It could be a sign of protection. Bernard might be marking the girl as someone he wants to keep safe. In the animal world, licking can be a way of claiming or protecting, and in this fictional context, it could carry a similar meaning.
Well, they could be friends in a very affectionate and perhaps a bit eccentric way. Maybe Bernard has a really strong bond with the girl, like a loyal pet would have with its owner, where the licking is a form of showing extreme closeness.
This is not a normal or healthy situation. Dogs should be taught proper boundaries when interacting with humans. Licking from chin to forehead can be invasive and may make the girl feel uncomfortable or even be at risk of getting sick if the dog has any kind of infection. It's important to train the dog to have more appropriate ways of showing affection, like gentle nudges or sitting calmly beside the person instead of this sort of licking behavior.
Well, perhaps in the fanfic, the girl is a kind-hearted animal lover. She has just rescued the dog from a difficult situation. As a sign of gratitude and affection, the dog licks from her chin all the way to her forehead. This lick could be seen as a unique form of communication between them, and then they go on adventures together in the neighborhood, with the dog always by her side protecting her.
No, it's not that common. Usually, dogs might lick a person's face in a more random way rather than specifically from chin to forehead. But it could happen if the dog is in a particular position or if the girl has something on her face in that area that the dog is interested in.
In the context of the fanfic, it could be a cultural or traditional gesture. Maybe in the world created in the fanfic, Great Danes are seen as sacred animals. Their lick from chin to forehead is a ritualistic act that bestows good luck or a special status on the person they lick. So when it licks the girl, it's like she's being honored in some way.
It could be a simple description of a dog showing affection to a girl in an exuberant way. Maybe the dog was really excited and licked the girl all the way from her chin to her forehead.
It might be a sign of the dog's loyalty and protectiveness. In the dog's world, licking can be a way to show that it cares about the girl. The chin and forehead are areas that the dog can easily reach, and by licking them, it's like the dog is saying 'I'm here for you, you're important to me'. Also, the dog could be in a very happy mood, and this is just its exuberant way of sharing that happiness with the girl.
Another possibility is that it's a magical Great Dane. The lick has some sort of enchanted power. It could transfer some of the dog's special abilities to the girl, like enhanced senses. So when it licks from her chin to her forehead, she starts to see things in a different way, perhaps she can now see in the dark like the Great Dane.
Perhaps it's a story set in a post - apocalyptic world where a girl's lick from chin to forehead is a sign of loyalty or protection. She might be part of a group where this is a unique form of communication or bonding. For example, it could be a way to mark someone as part of her family or clan in this harsh new world.