Work Text:
Sheldon prides himself on attaining a semblance of normalcy in a social sense - but for all his efforts, he's still realistic about this practice, he's never been the ideal person for celebrations. There's this strange thing about him people notice first, one that can't be specified and will be relegated to a quirk, a persistent uneasiness differentiating him from the crowd.
It doesn't seem to stop Leonard’s advancements, however. He's got a bouquet of roses between his fingers that tighten their hold with each passing second, their shoulders collide in a gentle bump when he sinks onto the squeaky cushion seat. Sheldon pushes back with his hands to deny the present in case it was for him.
"What's that for?" His eyes flit to what Leonard has in hand, more curious than demanding.
"For you!" Leonard blurts out. How embarrassing. Followed by a quick clear of his throat. "It's for Valentine's day," he says at a much normal pace.
The idea of receiving throws him off. He'd think it's common knowledge for people to not send him gifts unless it assisted with his field of work but no, that assumption is being defied for some reason. Leonard's looking at him confusedly which leads him to think he said something unrelated, so he braces for what he has to say.
"I know you don't celebrate," says Leonard. "Yes, the day was originally meant to honour a martyr named Valentine so you don't have to prattle about its religious beginnings."
"Are you asking me out?" Sheldon's simultaneously flattered and offended with the conclusion he had come up with - he is Sheldon Cooper for heaven's sake. There is no time to act upon or partake in this. His intellect is a priority, his irrationality is a subordinate. In spite of this, he relents...
"What happens if I am?"
If Leonard's goal is to be unpredictable then he has done the impossible. But that's not even the worst part! Leonard is grinning at him! He only sees that when Leonard thinks he lost or got something incorrect. What does he have to be so smug about? It's fine when only he does it.
"You're looking at me weirdly. Wipe it off." He furrows his brows. It's hard to look commanding when Leonard looks at him like that. He shouldn't have turned his body fully towards him if all he was going to see is a tormenting lift of Leonard's lips.
"Relax, Shelly." Leonard's features softens and leaves the roses right in the middle to place a hand on his shoulder. "I like messing with you," he admits.
That nickname. That hand on his shoulder. He can't keep getting away with this! Clearly, he's not built for this... whatever situation Leonard dragged him in. There is a temptation, more so his instinct, to yank Leonard's hand away but he resists as if there is this greater desire to seize a rarely given opportunity.
"I'm just not sure what the protocol is," he points out. "I haven't even determined how compatible we are for each other..." Another. And then another. From point A to point B, hopping to every single concern his mind can handle, merging together and forms a messy stream of words as a result.
Leonard has yet to succeed in this plan (he's come close to achieving this in different occasions, though) but it's times like this where he wished Sheldon wasn't so Sheldon-y. Leonard gently pats his shoulder again as a reminder. With no sign of arrogance, the same pair of lips smile at him, no showing of teeth, only an upwards curve as it begins to whisper his friend's name. "Sheldon. You're speaking."
His jaw hung slightly open with semi raised eyebrows. Now, he is the one looking at Leonard more surprised than ever. He can't recall when was the last time Leonard had control over his reactions and train of thought that replicated this kind of result if it ever happened in the first place. And that's not to say Sheldon took joy out of being in this position!
After an eternity of silence, remaining paralyzed to a state of shock. "Alright." He sighs, and accepts the roses that are now bunched up in his lap. A lean forefinger traces the petals, catching the softness of it before looking back at Leonard. "But if you wish to give me material possessions, at least make it useful."
"Such as?"
"I don't know," Sheldon trails off, tries to feign casualness with a wave of his hand. He's getting the hang of it! "Maybe drive me to the Lego store…or a new train model…or fund my project?"
Seemingly satisfied with the wreckage he had caused, Leonard chuckles at him. "Let's just consider this a prototype," he declares and takes a hold of Sheldon's hand in a gentle grip. "By the next Valentine's day, we've already figured out how to approach this effectively."
Between his rapid heartbeat, Sheldon pauses dumbly at Leonard's assertiveness. Too close for comfort, too close for the societal norm. He's forgotten about taking offense at being asked out; the scariest thing is he doesn't seem to mind letting Leonard break his rules and test their boundaries now. It sends a chilling thrill up his spine that makes him shudder but Leonard just entwines their fingers together.
Fascinated, Sheldon gives a tentative squeeze to Leonard's hand to conduct a test he's never done before.