so it goes like this

Everest

Where it's by accident or intention, as Mateo crumbles to the ground, Ever is instantly there, laying down on his friend's feet and shins like some sort of strange guard-blanket. Panting, which gives him a contrarily cheerful look, the canine folds one ear flat back toward Mateo while the other stays perked toward the direction they've just come.

I don't know isn't a signal they've come up with, but the pup's low whine of uncertainty will likely do just as well. Wagging his tail once, and then twice, Ever anxiously huffs under his breath as he turns around rapidly in that flighty way dogs have, and presses his muzzle into the crook of Mateo's neck. Snuffling there for a moment, he licks the boy's cheek before turning his attention back toward the underbrush where a small rustling sound can suddenly be heard.

If I told you that you'd do nothing with it
I'd still be that cigarette that you couldn't finish