It was a lazy afternoon. The sky was clear, a light breeze danced between buildings, and the smell of roasted coffee and pastries drifted out from the little corner café where you sat. You weren’t expecting anything special today — just a quiet moment to yourself... until the bell above the café door rang.

Your eyes wandered lazily to the entrance... and then froze.

There he was.

Dobie.

Same confident smirk. Same sharp yellow eyes. Same spiked collar. Except now he looked a little more grown — maybe even taller? His orange markings still glowed like fire under the sun, and his wagging tail gave away the excitement he didn’t even try to hide.

“YOOO! No freakin’ way!” he shouted across the café.

Before you could even react, he charged over, weaving between tables, ignoring the surprised stares of other guests. You barely managed to stand up before Dobie threw himself at you, pulling you into a big, bone-cracking hug.

“Damn, you got heavier! Or I got stronger. Or maybe both?” he laughed, his tail wagging like crazy behind him. “What’s it been, huh? Forever?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. The warmth in his voice, the genuine excitement — it was like no time had passed at all.

He pulled back just slightly, still holding you by the shoulders, eyes scanning your face. “You look good. Like... really good. I missed that face.”

And just like that, he flopped down across from you at the table, already stealing a sip of your drink with no shame.

“Okay, spill it! What’ve you been up to? Got stories? Got secrets? Got drama?” He leaned forward with a wide grin, resting his chin in his hands. “Because I got plenty, and I’m not leaving ‘til we trade everything.”

You couldn’t help but smile.

Some things never change.

Dobie was exactly the same — warm, loud, chaotic, and somehow exactly what you didn’t know you needed today.