The Gift
From the Kama Sutra prompt. This is my entry.
Author: trippy41
Rating: MA
Word Count: 3, 303
“Raj - the prank is over. You didn’t have to buy us Thanksgiving gifts this year.” Leonard said, standing at his door while his friend came into 4A laden with presents.
“It’s a tradition now - I kinda like it.” Raj grinned sheepishly.
Howard trailed after Raj with the pizza - their Wednesday night staple. He put it down on the coffee table, as Raj arranged his gifts around it. Halo 3 was already set up on the television, and the controllers were waiting for four geeks to pick them up.
Except one geek was missing.
“Where’s Sheldon?“ Howard looked around. “It’s 8:02 and we’re not playing Halo!” He attempted his best Sheldon imitation.
Leonard laughed as he sat down in the armchair and leaned over to grab a slice of pizza from the cheeseless section. “He’s over at Penny’s - apparently, with me leaving for my Dad’s in the morning, and you and Raj enjoying the wonder that is Turbriskafil - she has the unfortunate task of spending Thanksgiving with Sheldon.” Leonard bit into his pizza dough with sauce and olives, “He’s probably there lecturing her on what kind of cranberries to have, or giving the history of gravy.” He snorted while chewing.
Howard chose from the pepperoni side with no guilt, “Well, he’s late. Wanna play one-on-one for warm up?”
Raj looked sad, “I wanted to do presents before was played and ate.” But he took a slice from Leonard’s section. He’d had a recent webcam chat with parents - the guilt was a little strong right now.
“Well, we can open ours buddy.” Howard said around the pepperoni in his mouth. Leonard got up and got four bottles of water. He handed a bottle to Howard, who nodded his thanks.
Raj put his pizza down and clapped his hands excitedly. He picked up a package and gave it to Howard. Howard took it with a grin and started to rip off the Twilight themed paper. Once the paper fell away and the gift was evident, Leonard started to laugh so hard he began to slide off the arm chair.
It was a mini-robotic arm kit.
Raj smiled wide. ‘I thought you might want your own - uh - personal robot arm!”
“Mini!?” Howard looked affronted.
Which just made Leonard laugh louder. Raj passed him his present.
Leonard too, ripped off the Twilight paper to expose his gift - a Lightsaber lamp! Luke blue! “Raj - this is perfect. Thank you!”
He was still marvelling at his gift, when Sheldon finally returned. Red faced. Leonard sighed, “Okay, what were you and Penny doing?”
Sheldon’s eyes snapped up.
“If you were fighting again, I’d either expect to be spending Thanksgiving alone, or apologizing.” Leonard warned.
Sheldon walked quickly to his spot and sat down - grabbing a piece of pizza. “I will see Penny later - right now she is - recovering.” He ate so his cheek wouldn’t twitch.
“She’d need to recover after spending some time with you!” Howard sneered.
Sheldon looked away and ate quietly.
“Hey Raj, what about Sheldon’s Thanksgiving present?” Leonard asked.
Sheldon took a drink of water that Leonard had left for him, “You got me a present Raj? That's very thoughtful considering that "the gig is up"" Sheldon use his finger quotes. Raj pressed a small package into his hands. “Is it a new train?” He asked excitedly.
Sheldon carefully opened the wrapping paper - he may not care for Raj's predilection for teenage vampire angst, but the paper must be saved. Part of the act of gift giving, Sheldon understood, was the care one took to wrap them. He peeled back the tape, revealing his present.
Leonard began to hoot with laughter again, while Howard and even Raj snickered. On Sheldon's lap was a copy of the Kama Sutra. Sheldon's face fell. “I suppose this gift was meant to mock me?"
“Sheldon,” Raj began, still smiling too wide, “it wasn’t meant to mock - ok maybe a little,” as Leonard was still giggling and Howard had joined in, “but dude - you’re thirty years old! Remember back when Leonard and Penny broke up we told him to get back “on the horse?”
“Well, if you remember,” Howard interjected, “you thought we said “whores.”
Raj ignored his friend and continued, “Sheldon - dude - it’s time for you to saddle up!”
Sheldon pinched his nose and sighed deeply - and chose his words carefully. “Riding metaphors for coitus aside, I have read the Kama Sutra before - what thirteen year old boy hasn’t?” Raj nodded in agreement, as Howard and Leonard stopped giggling and looked away. “But this,” he said as he flipped through the pages - pointing a long finger at the graphic photographs, “appears to be the Howard Wolowitz version.”
