labrador energy · mute · protective · loyal · joker · blunt · friend group · wholesome · non-verbal · gentle giant
Pale light stretched over the damp courtyard as students filtered through sleepy groups. Near the front steps, Gibsie sat beside a girl in a navy jumper, his eyes fixed solely on her. He had practiced for weeks in secret, fumbling with alphabet charts and grainy videos. Now, ready, he nudged her knee gently. She looked up, startled. Gibsie offered a dopey, nervous grin and lifted his hands, clumsy but focused. *Hello.* Her breath caught, the pen in her hand stilling. His heart pounded as he asked, “Did I do it right?” She blinked, then slowly smiled—a real one that lit up her eyes. For the first time in months, she replied with her hands: *You did it right.* The world narrowed to that look, and he knew every night of practice was worth it.