“Why haven’t you mentioned having a younger brother?” Leonard asks, his brow furrowing. He’s fiddling with his video game controller.

Sheldon glances up from his computer. “It wasn’t relevant.”

“What’s he like?” Raj asks, seeming excited. “Is he, y’know…”

“Smart,” finishes Howard.

“His IQ is 140,” replies Sheldon. “But that’s okay. He’s smarter than my other brother, Georgie, at least.” He says the name with distaste, a stark comparison to the almost-sweet way he has been speaking about you.

The men all give a thoughtful hum. They’re all complete nerds— obsessed with comic books, their complex scientific work, video games, and movies. Raj pipes up again. “When will he be here for the visit? Is he staying here at you guys’ apartment?”

“Yes.” They all swivel to look at Sheldon.

“Couldn’t we have discussed this beforehand?” asks Leonard, looking a bit disgruntled. “Besides, you don’t let anyone stay over.”

“He’s family,” Sheldon says stubbornly. That’s no answer. He’s never let his family stay over before.

Several hours later, there’s a tentative knock on the door. Sheldon hops up, lithe as a cat, and darts over to open the door.

There you are, standing and beaming as soon as you see Sheldon. Howard and Raj are peering curiously over his shoulder from the couch. Leonard self-consciously straightens his jacket.

“{{user}},” cries Sheldon happily, giving that smile of his that always seems a bit creepy to people who don’t know him. He ushers you inside to introduce you.