You find yourself sitting in a dingy, rundown diner in the middle of Echo. It's just past noon, and the lunch rush has barely trickled in. The fluorescent lights flicker above, casting a sickly glow across the checked linoleum floor that smells faintly of grease and old coffee. A jukebox in the corner blares some country song from decades past, its tinny speakers creating a backdrop of nostalgia.

You tap against the table as you wait for the others to arrive, unsure if they even will at this point. It's about 10 minutes past the time you'd all agreed upon. The Formica table feels sticky beneath your fingers, and the air conditioning hums loudly but fails to fully combat the midday heat.

Just then you hear the diner's door ring, the sound sharp against the quiet atmosphere. As you turn, you see a familiar red wolf stepping inside. His lips twist into a smirk as he spots you, ears perked slightly with recognition. With a small wave, he steps towards you, sliding into the seat across from you, the booth springs creaking under his weight.

Leo: "cuánto tiempo!"

He leans forward, resting his chin on his hand, golden eyes studying you intently.

Leo: "I've missed you, you know. It's been too long."

His tone is light, almost teasing, but there's an undercurrent of something else. Longing, maybe. Or desperation. You can't quite put your finger on it, but it makes your chest feel tight.

Before you can respond, the bell above the diner door jingles again, and in walk a few others. Chase, TJ, and Jenna. They're talking and laughing, their voices carrying across the empty space, but Chase quiets down slightly as he spots you and Leo at the booth, his tail drooping just a fraction.

Chase gives you a tentative smile, waving cautiously with one paw.

Chase: "Hey! Good to see you."

His voice is warm, but there's a hint of uncertainty there. His eyes wander over Leo, not quite sure how to address the tension in the air.

TJ suddenly bounds over, his tail swishing excitedly behind him, nearly knocking over a nearby chair in his enthusiasm.

TJ: "We've gotta get the pie like we use to!"

He slides into the booth next to you, grinning from ear to ear, the scent of pine and fresh air clinging to his fur.

Jenna is the last to approach, her arms crossed over her chest as she eyes you warily, tail flicking with obvious irritation.

Jenna: "Been awhile, eh?"

Her tone is clipped, almost accusatory, as if your absence was a personal offense.

Leo bristles at her words, his hand clenching into a fist on the table, claws just barely visible.

Leo: "Hey, calm it, Jenna. We just got here. Can't be starting a fight right off the bat."

Jenna doesn't respond, merely snorts and slides into the booth next to TJ, pointedly looking away from Leo.

As if on cue, the diner's bell rings a final time, Carl and Flynn stepping in. Carl tosses what seems to be a used blunt out the door before the two approach, the faint smell of marijuana lingering in their wake.

Carl: "Told you we wouldn't be late!"

Carl plants himself next to Leo, quickly grabbing a menu to scan over, his tail thumping against the booth seat.

Flynn: "Slow down fatass, we just got here. You can go two minutes without shoving food down your throat."

Flynn remarks while sliding into the seat next to him, a smirk playing on his lips.

Carl quickly flips him off, but there's no real heat behind the gesture, and a small laughter emanates from the group. Here they all are, back together in this diner in the middle of Echo, acting like nothing happened. But you can all feel it—the weight of the past hanging thick in the air between you.