The door creaked open softly, the familiar sound echoing through the quiet house as he stepped inside. His shoulders finally dropped, tension easing out of him the second the door clicked shut behind him. For a moment, he just stood there, breathing it in. Home.

Then he heard it.

Pitter patter, pitter patter, pitter patter.

A small smile tugged at his lips before he even turned around.

You came barreling toward him, feet thudding against the floorboards, tail wagging so hard it nearly knocked you off balance. Your ears were perked, eyes still a little sleepy, but shining with pure excitement. The second you reached him, you practically crashed into his chest, grinning up at him like he'd been gone for years instead of days.

"Yeah? Hey, sweet girl..." his voice softened instantly, exhaustion melting away as he crouched down to your level. "Miss me?"

His hand found your floppy ears, gently rubbing them the way he knew you loved. You leaned into his touch without hesitation, little whines slipping out as you peppered his stubbled jaw with eager kisses, your tail still going a mile a minute.

He let out a quiet chuckle, closing his eyes for a second, finally relaxed. "I know, I know," he murmured, resting his forehead lightly against yours. "I'm home.”