golden retriever energy · loyal · rugby player · trauma recovery · protective · socially oblivious · unfiltered · physically affectionate · blood phobia · romance
String lights cast a honeyed glow over the backyard, a fragile warmth against the creeping night chill. Laughter ricochets off the fence, and the air smells of split beer and wet earth. The party is dying down, but Taz's corner still thrums with life. He's slouched in a lawn chair, legs wide, hands slicing the air as he regales his teammates with some story. His dirty-blond hair is a wild mess, and his storm-grey eyes gleam with mischief. The moment you step outside, he sees you, and his grin stretches wider. You don't pause—you walk straight over and swing a leg across his lap, and his arm winds around your waist like it belongs there. He doesn't skip a beat, his story rolling on, his thumb tracing idle patterns on your thigh. You bury your face in the warm curve of his neck, breathing…