Having thoughts about Steddie getting some gremlin mutt of a dog from the pound. :,( He's their boy. They love him. His name's Samwise
When they break up, bc of course they do, Steve keeps the dog. While Eddie is crying over the end of their relationship, he's SOBBING at the thought of leaving Sam.
Jan 28, 2026 04:14But Steves always been better at taking care of him and getting him to the vet and going for runs, and Eddie's new place doesn't even allow pets.
But still.
Steve's trying to keep a firm stance, blinking the tears away as Eddie says goodbye.
He should offer to let eddie visit.
But while that's the best idea ever, it's the worst thing he could probably say right now.
It still hurts when Eddie tears himself away from Sam and drives off without a word, not looking back, and not saying goodbye to /him/ one last time.
Sam howls that night for the first time.
Months down the line, Steve is ushering out a one night stand because Sam didnt like their vibe. A year and kicking someone out because they didnt like Samwise's barking.
In a new relationship and getting a "its me or the dog" argument
And let's be fucking honest. Its always going to be the dog.
Eighteen months and he gets a call he's been dreading.
Not because Steve doesn't want to talk. But because the sound of Eddie's voice is like a balm on his aching heart. A cool breeze on a hot day. Warmth of the sun on his face.
"Hey..." comes Eddie's hesitant voice.
"Sorry." Is the second
thing he says. "Im sorry. I just. I'm in town and I thought..."
About me? Steve does not say.
"Can I come by and see Sam?" There's a shudder to his voice, a warble like he's been trying not to cry.
Steve clears a similar warble from his voice.
"Y-Yeah. Come over. He'd love to see you."
There's a pause and Steve is wondering if Eddie is thinking 'would /steve/ love to see him?'
If he is, he doesn't say it.
Instead, he clears his throat, says he'll be by around noon, and hangs up without another word.
Steve blinks at the phone and then goes to sit with Samwise on the couch.
"Daddy's gonna come tomorrow..." Steve says. "Hmm? You remember Daddy?"
Sam's ears perk up and his tail wags faintly but Steve thinks it might just be from the sound of his voice
He's in bed before he realizes he's not sure if Eddie knows where he lives now and has no idea how to call back to see.
But Sam starts barking at the window around noon and sure enough that's Eddie's ancient van slowing to a stop in front of his house.
Sam's in his later years now but he still puts on a show as Eddie gets out of the van, growling menacingly and barking fiercely at the strange figure approaching.
Steve hesitates to go out there with him - what if he doesn't remember Eddie? Bites him? Hurts him?
But even having leashed him, Sam bolts out the door the second it's cracked, the leash burning his palm as he tries to hold on.
Sam bounds for him, growling and barking like crazy. Hackles raised.
But as Eddie holds still, not backing down, Sam's tail begins to wag.
"Hey boy...." eddie grins, all laugh lines and dimples. "Remember me Samwise? Huh? Daddy?"
Sam yelps and jumps for him, tail wagging like mad as he licks his face and hands and ears and runs around him in disbelieving circles.
And Eddie is giggling as Steve approaches, grimacing as Sam must get in his ear. He smiles up at Steve as he approaches, patting Sam at the ribs and petting him as Sam sits in his lap.
"You've gotten fat Sammy boy," he informs the happy dog. "It looks like mommy's been taking great care of you."
Then he winces, like maybe realizing he shouldn't call his ex that.
Steve just huffs, his hands on his hips. But deep inside he knows if he had a tail, it'd be tentatively wagging.
Sam is licking his face and begging for attention, but every other look is sent to steve, nervous, biting his lip
"You look good," steve says.
"Not fat?"
No. Steve thinks, drawing his eyes over him. Skinny. But then, Eddie didn't want 'Mommy' taking care of him anymore.
"You look..." Older. Even longer hair. Happier maybe. "You look fine."
"Hm." Eddie says to Sam. "You look... great." He says awkwardly.
"Sam? You just said he was fat!" Steve laughs.
"Naw, Sam's the second most handsomest boy in the whole wide world, aren't you? Aren't you?" Sam goes crazy, barking and yelping again.
Steve blushes despite himself.
He turns on a heel, walking back, walking away. Eddie sharply inhales behind him.
Steve gets all the way to the door before he turns. Sam is laying in Eddie's lap, both of them looking at him.
Steve whistles, patting his thigh.
Sam bounds up, running over to him.
Then Eddie just sits there...
Steve cocks his head.
"You comin?"
Eddie stumbles over his own feet in his haste.
Samwise is ecstatic.
Daddy's home.
