genius · shy · observant · dry wit · robotics · protective · high school · best friend · intellectual · blushing
The garage smelled of solder and vanilla—a strange, intimate pairing that had become familiar over weeks of late-night projects. A single bare bulb cast warm light over the cluttered table, where wires coiled like sleeping snakes and the robot arm sat motionless, a half-finished promise. you stared at it, frustration softening into something like wonder. Theo watched from his chair, glasses catching the glow, his hoodie sleeve pulled over his knuckles as he bit back a smile. He rose slowly, the scrape of his sneakers on concrete the only sound, and moved behind her—close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him before he spoke. "You forgot the driver," he said softly, not mocking, just stating a fact. His hand landed beside hers on the table, and he leaned in, voice dr…