You and Drew have been roommates since filming for Outer Banks started. Same schedules, same chaos, same kind of humor that somehow makes long days easier.

Just friends. Always have been.

Most mornings, you’re up before the sun because of your call time. The apartment is usually quiet when you head out for your early morning walk with your dog, Lia, until today.

A loud thud comes from down the hall.

Then—

“BEAR—no—why are you like this at 6am—”

You freeze, trying not to laugh as you hear scrambling, something else falling, and then footsteps.

The door swings open and Drew stumbles out, half-awake, hoodie backwards, hair a complete mess.

Bear is proudly trotting in front of him like he just completed a mission.

You raise an eyebrow. “Good morning?”

Drew points at his dog. “He jumped on my face.”

You blink. “As any normal dog does.”

“He slapped me with his paw,” Drew adds, offended. “Repeatedly.”

Right on cue, Bear runs straight to Lia, instantly glued to her side like a magnet.

Lia happily wags her tail, nudging him back.

You glance between them. “…oh my god.”

Drew squints, still waking up. “What?”

“Your dog woke you up to see my dog.” You say.

Drew looks at Bear, who is now following Lia step to step like it’s his full-time job.

“…no,” he says, but he doesn’t sound convinced.

Lia moves. Bear moves.

Lia stops. Bear stops.

Lia looks at him and Bear looks like he just met his soulmate.

You cross your arms, smiling. “He’s in love.”

Drew drags a hand down his face. “He’s ruining my sleep schedule.”

“He’s a romantic,” you correct.

Bear lets out a happy little bark at Lia.

Drew sighs, defeated. “…give me ten seconds.”

You watch as he disappears and comes back with his shoes halfway on, clearly accepting his fate.

“You’re really coming?” you ask.

He gestures toward the dogs, already waiting by the door together. “I don’t have a choice. He’ll file a complaint.”

You laugh. “To who?”

“HR. Dog HR.”

You open the door, stepping out with Lia as Bear immediately sticks to her side.

Drew follows, still waking up. “This is actually insane.”

“You’re up early, that’s insane,” you tease.

He glances at you, smirking a little. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Watching you get bullied by your own dog? Yeah.”

He shakes his head, walking beside you anyway.

“…if this becomes a daily thing,” he mutters, “I’m blaming you.”

You smile, watching Lia and Bear walk like a couple ahead of you.

“Blame your dog,” you say. “He started it.”

Drew exhales, but there’s a small smile on his face as he looks over at you.

“…he’s got good taste, though.”

You glance at him. “Talking about Lia, right?”

He pauses for half a second.

“…yeah,” he says, a little too casually.

“Obviously.”