Howard sniggered, “Well, perhaps I picked it out that copy for Raj to give to you.”
Sheldon closed his eyes for a second and shook his head. “Howard’s choice of edition notwithstanding, I appreciate your intent Raj.”
“Thank you, Sheldon.” Raj smiled.
“However,” Sheldon continued, “It is 8:47 and we aren’t playing Halo!”
Sheldon sat on the corner of his bed after winning at Halo. He held his gift in his hands. Raj had given him the Kama Sutra to motivate Sheldon to engage in sexual activity.
If only Raj knew.
Sheldon had been engaging in sexual activities with Penny for nearly two months. He understood the need for secrecy. Awkwardness with Leonard. Endless harassment from Howard. Perhaps even Raj.
Having to explain something they didn’t quite understand themselves.
Sheldon had asked for clarification.
~
“Penny, how would you define our interactions now? Are we friends with benefits? Lovers?”
“Why? Do you need a label?” Penny had looked quizzical.
“Yes.”
“Well I don’t. Why limit ourselves to a label?” Penny sighed, remembering who she was with. “Friends with benefits means not being emotionally involved, so no. I’m not playing games with you Sheldon.”
He’d nodded. “So, lovers?”
“Sure.” Penny had nodded as well. “Lovers.”
~
What ever was between them - well it was better kept between both of them. Though it was becoming harder to avoid Leonard, Howard and Raj on the topic of sex and/or Penny, and not have his face start twitching like a cat on an electric fence.
It was also growing more difficult to explain why he was spending so much time at Penny’s. Penny Blossoms that never got made. Spaghetti they didn’t eat. Laundry Night where they dared to leave their laundry unattended. A DVD that only got half watched.
Sheldon was supposed to wait for Howard and Raj to leave, and Leonard to retire for the evening, before he returned to Penny’s.
He found himself impatient.
He brought his book.
Sheldon’s long strides quickly propel him down the hall and through to the living room. He put his hand on the knob of the front door and twisted.
“Going to apologize to Penny now?” Leonard asked, putting controllers away. Howard and Raj were polishing off the pizza leftovers.
He hesitated a second, then smirked a small grin. “Yes. It would be the right thing to do.” And with that, Sheldon was out the door.
“Dude, did anyone notice that Sheldon had his copy of the Kama Sutra tucked under his arm?” Raj was wide-eyed.
“Maybe he’s re-gifting?” Leonard said hopefully.
Knock, knock, knock. “Penny.”
Knock, knock, knock. “Penny.”
Knock, knock, knock. “Penny.”
Penny opened the door, having waited for him to finish. “You can’t tell me Leonard went to bed already.” She said to Sheldon, who stood in her doorway.
“No. I apologize.” Sheldon grinned, “I found myself keen to come see you.” He came in and shut the door behind him, locking it.
Penny laughed, “Sheldon honey, you were here not two hours ago!”
He shrugged slightly, “I was thinking of you.” Sheldon removed the book from under his arm, “Especially after receiving Raj’s Thanksgiving gift.” He handed the book to her.
Penny looked at it. “The Kama Sutra. Isn’t that the sex book?” Her eyes were wide, “Do they know?”
“No. Raj gave it to me to inspire me to have sex - for what he imagines - the first time.”
Penny laughed again, “Not that you need much inspiration!” She headed for the couch, “But let’s read - or at least look at the pictures.”
Sheldon followed her - sitting on the left, while she flung her legs over his. He looked at the book over her shoulder. “This edition is mainly a summary of the ancient text - modernized.”
“Hmmm--” Penny flips through the first few pages, “It really focuses a lot on massaging and kissing.”
“Ah, yes. Setting the mood. A basic step in creating intimacy.”
She paused. “We’ve kinda skipped that part didn’t we”
Sheldon was thoughtful as well, “Yes. I suppose because we’ve known each other for years that when we finally decided to modify our physical altercations, we didn’t have to experience the ‘getting to know you’ stage.”
“Well,” Penny got up, tucked the book under her arm and began to pull Sheldon up with her, “there’s no time like the present!”
Sheldon allowed himself to be pulled to her bedroom.
