ʏᴇʟʟᴏᴡ ∆ ᴄᴀᴇsᴀʀ ᴢᴇᴘᴘᴇʟɪ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ∆

∆ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ-ᴛᴡᴏ∆

I’d come to never forget what happened in Italy. I don’t want to say it haunted me, but it didn’t always bring up good memories in the beginning. It felt like it was only a few weeks ago, but in reality, four years had passed. Four years since the last time I ever saw Joseph or Caesar. Daniel had graduated from high school, picking odd jobs in construction with my dad. I had decided to go back to college and get a medical degree. The picture of my dad, brother, and I at my graduation sat on the mantel in my living room beside the picture of Daniel and me at his graduation.

“See you tomorrow, Doctor,” Emily, the head nurse said as I walked past, exhausted. I gave her a simple tired wave, and she laughed. “Get some sleep.”

“Plan on it,” I yawned, heading outside where I caught a cab to my apartment. I had just worked an 18-hour shift in the emergency room, and I was ready to go home under my covers. I loved being a doctor and helping people, but man, it sure was tiring.

When I got up to my apartment, as soon as I opened the door, a black mass came barreling out of the living room and bolted down the hall. I quickly realized what it was.

“Dixie!” I shouted, throwing my things in the apartment before slamming the door shut after snatching the leash from the rack. I scrambled after her, shouting her name as I chased her down the stairs. “Dixie! Heel, girl!” I yelled, pushing past people on the street as I ran after her. Dammit. This is not how this day was supposed to go.

“Watch it!”

“Sorry!” I yelled, slipping past a group of people before chasing the dog into the park. “Stupid dog!”

It felt like I chased her for hours, running around the park as other people jumped up and tried to help catch her. I was thankful she chose the park and not the freeway. I was panting, hands on my knees as I watched her bounce around one man and dart the other direction. I groaned before running after her again. I swear I was going to kill this dog. I continued to yell after her, ignoring the burn and pinch in my sides.

I could hear her barking and whining, and I was scared someone had kicked her away from them. I sped around the corner, yelping when I lost my footing in the gravel and slid to the ground. I quickly pushed myself up on my palms and snapped my head up, flipping my hair from my face.

“Dixie!”

I looked up at the man that had caught my dog. Wild brown hair, gazing emerald eyes, tall and broad-shouldered.

“Joseph?”

He looked down at me, and his eyes widened.

“Y/n?”

I looked over at the other person jogging towards us from across the street. Shaggy blonde hair, pretty lime eyes, and small purple triangles under his eyes.

“Caesar?”

“Holy shit!” Joseph exclaimed, bursting into laughter. Caesar placed the cups in his hand down and crouched in front of me, offering me his hand. I took them as he pulled me onto my feet. I knelt down in front of Dixie and clipped the leash onto her collar.

“This was not how I expected a reunion,” I chuckled, looking at them as I stood up, brushing some dust from my uniform.

“Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in like, four years. Can I hug you?” Joseph asked, practically bouncing with excitement. I laughed and nodded. Joseph didn’t hesitate to crush me in his arms, babbling about how sorry he was.

“C-Can’t...bre-breathe,” I wheezed. Caesar pulled him off.

“You’re like a bear,” He said, shaking his head. I said his name, which made his attention turn to me, as I opened my arms. “Huh?”