Tinkering ↣ Open

Alec was beyond the point of engrossment, fingers seeming to dance on the smooth chrome metal. His eyebrows were furrowed, green eyes darting everywhere yet keen and alert the whole time. He couldn't contain his energy though he was completely still sitting down at his desk, the only exception being the movement of his skilled hands. Strands of his ginger hair were plastered down on his forehead, glimmering with sweat. Alec's pink tongue darted out to wet his dried lips. His green eyes were not at all deterred with the blinding reflections on the shining slate-grey surface of the tiny metal sculpture he was making. As a matter of fact, he put in as much detail as one could possibly put into a project as small as the one he held in his hands despite the hindrance of the light.

Alec absently scratched at his nose, picking up a tool to begin adding the many handcrafted feathers to the wing structure, taking his time to carefully place each. Precision and a light hand were required in this stage of the process, and Alec couldn't have either if he rushed. Besides, it had only been approximately two consecutive, absolutely no rest and the occasional bathroom break. A little more time couldn't hurt, right? Ah, it's still the weekend .. Is it? I think it is. Oh never mind that, he thought subconsciously. Feather by feather, the small metal creature came to life. A pair of piercing obsidian eyes stared right at the redhead, a gaze that would surely petrify its enemies. A beak was parted open as though letting out a mighty call. A plumed chest jutted out proudly, claws gripping at a curved metal branch, sharp and deadly no matter how still. The wings - or rather what was completed of it - spread open, anxious to take flight. Soon enough, Alec finished with one wing, and his little masterpiece was almost done.

Or it would have been one step closer to completion, had it not been for a knock on his dorm room.

The teen bolted out of his chair, eyes wide and tall, lanky body ready to flee. He stared at the door, gripping the worn tool in his fist like it was his life line. Heavy breaths came in short bursts from his slightly parted mouth. Moments later, Alec snapped out of his trance and hurriedly approached the door. He grabbed the handle and flung it open, a nervous smile plastered on his face. Nobody was stupid enough not to notice that the ginger-haired lad was suffering from sleep deprivation right now.