She brings the oil. It came from one of Sheldon’s baskets - she’s been working on them for nearly three years. The oil is a sandalwood scent.
“Okay Sheldon,” she moves to take his shirts off, “you’re first.”
“Why me?” His arms lift up as she pulls both shirts off at once. She drops them on the floor
“Oh honey, if this is meant to make us relax, you are the one who spends most of his time wound tighter than the underwear you wear.” She went for his belt.
Sheldon was about to pull away and lecture her about throwing his shirts on the floor, but realized that made Penny’s point for her. He let her finish removing his clothing. Which he then folded. He couldn’t help himself.
“On your stomach then,” Penny put her hands on his shoulders to get him moving down to the towel that he’d laid on the floor at the foot of her bed. While he stretched out, Penny took off her camisole and shorts, folding them so he wouldn’t freak out, and knelt beside him.
She looked down his long body in the dim light coming from the bathroom - no candles that “smelled too strong” or were “a fire hazard!” so Penny made do. They’d had sex (Sheldon had listed their encounters earlier that evening: intercourse - three, oral sex him - five (wait - six, including tonight, Penny added to herself) her - one, manual stimulation him - twice, her - seven - um eight) and yet had never really even been fully naked like they were now. He was thin, but no bones protruding. Fine muscles stretched under fine, freckled skin. She felt an urge to kiss them all, but according to the book, they were only supposed to use their hands.
Penny poured a small amount of the oil on her palms and warmed her hands. She touched his shoulders and pressed.
“Holy crap Sheldon! When I said you were wound tight - are your shoulders this tense all the time?” Penny tried kneading the muscles that joined his neck to his shoulders.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She continued to make circles on his skin with her palms- around his shoulders, to his shoulder blades and back to his neck. Sheldon let out a small moan. She moved his arms that had been cradling his head, and moved them to his sides, leaving his head flat to the floor - looking at her.
“Relax Sheldon. Just focus on my hands and try to turn off that big beautiful brain of yours.”
“I can’t turn off--”
“Shhhhh.” Penny’s hands had moved down his back making circles now from his waist to his shoulder blades. Soon, the only sound in the room was their breathing - with the occasional small moan from Sheldon. She moved down his back and slowed her hands to smooth over his ass - noticing two small dimples that Penny had to almost physically restrain herself from kissing.
Another moan as she rubbed her palms down the back of his thighs - though he jerked slightly when she got to the back of his knees. “Ticklish?” She grinned.
“Perhaps slightly.”
“Hmm - I’ll file that away for now.” She finished his calves and down his ankles and feet. “Okay, time to turn over.”
Sheldon turned over, stretching even longer. Penny smiled and ran her fingers through his hair, ruffling it a bit. “You’re beautiful Sheldon.” She kissed him lightly on his lips, “Not just your mind.” Sheldon’s cheeks pinked a little, and Penny poured a bit more oil in her hands and rubbed her palms together again. She moved from his shoulders, down first one arm, from bicep to fine wrist then the other.
She moved to his chest - caught his ‘counter clock-wise’ look in his eyes and so moved her hands counter clockwise- the oil and situation such an improvement over Vicks. Slowly, her hands moved down over his stomach and then - drawing a louder moan - as she rubbed his hips and forced herself to ignore his erection. No sexual touching until they had finished the massages - according the book.
Which was a damn shame - her body was already thrumming and he hadn’t even touched her yet.
Penny caressed each thigh - eliciting a groan - his knees to calves and his large feet - those weren’t ticklish - but just wait ‘till he got to hers!
She rubbed her hands together - they were practically vibrating now - as Sheldon sat up. Penny put a hand on his cheek and kissed him again. “How do you feel?”
“Other than aroused? I think I feel more relaxed.” He bent his head to kiss her. Penny raised her arms up to his shoulders and pressed slightly.
“You do feel a little less tense.” She kissed him again, mouths open and tongues searching until all she wanted to do was throw her leg over him and take him inside her.
Sheldon could sense that, and so broke their kiss, and led Penny down to lay on her stomach. She twisted her hair to curl over her head while he poured some oil in his hands and began at her neck. Already aroused, Penny shuddered at his touch - long fingers moulding her shoulders and shoulder blades.
