Eddie had never really considered himself an animal person. So when a beautiful golden lab approached him out of the forest one afternoon as he sat smoking outside the trailer, it was a surprise and definitely flattering. The big guy trotted over, resting his head on Eddie's knees without hesitation, and looked up at him with big, chocolate-brown eyes, instantly melting any defenses Eddie had.

"Hey there. What're you doing all the way out here?" The dog had a collar and a name. "Jack? Well, okay then."

Snorting, he ruffled the dog's head, smiling when Jack settled beside him on the porch.

"Where's your owner, huh?"

Eddie didn't expect a response, so he waited for a while, hoping to hear someone calling Jack's name or appear from the forest. But it got dark, and no one came. He sighed, looking down at Jack, who had been stuck by his side the whole time.

"Guess you're spending the night, Jack. Let's hope Wayne doesn't mind."

However, Wayne didn't seem to notice the addition because he looked surprised when Jack padded over to say hello the following morning. "Eddie, why is there a dog in here?"

"Uh, he kinda followed me in?" Eddie grinned at Wayne's unimpressed expression. "He came out of the forest yesterday. Probably lost because he's a good-looking dog. Name's Jack."

"Well, I'm sure Jack's owners will want him back. You better find them, Eddie, 'cause we ain't keeping him."

"Yes, sir." Eddie mock saluted, but he knew Wayne was serious. He found an old belt that he fashioned into a lead and looped it around Jack's neck. "Come on then, let's find your family."

Eddie hoped someone in town would recognize the dog, but nobody approached him after a few hours of aimless walking. He was about to give up and head home when he decided to stop and grab something for lunch so Wayne didn't have to cook before he left for work. Waiting for the takeout outside, he heard someone cry out.

"Jack!" A girl he vaguely remembered from school came running over, crouching to greet Jack first, and looked at Eddie in relief. "Thank god you found him!"

"Oh, is he yours?"

She shook her head. "No. He's Steve's."

"Steve?"

"Yeah, Steve Harrington."

"Oh." Eddie knew Steve from school, too, but only by reputation. They were a grade apart and had never spoken to each other. "Do you wanna take him then?"

She tried, but Jack refused to leave. He sat beside Eddie with a forlorn look, ignoring the girl tugging on the makeshift leash. "Come on, Jack! Don't you wanna go home and see Steve?"

Jack's tail thumped in response, but he didn't get up.

"Guess not," she sighed and sat down next to him. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

Eddie left them to grab his food, and when he stepped outside, Jack finally got up, only to come to his side looking expectant. "I'm not Steve, y'know."

The girl jumped up with a wide grin. "If Jack won't go, I'll just bring Steve here!"

"But I gotta get home!"

"Where do you live?" Once Eddie gave her his address, she turned to leave. "We'll be there soon."

"I don't even know your name?"

"Robin!" And she was gone, running down the street and disappearing around the corner.

Sighing, Eddie picked up the lead and tugged lightly. Jack immediately got up and followed without difficulty. "You are a strange one. Let's go home."

Eddie ended up eating outside with Jack because he wanted Robin and Steve to see him when they arrived. Sure enough, after about twenty minutes, a maroon Beamer pulled up nearby, and Robin jumped out, followed by Steve Harrington. Eddie was surprised and also disgruntled to see that Steve was just as attractive as ever, even more so with a pierced ear and tattoos peeking out from the rolled-up sleeves of his sweater.

Steve rushed over to greet Jack, who had finally left Eddie's side. "Oh, here you are! Why did you wander off like that." He kissed Jack's head, beaming at Eddie after. "Thank you."

Too stunned to speak, Eddie could only nod back. But he smiled when Jack turned back to him, nudging his leg. "My pleasure. Dunno why he's so attached, though."

"Yeah, Rob told me he wouldn't leave. Must be something about you." Steve got to his feet, appraising Eddie. "Listen… can I take you out? Maybe buy you a couple of drinks? To say thanks for looking after Jack."

"I'd like that."

"Awesome. Oh, here." Steve grabbed Eddie's wrist, turning his hand palm up, and produced a sharpie from his back pocket to scribble a number on his hand. "Call me tonight, and we can set it up."

"S-sure."

Steve winked as he let Eddie go. "Come on, Jack. Time to go home. You'll see Eddie soon."

Eddie watched them go, Robin whispering furiously to Steve as they got Jack in the car. The way Steve blushed made Eddie feel a lot more confident, and he hurried inside to write Steve's number down before it smudged, ignoring Wayne's chuckling. Apparently, he'd seen the whole exchange. "Not a word, old man."

"You better call him."

"I intend to."