Random OneShots

Soup

By: clumsyghost on Livejournal

Sheldon x Leonard

~~~~~

"So how is Sheldon doing?" Raj inquired over the video game racket.

"I think the better question is how is Leonard doing?" Howard muttered darkly. The two were unfortunately familiar with Sheldon's habits when he was sick. If strangers thought the tall physicist was weird and demanding when he was in relatively normal health, they should see him when he was sick!

Leonard smiled slightly; it was the first time he had done so in the past two days while his idiosyncratic roommate was still awake. Somehow, having his two other friends over for a round of video gaming gave him a much needed mental break. It was nice to talk to someone whose brain hadn't sailed away from Sane Island. Or perhaps it was the act of stabbing digital characters that calmed him so much. Eh, either way.

"He's still got a fever, but the mucus output is slowing down," Leonard replied, sounding happy about the latter fact. "And I'm handling it fine, thanks for asking. But... it's almost time for his bath," Leonard added, glancing down at his watch.

"Ohhh... I need to get home now," Howard quickly spoke up, jumping to his feet. The engineer didn't bother to pause the game, and missed Raj beheading his character as he streaked for the door. No way in hell he was getting roped into helping Sheldon bathe. Snorting, Leonard watched Howard's retreat in amusement, eyeing his remaining friend.

"Hey, um...Raj? Wasn't Howard your ride home?" Leonard questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, shit! Wait for meeee," Raj called out, beating a similar path out of the apartment. With a soft sigh, Leonard shut the game off and started off towards his roommate's door. To his surprise, Sheldon was already up and leaning heavily against the wall outside the bathroom. Unshaved and disheveled, Sheldon was a pitiful sight to behold, his lithe fingers clutching a blanket tightly around his frame. His nose was red from blowing his nose constantly, and his eyes, usually wide with condensation, were half-lidded in sleepiness.

"Hey buddy... how long have you been waiting?" In spite of all Sheldon's demands for homemade soup, chest rubbings, and constant attention, Leonard couldn't help but feel a little sorry for his friend. It was never fun being sick. Of course, if he got half the attention Sheldon received, Leonard might be inclined to enjoy it more... but no matter.

"Mmm... about...fordy-fide seconds. I could't sleep," Sheldon explained with a sniffle.

"Ah, well... let's get your bath running." Leonard stepped inside the bathroom and pulled the shower curtains aside, stopping the drain and flipping the water on. Normally Sheldon took showers, but the (whiny) big kid insisted on taking baths when he was sick because he did not have his normal strength to stand up. A load of crap in Leonard's eyes, but he honored his friend's request.

Leonard's next stop was the hall closet, pulling out a matching towel and washcloth. Tucking those under his arm, the shorter physicist ventured into the sick bay, er... Sheldon's room and rooted around in his drawer for his Friday pajamas. The last object for his quest was a clean pair of briefs, which he fished out of the drawer next to the pajama section. Wondering if all roommates knew each other's underwear drawers, Leonard made his way back to the bathroom.

"Here you go," he announced, separating his bounty on the countertop. Towel first, nearest to the shower. Washcloth on the side of the tub. Underwear next to the towel with sufficient distant as not to get wet from dripping appendages. Pajama shirt next to underwear, then the pants. Robe hung on the back of the door. God, he had been living with Sheldon too long.

Reaching out to tap the water off, Leonard stuck a hand down in the tub to test the temperature. Satisfied that it was warm enough, Leonard turned back to face Sheldon, holding out his dry hand.