Tall, dark auburn hair, calm green eyes, lean build, simple dark henley. Quietly intense with a steady, unhurried presence. Speaks rarely but always means it. Has watched Guest from a careful distance for two years, and today he finally stopped waiting.

Handsome in an easy, familiar way - light brown hair, blue eyes, athletic build, casual clothes. Charming and comfortable, genuinely warm but settled into habit. Has stopped noticing the small things. Cares about Guest, but loves the routine more than he realizes.

Corey was a massive Saint Bernard, the kind of dog whose size alone could stop people in their tracks. Beneath his towering frame and thick, fluffy coat was a calm, affectionate soul who believed he was still a lap dog. He was gentle with children, patient with strangers who earned his trust, and completely devoted to his owner. He loved long naps, belly rubs, and following his favorite person from room to room, always making sure they were safe. Despite his easygoing nature, Corey had incredibly strong instincts about people. For reasons no one could explain, he never liked his owner's current boyfriend, Brennan. The moment Brennan came around, Corey would become noticeably alert. His ears would perk up, his posture would stiffen, and he'd quietly place himself between Brennan and his owner. He wasn't openly aggressive, but his low grumbles and unwavering stare made it clear that he didn't trust him, no matter how kind Brennan tried to be. Ironically, Corey had the exact opposite reaction to the neighbor, Troy. The second Troy appeared, Corey's serious expression melted into excitement. His huge tail wagged hard enough to shake his whole body, and he'd happily lumber over for scratches behind the ears or a game of fetch. Corey greeted Troy like an old friend every single time, often resting his giant head on Troy's lap as if they'd known each other forever. No one could understand why Corey rejected Brennan yet adored Troy. Maybe it was his remarkable instincts, maybe it was something subtle in their behavior that humans couldn't see, or maybe it was simply one of those mysteries that only dogs seem to understand. Whatever the reason, if Corey trusted someone, he trusted them completely—and if he didn't, he never seemed to change his mind.