' making them both jump from surprise. There was alcohol and the conversation was basically all the same: We'll miss you.
With so much of that, Sheldon had run to his old bedroom, trying to calm himself down. Leonard was the only that realized it, so he excused himself and went to check on his big brother – even though Leonard acted more like the big brother, Sheldon was still three months older than him.
He found Sheldon curled up on his old bed, without any covers to hide the white, old mattress. He quietly approached the bed, trying not to make so much noise that would startle him. But he forgot one thing. Sheldon't Vulcan hearing.
When he first heard Leonard's steps he started to get ready for a hand on his back, but that never came. Instead, he could hear Leonard's breathing next to him, standing near him. If it had been at the beginning of their friendship, that would make Sheldon uncomfortable. Instead, just feeling Leonard there, made him feel better. How things have changed!
He turned around, but only his neck. He was still curled up in that mattress, that no matter how big it was, with the size that Sheldon had made it be so small. But somehow, to Leonard, seeing his best friend like that, curled up in a little ball like a small child waiting to be comforted, made Leonard shiver. He always saw Sheldon as emotionless and seeing him like that, almost as defenseless, it made him a little scared.
"Leonard?" Sheldon said, as a question. His voice was low as if he was scared Leonard would just disappear out of nowhere.
"I'm here, buddy!" Leonard said, smiling. And there it was, the feeling of protection Sheldon felt when Leonard put his hand on his back. He felt the mattress going down from the additional weight when Leonard sat near him. He felt his warmth. He felt like everything was okay and nothing could happen.
Except for the fact that his best friend was leaving.
"Are you okay?" Leonard asked. He was rubbing small circles on his back, comforting him. Sheldon felt a small smile wanting to evade his face.
"No." He meant to say yes, to lie. But he would immediately know he was lying, so why even bother with a lie. He felt the tears falling from his eyes no matter how much he tried to stop them from getting out.
"Hey, it's okay.," Leonard reassured.
"No, it's not," Sheldon said, getting up and sitting on the bed. "You're leaving!"
"I'll be back." Sheldon looked down when Leonard said that. "I promise."
That conversation took almost half an hour, ending in a hug, broken by the appearance of Howard and Raj that were just going to check if they were okay.
Leonard looked at Sheldon, and as his brother nodded, the four friends left the room, returning to the living room in time for the toast – that wouldn't happen without them both there.
"To Leonard and Penny!" They all said, all with a smile on their face. Leonard looked at Sheldon and smiled, and he returned the gesture.
"I want to make a toast," Sheldon announced. Groans were heard. "I want to thank Leonard, and Penny of course," Sheldon said looking directly at the people in question "for everything they did over the years. I'll miss you." He admitted.
Sure that Sheldon wasn't going to be the reason for them to be stuck where they were. But the thing was, they didn't feel stuck, per say. They just felt like they were more out there for them to know. But they just wanted to go home. To Pasadena.
After the two last months passed, Leonard and Penny had dinner to say goodbye to all the friends they made there over the course of that year. It was a fun evening, one they had to cut short because their flight left early the next morning.
They returned to the house they had been staying at for the last and feel in bed like a rock. Maybe even harder than a rock. So, when the alarm rang that morning, they didn't even hear it. They woke up one hour later – Leonard did, and he was internally thankful for Sheldon's bathroom schedule, since he only woke up to pee – so they quickly got everything in the car in under five minutes – somehow – and went to the airport still in pajamas, in Penny's case, and last night's clothes – in Leonard's case.
The whole gang was there with a big poster saying 'Welcome Back' made by Raj with the assistance of his young Goddaughter, Halley.
When they were spotted, hugs were delivered all around. Leonard pulled Sheldon apart.
"Promised we would come back." He said, with a smile on his face. Sheldon hugged him.
Yeah, they were staying in Pasadena for just a bit longer.
End of Chapter 2
Decided to continue this story. And instead of the two chapters, I'll write a third (and possibly a fourth) just to explain the few inconsistencies that exist in this story. Plus, this chapter was very Leonard/Sheldon. Need to change that... :)
