the world in solemn stillness, tbbtfic, s/p, 5500 words

[allthingsholy]

Title: The World in Solemn Stillness
Author: allthingsholy
Spoilers: Everything aired as of now is fair game. References to S2.
Rating/Warnings: PG
Word Count: 5500
Disclaimer: Special thanks to lulabo for the hand-holding, and to everyone at sheldon_penny who continues to make it such a fun place to ship and flail and fandom. Seven Christmases Sheldon and Penny spend together.

Comments

[black_panda_ops]

That story was just gorgeous. I was so mad for an instant when you skipped their getting together, because I was totally sucked in. I loved the Christmas in Texas and the last installment. The gift was charming.

[allthingsholy]

I don't do shmoopy get-togethers that well, so I kind of copped out, yes.

But glad you still liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

[black_panda_ops]

But you didn't cop out, actually. It would have been too soon, and you more than delivered later. You built the push pull tension and resolution beautifully.

[babebubeboink99]

How can something so awesome and so real be called a cop out? Fics like this that nicely capture the push and pull of their relationship and not turn it into a swirling vortex of fluff is always a good thing in my book.

Plus I'm a HUGE sucker for the lyrical, slightly haunting kind. And boy this one's a doozy.

[juniperlane]

OMFG, BRB WITH SOMETHING FAR MORE COHERENT, BUT SERIOUSLY. OH GOD. YES.

I THINK MY HEART IS IN MY THROAT RIGHT NOW. CHRISTMAS FIC AND IT'S SO EPIC AND OMFG.

OK, REALLY BRB WITH SOMETHING LESS CAPSLOCKY.

[juniperlane]

IDEC HOW LONG THIS COMMENT GETS OK?

It was actually quite interesting. German men apparently have a different relationship to flatulence than we have in the States.

I knew by the first section that this fic was going to be great, but LOVED it as soon as I hit this, because seriously, these deft touches of humor tucked in between the rest of the epic plot are just lovely.

He is a scientist, trained to notice even minute changes in behavior, and somewhere during her headstrong attempt to prove they could all still be friends, Penny and Sheldon actually got closer.

OK, (a) I have always had a fondness for fics that use the 5 things/holidays/whatever deal to set up the plot, but seriously, you execute this SO WELL.

2011, Texas could be my favorite section, I think? IDEK, I was trying to find a quote but couldn't because you've taken what the show has given us and really made it REAL, here. It's so refreshing to see real emotion in a return to trip to Texas, unlike the show which plays it for laughs always, but it wasn't a happy

[allthingsholy]

She hasn’t been back, but he hung the lights for her anyway.

I'd be lying to say I didn't know that was totally a cheap shot, but I decided to go for it anyway.

And I'm glad you thought the present worked. I was having A LOT of trouble figuring out how to get them back together showing them overcoming all the problems they'd had, and I knew I wanted to end with Nebraska, but atoms kind of popped into my head and from there the research lead to tungsten and its similarities and appropriateness.

ANYWAY. Thanks so much for all the flail and kind words, it means A LOT.

[juniperlane]

Oh, I am glad you went for it. It's completely in character.

Yeah man, deludedvision got it right, you have set the bar for Christmas fic this year, dear god. I just want to bow down and be like, I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

:D

[slybrunette]

I'm afraid there aren't adequate words for how much I loved this

[allthingsholy]

Thank you so, so much, for everything that you had to say. I'm glad it didn't feel TOO disconnected--like jumping from one to the other left too much unclear, because the whole point was to paint, in very broad strokes, the issues these two would probably have to overcome.

And yes, Tungsten. The science there might not be wholly sound (I did actual research, though, and tungsten carbide is really strong) but I'm glad the metaphor worked. And seemed Sheldon'y.

And, ahem, speaking of more from me in the future, I was actually going to message you today to ask if you might be interested in maybe beta'ing a ... very different BBT fic I'm working on. Let me know if you're game.

Anyway. Thank you thank you again.

[slybrunette]

I'm absolutely game. In fact, I'm honored. I'll PM you my info.

[allthingsholy]

Email sent, fic attached.

[gidget_zb]

Oh wow. I loved this. I couldn't stop reading it, and yet every now and then I would pause and look at the scroll bar and see how close it was to the bottom and it would make my chest ache. Having a story make me feel like that? Is frakking amazing.

Great job. ♥

[allthingsholy]

...I would pause and look at the scroll bar and see how close it was to the bottom...

Ha, I totally do that too. And I'm like, "No! Don't end! DON'T END!" I'm genuinely thrilled to hear it got that response from you.

Thanks so much for liking and reviewing and whatall.

[allthingsholy]

Just the right amount, good. I was hoping it would be TOO sad or TOO angsty.

Thanks for reading and liking and commenting!