The clock ticked on and on.
The second hand was on two. Now three. Now four.
Sheldon closed his eyes, wiping the sweat from his brow and twitching nervously, keeping his convulsions under control only by allowing his mind to roam freely, which was a task in and of itself.
"C'mon Sheldon," He heard a voice say and his eye automatically winced, tilting his head slightly to the left. "All you've got to do is give it to me."
"No!" He said back, shaking his head so hard drops of sweat fell onto the floor. "It's mine. I won't, I won't, I won't!"
"Please Sheldon," The voice said again, more soothing this time. "We bought the TV together and I could just buy another remote at the store. You can't stop me forever."
"No, Leonard, I won't!" Sheldon's gripped the silver remote harder, his Flash shirt sticking to his skin from his sweat. Oh god, the germs.
Leonard pressed the clock in Sheldon's face, ignoring how Sheldon flinched back and instead pressing it harder to his roommate's cheek. "Tick tick tick, tick tick tick. What does the clock say, Sheldon?" Sheldon shook his head furiously. "I'll ask again, what does it say?"
Sheldon gulped. "It... it says... four thirty."
"And what time is it?"
His breath caught in his throat and a muscle jumped in his forehead. "Four..." He whispered, jaw clenching.
"Four what?"
It was so hot, so enclosed. The ticking grew louder and Sheldon's fingers twitched, wanting to press against his ears to block out the noise. So much noise. "Four..."
"Hmm?"
Sheldon opened his eyes, now glassy from stress. He gripped his checkered pants hard, his knuckles white.
"Four thirty two."
With a roar of desperation Sheldon dropped the remote and gripped the sides of the clock, ripping it from Leonard's grip and pulling it to his chest. He readjusted the dials to where it said 4:32, and with a gasp of relief, slumped back with the clock resting by his thigh.
Leonard reached down and picked up the remote, smiling happily. He flicked the TV on, scrolling the channels. "Thanks, buddy, I'm glad you want me to watch TV."
Sheldon choked, knowing what was about to come. "No... what have I done? ...please, god no..."
The voice of the spokesperson boomed in his ears and Sheldon knew that he had failed. Leonard had won.
"Next up, Babylon 5."
