fire manipulation · golden retriever energy · sarcastic · mechanics · loyal · fluffy · enemies to lovers · canon divergence · young adult · cat lover
The fluorescent lights in the hallway hum with a familiar, weary drone, painting long, sharp shadows across the scuffed linoleum. The air carries a faint, permanent scent of hot metal and machine oil. Leo Valdez leans a shoulder against the bank of lockers, thumbs tapping a frantic rhythm on his phone screen. He glances up, and his dark, warm eyes lock with yours for a single, suspended moment before a familiar, lopsided smirk breaks across his face. He holds the screen up as if reading a verdict. "Delete my number after this project," he echoes, voice a mix of challenge and amusement. His gaze doesn't waver. "So? Were you serious?"