The Youtuber's Obsession

{Fourteen}

   Sam is rushing. An action that would normally be reserved for class or work, to get to one or the other on time. This time, he is rushing to get far away and hide from the group of people that had surrounded him and Spencer while out on a calm date. It was supposed to be a peaceful Friday night, Spencer wanting to take Sam to a movie theater at the edge of town, it is the main place for teenagers to hang around when the mall is closed. Sam had never stayed long before, coming in with Charlie to see what movie sparked an interest, nothing ever caught their attention.

This time Spencer suggested a movie about dogs, a cute animation that was pleasant to watch. Sam really enjoyed the animated animals, being reminded of his own dogs in certain actions the characters did. Spencer appeared happy as well, arm settled on Sam's shoulder and making whispered comments in his ear, all of which made him giggle. At times, the comments made him question if the actions the animals in the movie and his dogs did were only things animals do. Spencer would mention that doing such a simple task of sitting when told made the dogs a good boy, and the baker realized he does that as well.

The younger man had learned to sit when told in merely a few days since they became an official couple, Spencer being certain to teach him to sit and stay in public areas. The man claimed that it was so he knew where Sam was, reassured someone hadn't done something to him. Every time Sam listens to the request, even the stern stare and pointed finger at whatever seat, he gains a proud good boy from the man.

During the movie, he noticed he and the animated dogs have much more in common than he thought. He may be considered more dog than human with the amount of similarities. Spencer pointed out each one that applied to him, being certain to say such things to make it a good thing. Sam sits when told, oftentimes speaks when spoken to, comes to Spencer's side nearly on command and eats what is given to him, preening at any praise and pets he receives. At this realization, Sam finds he isn't overly bothered with it.

After all, he was aware all his life he was more drawn to animals than humans and he had gained dog-like behaviors in a sense from all the years alone with them. He is human, Sam is fully knowledgeable about that. However, he has simply grown accustomed to speaking in body languages and learning what type of growls or whines mean. This is how he lives with his dogs, only speaking verbally when he just wants to use his voice. Watching body language to gather what is being silently said, often getting in playful fights with the dogs and toys.

New toys don't last very long between all three of them, yet Sam joins them on the floor to play tug of war or allow himself to let go of stress. Just let go of the humanity that makes him stress and worry. He can focus on the toy, tugging it with one of the dogs and rolling around like a puppy. Spencer had witnessed it once, sat on the couch with a grin as he watched and had actually thrown a toy in the middle of the puppy pile to see Sam play around with them.

The man knew exactly what he was doing when he suggested the movie, made the comments. Showing Sam how puppy-like he really is and that he enjoys it, loves being a good boy. He said well thought out remarks that slowly sunk into Sam's skin, sitting inside his head that puppies need to be cared for and they're too vulnerable to be left alone for long. Spencer boldly called Sam puppy for the first time, offhandedly in a comment. "Are you drinking your water, Puppy?" Both to see how Sam reacted to it and to further drive into his head that he's a puppy boy that needs to be taken care of. To his delight, the boy didn't even question it, merely picked up his water and started to slowly sip on it. Sam hadn't noticed the name, not really.

He acknowledged it, what word it was and what it meant; a small vulnerable baby dog that needs care. It sparked a slow path to questioning whether he could be a puppy if he is human, wondering why he doesn't necessarily mind it. He doesn't understand his own mind or what could be possible, doesn't think he could have a Headspace like what he had glimpsed through on the internet.