Author's note:

While I've watched every episode of "The Big Bang Theory" (and "Young Sheldon") at least once, I'm far from what you'd call a huge fan of the show. With that in mind, please go easy on me if you find anything that contradicts canon-the following came to me as a plot bunny, and I thought I'd give it a go. Also, if you do like it, please let me know in a comment! Takes place during "The Imitation Perturbation."

"Hey, why aren't you in your costume?" Amy asked, trying not to let her annoyance show too much.

"I just didn't feel like it," Sheldon replied, unperturbed.

"You get that I'm wearing a corset because of you, not because I'm tired of breathing?"

Later that night, their conversation played over and over in Amy's head. Sheldon had mostly ignored her quip about breathing, choosing instead to focus on himself-which wasn't that unusual, for him. For once, Amy had been glad for her husband's oddities.

The thing was, she hadn't chosen the costume solely for Sheldon. Amy had loved the world of "Little House on the Prairie" practically since she could read. She'd devoured the books, then the slightly less accurate TV show. One of the things that had bugged her about the show, if she were to be completely honest with herself, was how far they sometimes strayed from the books. Mary was, at times, almost as fearless about getting into trouble as Laura. Ma was certainly more modern than her historical fiction counterpart. In the TV show, corsets were practically never worn, and when they were, it was by the overweight Mrs. Oleson, as a way to look slimmer. Not that she usually wore one.

Amy wasn't an expert on the fashions of the 1870's and 1880's, but she did know that, even on the prairie, most women wore them for modesty and for fashion. Caroline Ingalls had been proud that Charles could span her waist with her hands before they were married. Not anymore, as Laura once pointed out, but then, Caroline was much older, and had given birth to several children. It was little wonder her waist had expanded during this time. Mary's waist, too, had probably been as small as her mother's, given the praise Laura and Ma gave her when she donned her fancy dress before going away to school. Even Laura, although she'd disliked her corsets at first, ended up with a small enough waist before she married Almanzo.

While her love of the "Little House" series didn't extend to wanting to dress like that every day, when it came time to pick a costume for Penny's annual party, she figured now was as good a time as any to choose something historical. The two found the perfect costume for Amy-a beautiful light purple dress with a matching hat. The dress was more narrow than she would have preferred, but wide enough that she could walk easily, especially if she lifted up the skirts.

"It's been sitting here for over a year," the saleswoman, wearing a red name tag that said "Marla," lamented. "Rather larger than what most people want to wear. It might fit you, though," she added, giving Amy an evaluative look.

It didn't. Not in the waist, at least. When Amy tried to pull the buttons over her frame, they just wouldn't fit.

"You'll need a corset underneath," Marla explained. She studied the undone buttons. "We have some over there, if you want to look."

Since the store was empty, Amy didn't mind (much) shedding the dress and heading over in just the chemist and petticoats. The corset collection wasn't exactly vast, but it sure wasn't as small as the selection of historical dresses that could fit her frame. Most of them would fit Penny, but there were a few larger ones that might fit around Amy. Or mostly around her.

"Let's see if any of these fit," Marla determined, choosing four and steering Amy back into the changing area.

Before Amy could protest, Marla was strapping the corset around her, then flattening the metal buttons ("clasps," Marla explained later) around her. The corset covered Amy from around the middle of her breasts to just below her hips.

"Take a deep breath," Marla commanded, "and I'll tighten you in three inches."

From the reflection in the mirror, Amy could see Penny wearing an expression of doubt, clearly wondering if she should intervene. Amy gave the slightest shake of her head. If she passed out, at least they'd know that this would be a waste of time. But if she could manage, even if it was really uncomfortable, it would be worth it to turn the head of Sheldon.

Even if there was no way she'd ever get her waist small enough for him to be able to span his hands around it.

The first corset fitted her poorly. Amy could see this as soon as Marla began pulling on the ribbons. Too small in the chest, and in the hips. While she can still breathe enough to say, "I don't think this is the right one," she can feel it exerting pressure, force, on her. But, maybe, that's the way they're supposed to fit?

If so, Amy felt a pang of sympathy for her female ancestors.

But Marla was quick to agree. "Your hips and breasts are too big for this model," she explained, briskly, and immediately began to loosen it, then removed it.

Amy's hips, if they could speak, would have thanked the employee.

The second one practically swallows her up. Forgot not being able to breathe, it almost falls down. It's only the fact that Marla has tightened her in three inches that it stays on her waist. The image is almost comical, really.

The third corset is somewhere in between the first two. Amy had a feeling that she'd lose feeling in her hips if she wore it for more than a few hours, but it doesn't exactly crush them. The fit in the bust is perfect--it supports her breasts without pushing them down. In fact, Amy thought as she glanced in the mirror, it looks like she's gone up at least one bra size.

But it's the fourth corset that's perfect. It's smaller in the waist--if Marla were to close it entirely, she'd have to take Amy in five inches. Way more than needed for the costume.

"But you don't need to lace it closed for it to fit," Marla explained, as she finished pulling on the ribbons. "Lots of women back then wore their corsets with a gap of an inch or so. Anyway, no one at the costume party will see it. So. What do you think?"

Amy stared at herself in the mirror. It's pale blue, not her favorite color, and with more lace than she would have liked. Still, it's pretty, in a girly way. And it's a good, comfortable fit. She took in a deep breath with ease, finding her lungs didn't protest. Moreover, it supported her breasts and hugged her hips without either swallowing them up or crushing them. After another deep breath, Amy nodded, allowing herself a smile.

"I think this is the one."

Marla smiled, nodding her approval. "It's a good fit, I can tell."

After unlacing her--Amy can't help but feel a small sense of disappointment, because the corset did feel comfortable, like being wrapped in a warm hug--Marla rang everything up. Amy tried not to balk at the total, but then, she can probably wear the costume more than once.

"Sheldon will flip out when he sees you!" Penny squealed, after helping her into the costume a week later.

It was mostly the corset Amy needed help with. Try as she might, she couldn't get the ribbons to tighten around her. Going to Penny wasn't exactly a last resort as much of a necessity. Besides, her best friend was there when she bought the costume.

"It's honestly more comfortable than it was when I first tried it on," Amy admitted, studying her appearance. "I can see why women used to wear these."

"Some still do." Penny grinned. "I had a couple at one point. My boyfriends would go crazy when I put it on. Not that I had the matching 1800's outfit to go with it."

Amy chuckled. She could imagine what THAT looked like.

Comfortable though the whole outfit was, she knew she wouldn't wear it every day. Or even every week. Just to costume parties, probably.

Sheldon's initial borderline indifference to her ensemble later turned into appreciation for her and the outfit. Specifically, he admired the historical accuracy of the piece.

Afterwards, he turned his attention to her quip from a quarter hour ago.

"Can you really not breathe? You haven't fainted, and your skin is its usual shade, without being the pallor of something about to--"

"Sheldon, relax," Amy interrupted, with a laugh. "I'm fine."

"Because you don't have to wear it, you know," Sheldon went on, "if you're very uncomfortable."

Amy hugged him, rather impulsively. "I'm actually very comfortable," she told him, still smiling.

His arms wrapped around hers, and even though the steel boned hug of the corset, she could feel his secure hug.

"Now, let's come up with a matching costume to make them sorry they mocked you," Amy added, a twinkle in her eye.

The End

So...that was my first--and likely last--attempt of a Big Bang Theory fic. But I hope you liked it!