Synopsis: When he sees how she struggles to express her inner urges, Lucy's neighbour James gives her a pill that causes her to act as her heart desires without the ability to feel self-conscious. In an instant she believes she is an energetic and playful puppy and is eager to fill her waking hours with fun. Will a morning's play with her new Master convince her that she is meant to be Lucy, his labradoodle?
It was Bonfire Night and Lucy had been invited to her neighbour's firework display. She had arrived nervously early and had been on the verge of leaving again since nobody else had arrived yet, but her friendly new neighbour James had coaxed her to stay and help him with the set-up.
It had surprised her when she had said yes so easily - usually she was shy around single guys. But there was something so reassuring about his presence that curbed her urge to flee.
Lucy liked having a feeling of purpose as she helped her neighbour set up. She enthusiastically threw herself into following her host's instructions. However, as more people started to arrive she felt her nerves returning - she always liked the thought of social events, but the reality of them was always way more big and scary than she remembered, especially when she turned up alone. And, ever since moving into a place on here own, away from her parents, she'd been alone.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped a little.
James rubbed her back reassuringly. "It's only me - how are you holding up?"
Lucy bit her lip. "Okay, I guess. There are just a lot of people here who I don't know."
"Don't know...yet." he corrected. "Me neither! But that's the purpose of this party - to get to know our neighbours better. Come on, let's go and introduce ourselves." He held out his hand and, to her surprise, she took it. It felt too natural and right to object.
They went around chatting to various people and Lucy found she quite enjoyed it. But whether it was the conversation that she liked, or the way the man's arm now draped casually over her shoulder to keep her at his side, she couldn't say.
It was almost time for the fireworks to begin. James led her out onto the crowded patio. "Wait here, I'll be right back."
She stuck her tongue out. "Well, not 'right back' - it looks like you have quite a few fireworks that you need to light first!"
He fondly ruffled her hair. "It's all automated nowadays - and anyway, Dan's doing that."
Lucy glowed with happiness as she watched James weave his way through the gathering crowd. Spending time with him had been fun, easy and unintimidating - just like she had always hoped for in a friendship but never found. She couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face in the dark. He must like her, too. After all, he had barely left her side.
Her smile wavered as a thought occurred to her. He was being protective of her - did that mean he saw her as a child? Or worse, a little sister? Maybe he only liked her like a big brother would.
A firework exploded nearby. She jumped violently. Hugging her coat to her body she ran back inside away from all the people and noise.
There were still a few stragglers in the lounge. She hurried through to the hall and spotted a coat cupboard. In her irrational panic she ran inside, breathing heavily. She just wanted to hide.
She snuggled back into the corner beneath James' winter coats. It felt strangely comforting. She sat down and nuzzled her face up against the fabric.
Footsteps in the hall roused her from her reverie.
"Lucy! Lucy!"
She blushed. James had come looking for her and here she was cowering in his coat cupboard! She wanted to pretend that she had gone in there to remove her coat, but her coat was still clearly wrapped around her and she now felt frozen to the spot.
Another firework exploded nearby. She jumped again, causing an umbrella to clatter to the ground. He opened the door.
Her heart skipped a beat. She felt frightened but wanted to run towards him rather than away from him, like a hug from him would make her feel all better.
She rocked backwards and forwards whimpering, uncertain what to do.
"You don't like the noisy fireworks, huh?"
She shook her head.
Another loud firework made her jump. She hugged her knees to her chest protectively.
"Shh, it's okay - here, let me try something." He knelt down in front of her and slowly put his hands up to her face.
She watched him nervously but didn't move.
He carefully cupped his hands over her ears. "Better?"
She could see his lips move but they didn't make any sound. She smiled gratefully.
He smiled and nudged his head upwards. She stood. He pulled back slightly on his hands and she found herself following without really thinking about what it might look like.
With his hands still cupped around her face he carefully led her up the stairs.
She followed as though in a trance. Her eyes were firmly fixed on him, drawing strength from his confidence as she let herself be led.
He sat her on a large bed and turned her to face the window. She gasped slightly as a pretty firework bloomed just outside. She looked up at him in wonderment. He grinned and sat down beside her, settling in to watch the display that was now way less scary when she could better anticipate the loud bangs.
As the big finale fireworks blazed through the night sky, Lucy suddenly noticed she had snuggled up against James. She stiffened self-consciously.
He smiled and rolled her onto her back in his lap, cradling her in such a way that it was less awkward for her to remain than to try and escape.
He gently petted her hair. "Shh, it's okay, Lucy. You wanted to snuggle, and that's okay - I wanted that, too. You don't need to hide your natural impulses from me."
She felt slightly soothed by his words and nuzzled up against him gratefully. But as she heard people starting to return downstairs her self-consciousness got the better of her and she fought to try and sit up again.
He rubbed her tummy soothingly. "Don't fight what you want - what we want - it's okay."
Lucy looked up at him longingly, yet she couldn't let go like that - couldn't trust herself into the man's care, however much she wanted to.
He reached out to grab a small pill bottle from his bedside table. The words 'Only use under direct supervision' were written in white across the sleek black label. He shook out a tablet. It was white but shaped like a doggy treat. He put it in the palm of his hand and held it up near her mouth. "Here puppy, eat this. I promise it will make everything feel better."
She moved her hand to his but hesitated to take the tablet. She looked up at him with a blush and squirmed. "Did you just say 'puppy?'"
However, as she opened her mouth to speak he tipped his palm up against her lips, pushing the pill inside. "Open up, Lucy, there's a good girl." He kept his hand over her mouth until he could feel that she had swallowed the tablet. He grinned. "Good girl - who's a good girl!"
She giggled happily and then put her hand to her mouth in confusion. She hadn't meant to show how much she had enjoyed him fussing over her.
He smiled. "That's right - you are! You like that, don't you?"
