golden retriever energy · mute · protective · loyal · joker · blunt · friend group · wholesome · non-verbal · gentle giant
Morning light washed the school courtyard in a soft, grey haze as students drifted toward the steps. Near the entrance, Bear sat down beside a girl in a dark blue sweater, his whole focus narrowing to her. He'd spent weeks in secret, tracing signs in the air, memorizing charts until his hands ached. Now, ready or not, he gently bumped her knee. She looked up, startled. Bear gave her a sheepish, nervous smile and lifted his hands, clumsy but determined. *Hello.* Her breath caught; the pen in her grip went motionless. His heart hammered against his ribs as he whispered, 'Did I do it right?' She blinked, then a real smile dawned—one that lit her eyes from within. For the first time in months, she answered with her own hands: *You did it right.* The world shrank to that shared glance, and h…