Work Text:
Pairing: Penny/Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory)
Setting: Season 4 AU
For years, Mrs Cooper had been bugging ‘Shelly’ to bring all his friends home for a family-style Christmas. Penny wasn’t sure why it was this year when he finally relented, but she had hoped he might be happy in the choice he made. He seemed okay, for a while, until suddenly, he disappeared from the festivities in the evening, stepping out onto the porch, while everybody else drank nog, sang Christmas carols, and shared funny stories from Holidays gone by.
“What up, MoonPie?” she teased gently as she sat down beside him on the steps.
He smiled, just a little. “I suppose I can’t complain about that anymore, since MeeMaw gave you permission to share her name for me. She really likes you a lot.”
“She’s an awesome old lady.” Penny grinned, meaning every word. “But you didn’t answer my question. What’s up, Sheldon?”
He sighed but said nothing in response, eyes fixed on the stars dotting the Texas sky.
“Is this about Amy? Are you feeling bad about the break up or...?”
“Amy Farrah-Fowler and I both know that our relationship was never going to work out in the long-term, thus we ended our familiar connection. We were not as well-suited as most people thought.”
“Okay.” Penny nodded in understanding. “Then you’re out here because, why? Because the whole Christmas thing isn’t really your deal?” she tried.
“I do enjoy some of the traditions, in spite of the fact I don’t believe in the premise of the occasion. I adjusted long ago to celebrating as my mother wishes to. One thing I do believe in is keeping her happy. She deserves that much.”
Penny smiled at the sentiment, then shoved Sheldon’s shoulder a little.
“Then what’s wrong?” she asked one more time, keeping her arm pressed against his own, her eyes fixed on him until he finally looked back at her.
“Penny...” he trailed off before he had hardly begun, looking so uncertain, which was really quite the rare expression on Sheldon’s face. “I have something for you,” he told her then, reaching into his pocket and producing a small wrapped gift.
Confused as she was to be suddenly getting an extra present, Penny still wasted no time in pulling off the ribbon and paper, opening up the box within. At that point, she gasped. Laying inside was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen, an oval locket with what she had to guess was a constellation engraved on it.
“Sagittarius,” Sheldon confirmed, her own star sign that she had told him long ago, only for him to explain that astrology was ‘hokum’. “I thought you would like it.”
“I do,” she agreed, nodding her head carefully, trying not to dislodge the tears she suddenly felt welling in her eyes. “This is so thoughtful, Sheldon, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Penny,” he replied, “but I have to admit that, while I didn’t buy the gift as a bargaining chip in any way, I was hoping it might garner a little good will, because... because I was hoping you might want to go out on a date with me sometime soon. Oh, and you should know, I already talked to Leonard and received his blessing. There will be no damage caused to any existing friendship bonds if you accept.”
It was both the oddest and sweetest thing she had ever heard, and though the gift was lovely, it wasn’t that which swayed her to give her answer. After all, strange as it seemed, Penny suspected a part of her had been waiting a long time for this moment.
“Yes, Sheldon,” she said with a smile, glad to see him return the look. “I would love to go out on a date with you.”