Full Stop

All those years of studying and it came down to one full stop. One stupid full stop that Donatello had left out somewhere. If he hadn’t, the programme would run. He had asked Leonardo to help him review the logical structure. He’d asked Michelangelo for new ideas, hoping that altering the algorithm would override the lurking mistake. None had helped.
Donatello was staring at the computer screen, going through the 200 page source code line by line. The mistake was in there somewhere and he couldn’t afford to miss it now. His entire being was focused on the monitor. He could not fail now.
“Donny?”
For a moment, he was confused. Then the new stimulus registered. It was his brother’s voice. Donatello considered ignoring it, like he’d ignore the buzzing of a fly or the occasional spasms of his palms.
“Can ya come down from your high for a sec?”
Slowly, reality seeped in. Turning his head, Donatello became aware of where and who he was. He was the family’s Mr Fix-it and there was a red masked ninja turtle standing next to him. It was approximately the eighth distraction that day, Don recalled.
“What is it?” the auto-pilot spoke for him.
In a confident tone Raphael said: “I need to ask ya something.” Hearing that self-assured assumption that he was Donatello’s top priority, Don tilted his head to the side and said sharply:
“What Raphael, what? I’m in the very last stage of what I began two weeks ago, I’m one step away from completing what I promised to the underground people, I’m at the brim of saving their lives – tell me, what is so important? Is the front door broken? Is the Shredder coming? Should I eat something? I hope you’re interrupting my work for a good cause, for both your and my sake!”
“Whoa Don, no need to shout,” Raphael said, raising his hand. Checking the strain of his vocal chords, Donatello admitted he’d raised his voice unintentionally. “And don’t chew me out for caring for your well-being, okay? Just ‘cause ya can’t tell when ya’ve had enough,” Raphael added in a mutter.
“I know my limits better than any of you,” Donatello hissed. He was sick of being told he should focus on his health rather than his work. It was irritatingly short-sighted. Donatello could do without sleep. His family could not do without Donatello’s work.
“Sure, that’s why Mikey found ya passed out on your desk last night,” Raphael pointed out.
“That was due to a lapse of concentration, not because I was unable to continue,” Donatello riposted. He abstained from saying that the distraction was Michelangelo’s doing.
“Look.” Raphael sighed. “I haven’t come to argue. I don’t wanna waste time with that.” Donatello nodded in satisfaction. At least Raph seemed to understand arguing was a hindrance. The sooner Don wrapped up his work, the sooner he could go to sleep. No point in prolonging his waking hours.
“So what have you come for?” he asked, hoping to get it over with quickly.
“Thing is,” Raphael said, voice dropping down, “I woke up in the dead of the night wanting ya. I thought a quickie might interest ya, since it takes little time and ya get some quality sleep afterwards.”
Donatello shook his head. “I’m not in the mood for sex.”
“I can change that,” Raphael smirked.
Donatello rephrased: “I don’t want to have sex until I finish my work.” On an afterthought, he added: “You can help me though.”
“How? I’ve no idea what this thing means,” Raphael pointed at the screen.
“We’ll make use of beginner’s luck,” Donatello grinned lopsidedly. “You’re doing this for the first time, right? There’s a chance you might notice something I didn’t consider checking. Just tell me if you see something weird, alright?”
Raphael shrugged. “Whatever gets ya to bed bro.”
Donatello couldn’t resist rolling his eyes as he resumed his search. And… of course. It took him two minutes to find the missing full stop. His heartbeat rocketed. He compiled the programme – no error reports this time. He transferred the instructions into a sound emitter and waited impatiently. Then, a clear tone filled the room.
“Yes!” Donatello jumped up and struck a pose. “Eat that probability!” He turned to Raphael and hugged him. “Thanks so much Raph.”
“I didn’t really do anything,” Raphael said, returning the hug.
“You helped me beat the odds, that’s all I needed.” Donatello returned to his work station, saving everything and turning it off for the night. Coming back to Raphael, he put his arms around his lover’s neck and said: “Now that my work’s done, you can do whatever you want with me.”
Instead of answering, Raphael kissed him.

Ach Raffe, ty svůdníku, pojď se mnou zpátky na fanfikce.