He whispered her name over her skin, “Penny.” Sheldon’s hands moved over her back, towards her waist. “Your skin is soft - warm” He was in awe - he’d had intercourse with this woman three times, and had never touched the smooth skin on her back - noticed how her form dipped in towards her waist.
They’d never even been fully naked with each other before - always too hurried in their need - or afraid of getting caught - he’d grasped her hips while she was on top of him. Sheldon smoothed his hands on her hips now - thumb brushing the tip of her tattoo. Penny moans were louder as he palmed a circle around her hips, buttocks, and thighs - over and again. Sheldon closed his eyes and moved his hands. He could barely contain himself from wanting to spread her thighs and raise her hips to enter her.
This must be why the Kama Sutra suggested this method of arousal. Sheldon thought, taking a deep, steadying breath. By delaying gratification - when they finally did join it would be with heightened sensations and awareness.
He continued down her thighs and Penny’s moans had increased in frequency. Strong calves under his hands and she had squirmed as his hands found her feet. Noted.
Sheldon was kneeling beside her. “Turn over.” He didn’t dare kiss her once she did - he didn’t think he would be able to stop. He caressed Penny’s cheek however. Desire in her eyes. In his.
“Penny.”
“Sheldon.”
With the oil on his palms again, he began to caress and massage her shoulders - moving down one arm, then the next. Sheldon’s hands paused - then gently fell on her breasts. Penny gasped. His large hands encircled her breast - rubbing his thumb across her nipple - hardening them instantly. Penny closed her eyes and arched her back to feel him more fully.
Her hips started to undulate with her moans, and Sheldon knew she wouldn’t be long - so with great reluctance, he let go of her breasts, and massaged her abdomen, down to her hips again - holding her steady.
“Oh Sheldon, please.”
“Soon.” He murmured, and began to massage her thighs - his thumbs so close to touching her wetness that she raised her hips again. But his hands moved down - calves, feet - only lightly.
Sheldon moved up and laid down next to her - hands untwisting her hair - and kissed her, deeply - his tongue twisting around hers.
“Sheldon,” she panted in between their kisses, “I want you.”
“I know.”
“No,” she whispered, “I want you.”
“I know.” He whispered into her ear.
Sheldon reached and grabbed a pillow off the bed and moved and knelt in front of her. He pulled Penny’s hips toward his as she gasped. He put the pillow under her hips.
“In the Kama Sutra - this is Indrani” Sheldon pulled her feet to rest on his shoulders. He bent down towards her so that Penny’s knees bent and slowly entered her.
“Oh - Oh!” Penny moaned loudly. She wanted to touch him - but their positions wouldn’t allow her arms to reach him. They laid by her sides - hands clasping the towel’s edge.
Sheldon knew how the position worked - how to get into it - but he’d never been the aggressor in his sexual encounters before. Instinct, however, took over, and his hips moved of their own volition.
“Penny-oh Penny Penny” He groaned, while caressing her ankles and calves - rocking into her trying to touch what his fingers had always found. “Penny” He growled her name as he felt her tighten around him.
“Oh Sheldon!” Penny’s thighs started to quiver as he pumped and the tilt of her hips was just right to -
She full on screamed her orgasm.
His back stiffened and he slowed his pace - pumping one - two - three strokes before he yelled is own release with her name on his lips. Sheldon fell into her arms, and Penny’s legs fell - entangled with his.
They breathed their breaths together.
Sheldon’s eyes searched out hers - they said more than any words he could speak. “I know.” Penny drew a line from his face to his chest. “I know.”
He tucked his head under hers, and listened to her heartbeat staccato under her ribcage.
She kept a hand trailing lines up and down his neck, and the other making small circles in the nape of his hair.
And Sheldon relaxed. In her arms.
“Stay the night with me” Penny asked in a quiet voice.
“What about Leonard?”
“He’s leaving early tomorrow right? Well, whatever he doesn’t figure out on his own, we’ll tell him when he comes back.”
Sheldon nodded in agreement. “Perhaps if I’m to sleep here, the bed would be more comfortable?”
“Mmm,“ Penny was looking forward to having Sheldon to cuddle all night. “Let’s have a bath first to get the oil off.”
“A bath? Sitting in your own dirty water? A shower is--”
“A bath is more relaxing - remember? Relax.”
Sheldon nodded, “A bath sounds lovely.”
Finis