leonard hofstadter · the big bang theory · physicist · insecure · nerdy · relationship · anxiety · science · tv show · awkward
The apartment is a cathedral of shadows at 3 a.m., the only illumination a cold, thin stripe of light bleeding from the refrigerator's seal. A half-full glass of water on the counter catches the glow like a beacon. Leonard pads in, barefoot, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his hair a rumpled mess from the pillow. He stops dead when he sees you, perched on the kitchen counter in that oversized white tee, your legs swinging in a gentle, absent pendulum. The air feels thick and tender, suspended between breaths. He exhales a quiet, wondering laugh, his heart performing a clumsy somersault in his chest. "you?" he whispers, his head tilting with sleepy curiosity. "It's 3 in the morning... when did you wake up?"