Dorm 206

II

Leo wandered down the hall in the dorms. It had been another long day of classes and studying and he was ready for sleep. He opened the door to find Percy kissing another girl. No surprise until he saw who it was.
"You know, I think I'll just stay out."
Leo turned on his heals as the girl got off the bed and followed him down the halls.
"Hazel, I'm not in the mood for a lecture."
"I just wanted to ask you a favor." Leo raised his eyebrows. "Please don't tell anyone, especially not Frank."
Leo nodded and Hazel wandered back into the room. Leo wandered through the halls and campus and down to "the forges". It was a chilly evening, but Leo always managed to stay warm, even with the snow falling around him. He unlocked the door and brought out his assignment to one of the work tables.
He had to make an automaton for his final in Metal Working and Machines, which was still a few weeks away, and Leo was building a table sized bronze dragon. It would be far to heavy to actually fly, but Leo would be happy with it if he could at least make it flap its wings without also wanting to rip his head off.
Leo looked at his creature as he laid his head on his arms. Leo was thinking about the fire component. He would have wanted it to shoot actual fire, but that would be to dangerous. He was about to settle on cheesy red and orange tissue paper when the boy walked in.
That boy.
Dark hair and eyes and dressed in a grey wool coat. Leo wanted to say something smooth, but it came out as the regular response drilled in by his instructor when he received keys to "the forges".
"I can't allow anyone else in here in Professor Vulcan isn't here."
He instantly wanted to take it back.

Just like I can only let people in the theatres during school hours, or if there's a show. So, how did you wind up here, after hours, Leo?"
Leo wanted to faint. His crush was talking to him and it wasn't concerning some set piece to build. "Oh well, my roommate does odd things sometimes, and I really needed to work on Festus."
"Festus?"
"My dragon."
"You named your dragon 'happy' in Latin?"
"Yeah, I didn't realize until it was to late to change it, but it fits him. So, how'd you get in here?"
"I saw my sister heading off with the worst possible person and I needed to find something to do. The lights were on and you left the door unlocked."
Leo nodded. He remembered bits and pieces from what his friends and company told him.
"Hazel's your sister, right?"
Nico looked pissed, or possibly about to cry. Leo couldn't tell which.
"Yes, and your his roommate."
"Uh, Perc-"
"Yes, that one."
Leo wasn't sure if he should ask, but he did anyway. "Do you two have some sort of history."
"One, he has history with practically everyone, but that's not the point. Two, I was his roommate for half of last year so I know what you're going through." The boy pulled out his pocket watch. "I've got to go. My place gets locked early and if you aren't there, you're out until morning." The boy held out a card to Leo. "Call me if you ever want to hang out."