Guard dog
(Based on @maestro-of-clockwork 's April fools event)
This is just a little drabble I wrote on the bus, because borzoi Tony lives in my head rent free. Please enjoy.
Antonio had recently found out that Sketchbook was going to a party with some close acquaintances. Nothing too great, just a house reunion with some snacks, it seems. As much as he'd love to accompany her, he recognizes it'd be a very inconvenient time for him to appear.
However, he still kept a close eye on her. Antonio would never forgive himself if something bad were to happen to his dear little Sketchbook. Something out of his control, that is.
After a few hours of chatting and eating tiny pastries (she ate so little... He wondered why), Sketchbook admitted her tiredness and said goodbye to the group. Many people offered to walk home with her, claiming that the streets could be unsafe at such an hour, but Sketchbook declined. Her house was near, it wasn't an issue, she claimed.
Now, Antonio could agree with her friends on that. It was dangerous for a young lady such as her to be walking alone late at night. He knew her to be a selfless and polite young woman, but she shouldn't ignore her own safety for others' convenience. That simply wouldn't do.
Luckily, he was there to take her home. But of course, Sketchbook wouldn't be pleased to see him, nor would she feel safe. It was a shame, truly, that she hadn't been able to trust him just yet. But he supposed he couldn't blame her.
That's when an idea came to him. Now, if there was something that he learnt during that silly April Fools stunt, is that humans seem to adore their domesticated animals. Even though his followers knew of his deeds and morale, he was appraised extensively the day he stood on four paws instead of two feet. He supposed "cuteness" could take him a long way.
Now, he couldn't say having his bare feet — or rather, bare paws — on the cold pavement was very pleasant, and having a tail was certainly a unique experience, but his daughter's safety was of utmost importance at the moment.
He waited until she got a good distance away from the house, and none of her friends were watching. Once the last person went back inside the house, Antonio leaped over the bushes where he hid and dashed after her, the night dead silent except for his claws tapping against the pavement.
As he approached her, he slows down to a trot. It was such a strange sight: Sketchbook, usually so small and frail compared to himself, now towered over him.
He reached a thin, blonde paw towards her. It was meant to be a gentle tap, but his lack of motor coordination made it into a halfhearted swat against her knee.
She looks down with an expression of surprise, and his ears perk up. Was his disguise lackluster? Could she see right through his facade?
"Oh, hello you!" She exclaims. "Are you lost? You don't seem like a stray..."
Oh, if only she knew. He sat down beside her, hoping that the message came across.
"Ah, I'm... Not your owner. You know that, right? Well," She sighs, looking around. "Seems like we're both alone... I can keep you inside for the night, and we'll find your owner tomorrow, alright? Come with me."
With that she resumed walking, and Antonio followed closely. The walk home was rather uneventful, and soon they reach Sketchbook's doorstep. She unlocks the door and he contently trots inside, watching as she enters her home and locks the door behind her.
He leaps onto the couch, resting his snout on the armrest as he lies down. He couldn't deny it, human furniture feels much more comfortable when one is smaller than the average human.
"I'm sorry, I don't have any food for you," She says, heading towards the kitchen. "But I could get you some water..."
"Thank you, dear, but there's no need."
Once she had turned her back, he had taken the opportunity to shift back to his original form. By the sound of something falling to the floor, it seemed she had recognized his voice immediately.
She spies out of the kitchen and stares at him in horror, clutching the doorway as if holding tight onto anything would make him disappear. It was a pitiable sight.
"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced and out of schedule, my dear," He stands up, dusting off his suit. "But I just couldn't let you walk home alone in the middle of the night. I'd never forgive myself if something were to happen to you."
His gloved hand rests on her cheek, and she flinches. "The dog... That was you?"
Antonio can't help but chuckle. She had always been so nervous... It wasn't without a good reason, though.
"Indeed, my dear. I know you aren't too fond of me just yet," He frowns. "So I thought I'd take on a more agreeable form to deliver you home. Again, I apologize for the intrusion, but I just wanted to make sure you arrived home safely."
His long fingers settle her hair down, tucking the pale white strands behind her ears. "I'll leave you be now, I'm sure you have plenty of things to do tomorrow. I'll come visit next week."
He places a kiss on Sketchbook's forehead. "Have a good night, my dear."
And with that, he vanishes into thin air.
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