Later that afternoon, Eliot returned to the lab, still thinking about the cafeteria incident. He tried not to let it bother him, but his shoulders felt heavy, and his sketchbook felt heavier than usual in his bag.
Theo noticed immediately.
"Eliot!" Theo called, waving him over before anyone else could get in the way. His eyes were sharp, scanning Eliot like he already understood. "Wait—what's wrong? You look… off."
Eliot hesitated, twisting the strap of his bag. "…It's nothing."
Theo crouched slightly, lowering his voice. "Don't lie to me. I can see it. What happened?"
Eliot glanced away, cheeks warming. "…Some… some kids at lunch."
Theo's brow furrowed. "Brent and the others?"
Eliot nodded quietly.
Theo's expression softened, but there was still that spark of determination in his eyes. "Ugh. Idiots. Don't worry about them. Listen—come by my place tomorrow after school. We can continue the portal project. You, me… focus on something fun instead of… lunchroom idiots."
Eliot blinked, heart beating a little faster. "Y-yeah… I'd like that."
Theo grinned. "Good. Oh! And I'll invite Leon and Rex too. They're… well, chaotic, but it'll be fine. It's science. And you'll help."
Eliot tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, quietly smiling. "Okay. I… I can't wait."
Theo clapped him on the shoulder—lightly, without breaking Eliot's fragile composure—and turned back to his notes, already buzzing with ideas.
--
Eliot walked slowly through Theo's back yard Muttering under his breath, wishing he could just disappear into thin air.
"El! Wait up!"
He spun around and saw Elara jogging to catch him, braid bouncing behind her.
"Parents aren't home," she said, arms crossed. "I'm not staying alone, so I'm coming with you."
Eliot groaned. "El, I don't need—"
"Don't argue. I said I'm coming," she interrupted, already picking up pace to match him. Eliot let her follow, sighing.
When they arrived, Theo's parents greeted them warmly. Theo's mother was tall and composed, hair neatly tied back with loose strands curling around her face.
Her smile was kind but sharp, the kind that made you feel welcome but also subtly reminded you to behave.
Elara raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly.
She liked that she couldn't be intimidated.
Theo, of course, ignored everyone and grabbed Eliot by the sleeve. "Come on! We have work to do!"
Elara trailed behind silently, settling on the edge of the bed once they were upstairs.
Phone out, she started recording immediately, braid swinging lazily over her shoulder.
She didn't interfere—she just watched, occasionally smirking at Theo's wild excitement.
Theo's room smelled faintly of solder and paper, scattered sketches of wolf figures covering every flat surface.
Small gadgets and blinking lights crowded the desk, humming softly. Eliot stepped carefully inside, adjusting his glasses, eyes wide as he took it all in.
"Alright, let's get this set up," Theo said, clapping his hands.
He moved toward the corner where the portal prototype waited, wires coiling neatly—at least until Rex touched it.
Rex's grin spread too wide. "Ooooh, what does this button do?"
Before anyone could stop him, he pressed it. A spark jumped from a small panel, accompanied by a puff of smoke.
Theo shouted instantly. "Rex! Hands off! That's not a toy!"
Rex shrugged innocently, as if sparks were just part of life. "It looked fun."
Leon stepped forward silently, expression flat, arms moving with precision.
He grabbed the nearest wire Theo hadn't secured, pulling it back just as it arced toward the floor.
"Careful," he muttered, dragging it safely aside. "You're lucky I'm here."
Eliot stayed close to the table, carefully adjusting a lens and noting every connection.
His black hair fell into his eyes, glasses slipping slightly, lips pressed into that focused line he always had when thinking.
He watched Theo explain the circuits, nodding quietly, occasionally asking a soft question.
Theo's hands flew over the controls, eyes bright. "If we adjust the flux stabilizers here, we can stabilize the portal for a longer test. And—wait—don't touch—Rex!"
Elara sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, phone in hand, quietly recording the chaos.
She raised an eyebrow at Rex's sparks and Leon's grumpy interventions.
"This is… exactly what I expected," she muttered.
A small, almost amused smirk tugged at her lips. She didn't speak too much, just letting the camera catch every little meltdown, every careful move, every tiny success.
Rex leaned over the desk again. "I just wanna see it light up…"
Theo groaned, brushing hair from his forehead. "I told you, you'll blow it if you touch it again!"
Leon sighed, moving another loose wire with the precision of a surgeon. "Just… stay out of the dangerous parts."
Eliot reached over, hands steady, adjusting one of the delicate coils Theo had set.
"Like this?" he whispered.
Theo's eyes lit up. "Exactly! That's perfect! You see? You get it!"
Eliot flushed slightly, looking down at his hands. "I… I just followed your notes."
Theo grinned, leaning back a little. "Still… perfect. Couldn't do it without you."
Elara's smirk grew.
"Cute," she said softly into the camera. "These two are adorable without even realizing it."
Rex knocked over a small stack of notebooks. "Oops!"
Leon pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, "I'm going to need therapy."
Theo groaned dramatically, rushing to save a fragile component. Eliot stayed calm, careful, guiding Theo's hands.
Elara just recorded, smirk fading into quiet amusement, letting them have the spotlight.
And somehow, amidst the sparks, the wires, the chaos, and Rex's constant interference, the portal began to hum steadily. A faint blue shimmer ran along its edges.
Eliot's hand hovered near Theo's, and for a brief moment, all the noise and chaos faded into the rhythm of careful work and quiet collaboration.
Leon muttered, "Hmph. It'll probably explode."
Rex grinned, clearly hoping it would.
Elara just raised her phone slightly. "This is iconic."