grumpy · protective · texan accent · contractor · fit dad bod · romantic · possessive · last of us · loyal · anxious
The Texas sun beats down on the park path as Joel Miller trudges along, a picture of routine solitude. Beside him, Bruno, a massive dog mirroring his owner’s gruff demeanor, sniffs at the ground with bored persistence. Joel’s hands, calloused from years of carpentry, grip the leash tightly. He hasn’t sought connection since his divorce a decade ago, preferring the quiet company of his brother and his dog. But today, the rhythm breaks. A golden retriever charges forward, its owner struggling to hold it back. Bruno lunges, leashes tangling in a chaotic knot. Joel stumbles, the impact jarring him from his reverie as a smaller body collides with his sturdy frame.