Love Is Hell

Chapter Twenty-Four: PDA Compatibility

–

–

It was Date Night and this time, Kate and Sheldon weren't with anyone else. Per the Roommate-Relationship Agreement, it was now Kate's turn to pick the movie. Sheldon of course had gotten his Red Vines from the convenient store and was drinking a Diet Coke; Kate drank Diet Coke, but instead of Red Vines, she was eating Reese's Pieces.

Sheldon watched Kate stand and put in a movie, intentionally hiding the title and its back cover.

"What are you plotting?" Sheldon inquired as she joined him on the couch.

"Don't worry, Sheldon; it's a movie you'll like."

"Oh really," he drawled.

"Yes, really," Kate replied emphasizing. She sat in her spot, and tucked her feet underneath her. As the movie started, showing Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Sheldon uttered a faint sound of amusement. Kate picked up her bag of Reeses and began eating them two at a time. Around her shoulders snaked an arm and then moved her towards the owner. Kate was a bit shocked when Sheldon convened the suggestion of cuddling; without complaining, Kate set down her bag of Reeses and moved her arms around his middle, lying her head on his shoulder. Her feet remained on the other side of the couch.

"Ooh, when did Sheldon want to cuddle?" Kate teased.

Sheldon looked down at her, saying, "Leonard brought something to my attention and I'm acting on it."

Kate looked at him.

"Leonard?"

"Yes." Sheldon said quietly.

"What'd he say?" asked Kate.

"Over all, he said a bunch of a nonsense but after a while, it had me doubting," Sheldon stated. "What I have taken from his thesis is that the reason we don't share our sexual encounters is because we keep our frivolity private."

Kate nodded and said, "All right, so we keep it private. What does that have to do with cuddling?"

"Well," Sheldon said slowly, "According to Leonard, because we don't express ownership of each other, bystanders would think the other is available. As I understand it..."

Kate sat up and paused the movie.

"Leonard thinks he owns Penny?" Kate remarked curtly.

Sheldon looked alarmed and said cautiously, "Would it be safer for me to quote him rather than paraphrase?"

"Yeah," Kate returned.

"Alrighty," Sheldon replied. He cleared his throat, saying, "Leonard said—and I quote—'Penny and I aren't just getting married because we love each other, Sheldon; it's just another way of saying that because we're married, no one can have Penny.' Unquote."

"Why did he even..."

Sheldon leaned towards Kate and said, "The reason the conversation initially came up was that Leonard took a risk in asking me if you've ever exploited our relationship, or, as he puts it 'kiss-and-tell'. I said you and I have an understanding that our relationship basically relies on its privacy sector. Leonard said that because we don't display any public affection, it gives others the pseudohint that we aren't serious."

Kate frowned, saying, "Sheldon, how come marriage came up?"

"That, Kate, is my fault. I asked Leonard if this was the reason he was marrying Penny, to, in a way, disband whatever other possible suitors there still may be for her," said Sheldon. He said as an afterthought, "Personally, I'm not in full disagreement with the idea."

Kate gave him a confused look and said, "Sheldon, you're the one that doesn't like public affection. I do it out of a favor to you."

Sheldon nodded quickly, saying, "And I appreciate it." He sighed, saying, "What Leonard said bothered me."

"What part? The owning Penny bit or Leonard being curious if I talk about my sex life? Because, frankly, both bother me."

"Neither of those bother me," Sheldon said.

"Then what?"

Sheldon licked his lips, the way he always did before he was bringing up something bothersome or anxious. He took the remote from Kate's hand and paused the movie. He looked at her.

"Kate, I'm going to entreat upon you something that's been bothering me for the past week or so," Sheldon told her.

"All right."

"In his own way, Leonard told me that if I don't publicly show those around me that you are my mate and no one else's, another compatible being will make himself available to you, therefore, possibly placing my place with you in jeopardy, which will inevitably become a break-up, and, for all intents and purposes, the ending to our friendship," said Sheldon slowly. "In order to secure what I understand to be a serious relationship, I've consolidated that I should be more willing to sacrifice whatever I can to keep your interest in me."

Kate stared at him for a long time.

"Sheldon," she finally said. "You really have to stop listening to Leonard and Howard's advice when it concerns me."

"Why is that?"

"Because, Sheldon, in no way possible could another man interest me and keep my interest for as long as you have," said Kate. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, saying, "You're so quirky that any other guy would be bore me."

Sheldon returned, "I don't understand."

Kate sighed and turned to him completely, sitting on her knees.

"Sheldon, look. If I cared about all that public affection crap, or having sex with you in public, I wouldn't have even thought about dating you," said Kate. "That's not what I want. And to clarify—cuddling in our apartment isn't a public display of affection; yes, we are in the living room but it's still considered privacy when no one is around. If the gang was here, that would be different."

Sheldon made a small "hmm" of bemusement. He looked at her curiously.

"So you're saying that no man would ever attract you as much as I do?" Sheldon replied.

"That's what I'm saying," said Kate. "And why would they? Even if they got me physically, you'll always be smarter, and let's face it, you've ruined regular smarties for me already."

Sheldon considered it and said sheepishly, "I have, haven't I?"

Kate smiled at him. She kissed him on the lips and he returned it.

"Now, can we watch the rest of this movie?" Kate asked. "When this one comes out on 3-D, I want to be prepared for the arrow shots."

Sheldon enthusiastically played the movie again. But, even after the discussion, Sheldon pulled her to him and they cuddled on the couch. Who cared if it was public or not. It was still cuddling.

Author's Note: That was my 'aww' moment. XD