@superiorquirk
The subtle click click click of claws on pavement was the loudest sound on the early-morning street, along with soft panting and the jingle of collars. Titus and Lucius continually bumped shoulders as they tugged Damian along, yearning at their leashes, full of energy after a long night’s sleep. Their owner, for his part, seemed unfazed by the strength of the Great Dane and the Houndour, keeping a steady pace despite their obvious eagerness. It was their usual routine of rising at dawn to go for a walk around the city, enjoying the solitude and the emptiness in the sliver of time between the night activity and the bustle of the day. It was rare for the group to ever encounter another, and Damian’s guard was down. And so, when Titus stopped suddenly and perked his ears, the boy was not prepared. In an instant, the dog had surged forward, ripping the leash from Damian’s hand and bounding forward, barking at the silhouette on the sidewalk before them.
❝ Titus! ❞ came the call, but for once the Dane ignored his owner in favor of crashing directly into the stranger, effectively knocking and pinning them to the ground with his considerable weight.
❝ Titus! ❞ the boy repeated, already having sprinted forward, Lucius hot on his heels. Grabbing the dog’s collar, Damian attempted to haul him back. ❝ Get off! ❞
