Archive of Our Own ^beta

One week, while Sheldon and Leonard are away celebrating their new engagements, Raj and Howard are left together.

They continue their usual routine like nothings changed. However, too many nights of takeout, trying to pick up chicks, and failing miserably cause them to switch things up.

Howard has been tinkering with an invention that he believes will allow easier terraforming. It peaks Raj interest, so instead of takeout at one of their houses; they head back to the lab and order takeout there.

While Howard is deciding on what wiring to use he looks up at Raj who is absorbed in the notes of Howards creation. A thought buried far in his conscious, if ignored would vanish into obscurity. At that moment Raj looked up uniting their gaze with a plastering smile.

The thought rose to his frontal cortex like a zombie raising from its grave. A thought he voided when they originally became friends. Raj is beautiful in every sense of the word. Not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally.

Raj smile falters. “You’re staring at me, is there food on my face?” Raj grabs a napkin and wipes around his lips. Which causes Howard to focus on them. Then a second and third thought quickly comes. (Is he a good kisser? Are his lips soft?).

“No, your face is mag-“. Howard cuts himself off thankful awareness caught up with his brain.

“No, there’s no food, I was just lost in thought”.

“If you’re notes are anything to go by, I’d love peaking into your head”.

Howard’s body heats up like he’s walking across hot coals. He can feel his face turning red, so he lowers his head as if focused on the wiring.

A forth and final question surfaces. (I wonder if he’d say yes to a real date night?) Howard has lied to himself about liking men, maybe Raj is in the same boat.