Good boy. – Liana
Liana
Miso was getting… serious.
A month ago, he would have tripped over his own feet trying to chase butterflies. Now he stopped at curbs before I did, scanned every corner like he expected something to jump out, and positioned himself between me and strangers without being told.
It was subtle. Quiet. But constant.
And every time he did it, my heart squeezed a little.
We went on a morning walk before Elias woke up. The sky was soft and pale, streets still damp from last night’s rain.
Miso trotted beside me like a pro—head high, tail loose, perfectly in sync with my steps.
A jogger ran past on the opposite sidewalk, and Miso only flicked an ear.
A month ago, he would’ve tried to race him.
“You’re turning into a real gentleman,” I said, giving him a piece of jerky from my pocket. He took it gently, eyes watching mine for more.
We passed an alley and I noticed the way his pace slowed. Just a little.
He didn’t bark. Didn’t growl.
But he put himself on the side closest to the alley wall and walked tighter against my leg until we were past.
When I looked down at him, he was calm. Focused.
Like nothing had happened.
But something had. And he’d noticed it before I did.
Back home, I wiped his paws and poured his breakfast. He sat patiently until I gave the release word, then dove in like it was his last meal on earth.
Elias emerged from the bedroom, sleep-tousled and shirtless, scratching his jaw.
“You guys went out already?”
I nodded. “Early patrol.”
He grinned and leaned down to scratch behind Miso’s ears.
“How’s our little bodyguard doing?”
Miso wagged his tail once, proud and full.
“Honestly?” I said. “It’s starting to feel like he knows something I don’t.”
Elias’s smile twitched, just slightly.
“Maybe he just knows what matters.”
That night, as I curled up with a book on the couch, Miso lay at my feet like a silent shadow. Elias sat behind me, one arm draped around my waist.
I glanced down and stroked Miso’s head.
He looked up at me, eyes soft.
“You’d protect me, wouldn’t you?”
He didn’t answer.
But I already knew.
